Our August print edition promotes an upcoming Mass designed to honor the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit to the Phoenix Diocese. Take a look at what else made Church headlines around that time and other August issues of The Catholic Sun over the years.
From our August 1987 issues (25 years ago):
- 70-year-old quits job; it's a matter of faith
News wire story about a Florida woman who worked at a Baptist church's childcare center. The pastor suddenly required all staff to become members. - Catholic school registration
A one-page spread in a special “back-to-school” section listed schools that still had seats available. Annual tuition was roughly $850 and up, although some listed much lower fees. It was unclear if those fees were monthly or annually. - Where there's a will to see pope, there are still ways
One of many headlines advancing Pope John Paul II's Sept. 14 visit to the Diocese of Phoenix. Another said that up to 500,000 people were expected to line parade route and that bus rental was full with more than 800 contracted out for the papal Mass. - Amnesty fights local executions
Amnesty International chose Arizona as one of 16 states to focus its campaign because Arizona had a high number of inmates on death row at the time (65). When the article was written, the state hadn't executed anyone since 1963. Seven men had recently been granted stays of execution.
Follow ongoing work (and victories) by Amnesty International to abolish the death penalty. And here's The Catholic Sun's latest take on the issue.
- World's Catholics total 866.7 million people
Vatican figures equated that to about 18 percent of the Earth's inhabitants. Brazil — where World Youth Day will occur next year — had the most Catholics at the time at 120 million.There are 1.2 billion Catholics now, still making up 17.5 percent of the world's population. I would think we have some work to do in the evangelization department.
- Shut-in with cancer wants to attend ASU Mass
Phillip Renovato was among many home-bound Catholics who couldn't get out to see the pope during his Arizona visit. The bishop gave a replica of the crucifix the pope carried on his staff to the homebound along with a letter asking for their prayers.
From our August 2002 issues (10 years ago):
- Juan Diego's sainthood translates into victory for indigenous people
Juan Diego was canonized July 31 that year, some 470 years after the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The article included a quote from a descendant of Juan Diego.
A recent Guadalupe Celebration in Los Angeles drew tens of thousands. - Pope makes Juan Diego a saint!
- Bishop lauds St. Juan Diego at local celebration
- Family's devotion to Mary dates back to early 1900s
A reflection written by Luis and Josefina Acosta at Christ the King Parish in Mesa. - Hispanic business leader revels in canonization of humble St. Diego
- Downtown gains new skyline attraction as chapel dome is raised
Some 300 people signed their name on the 9,000-pound skeleton at the start of a dome-raising ceremony for the new Diocesan Pastoral Center. - Catholic officials applaud vote to ban partial-birth abortion (CNS)
- Spirit of Gerard lives on in alumni, new trophy display
With the former Gerard Catholic high school closed, some of its trophies now reside at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School in Chandler.
- Msgr. Collins won't quit his mission from God
Article honored his 90th birthday. Msgr. Collins has a hall named in his honor at St. Bridget Parish in Mesa - Priest, speed skater among Hispanic heritage award winners
Fr. Virgilio Elizondo, a professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, was from the San Antonio Diocese. He also had published writings and lectures and televised bilingual Masses. He founded the Mexican American Cultural Center, which trains catechists for Hispanic and multicultural ministry.
The center is now known as Mexican American Catholic College.
