Mass to be offered for survivors of suicide loss
SAN DIEGO — A special Mass will be celebrated for families whose loved ones have taken their own lives.
The liturgy, which will be celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano, will be held at 9 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 10, at Mission San Diego de Alcalá.
Family and friends are invited to honor their loved one and experience healing and support. For more information, call (858) 490-8324 or email msmith@sdcatholic.org.
September is traditionally observed as Suicide Prevention Month. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call or text 988, which provides 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress.
Cardinal to celebrate Mass for Filipino community
SAN DIEGO — The veneration of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is one of the oldest and largest Filipino Marian celebrations in San Diego.
Cardinal Robert W. McElroy will celebrate a Mass in her honor at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, at St. Michael’s Church in Paradise Hills.
This year’s theme is “Journeying with Mary in deepening our relationship with God in these challenging times.”
The Mass will be preceded by a rosary novena held at the church, ending on Sept. 9.
The church is located at 2643 Homedale St., San Diego 92139.
For more information, contact Chum Marasigan at (858) 722-8294 or chummarasigan7@gmail.com.
Oktoberfest to support trafficking victims
ESCONDIDO — Children of the Immaculate Heart, a San Diego-based nonprofit that is marking its 10th anniversary of serving survivors of sex trafficking, is holding an Oktoberfest fundraiser.
The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, at St. Mary Parish in Escondido.
There will be a live Oompah band, an art workshop for children, traditional German food and drinks, a silent auction, and Children of the Immaculate Heart speakers on the fight against trafficking.
Tickets are $35 for adults and $10 for ages 3 to 12. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit childrenoftheimmaculateheart.org/oktoberfest-2023.html.
Chaldean festival to be held Sept. 16-17
EL CAJON — The Knights of Columbus Mar Toma Council 10981 will host the 11th annual Chaldean American Festival during the Sept. 16-17 weekend.
It will take place from 4 to 10 p.m. at Hillsdale Middle School, located at 1301 Brabham St. in El Cajon.
The two days of fun will include carnival games, rides, music, dancing, raffles and authentic Chaldean food.
Admission is $5, and the festival is open to all ages. All proceeds will help fund future projects at the church.
Cardinal to celebrate annual Mass for Indian community
SAN DIEGO — Cardinal Robert W. McElroy will celebrate the Indian Catholic community’s annual Mass on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 10:30 a.m. at San Rafael Church.
Everyone is invited to the Mass, which this year will honor St. Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception.
The church is located at 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego 92128.
For more information, email Paul Prince at paulprince_us@yahoo.com.
Holy Family Parish holding fall festival
SAN DIEGO — Holy Family Church in Linda Vista is hosting its annual fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 7, and Sunday, Oct. 8.
The theme for the two-day festival is “One Holy Family: All Are Welcome.” Festival hours will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. There is no cost to attend.
The fall festival will include live entertainment and Mexican, Filipino, Vietnamese and American food booths. There will also be carnival games, a bounce house, and raffle prizes up to $3,000. Raffle winners need not be present.
‘Jamulfest’ set for Oct. 8
JAMUL — St. Pius X Parish is hosting its annual “Jamulfest” on Sunday, Oct. 8.
It will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the parish, which is located at 14107 Lyons Valley Road in Jamul. It will feature a wood-pit BBQ, craft booths, beer garden and live entertainment.
For more information, call (619) 669-0085.
Guardian Angels holding fall festival
SANTEE — Guardian Angels Parish will hold its annual fall festival Oct. 13 to 15.
It will include multicultural food booths, games, “Crafters’ Row,” a beer garden, a book booth, a plant booth, live entertainment, a virtual auction and a drawing for a chance to win $3,000.
Festival hours are from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday; noon to 9 p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. Admission is free, and all are welcome.
For more information, visit guardianangelssantee.org or call (619) 448-1213.
‘Save the Storks’ celebrates new resource center
ESCONDIDO — Save the Storks joined Alternatives Medical Clinic on Aug. 4 to celebrate the opening of its new resource center in North San Diego County.
Founded in 2012, Save the Storks is a nonprofit that equips, educates and trains pregnancy clinics and churches across the United States to help them empower women to choose life.
The new center, called Alternatives Resource Center, is focused on equipping women and men with practical resources to support mothers and families during the pregnancy and after the birth of the baby. The organization’s goal is to help build a community in North County where abortion is no longer perceived as necessary and where families are equipped to thrive.
