St. Francis De Sales Roman Catholic Church Tucson

09/06/2026

St Francis de Sales parish invites you to Mass today!

7:30 / 9:30 /11:30 and 5:00 pm

Christ promises to be present wherever "two or three are gathered" in His name. True unity in the Church is not merely the absence of disagreement, but a living icon of God’s presence. When we choose charity over pride and reconciliation over gossip, we create a sanctuary where Christ dwells and where our prayers find complete harmony with the Father's will.

Gather with us and find the love God has waiting for you.

09/05/2026

09/04/2026

St Paul also reminded believers that ministry is not just one person:
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth... For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building."

St. Paul places human effort in its proper context. Planting and watering require real labor, patience, and diligence—Paul and Apollos each have a role, and each will receive their reward—but neither has the power to create life. Growth is entirely a gift from God.

This distinction brings immense peace to our apostolate and personal lives. Whether we are trying to raise faithful children, share the Gospel with a friend, or build up a parish ministry, we are not tasked with generating the divine life within someone's heart. We are simply called to plant the seeds through faithful witness and water them through prayer and service. The outcome rests entirely in God's hands.

At the same time, St. Paul gives us a staggering title: we are "God's co-workers." God does not need our assistance, yet in His infinite generosity, He chooses to work through our weak hands. We are His field being cultivated, and His building being constructed. When we surrender our pride and acknowledge that God alone gives the growth, our work transforms from self-reliant striving into joyful cooperation with divine grace.

Am I trying to force spiritual outcomes in my own strength, or am I trusting God to give the growth?

How can I offer my daily efforts to God as a humble "co-worker" today?

09/03/2026

St Paul goes on to write:
"While there is jealousy and rivalry among you, are you not of the flesh... Whenever someone says, 'I belong to Paul,' and another, 'I belong to Apollos,' are you not merely men?"

The Church in Corinth was fractured by tribalism. Believers were aligning themselves with their favorite personalities, reducing the mystery of faith to a popularity contest. St. Paul exposes this factionalism as a symptom of being "of the flesh."

We see this same temptation in the Church today. It is easy to form camps around specific liturgical styles, ministry leaders, online commentators, or theological camps. We can fall into the trap of saying, "I belong to this movement," or "I belong to that parish priest," forgetting that our allegiance belongs exclusively to Jesus Christ.

Celebrity pastor culture and parish politics choke the work of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul reminds us that no ministry leader, priest, bishop, or Pope is the Savior. They are merely ministers—instruments through whom God works. When jealousy, rivalry, or ideological division creep into our hearts, we substitute human allegiance for divine unity. The true mark of a Spirit-led Catholic is not tribal loyalty, but communion, humility, and love for the whole Body of Christ.

Continue your self-reflection:
Do I harbor subtle rivalries or elitism regarding how I practice my Catholic faith compared to others?

How can I cultivate greater unity within my local parish or community?

09/02/2026

I St Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he writes:
"I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food..."

St. Paul begins with a stinging but necessary truth: it is possible to be baptized into Christ and yet remain a spiritual infant. Milk is proper for a newborn, but a child who refuses solid food cannot grow strong enough to bear real responsibility.

In Catholic tradition, spiritual maturity is not measured by theological knowledge or how long we have sat in the pews, but by how deeply our lives are governed by the Holy Spirit rather than human passions. When we drift into gossip, emotionalism, or defensiveness, we are operating "according to the manner of man." We are contenting ourselves with spiritual milk.

Growth requires a shift in appetite. Solid food is found in a commitment to deep prayer, frequent reception of the Sacraments—especially Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist—and daily acts of sacrificial love. God does not desire that we remain spiritual toddlers. He invites us to mature into saints capable of digesting the hard truths of the Gospel and living them out courageously.

Reflect on this passage today and answer for yourself:
In what area of my spiritual life am I still content with "milk" instead of seeking "solid food"?

What attachments or habits are holding me back from deeper spiritual maturity?

09/01/2026

The Holy Father’s prayer intention for September 2026 is "For the Care of Water":

"Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it."

Prayer for the Stewardship and Equal Access to Water
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, Creator of All Life,

In the beginning, Your Spirit moved over the face of the waters, bringing forth life, order, and beauty. You give us water to quench our thirst, nourish the earth, and cleanse our souls in the waters of Baptism. We thank You for this precious gift, essential to all living creatures.

