World Day of the Sick Mass to Be June 12
SAN DIEGO — Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano will be the celebrant and homilist for the Diocese of San Diego’s third annual World Day of the Sick Mass.
Hosted by the Order of Malta, the special liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 12, at Good Shepherd Church in Mira Mesa. It will include the sacrament of the anointing of the sick and a blessing of caregivers.
Usually celebrated on or near the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in February, the World Day of the Sick Mass was delayed until June this year because of COVID-19 restrictions. It is open to all who are ill or disabled and who are physically able to attend along with their caregivers.
In his message for the 39th World Day of the Sick, Pope Francis said, “Jesus asks us to stop and listen, to establish a direct and personal relationship with others, to feel empathy and compassion, and to let their suffering become our own as we seek to serve them.”
The Mass will also be livestreamed at https://www.goodshepherdparish.net/mass-streaming.
Memoir Recounts Father Joe’s Colorful Life
SAN DIEGO — Msgr. Joseph “Father Joe” Carroll, president emeritus of Father Joe’s Villages, has led a colorful life. Now 80 years old, Father Joe has teamed up with writer Kathryn Cloward on his memoir.
Father Joe: Life Stories of a Hustler Priest, published April 12, recounts how a crippled kid from the Bronx became a beloved San Diego icon.
Ordained in 1974, Father Joe became a household name in 1984, after agreeing to participate in a television commercial touting an unconventional car donation program that helped fund homeless services. The commercial aired immediately after a San Diego Padres victory in the National League Championship. His opening line was, “Hi, I’m Father Joe. I’m a hustler.”
Father Joe cultivated that hustler image as he continued to find ways to raise money for his beloved homeless, whom he called “neighbors in need,” during his almost three decades as president of Father Joe’s Villages.
Purchase a copy of Father Joe: Life Stories of a Hustler Priest for $19.99, plus shipping, at www.fatherjoehustlerpriest.com.
Women’s Retreat to Focus on Trusting God
“Trusting God When the Stakes Are High” will be the theme of the Whispering Winds Women’s Auxiliary’s Spring 2021 retreat.
The event will take place May 21 to 23 at Whispering Winds Catholic Camp and Conference Center in Julian.
Mary Lenaburg, international speaker and author of Be Brave in the Scared and Be Bold in the Broken, will lead the retreat. She will give four talks and participate in a Q&A session.
The retreat also will include a Friday night social, a Saturday night prayer service, and Sunday Mass celebrated by Msgr. Mark Campbell.
Whispering Winds is committed to COVID safety protocols, including the requirement of face masks, social distancing and enhanced cleaning for the protection of retreat participants.
Registration is $195; scholarships are available. To apply for a scholarship, contact Chris Villalobos at (619) 977-7403 or chrisvillalobos5@gmail.com.
For more information, email wwindswa@gmail.com.
Book Features Life Lessons from Peacemaking Priest
SAN DIEGO — The title of Holy Ghost Father William R. Headley’s recently published memoir, Seeing Peace: Footsteps of an International Catholic Peacebuilder, has a double meaning.
It refers both to the priest’s failing eyesight, as a result of macular degeneration, as well as to the unique perspective he has on peacebuilding, thanks to his service in more than 80 countries and as founding dean of the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies.
“As I approached the end of my 10-year stint at the School (of Peace Studies), I was urged by fellow faculty and the dean to tell my story,” said Father Headley, explaining the memoir’s origins. “While I resisted this in part because of sight problems, a former Peace School staff person offered to lend me a writer’s hand.”
Father Headley said the book was written for a diverse audience, including people with different faith traditions (or those questioning their traditions), young people in the process of discerning their path, and those with an interest in peacebuilding.
Each chapter reflects on lessons learned while building peace around the world. Father Headley hopes his retrospective will help others see the possibility of peace in a new light.
Seeing Peace is available from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. It retails for $19.99 in hardcover and $11.95 in paperback.
Priest Assignments
SAN DIEGO — The following has been announced by the Office of the Bishop:
Bishop Robert McElroy has accepted the request for retirement of Father Peter Bosque and Father Raymond O’Donnell, effective June 30, and Father Ronald Cochran, effective July 25.
Father Joseph Masar has been appointed pastor of All Hallows Parish, San Diego, effective July 1.
With the permission of his prior provincial, Father Carlos Alberto Flores, OSA, has been appointed pastor of St. Patrick Parish, San Diego, effective June 1.
With the permission of his provincial superior, Father Charles Moat, SVD, has been appointed pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish, San Diego, effective July 1.
With the permission of his provincial, Father Matthew R. Holland, SJ, has been appointed associate pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, San Diego, effective July 1.
With the permission of his provincial, Father Christopher Nguyen, SJ, has been appointed director of the Newman Center Catholic Community at UCSD, effective July 1.
With the permission of his provincial, Father Chinh Nguyen, SJ, has been appointed pastoral associate of the Newman Center Catholic Community at UCSD, effective Aug. 15.
