Lay Movements and Ministries

What is the Focolare Movement?
The Focolare Movement began in 1943 during the Second World War as a current of spiritual and social renewal.  ‘A people born from the Gospel,’ is how it was defined by its foundress Chiara Lubich (1920-2008), a charismatic and significant woman of the 20th century.

The Focolare Movement, whose official name is the Work of Mary, was approved by the Holy See in 1962 and is now present everywhere in the world, like a vast and varied family.

Its members are people of every age and vocation, coming from different social backgrounds, cultures, ethnic groups and religions. These are composed mainly of laypersons: adults, families, youth, teenagers, and children, but also includes men and women religious, priests, and bishops.

Today the Movement is present in 182 countries.  It has approximately 2 million adherents and people who are sympathetic to its goals – the majority being Roman Catholic.  There are a growing number of those of other Christian faith traditions from 350 churches and ecclesial communities.  The Movement also includes many from other world faiths such as Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs.  There are also those in the Movement who do not adhere to any particular religious faith.

What is its Purpose?
The purpose of the Movement is to foster in others the gift of unity, according to the prayer of Jesus to the Father: "that they may all be one" (John 17:21).  Its members are committed to working, first and foremost, for an ever deeper unity among the faithful of the Catholic Church.  They strive to establish relationships of fraternal communion and of common witness with other Christian sisters and brothers, as a contribution to the restoration of full unity. 

Its members also endeavor to achieve, through dialogue with persons of other religions, and through activities of common interest, the deepest possible union in God among all believers.   

They establish relationships and dialogue with persons of no religious affiliation, and work together with them towards common goals in order to strengthen universal brotherhood throughout the world and to open up their hearts to Christ.

Is the Movement Present in the Diocese of Tucson?
In 1980, the Focolare Movement arrived in Tucson, Arizona.  Since then, a small community of laypersons has grown and spread to the Diocese of Phoenix.  The Arizona Communities are part of the life that is flourishing throughout the western US, in California cities like Los Angeles, Madera, San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco; and a presence in the states of Washington, Montana, and Hawaii.

The Focolare Communities foster a greater understanding of how it is possible to put the Gospel into practice in everyday life — in the family, with neighbors, co-workers, classmates, everyone!

How may I be a part of the Movement?
Each month there is an informal gathering in Tucson where the community comes together to update and encourage each other through personal experiences of putting the Gospel into practice in concrete ways.  A tool to support this goal is the monthly Word of Life. The Word of Life is a sentence of Scripture with an accompanying commentary that is prepared by the Focolare and offered monthly as a guide and inspiration for daily life. The Word of Life is translated into 96 different languages and dialects and reaches more than 14 million people worldwide through print, radio and TV media.

What are the benefits of Living the Word of Life?
As Chiara Lubich once said that living the Word of Life brings the following fruits:

• Brings light to our life
• Makes us free
• Guarantees happiness
• Gives us peace
• Purifies us
• Is effective
• Obtains everything
• Brings about union with God
• Gives us hope of eternal life
• Makes us one
• Builds community

What are other opportunities available?
Locally, a one-day Mariapolis (City of Mary) is held periodically.  The participants enjoy fellowship, programs, personal testimonials, and activities that further explore the Focolare’s Spirituality of Unity.  Duel program topics and activities appropriately provided for adults and youth ensure that there will be topics of interest for everyone. 

Larger multi-day annual Summer Mariapolises are held in California in a variety of settings and with different programs.  Each of these temporary “Cities of Mary” is a portion of society renewed by evangelical love.  Cultural, racial, religious and generational differences disappear in this mosaic of humanity made one family by a common desire to build unity and to provide a sustainable answer to the prayer of Jesus to the Father: "that they may all be one" (John 17:21).

These Mariapolises provide an occasion to gather with others and, in a dialogue of true openness, learn to be a gift for one another.

Would you like to know more?
If you have questions, wish to obtain more information about Focolare Community activities in the Diocese of Tucson, or to receive the Word of Life, please contact:

Michael Johnson, Co-coordinator at (520) 296-9921

Elizabeth Solinsky, Co-coordinator at (520) 760-1828.

More information about the Focolare Movement is available on www.focolare.org/usa. 

