Grace should cause awe, like a summer snowfall would, pope says
ROME (CNS) -- Whether or not Mary caused snow to fall in Rome on a summer day more than 1,600 years ago, Christians know that God's grace is always undeserved, always beautiful and literally awesome, Pope Francis said. Celebrating the feast of the dedication of Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major and the related feast of Our Lady of the Snows Aug. 5, the pope watched a snowfall of white rose petals fall from the basilica's coffered ceiling.
Bishop invites people to consider joining the Catholic Church through OCIA process
As a new school year begins, parishes around the Diocese of Phoenix are also welcoming religious education students plus those who might be interested in becoming Catholic. In a video message directed to the millions of those who live within the diocese’s boundaries, Bishop John Dolan noted that the Catholic Church is the “biggest family on Earth” and issued an invitation: “If you’re interested in becoming Catholic, or if you were baptized but never confirmed, I want to personally invite you to visit our website, dphx.org. That's where you'll find out what you need to know about OCIA, the process by which people are brought into the Catholic Church,” Bishop Dolan said.
Hundreds experience belonging through Bishop Dolan’s small faith community program
As Jean Loudenslagel filled a pitcher with fresh homemade lemonade, she looked around at those who filled her dining room table and smiled. The diverse group of believers, from the 30-year-old young professionals to the 80-year-old widows and widowers, laughed and connected with ease as they shared a meal together. Loudenslagel never could have imagined that these fellow parishioners, who had been strangers six weeks prior, would become like family. And it all started with a stirring from the Holy Spirit and a simple invitation.
Catholic Community Foundation awards $476,000 in scholarships to local students
Tempe, Ariz.—The Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) held its annual Scholarship Awards ceremony on August 3 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Tempe, Ariz....
Catholic Charities Community Services of Arizona joins national campaign to promote life-giving work
Phoenix, — Catholic Charities Community Services of Arizona is joining with the Catholic Charities network around the country to participate in We Are There,...
Crosier Fathers and Brothers in U.S. elect new major superior
The U.S. Crosier Fathers and Brothers have elected Fr. Alex Juguilon, osc, as their new conventual prior for a four-year term. The election was...
Inspiring Illuminations: Marking 10 years at the Casa, Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition evangelizes...
A dark figure sits on the ground at the bottom of the page. Next to him is a golden moth. He faces away from the reader and looks ahead at a circle of light, in which stands a smaller figure – a feature to add depth and distance between them. Illuminated in gold, the figure inside the circle beckons the darker figure to come towards him. This is how Donald Jackson and his team of scribes and illuminators illustrated the Raising of Lazarus for the Saint John’s Bible. An official replica of the Bible, known as the Heritage edition, has now been at the Franciscan Renewal Center for 10 years, inspiring many – including the docents that give tours to visitors.
Record number of seminarians in the Diocese of Phoenix
This fall, 15 new seminarians were accepted to Nazareth Seminary bringing the total number of men discerning the priesthood to 50, an all-time record for the Diocese of Phoenix. “This milestone is a testament to the foundation set before us by Bishops Olmsted and Nevares and Fr. Paul Sullivan and Fr. Matt Lowry, ongoing efforts in seminary formation, outreach opportunities and the collaboration with the laity who support our seminarians through their prayers and outreach,” said Fr. Kurt Perera, vocations director for the Diocese of Phoenix.
Prejudices obstruct true faith, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Prejudices and preconceptions can block people from finding faith, Pope Francis said, even to the point of making them unable to recognize God standing before them. In the Gospel, the Judeans, who were "scandalized" when Jesus told them he came down from heaven, "are obstructed in their faith by their preconception of his humble origins, and they are obstructed by the presumption therefore that they have nothing to learn from him," the pope said before praying the Angelus in St. Peter's Square Aug. 11.
Life’s ‘final exam’ will be on care for poor, pope says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- God will not judge people by how many university degrees they earned, but by how well they cared for the poor, Pope Francis told a group of priests and religious women. "The Lord won't ask us, 'What did you study?' 'How many degrees do you have?' 'How many works did you accomplish?' No, no. The Lord will say, 'Come with me because I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink; I was persecuted and you protected me,'" the pope said.