On March 30, Governor Ducey released the decision to close the Arizona public schools through the end of the school year. The decision has been made that our diocesan schools will also remain closed, a decision that has also been made for the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Tucson.
As the coronavirus crisis continues into the Easter season, Catholic churches in the Dioceses of Phoenix are celebrating in a new way. This Sunday is Palm Sunday, where Catholics celebrate the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and palms were laid out for him to walk over. According to a guide sent out to parishes from the [...]
In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said he will give an extraordinary blessing — which carries with it a plenary indulgence for all who follow by television, internet or radio — “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at 10 a.m. Arizona Time March 27.
Watch and share this update from Bishop Olmsted on the impact of the coronavirus in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. (March 25, 2020)
On the Feast of Saint Joseph, March 19, 2020, Bishop Olmsted has extended permission for St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center to begin reserving the Most Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle in their chapel. He also extends the permission for Mass to be celebrated in the chapel, according to the current liturgical restrictions, in order that it may be live-streamed to patient rooms and be watched by staff, nurses and doctors.
Watch and share this update from Bishop Olmsted on the impact of the coronavirus in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.
Effective immediately and until further notice, Bishop Olmsted is suspending all weekday and Sunday Masses, and asking for all parish- and diocesan-based public gatherings to be cancelled.
Effective immediately and until further notice, Bishop Olmsted is suspending all weekday and Sunday Masses, and asking for all parish- and diocesan-based public gatherings to be cancelled.
With the reported increase in the Coronavirus and the grave cause of concern for public health, Bishop Olmsted has implemented mandatory liturgical precautions for all parishes. During the current situation, all parishioners are reminded to use good hand hygiene and other preventative measures during the cold and flu season. If you are sick, elderly or at high risk, you are dispensed from the Sunday obligation so that you may stay home and be safe.
