LOCAL NEWS

Yancy Evans was participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation but thirsted for even more knowledge about his budding Catholicism. The Institute of Catholic Theology was there for him. “I wanted to understand my faith better,” Evans said. He started with a course on Scripture and moved on to systematic theology and Catholic Social Teaching. “For me, it was just a well-rounded formation tool that helped me get into the get into the faith deeper and have a better understanding of things.” 

We would like to express our solidarity with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), numerous ecumenical and faith leaders, and many others, in their recent and continued support for immigrants. As your bishops, we remain concerned for the safety and welfare of all our flock, including migrants presently facing immense challenges.  Be assured that the Church will continue to advocate for the dignity and just treatment of migrants and will accompany them as much as we are able during this stressful time.   

The first-ever breakfast fundraiser for the Nazareth Seminary was a roaring success, raising $1.2 million dollars thanks to a matching grant from The Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation.   Held on Sunday, Nov. 17, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Scottsdale, Ariz., the brunch included a live auction, music, tours and guest speakers.

It’s 4 o’clock in the morning on Christmas Eve and little dots of light begin to dapple the pitch blackness that covers the surrounding hills. Local Filipino farmers, not getting a break even for the holidays, dress for another days’ work and grab their lanterns as they set out. But they aren’t on their way to the fields, not yet—first, they travel in droves to morning Mass, worshipping before dawn when they will begin their daily labors. These are the humble roots of Simbang Gabi (pronounced: Sim-BAHNG Gah-BEE), a wide-spread and vibrant nine-day Filipino Catholic Christmas tradition, which is 355 years old—and for the first time in Diocese of Phoenix history it will be celebrated at a diocesan-wide event this Advent.  

Xavier College Preparatory, a Phoenix-based girls’ Catholic high school from the Diocese of Phoenix, captured both the girls Class 6A state volleyball championship and the Division 1 girls’ golf state title this month. The No. 1 seed, Xavier Prep avenged their lone regular season loss on November 16th at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, defeating Corona del Sol High School in four sets, 25-16, 25-16, 17-25, 27-25 to win the Class 6A championship. Sophomore Tessa Larkin led Xavier with 22 kills while Elle McCreery and Vivian Hickman combined for 26 kills.  Entering the match ranked 15th nationally by MaxPreps, Xavier’s only AIA regular season loss was on Oct. 29 at Corona del Sol, 3-1.  This marks Xavier Prep’s 14th state volleyball title.

This past Friday, Pope Francis appointed the Rev. Artur Bubneyvch, of the clergy of Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix, as bishop of the same eparchy. He previously served as a parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Albuquerque, N.M.

Gabriella, nearly 3 years old, sits quietly working in a corner of what’s known as the atrium. The learning environment features child-sized furniture and tiny liturgical items fashioned after the sacred vessels used in the Mass. Welcome to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) for toddlers. Eighteen families at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Scottsdale bring their little ones each week to the Precious Pearl Atrium for two hours of reverent work.

Before a standing room only crowd on Saturday morning, 14 men were ordained to the permanent deaconate at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church in Scottsdale, Ariz. This was the largest cohort of deacons in recent years for the Diocese of Phoenix. Leading up to the day of ordination and lifelong call of service, candidates went through a rigorous formation program, including five years of study along with the two-year Kino Catechetical Institue program as part of their discernment.  

There aren’t any tests or papers to turn in but make no mistake: Courses through Franciscan at Home’s Catechetical Institute are rigorous and designed to be both informative and transformational. Dr. Mark Ginter, strategic partnership liaison fellow for the Franciscan, said the primary focus of the institute is to help form disciple-makers. That’s done through something he calls “true video workshops” in four languages.

When the first round of the Arizona Interscholastic Association's (AIA) state football playoffs kick-off on Friday night, three local Catholic high schools will be among the contenders fighting for the coveted state championship.  Seton Catholic Prep, making their first playoff run since 2019, will play at Arcadia High School in Class 4A, while Brophy College Prep hosts Boulder Creek High School from Anthem in Class 6A, and Notre Dame Prep travels to Verrado High School in Buckeye for Class 5A action.