‘Southern Cross’ wins journalism awards
SAN DIEGO — The Southern Cross recently received recognition in two journalism competitions.
The publication took home six awards at the Catholic Media Awards and one in the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) San Diego Pro Chapter’s San Diego Area Journalism Contest.
The Catholic Media Awards were presented June 27 at the conclusion of the three-day, annual Catholic Media Conference, which was held in Phoenix this year.
The competition received 3,125 submissions.
The awards won by The Southern Cross included:
— Second Place, Best Feature Writing – Non-Weekly, for “Parishioners Dancing to Better Health,” written by Aida Bustos
— Third Place, Best Photo Story – News, for “So Powerful, So Moving,” taken by Leonardo Enrique Fonseca
— Honorable Mention, Best Photograph – Hot Topic (Eucharistic Revival), for “Eucharistic Congress,” taken by Leonardo Enrique Fonseca
— Honorable Mention, Best Photograph – Portrait, for “Bishop Pulido Selfie,” taken by Andy Hayt
— Honorable Mention, Best Story and Photo Package – By Two Individuals or More, for “Catholic Students’ Joy of Learning Takes Center Stage,” by Assistant Editor Denis Grasska and Photographer David Maung
— Honorable Mention, Best Photograph – Spot News, for “I Do!” taken by John Gastaldo
The SPJ’s journalism awards, which recognized the work of journalists in San Diego and Tijuana during the 2024 calendar year, were presented June 26 during an awards banquet in Mission Valley.
Competing in the non-daily newspaper division, Assistant Editor Denis Grasska received second place in the Education category for “We’re grateful to have a place to call home,” an article that appeared in the March 2024 print edition.
The winning article reported on how St. John of the Cross School in Lemon Grove, which had to evacuate after its campus flooded on a day of record rainfall in the county, found a temporary home on the campus of St. Michael Academy, a school that had closed three years earlier.
‘Love Our Priests’ to gather for Mass, luncheon
SAN DIEGO — The “Love Our Priests” prayer group will welcome Father Edgar Serrano, a retired priest of the Diocese of San Diego, as its special guest for its next gathering.
The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, at Ascension Parish in Tierrasanta. There will be a Mass at 10 a.m., followed by a potluck luncheon.
Father Serrano will share his vocation story.
For more information, email jeanlaskey@outlook.com.
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.
YCP to hold ‘Virtue Panel’ for young adults
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego chapter of Young Catholic Professionals (YCP), which hosts regular events for young Catholics in their 20s and 30s, will present “Fortitude in Action: A Virtue Panel Discussion.”
The free event will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 14, at St. Michael Parish in Poway.
The discussion will focus on the virtue of fortitude — how it empowers us to face challenges with courage, perseverance and faith — and what it means to live boldly in a world that often tests our values.
There will be a Mass from 6 to 6:30 p.m., followed by networking from 6:30 to 7 p.m. There will be complimentary beer, wine and appetizers. The dress code is business casual. The panel discussion will run from 7:10 to 8:30 p.m., with a 15-minute Q&A session to follow.
For more information or to register, visit youngcatholicprofessionals.org/chapter/san-diego.
Catholic singles invited to national conference
DENVER — More than 400 people from across the United States and beyond are expected to attend the National Conference for Single Catholics.
The event, which offers the chance to connect with like-minded singles of all ages, will be held from Aug. 22 to 24 at the Omni Interlocken Hotel in Denver. (There will also be a virtual option with online socials and small-group discussions.)
The weekend will include talks by dynamic speakers, music, social events, Mass with Archbishop Samuel Aquila, Eucharistic adoration, fellowship and more.
For more information or to register, visit NationalCatholicSingles.com. If attending in-person, use the promo code PARISH25 for a discount.
‘Adventures’ recommended for married couples
SAN DIEGO — Adventures in Marriage is a highly interactive program that teaches couples the practical, “hands-on” skills essential to build a healthy, thriving marriage that can go the distance.
Sponsored by the diocesan Office for Family Life and Spirituality, it will be offered from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays, Sept. 9 to 30, at the diocesan Pastoral Center.
Fun, practical and easy to learn, Adventures in Marriage is appropriate for couples at any age or stage. It is designed to reach couples across the spectrum; it helps couples with good marriages discover how to have a great marriage and helps distressed marriages reboot and learn a much better way.
For more information, call (858) 490-8256 or email jprust@sdcatholic.org. Register at tinyurl.com/adventuresinmarriage.
Young Adult Retreat in September
JULIAN — The diocese’s annual Young Adult Retreat will be held from Sept. 12 to 14 at Whispering Winds Catholic Camp & Conference Center in Julian.
Young adults, ages 18 to 39, are invited to step away from the busyness of everyday life and enter a weekend of rest, reflection and renewal.
The weekend includes shared lodging, engaging talks, small group discussions, and powerful opportunities for prayer through Mass, Eucharistic adoration and confession.
The cost is $200 per person. For more information, call (858) 490-8260 or email yamsd@sdcatholic.org.
Art contest open to diocesan youth
SAN DIEGO — “Peace with Creation” is the theme of the fourth annual Season of Creation Art Contest.
Sponsored by the diocesan Creation Care Ministry, the contest is open to fourth- through 12th-graders in local Catholic schools and faith-formation programs.
Entries of drawings, colorings and/or paintings will be evaluated based on both the quality of the artwork, as well as the described creation care-themed inspiration attributed to the piece. Recognition and cash prizes for the top two places in each age category will be awarded. The entry deadline is 11:59 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 21.
Winners will be announced on Sunday, Sept. 28, and they will be invited to receive their awards at the Feast of St. Francis Festival, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4. All participants are invited to show off their art at the festival.
For submission details and registration, visit bit.ly/SOCArt2025.
Retrouvaille offers hope for 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 assists a husband and a wife to re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together.
A Retrouvaille Weekend will be held from Friday evening, Sept. 26, to Sunday afternoon, Sept. 28. The location will be provided upon confirmation. The cost is $700 per couple.
For more information, visit helpourmarriage-sandiego.org. Register at (951) 259-9474 or 6016r@helpourmarriage.org.
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.
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.
