Search
-
August 26, 2025By Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas
My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,
On August 20, 2025, we celebrated the 250th birthday of the city of Tucson with an Interfaith Service at St. Augustine Cathedral. The service brought together Tucson faith leaders from the Jewish, Moslem, Sikh, Buddhist, Mormon, Tohono O’odham Nation, Lutheran, Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian, Episcopal, United Church of Christ Ukrainian Catholic and our Roman Catholic communities. It was very moving to hear the hopes of these religious leaders for our community especially that we might be a welcoming, compassionate, and unified community. It was also an occasion for reconciliation for some of our history, for things we now regret and need to seek forgiveness.
Also, present were members of the Las Doñas de Tucson, Inc., Los Descendientes del Presidio de Tucson, Founding Members of the Mission Gardens.
At the celebration, the choir of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Community and members of the Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist choir led us in song. Beautiful!
Congratulations to Rev. Miguel Mariano, Rev. John Anguilo of Casas Adobes Congregational Church and their team who helped plan and organize the event. It was a prayerful evening attended by well over 400 people from various faith communities.
This past Saturday I was grateful to celebrate Mass in Our Lady’s Chapel along with Fr. Ray Riding S.T., a Trinitarian priest who helps with migrant ministry and is preparing to serve at the Eloy Detention Center. Attending the Mass were volunteers helping in our Prison Ministry throughout the Diocese. We have Federal, State, County and several private prisons within the boundaries of our Diocese. Currently we have about 35 five involved in this ministry which includes priests, deacons, and laity.
Present were volunteers from Douglas, Tucson, Eloy, Florence, the Pima County Jail, and Safford. Yuma was unable to attend because of distance. At these prisons we have different opportunities like Mass and Confession, Communion Services, Bible Studies, Sacramental preparation. I always find it very moving to baptize or confirm inmates who have been prepared by our volunteers. I can see how meaningful this is for those receiving the Sacraments.
A conversation was held after the Mass to discuss their experiences, what is going well and what might be improved. I was impressed to hear the many years our volunteers have been involved in this ministry and how rewarding it is for them. Many said they get more out of the ministry than they give.
People expressed gratitude for Deacon Mike Gutierrez’s leadership and patience in organizing the Maximillian Kolbe detention ministry and helping volunteers to get credentialed to serve.
I was delighted that Elena Dwyer, Executive Director of Catholic Community Services that oversees prison ministry was able to attend and express her gratitude to the volunteers.
Just recently I celebrated Mass, along with Paul Guertin and Veronica Jimenez, two regular volunteers, for a few of the men in death row at the State Prison on Wilmot Road. It means so much to those incarcerated to discover God in their lives. I am always impressed by how they regularly read the Bible and find meaning in the words of scripture. Similarly in the hospital ward of the prison, we encountered men who are suffering from very debilitating diseases, but a visit means so much to them. Although some of those incarcerated have done harmful things, they are still sons and daughters of God capable of contrition and seeking forgiveness.
The State of Arizona has recently restored the death penalty for heinous crimes. In fact, an execution is scheduled for October. This is very disappointing since there are ways now to punish individuals for what they have done and protect society without taking their lives. Pope Francis called us to advocate for a global end to capital punishment.
We also need to do more to support and comfort victims or family members of terrible crimes. They deserve our care, support and compassion.
If anyone would be interested in volunteering to serve in our prisons, contact Deacon Mike Gutierrez at [email protected].
This past week I met with Joanna Williams, Director of the Kino Border Initiative, who together with Rev. Manuel Fragoso, pastor of Immaculate Conception in Yuma and their team, are preparing a Binational Mass on October 12, 2025, at the border between San Luis, Arizona and San Luis, Rio Colorado.
The event will begin at 5:00 pm with a candlelight procession from the United States into Mexico where Mass will be celebrated at 6:00 pm in Immaculate Conception Parish in San Luis, Rio Colorado. We are expecting several bishops from our region in the United States and from dioceses in Mexico. More details to follow.
