The Church in Arizona

The Diocese of Phoenix will host Star of Wonder: Winter Wellness Reset, a six-day guided program from December 26 to December 31, 2026. The program uses Catholic spirituality, Scripture, and mental wellness principles to help participants find rest and reflection during the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

The experience is designed for digital and mobile use, though a printable journal option is also available. Participants will engage in daily Scripture readings, reflections from spiritual thinkers, guided wellness practices, and contemplative exercises.

The Diocese of Phoenix published a prayer and reflection intended to help individuals seek clarity amidst the complexities of modern life. The text invites readers to slow down and rely on God's truth and the dignity of every person as steady guides.

The prayer asks for the grace to walk in God's light and to remain calm during times of uncertainty. It also includes a petition to see others as brothers and sisters and to walk alongside them through life.

The Diocese of Phoenix has released a wellness framework called Star of Wonder to help people maintain a connection to God while attending to their wellbeing. Rather than setting New Year's resolutions focused on accomplishments, the framework asks participants to consider who they want to become with God's help.

The practice identifies five specific areas for reflection: prayer, relationships, rest, service, and growth. To assist with these areas, the diocese provides prompts for intentional living. For prayer, individuals are encouraged to consider how to make space for God through daily routines, visiting open chapels, or changing reading and viewing habits. For relationships, the framework suggests using calendars to prompt calls to loved ones, facilitating regular meals with friends, or reaching out to those who are isolated.

The Diocese of Phoenix published a Scripture Encounter featuring 1 John 2:7-11 and Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6.

The text from 1 John 2:7-11 discusses an old commandment and a new commandment, stating that whoever loves his brother remains in the light while whoever hates his brother is in darkness.

The reading from Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6 calls for the heavens to be glad and the earth to rejoice. It instructs to sing to the Lord and announce his salvation among the nations.

The Diocese of Phoenix published a reflection titled "Pathway Light" regarding the discovery of human purpose.

The text states that purpose is not an invention of the individual but a discovery made by following Jesus. It notes that God invites people to be intentionally themselves rather than attempting to reinvent themselves through social media trends or personal productivity. The reflection cites the Gospel of John to describe Jesus as the Eternal Word through whom all things were created.

The Diocese of Phoenix published a spiritual exercise to help people practice thanksgiving and praise for creation.

The exercise encourages individuals to reflect on the miracle of their own existence and the role of God in shaping human life. It suggests that people may find it difficult to feel connected to the natural world due to modern urban and suburban lifestyles, such as living in apartments or traveling in cars.

To complete the exercise, the Diocese suggests recalling a specific moment when a person felt integrated with the world around them and offering thanks to God for that experience.

The Diocese of Phoenix published an opening prayer intended for use during encounters with God.

The prayer asks for the ability to discern order within chaos and to recognize the beauty of life. It requests help to live in harmony with the rhythms of creation and asks that the time spent in prayer bears fruit for the individual and others.

The Diocese of Phoenix published reflection questions to assist with personal spiritual and mental health assessment. The questions ask individuals to identify the difference between walking in darkness or light, name healthy habits they wish to strengthen, and identify people who exemplify human dignity.

The Diocese of Phoenix has released a wellness practice to help people prepare for the upcoming year through reflection on personal dignity.

The guidance suggests that individuals examine whether their daily habits align with their dignity as children of God and the dignity of others. It encourages people to consider if they have defined themselves too heavily by work, accomplishments, or failures. The practice also invites people to evaluate their balance of work and rest.

To prepare for the new year, the Diocese suggests reflecting on the past year to identify when personal dignity was honored or lost. It recommends discerning one specific step to live with greater clarity in the year ahead.

The Diocese of Phoenix released a spiritual reflection on October 29, 2026, regarding the importance of loving God and neighbor.

The reflection uses the first letter of John to explain that recognizing others as brothers and sisters acknowledges a shared origin and equal dignity. The text suggests that finding ways to love others, despite worldly complexities, allows a person to walk in the light.

The Diocese of Phoenix published a reflection titled Pathway Light to address modern challenges such as uncertainty, disunity, and mental health issues. The text suggests that rapid technological change has outpaced social cohesion, family stability, education, and mentorship.

The reflection states that people of faith can find clarity by turning to the Word of God and the Tradition of the Church. It notes that Church social teaching provides a framework for human development. Specifically, the text advises viewing the world through the lens of the life and dignity of the human person to maintain a path of light.

The Diocese of Phoenix published a reflection and prayer focused on compassion and the protection of vulnerable people.

The session addressed themes of grief, loss, and human vulnerability. The accompanying prayer asks for God's grace during times of hardship and unintended consequences.

The Diocese of Phoenix published reflection questions to help people consider compassion and its impact on relationships and the world.

The Diocese of Phoenix published a wellness practice reflection encouraging people to practice self-compassion when facing unintended consequences.

The reflection uses the Gospel account of the magi to illustrate how righteous actions can lead to unforeseen or negative outcomes, such as the anger of Herod. It suggests that while people seek reconciliation with God and the community after sinning, they often struggle to show compassion to themselves when circumstances turn out poorly despite their best intentions.

The practice advises individuals to accept compassion for themselves without trying to earn it or refusing it due to feelings of unworthiness.

The Diocese of Phoenix published a spiritual reflection addressing human vulnerability and the practice of walking in the light.

The reflection notes that vulnerability can stem from physical danger, trauma, disappointment, loss, illness, or financial stress. It states that while bad things happen to good people, God does not cause suffering to test individuals.

The text describes walking in the light not as a life of comfort or worldly strength, but as a commitment to renewing faithfulness to God, living justly, and loving God and neighbor. This path allows people to find collective strength and fellowship with one another.

The Diocese of Phoenix published a Scripture Encounter featuring readings from 1 John, the Psalms, and the Gospel of Matthew.

The selected readings include 1 John 1:5–7, which discusses walking in the light to maintain fellowship with God and others. The text also includes Psalm 124, which describes the soul being rescued from a snare through the help of the Lord. The Gospel reading from Matthew 2:13–18 recounts the angel appearing to Joseph in a dream to instruct him to flee to Egypt with Jesus and Mary to avoid King Herod.

The Diocese of Phoenix published a reflection on the nature of compassion as part of its Pathway Light series.

The text describes compassion through the example of donors giving Christmas gifts to children. It notes that the children offer nothing material in return, as the giver is motivated solely by the children's needs and a desire for their happiness. The reflection suggests that extending this type of compassion can help individuals become more like Christ and experience joy.

The Diocese of Phoenix published a reflection inviting people to use the Christmas season to recognize God's gifts and the joy of giving to others.

The text suggests that as people age, the focus of the holiday often shifts from receiving toys to the joy found in bringing happiness to children and family members. The Diocese encourages individuals to pause and thank God for experiences where they brought joy to someone else.

The reflection also asks people to consider the specific talents or gifts God has given them. It notes that these gifts may remain unexplored and suggests that using such abilities could bless vulnerable people, especially children.

The Diocese of Phoenix published an opening prayer intended for those seeking spiritual strength during times of loss and grief.

The prayer asks for the grace to encounter God during sorrow and the fortitude to support vulnerable people. It includes requests to surrender pride and stubbornness to allow for spiritual growth.

The Diocese of Phoenix published a prayer exercise to help people recognize the presence of God in their relationships.

The exercise encourages individuals to thank God for people who bring them life and allow them to be themselves. It suggests using the phrase, Lord, I see you in, followed by the name of a person. The guide also asks participants to apply this phrase to people they would not typically expect to associate with the divine.