San Diego Catholics support L.A. fire victims
SAN DIEGO — Catholic parishes in the Diocese of San Diego raised more than $200,000 to help victims of the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles in early 2025.
Local parishes held a special collection in January, and donations can still be made online.
‘40 Days for Life’ campaign underway
SAN DIEGO — The spring campaign of 40 Days for Life Campaign, which began March 5, will end on Palm Sunday, April 13.
Held on the same dates in communities around the world, the 40 Days for Life campaign is an effort to protect the unborn through fasting and prayer, community outreach, and peaceful all-day vigils in front of abortion clinics.
The centerpiece of the campaign is a 40-day, round-the-clock prayer vigil on the public sidewalk outside of an abortion clinic. Locally, such vigils will be taking place at nine locations in San Diego and Imperial counties, including Downtown San Diego, Clairemont, College Area, Mira Mesa, Escondido, Vista, El Cajon, Chula Vista and El Centro.
For more information, including the nearest location, and to sign up for vigil hours, visit sdcatholic.org/40-days-for-life-campaign.
Divorced, separated invited to healing Mass
SAN DIEGO — The Diocese of San Diego wants divorced and separated Catholics to know: “You are not alone. Divorce and separation are never part of the plan. The Church is here to help.”
The diocese will deliver that message at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 9, at the diocesan Pastoral Center in the form of a bilingual Healing Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano.
After Mass, there will be a dessert reception where divorce support ministries from across the diocese will be available to answer questions.
For more information, email jperegoy@sdcatholic.org.
Chrism Mass to be held April 10
SAN DIEGO — The Diocese of San Diego invites everyone to the annual Chrism Mass.
The liturgy celebrates the institution of the priesthood at the Last Supper and provides the occasion for the blessing of oils that will be used in sacramental celebrations throughout the year at parishes.
Auxiliary Bishops Ramón Bejarano, Michael Pham and Felipe Pulido will celebrate the Mass at 4 p.m., Thursday, April 10, at Good Shepherd Parish in Mira Mesa, where they will be joined by about 200 priests from across the diocese.
After the homily, the priests will renew the promises that they made on the day of their priestly ordination.
For more information, call (858) 490-8290 or email liturgy@sdcatholic.org.
IVC to hold ‘Evening of Gratitude’
SAN DIEGO — The Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) will hold its annual Evening of Gratitude on Sunday, April 27.
Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages, will be honored with the Madonna Della Strada Award. Barbara J. Menard, a member of the IVC Regional Advisory Council for 20 years and an IVC Spiritual Reflector, will receive the Sheila O’Malley Vision and Dedication Award.
The evening will begin at 4 p.m. with a Mass, followed by dinner, awards presentations and a live auction.
Tickets are $125 per person; $1,000 for a table of eight; $1,250 for a table of 10; or $1,500 for a table of 12. Proceeds benefit the work of IVC San Diego. RSVP required by Sunday, April 6.
Registration available online at ivcusa.org/SanDiegoEOG2025.
Retrouvaille weekend heals 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 helps a husband and a wife re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together.
A Retrouvaille weekend retreat will be offered in English from Friday, May 2, to Sunday, May 4. The location will be provided upon confirmation.
The cost is $500 per couple.
For more information, visit helpourmarriage-sandiego.org. To register for the upcoming weekend, call (951) 259-9474 or email 6016r@helpourmarriage.org.
‘Beginning Experience’ offers healing for widowed, divorced
OCEANSIDE –– Divorced, widowed and separated men and women are invited to register for a healing Beginning Experience Weekend.
The next weekend will be held from Friday, May 2, to Sunday, May 4, 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 retreatants hope to encounter Risen Christ
JULIAN — The Whispering Winds Women’s Auxiliary (WWWA) will hold its annual Women’s Spring Retreat from Friday, May 16, to Sunday, May 18, at Whispering Winds Catholic Camp and Conference Center in Julian.
The theme is “Encountering the Risen Christ.” The retreat will be presented by Jenene Francis.
During the weekend, retreatants will experience familiar and new ways of praying as they ask for the grace to recognize encounters with the Risen Christ. There will be time for individual prayer and small group conversation.
The cost is $220 for WWWA members and $250 for non-members. Scholarships are available.
For information or to register, visit whisperingwinds.org/womens-retreat.
Day retreat based in Carmelite spirituality
CHULA VISTA — The Garden of Carmel Confraternity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is hosting its annual day retreat.
The retreat will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, May 17, at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Chula Vista.
The theme will be “Soul of Silence and Solitude, the Essence of Carmel,” and the retreat masters will be Carmelite Father Philip Sullivan and Deacon Alan Pangilinan.
The retreat will include spiritual conferences, followed by Mass. RSVP requested by Tuesday, April 22. For more information, call (619) 302-0027 or email aespangilinan@gmail.com.
ISP retreats help 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 use 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.
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 on upcoming events, visit youngcatholicprofessionals.org/chapter/san-diego.
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
SA N DIEGO — Encounter, a Spirit-filled evening of inspiring music, prayer and Eucharistic adoration, is held on the second Friday of each month 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.
