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August 5, 2025By Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas
My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,
I hope everyone has taken time this summer to step away from the busyness of our lives for relaxation and renewal. Even Pope Leo XIV took some time away from the fray going to Castel Gandolfo for several weeks to rest and reflect, although I suspect he had lots on his agenda even on vacation. I know some of our international priests take an opportunity during the summer to visit their families and friends at home. The summer is quickly passing. Please enjoy some needed time away.
Congratulations to Rev. Alan Valencia, Vocations Director, and our Diocesan Associate Vocation Directors, as we welcome several new seminarians beginning or continuing their preparation to serve as priests in our Diocese.
We are all looking forward to Charles Nagore’s Ordination to the Transitory Diaconate on Saturday, September 6, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral. If you have not attended a diaconate or priesthood ordination, it is a wonderful liturgy filled with symbols and rituals that are very meaningful. For example, Charles will come forward and kneel before the bishop, be given the book of the Gospels as the bishop says to him, “Charles, Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.” As a deacon, Charles will proclaim the Gospel and preach so those words have great meaning. With God’s continued grace, Charles will be ordained as a priest in 2026.
Several candidates will begin what is now called the Propaedeutic Year, an initial year during which new seminarians deepen their spiritual lives and learn more about the discernment of a vocation to the priesthood.
Dylan Martin, Diego Robles, and Ethan Salerno will be at Mt. Angel Seminary in Portland, Oregon, while Roberto Cortes and Steven Grummett will begin their Propaedeutic Year at Mundelein Seminary in Chicago, living at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.
Julian Osborn will start his Discipleship Stage at Mt. Angel and Josue Limon is at Mundelein Seminary. Discipleship is what used to be referred to as First Philosophy.
Matthew David, who has been accepted as a seminarian, will take an additional year to get his degree in nursing and begin seminary formation next year.
Currently, there are two women in formation to serve as religious sisters. Sister Maria Esposa Castisima de San Jose, who is from St. Augustine Cathedral, and is now a novice in the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara’ now in Washington D.C., and Gretchen Erlichman from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, who will become a postulant in August of this year with the Norbertine Canonesses of the Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph in Tehachapi, California.
Please pray for our seminarians and pray that more men might consider serving as a priest in our Diocese. If you know someone in your parish who would make a good priest, invite them to consider that possibility. Similarly, pray for women entering religious life and encourage women who have qualities needed in a religious to consider that possibility. Invitations from friends or parishioners to consider priesthood or religious life make a difference.
We are blest to have several priests entering the Diocese and serving at one of our parishes. We welcome Fr. Michael Byrne SDS serving as Administrator of Most Holy Trinity Parish in Tucson, Fr. Michael Neeland SDS serving as Parochial Vicar at Most Holy Trinity, Fr. Binu Rathapillil from India who has been studying for a Doctor of Ministry at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio and will be serving as Parochial Vicar at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Fr. Siripuran Velangani also from India and serving at Immaculate Conception Parish in Yuma. We also welcome Br. Nathaniel Tran a Franciscan Brother at San Xavier who, God willing, will be ordained a priest in 2027. These new priests and Brother to our Diocese are a gift for us in being able to pastorally care for our parish communities.
Mr. Ernie Nedder, our Interim chancellor, this month is organizing a day to welcome and orientate them to our Diocese and its procedures and processes, as well as some inculturation lessons for our international priests.
Last week the community of St. Anthony of Padua in Casa Grande celebrated a final Mass just outside its parish church which was totally damaged by a fire in October that most likely was arson. No one has been apprehended. The altar for the outside Mass was surrounded by some of the statues, a few of them brand new from Italy, that were charred in the fire, as well as other articles from the church. They also lost their new organ purchased not long ago. I was shocked to see the terrible damage that was done to the church. The community is planning to use the altar made from the former communion rail of the parish that was not damaged in the fire. They are also hoping to save the crucifix from behind the altar, although it is questionable whether it can be safely removed. Demolition is underway, I am thankful to the many people behind this large-scale project.
Fr. Ariel Lustan, pastor, and Fr. Jesus Gomez, shared the grief of the parish family at the loss of their church. While it was painful and devastating, the community is determined to build back better. The current church was built by Msgr. Sylvio Ross who was pastor from 1949-1974. The church was dedicated in 1961. At the end of the Mass seven parishioners shared their feelings, sometimes in tears, of what this church had meant to them. But they all expressed hope that they will “rise from the ashes.”
Dr. Ana Sanguineti, coordinator of Walking with Moms, a program that helps women who are pregnant to see alternatives to having an abortion as well as resources to assist women with parenting needs, caring for their children and in need of things they cannot afford. Ten parishes are currently involved helping pregnant woman as well as women with parenting needs. The parishes include St. Anthony in Casa Grande, St. John Neumann in Yuma, San Martin de Porres in Sahuarita, St. Rita in the Desert in Vail, St. Francis de Sales, St. Thomas the Apostle, Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Augustine Cathedral, and St. Ambrose in Tucson. Walking with Moms collaborates with the St. Vincent de Paul Society with information on families in need.
