LOCAL NEWS

Catholics from around the Diocese of Phoenix packed into the downtown Diocesan Pastoral Center Friday, Nov. 10, for Movie Night with Christ in Our Neighborhood. Bishop Dolan, who designed the weekly Scripture study program for small groups, was on hand to encourage the faithful to further communion around the Word of God. Sebastian Gomes, America Media documentarian, showed a 20-minute clip about Catholic parish life that featured St. Mary and St. Juan Diego Parish in Chandler. From live music to folkloric dancing, group discussion and a demonstration of how to use the Christ in Our Neighborhood website, the bilingual event was well-received and helped participants gear up for the Dec. 2 Honor Your Mother Mass and procession.

PHOENIX --- In the darkness of their lives, Mary Magdalene and Ss. Peter and Matthew received the light of Christ: Mary Magdalene delivered from demons, Peter restored to his leadership after denying Christ, and Matthew called from his life as a hated Jewish tax collector for Rome.

No seat was left empty as nearly 200 students came to hear international chastity speaker, Jason Evert at the Newman Center at Grand Canyon University (GCU) on Nov. 9. Evert discussed Catholic dating in college and shared the importance of chastity in the single life as well as continuing into marriage.

Hundreds of teens and young adults from all over the diocese gathered at the Phoenix Convention Center on Saturday, Nov.11 for a youth conference hosted by the Spanish Charismatic Renewal Youth and Young Adult Ministry (Fuego Santo). 

Dr. Christina McShane accompanies men discerning priesthood. A perfect example of how God’s divine providence works in the lives of His faithful can be seen in the life of Catholic psychologist, Dr. Christina McShane, who serves the Office of Vocations. A native of the Diocese of Phoenix, she accompanies seminarians of the diocese as they discern their vocation during their time of formation at Nazareth Seminary. McShane has traveled a providential route of joy, sadness, and self-discovery to arrive at her current destination as she guides men along the path to the priesthood.

Approaching the one-year anniversary of opening the first-ever Office of Mental Health Ministry in the Diocese of Phoenix, Thursday marked another big step in...

Catholic Education Arizona received two prestigious awards from the Phoenix Business Journal this week in recognition of its exceptional work in bringing affordable education...

A sampling of attendance at recent youth ministry events indicates participation across the Diocese of Phoenix has risen in the past year as parishes emphasize relationship-building and enjoy full activity schedules. A trend away from personal engagement can hamper one’s growth in his or her faith, according to Fr. John Ehrich, pastor of St. Thomas More in Glendale.“ The culture really lacks a lot of (community-building). Teens don’t know what they’re missing. There is this huge deficit in their ability to be in relationship with others. If you can’t be in relationship with others, it’s going to be difficult to be in relationship with God.

AVONDALE, Ariz. --- St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, whose growth has vaulted it into one of the largest in the Diocese of Phoenix, celebrated 100 years as a Catholic community Sunday. Bishop John P. Dolan presided as the guest celebrant at 12:30 Mass, followed by a large outdoor party capping a day of festivities that began with a pancake breakfast hosted by Boy Scout Troop 64.

At the first-ever consecrated life Octoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Xavier College Prep, Bishop John P. Dolan honored 14 religious sisters for their...