Organized by the Office of Child and Youth Protection and Safe Environment, the Diocese of Phoenix held a special rosary and Mass Tuesday at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in downtown Phoenix to honor Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Following Mass, which was celebrated by Fr. Nelson Libera, a special pinwheel celebration was held in the courtyard near St. Mary’s Basilica. A pinwheel is an uplifting symbol of childhood, and it represents all our efforts to ensure a healthy and safe environment of children in our community. The Diocese of Phoenix’s Office of Child and Youth Protection assis ..read more

Jim Nahrgang, convert, St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Scottsdale When a friend asked former professional hockey player Jim Nahrgang why he was becoming a Catholic, he gave a sports analogy. His son John had already converted and was in seminary, studying to become a priest. “If your son or daughter was a college athlete or a professional athlete and they were playing their games in your hometown, would you like to go to watch or would you not? Would you like to participate or just kind of stand on the sidelines and not acknowledge that this is what they’re doing?” That’s where the desire to ..read more

PHOENIX — The Church’s efforts to help abuse victims heal has been steadfast since shortly after the first incidents came to light more than two decades ago. But the need for love and compassion likely will never end. “Abuse really hurts a person in the depth of their soul that they don’t forget,” said one survivor, who remains anonymous at her request following Sunday’s semiannual Mass of Healing and Reconciliation for Survivors of Abuse and Their Families; her voice lowering as a tear ran down her face in the courtyard of Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix. Yet, she said her faith has r ..read more

On Friday, Fr. Estevan Wetzel was sworn in as a chaplain for the Army National Guard at St. John Paul II High School in Avondale, Ariz., where he currently serves as chaplain. As the school year draws to a close, Fr. Wetzel will head to Fort Jackson, S.C., for three months of basic training. Moved by the suffering of a serviceman who was dealing with the loss of two fellow soldiers to suicide, Fr. Wetzel wondered who would minister to those serving in the military. “It requires a priest that is up to the task and has the requirements,” he said. A desire began to grow as he pondered his ministr ..read more

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Christians must share their faith in the risen Jesus, Pope Francis said. They also should “talk about the good inspirations that have guided us in life, the good thoughts and feelings that help us so much to go forward, and also about our efforts and labors to understand and to progress in the life of faith, perhaps even to repent and retrace our steps,” the pope said April 14 before leading the midday recitation of the “Regina Coeli” prayer. Greeting visitors in St. Peter’s Square, the pope said it is good and important to share one’s ..read more

By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service ROME (CNS) — The success of the Synod of Bishops on synodality will much depend on also including parish priests in the process, said Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington. Of the more than 360 bishops, religious and laypeople who participated in the first assembly at the Vatican last October, the small number who were ordained priests “were scholars, missionaries (or) they were engaged in leadership in religious communities,” he said. “Not that those other participants weren’t generous and insightful,” he said, but in his 40 years as a bishop, his expe ..read more

Harry Antram, president and CEO, Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Homes in Phoenix has dedicated his life’s vocation to the funeral and cemetery industry. His journey started at the age of 18 in his small hometown of Alamogordo, New Mexico when he took a job at the only funeral home in town and did everything from embalming to working services to typing up death certificates. After completing community college and his bachelor’s degree at the University of Arizona, Harry felt a calling to return to the funeral industry and went on to complete a mortuary science degree in Dallas, Texas. “All alo ..read more

In light of the Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling on Tuesday, upholding Arizona’s pre-Roe abortion ban in the state of Arizona, the Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) released a statement. 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. CLICK HERE TO READ ACC STATEMENT: The post Statement on Arizona Supreme Court Ruling appeared first on The Catholic Sun ..read more

On Tuesday morning, Sr. Raphael Quinn, I.B.V.M., was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal in recognition for her faithful service to the Church in Catholic Education. The presentation took place at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix following Mass that was celebrated by Bishop John Dolan. She has more than 60 years in education, 51 years as the principal of St. Simon and Jude Catholic School.   “She is a woman of incredible strength, generosity and impeccable character,” said Dr. Maria Chavira, chancellor and vice moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Phoenix.  The Pr ..read more

By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Weeping Madonna of Syracuse is a sign that Mary not only cries because of people’s pain, but she also cries to soften the hearts of other believers so that they will help, Pope Francis said. “Through the tears of the Blessed Virgin, the Lord wants to soften our hearts, which at times have dried up in indifference and hardened in selfishness,” the pope said April 6 during a meeting with members of the St. Angela Merici Foundation in Syracuse, Italy. “The Lord wants to make our consciences sensitive, so that we let ourselves be touc ..read more