Fr. Gerald Thaar (1937-2017): Crosier priest’s ministry spanned rain forest, desert, native Michigan
Fr. Thaar, osc, spent more than 50 years as a priest serving 27 year in the rain forest plus time as a chaplain and priest in Arizona plus his native Michigan.
Stewardship funding helps form both ‘saints and scholars’
“No matter how tough things got, we made a decision early on in our marriage to educate our children in Catholic school. We believe the education they are receiving is not only shaping their minds but also shaping their souls,” Ched said.
Help a neighbor, visit grandparents as part of Lent, pastor suggests
Sixth-graders got a Lenten sneak preview when their pastor visited class on Valentine's Day.
New director of Black Catholic Ministry ready to revamp outreach
A Catholic convert with deep roots in corporate law and business advisory services now stands at the helm of the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry for the Diocese of Phoenix.
Laugh 4 Hope to serve as pick-me-up for both audience, pregnant moms in need
Laughter can be some effective medicine that heals the souls of audience members and the fearful hearts of moms facing an unplanned pregnancy with the help of Life Choices and the H.O.P.E. Mobile clinic.
Sun City, greater diocesan community mourn loss of Fr. Joe McGaffin
Fr. McGaffin, who most recently served as pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Sun City until respiratory problems surfaced last fall, passed away Feb. 12. He was 52.
‘Life’ efforts continue amid hopeful legislation
Coast to coast, here in the desert, a little farther north in the mountains or in cyberspace, local Catholics continue to stand up for life issues.
Ecumenism is everybody’s responsibility, say speakers at Christian Unity prayer service
Ecumenism is everybody’s responsibility. That was the message shared by two nationally-renown speakers at the annual Prayer for Christian Unity, held Jan. 23 this year at St. Mary’s Basilica.
Sr. Noreen Joyce, SNDdeN (1933-2016): ‘Smiling nun’ served diocesan schools, parishes with joy
As a child Sr. Noreen, SNDdeN, always dreamed of going to Arizona and running a cattle ranch. She finally made it, but it wasn’t livestock she wrangled. Her first assignment in the state was as a kindergarten teacher.
Sr. Louise Szkodzinski, BVM (1921-2017): Polish pianist enriched lives worldwide including those at St....
Innate teacher and professional musician Sr. Louise Szkodzinski, BVM, who served as music director at St. Catherine of Siena Parish and as a music teacher at the parish school in the '80s and '90s, passed away Jan. 16 in Dubuque, Iowa. She was 95.