Lord Jesus Christ, Living Water, you met the Samaritan woman at the well and offered the water of eternal life. Look with compassion on our world, where millions of our brothers and sisters still lack safe, clean drinking water. Forgive us for the times we have taken this blessing for granted, wasted its bounty, or polluted the streams, rivers, and oceans You entrusted to our care.

Holy Spirit, Spirit of Justice and Wisdom, inspire world leaders, scientists, engineers, and local communities to manage the earth's water resources with justice, foresight, and sustainability. Touch the hearts of those in power to break down systemic inequalities so that equal access to clean water becomes a reality for every child, family, and nation. Guide us to be responsible stewards who protect this vital element for generations to come.

Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea, we commend our planet, its waters, and all who thirst for dignity and refreshment into Your loving hands.

Amen.

08/31/2026

Heavenly Father, Giver of all good gifts, we gather as a parish family with hearts full of gratitude and fondness to give You thanks for the ministry of Fr. Dominic Tarkighir. As his time at St. Francis de Sales comes to a close, we thank You for his faithful service, his gentle guidance, and his devotion to our community.

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation." (Isaiah 52:7)

Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, blessing upon blessing has flowed through Fr. Dominic’s hands to our parish. For every Mass celebrated, every sacrament administered, every word of wisdom offered, and every moment of joy shared, we thank You.

As Fr. Dominic prepares to continue his ministry in Nogales, we ask You to pour out Your grace upon him. Reward his labor among us, and wrap him in Your peace as he leaves the familiar halls of St. Francis de Sales to begin his next chapter.

Holy Spirit, direct his steps as he answers Your call to serve at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Nogales.

Grant him strength, health, and wisdom as he enters this new vineyard. Open the hearts of his new parishioners in Nogales to welcome him with warmth and open arms. Anoint his voice to preach Your Gospel with boldness, and fill his heart with the joy of Your presence each day.

May he always know that he carries with him the love, prayers, and deep gratitude of our parish family.

Fr Dominic, May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He look upon you with favor and grant you peace as you go forth to shepherd the faithful at Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Fr Dominic will celebrate his final Mass at St Francis de Sales today at the 8:00 am Mass. After Mass the parish will host a farewell brunch in the Parish Hall.

08/30/2026

https://www.youtube.com/live/2pdEtTvBuPI?is=ZVou5G7dE2O6FjBK

Welcome to St. Francis de Sales Parish in Tucson, AZ.Please join u...

08/29/2026

Saint John the Baptist was not a reed shaken by the wind, nor was he intimidated by earthly power. Herod imprisoned John, yet he feared him, recognizing that John was a "righteous and holy man". Herod was fascinated by the truth, but paralyzed by his own passions and pride.

Truth, when rejected, often turns into resentment. Herodias harbored deep hatred toward the one who called out her sin. Herod ultimately executed John the Baptist not out of conviction, but out of fear of losing face before his banquet guests after making a foolish, prideful oath. John lost his life because he refused to dilute God’s truth to appease human authority or comfort a king's conscience. His martyrdom reminds us that truth is not meant to win popularity contests; it is meant to set souls free, even when the world reacts with hostility.

Just as John’s life decreased so that Christ might increase (John 3:30), his martyrdom foreshadows the Paschal Mystery. John gave his head on a platter; Christ would give His entire Body and Blood on the Cross. Both died as witnesses to the eternal law and mercy of God.

Living our baptismal call to be prophets in today's world requires us to reflect on a few key questions:
Where do I compromise God’s truth out of fear?
Like Herod, we often know what is right, yet yield to peer pressure, societal expectations, or fear of judgment. John challenges us to stand firm as "pillars of iron.

"Do I welcome correction, or do I harbor resentment?
When Scripture or the teachings of the Church challenge our personal choices, do we respond with open humility or like Herodias, with defiance?

Is Christ the center of my witness?
John’s ultimate goal was never self-glorification; every word he spoke served to direct hearts toward Christ.

Join us at Mass at 5:00 pm this evening and ponder on God's call in your life.

O God, who willed that Saint John the Baptist should go before your Son both in his birth and in his death, grant that, as he died a martyr for truth and justice, we too may fight hard for the confession of what you teach. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.