The Arcoiris movement has its roots in Mexico where it was established in 1985 when a young couple who completed a Cursillo Weekend wondered if something similar could be offered for the youth and young people.  While the Arcoiris movement is not directly related to the Cursillo, it is similar in its goals for religious nurturing and evangelization: to evangelize young person to young person; to evangelize young person to families; to foster vocations to the priesthood and to religious life; and to expand the movement. Among parishes with active groups in the past are:

• Immaculate Conception in Yuma (928) 782-7516
• Immaculate Heart of Mary in Somerton (928) 627-2918
• Our Lady of Grace in Maricopa (520) 568-4605
• Sacred Heart of Jesus in Nogales (520) 287-9221
• Sacred Heart of Jesus in Parker (928) 669-2502 - English 0nly
• Saint Anthony of Padua in Casa Grande (520) 836-0601
• Saint Cyril of Alexandria in Tucson (520) 795-1633
• Saint Francis of Assisi in Yuma (928) 782-1875 - English and Spanish
• Saint John Neumann in Yuma (928) 342-3544
• Saint Jude Thaddeus in San Luis (928) 627-8011
• Saint Monica in Tucson (520) 294-2694
• San Felipe de Jesus in Nogales (520) 761-3100

This began as local outreach by Lourdes Catholic High School in Nogales to the Kino Border Initiative and expanded to Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson. The groups involve teens engaged in hands-on activities at the border including workshops, immersion experiences and political advocacy.

Life Teen is a movement within the Roman Catholic Church that leads teenagers and their families into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. Among parishes with active groups in the past are:

• Saint George in Apache Junction (480) 982-2929
• Sacred Heart of Jesus in Clifton (928) 865-2285
• Holy Cross in Morenci (928) 865-3183
• Saint Mark in Oro Valley (520) 469-7835
• Most Holy Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Rio Rico (520) 281-7414
• Saint Michael the Archangel in San Tan Valley (520) 723-6570
• Saint Andrew the Apostle in Sierra Vista (520) 458-2925
• Saint Ann in Tubac (520) 398-2646
• Our Lady Queen of All Saints in Tucson (520) 622-8602
• Santa Catalina in Tucson (520) 825-9611
• Santa Cruz in Tucson (520) 623-3833
• Saint Augustine Cathedral in Tucson (520) 623-6351
• Saint Joseph in Tucson (520) 747-3100
• Saint Odilia in Tucson (520) 297-7271
• Saint Thomas the Apostle in Tucson (520) 577-8780
• Saints Peter and Paul in Tucson (520) 327-6015
• Saint Rita in the Desert in Vail (520) 762-9688
• Saint Francis of Assisi in Yuma (928) 782-1875
• Yuma Catholic High School (928) 317-7900

This program was brought here in 2018 from the Diocese of Salina by Bishop Weisenburger. It features a weeklong mission trip expereince withing our own diocese for youth living in our own diocese.  Days are spent performing home repair projects for elderly, disabled, or veterans in our communiteis and evenings spent in prayer and fellowship. The first year, two weeks were offered in sites in Tucson and Yuma. For more information, call Joe Perdreauville at (520) 838-2539 or email.

Among parishes with active groups in the past are:

• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Florence (520) 868-5940
• Blessed Sacrament in Mammoth (520) 487-2451
• Corpus Christi in Tucson (520) 751-4235
• Fort Huachuca Chapel in Sierra Vista (520) 533-4748
• Holy Angels in Globe (928) 425-3137
• Holy Cross in Morenci (928) 865-3183
• Holy Family in Tucson (520) 623-6773
• Immaculate Conception in Ajo (520) 310-4845
• Immaculate Conception in Douglas (520) 364-8494
• Immaculate Conception in Yuma (928) 782-7516
• Immaculate Heart High School in Tucson (520) 297-2851
• Immaculate Heart of Mary in Somerton (928) 627-2918
• Infant Jesus of Prague in Kearny (520) 363-7205
• Lourdes Catholic High School in Nogales (520) 287-5659
• Marine Corp Air Station in Yuma (928) 269-2371
• Most Holy Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Rio Rico (520) 281-7414
• Most Holy Trinity in Tucson (520) 884-9021
• Our Lady of Fatima in Tucson (520) 883-1717
• Our Lady of Grace in Maricopa (520) 568-4605
• Our Lady of LaVang in Tucson (520) 882-3891
• Our Lady of Lourdes in Benson (520) 586-3394
• Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Miami (928) 473-3568
• Our Lady of the Mountains in Sierra Vista (520) 378-2720
• Our Lady of the Valley in Green Valley (520) 625-4536
• Our Mother of Sorrows in Tucson (520) 747-1321
• Sacred Heart in Clifton (928) 865-2285
• Sacred Heart of Jesus in Nogales (520) 287-9221
• Sacred Heart of Jesus in Parker (928) 669-2502
• Sacred Heart of Jesus in Tucson (520) 888-1530
• Sacred Heart of Jesus in Willcox (520) 384-3432
• Saint Ambrose in Tucson (520) 622-6749
• Saint Andrew the Apostle in Sierra Vista (520) 458-2925
• Saint Ann in Tubac (520) 398-2646
• Saint Anthony of Padua in Casa Grande (520) 836-0601
• Saint Augustine Cathedral in Tucson (520) 623-6351
• Saint Augustine Catholic High School in Tucson (520) 751-8300
• Saint Bartholomew in San Manuel (520) 385-4156
• Saint Bernard in Pirtleville (520) 364-2762
• Saint Christopher in Marana (520) 682-3035
• Saint Cyril of Alexandria in Tucson (520) 795-1633
• Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Tucson (520) 297-7357
• Saint Frances Cabrini in Tucson (520) 326-7670
• Saint Francis de Sales in Tucson (520) 885-5908
• Saint Francis of Assisi in Superior (520) 689-2250
• Saint Francis of Assisi in Yuma (928) 782-1875
• Saint George in Apache Junction (480) 982-2929
• Saint Helen in Oracle (520) 896-2708
• Saint Helen of the Cross in Eloy (520) 466-7258
• Saint James the Apostle in Coolidge (520) 723-3063
• Saint John Neumann in Yuma (928) 342-3544
• Saint John the Evangelist in Tucson (520) 624-7409
• Saint Joseph in Hayden (520) 356-7223
• Saint Joseph in Tucson (520) 747-3100
• Saint Joseph the Worker in Wellton (928) 785-4275
• Saint Jude Thaddeus in San Luis (928) 627-8011
• Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in Tucson (520) 622-5363
• Saint Luke in Douglas (520) 364-4411
• Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque in Tucson (520) 622-0168
• Saint Mark in Oro Valley (520) 469-7835
• Saint Michael the Archangel in San Tan Valley (520) 723-6570
• Saint Monica in Tucson (520) 294-2694
• Saint Odilia in Tucson (520) 297-7271
• Saint Patrick in Bisbee (520) 432-5753
• Saint Philip the Apostle in Payson (928) 474-2392
• Saint Pius X in Tucson (520) 885-3573
• Saint Rita in the Desert in Vail (520) 762-9688
• Saint Rose of Lima in Safford (928) 428-4920
• Saint Therese of Lisieux in Patagonia (520) 394-2954
• Saint Thomas More Newman Center in Tucson (520) 327-4665
• Saint Thomas the Apostle in Tucson (520) 577-8780
• Saints Peter and Paul in Tucson (520) 327-6015
• Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson (520) 327-6581
• San Felipe de Jesus in Nogales (520) 761-3100
• San Martin de Porres in Sahuarita (520) 625-1154
• San Miguel Catholic High School in Tucson (520) 294-6403
• San Solano Missions in Topawa (520) 383-2350
• San Xavier Mission in Tucson (520) 294-2624
• Santa Catalina in Tucson (520) 825-9611
• Santa Cruz in Tucson (520) 623-3833
• Yuma Catholic High School (928) 317-7900

Located at the University of Arizona in Tucson, the Saint Thomas More Catholic Newman Center is run by the Order of Preacher and intertwines their charism into the local ministries: Prayer, Community, Service, and Preaching. In addition to regular Mass times, liturgical ministries, and opportunities to receive the Sacraments, the Newman Center is also home to the Knights of Columbus Council #16061, Young Adult Community for those ages 22 to 35, and the Newman Book Club.

www.marriageretornocpr.org
A marriage preparation program which continues through the first year(s) of marriage covering: Family of Origin, Finances & Career Planning, Marital Communication, Interfaith Marriage, Parenting, Couples who are living together, Blended Families, Prayer, Marital Spirituality,…

www.wwme.org/

If you are looking to Explore, Rediscover and Reconnect in your marriage, get away from everyday distractions and focus on each other at a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend.  The Encounter Weekend is a positive and personal couple experience, offering a loving communication technique that helps couples deepen and strengthen their relationship with each other and with God.

