Arizona State Council Knights of Columbus - Fraternal Year 2024-2025
Arizona State Council Knights of Columbus - Fraternal Year 2024-2025
Complete My Joy, an Apostolic Exhortation to the Husbands and Wives, Mothers and Fathers of the Diocese of Phoenix
Alegria Completa, an Apostolic Exhortation to the Husbands and Wives, Mothers and Fathers of the Diocese of Phoenix
In a major new document written for Catholics of the Diocese of Phoenix, Bishop Olmsted urges fathers and mothers to commit themselves and their families to a deeper relationship with Christ.
Promulgated December 30, 2018 on Holy Family Sunday.
The origins of the Catholic Church in Arizona can be traced back to 1539. A Franciscan friar named Marcos de Niza traveled up through the Gulf of California into a northern territory, which had never been explored. Planting a cross in the land, he named it “the New Kingdom of St. Francis.” As a result he is called the discoverer of Arizona and New Mexico.
On December 2, 1969 the Diocese of Phoenix was established by Pope Paul IV and is now led by Most Rev. Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted.
That same year, the Catholic population in the Diocese numbered around 200,000, with 51 parishes, 61 missions, and 182 Diocesan and Religious priests.
Today, the Diocese of Phoenix is home to more than 1.1 million Catholics including representation from Hispanic, Filipino, Native American, Vietnamese, and African communities.
Together, we follow Pope Francis, our inspiring Holy Father, to be missionary disciples.
“When we think about going far away, to an extreme outskirt, we may be a bit afraid, but in fact God is already there. Jesus is waiting for us in the hearts of our brothers and sisters, in their wounded bodies, in their hardships, in their lack of faith.”
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this is the missionary spirit we need today. For our call is to share our joy as disciples and to reveal the light of Christ to others, igniting hearts to welcome Him.
Together, though our parishes, schools and ministries, we can harness the instruments of evangelization and go forth as missionary disciples of Christ.
Together Let Us Go Forth ~ Juntos Sigamos Adelante!
Knights from 10 councils in the Phoenix, Ariz., area accepted a challenge from Father Paul Sullivan, vocations director of the Diocese of Phoenix, with the blessing of Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, to help transport visitors for the 2018 National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors. Knights and their wives shuttled more than 150 attendees from the airport, making approximately 70 round-trips and traveling a total of 2,500 miles.
The retreat, which was held at St. Joseph’s Youth Camp outside of Flagstaff, was created by two local veterans, Ray Perez and Sandra Topete, with the sponsorship of the Knights of Columbus and other veteran support programs. (See also State News - OP Restoring Veteran Hope KOFC-AZ.ORG)