LOCAL NEWS

Notre Dame Cathedral in France and St. William in Cashion, Ariz., are about as different as two churches can be. In appearance, culture and age, they’re at opposite ends of the spectrum. But aside from their Catholic identity, they share an important common bond: Each was heavily damaged by fire. A 2019 blaze devastated Notre Dame. The cathedral, officially known as Notre Dame de Paris, meaning “Our Lady of Paris,” was restored and has been welcoming worshippers since December, while its counterpart in the Arizona desert awaits the funding needed to do the same following a fire of unknown cause over a year ago.

Since the beginning of his role as the shepherd of the Diocese of Phoenix in August 2022, Bishop John Dolan has spent a lot of time listening. Within his first year in the diocese, he went on a listening tour, visiting 35 parishes, all seven Catholic high schools and three Newman Centers, nearly 30 ministries and charities, groups of religious sisters and a variety of cultural groups. His goal was simple: to get to know the heart of his flock. Now, three years into his role as Bishop of Phoenix, Bishop Dolan is focusing his listening in a particular way on young adults.

The faithful gathered at St. Clare of Assisi Parish in Surprise, Ariz., this week to participate in a three-day training on building parish communities which welcome children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The training was led by SPRED, Special Religious Development Training, an Archdiocese of Chicago program. The training objectives were to understand the SPRED model of catechesis, support faith and development for people with disabilities, build faith communities that foster a sense of belonging, facilitate hands-on learning outcomes and create a supportive environment for SPRED ministry.

Bishop John Dolan led the diocese in celebrating a special Mass for grandparents and the elderly Sunday. The Mass of thanksgiving at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix coincided with the Church’s fifth annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. It wasn’t just a Mass honoring grandparents, but the time-tested practice of one generation passing on its love of God to the next.

I had the opportunity recently to attend a very powerful ceremony: the consecration of the new altar in the chapel of St. Mary’s House, located next door to St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix — one of the four houses that make up Nazareth Seminary here in the Diocese of Phoenix. It was an intimate and moving experience.   During his homily, Bishop John reminded us that while altars and chapels are important, they are not the Church. We are. The living, breathing Body of Christ, the communion of saints and our loved ones who have gone before us. It’s a reminder of why we are here on this earth, and that the life we live doesn’t just touch the lives of those in our immediate vicinity, but the Church as a whole.  

Bishop John Dolan announced the first edition of the Nazareth News Magazine — an inside look at the Diocese of Phoenix’s local and thriving Nazareth Seminary.   “Through prayers and support for our seminarians, you play an integral role in the inspiring stories of faith, formation and fostering vocations that fill these pages,” said Bishop Dolan, who extended an invitation to all faithful to read through a digital copy of this new, annual periodical produced by the diocesan Office of Mission Advancement. 

This month Bishop John Dolan announced the launching of Nazareth News Magazine — an inside look at the Diocese of Phoenix’s local and thriving Nazareth Seminary. Below is a story from the first magazine edition. To access the full digital version of Nazareth News Magazine Volume No. 1, click here.  For 10 seminarians from St. Mary’s House in downtown Phoenix, a springtime mission trip to a Maricopa reservation was an act of service and a powerful immersion into the heart of their future ministry.  

Bishop John Dolan took part in a special commissioning of Dr. Douglas Ross, the new president of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, this past Thursday (July 31) at the hospital’s Marian Chapel in downtown Phoenix. Named the hospital’s new president this past fall, Dr. Ross joined St. Joseph’s from CHI St. Vincent System in Arkansas, where he served as chief medical officer for the market and as president of St. Vincent Hot Springs Hospital. He earned his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Thanks to a grant from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix announced the creation of a new position — Catholic Schools Major Gifts Officer — which will focus on strengthening enrollment and building long-term capacity through professional development and strategic outreach. The diocese is accepting applicants for the position with a target of Sept. 15 to be filled. “This is not a short-term solution; it’s a visionary step forward,” said Debbie DiCarlo, executive director for the Diocese of Phoenix’s Office of Mission Advancement.

I’ll never forget the day I yelled at God. I was in seminary, and I had recently lost my sister, Therese, and my brother-in-law, Joe, to death by suicide on the same day. This came years after my brother, Tom, had died by suicide when I was in eighth grade. I was hurting, I was angry and I had no idea why God let all of this suffering take place. At the time, I was studying at the University of San Diego. I went for a walk in my unrest and found myself at a large, empty field that overlooks Mission Bay.