Advent week four: Making John the Baptist’s acquaintance in Advent
What do you think the John the Baptist of real time 2,000 years ago looked like and sounded like? I’m talking about the fascinating desert preacher who makes a fresh appearance in Christian communities during the Advent season leading to Christmas.
State of the Campaign — Christmas
During this season, God is inviting each of us to follow Him, to walk with Him and to be a part of His Church. The “Together Let Us Go Forth ~ Juntos Sigamos Adelante” campaign seeks to extend that invitation to every person in our diocese.
All are made in God’s image, says bishop at biannual healing Mass
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.
Broken statues lead to strengthened faith ahead of Christmas
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.
Young at heart: Church outreaches bring Christmas cheer to adults
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.
Catholic Charities program provides gifts to needy children
MESA — It began as a backyard project; an idea to help needy families at Christmas provide gifts for their children.
Anonymous donor serves as driving force behind sisters’ new wheels
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.
Community celebrates love for Our Lady of Guadalupe
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.
Christian, Muslim young people spread pre-Christmas cheer in Beirut
BEIRUT (CNS) — On a gloomy, rainy Saturday morning in Beirut, 92-year-old Julia enthusiastically greeted her visitors, Christian and Muslim youth, who had come to set up a Christmas tree in her modest apartment.
Maryvale parish forms schola cantorum for all ages
The singers are, by and large, those whose only prior singing experience is from the pew, but it's free and open to all.
