The Catholic Sun

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...

The Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) released a statement on Friday in response to House Concurrent Resolution 2060 (HCR 2060). The Arizona Catholic Conference is the public policy agency for the Diocese of Gallup, the Diocese of Phoenix, and the Diocese of Tucson. Bishops from each of these dioceses comprise the Board of Directors of the ACC.

Nearly 20 chairs and music stands surround a wooden piano and a whiteboard with music intervals written on it. Hanley Hall at Holy Spirit in Tempe, Ariz., is the home base for the Choristers of St. Florian, a children’s Gregorian Chant choir directed by Giorgio Navarini. Navarini is also the founder and director of a well-known men’s vocal ensemble, Floriani. What led to the creation of the Chorister’s of St. Florian was the desire of several families to have their children learn Gregorian Chant and about the sacred music of the Catholic Church. Navarini said he complied since he had learned how to teach it in his years as a musician.

Part four in a series of Kirsten Bublitz’ experience taking the Fifth Vital Sign classes through the Diocese of Phoenix Office of Natural Family Planning. Catch up on earlier articles. The other day I got excited after taking my temperature and noticing it had dropped from the previous day. It probably indicated that there’d been a drop of progesterone and that I’d be starting my cycle soon. I couldn’t help but smile, realizing that my body is becoming less of a mystery to me, thanks to the Fifth Vital Sign class I’ve been taking. This class is hitting me so hard because for so long, I didn’t understand my body.  

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Jesus' ascension shows that, despite the difficulties in peoples' lives, they are all made for heaven, Pope Francis said. Reflecting May 12 on the Gospel reading from St. Mark, which recounts how Jesus "was taken up into heaven," the pope said that Jesus' ascension into heaven does not represent a detachment from humanity but rather precedes its ultimate destination: heaven.