Last Sunday I celebrated the Spanish Mass at St. Margaret Mary Church in Tucson. I know we have had a challenge staffing the parish since Fr. Richard Awange left to become pastor at Our Lady of the Mountains Parish and School in Sierra Vista. Very soon the Salvatorian Fathers will be staffing the parish along with staffing Most Holy Trinity. But the last two months coverage of Masses has been spotty until Rev. Simon Muema returns from Kenya to begin his service as Administrator of St. Margaret. I am grateful for the patience and understanding of the community and I am especially thankful to Deacon Miguel Lopez who has been administering the parish and the staff of the parish for their patience and assistance in this challenging time.
We remember especially Connie DeLaRosa, secretary, who is now in the hospital.
The reality is we do not have sufficient priests to minister to the pastoral needs of our people. We are blest to have more seminarians preparing to serve as priests and blest to have several of our international priests here as missionaries with some additional priests coming in the near future but it takes time to process those priests so they can enter the country legally. In the meantime, it is a struggle to staff our parishes. Pray for vocations!
I am grateful as well to Deacon Miguel and Jose Gastelum, building project director for the work done on the parish rectory which was in bad disarray. I had a chance to tour the facility with Deacon Miguel, and I was impressed to see the progress they have made, making it a comfortable home for their priest.
I also was delighted to celebrate the Sunday 10:00 Mass at the Cathedral. It was wonderful to witness the faith and commitment of the people who daily live their faith and serve others in countless ways.
It was wonderful to see Archbishop Edward Weisenburger in the Diocese this week. He came to celebrate and preach the Mass for Clara Heslinga’s father, Frank, who died at 92. The Archbishop was happy to see some people again and they were delighted to see him as well.
He is working hard in the Archdiocese of Detroit. We continue to remember him in our prayers. He served in our Diocese for seven years and did a lot to enhance ministry in our Diocese.
Today, I will be visiting St. Mark’s Church in Oro Valley as they break ground and bless the site of their new Parish Hall. Rev. John Arnold and his team have been working hard to achieve the goal necessary to build the hall. What a great gift the hall will be for the community to gather and celebrate many parish activities. The fundraising is going very well. After all, Fr. John has experience in building halls from his time at St. Anthony Parish in Casa Grande.
After the tragic fire that destroyed St. Anthony Church, the hall has become their worship space.
Congratulations to the community as they strive to expand and enhance their facilities.
Our schools office today will be hosting our annual principals and pastors of parishes with schools. It is always a fun gathering over lunch of people with a shared mission. Our Catholic schools play a key role in educating young people under challenging times. We are all excited that we are opening a new school in Safford at St. Rose of Lima Parish.
Kudos to our pastors and principals of Catholic schools. Their untiring service is critical for the mission of the church.
The gathering will be an opportunity to thank Sheri Dahl for her 15 years of service as Superintendent as well as to welcome Angelina Schmidt who will be our new interim superintendent beginning September 1.
I look forward to welcoming to our diocese, Bishop Bhagyaiah Chinnabathini of the Diocese of Gunter, who was appointed by Pope Francis as Bishop of Guntur in 2016 to replace Bishop GaliBali who was his predecessor. Bishop Bhagyaiah currently has two priests from his diocese serving here, Revs. Showri Raju Narra and Bala Swamy Kommathoti. The Bishop has expressed a willingness to send additional priests as needed.
Bishop Bhagyaiah was ordained a priest in 1983 and spent some time serving in England and Germany. He has a master’s degree in both Literature and Education.
Our Diocesan Consulters will be meeting at the Pastoral Center this Thursday. The Presbyteral Council was disbanded when Archbishop Weisenburger was installed as Archbishop of Detroit. So as Administrator my primary consultative group is the Consulters who are priests with a wide range of experiences. I value their counsel and advice.
