‘40 Days for Life’ to Begin March 2
SAN DIEGO — The spring campaign for 40 Days for Life will run from March 2 through April 10.
Undertaken on the same dates in communities around the world, the 40 Days for Life campaign is an effort to protect the unborn through prayer and fasting, 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 several locations, including the College Area, downtown San Diego, Mira Mesa, El Cajon, Escondido, Vista, South Bay and the Imperial Valley.
Similar vigils will be happening in hundreds of cities throughout the world, including 50 locations in California this year. More than 20,000 babies have been saved and more than 100 abortion centers closed since 40 Days for Life started in 2007, according to the organization.
Before the start of this year’s spring campaign, commissioning Masses were celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano on Feb. 6 at St. Mary Parish in Escondido and Feb. 13 at St. John of the Cross Parish in Lemon Grove.
Learn more about 40 Days for Life and sign up for vigil hours at www.sdcatholic.org/event/40-days-for-life.
Men Invited to ‘Explore’ Priestly Vocation
SAN DIEGO — The Diocese of San Diego is hosting an “Explorer Day” for those men who are interested in exploring a possible vocation to the priesthood.
The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, March 19. It will be held at St. Francis Center, located on the campus of the University of San Diego.
Registration forms are available at your parish office.
For more information, call Father Lauro Minimo at (619) 291-7446.
Workshop to Help Parishes Foster ‘Missionary Discipleship’
POWAY — An upcoming workshop will focus on how parishes can think of themselves in new ways and better invite, engage and involve Catholics as missionary disciples.
Paulist Father Frank DeSiano will present “Today’s Parish: Community of Missionary Disciples” on Saturday, March 26, at St. Michael Parish in Poway. The workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Father DeSiano is the president of Paulist Evangelization Ministries. He served as a consultor for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Evangelization for more than a dozen years. He also frequently travels across the country to give presentations on evangelization topics at national, diocesan and parish gatherings. The cost to attend the workshop is $20 per person; four or more people from the same parish qualify for the “group discount” rate of $15 per person. Registration will be open soon.
For more information, call (858) 490-8232 or email CArias@sdcatholic.org.
Upcoming Retreat Offers After-Abortion Healing
Catholic men and women wounded by abortion are invited to an upcoming retreat hosted by A Time for Mercy/Rachel’s Vineyard.
The retreat will be held from Friday, March 11, through Sunday, March 13.
For more information or to sign up, visit atimeformercy.org, call (951) 325-7702 or email RVTemecula@verizon.net.
Notre Dame Club Hosts Events Yearlong
SAN DIEGO — The Notre Dame Club of San Diego’s history spans as far back as 1948.
Since then, the alumni club has expanded to include alumni, their family, friends, and fans of the University of Notre Dame – all 4,715 of them from San Diego.
Like the other 266 Notre Dame Clubs around the world overseen by their Alumni Association, the San Diego Club’s mission revolves around the “6 C’s”: camaraderie, community service, Catholic mission, current students, continuing education, and career connections.
Every year, the club hosts a slew of events in the local community with the goal of being a “Force for Good.” Its whole fall season revolves around its “Season of Service,” with community partners such as Nativity Prep Academy, Casa de los Pobres, Father Joe’s Villages, Operation Dress Code, and the Camp Pendleton Warrior Warehouse.
More information about the Notre Dame Club and its year-round programming can be found on its website, sandiego.undclub.org, and Facebook page facebook.com/ndsandiego.
Women’s Prayer Group Seeking New Members
SAN DIEGO — Women seeking to grow closer to God and deepen their relationship with the Bible are invited to join a women’s prayer/Bible study group conducted via Zoom.
The group, which meets virtually at 6 p.m. every Thursday, offers fellowship and prayerful reading of the books of the Bible.
For more information, call (619) 955-3985.
Catholics Can ‘Encounter’ Jesus Throughout 2022
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 Penasquitos.
Sponsored by the parish’s Hearts of Fire Ministry, the event runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Upcoming dates in 2022 include: March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9.
For more information, email olmcheartsoffire@gmail.com.
Are You a Catholic Mom Who Likes Catholic Books?
SAN DIEGO — The Moms’ Catholic Book Study, formerly known as the Moms’ Bible Study, has been going strong for more than 25 years.
In addition to spiritual reading, the group also offers fellowship and has produced long-lasting friendships.
The group meets at 10 a.m., every Wednesday during the school year, at St. Mary Magdalene Parish.
For more information, visit https://momscatholicbookstudy.weebly.com.
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.
