Faithful pitch in $7.8 mil to CDA

Local Catholics gave more than $7.8 million this year to fight poverty, educate students and bolster pro-life efforts through the Charity and Development Appeal.

Catholic leaders respond to Supreme Court rulings on DOMA, Prop. 8

While gay rights activists and others welcomed the June 26 rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court on marriage, Catholic leaders both locally and around the country offered a different view.

Catholics Matter: Intrepid sister goes door-to-door inviting Catholics to Mass

That knock at the door might not be a sales person. Sr. Margery Therese Harkin, PVMI, with her soft Irish brogue and sparkling blue eyes, is out pounding the streets, looking for the lost sheep, even as the summer’s brutal heat beats down on her pale blue dress and veil.

Like pope, local pilgrims headed to first World Youth Day in Rio

The 13th global World Youth Day celebration kicking off July 23 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will feature several firsts and local Catholics will be there to experience some of them.

Local Catholics mourn loss of priests, sisters

The faithful are mourning the loss of two priests and two religious sisters with ties to the Diocese of Phoenix who died in recent weeks.

‘Sun’ associate publisher elected president of Catholic Press Association

Rob DeFrancesco’s silver Ford Focus is one of the first cars to pull into the downtown Diocesan Pastoral Center underground parking garage. On many nights, it’s one of the last cars to leave.

Benedictine University offers new leadership program in Mesa

They’re first-generation college students poised to make a name for themselves and their college. What’s more, it’s all set to unfold in their own...

Young Catholics raise money for missionary work

Mariah Butcher, 18, a St. Bernadette parishioner and Eveling Ortega, 26, a St. Joan of Arc parishioner, are two local young adult missionaries joining 130 of their peers nationwide for a year of service through NET Ministries.

Deacon Petersen elected president of Catholic Physicians Guild

Deacon Dick Petersen, M.D., has been elected president of the Catholic Physicians Guild of Phoenix. Deacon Petersen, who was ordained in 1997, graduated from Creighton University Medical School in 1965. The father of three and grandfather of three has been a member of the Catholic Physicians Guild for the last 20 years.

Be generous givers of mercy, not condemnation, disapproval, pope says

God wants people to be generous and merciful, not full of condemnation toward others, Pope Francis said. God is well aware of "our miseries, our difficulties, even our sins, and he gives all of us this merciful heart," capable of being loving and merciful toward others, he told pilgrims gathered outside the papal summer villa.