Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude (Phoenix, Arizona)

Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral
Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral
Religion
Affiliation	Roman Catholic Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Leadership	Diocese of Phoenix; Bishop: Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted; Rector: Rev. John Lankeit
Location
Location	6351 N. 27th Ave.; Phoenix, Arizona; United States
Geographic coordinates	33°31′47.28″N 112°6′58.32″W / 33.5298000°N 112.1162000°W
Architecture
Style	Modern
Completed	1966
Materials	Brick
Website
	www.simonjude.org

The Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.

History

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, a native from Ireland, who brought with him the Sisters of Loreto. Fr. Smith 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 the Very Rev. 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.

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 Loreto. 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.