The Catholic Sun

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Entrusting to God's mercy all of their comrades-in-arms who have died serving their countries and defending peace, Pope Francis urged Catholic members of the military to let their faith inform their service. "The world needs you, especially at this dark moment in our history. We need men and women of faith capable of putting weapons at the service of peace and brotherhood," said the papal message to thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and cadets making a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.

Bishop John Dolan ordained Jacob Chavez and Connor Companik to the transitional diaconate during a special Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix on Sunday, May 26. The Mass was televised live across the Diocese of Phoenix on CW7. 

One of the most successful softball coaches in Arizona high school history, Jerry Mullin, announced his coaching retirement today after 38 years of leading theSeton Catholic Preparatory softball program. Mullin arrived at Seton Catholic, located in Chandler, Ariz., in 1985 and took over the softball program for the 1986-87 school year, transforming it into a small-school powerhouse by the mid-1990s. He won 10 AIA State Championships over a 15-year span from 1996 to 2010, including two periods of four consecutive state titles (1996 to 1999 in Class 2A and 2002 to 2005 in Class 3A). Mullin was a perfect 10-0 in state championship games.

Be sure to check out our brand-new podcast, “Prep Rally,” featuring amazing stories on individuals from the seven Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Phoenix. Produced by The Catholic Sun, the monthly podcast will celebrate the talents of students, teachers and administrators from across the diocese. Each episode will focus on a different topic but will highlight one of four pillars, including faith, service, academics and arts, and athletics. Hosted by Abigail Standish, the Coordinator of Catholic Social Teaching for the Diocese of Phoenix, “Prep Rally” can be found on the diocese’s Facebook or YouTube pages and in The Catholic Sun online.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although a normal beatification process was not followed, Pope Francis has declared as "blessed" Guy de Montpellier, a 12th-century French knight and founder of the Hospitaller Order of the Holy Spirit."By Our Apostolic authority, We inscribe in the catalogue of the blesseds Guy de Montpellier," and decree that his feast day will be celebrated Feb. 7 by the religious orders and institutes of the Holy Spirit in Sassia, the pope wrote in a document dated May 18, the vigil of Pentecost.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican is expecting some 70,000 children between the ages of 5 and 12 and their chaperones to fill Rome's Olympic Stadium for the opening events of the first World Children's Day May 25 and to join Pope Francis for Mass in St. Peter's Square the next morning. Franciscan Father Enzo Fortunato, coordinator of the event, told reporters May 16 that, given school schedules and travel logistics, only about 10% of the participants will be children from outside of Italy. But, he said, 101 nations will be represented.

This coming Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. The question in the Christ in Our Neighborhood reflection asks us: How are you responding to the Great Commission to go out and make disciples? For most of us, our primary mission field is our home with our families, where parents are called to be the first teachers of their children and to foster a home environment that is characterized by “tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity and disinterested service (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2223).”

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Ministry, an evangelistic ministry in the Diocese of Phoenix, is still taking registrations for their yearly conference to be held May 24-25 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Phoenix. New to the conference this year is a first-ever youth track for 6th through 12th graders, being conducted side-by-side with the adult charismatic group.

PHOENIX -- When St. Luke summarized the historic manifestation of God’s Holy Spirit upon the group of earliest church believers at Pentecost, his description of the onlookers was that of a widely diverse group. The Diocese of Phoenix, with its 1.2 million Roman Catholics, might not approach such a broad collection, but its members nonetheless represent an ample array of cultures and ethnicities. Each year, in spring and fall, the Diocese celebrates its love for the unique and distinctive traits of those people groups.

“What a great day this is,” said Paul Mulligan, president and CEO of Catholic Charities Community Services as he greeted everyone at the grand...