USD to host national conference on Catholic higher education
SAN DIEGO — Cardinal Robert W. McElroy will be one of the featured speakers in a national conference, “Lighting the Way Forward,” to be held Jan. 11 through 13 at the University of San Diego.
The conference, which will launch the university’s 75th anniversary observance, will explore the purpose of Catholic higher education in a changing world.
The event will bring together around 175 speakers, including USD faculty and administrators, professors from Catholic universities across the nation, local K-12 Catholic school educators and leaders from the Diocese of San Diego.
Cardinal McElroy is scheduled to speak at the opening plenary session on Jan. 11, on “Care for Our Common Home.”
Other speakers include the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, CM, prominent leader in the field of Catholic higher education; Gloria Purvis, the host of The Gloria Purvis Podcast from America Media; and Hosffman Ospino, PhD, a college professor, author and leading researcher.
More information is available at sandiego.edu/lighting-the-way.
School to host gala at Petco Park
SAN DIEGO — A fundraising gala for St. Kieran Catholic School will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at Home Plate Club at Petco Park.
The event, which is dubbed “Meet Me at Home Plate,” will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. and will include a two-hour host bar, silent auction and raffles.
For St. Kieran School families, the cost to attend is $100 per person. For those who are not affiliated with the school, admission is $120 per person. The deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, Jan. 3.
For more information, email skcs.gala@gmail.com. RSVP by Tuesday, Jan. 2, at https://forms.gle/GMqBEBR9wtMAHW24A.
‘Mass of Hope’ returns to St. Gregory’s
SAN DIEGO — The 14th annual Mass of Hope will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, at St. Gregory the Great Church in Scripps Ranch.
The event is organized by the parish’s Family Cancer Support Ministry.
The organizers say, “We invite everyone affected by cancer or other serious illness to this special celebration of hope. An anointing of the sick will be administered. You can honor a loved one by: setting a candle by the altar, writing a prayer petition, (or) submitting a photo for display.”
For more information, contact the parish office at (858) 653-3540. Photos must be dropped off at the church office by Friday, Feb. 9.
‘World Day of Sick’ to be celebrated with Mass
SAN DIEGO — A Mass in observance of the World Day of the Sick will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, at Good Shepherd Parish.
Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido will be the principal celebrant.
Organized by the Order of Malta and the diocesan Office for Life, Peace and Justice, the annual event will include the anointing of the sick, a blessing of the hands of caregivers, and a blessing with Lourdes water.
For more information, contact Maria Valencia at mvalencia@sdcatholic.org or (858) 490-8323.
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.
For more information, contact the Hearts of Fire Ministry at olmcheartsoffire@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.
Ladies Guild holding fundraiser luncheon
SAN DIEGO — The Father Joe’s Villages Ladies Guild will hold its annual fundraiser luncheon, “A Souper Bowl of Caring,” on Monday, Feb. 12, in the parish hall at St. Gregory the Great’s in Scripps Ranch.
Tickets are $60 per person. The event will include a silent auction for a variety of gift baskets. An opportunity drawing also will be held.
All proceeds will benefit children living at Father Joe’s Villages.
RSVP by Wednesday, Jan. 31, to: Brenda Lane, 1205 Pacific Highway #902, San Diego, CA 92101. Checks should be made payable to “Village Ladies Guild.”
For more information, contact Margie Mills at (619) 733-7410 or margie.r.mills@gmail.com.
Retreat offers post-abortion healing
SAN DIEGO — Rachel’s Vineyard will present a post-abortion healing retreat, titled “A Time for Mercy,” March 8 to 10.
The retreat will offer a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Open to women and men wounded by abortion, the retreat is confidential, non-judgmental and offered in the Catholic tradition.
Early registration is recommended. Space is limited.
For information, visit atimeformercy.org, call (951) 325-7702 or email RVTemecula@verizon.net.
Diocese generously supports Hawaii fire recovery
Catholics in the Diocese of San Diego contributed $217,477.66 through Catholic Charities to support response and recovery efforts related to the devastating wildfires that broke out last August in Hawaii.
A special collection was held at parishes in the days after the fires began.
Birthline’s ‘Holidazzle’ supports needy families
SAN DIEGO — Birthline of San Diego County hosted its annual Holidazzle celebration Dec. 15 at the South Clairemont Recreation Center.
At the event, about 75 families were celebrated for having achieved important milestones, including finding permanent housing or employment, attaining a high school GED or sobriety. The families came to pick gifts, clothing and other essentials for nearly 300 kids, all gift-wrapped by volunteers.
Birthline’s motto is “Everything Life Affirming.” The organization aids moms and their families by providing free items for babies and children. Client managers assist in referrals to county resources.
Toys for this year’s Holidazzle were supplied by Toys for Tots, the San Diego Deputy Sheriffs Association, St. Therese of Carmel and Our Mother of Confidence Catholic parishes and the UCSD Newman Center. There was a toddler play space, free food and beverages, and donated gifts for the moms. Various county services were onsite to support the families.
For more information, visit BirthlineofSD.org.
