As Month of the Holy Rosary unfolds, pro-lifers plan on winning the battle for...

Catholics from parishes throughout the Diocese of Phoenix took to the streets Oct. 14 carrying a 50-foot rosary to pray for the protection of unborn babies and the defeat of Proposition 139. A 25-foot Winnebago wrapped in messages that warned of the dangers of the ballot proposition travelled alongside the peaceful prayer march that snaked its way through East Valley morning traffic.  “Prop 139 allows late term abortion” and “Prop 139 will increase child trafficking” were among some of the bold wording featured on the RV.

Priest prepares for dual role as Army chaplain, Prison Ministry director

Fr. Estevan Wetzel is taking on two very different roles this fall; one he planned for, one he didn’t. Both involve a core aspect of any priest’s mission: sharing Jesus and the beauty of the Catholic faith, seeing the Lord water those seeds and helping others experience the peace, joy and fullness of a walk with God in this life, amid their joys and struggles. Neither of his new ministries fall within the traditional church setting.

Seminarians visit parishes to share personal testimonies and promote vocations

“Who doesn’t want to be a superhero?”   These were the words of Fr. Kurt Perera, director of Vocations for the Diocese of Phoenix and formator at St. Mary’s House, who spoke to a packed church during a special vocations Mass earlier this month at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Tempe, Ariz.   The congregation was brimming with young boys and men.  During his homily, Fr. Perera spoke about the reality that God calls ordinary men to do extraordinary things for His Kingdom through the priesthood, and he boldly invited everyone present to be open to the possibility that the Lord might be calling them or someone from their own family to this profound way of life.

Catholic Charities Community Services Celebrates 91 Years of Service in Arizona

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. 

Three parishes bring God’s love to ‘rough’ Phoenix neighborhood

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.

NEWS BRIEF: Feast of St. Francis of Assisi animal blessing

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.

Agreement with Loyola University New Orleans fosters adult formation in diocese

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.  

As wider war threatens Middle East, pope asks Mary to intercede

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.

Love is beautiful when lived generously, pope says at Angelus

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.

Bishop Dolan’s first Pastoral Letter as Bishop of Phoenix

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.