April dedicated to preventing child abuse
SAN DIEGO — April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
In 2025, more than 525,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect nationwide. In addition to that, there was an “alarming” spike in AI-related child sexual exploitation reports, soaring from 6,835 to over 440,000 according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Learn more this month about ways to recognize the signs of abuse and take action including prayer, by joining the campaign on all diocesan social media pages, #sandiegochildabuseprotection2026, and at sdcatholic.org/child-and-youth-protection.
Pajanor elected to Catholic Charities USA’s board
SAN DIEGO — Appaswamy “Vino” Pajanor, CEO of Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, has been elected as the vice chair of Catholic Charities USA’s Board of Directors.
The board members are drawn from a cross section of the social service and corporate worlds and provide oversight and governance of the national organization and its strategic initiatives.
Catholic Charities USA supports a national network of 169 Catholic Charities agencies committed to encountering and assisting vulnerable populations, regardless of their faith.
Franciscan School of Theology names new president
SAN DIEGO — The Franciscan School of Theology (FST) has selected as its next president, Brother Keith Warner, OFM, who has spent several decades with FST.
“I feel the mission of FST in my bones. It’s been a source of inspiration and practical wisdom to me, and a great gift for my vocation,” said Brother Warner, who will start as president on July 1.
FST is a Catholic graduate school rooted in the Franciscan intellectual and spiritual tradition of the Order of Friars Minor. Located in San Diego, it has been an affiliate of the University of San Diego since 2012. The school is near the USD campus and uses its classrooms and facilities to carry out its mission, but it’s also a philosophical partner with USD.
Retrouvaille offers hope for troubled marriages
SAN DIEGO — Not willing to let go of your marriage? Many couples continue to struggle, 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 assists a husband and a wife to re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together.
Retrouvaille retreats will be held in English and in Spanish, at separate locations, during the April 17-19 weekend.
For more information, visit helpourmarriage-sandiego.org. Register for the English retreat at (951) 259-9474 or JoseandMary@helpourmarriage.org; register for the Spanish retreat at (619) 423-0182 or Retrouespanolsd@gmail.com.
Children of Immaculate Heart to hold gala
SAN DIEGO — Children of the Immaculate Heart will hold its 13th annual gala from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, April 11, at St. Therese of Carmel Parish.
The fundraiser has supported San Diego survivors of sex trafficking and their children with services that include housing assistance, counseling, financial tutoring, career planning, education, groceries and transportation since 2013.
The evening will include a three-course dinner, drinks, pianist, silent and live auctions, and door prizes. The guest speaker will be Crystalina Evert, founder of Women Made New and co-founder of the Chastity Project. Christopher Check of Catholic Answers will be the emcee.
Tickets are $100 per person. RSVP is required at childrenoftheimmaculateheart.org/events or (619) 431-5537.
IVC hosting ‘Evening of Gratitude’
SAN DIEGO — The Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) will hold its annual Evening of Gratitude on Sunday, April 26, at St. Catherine Labouré Parish.
The St. Augustine Foundation, which has been described as the philanthropic arm of the Province of St. Augustine in California, will be honored with the Madonna Della Strada Award. Chef Michel Malecot, founder of The French Gourmet restaurant, will receive the Sheila O’Malley Vision and Dedication Award.
The evening will begin with Mass at 4 p.m., followed by a reception at 5 p.m. Tickets are $125 each, and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, visit ivcusa.org/SanDiegoEOG2026.
Widowed, divorced invited to healing weekend
OCEANSIDE — Beginning Experience, an international ministry that helps the widowed, divorced and separated move beyond grief, will hold its next retreat during the May 1-3 weekend at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside.
The weekend focuses on healing and moving beyond grief in a supportive and caring environment with others who are going through and have gone through the same experiences.
For more information, email beginningexperiencesd@gmail.com or call (858) 748-2273.
Women’s retreat to be held in Julian
JULIAN — The Whispering Winds Women’s Auxiliary Spring Retreat will be held from May 15 to 17 at Whispering Winds Catholic Camp and Conference Center in Julian.
The theme will be “When Jesus Sees You: Encounter, Healing and Mission.”
Participants will arrive at 4 p.m. on Friday, with dinner at 6 p.m. The retreat will conclude after lunch on Sunday.
Guest speaker Anne Truant will guide retreatants on a journey of reflection about what it means to be truly seen by Christ — and how that encounter brings healing and sends us forth on mission.
The cost is $240 for members of the Whispering Winds Women’s Auxiliary and $260 for non-members. Registration closes on Friday, May 8.
Register at whisperingwinds.org/womens-retreat. For more information, email laurie@whisperingwinds.org. To apply for financial aid, email chrisvillalobos5@gmail.com.
Day retreat based in Carmelite spirituality
CHULA VISTA — The Garden of Carmel Confraternity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel will hold its annual day retreat on Saturday, May 16.
It will take place from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Chula Vista.
The theme will be St. John of the Cross’ teaching on “Silence and Contemplation; Resting in God’s Presence.”
The retreat will be led by Father John Cordero, MMHC, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Artesia California. It will include confession, Eucharistic adoration and Benediction, and spiritual conferences, followed by Mass.
RSVP by Monday, April 20. For more information, call (619) 646-7676 or (619) 302-0027 or email aespangilinan@gmail.com.
Mass to be offered for souls in Purgatory
OCEANSIDE — A Mass is being offered every month for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
It is held on the third Thursday of each month at St. Margaret Parish in Oceanside. Many priests from across North County and from St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado, California, have come to celebrate Mass for souls in Purgatory.
Eucharistic adoration and confessions are at 5 p.m., with Mass at 6 p.m., followed by the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet.
For more information, call (760) 941-5560.
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 Alcalá.
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.
Catholics can ‘Encounter’ Jesus in Rancho Peñasquitos
SAN DIEGO — Encounter, a Spirit-filled evening of inspiring music, prayer and Eucharistic adoration, is held on the second Friday of each month (except in December) at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Rancho Peñasquitos.
Sponsored by the parish’s Hearts of Fire Ministry, the event runs from 7 to 8 p.m. Confession will be available, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish at (858) 324-0490.