We will be discussing current issues impacting on the Diocese including our upcoming Annual Catholic Appeal, priest shortage, a proposed referendum to provide legal counsel for every migrant appearing before a judge in Pima County, preparations for the appointment of the new bishop including recommended priorities as he begins.
Our Adult Clergy Ethics Review Board will meet on Thursday as well. Their responsibility is to advise the bishop on issues related to priests not involving children, that is the responsibility of the Sexual Misconduct Review Board. The counsel and recommendations of this Ethics Review Board are most helpful in determining the best response to situations that arise.
I will be celebrating the Funeral Mass for Deacon Joseph LeFleur at Santa Catalina Catholic Church on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. I knew Deacon Joe from Chicago. He has served the Church faithfully during the many years after his ordination. He has struggled with health issues for some time but despite the struggles always kept strong his desire as a deacon to serve others. I had an opportunity to visit with him some time back and he focused not on his own health but how he missed the opportunity to serve.
May he rest in peace.
This Friday, our Interim Chancellor, Ernie Nedder, and I, will be meeting with priests new to the Diocese to help orientate them to our Diocese, its mission, history and organization. I am grateful to Ernie for planning and organizing this orientation, which is so important for new people coming into our Diocese. Part of the orientation will help our new international priests to understand what ministry involves in our Diocese. I am grateful to Fr. Richard Kusugh, a Via Christi priest, will offer his insights on adapting to our culture from his experience of coming to serve here.
It is a huge adjustment coming to the U.S. and experiencing different foods, an accented English, cultural sensitivities among other necessary adjustments.
The dismantling of USAID funding which has provided lifesaving food and medical care in impoverished countries has led to worsening the hunger and malnutrition all over the world. We have followed the tragic coverage of the starvation in Gaza. In addition, programs have been shut down in those countries ravaged by famine, pestilence and disease.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) which has administered programs supported by US AID have had to shut down programs and let go staff due to the shortage of funding. This has led to tragic effects, despite what some claim. Saving children with severe acute malnutrition is simple and inexpensive yet now no longer possible. While some funds have been restored recently, the funding is still woefully inadequate. I do not believe in the United States, we realize what these cuts have done to the lives of countless people around the world. The cuts have affected South Sudan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Palestine to name a few.
Catholic Relief Services is trying to garner private funds to allow them to continue their life saving work. I encourage our pastors to consider taking up a second collection to be given to Catholic Relief Services to allow them to continue their work in Gaza and in the other places where they are now engaged. Private funds will never take up the deficit funding that CRS is experiencing but it will help. If parishes take up a collection, please send that to the Diocese and we will gather all the funds and send to CRS.
If anyone would like to give a personal gift to CRS just go on their website and click the link to contribute.
Likewise, we need to continue to advocate with our government for the restoration of USAID funding to assist struggling nations all over the world and limit the deaths and pain resulting from the cuts.
On Saturday I will be celebrating a 9:00 am Mass at Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Old Pasqua. The Mass and celebration will be commemorating the 95th anniversary of the Church. The Trinitarian Fathers staff St. Kateri and its missions. Fr. Arokiaraj Varnabas, S.T. serves as pastor and Fr. Charlie Piatt, S.T. as parochial vicar.
It is always a joy for me to celebrate Mass with our Native American communities. Their faith and customs are so rich and meaningful.
The Pasqua Yaqui like the Tohono O’odham nation was evangelized by Fr. Eusebio Kino, SJ back in the 17th century. The Pasqua Yaqui continue many of the traditions Fr. Kino taught the people until when the Jesuits were removed and the Franciscans picked up the mission.
We will celebrate Labor Day on Monday. We pray for all workers that they be given a just wage and safe working conditions. St. Joseph the Worker, a carpenter, is the patron of workers and on this holiday, we express gratitude for all laborers that they realize the value of their work. I am especially grateful for all those who work or volunteer in our Diocese. Their work carries on the mission of Jesus Christ.
As always, I thank you for your support and prayers.
Yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Gerald Kicanas
Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Tucson