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Where is the Cathedral located? How do I get there?
Ss. Simon & Jude is located in the northwest sector of inner-city Phoenix, in what’s known as the “Alhambra District.” The address is 6351 North 27th Avenue. Wherever you may be coming from, orient yourself with Interstate 17. Ss. Simon & Jude is located west of Interstate 17 on 27th Avenue between Bethany Home Road and Glendale Avenue. If you’re coming from downtown Phoenix, for example, head north on I-17, exit Bethany Home Road, turn left, go a half-mile to 27th Avenue, turn right, go a half-mile, you can’t miss us… we’re at the corner of 27th Avenue and Maryland Avenue.
How do I arrange to speak with a priest? How would I contact the Bishop?
Our parish priests are available for personal appointments and can be reached by contacting the Cathedral offices or via e-mail. Generally, their calendars are managed by office personnel. Our priests do look forward to meeting directly with their people and can often arrange to meet with individuals on weekends or evenings, calendar permitting.
The Most Reverend Bishop is in residence here at the Cathedral, however, to contact him directly, phone or e-mail the administrative offices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, 400 East Monroe Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, 602-257-0030, contact-us@diocesephoenix.org.
Why is registration in the parish necessary?
Practically speaking, the U.S. is a mixed religious group, so it’s helpful to know who’s Catholic… it also helps us get to know a bit about our parishioners so as to be of service to them.
Beyond this, it’s important for the administration of the sacraments… we have an obligation to make sure that a sacrament is celebrated with right intent and with sufficient preparation… registration helps clarify this picture. It’s not difficult to register… it’s strictly confidential information… and it’s just good Catholic stewardship and responsibility!
Are there other ways to support my parish than using envelopes? Are my gifts to the parish tax-deductible?
Many parishioners use the Direct Giving option that automatically deducts their monthly sacrificial gifts from a designated bank account. You can make gifts through a credit card.
The Cathedral sends out annual statements in early January detailing each household’s sacrificial giving for the purposes of tax deduction. Generally, gifts to the Sunday plate are deductible, but in all instances, be sure to check with qualified tax preparers.
How would I arrange to get a Mass card?
A lovely way to remember someone who’s deceased, or to remember someone’s special intentions, is to arrange for the Mass to be offered. Contact the parish office directly to determine date and time (they fill up often a year in advance). You’ll receive a beautiful Mass card to send to those you’re remembering. Ordinarily, there is a donation of $10.
How do I register and… why do I need to register in the parish?
SSJC’s a big place! Kinda helps to get to know who ARE our parishioners. And besides that, it’s just responsible “stewardship”… being a part of the Lord’s Church, even in some small small way! Registration is easy and can even be done on-line. After registering, you’ll receive a welcome packet with some interesting local history, a prayer card, a note from the Rector, a Ministry Booklet outlining how you can share your time and talents with the Church, some temporary envelopes along with a Direct Giving form. It’s easy.
What is meant by the term “practicing Catholic”?
Minimally, it means someone who has been baptized and participated in the sacramental life of the Church (i.e. made First Holy Communion and been confirmed); a person who attends Mass regularly, goes to confession periodically, and [if married] is married “in the Church,” and has some practical knowledge of his/her religion. Only practicing Catholics may act as sponsors for sacraments (baptism godparents, Confirmation sponsors).
How do I get my child baptized?
Baptism is a sacrament that brings us into God’s Household… the Church. Sin is washed away and we are made sons and daughters of God and heirs to His Kingdom. At a baptism, parents make a solemn promise that “by their word and example,” they will raise their child in the practice of the Catholic Faith. This is not a promise one should make lightly… and the Church, as “minister and dispenser” of God’s Mysteries needs to ensure to some degree that parents understand their role as “first teachers of their children in the Faith.” The sacraments are intended by the Lord as His help for practicing Catholics. Consequently, registration in the parish… attendance at Mass… a catechetical session (usually on a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon)… and then the baptism may be scheduled. Contact Sr. Loreto Downing (242-1300, x137) for English-speaking preparation. Parishioners who would prefer to conduct preparatory matters in Spanish may contact Sra.Martha Morales (242-1300, x126).
