#BreakingNews St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona completely destroyed by Fire


St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona, USA was destroyed in a fire early Wednesday, May 1, 2019. The church had almost made its 50th anniversary of establishment as a Roman Catholic parish. The fire occurred on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, to whom the church is dedicated.
The entire building was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived around midnight. Over  60 firefighters were called to stop the fire.
There were no people injured by the fire and the cause is being investigated.

Fr. Reggie Carreon, the pastor, wanted to rescue items from the church but was told, 'Father, don't go, you'll die,'" Carreon explained, "They told us, 'Father you cannot do anything anymore, it's too late,'"


"Inside the church, I think we lost everything there except the walls," Carreon said. "I'm going to shed a lot of tears."


The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix issued the following statement about the fire:

"This morning we awoke to the tragic news of the fire at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Phoenix. The Phoenix Fire Department is investigating the fire. The church building was destroyed and there were no injuries. We will have more to share as it becomes available.

We are heartbroken for the St. Joseph Catholic community and we are grateful for the bravery of the fire fighters and first responders.

There are tentative plans to celebrate Masses somewhere on the church property this weekend.

Today on this feast day of St. Joseph the Worker, we ask the community to join us in prayer."

St. Joseph's was established as a Catholic parish on Aug. 18, 1969, according to its website. Sunday Masses were first held in the cafeteria of Paradise Valley High School for about 300 families.

Ground broke for a new church on a 10-acre site on Jan. 23, 1972, with seating for 500. The campus eventually added a parish hall, meeting rooms, library and adjacent chapel.
Edited from Source: azcentral.com

Comments

Nanny said…
This breaks my heart. Prayers for recovery.
Unknown said…
Does this also mean we lost the Eucharist too? Lord Jesus have mercy on us
Lucky said…
Does this also mean we lost the Eucharist too? Lord Jesus have mercy on us
Unknown said…
So very sorry for all affected. May God bless and help them to rebuild, be faithful and thankful that there were no injuries.
Anonymous said…
have they investigated if this is arson? suspicious now that lots of churches are being premeditatedly burned around the world.
Unknown said…
Its really a heartbreaking news.And I wondered why our Catholic institution faced such tragic accident.Notre Dame Cathedral to St.Joseph'High School in Manipur India and now St.Joseph's Church.Lets join our prayrs dear faithful.
Unknown said…
St.Joseph's School is a Catholic Mission School run by Diocesan Priest of Manipur,India.It was burnt down on 25th April by some miscreants.
Unknown said…
St.Joseph's School is a Catholic Mission School run by Diocesan Priest of Manipur,India.It was burnt down on 25th April by some miscreants.
Calvin Adelrick said…
Ironic that Churches are burning down all of a sudden this year...isn't it easy to do so but anyone now days. You can learn how to do it on the net. Until investigations run and the if the word out, then only we'll know who. Some very rich countries are will to pay big bucks to individuals or small groups to carry out such. So as long as Christianity tumbles. Most Atheist and Muslims have been been hatin' us a lot recent times. But as Christians we still keep quiet and give the left cheek. Till when?
Unknown said…
What is happening to this world it all started with france and Sri Lanka
Anonymous said…
Totally agree. WHEN are we going to fight back and not only defend our churches but our Faith as well? "Turning the other cheek" and feeling sorry for all this is not only weak, it's conceding defeat to the enemy. Muslims and atheist far-left fanatics will continue to destroy and desecrate until they are stopped! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Anonymous said…
Unfortunately, the federal government concentrates its efforts on surveillance of people who would never hurt a fly. They follow right wing conservatives with no criminal record even if the conservative is a devout bible thumper. Its unfortunate but the hold-overs from the past administration don't give a wink about catholics.
Unknown said…
Omg. This is so sad. Praying for the community & priest. May Our Father bless you all rebuilding. The awesome thing is Our Father, Jesus & Holy Spirit lives in our hearts & spirit.. Sad that the building with all within is detroyed. God bless you all.
Aboueri said…
If they cant send a suucide bomber than they burn the church .that what is happend to the christians aroun the world .it s a new war against the christians from europe to the middle east to egypt and nigeria and usa ....
Anonymous said…
If you know your Catechism. NO. What was lost was the physical hosts, consecrated or not, but he Lord Jesus was not destroyed, nor can He ever be destroyed.
Unknown said…
Turning the other cheek is the instruction of Christ our God, it is not weak. I am not saying I don't care, but Christ's teaching isn't weakness. We should of course defend our churches. However, we can find a way to follow Christ and defend our churches. If something is not being done correctly that is one thing but I wouldn't say the problem is that we're turning the other cheek.
Anonymous said…
It started long before this.
Unknown said…
So sad breaks my heart hopefully we can start a donation for the church. us the people need to give back. Catholic Churchs are the biggest charity that give to the poor and hunger.
TreshaS said…
You would not hold your baby out to a sicko who wants to hit it and then make it turn the other cheek. This is a PERSONAL Christian mandate, not societal or governmental.
Unknown said…
Amen๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป๐Ÿ˜ช
Unknown said…
You got that right! Remember all this when you go to vote in 2020 stop letting the real hate win!
Unknown said…
time to fight fire with fire