Sister Young celebrates 70-year jubilee
BURLINGAME, Calif. — Sister JoCeal Young, a member of the Sisters of Mercy, is celebrating 70 years of religious profession. Over 200 guests attended a Mass Aug. 2 at Mercy Center in Burlingame, California, where she currently resides. Sister Young, who previously served as Scripps Mercy Hospital’s Director of Mission Services and Mercy Outreach Surgical Team (MOST), renewed her vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and service.
Detox center offers path forward for homeless neighbors
SAN DIEGO — Father Joe’s Villages cut the ribbon Sept. 23 on a 44-bed detox facility for homeless San Diegans recovering from substance use. The year-long project converted part of the Paul Mirabile Center into a detox facility and sober and recovery shelter. In 2025 alone, the homeless represented a third of all overdose fatalities in San Diego.
Slentz honored as ‘Laudato Si’ Fellow
SAN DIEGO — Christina Bagaglio Slentz, Ph.D., associate director for Creation Care Ministry in the diocesan Office for Life, Peace and Justice, has been named a “Laudato Si” Fellow by the University of San Diego. Now in its third year, the “Laudato Si” Fellows program takes its name from “Laudato Si (On Care for Our Common Home),” Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical on environmental stewardship.
‘Awaken the Spirit’ celebrates outreach to homeless, addicted
LA MESA — More than 50 people gathered Oct. 11 for “Awaken the Spirit: The Power of Spirituality in Healing and Recovery.” Held at La Mesa First United Methodist Church, the event was sponsored by ISP San Diego (Ignatian Spirituality Project), which offers retreat programs for those recovering from homelessness and addiction. Visit ispretreats.org/awaken-san-diego.
Human trafficking presentation to feature D.A. Stephan
SAN DIEGO — “Bringing Light to the Darkness: Facing Human Trafficking in Our Own City” will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Rancho Penasquitos. Speakers include San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan and Heather Flores, Psy.D., counselor and interim program manager for Children of the Immaculate Heart. RSVP appreciated. Visit childrenoftheimmaculateheart.org/events.
Retreat offers healing from abortion
ESCONDIDO — Catholic women who are suffering with regret over an abortion are invited to a Nov. 7-9 healing retreat at St. Mary Parish in Escondido. The cost is $150 per person. Call or text (619) 244-5021 or visit rachelshope.org.
Holiday Craft Fair Coming to Our Lady of Grace
EL CAJON — Our Lady of Grace Parish’s Catholic Women’s Club will hold its annual Holiday Craft Fair and Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8. Call (619) 980-6841.
Organization seeks sponsors for Iraqi Christians
EL CAJON — Hope For Iraqi Christians, a San Diego-based nonprofit, seeks sponsors for families in Iraq. Through its flagship Adopt-a-Needy-Family program, donors can commit $100 or more a month to cover rent, food or medicine.
Hope for Iraqi Christians will host The Hope Gala from 7 to 10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14, at 1627 Jamacha Way, El Cajon 92019. Individual tickets can be purchased for $500. Visit hopeforiraqichristians.org.
Magnificat meal to be held Nov. 15
ESCONDIDO — All are welcome to attend a Magnificat Meal from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, at St. Mary’s Parish in Escondido. The cost is $28 after Nov. 7. Registration required. Call (760) 271-7743 or email magnificat.northcounty@yahoo.com.
Young adults to encounter homeless on ‘Frassati Service Saturday’
SAN DIEGO — YCP (Young Catholic Professionals) San Diego will hold its first “Frassati Service Saturday” on Nov. 15, from 2 to 4 p.m., in Balboa Park. (Pre-registration is at 1:30 p.m.) Inspired by recently canonized St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, young adults will meet at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and go out in groups of three, distributing socks and water and making human connections with homeless in the park. The deadline to register is Saturday, Nov. 8. Visit youngcatholicprofessionals.org/chapter/san-diego or email jericho.fabie@ycpsandiego.org.
Prayer service will mark 45th anniversary of murders
SAN DIEGO — A prayer service honoring three religious sisters and a lay missionary who were murdered in El Salvador 45 years ago will be held from 2 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 30, at Immaculate Conception Church Hall in Old Town. Sister Maura Clarke, Sister Ita Ford, Sister Dorothy Kazel and Jean Donovan, who ministered to displaced El Salvadorans, were raped and murdered on Dec. 2, 1980, by members of the Salvadoran National Guard.
“We want to celebrate their lives and reflect about how their ministry impacts us today,” said Sister Kathleen Warren, director of the diocesan Office for Women Religious.
The service will include an opportunity for discussion, reflection and a reception. RSVP is requested. Call (858) 490-8289 or email kwarren@sdcatholic.org.
