Samoan, Vietnamese to hold special Masses
SAN DIEGO — The entire Catholic community is invited to special celebrations in coming weeks.
The Samoan Catholic Community will celebrate its annual Mass on Saturday, Nov. 2, 11 a.m., at St. Rita Church.
The Vietnamese Catholic Community will celebrate the Feast of St. Andrew Dũng Lạc and his Companions — The Vietnamese Martyrs, on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2 p.m., at Good Shepherd Church.
Cardinal Robert W. McElroy will celebrate that Mass, along with Auxiliary Bishops Michael Pham and Ramón Bejarano and Vietnamese priests from across the diocese. The community will hold a procession before the Mass and host a reception afterward.
The annual procession and Mass to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe will be on Dec. 1, organized by the Guadalupana Confederation with the Diocesan Hispanic Commission. The procession will begin at 11 a.m. at the Morley Field Sports complex, at Upas and Jacaranda streets. Brightly decorated vehicles, traditional dancers and parish and movement groups will walk to St. Augustine High School, where the Mass will be held at 1 p.m., celebrated by Cardinal McElroy, with Auxiliary Bishops Felipe Pulido, Bejarano and Pham. Afterward, participants will enjoy a fiesta, complete with mariachi music and Mexican food.
The Diocesan Commission for Filipino Catholics will present the annual Simbang Gabi Vigil and Commissioning Mass celebrated by Cardinal McElroy on Dec. 14, at 6:30 p.m., at St. Mary Church in Escondido. The celebration includes a procession of brightly colored, star-shaped lanterns that light the way to the birth of our Savior.
Weekly gathering includes Scripture and fellowship
SAN DIEGO — “Word with Mercy” is a weekly gathering for men and women who want to prayerfully reflect on the Scriptures and enjoy a connection with each other.
Meetings are held from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m., every Monday, at Casa de Misericordia (745 Beardsley St., San Diego 92113).
The first meeting was on Sept. 30. The group will continue its weekly meetings through Dec. 30. For more information, contact Sister Sally Koch, CSJ, at slkochster@gmail.com.
Women can find after-abortion healing at retreat
SAN DIEGO — Rachel’s Hope will host an after-abortion healing retreat for Catholic and “Catholic-friendly” women experiencing emotional and spiritual pain.
The professionally led retreat will be held Nov. 1 to 3 at the diocesan Pastoral Center. It will include a closing Mass.
Confidentiality will be maintained. Group size is limited. Housing is available if needed. The cost to attend the retreat is $60. Partial scholarships are available.
For more information or to register, visit RachelsHope.org, call (858) 581-3022, text (858) 752-9378 or email rachels_hope@juno.com.
Miles Christi preaching silent retreats
OCEANSIDE –– The priests and brothers of Miles Christi are leading silent Ignatian retreats.
These retreats are a unique experience offering spiritual talks, time for private meditation, the rosary, daily Mass, adoration and Benediction, as well as opportunities for confession and spiritual direction.
The next men’s retreats will be held from Nov. 1 to 3 and from Dec. 13 to 15 at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside. The next women’s retreats will be Nov. 15 to 17, also at Prince of Peace Abbey. Space is limited.
For more information and to register, call (858) 768-0872, email california@spiritualexercises.net or visit MilesChristi.org/spiritual-exercises.
Holiday craft fair returning to OLG
EL CAJON –– The Our Lady of Grace Parish Catholic Women’s Club will hold its annual holiday craft fair and bake sale on Saturday, Nov. 2.
It will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parish center and adjacent patio area. There will be over 70 local crafters selling fashion apparel, home décor and other handmade items for the holidays.
There will also be freshly baked items. Breakfast and lunch will be available.
For more information, call (619) 980-6841.
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. Confessions will be heard, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Upcoming dates in 2024 include: Nov. 8 and Dec. 13.
For more information, email olmcheartsoffire@gmail.com.
Retreats help overcome homelessness, addiction
OCEANSIDE –– ISP San Diego (Ignatian Spirituality Project) believes that spirituality has an important role to play in breaking the cycle of homelessness and substance use.
The organization provides overnight retreats and ongoing spiritual reflection for people who are recovering from homelessness and addiction. It partners with local social service agencies, which refer candidates for its retreat programs.
ISP San Diego is hosting an overnight retreat for women from Nov. 9 to 10 and for men from Nov. 23 to 24, both at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside. Each retreat consists of 12 participants and five volunteers.
ISP was founded in Chicago in 1998. Today, 24 affiliates offer programs across the United States, Canada and Ireland. ISP San Diego, which serves more than 50 individuals annually, launched in 2015.
For more information, visit ispretreats.org or email mopanuco@icloud.com.
Donating candy turns Halloween sweets into Christmas treats
SAN DIEGO — Every year, San Diegans are invited to donate a portion of their Halloween candy to be used in the Christmas food distribution at Casa de los Pobres in Tijuana. Donations of toothbrushes and toothpaste are also appreciated.
Candy, toothbrushes and toothpaste can be dropped off at the offices of participating Catholic parishes and schools during the week following Halloween. Pick-up sites include locations in Central San Diego as well as North County, East County and South Bay. The donations will be picked up between Nov. 11 and 22 by volunteers from the Notre Dame Alumni Club of San Diego.
The Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Queen of Peace coordinate an annual Christmas distribution where more than 1,700 impoverished individuals receive the fixings for a holiday meal, along with a bag of donated candy to make their Christmas festivities a little sweeter. Families also receive blankets, jackets, shoes and toys for the children.
For information about pick-up locations, email inwaogwu@alumni.nd.edu or call (770) 329-2064. More information is available at acholguin@gmail.com or (831) 295-1361. Sign up to help sort and bag the donated candy on Sunday, Dec. 8, at bit.ly/SDCandy2024.
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.
The next installment in its Executive Speaker Series will feature Dr. George Delgado, medical director of Culture of Life Family Services, and will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, at a location to be determined.
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.
Santa Sophia Parish to offer traditional ‘Lessons & Carols’
SPRING VALLEY –– All are invited to attend a traditional Lessons and Carols service at Santa Sophia Parish.
The free event, presented by the Santa Sophia choirs and Canticle, will be held at 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8.
Santa Sophia Church is located at 9800 San Juan St., Spring Valley 91977.
Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ coming to local parish
SPRING VALLEY –– Mozart’s “Requiem,” presented by the Grossmont Master Chorale & Orchestra, will be performed at Santa Sophia Parish in Spring Valley.
The performance will be at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13.
General admission is $20, with reduced rates for seniors and military ($15) and students ($5).
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.