If any of our pastors would like to learn more about beginning the program in their parish, contact Dr. Sanguineti by email: [email protected]
I was delighted to learn that Fr. Mike Bucciarelli, a member of the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, was chosen to receive an Archangel Award for his service to the Order. Fr. Mike has organized a pilgrimage to the Holy Land where new members of the Order from our Diocese receive their Pilgrim Shell. He joined the Order in 1998 and has been an active member. He has been deeply concerned with the situation in the Holy Land. He has recruited members for the Order and has contributed generously to their mission. He will receive the award at the annual gathering of the Order which this year is taking place in Hawaii. Congratulations, Fr. Mike.
Previous members of the Order to receive the Archangel Award are:- 2024 - Dame Maryann Hockstad
- 2023 - Monsignor Pinti, Sir Dan and Dame Pat Torrington
- 2021 - Monsignor Greg Adolf
- 2020 - Sister Lois Paha OP
- 2016 - Dame Ann Dickson
We are looking forward to welcoming Fr. Ron Rolheiser OMI as speaker for our upcoming DRE gathering on August 9, from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Bishop Kicanas Pastoral Center. Fr. Ron is a theologian, professor and award-winning author. He is a sought-after speaker. We are expecting a wonderful turnout for this important gathering. Make sure you register by going on the Diocesan Website and going on the page for Youth Ministry. Fr. Manu has told me there are already 315 people registered. Don’t miss out. Grateful to Fr. Manu for his leadership in planning this event. I will be celebrating Mass at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday to begin the Conference.
St. Cyril celebrated a Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 2 in gratitude for the ministry of Fr. Ed Pietrucha, a Paulist priest who served as Associate Pastor for 10 years. During his ministry he began a Mass in Polish for the Polish community in the parish as well as ministered to the Hispanic community who were dear to his heart. Fr. Francisco Maldonado, new pastor at St. Cyril, celebrated with me at the Mass. Fr. Ed made a big impact on the parish and was beloved. We pray that he will be enjoying eternal life.
Our Permanent Deacons and their wives gathered for their annual convocation this past weekend at the Pastoral Center. There was a dinner planned for Friday evening, during which updates on the state of the Diocese were discussed. They invited Dr. Larry Fraher, PhD who currently serves as the director of Faith Formation and Education at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Scottsdale and as an adjunct faculty member at two Catholic Universities in the metro-Phoenix area: Benedictine University and the University of St. Mary’s in Tempe. His topic was “A Journey of Becoming: Reflections on of Grace. I celebrated the Mass on Saturday at 3:00 p.m., during which they remembered deacons who have died since the last convocation. I am grateful to Deacon Rick Valencia and his wife Beverly for their support. Deacon Rick has been our Vicar for Deacons serving with great dedication and generosity for many years.
It breaks my heart to see the news coverage of the situation in Gaza. How could one not be moved to see children begging for food, frantically trying to get their bowl filled with a morsel of soup to survive.
Families in Gaza are enduring catastrophic conditions as hostilities escalate, and necessities vanish. Repeated displacements and restricted aid have left hundreds of children and adults at the edge of physical endurance. The situation cannot continue. Clearly the killing and harm done to innocent persons in the October 7 attack by Hamas was shocking and tragic. Yet, it is also alarming to see the devastation that has happened since that tragedy. Another tragedy is unfolding in Gaza as more innocent civilians have had their homes destroyed, their lives uprooted and the starvation that is taking place. Enough is enough. The International Community, as Pope Leo XIV has insisted, needs to pressure Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement for an immediate cease fire, the return of hostages and food supplies being allowed into Gaza to end the starvation countless people are experiencing.
I am encouraged to hear the efforts of Catholic Relief Services helping in the region. If you would want to give to Catholic Relief Services to assist their urgent relief they are providing, you can go on the CRS website to direct your donation. It is much needed.
On August 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral, we will celebrate Tucson’s 250th anniversary and our faith traditions. There will be a social before starting at 4:30 p.m. You are all welcome to attend.
Sr. Lois Paha OP, Ofelia James, Deacon Pat Abiles, and Deacon Rick Valencia completed the information sessions in Tucson, Benson, Casa Grande and Yuma for those considering entering the Common Formation Program considering the possibility of the Permanent Diaconate or Lay Ecclesial Ministry in our Diocese. At least100 interested persons attended. Those who heard the information and are now interested in proceeding with the application will assemble in October to receive the application packet. The classes will begin August 2026.
The current Common Formation class will complete its studies and preparation in April 2026. There will be possibly 15 deacons and five lay ministers to be ordained or certified.
As always, I thank you for your support and prayers.
Yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Gerald Kicanas
Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Tucson