Msgr. Richard Moyer, former vicar general for the Diocese of Phoenix, passed away June 27 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 91. Ordained in 1964, Msgr. Moyer served at may parishes in the Diocese of Phoenix, including St. John Vianney in Sedona, St. Pius X, Our Lady of Joy, St. Timothy, and St. Jerome. The former rector of Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, he also served at Catholic Charities Foundation and as Vicar of Northern Arizona.
A special Mass was held Saturday morning at St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix in honor of the Franciscan Friars’ 127-year legacy at the historic church. Because of diminished priestly vocations and a restructuring of their United States Provinces, the Franciscan Friars of the Santa Barbara Province will withdraw from pastoral leadership of St. Mary’s Basilica at the end of June. The Diocese of Phoenix will take over on July 1.
As a priest for 16 years, Fr. Paul Sullivan has presided over thousands of Masses, providing a daily Eucharistic encounter between Christ and the people of God. He has spent hundreds of hours listening and advising in the confessional before extending his hand in absolution. He has been present to the faithful through dozens of weddings, baptisms, anointings, and funerals, accompanying his flock in the great joys and sorrows of life.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., - - It may have been a record for the number of concelebrants gathered around the altar at Holy Trinity Newman Center in Flagstaff near Northern Arizona University. More than 20 priests concelebrated a special Mass with Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix June 9.
Given that Memorial Day was established to honor and remember all military personnel killed in the line of duty, it seemed fitting that the Catholic community would also pray for their souls with a Mass.