St. Francis Xavier Catholic Community in Phoenix, Arizona has invited the public to pray for deceased people in honor of the National Suicide Prevention Week.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Aug. 24, the church said that its bishop has encouraged the public to pray for victims of suicide during the said week, Sept. 4 to 10.

According to the church, there will be a mass held on Sunday, Sept. 4 at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, or they may participate live on AZTV Channel 7, YouTube, or Facebook.

The church said they are also invited to submit the names of loved ones who have died by suicide. The names submitted will be read aloud during the Mass as we remember the gift of their lives.

Interested readers may visit St. Francis Xavier Catholic Community’s Facebook post for more information. 

Most Rev. John P. Dolan Bishop

On July 1, 1989, The Most Reverend John P. Dolan was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of San Diego, California, according to the church.  

The church said at the St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Avondale, he was installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Prior to moving to Phoenix, he was the Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego, California, where he also held the positions of vicar general, vicar for clergy, and moderator of the curia, since April 2017, the church said.

Bishop Dolan attended University High School and St. Mary Magdalene Parish as a child growing up in San Diego, according to the church. 

He, then, went on to St. Francis Seminary and the University of San Diego, where he received a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, the church said. 

The church said he graduated from St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, California, with a Master's in Divinity and Theology.

Bishop Dolan was ordained to the priesthood on July 1, 1989, by Bishop Leo T. Maher, according to the church. 

The church said he served as an associate pastor at St. Michael's parish in Paradise Hills, California, before moving on to serve at Santa Sophia in Spring Valley, California, St. Rose of Lima in Chula Vista, St. Mary Star of the Sea in Oceanside, California, St. Michael's parish in Poway, California, St. John the Evangelist and St. Vincent de Paul parishes.

Church’s Schools

The Benedictine Monks of St. Procopius Abbey created Benedictine University in Chicago in 1887, yet it is new to Arizona, according to the church. 

With over 11,000 students globally, Benedictine University is a Catholic, values-based, liberal arts comprehensive university. Community, hospitality, living in harmony, and educating the full person—mind, body, and spirit are the main focuses of Benedictine education, the church said.

An unprecedented collaboration between Arizona State University and the University of Mary is Mary College at ASU, the church said. 

Members of Mary College have the honor and life-changing experience of being a part of a community of learners dedicated to expanding their minds and growing their faith via the Catholic Intellectual Tradition through this domestic exchange program, it added. 

The church said Catholic Studies courses, offered by University of Mary faculty and meeting ASU general studies requirements, are available to Mary College students enrolled at ASU.

 

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