The Catholic Sun

In a heartfelt celebration of nearly a century of service, Catholic Charities Community Services marked its 91st anniversary with a special Mass presided by Bishop John Dolan at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Parish in Scottsdale, Ariz., last week. The occasion highlighted the organization's ongoing commitment to instilling hope in the lives of Arizona's most vulnerable residents since its founding in 1933. 

Standing at the corner of 27th Avenue and Bethany Home Road in Phoenix, Barb Small scans the sidewalks and passing traffic for anyone responding to the 2-by-3-foot sign she holds, asking in large letters, “Can I pray for you?” Several other women and men, each wearing a white shirt or blouse with dark trousers or blue jeans, stand nearby with similar signs, smiling and waving at the passing vehicles.

On the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, an Italian who founded the religious order of the Franciscans and was known for his patronage of animals, Bishop John Dolan visited St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix to bless residents’ animals and the new Marion and Bob Auray Companion Animal Clinic. Housed at St. Vincent de Paul's newest interim housing communities, Rosalie’s Place and De Paul Manor, the clinic will provide care for the pets of guests and neighbors in need.

Adults in the Diocese of Phoenix looking to learn more about the faith, now have more options with a promising new agreement between Loyola University New Orleans’ Institute for Ministry (LIM) and the Diocese of Phoenix. Tracey Lamont, director of LIM, is a professor of religious education and young adult ministry. She visited the Phoenix Diocese recently to discuss the program with diocesan leaders. The program developed, Lamont said, as a response to Vatican II.  

ROME (CNS) -- As fighting in the Middle East intensified and spread, Pope Francis turned to Mary, begging her to "intercede for our world in danger." With members of the Synod of Bishops, pilgrims, ambassadors accredited to the Vatican and Catholics from the Diocese of Rome, the pope led the recitation of the rosary for peace Oct. 6 at Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Love is demanding, but it is also beautiful when a woman and a man love each other fully, "without half measures," Pope Francis said. Love is "the beginning of a new life, destined to last not 'as long as everything goes well' but forever, accepting each other and living united as 'one flesh,'" he said, before praying the Angelus Oct. 6. Speaking to people gathered in St. Peter's Square, the pope used the day's Gospel reading from the 10th chapter of Mark to reflect on love between a man and a woman and on marriage.

On October 7, 2024, Bishop John Dolan released his first pastoral letter as the shepherd of the Diocese of Phoenix. Watch here as he shares his letter, entitled “TILMA," inspired by the acronym Testifica, oh Iglesia, a la Luz del Misterio del Amor (Testify, o Church, to the Light of the Mystery of Love). Looking to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Diocese of Phoenix, Bishop John has created a seven-year pastoral plan on evangelization, leading up to December 2031, the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe appearing to St. Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill in modern day Mexico City.

Nearly 3,500 Catholics enjoyed the 2nd annual “Catholic Night” at Chase Field this past Friday, as the Arizona Diamondbacks wrapped up their final regular season weekend against the San Diego Padres. It was a night of fellowship and fun, as Catholics from across the Diocese of Phoenix gathered in record numbers. In addition, $5.00 from every ticket sold was donated to support Catholic School Support 365.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican dicastery charged with overseeing and assisting religious orders confirmed that it plans to conduct an apostolic visitation of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, which was founded in 1988 by traditionalist priests wanting to maintain the old liturgical rites while remaining in full communion with the pope. In a statement released by the Vatican press office Sept. 30, the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life said the purpose of the visitation is "to deepen understanding of this society of apostolic life of pontifical right and to offer it the most appropriate support in its journey of following Christ."

LUXEMBOURG (CNS) -- Humanity needs to be motivated by spiritual values if it is to avoid being thrown into dangerous exploits and useless massacres, Pope Francis said. The world, even in Europe, is seeing a return of "rifts and enmities that, instead of being resolved on the basis of mutual goodwill, negotiation and diplomatic efforts, are resulting in open hostilities, leading to destruction and death," the pope said in Luxembourg during a meeting with authorities, members of the diplomatic corps and local representatives. It was the first day of a four-day trip Sept. 26-29 to the small nation and nearby Belgium.