The Catholic Sun

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Going to Mass and receiving Communion are signs of putting one's trust in God and understanding he is the one who gives the courage and strength to live life to the fullest no matter how little one has, the preacher of the papal household told members of the Roman Curia. "When we gather to celebrate the Lord's Supper," the sign of the Eucharist is what makes visible that the Lord is "in us and we in him," Capuchin Father Roberto Pasolini said March 13 during his eighth Lenten meditation offered for the Curia.

“The places that most need growth and strength and healing and renewal, that’s where Christ wants to love us particularly. And there’s a sacrament for that.”  Confession can often feel like an obligation or a place of shame, but after hearing Fr. Paul Sullivan’s radio interview on The Bishop’s Hour, you’re going to want to run to the confessional to receive the gentle mercy and understanding love of Jesus the Healer. 

Phoenix’s first Catholic hospital is gearing up for their 130th anniversary on Mar. 19th, the Feast of St. Joseph. For well over a century, St. Joseph’s Hospital in downtown Phoenix has put into practice Christ’s mandate to welcome the poor and sick as Himself. The first St. Joseph’s sanitarium was founded in 1895 but the story of the hospital’s beginnings started three years prior. In 1892, Bishop Peter Bourgade invited the Sisters of Mercy to open Sacred Heart Academy, which would eventually become St. Mary’s High School.

Falik Omar Gomez grew up Catholic, but his family hardly went to church.  When he met Maria Navarro that changed.  A Catholic since childhood, Navarro began dating Gomez four years ago, and early in their relationship, she let him know church and faith were a big part of her life. But she never forced Gomez to join her at Mass. 

A pair of local Arizona Catholic High School teams captured boys basketball state championships this past week, as Brophy College Preparatory won the 6A crown with a 62-49 win over Mesa High School on Saturday, and St. Mary’s High School pulled off a 59-55 overtime victory over Deer Vally High School of Glendale for the 4A crown on Thursday.  Both contests were held at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis' condition continued to be stable with further slight improvements March 11, the Vatican press office said. The pope's doctors at Rome's Gemelli hospital did not issue a medical bulletin March 11, the day after they had announced his continued stability and incremental improvement had led them to lift their "guarded" prognosis, although they insisted he continued to need hospitalization. The Vatican press office said the 88-year-old Pope Francis had again watched by video the morning and evening talks of Capuchin Father Roberto Pasolini, preacher of the papal household, who is leading the Lenten retreat at the Vatican for cardinals and senior members of the Roman Curia.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The devil, who lies and sows divisions, tests everyone, even Jesus, Pope Francis said in a written homily. Satan tries to convince people that the hungry cannot be fed, that "angels will not come to our aid when we are falling, and that at best, the world is in the hands of evil powers that crush nations by their arrogant schemes and the brutality of war," the homily said. But the Lord has opened a new path of liberation and redemption, the pope wrote, so when the faithful are "tested," it does not have to end in failure. "By following the Lord in faith, from drifters we become pilgrims."

It is troubling that after a respite of over two years, the State of Arizona is set to resume executions and has scheduled another one for Aaron Gunches.  Sadly, it is likely that even more executions will follow in the near future. The Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) remain steadfast in our opposition to the death penalty, especially in this modern era.  In doing so, we are united with Pope Francis who has advocated for a global end to capital punishment.

National Catholic Sisters Week, which takes place March 8-14, celebrates the spirituality, mission and community building of women religious and their impact throughout the United States. In the Diocese of Phoenix there are 120 Catholic religious women who foster a vibrance within the Church through their lives of service in a variety of communities and ministries. 

As Pope Francis’ theme “Hope Does Not Disappoint” guides the Church this Jubilee Year, its principle can be heard and felt as pro-life advocates in Arizona conduct their latest semiannual campaign with 40 Days for Life. The worldwide pro-life organization’s local groups in the Diocese of Phoenix began their spring campaign with a Mass at St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix Wednesday, Feb. 26. Activities will continue with rosaries, addresses by former abortion doctors and the state’s annual March for Life in the month of March.