The Catholic Sun

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Leo XIV urged U.S. high school students to be "intentional" with their screen time, their prayer time and their involvement in a local parish. "One of my own personal heroes, one of my favorite saints, is St. Augustine of Hippo," the pope told 16,000 young Catholics meeting in Indianapolis. "He searched everywhere for happiness, but nothing satisfied him until he opened his heart to God. That is why he wrote, 'You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.' "With a livestream connection, Pope Leo spoke for close to an hour Nov. 21 with participants at the National Catholic Youth Conference meeting at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

This month the Diocese of Phoenix’s Office of Mission Advancement released the 2025 Impact Report, filled with the stories of individuals and families who have experienced the hope of Christ through the services of wide-reaching ministries, charities and organizations in the diocese.   

Bishop John Dolan released a pastoral letter today (Nov. 21) entitled El Camino Real, delving into year two of TILMA, his seven-year pastoral plan on evangelization leading up to the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadlupe’s apparitions to St. Juan Diego in 2031. 

Six Catholic bishops and over 50 priests representing 11 dioceses gathered for Mass on Tuesday evening (Nov. 18) at All Saints Catholic Church in Mesa, Ariz., to kick-off the bi-annual Leadership Council gathering of the National Association of Filipino Priests-USA.  The Mass also marked the 30th anniversary of Fr. Joevensie “Jovi” Balang’s ordination to the priesthood.   Bishop John Dolan and Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares of Phoenix were joined by Archbishop Rex Alarcon (Archdiocese of Caceres - Philippines), Auxiliary Bishop Rey Bersabal (Diocese of Sacramento), Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Celino (Diocese of El Paso) and Auxiliary Bishop Andres Ligo (Diocese of San Jose) for the special occasion.  

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A Catholic who reported having had some sort of mystical experience is not automatically a candidate for sainthood, Pope Leo XIV said, but such a report is not a reason to dismiss a candidate either. Mysticism is "an experience that surpasses mere rational knowledge --not because of the merit of the one who lives it, but through a spiritual gift that may manifest itself in different, even apparently opposite, ways, such as radiant visions or deep darkness, afflictions or ecstasies," the pope said.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Being a Christian means recognizing every person as a brother or sister and always being ready to lend a helping hand, Pope Leo XIV said ."Brothers and sisters support each other in hardship, they do not turn their back on those who are in need, and they weep and rejoice together in the active pursuit of unity, trust and mutual reliance," the pope said Nov. 12 at his weekly general audience. Continuing his series of audience talks on "Jesus our hope," the pope said he wanted to look specifically at Jesus' command to his followers that they love one another.

Applications have officially opened for the 2026 cohort of Engage Your Equal (EYE), a service immersion program that fosters global solidarity among young adults, cross-cultural dialogue and a deeper understanding of the universal Church. This marks the second consecutive year of the program. 

Just a few blocks from St. Agnes Catholic Church and School in Phoenix, there’s a small building others may not even know exists. For those inside, it’s sweet relief from the heat and misery they’ve left behind.  Desert Terrace Healthcare houses and cares for mostly elderly patients in poor health who come from difficult circumstances. Traffic whizzes down the busy street in front of the facility as men and women experiencing homelessness push battered grocery carts and beg for money under the shade of a nearby freeway overpass. 

Because of the Virgin Mary’s intercession, “I am here today because as a mother she wants the best for her children,” says Miguel Dominguez. Coordinator of Católicos en Acción at St. Augustine Parish in Phoenix, Dominguez pondered what his life would have been like if he and his family weren’t part of the Church or saved by Christ. “The Virgin Mary has shown me that humility, obedience and will that you need to give to the Lord.”

Over 240 people gathered in downtown Phoenix on Sunday morning (Nov. 16) at the Diocesan Pastoral Center for the second annual breakfast fundraiser for the Nazareth Seminary, raising over $2.5 million dollars. The event more than doubled the inaugural event efforts from last year ($1.2 million dollars). Monies raised will support all needs of the Nazareth Seminary, including tuition, room and board, retreats and missions, transportation and facility upkeep. Two anonymous donors​​ generously matched​​ all donations raised at the breakfast.