Assistant editor wins journalism award
SAN DIEGO — Denis Grasska, assistant editor of “The Southern Cross,” was among the winners of the Society of Professional Journalist (SPJ) San Diego Pro Chapter’s annual journalism contest.
He received the James Julian Memorial Award (for Best Community Service story) for his article about You Did It For Me, a nonprofit that serves the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in East County. It was the cover story for the November 2025 edition.
SPJ San Diego’s awards ceremony was held June 25 at the Riverwalk Golf Club in Mission Valley.
Of Grasska’s article, the contest judge commented, “It is grassroots efforts like this that can make so much difference in a community. The writer did an excellent job of conveying that difference and getting the perspective of both volunteers and beneficiaries.”
The same article previously won first place in the “Best Feature Writing — Non-Weekly” category about a week earlier at the Catholic Media Awards.
Young adults preparing for WYD 2027
SAN DIEGO — The diocesan Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry is accepting applications to join its delegation to World Youth Day next year in Seoul, South Korea.
World Youth Day will be held in 2027, from July 31 to Aug. 10. Young adults from the Diocese of San Diego must be ages 21 to 39.
For more information, visit sdcatholic.org/event/world-youth-day-2027 or contact the diocesan Office for Youth and Young Adult Ministry at (858) 490-8260 or tsotelo@sdcatholic.org.
Retreat offers healing for adult children of divorce
OCEANSIDE — Life-Giving Wounds is a unique retreat experience for those who have been impacted by parental divorce, separation or family brokenness.
Participants can expect to meet a supportive community that will help them explore these wounds in a prayerful environment.
The next retreat will be held from Friday, July 31, to Sunday, Aug. 2, at Mission San Luis Rey Retreat Center in Oceanside.
Register at rcbo.org/ministry/family-life/pastoral-care/adult-children-of-divorce. For more information, email jperegoy@sdcatholic.org.
Retrouvaille weekend to heal struggling marriages
SAN DIEGO — Many couples continue to struggle in their marriages, but are not willing to give up on each other. There is hope.
Retrouvaille is a program designed to help struggling marriages regain their health. It helps a husband and a wife re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together.
The next Retrouvaille weekend will be from Friday, Sept. 25, to Sunday, Sept. 27. English and Spanish weekends will be held in separate locations. The cost is $700.
For more information, visit helpourmarriage-sandiego.org or email joseandmary@helpourmarriage.org.
Young adults can network at YCP events
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego chapter of Young Catholic Professionals (YCP) hosts regular events for young Catholics in their 20s and 30s.
Among the organization’s recurring events is its Executive Speaker Series, where a Catholic speaker is invited to reflect on his or her faith and career. There is no cost for admission, and attendees can enjoy free beer, wine and appetizers, as well as time for networking.
YCP San Diego also holds networking happy hours, half-day retreats and other events.
For more information, visit youngcatholicprofessionals.org/chapter/san-diego.
Online men’s group helps fight lust
SAN DIEGO — All Catholics are called to live the virtue of chastity, according to their state in life.
Are you a man frustrated by your inability to break harmful habits leading to sadness or feelings of shame? Are you struggling to see and treat your body or those of others as a temple of the Holy Spirit?
You are not alone. Many men struggle in this way, but there is a way out of this cycle.
A Men’s Purity Support Group meets online every Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
For more information, visit sites.google.com/view/dragonslayers-sd. Your name and contact information will be kept confidential.
Women invited to discern vocation
SAN DIEGO — Women ages 18 to 35 are invited to a discernment session to explore religious life.
The weekly meetings are held at 6:30 p.m., Mondays, at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala.
Women are invited to come and share their experience and walk with other women in discernment.
For more information, contact Sister Katia Chavez, SJS, at (760) 562-2727.
Retreats aid recovery from homelessness, addiction
SAN DIEGO — The Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP) invites those recovering from homelessness and addiction to experience God’s unconditional love.
The organization’s programs are designed for men and women in substance-abuse recovery who desire to deepen their spirituality and are open to sharing their story and listening to others.
Though founded in the Jesuit tradition, ISP does not proselytize, and people of all (or no) faith traditions are welcome.
Guided by the wisdom of Ignatian spirituality and interwoven with traditional 12-Step approaches, ISP retreat programs offer individuals recovering from homelessness and addiction a chance to take time away to reflect on and deepen their relationship with God, to identify the places inside that need healing, and to bond with others on the journey.
Every year, ISP welcomes over 1,250 individuals on overnight retreats and provides over 10,000 experiences of hope and healing through ongoing reflection programs in the community.
For more information, visit ispretreats.org.
Men invited to join ‘Rosary Crusade’
SAN DIEGO — The Men’s Rosary Crusade gathers at 9 a.m., every first Saturday of the month, at the corner of 6th and Laurel in Balboa Park. All men are welcome.
The rosary intentions are for reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for the conversion of America, for families and for the unborn.
For more information, email draguez@sbcglobal.net or call (619) 920-8363.