Five-week series to focus on ‘Nature and God’
SAN DIEGO — The Spiritual Ministry Center, a retreat house operated by the Society of the Sacred Heart, will be offering a five-week program called “Nature and God.”
The program will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays, Oct. 11 to Nov. 8. The topics include: Spirituality in the Face of Global Extinction; A New Theology of Creation; A Nature-Based Pneumatology and Christology; Integrating a Theology of Creation in the Service of Liturgy; and Latin American Environmental Defenders: Eco-Martyrdom.
There is a suggested offering of $100 to attend.
For more information, visit spiritmin.org, email spiritmin@rscj.org or call (619) 224-9444.
Retreat to offer after-abortion healing
SAN DIEGO — Rachel’s Hope is offering an after-abortion healing retreat for Catholic (and Catholic-friendly) women.
The professionally led retreat will be held from Friday, Oct. 13, to Sunday, Oct. 15, at the diocesan Pastoral Center. It will include a closing Mass.
Group size is limited. The cost to attend is $60; partial scholarships and housing are available if needed.
For information or to register, call (858) 581-3022, text (858) 752-9378, email rachels_hope@juno.com or visit RachelsHope.org.
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 weekend retreat Oct. 13 to 15.
It will be held at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, where a trained team will lead participants through a healing and growth program.
Those who feel ready to move through their feelings of grief toward a new beginning are encouraged to consider attending.
The cost is $300, which covers lodging, meals and retreat materials. A $100 deposit is required at registration, with the balance due on the weekend.
For more information or to register, email beginningexperiencesd@gmail.com or call (858) 748-2273.
Women’s retreat to be held at Mission San Luis Rey
OCEANSIDE — St. Francis of Assisi Parish will hold its 31st annual women’s retreat from Friday, Oct. 13, to Sunday, Oct. 15, at Mission San Luis Rey.
This year’s theme is “You Are the Light of the World.” Organizers promise a weekend of sisterhood and spiritual growth.
Space is limited. For a registration form, call (760) 500-3201 or email sonraetoo@gmail.com.
Concert to celebrate All Saints, All Souls
OCEANSIDE — A concert in honor of All Saints and All Souls Days will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29, at St. Margaret Church in Oceanside.
Presented by the Greater San Diego Music Coterie, the concert will be a joint performance of the Greater San Diego Chamber Orchestra and Chorus and the United Methodist Church of Vista’s Chancel Choir.
The concert will include performances of J.S. Bach’s “Komm, süßer Tod” (Come, sweet death, come, blessed rest, BWV 478), César Franck’s “Panis Angelicus,” and selections from Requiems by Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Duruflé and Johannes Brahms.
Featured soloists include soprano Irene Marie Patton and baritone Frank Hallock. The joint chorus will be conducted by Frank Hallock, and the orchestra by Dr. Angela Yeung.
There is no cost to attend, but free-will donations will be accepted at the door.
For more information, visit gsdmusicoterie.org/all-events.
Catholics can ‘Encounter’ Jesus in Rancho Peñasquitos
SAN DIEGO — Encounter, a Spirit-filled evening of inspiring music, prayer, Eucharistic adoration, a healing service and reconciliation, 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.
Upcoming dates include Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8.
For more information, contact the Hearts of Fire Ministry at olmcheartsoffire@gmail.com.
Ladies Guild holding luncheon, arts & crafts sale
SAN DIEGO — The Father Joe’s Villages Ladies Guild, which for 40 years has provided volunteer services for the children residing at Father Joe’s Villages, will be hosting two upcoming events.
There will be a membership luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 11. Registration is required by Friday, Sept. 1.
The group’s annual craft and bake sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 9.
Both events will be held at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Scripps Ranch.
For more information, contact Margie Mills at (619) 733-7410 or margie.r.mills@gmail.com.
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 & 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, contact David at draguez@sbcglobal.net or (619) 920-8363.
Street Evangelization Brings Gospel to Public Square
SAN DIEGO — St. Paul Street Evangelization is a grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to taking the Gospel message to the streets.
Participants in the ministry do this in a non-confrontational way, allowing the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of those who witness their public Catholic presence.
For more information or to get involved, visit streetevangelization.com, call (619) 515-3267 or email scb@procopio.com.
