October is time to ‘Respect Life’
SAN DIEGO — In the United States, the Catholic Church observes the month of October as “Respect Life Month.”
The first Sunday of the month, Oct. 4 this year, is “Respect Life Sunday.”
Ways to participate in this celebration include supporting a local pregnancy resource center (sdcatholic.org/life-peace-and-justice/culture-of-life/beginning-of-life) or signing up for vigil hours during the ongoing 40 Days for Life campaign (sdcatholic.org/40-days-for-life-locations).
The fall campaign of 40 Days for Life, which began Sept. 23, will continue through Sunday, Nov. 1.
With 40 Days for Life taking place on the same dates in communities across the globe, Catholics in the Diocese of San Diego will join millions of people worldwide in prayer and fasting during the campaign.
The centerpiece is a continuous, peaceful prayer vigil for 40 days on the public sidewalk in front of clinics that provide abortions, with the aim of providing resources to women in crisis pregnancies and saving babies from abortion. Locally, such vigils will be taking place at nine locations in San Diego and Imperial counties, including Chula Vista, Clairemont, College Avenue, downtown San Diego, El Cajon, El Centro, Escondido, Mira Mesa and Vista.
A special 40 Days for Life commissioning Mass will be celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 4, at St. Mary Parish in Escondido.
For information, visit sdcatholic.org/40-days-for-life-locations. And culture of life resources are available at respectlife.org.
New directors at San Diego Diocese
SAN DIEGO — There have been recent leadership changes at the diocesan Pastoral Center.
Sister Virginia Sturgeon, a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, was named the new director of the diocesan Office for Women Religious, effective Aug. 17. She succeeds Sister Kathy Warren, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Rochester, who stepped down in late May after nine years in the position.
John Prust, formerly director of the diocesan Office for Family Life and Spirituality, has been named the new director of the Diocesan Institute, effective Aug. 31. He succeeds Gerardo Rojas, who left in July after seven years in that role.
Wendy Baez, formerly the associate director of the Office for Family Life and Spirituality, has been named the office’s new director, effective Aug. 31.
Birthline holding line-dancing fundraiser
SAN DIEGO — “Line Up for Birthline,” an evening of line dancing and fundraising, will benefit Birthline of San Diego.
Birthline is a local nonprofit focused on supporting pregnant women and families with young children.
The fundraiser will be held from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, at St. Mary Magdalene Parish. The evening includes line dance lessons, food and refreshments, games, and an opportunity drawing.
Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door.
For information, visit birthlineofsd.org.
Bishop to join parish for St. Francis’ feast day
SAN DIEGO — Bishop Michael Pham will join the community at Immaculate Conception Parish in Old Town on Sunday, Oct. 4, to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
The bishop will celebrate the 8:30 a.m. Mass, which will be followed by a reception in the parish hall.
For information, contact the parish at (619) 295-4141.
Parish hosting early screening of ‘The Chosen’
CHULA VISTA — All are invited to a free, early screening of the first episode of the sixth season of “The Chosen,” the popular TV series about Jesus and his ministry.
It will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 9, at St. Rose of Lima Parish Hall in Chula Vista.
Attendees will have the opportunity to see the premiere episode a month before it streams on Amazon Prime.
For information, contact the parish at (619) 427-0230.
Weekend helps divorced, widowed move past grief
OCEANSIDE — Divorced, widowed and separated men and women can register for a healing Beginning Experience Weekend.
Held Oct. 9 to 11 at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, the weekend will focus on healing and moving beyond grief in a supportive and caring environment with others that are going through and have gone through the same experiences.
For information, email beginningexperiencesd@gmail.com or call (858) 748-2273.
Women’s organization celebrating 90 years
IMPERIAL BEACH — The South Bay Deanery of Catholic Women invites you to join them in celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.
A luncheon will be held on Monday, Oct. 12, at St. Charles Parish Hall in Imperial Beach, in honor of the 90th anniversary. There will be a Mass at 9:30 a.m., followed by program and luncheon.
Over the past 90 years, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women has provided support for St. Francis Center for Priestly Formation.
RSVP by Monday, Sept. 21, to Karen Koehler at (619) 428-8397 or Vinnie Thoms at (619) 840-2040.
A check for $25, made payable to “South Bay Deanery,” along with the attendee’s name, phone number and parish, can be mailed to: Pat Gojuangco, Treasurer, 1457 Autumn Hills Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91913.
St. Augustine H.S. will hold open house
SAN DIEGO — St. Augustine High School will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 8, on the all-boys school’s North Park campus.
The schedule will include campus tours, 11 a.m. to noon; a formal presentation, 12:10 to 1 p.m.; and open tours, Q & A and BBQ, 1 to 2 p.m.
