The Earth is ‘sick,’ in need of prayers and action, pope says

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Earth is ailing, and it needs the prayers of Catholics as well as their personal commitment to caring for creation, Pope Francis said. "Let us pray that each of us listen with our hearts to the cry of the Earth and of the victims of environmental disasters and climate change, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit," the pope said in a video message released Aug. 30 by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network.

NEWS BRIEF: Christians across denominations gather in solidarity to pray for peace during elections

As a show of Christian unity and a plea for peace during this election season, seven Christian denominations in Arizona are teaming up for a series of prayer services over the next two months.   Themed “Faith over Fear,” the first prayer vigil will take place on Sept. 9 at 4:45 p.m. at Our Lady of the Angels Church at The Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale.  The second vigil, “Harden Not Our Hearts,” will take place on Oct. 14 at 6:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Tuscon. The final prayer service, “Loving Our Neighbor,” will take place on Nov. 4 at 12:00 p.m. at Sun City Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Sun City.  All are invited and encouraged to attend these services.

God gave us dominion, not domination over creation, says bishop

The Season of Creation provides an opportunity to develop habits to become better stewards, said Bishop John Dolan in his homily on Sunday for...

More than 1,180 students attend Welcome Week Masses at diocese’s three Newman Centers

Cornhole tournaments, coffee carts, ultimate frisbee, barbeques, free carne asada tacos and popsicles, group hikes and basketball dunking contests – these are some of the creative ways Newman Centers are engaging and welcome new and returning students during the first weeks of college. And the college students are loving it!  Welcomed by the joyful faces of religious sisters, priests, volunteers, missionaries, fellow students and leadership teams – all of whom rallied to make sure these college students know that it is a joy to receive them – an incredible impact has already been made in the hearts of countless young adults.

Arizona Catholic Bishops Statement Opposing Proposition 139

https://youtu.be/sIQU7gRypBA Arizona Catholic Bishops Statement Opposing Proposition 139 As Catholic Bishops of Arizona we want to express our strong opposition to Proposition 139. If passed, this initiative...

NEWS BRIEF: St. Mary-Basha Catholic School named “Apple Distinguished School”

St. Mary-Basha Catholic School, which provides Catholic education for preschool-8th grade students in Chandler, Ariz., was recently designated as an Apple Distinguished School for...

Faith, fellowship and fun shine during weekend gatherings for faith formation teams

Catechetical leaders from throughout the Diocese of Phoenix gathered in droves last weekend during a trinity of events aimed at equipping and encouraging them...

400 couples receive blessing at Queen of Peace in Mesa

Every year, thousands of couples are married in the Catholic Church. Many would say maintaining that union’s strength depends ultimately on devotion to God....

After 110 years in Arizona, Claretians leave behind legacy of growth, spiritual renewal

For 110 years, the Claretian Missionaries carried on the spirit of their founder — St. Anthony Mary Claret — in spreading the Gospel in...

Seminarians experience the ministry of “being with” during poverty immersion

Nods of appreciation and the shuffling of feet filled the room as hearty servings of spaghetti were ladled next to fresh-cut salad and slices of bread on multi-colored plastic trays. It was another ordinary evening at Andre House, an outreach mission that serves those in extreme poverty in downtown Phoenix, as more than 800 guests made their way through the dinner service line.