Families At Promise program provides wraparound services and hope to Catholic school families

By Rose DeFer, courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School Students at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School (SVdP) have hopes and dreams and...

U.S. Department of Education names Xavier College Preparatory Blue Ribbon School for fourth time

For an unprecedented fourth time, Xavier College Preparatory, an all-girls Catholic high school, in Phoenix, was awarded the prestigious 2024 Blue Ribbon School this...

NEWS BRIEF: Record number of priests attend 2024 Priest Convocation

More than 170 priests from all over the Diocese of Phoenix gathered in Flagstaff this week for four days of prayer, fellowship and formation during the annual 2024 Priest Convocation titled “Ite Ad Joseph,” St. Joseph Model for Priests. The four-day gathering provides the opportunity for priests to learn together, share experiences, be renewed in prayer and come back to their parish communities more equipped. Morning and evening prayer, Eucharistic adoration, Mass, communal meals and small groups are all part of the agenda.

NEWS BRIEF: Fr. Kilian McCaffrey installed as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish

This past Saturday, Bishop John Dolan officially installed Fr. Kilian McCaffrey as the pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Scottsdale, Ariz. A native of Dublin, Ireland, Fr. McCaffrey has served as a priest in the Diocese of Phoenix for the past 17 years. He described his installation as pastor of Blessed Sacrament as a “full circle” moment, which began upon his arrival in Arizona in 1998. “I moved from the Detroit area back in 1998 and the first Sunday after I moved here, I was looking for a local Catholic Church to attend Sunday Mass,” shared Fr. McCaffrey. “I opened the Yellow Pages and found the Roman Catholic churches listings. The closest address I recognized was Blessed Sacrament Parish.”

St. Vincent de Paul opens two interim housing communities

On Friday, Bishop John Dolan joined leaders, donors, volunteers and residents for the official opening of De Paul Manor and Rosalie’s Place, St. Vincent...

Seton Catholic Preparatory celebrates its 70th anniversary as an institution

70 years is a long time. Since its humble beginnings in 1954, Seton Catholic Preparatory (SCP) in Chandler, Ariz., has been dedicated to providing students...

NEWS BRIEF: Christians across denominations gather in solidarity to pray for peace during elections

As a show of Christian unity and a plea for peace during this election season, seven Christian denominations in Arizona are teaming up for a series of prayer services over the next two months.   Themed “Faith over Fear,” the first prayer vigil will take place on Sept. 9 at 4:45 p.m. at Our Lady of the Angels Church at The Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale.  The second vigil, “Harden Not Our Hearts,” will take place on Oct. 14 at 6:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Tuscon. The final prayer service, “Loving Our Neighbor,” will take place on Nov. 4 at 12:00 p.m. at Sun City Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Sun City.  All are invited and encouraged to attend these services.

NEWS BRIEF: St. Mary-Basha Catholic School named “Apple Distinguished School”

St. Mary-Basha Catholic School, which provides Catholic education for preschool-8th grade students in Chandler, Ariz., was recently designated as an Apple Distinguished School for...

NEWS BRIEF: Special Mass celebrates 70th anniversary of Loreto Sisters’ presence in the Diocese...

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.

NEWS BRIEF: Jesus visits 22 states, nine countries and iconic landmarks with Catholic school...

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.