The Catholic Sun

An estimated 10,000 Filipino Catholics make their home in the Diocese of Phoenix. Many hold culturally rooted faith traditions close to their heart, perhaps none stronger than Simbang Gabi, a novena leading up to Christmas that recalls the nine months the Virgin Mary carried the Christ child before giving birth. Pronounced “sihm–BAHNG gah-BEE,” the celebration has been a staple of the season for Filipino Catholics across the world for hundreds of years and is part of the December calendar for a half dozen parishes in the diocese with Filipino populations. 

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A "sickness" that is widespread in the world is not believing in the meaning and beauty of life, and, consequently, lacking the courage to live and to generate life, Pope Leo XIV said. To generate life "means to trust in the God of life and to promote humanity in all its expressions: first and foremost, in the wonderful adventure of motherhood and fatherhood," the pope said Nov. 26 at his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square. And to generate life is also "to be committed to an economy based on solidarity, striving for a common good equally enjoyed by all, respecting and caring for creation, offering comfort through listening, presence and concrete and selfless help," he said in his main catechesis.

On a sleepless night in Nairobi, Kenya, Lazmhy Gallo Hernandez suddenly had an idea about what she could do when she returned to her home parish, St. Charles Borromeo in Peoria, Ariz.  Gallo Hernandez decided to develop programming called “Glimpses of Heaven” for her parish’s teen group. “When we were in Kenya, oftentimes participants were saying this is what heaven would look like,” she shared. “It came to me randomly. I was being woken up by the sheep outside and it came to me.” 

For over 30 years, St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix has been providing much needed food to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul during the Thanksgiving holiday. Over 500 St. Mary’s students took part in a three-mile walk-a-thon on Tuesday morning (Nov. 25) from the high school to St. Mary’s Basilica downtown, delivering over 13,000 canned goods for St. Vincent de Paul, continuing to integrate community service into its curriculum as a core principle. 

In anticipation of the 20th annual Honor Your Mother, the diocesan celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe taking place on Dec. 6, and in tandem with TILMA, Bishop John Dolan’s seven-year pastoral plan on evangelization, the Diocese of Phoenix held a musical competition to compose a bilingual, TILMA-themed choral arrangement to engage musicians across Arizona. Domonic Smith, musician, writer and music director at St. Bridget in Mesa, Ariz., was selected as the winner and recently appeared on the monthly TILMA podcast with guest host Fr. John Muir to share the inspiration behind his piece. 

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The foundation of sacramental marriage is the unity of the spouses, a bond so intense and grace-filled that it is exclusive and indissoluble, said a document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.The document, "'Una Caro' (One Flesh): In Praise of Monogamy. Doctrinal Note on the Value of Marriage as an Exclusive Union and Mutual Belonging," was released only in Italian by the Vatican Nov. 25. Pope Leo XIV approved its contents Nov. 21 and authorized its publication.

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.