For Information & To Register: 
Call 520-477-2121 or visit www.wwmearizona.com.

Para los fines de semana en español, por favor visite 
Encuentro Matrimonial Mundial, 
www.emm14.org,
928-210-3162 

Tucson
Father Raúl Valencia
520-294-2694
raulvg2@hotmail.comTucson/Yuma
Alejandro & Fatima Carlos
928-210-3162

www.rosatucson.org/

The primary goal is to provide help for couples who live in the disappointment and pain of marriage problems. The weekend provides a safe setting, encouraging couples to learn communication in marriage in a respectful manner. The post-weekend phase of the Retrouvaille program is as critical to a couple experiencing marital problems as the initial weekend experience. Hurting marriages cannot be healed in one weekend. Restoration takes time. The post-weekend sessions provide support as couples discuss concepts of the importance of communication in marriage, intimacy, and many other topics. Today's unchallenged acceptance of divorce suggests only limited support for marriages. Retrouvaille is a program that is solely dedicated to providing the necessary support to help save marriages.

ROSA Information & Registration: 

1-800-470-2230 or local 1-520-216-0360 4003@retrouvaille.org, 

http://marriageretornocpr.org/

Marriage Retorno means turning toward God as a couple. The goal of Marriage Retorno is to provide an atmosphere, a context, in which the couple can open themselves, both as individuals and as a couple to a dialogue with God through Scripture. It is a weekend prayer experience for husband and wife, facilitated by a married couple and a Catholic priest. It provides participating couples with an opportunity for a renewal of their relationship as a couple with God. 

For Information & To Register: 

Werner and Annie Mammen, marriageretornocpr@gmail.com, or marriageretornocpr.org

Hope and Healing for the Catholic Family! You are not alone. There's no such thing as "Catholic divorce" but the bad news is Catholics do civilly divorce. Surviving Divorce is there to help, and to encourage healing through the Sacraments where you'll personally encounter Christ - with all His love and tender mercies. And that's the REALLY good news.

Contact: Felicia Klein
Phone: (520) 425-6529
Email: csdtucson@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.catholicsdivorce.com/

A Wedding is a Day, A Marriage is a Lifetime! Catholic Engaged Encounter Inc. is a community of Catholics serving engaged couples by sharing their experiences of living out the values of a sacramental marriage. They host weekend retreats for engaged couples incorporating presentations, self-reflection, and couple's dialogue.

Local Chapter: Catholic Engaged Encounter of Tucson
Contacts: Juan and Gina DeLaOssa
Email: tucsonengagedencounter@gmail.com
Website: http://arizonacee.org/

The FOCCUS Pre-Marriage Inventory is a comprehensive, user-friendly tool for use by lay individuals, couples or professionals who are helping couples prepare for marriage, and who become trained as FOCCUS Facilitators. The FOCCUS Inventory is designed to help engaged couples appreciate their unique relationship, learn more about themselves, and discuss topics important to their lifelong marriage.

Website: http://foccusinc.com/foccus-inventory.aspx

Now-a-days, "date nights" are popular across our country. Couples taking time out to have fun together is important, very important. But, there’s more. 10 Great Dates offers you Great Dates that are not only fun but also help you build and strengthen your relationship for the long haul.

Website: https://www.10greatdates.org/

The REFOCCUS Marriage Enrichment Inventory is a packet of five questionnaires that a married couple can use and score by themselves, as part of a weekend retreat, or in five weekly evenings in which the general topical areas are discussed with other couples. REFOCCUS is ideal for married couples who wish to spend time and energy on their relationship, but desire a little direction and skill building assistance in doing so.

Website: http://foccusinc.com/refoccus-inventory.aspx