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Nods of appreciation and the shuffling of feet filled the room as hearty servings of spaghetti were ladled next to fresh-cut salad and slices of bread on multi-colored plastic trays. It was another ordinary evening at Andre House, an outreach mission that serves those in extreme poverty in downtown Phoenix, as more than 800 guests made their way through the dinner service line.

This morning Bishop Dolan celebrated a special Mass with a two-fold significance at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix. August 22, which is the feast of the Queenship of Mary, also marks the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the Loreto Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Diocese of Phoenix.

PHOENIX – The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s mission statement is, “a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.” Those guiding words of the 191-year-old organization – one of the most well-known both inside and out of the Catholic Church – was among the themes reflected in a message to SVdP members from across the United States Saturday, the final day of their annual conference.

The second annual “Catholic Night” at Chase Field is set for Friday, September 27, as the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the San Diego Padres at 6:40 p.m. The Diocese of Phoenix invites the community to join in this special event, that blends community spirit with America's favorite pastime. Tickets are available now and include a co-branded D-backs – Catholic Night baseball cap. Additionally, $5 from every ticket sold through the official link will benefit Catholic School Support 365, supporting families in need within the diocese’s Catholic schools.

Recently one of my daughters came home and asked, “Are we a super Catholic family?” In one of my best pro-parenting moments, I met her question with a question of my own: “Why would you ask that?” “Well,” she responded, “So & So said, that her mom said, that we are Super Catholic”. As if that is a bad thing, in my worst, recent, pro-parenting moment, I replied with irritation: “No. We aren't Super Catholic. We are Normal Catholic. They just don't practice the faith, so it is easy to say we are Super Catholic."

As Jean Loudenslagel filled a pitcher with fresh homemade lemonade, she looked around at those who filled her dining room table and smiled. The diverse group of believers, from the 30-year-old young professionals to the 80-year-old widows and widowers, laughed and connected with ease as they shared a meal together.  Loudenslagel never could have imagined that these fellow parishioners, who had been strangers six weeks prior, would become like family.  And it all started with a stirring from the Holy Spirit and a simple invitation. 

Chandler, Ariz. – St. Mary-Basha Catholic School successfully wrapped up its second annual #SMBFlatJesus project this summer. Inspired by the children’s book “Flat Stanley,” the project brought the school community together through shared faith-filled adventures. At the end of the 2023-24 school year, each St. Mary-Basha student received a Flat Jesus cutout to decorate and accompany on their summer travels. Families captured and shared photos of SMB Flat Jesus’ journeys at various locations, both near and far.

This fall, 15 new seminarians were accepted to Nazareth Seminary bringing the total number of men discerning the priesthood to 50, an all-time record for the Diocese of Phoenix. “This milestone is a testament to the foundation set before us by Bishops Olmsted and Nevares and Fr. Paul Sullivan and Fr. Matt Lowry, ongoing efforts in seminary formation, outreach opportunities and the collaboration with the laity who support our seminarians through their prayers and outreach,” said Fr. Kurt Perera, vocations director for the Diocese of Phoenix. 

A dark figure sits on the ground at the bottom of the page. Next to him is a golden moth. He faces away from the reader and looks ahead at a circle of light, in which stands a smaller figure – a feature to add depth and distance between them. Illuminated in gold, the figure inside the circle beckons the darker figure to come towards him. This is how Donald Jackson and his team of scribes and illuminators illustrated the Raising of Lazarus for the Saint John’s Bible. An official replica of the Bible, known as the Heritage edition, has now been at the Franciscan Renewal Center for 10 years, inspiring many – including the docents that give tours to visitors.

They say the Lord works in mysterious ways, but can an Instagram post about a bike bring someone into the Catholic Church? And help a fallen-away Catholic find his way home? In Kirby and Justine Wisdom’s case, the answer is a resounding yes. Or more appropriately, “I do.” The couple, who tied the knot at All Saints Parish in Mesa in May, said they met over Instagram, a social networking app for sharing photos and videos.