Palm Sunday

“Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.” Mk 15

The Crucifixion with the Virgin and Saint John ca. 1624–25

Hendrick ter Brugghen Dutch (see below)

Bishop Weisenburger breaks open

the mystery of Holy Week

The three days are one great celebration - broken up in time. Holy Thursday Mass begins with the Sign of the Cross, there is, however, no formal ending to the Holy Thursday Liturgy—it is more as if the liturgy is suspended and all depart in silence ... Read more

Holy Land Franciscans concerned about Good Friday collection

"We know everyone is suffering during this pandemic around the world, but we have always found generous people to help us. We need economic help now in order to keep the shrines functioning for the people of this land and all over the world," Read more

Diocesan News

Communion indoors beginning Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, the reception of Holy Communion during Mass may return to its usual place in the liturgy and be done indoors.
Long lines of persons receiving Holy Communion which would result in a breakdown of social distancing must be avoided. Rather, ushers should release congregants pew-by-pew to maintain some social distancing in the communion line ... Read more

Conservation of Mission San Xavier’s East Tower underway

The Patronato San Xavier has begun the second phase of work on the East Tower of Mission San Xavier this month. Scaffolding is already going up to facilitate this phase, which will take approximately a year to complete. This is the first major exterior project since The Patronato completed the Conservation Management Plan in 2020. Read more

Donate to the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal here!

Fr. Walter Balduck, Capuchin (1935-2021)

Rev. Walter Balduck, Capuchin died on 19 March at the age of 85, following a battle with cancer. "Fr. Wally" was born on 21 Aug 1935, the son of William and Ann Marie (nee Murphy) Balduck, in Detroit MI. He was invested in the Capuchin habit in 1966, perpetually professed in 1971, and ordained a priest in 1973. He served as pastor in Mammoth, Arizona and helped parishes throughout the diocese. Read more

National News

More national news here!

Can you be happy without the rest of us?

"Generally, we are taught that history, economics, and biology are non-fiction, because they describe reality according to “the facts,” the way things are, which is the foundation of some concept of objective truth. Robinson suggests that this is an oversimplification—that the boundaries between fact and fiction are less obvious and easy than this breakdown would suggest." Read more

Confronting racism, fostering respect for all are focus of conference

The nation's first African American cardinal smiled as he related how under one little girl's painting of him, she wrote, "Congratulations, Cardinal Gregory! You look like me, and I like that!" The cardinal told the story in a conference on how Catholics can confront racism and work for racial justice and harmony. Read more

World News

More world news here!

Poll: Concerns over persecution grow; less is known about specific harms

Fifty-seven percent of U.S. Catholics said they believe persecution of Christians around the world is "very severe," up from 41% a year ago; and 67% said they were "very concerned" about the issue, according to results of the fourth annual national poll on the issue. Read more

Pope names Chilean survivor to Commission for the Protection of Minors

Pope Francis has named Juan Carlos Cruz, a survivor of sexual abuse by a notorious Chilean priest, to be a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. Cruz, James Hamilton and José Andrés Murillo, all victims of then-Father Fernando Karadima, met with Pope Francis several weeks after the pope said he had been mistaken... Read more