The world saw the massive Twin Towers crumble into a heap of ash and soot that covered everything in lower Manhattan. Time magazine was the first to call September 11 Ash Tuesday. The term fits the description of what happened. Everything around where the World Trade Center once stood seemed to be reduced to nothing but ashes. The notion of Ash Tuesday undoubtedly is an image borrowed from Ash Wednesday or the day that marks the beginning of Lent in preparation for Easter. On this day, the priest traces on our foreheads the sign of the cross with ashes and says: “Remember, man, that you are dust, and unto dust, you shall return.” Why does the Church smear ashes on our foreheads to begin Lent?

Hunger in Phoenix is real. Did you know there are over half a million people across the Valley facing hunger? Who are they? They include schoolchildren, working parents, seniors on fixed incomes and other struggling individuals. Their hardships are fundamentally tied to poverty — and poverty is rampant in Arizona.

In 1969, St. Pope Paul VI, as Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth, issued this prophetic challenge to those of African descent: “You must now give your gifts of Blackness to the whole Church.”

The Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Phoenix, signed on June 9, 2022, the historic decree creating St. Josephine Bakhita Mission Parish for the pastoral care of African Americans and Black Catholics in the Diocese of Phoenix. May this date be known as “Founder’s Day.” May we celebrate this blessed and historic event ever year until the Lord comes again.

Years ago when Catholics tied the knot with their sweet valentine, that knot stayed tied forever. Today, Catholic marriages tell a different story. For instance, the divorce rate among Catholics stands nearly the same as the general public. This means 35 percent of those that one-day said, “I do” at the altar have walked away from their marriages.

Happy New Year! How blessed and how fortunate we are to see a New Year. In 2022, God blessed us with a new faith community: St. Josephine Bakhita Mission Parish. As we step into the New year, what will be our New Year’s Resolution as a faith community?

Merry Christmas? Many people nowadays use this expression with a certain amount of skepticism. Christmas, for many, appears to be more or less the same thing every year: the Christmas tree, the presents, family gatherings, and other customs to foster the Christmas spirit.