SD Diocese generously donated to Gaza relief
SAN DIEGO — The bishops of San Diego recently expressed appreciation for “the generosity and support from all the faithful who contributed to the emergency relief efforts in Gaza through aid provided by Catholic Near East Welfare Association and Catholic Relief Services.”
“Thanks to you, the Diocese of San Diego was able to raise $88,475.58,” the Office of the Bishops said in its message.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops asked all dioceses and parishes to participate in the special collection, which was to be taken up during any of the first three weekends of September, to provide humanitarian relief and pastoral support in Gaza and surrounding areas.
Dr. King Call to Service Mass on Jan. 18
SAN DIEGO — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., dedicated his life and work to the service of others, tirelessly working as a pastor and civil rights leader.
The diocese will pay tribute to his call to service in a special Mass, to be held on the Sunday, Jan. 18, before the national Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
The entire community is invited to attend the Mass, to be celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido at 10 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church, at 5124 Churchward St., in San Diego.
Deacon Marvin Threatt, a long-time leader in the African American Catholic community, will deliver the homily.
The Diocesan Commission for African American Catholics is organizing this Mass. For more information, contact Alejandra Diaz at (858) 490-8206 or adiaz@sdcatholic.org.
Ecumenical service to be held Jan. 21
POWAY — “Light from Light for Light,” an ecumenical worship service, will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 21, at St. Gabriel Parish in Poway.
Co-sponsored by the diocesan Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, the event will take place during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed from Jan. 18 to 25. It will include a prayer service created in collaboration between the World Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church.
This year, unique elements of the service come from the Armenian Apostolic Church’s liturgical rites. A candle-lighting ceremony will signify the light of Christ, which unites Christians of various traditions in the unity of faith in Christ.
The event will include representatives from several Christian traditions. All are welcome, and admission is free.
Pastoral Center hosting ‘Couple Talk’
SAN DIEGO — “Couple Talk” is a marriage-enrichment workshop series that focuses on helping couples develop research-proven skills for healthy communication and conflict resolution.
Sessions are fun, interactive, and include a lot of practice time together. They are also free, with no charge for workbooks and childcare.
“Couple Talk” will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday nights, Jan. 20 to Feb. 24, at the diocesan Pastoral Center. Couples who attend all of the sessions will receive a $100 gift card.
For more information, call (858) 490-8256 or email jprust@sdcatholic.org. Couples can register at usrelationships.org/diocesesd.
Rachel’s Hope offering after-abortion healing
ESCONDIDO — The Rachel’s Hope ministry is offering a healing retreat for Catholic and Catholic-friendly women who seek healing from abortion.
It will be held from Friday, Jan. 30, to Sunday, Feb. 1, at St. Mary Parish in Escondido. Confidentiality will be maintained for all participants.
The cost to attend is $130; partial scholarships are available. Group size is limited.
For information or to register, visit RachelsHope.org or call or text Andrea Finch at (619) 244-5021.
‘Mass of Hope’ for those affected by cancer
SAN DIEGO — The 16th annual Mass of Hope, organized by the St. Gregory Family Cancer Support Ministry, will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 31, at St. Gregory Parish in Scripps Ranch.
The Mass, which will be followed by a reception in the parish hall, is open to everyone in the diocese, especially those who have been affected in any way by cancer or another serious illness.
The anointing of the sick will be administered.
Mass-goers can honor loved ones by setting a candle by the altar, writing a prayer petition, or submitting a photo for display. Photos must be dropped off at the church office by Friday, Jan. 30. Written prayer petitions should be placed in the designated basket before Mass. For more information, call (858) 653-3540.
Ladies Guild holding annual fundraiser
SAN DIEGO — The Village Ladies Guild of Father Joe’s Villages will hold its annual fundraiser from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 16, at The Dana on Mission Bay.
The Ladies Guild is a service organization that provides funds and assistance for homeless children living at Father Joes Villages.
The fundraiser’s theme is “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme: A Celebration of American Folk Music.” The event will feature a three-course lunch with entertainment by the Mocha Tones.
An online silent auction will run from noon on Friday, Feb. 6, to 12:30 p.m., Feb. 16. The cost to attend the fundraiser is $70 per person. RSVP by Feb. 6. For information or to register, email blanex@aol.com.
Retreat promises ‘Time of Mercy’ after abortion
SAN DIEGO — Rachel’s Vineyard will hold a Catholic, post-abortion healing retreat from March 13 to 15.
Titled “A Time for Mercy,” the retreat promises a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion.
Retreats are confidential and non-judgmental, offered in the Catholic tradition. They are open to women and men wounded by abortion.
Register early, as space is limited. Registrations will only be accepted through Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Registration and inquiries are strictly confidential. For more information, visit atimeformercy.org, call (951) 325-7702 or email RVTemecula@verizon.net or RVDirTem@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.
This marks the first time that North County has had a regularly scheduled Mass for the Purgatory Society.
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, contact St. Margaret Parish at (760) 941-5560.
Ministry offers practical tools for newly married
SAN DIEGO — Growing in your marriage is truly a lifelong project.
“T(w)o Become One: Marriage Mystagogy,” a ministry for newly married couples, meets on the first Thursday of each month for fellowship and practical, hands-on tools to help couples in their marriage.
For more information, email jprust@sdcatholic.org or call (858) 490-8256.
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 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.
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.
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-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.
