Laity, religious gather on All Saints Day to celebrate vocations

Those already in religious life are almost always are part of communities who follow a canonized saint, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said during an All Saints Day vocations celebration.

Arizona Catholic Conference Bishops’ Statement on Syrian Refugees

In the wake of the tragic loss of innocent life taken by terrorist actions in Paris, the Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) understand the increasing hesitation on the part of our government and American citizens to receive Syrian refugees into the United States.

God is mercy: Holy Year affirms belief Christians, Muslims, Jews share

In his official proclamation of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis noted that the Christian profession of faith in God's mercy "relates us to Judaism and Islam, both of which consider mercy to be one of God's most important attributes."

U.S. bishops approve statement that calls pornography ‘mortal sin’

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops approved a statement on pornography on the second day of their Nov. 16-19 fall general meeting in Baltimore. “Producing or using pornography is a mortal sin that needs to be confessed in order for the person to receive God’s forgiveness,” says the draft version of “Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography.” “Those who produce and distribute pornography harm the common good by encouraging and even causing others to sin,” it says.

God never shuts the door; church always must be open, too, pope says

The pope dedicated his catechesis to the symbol of the Holy Door, which will be opened at St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 8 to mark the start of the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.

Bishop disturbed by calls to end resettlement of Syrian refugees in U.S.

"These refugees are fleeing terror themselves — violence like we have witnessed in Paris," said Seattle Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, chairman of the migration committee for the U.S. bishops.

Carmelite Missionary Sisters establish novitiate at Scottsdale parish

A mini vocation boom of sorts at St. Daniel Parish saw the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of the Child of Jesus convent welcome a novice, a formator and temporarily, a woman in the early stages of discernment.

Recycled Orchestra produces clean sounds, renewed spirits

Alas, the older generation can rightly claim that what they’re hearing is garbage. But they’ll have to distinguish between the physical instruments and the sound coming out of them.

Pray to lead with understanding hearts, credible voices, bishops told

At the opening Mass for the annual fall assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the USCCB president urged his brother bishops to pray for virtues that would help them be better spiritual leaders.

Mesa parish loses long-serving deacon

Dcn. Tom Bolduc passed away Oct. 21 following a short illness and hospice care. He would have turned 69 Nov. 18.