LOCAL NEWS

St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Surprise, Ariz., began welcoming faithful to their new adoration chapel in May. The high ceilings, stained glass windows and alcoves brushed with gold leaf accent the focal point of the chapel: the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The consecrated host is displayed in a golden monstrance with a sunburst design, inviting each visitor into meditative silence and prayer. The parish began in July 2000, with Fr. John Coleman celebrating Mass in a rented space supported by two modular buildings. By 2008, construction of a permanent church was completed, made up of a simple structure with concrete floors. As the community continued to grow, new improvements were made including permanent pews with kneelers, adding enough seating for nearly 1,800 worshipers. By the time Fr. Tahddeus McGuire arrived at the parish in 2021, additional construction was in progress for a new 44,000-square-foot parish center. Included in the original plans was a dedicated perpetual adoration chapel.

One of my standard mama prayers in these past two decades of parenting has been: “Make Your will clear, Lord!” I have prayed this for myself, and on behalf of my husband, friends, parents and, of course, my children. When it comes to my children’s vocations, the prayer has been the same desperate plea with a slight edit: “Make Your will clear to them, Lord!” A few years ago, I found myself playing the role of chauffeur for a visiting priest. Captive in my car, I asked him how I could best support my sons as they discerned their vocations. I assured him we had a 15-minute drive, so he could take his time responding.

For the first time since 2021, the Diocese of Phoenix has established a new territorial parish on the corner of 43rd Avenue and Dobbins Road in Laveen, Ariz. Divine Word Parish will serve one of the fastest-growing communities in the diocese. Effective July 1, 2026, Rev. Bonaface Issaka, SVD, has been appointed Parochial Administrator of the new parish, which became part of the South Mountain Deanery, with its territory taken from St. Martin de Porres Parish. 

The Diocese of Phoenix has signed an official partnership with the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network to deliver Pope Leo XIV’s monthly prayer intentions across all diocesan platforms in both English and Spanish, from The Catholic Sun online and social media to the Sunday TV Mass broadcast on local CW7. In collaboration with Vatican Media, the historic initiative debuts today (July 2), featuring Pope Leo XIV’s July prayer video alongside a personal reflection from Bishop John Dolan. In addition, the diocese will collaborate and help support production for the October edition of The Pope Video, which places an emphasis on mental health awareness.

The University of Mary is expanding its mission of Catholic higher education with the launch of its Graduate School of Theology in downtown Phoenix this fall, establishing a new center for graduate theological formation that will prepare future priests, lay leaders, educators and ministry professionals to serve the Church.

Five Catholic bishops from the United States-Mexico border region led a day of pastoral accompaniment in Nogales, Ariz., and Nogales, Mexico, Friday (June 26) as the United States approaches its 250th birthday as a nation on July 4. “We are here as shepherds of the Church,” said Bishop James Misko of the Diocese of Tucson, Ariz., prior to celebrating Mass inside Nogales, Ariz.’s historic Sacred Heart Parish, less than a half mile from the international border.

Georgia Cobb had no idea what to expect when she left Phoenix to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, yet she resolved to approach her new...

For the second consecutive year, the Diocese of Phoenix’s Office of Communications team was recognized by their peers from across North America for their outstanding work, creativity and commitment at the annual Catholic Media Conference’s Awards Dinner this past Friday (June 19). The diocesan team was honored with seven national accolades by the Catholic Media Association during the event held at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. "We are absolutely thrilled and deeply humbled to be recognized nationally with seven Catholic Media Awards,” said Brett Meister, who was appointed director of communications for the diocese in March 2022 after a 24-year career as a communications executive for the Harlem Globetrotters.

The Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit, established in the Diocese of Phoenix with the mission to tend to the pastoral and spiritual needs...

Auxiliary Bishop Peter Dai Bui celebrated the Kino Catechetical Institute graduation Mass for 32 individuals from the Diocese of Phoenix on Tuesday (June 16) at St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix. Originally founded by the Carmelites in 1972 and restructured by Bishop Emeritus Thomas Olmsted in 2011, Kino provides a key component of faith formation in the Diocese of Phoenix. With an emphasis on catechetics, a term that refers to passing on the teachings received from Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago, students come to understand what Catholics believe and why they believe it.