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November 11, 2025My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,
Today is Veterans’ Day when we honor all those men and women who have served in the Armed Forces during all wars. Originally, this day was titled Armistice Day established by President Woodrow Wilson on the first anniversary of the World War I armistice. The name was formerly changed by law in 1954 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower to be called now Veterans’ Day. Formerly it was declared along with several other holidays to be observed on the Monday rather than the actual day itself but that was changed beginning in 1978 when it was decided that
the observance will be held on November 11. Today is a day to honor the sacrifices made by so many women and men who served our country with distinction.
On this day we intensify our prayer to God to bring peace throughout the world still suffering from so many senseless wars that are taking the lives of countless innocent people.
May all those who died in the line of duty know our prayers and remembrances for them today as well as all who served our country.
Please remember in your prayers Fr. Albert Felice Pace OP who died on October 21 this year in Las Vegas. He was a beloved pastor, campus minister and friend of many in Tucson and everywhere he served. Fr. Albert died on his 90th birthday.
I remember him fondly when he served as campus minister at the St. Thomas More Newman Center here in Tucson. His enthusiasm and positive spirit impressed me and many others in our community. May he rest in peace.
We received great news last week that our own Deacon Mike Guiterrez, Director of Prison Ministry for the Diocese of Tucson, has been named to receive the 2026 St. Dismas Award to be presented to him here in Tucson on Saturday, March 28 at the 12:00 Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral.
Deacon Mike has worked tirelessly to coordinate and engage volunteers to serve in our many jails and prisons throughout the Diocese. He himself conducts Communion Services and opportunities to assist men and women in prison to draw close to the Lord.
We were delighted to receive the joyful news of his recognition given by Dismas Ministry located in Milwaukee. Juliann Joerres serves as the Executive Director of the organization Dismas Ministry provides prisoners with the free Catholic scriptures, faith and prayer resources for them to restore their relationship with the Lord and the Church. Despite their being in prison, prisoners are still members of Christ’s Body and should not be forgotten.
Dismas Ministry also cares for those who have suffered from crime, victims and their loved ones. They need our compassion and support as well.
You will remember that Dismas, also called the Good Thief, was the name of the one who was executed with Jesus. Dismas turned to Jesus for mercy and forgiveness.
I will be away from the Diocese until Saturday of this week attending the Fall meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
I still serve on a few Subcommittees including the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, CLINIC working on legal assistance to refugees and migrants, as well as the Aid to Africa Subcommittee which provides grants to African dioceses to assist them in their pastoral work.
Committees and Subcommittees meet before the full Conference gathers, so I have been in Baltimore since last Friday.
The formal meeting began yesterday with a morning day of renewal followed by Mass at the Basilica of the Assumption in Baltimore, the first Cathedral in the United States. The Baltimore Basilica was built in Baltimore because when Maryland was formed it had religious freedom. Lord Baltimore created it as a safe place for Catholics to worship. Eventually this changed making it very difficult for Catholics. They could not vote, run for election or send their children to college. Mass was only in houses not churches. Religious tolerance came to all Americans in the late 1700s. It was in 1789 Catholics were still under the leadership of the bishop in London. Priests requested the Vatican to establish a diocese in the United States. The first Diocese was Baltimore under Bishop Carroll, a Jesuit priest in Maryland. He oversaw the territory from the East Coast to the Mississippi except for Louisiana. Carroll was asked to build a Cathedral symbol of religious freedom for all.
At the Fall meeting, the Conference will elect a new President and Vice President of the Conference. There is a slate of ten names for President which includes our own Archbishop Edward Weisenburger. Once the President is chosen, the Vice President is elected from the remaining nine names. They begin immediately after this meeting in their new roles. The Conference will also elect the Chair elect of a number of committees who will begin their service next year. Archbishop Weisenburger is also a candidate for Chair of the International Committee of the Conference.
During the Conference there are times for regional meetings when bishops of an area get together to discuss matters of importance to their area as well as elect heads of various duties each region is responsible to address, like a representative on the Committee for Child Protection or a regional representative to the Committee on Priorities and Plans. There are also times for fraternal dialogue where mixed groups of bishops discuss pastoral concerns. These opportunities for discussion in a smaller group have been well received.
Some of the discussions are in open session and some in executive session. Open session is covered by the media whereas executive session is confidential.
We welcome Fr. Christopher Kierstiens, OFM who will serve as parochial vicar for San Xavier del Bac beginning in December. He will be replacing Fr. Ed Sarrazin OFM who will remain in residence at San Xavier. Welcome Fr. Christopher.
I look forward to celebrating an adult Confirmation at St. Augustine Cathedral on Monday, November 17 at 7:00 pm. Pictures begin at 5:30 p.m. These are always wonderful gatherings in that these adults are deciding to become fully initiated into the Church. Some being confirmed are getting ready for marriage and others are simply deciding now to do something that for one reason or another they did not do when they were young
er. I pray they will stay active and involved in the Church. All of us have gifts to share to build up the Church. We are expecting more than 150 Confirmation candidates from a number of parishes including St. Anthony of Padua in Casa Grande, Most Holy Trinity, Sacred Heart, Santa Catalina, Our Mother of Sorrows, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Santa Cruz, St. Augustine, St. Mark the Evangelist, and St. Kateri Tekakwitha.
As always, I thank you for your support and prayers.
Yours in Christ,
Most. Rev. Gerald Kicanas
