Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude
Encyclopedia
The Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude is the cathedral
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
. The parish was established by Bishop Daniel James Gercke
on May 15, 1953 when it was still part of the Diocese of Tucson. The founding pastor was Reverend Paul Smith who celebrated Masses in the Maryland School while a temporary church was built. It was dedicated on October 17, 1954. The current building was dedicated on December 11, 1966, and became a cathedral with the formation of the Diocese of Phoenix in 1969, elevated to cathedral status under Pope Paul VI
.
The current rector
is Very Rev. Fr. John Lankeit and the cathedral is overseen by the current bishop
of the Diocese of Phoenix, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted
. The Auxiliary Bishop is Bishop Eduardo Alanis Nevares
(ordained July 19, 2010).
It is located at 6351 North 27th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85017, just west of Interstate 17
(exit Glendale Ave, southbound or Bethany Home Rd, northbound). Adjacent to the cathedral is the Saints Simon and Jude Catholic School. Other buildings on the campus of the school include the Mary Ward
House. Standing in front of the cathedral is a large cross over a dome-like structure that stood over the temporary altar where Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass when he visited Phoenix.
.
The school was founded in 1954 by Bishop Daniel J. Gerke of Tucson and Reverend Paul P. Smith. On August 20, 1954, four Sisters of Loreto
from the Order of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (I.B.V.M.) arrived from Navan
, Ireland to staff the new school.
visited the cathedral on September 14, 1987.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
also visited the cathedral in May 1989.
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
-History:The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix in Arizona is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It was established on December 2, 1969 when it was split off of the Diocese of Tucson...
. The parish was established by Bishop Daniel James Gercke
Daniel James Gercke
Daniel James Gercke was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Tucson from 1923 to 1960.-Biography:...
on May 15, 1953 when it was still part of the Diocese of Tucson. The founding pastor was Reverend Paul Smith who celebrated Masses in the Maryland School while a temporary church was built. It was dedicated on October 17, 1954. The current building was dedicated on December 11, 1966, and became a cathedral with the formation of the Diocese of Phoenix in 1969, elevated to cathedral status under Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
.
The current rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
is Very Rev. Fr. John Lankeit and the cathedral is overseen by the current bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Diocese of Phoenix, Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted
Thomas J. Olmsted
Thomas Olmsted is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the fourth and current Bishop of Phoenix, having previously served as Bishop of Wichita from 2001 to 2003.-Early life:...
. The Auxiliary Bishop is Bishop Eduardo Alanis Nevares
Eduardo Nevares
Eduardo Alanis Nevares is auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on May 11, 2010.-Early life and education:...
(ordained July 19, 2010).
It is located at 6351 North 27th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85017, just west of Interstate 17
Interstate 17
Interstate 17 , also known as the Black Canyon Freeway, is an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the state of Arizona, United States. I-17's southern terminus lies within Phoenix, at Interstate 10, and its northern terminus is in Flagstaff, at Interstate 40...
(exit Glendale Ave, southbound or Bethany Home Rd, northbound). Adjacent to the cathedral is the Saints Simon and Jude Catholic School. Other buildings on the campus of the school include the Mary Ward
Mary Ward (nun)
The Venerable Mary Ward, I.B.V.M., was an English Catholic Religious Sister who founded the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as the Loreto Sisters...
House. Standing in front of the cathedral is a large cross over a dome-like structure that stood over the temporary altar where Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass when he visited Phoenix.
Rectors
- Rev. Paul P. Smith, 1953 -
- Rev.
- Rev.
- Rev. Michael O'Grady,1990 - 2005
- Rev. Robert Clements, July 1, 2005 - 2011
- Rev. John Lankeit, 2011 - present
Saints Simon and Jude Elementary School
Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, staffed by the Sisters of LoretoSisters of Loreto
The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, more commonly known as the Loreto Sisters , is a women's Catholic religious order founded by an Englishwoman, Mary Ward, in 1609 at Saint-Omer in northern France...
.
The school was founded in 1954 by Bishop Daniel J. Gerke of Tucson and Reverend Paul P. Smith. On August 20, 1954, four Sisters of Loreto
Sisters of Loreto
The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, more commonly known as the Loreto Sisters , is a women's Catholic religious order founded by an Englishwoman, Mary Ward, in 1609 at Saint-Omer in northern France...
from the Order of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (I.B.V.M.) arrived from Navan
Navan
-People:Navan was the childhood home of Pierce Brosnan, who appeared in the television series Remington Steele and was the fifth film actor to play James Bond. TV personality Hector Ó hEochagáin, and comedians Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan also hail from Navan....
, Ireland to staff the new school.
Historic Visitors
Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
visited the cathedral on September 14, 1987.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa , born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu , was a Roman Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, in 1950...
also visited the cathedral in May 1989.