Search
-
September 30, 2025My Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
I was saddened to learn from Fr. Albert Miranda, pastor of Holy Angels in Globe, of the terrible damage done by flood waters in Globe, Claypool, Miami, and San Carlos as well as the loss of life of at least three persons and still a few others missing in Globe. We join in prayer for all those affected by the severe rains that struck that area as well as in the Phoenix area. Some damage was done to some of our parish facilities, but I was grateful to learn of the parishioners who joined their pastors in those areas to help clean up the mess that was left by the flood waters. They did us proud.
We welcome Canon Andrew Bredemann who will serve as the parochial vicar at St. Gianna and Holy Family communities.
Image from St. Gianna Oratory FacebookCanon Andrew is a member of the Institute of Christ the Sovereign King and will be assisting Canon Jonathan Fehrenbacher who pastors these communities. Canon Andrew was ordained in July of this year. He is from Kansas City, Missouri and will be replacing Canon Bryan Silvey who served here for a few years. Canon Silvey was transferred to San Jose, California. We are grateful for the presence of the Institute and their service in our community.
We welcome back Rev. Rudy Ofori from Ghana who served with us before in Willcox and at St. Mark’s. He had to leave because of issues with his visa but happily has finally returned with his visa to serve here. He is assigned to assist Fr. Alan Valencia at the Cathedral for now. The process for international priests to serve legally in our country is very complicated and frustrating, I am grateful to the Chancellor’s Office and our immigration attorneys for their work on behalf of international priests. Their service among us allows us to provide the Eucharist and the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Sick as well as serve the pastoral needs of our people.
The Mass for Religious women and men serving in our Diocese was held last week on Saturday beginning with a Mass at 12:00 pm in Our Lady’s Chapel and followed by lunch and a marvelous presentation from our own Msgr. Greg Adolf, pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Sierra Vista. He is a great homilist and speaker sought out by many dioceses.
I always enjoy these gatherings and the chance to highlight and express gratitude for the ministries of our religious from the many congregations that serve in the Diocese of Tucson. Their service benefits so many. I am grateful to Sr. Jeanne Bartholomeaux for her continued attention to the religious serving in our Diocese. She makes them feel very much at home and helps them as they serve in our Diocese. She does her volunteer ministry from the heart.
I will be meeting this week with Angela Schneider who serves with the Christ Child Society, a group of women who care for families and assist in the needs of mothers in raising their children. I am very grateful and proud for their ministry in our Diocese and many other places. They provide needy parents with what they need to care for their child providing Layettes of Love (valued at $120.00 which include handmade blankets, clothes, towels, and even toys). They also have a program called Wings to help foster teens who have been displaced from their homes. They provide a draw string bag with essentials for these young people. Another program is literacy which includes a reading program and assistance to children at Santa Cruz and San Xavier schools. The [email protected]program assists kindergarten students through third grade. Through their ministry many are helped. If you would like to learn more email [email protected] or call 585-309-9064.
I look forward to welcoming Archbishop Emeritus Cornelius Esau of Cameroon to our diocese. He will be visiting the Diocese and celebrating Mass at the Newman Center at the University of Arizona. He was born in 1943. In 2009 he helped found the Catholic University of Cameroon and was its first chancellor. He is the Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Bamenda, Cameroon.
The Catholic Foundation Board will be meeting this week as well as their finance council. They are still glowing in the successful Cornerstone Gala honoring Sr. Lois Paha, O.P. and Sr. Charlotte Anne Swift O.P.
This Board contributes so much to the success of our Catholic Foundation. Their wisdom and insights provide helpful direction for the Foundation as they expand their fundraising for the Diocese, its parishes and schools.
This week I will be traveling with the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre for their annual meeting which this year happens to take place in Kona, Hawaii. We have a large group from the Diocese attending this year. These annual gatherings are an opportunity to celebrate promotions within the Order, to welcome new members to the Order and to enhance the service of the members spiritually through retreats for these new members and those being promoted. At each annual gathering, Masses are celebrated along with presentations by speakers on issues pertinent to the mission of the Order which is to assist financially and spiritually the priorities and mission of the Latin Patriarchate headed by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa. Already plans are beginning for our Diocese hosting the Annual Meeting in Tucson soon.
