Gala supports trafficking survivors
SAN DIEGO — Children of the Immaculate Heart, a nonprofit that has served survivors of sex trafficking and their children since 2013, will hold its 12th annual gala on Saturday, March 1.
It will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at St. Thérèse of Carmel Parish in Carmel Valley. The evening will include a three-course dinner, drinks, a jazz band, auctions, and door prizes.
The keynote speaker, Jamie Gates, Ph.D., is a sociology professor at Point Loma Nazarene University and an expert on human trafficking.
The gala supports services for the clients in the organization’s program, including housing assistance, individual counseling, equine therapy, financial tutoring, career planning, education, monthly groceries, and transportation.
Tickets are $85 per person. RSVP is required at childrenoftheimmaculateheart.org/events or (619) 431-5537.
‘40 Days for Life’ to begin March 5
SAN DIEGO — The spring campaign of 40 Days for Life will run from Ash Wednesday, March 5, to 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.
Two 40 Days for Life Commissioning Masses, celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano, were to precede the spring campaign. The first was held Feb. 23 at Our Mother of Confidence Parish in University City. The upcoming one will be at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, March 2, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish (1770 Kearney Ave., San Diego 92113).
For more information, including the nearest location, and to sign up for vigil hours, visit sdcatholic.org/40-days-for-life-campaign.
Workshop to focus on ‘Dealing with Emotions’
EL CAJON — St. Luke Parish’s Mental Health Ministry is sponsoring a presentation on “Dealing with Emotions in Positive Ways.”
It will be held at 10:15 a.m., following the 9 a.m. Mass, on Sunday, March 9, at St. Luke Parish, located at 1980 Hillsdale Road, El Cajon 92019.
Presenter Marissa Ceniceros, from St. Paul’s PACE, will give tips on how we can control our emotions so they don’t control us, and how this can help with anxiety and depression.
All are welcome, but an RSVP to hello@thechurchofstluke.org is requested. St. Luke Parish offers resources for those dealing with mental health challenges, as well as for their caretakers, at thechurchofstluke.org/mental.
5K walk keeps Oaxacan kids in school
SAN DIEGO — The Oaxaca Education Fund will hold its annual 5K Walk on Saturday, March 22.
The fundraiser event will begin in Canyonside Park, located at 12350 Black Mountain Road, and continue into Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. There is a suggested donation of $20. Children younger than 14 walk for free.
The Oaxaca Education Fund grew out of a migrant ministry that served field workers who worked between Rancho Peñasquitos and Del Mar. It distributes school supplies to about 1,500 children in the towns from which these workers come.
The fund has helped 22 young people finish college so far and is providing tuition help and enthusiastic moral support to 17 students following in their footsteps. It also provides a monthly food stipend for 50 orphans and disabled children.
For more information or to support the fund, visit oaxacaeducationfund.org or text or call (858) 437-4001.
Opportunity for men to ‘explore’ vocation
SAN DIEGO — The Diocese of San Diego will host an Explorer Day with Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano on Saturday, March 22.
The event, which is intended for men interested in exploring the possibility of a priestly vocation, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at St. Francis Center, which is located on the campus of the University of San Diego.
To register, contact your parish priest and pick up an application in the parish office.
For more information, contact Carmel Maglalang at (858) 490-8389 or cmaglalang@sdcatholic.org.
Rachel’s Vineyard Offering Post-Abortion Healing
The Rachel’s Vineyard ministry is presenting “A Time for Mercy,” a Catholic post-abortion retreat, from Friday, March 28, to Sunday, March 30.
Organizers promise a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Rachel’s Vineyard retreats are open to women and men seeking healing from an abortion. The retreats are confidential and non-judgmental, offered in the Catholic tradition.
Early registration is recommended, as space is limited.
For more information, visit atimeformercy.org, call (951) 325-7702 or email RVTemecula@verizon.net.
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.
‘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.
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
SAN 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.