No RSVP is required.
For information, visit sahs.org, call (619) 282-2184 or email psipper@sahs.org, bjohnston@sahs.org or zaceron@sahs.org.
All invited to ‘Awaken the Spirit’
LA MESA — The Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP) will hold its annual “Awaken the Spirit: The Power of Spirituality in Healing and Recovery” event, from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 24, at United Methodist Church in La Mesa.
It will be a special morning of storytelling, connection and hope, featuring keynotes from Deacon John Roberts of Father Joe’s Villages and Anna Marie Piconi Snyder, founder of the East County-based homeless ministry You Did It For Me, Inc.; inspiring stories of transformation from local leaders; and time to reflect and imagine a future shaped by belonging and possibility.
ISP invites people recovering from homelessness and addiction to encounter God’s love, hope and healing through spiritual companionship that transforms lives. The practice is based on the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the 12-Step Program.
For information, call (629) 672-0788 or email mopanuco@icloud.com.
Women’s Auxiliary will hold fall brunch
SAN DIEGO — The Whispering Winds Women’s Auxiliary will hold its annual fall brunch on Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Scripps Ranch.
The event will be a joyful morning of inspiration and fellowship for women united in faith in Christ. It will include a brunch program, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., featuring guest speaker Karen Goodman. Brunch will be preceded by an optional 8:15 a.m. rosary. Check-in begins at 8:45 a.m.
The cost is $45 for members and $55 for non-members.
For information, visit whisperingwinds.org/womens-auxiliary, call (619) 504-7620 or email kesa1@cox.net.
Bishop celebrating Mass for COLFS gala
SAN DIEGO — Culture of Life Family Services (COLFS) is celebrating 25 years of life-affirming service as the only Catholic-licensed community medical clinic in Southern California.
Its 17th annual “Pro-Life Is Good” Gala, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Paradise Point Resort and Spa in the Mission Bay area.
To begin the celebration, Bishop Michael Pham will celebrate Mass for gala attendees at 4:30 p.m. There will be a host bar and social at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and program will begin at 7 p.m.
Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director who became a well-known culture of life advocate, will be the keynote speaker.
Tickets are $300 per person. For more information, visit friendsofcolfs.org/gala or email gala@colfs.org.
YCP continues fall line-up of young adult events
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego chapter of Young Catholic Professionals (YCP), which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, 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. Attendees can enjoy beer, wine and appetizers, as well as time for networking. YCP San Diego also holds networking happy hours, half-day retreats and other events.
Upcoming events include:
-Tuesday, Oct. 27: Fall Networking Happy Hour at Novo Brazil Brewing in Mission Valley
-Wednesday, Nov. 18: Executive Speaker Series with Mike Sweeney, a five-time Major League Baseball all-star
-Saturday, Dec. 5: Advent retreat
For more information, visit youngcatholicprofessionals.org/chapter/san-diego.
Popular speaker coming to St. Rose of Lima
CHULA VISTA — Paul J. Kim, a Catholic speaker, musician and comedian, has given talks throughout the United States and in 16 countries, reaching millions of people around the world.
On Thursday, Nov. 5, he’s coming to St. Rose of Lima Parish in Chula Vista. The event will begin at 6 p.m.
All are welcome to attend this free event. For information, contact the parish at (619) 427-0230.
Retreat offers healing after abortion
SAN DIEGO — The Rachel’s Hope ministry will hold a healing retreat for Catholic (and Catholic-friendly) women suffering with guilt and shame after an abortion.
The professionally-led retreat will be held from Friday, Nov. 6, to Sunday, Nov. 8. A closing Mass and housing are included.
Confidentiality will be maintained. Group size is limited.
The cost to attend is $120 per person; partial scholarships are available.
For information or to register, visit rachelshope.org, call (858) 581-3022, text (858) 752-9378 or email rachels_hope@juno.com.
Holiday craft fair returning to Our Lady of Grace
EL CAJON — The Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Women’s Club will hold its annual Holiday Craft Fair and Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, in the parish hall and in the outside patio area.
There will be more than 80 vendors selling fashion apparel, home décor, unique crafts and artwork for the Christmas holiday season. There will also be freshly baked items, including fudge, peanut brittle and cookies.
Lunch and snacks will be sold (cash only) by the International Catholic Families (ICF) group.
Admission to the event is free. Shoppers are asked to enter the parking lot from Medford Avenue. For information, contact the parish at (619) 469-0133.
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 welcomed 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 Alcalá.
Women are invited to come and share their experience and walk with other women in discernment.
For more information, contact Sister Katia Chávez, SJS, at (760) 562-2727.
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.
