The Catholic Sun

ROME (CNS) -- As fighting in the Middle East intensified and spread, Pope Francis turned to Mary, begging her to "intercede for our world in danger." With members of the Synod of Bishops, pilgrims, ambassadors accredited to the Vatican and Catholics from the Diocese of Rome, the pope led the recitation of the rosary for peace Oct. 6 at Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Love is demanding, but it is also beautiful when a woman and a man love each other fully, "without half measures," Pope Francis said. Love is "the beginning of a new life, destined to last not 'as long as everything goes well' but forever, accepting each other and living united as 'one flesh,'" he said, before praying the Angelus Oct. 6. Speaking to people gathered in St. Peter's Square, the pope used the day's Gospel reading from the 10th chapter of Mark to reflect on love between a man and a woman and on marriage.

On October 7, 2024, Bishop John Dolan released his first pastoral letter as the shepherd of the Diocese of Phoenix. Watch here as he shares his letter, entitled “TILMA," inspired by the acronym Testifica, oh Iglesia, a la Luz del Misterio del Amor (Testify, o Church, to the Light of the Mystery of Love). Looking to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Diocese of Phoenix, Bishop John has created a seven-year pastoral plan on evangelization, leading up to December 2031, the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe appearing to St. Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill in modern day Mexico City.

Nearly 3,500 Catholics enjoyed the 2nd annual “Catholic Night” at Chase Field this past Friday, as the Arizona Diamondbacks wrapped up their final regular season weekend against the San Diego Padres. It was a night of fellowship and fun, as Catholics from across the Diocese of Phoenix gathered in record numbers. In addition, $5.00 from every ticket sold was donated to support Catholic School Support 365.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican dicastery charged with overseeing and assisting religious orders confirmed that it plans to conduct an apostolic visitation of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, which was founded in 1988 by traditionalist priests wanting to maintain the old liturgical rites while remaining in full communion with the pope. In a statement released by the Vatican press office Sept. 30, the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life said the purpose of the visitation is "to deepen understanding of this society of apostolic life of pontifical right and to offer it the most appropriate support in its journey of following Christ."

LUXEMBOURG (CNS) -- Humanity needs to be motivated by spiritual values if it is to avoid being thrown into dangerous exploits and useless massacres, Pope Francis said. The world, even in Europe, is seeing a return of "rifts and enmities that, instead of being resolved on the basis of mutual goodwill, negotiation and diplomatic efforts, are resulting in open hostilities, leading to destruction and death," the pope said in Luxembourg during a meeting with authorities, members of the diplomatic corps and local representatives. It was the first day of a four-day trip Sept. 26-29 to the small nation and nearby Belgium.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix continues to show growth and vibrance with historic and record-setting numbers.  Tuesday morning the 54-year-old diocese, one of the fastest growing Catholic dioceses in the country, officially opened its third seminary house located next to the historic St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix. The diocese also announced plans for a significant development project that will positively impact people of all faiths in downtown Phoenix. 

The circumstances have changed. The message of 40 Days for Life has not.  Two years after a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling and on the doorstep of Arizonans possibly deciding to permanently allow unlimited access to abortion, 40 Days’ mission remains the same – prayer, fasting, speaking the truth with the love of Christ and reliance on the Holy Spirit - to move hearts and save one life at a time.  

Earlier this month, a bus full of 53 students, two religious sisters and a priest headed to the Grand Canyon for Mass and a holy hour, praising the Lord with the breathtaking backdrop of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This was Holy Spirit Newman Center’s second trip to the Canyon, which has come to serve as a rite of passage of sorts for freshman students, visiting the marvel that their college, Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Phoenix, is named after. The first trip was inspired by an eagerness to visit the Grand Canyon and to immerse new students into the community. The Newman Center team decided to turn it into a meaningful, shared experience centered on God.

Fifteen men throughout the Diocese of Phoenix are spending their final days as laypeople. Beginning with their Nov. 9th ordination at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, in Scottsdale, Ariz., they will forever be known as “deacon.” John Bering, Jason Bourne, David Bramer, Fernando Camou, Gerard Glab, Sergio Hermosillo, Jason Kelly, Salvador Madrís, Herald Morazán, Matthew Murphy, Mike Quinlivan, Antonio Reynoso, Doug Small, Robert Solis, and John Thornton, along with their wives, will also celebrate solemn vespers with the community on Nov. 8th at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix. Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares will lead that prayer service.