I’d like to get married at the Cathedral… what do I need to do?
Marriage is a sacrament of the Church… the joining of a man and a woman that not only reflects the love God has for His people (union), but is also the means by which humanity joins with God in brining new souls to life and into His Kingdom (procreation). As such, this solemn commitment binding a couple together must only be undertaken after serious prayer and preparation.
The Bishop of Phoenix requires at least nine months advance notice, however, just about any parish would advise a greater length of preparation time. A date for a wedding may not be scheduled until after a couple has met initially with Cathedral staff. At least one party must be a practicing Catholic and a member of the parish. There are some documents to be retrieved (e.g. certificate of baptism issued within the last six months from the parish where you were baptized), and there are some catechetical sessions (take FOCCUS pre-marital inventory and follow-up, Evenings for the Engaged, Natural Family Planning sessions).
Couples who are not part of the Cathedral parish may arrange to celebrate a wedding here, provided that prescribed preparatory measures have been completed at another parish, the pastor there has approved, and the Rector here at the Cathedral gives his consent.
Wedding guidelines have been carefully spelled out with due flexibility to ensure that weddings are celebrated according to the Rites of the Catholic Church and with sacred character of the Liturgy. You may download the Cathedral wedding policy on this website. For further information contact Sr. Dympna Doran, IBVM, (242-1300, x121).
I have a relative who is sick and homebound… is it possible for him/her to receive Holy Communion on a regular basis?
Certainly! Contact the parish office (602-242-1300) to arrange for Holy Communion to be brought to a location. It’s possible that for facilities outside the boundaries of the Cathedral parish, a referral to another local parish may be made.
For someone who is gravely ill and in danger of death, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may be arranged. A priest will go to a hospital, nursing home or private home to administer this precious gift of the Lord. Please contact the Parish Office to arrange this. It’s also possible that for facilities outside the boundaries of the Cathedral parish, a referral to another local parish may be made, depending on the availability of priests.
We’ve had a death in the family… how do we arrange for funeral rites?
First of all, please know of our sympathy, our prayers and support in what is surely a difficult time. The Rites of Christian Burial are intended as a way for the Church to make intercession for the happy repose of souls, and to provide comfort to those who are grieving.
Certainly in a time of grieving, families would like to have matters handled smoothly and efficiently. The first order of business is to contact a mortuary or funeral home; there are several in the area who particularly assist Catholic families. If you are in need of mortuary services, contact the Parish Office for a referral. The mortuary will then handle all matters relating to the use of the Cathedral, clergy services, etc.
It is terribly important, then, that all matters relating to the Cathedral (i.e. arranging the wake, funeral services, graveside, requests, etc.) be handled exclusively THROUGH THE MORTUARY OR FUNERAL HOME. Please do not contact directly the parish office or priests/religious with whom you may be acquainted. This ensures there are no schedule conflicts or other matters that may be overlooked. Assistance with bereavement and funeral receptions is available and may be arranged through your funeral home personnel.
I’m interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith… in converting… what should I do? Is there some form of outreach to Catholics who have been away from the Church?
Welcome… anyone who seeks God and the life of His Church is always welcome at the Cathedral parish! You might want to see a priest to talk privately with him… contact the Parish Office. What is called the “RCIA” – an acronym for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults – is a process that ordinarily prepares adults for full initiation into the Church (i.e. baptism, First Communion, Confirmation), but is a terrific “refresher” for Catholics who have been away for awhile. There are also other opportunities for adult education… consult the parish bulletin. To learn more about RCIA, contact Mr. & Mrs. Jeff and Susan Pietro through the Parish Office (242-1300).
Is there some outreach or service to the poor or those who are experiencing hard times?
Yes. Our St. Vincent de Paul Society is an energetic and well-organized group of individuals committed to assisting the poor and needy. They provide an immense service to the Church and to the community-at-large. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is located on Maryland Street on the northern edge of the Cathedral parish property. All requests should be brought to this location and not to the parish office which is not at all equipped for such incidents. For information on assistance with food, shelter or other means of assistance, please contact St. Vincent de Paul at 602-433-7613.
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