With an area of more than 43,000 square miles, the Diocese of Tucson is the fifth largest diocese in geographic size of all dioceses in the continental United States. Established in 1897 upon the foundation provided by the extraordinary accomplishments of missionaries, the Diocese of Tucson today includes 74 parishes, one newly formed parish, dozens of missions, 22 parochial elementary schools, and six private Catholic High Schools that all together serve a Catholic population of more than 350,000.

In the past year at these parishes and missions, more than 6,987 persons were baptized, 5,865 children received First Communion, 3,343 children and teens were confirmed, 19,400 children and teenagers received Religious Education, and 875 couples were married. The Catholic schools at our parishes this year are providing an excellent education based on the values and teachings of the Catholic Faith to more than 8,162 students.

Arizona is the fastest growing state in the nation. Phenomenal growth is taking place in four of the counties within the Diocese. In the next 25 years, it is estimated that the total Catholic population of the Diocese of Tucson could double, to more than 700,000.

This tremendous growth is creating unprecedented challenges to our parishes, Catholic schools, Catholic institutions, and to our Diocese, leading Bishop Gerald Kicanas to ask this crucial question: What must we do now to respond to the many needs of our growing Diocese?

Based upon the positive results of a professional planning and feasibility study conducted in early 2007, the answer to that question is Our Faith, Our Hope, Our Future, a comprehensive campaign to transform our communities of faith, strengthen the Catholic presence in our communities, and give our parishes, schools, and Catholic institutions a solid foundation upon which they can prepare for the future.