LOCAL NEWS

Over the past decade there has been an ever-growing awareness and discussion of gender identity and transgenderism.

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted endorsed the establishment of a new diaconal formation cohort.

A colorful, artistic and quite musical celebration honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the diocese, sandwiched an outdoor Mass that nodded to Mary’s title born in Mexico nearly 500 years ago and her title mirroring the day’s notable feast, that of the Immaculate Conception.

With the backdrop of a culture widely in sexual ruins, dozens of faithful married couples chose to spend their Saturday afternoon at the Diocesan Pastoral Center Dec. 1 for an NFP Day of Renewal.

Christmas came a bit early for the Missionaries of Charity who serve in the Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico, which has half of its territory in Arizona. And it wasn’t just a stocking-stuffer either.

A set of historic statues that were vandalized at St. Mary’s Basilica serve as a reminder of our own brokenness as we prepare for the coming of Christ, says rector Fr. Michael Weldon, OFM.

MESA — It began as a backyard project; an idea to help needy families at Christmas provide gifts for their children.

As the Catholic faithful continue to struggle with the abuse scandals uncovered this past year, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted led the local community in the diocese’s biannual bilingual “Mass of Healing and Reconciliation” Dec. 11 at St. Jerome Parish in Phoenix.

Even if guests can’t physically give much, spiritually, they gift several Catholic apostolates with their presence and someone to serve in an extra special way at Christmastime.

The hard-working priest was born in the Netherlands, began his priesthood in Africa and spent more than half of it in the Diocese of Phoenix.