Dave and Elaine Ball of the Cathedral Parish, serve as our Area Councilors and do a fabulous job leading our chapter of the Knights and Ladies through regular recitation of the Rosary, retreat programs and the annual meeting which brings our group together to plan and enhance our service to the Holy Land. Members are asked to make a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land during which they receive their Pilgrim Shell. The Knights and Ladies also participate in our Diocesan Liturgies and other major celebrations of the Diocese.
Our Province Bishops will be meeting this week in the Diocese of Las Cruces. The Province consists of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe (Archbishop John Wester), the Dioceses of Las Cruces (Bishop Peter Baldacchino), Gallup (Bishop James Wall), Phoenix (Bishop John Dolan and Eduardo Nevares) and our Diocese. While I cannot attend because of the Knights and Ladies Annual Meeting, I will send a report summarizing the major activities since the last meeting and updating the other bishops about issues and initiatives in the Diocese. While our Province is small compared to many others, it is a wonderful opportunity for fraternity, fellowship among the bishops in the province and for the sharing of what is happening in each diocese so we can learn from one another.
At the recent meeting of the Mission Bishops’ Conference in Chicago sponsored by Catholic Extension, I was delighted to learn that Deacon Tony Underwood, pastoral administrator at St. Patrick in Bisbee and its mission in Naco was named as one of the Lumen Christi finalists, men and women, priests, deacons and laity who are showing amazing leadership furthering the mission of the Church. Each of the 87 mission dioceses can nominate one person from which ten finalists are chosen and from among the ten one is chosen the winner of the Lumen Christi Award for 2025. Deacon Tony will receive a $15,000 check to be used in his ministry. Congratulations, Tony in receiving this honor for the great work you are doing as pastoral administrator. While we have always known that it is fantastic that it has been publicly acknowledged by Catholic Extension.
During the Catholic Extension I had the joy of sitting with Pope Leo XIV’s older brother, John. He has been in a whirlwind since his brother, Robert, was chosen to be our Holy Father. John’s life has changed a lot. The group at the conference also had the opportunity of visiting the Holy Father’s childhood home in Dalton, Illinois. The home has been purchased by the town of Dalton where he grew up although the family no longer lives there. The home receives buses full of visitors every week which has become difficult for the neighbors.
Plans for the annual Rosary Celebration are moving along. There are two celebrations for this year’s gathering. One will take place at Santa Cruz Parish on October 17, 2025, beginning at 6:00 pm. There will be a public recitation of the Rosary using the Glorious Mysteries as well as Benediction. A supper will be served afterward.
The second and major event is the next day, Saturday October 18, 2025, beginning with check in at 8:00 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. They are expecting approximately a thousand people as well as altar servers from many of our parishes. As each of the past years, the attendance is great and well managed. This year’s title for Our Lady which is the theme of the day is Our Lady of Guadalupe. Each parish is welcome to walk in the procession as well as Marian groups. From 8:30-9:30 a.m. groups will gather in the courtyard where mariachi music will be playing. The Bishop’s procession begins at 10:00 a.m. and this year will include Juan Diego so integral to the appearance on the hill of Tepeyac where Mary appeared to Juan Diego.
I am grateful to the Committee including Dave Chohon, Sr. Lois Paha, Sonya Gutierrez and Zach Ferrell as well as the Knights of Columbus, the staff of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and all who have worked so hard to prepare for this memorable event. We look forward to the State Officers of the Knights being present.
Please remember in your prayers Deacon David Barfuss who died while in Fargo, North Dakota. He was 77 years old. Deacon Dave served at Santa Monica. Barfuss, who was from Fargo, ND went there to visit his family and take part in a high school reunion. He suffered a fatal heart attack while there. His daughter indicated the funeral arrangements are pending but most likely won’t be for a while. He will be greatly missed.
As always I thank you for your prayers,
Yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Gerald Kicanas
Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Tucson