Cardinal on Hand for Parish’s 60th Anniversary
SANTEE — Guardian Angels Parish is marking its 60th anniversary with its patronal feast day celebration on Sunday, Oct. 2.
Masses will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m., with Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano presiding, and at 10 a.m., with Cardinal Robert W. McElroy as principal celebrant. Father André Ramos, pastor, will be concelebrating the Masses.
A reception will follow, beginning at 9 a.m., in the Cunnane Parish Center. It will include a ministry fair and a “Taste of Guardian Angels,” with each parish ministry bringing a food sample to share. There will be activities for children, a photo booth and souvenirs to mark the occasion.
The annual fall festival, which is anniversary-themed this year, will be held the following weekend, Oct. 7 (5-10 p.m.), Oct. 8 (noon-10 p.m.) and Oct. 9 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.).
‘Big Night Out’ to Benefit Rise Up Industries
SAN DIEGO — Rise Up Industries, a nonprofit that operates an 18-month reentry program for formerly gang-involved individuals recently released from incarceration, will hold its annual fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 8, at The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter.
Among the keynote speakers will be Jesuit Father Greg Boyle, bestselling author and founder of Homebody Industries, the nation’s largest gang intervention and rehabilitation program.
All funds raised will expand Rise Up Industries’ reentry services and support the launch of a program that will support youth.
This event “is a chance for the community to celebrate an organization that … tries to imagine a circle of compassion and then imagine nobody standing outside that circle,” said Father Boyle. “I invite you to celebrate one of the best organizations I know — Rise Up Industries.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/BigNightOut2022.
Indian Community Celebrates Its First Layman to Become a Saint
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Indian Catholic community will hold its annual celebration on Saturday, Oct. 8, at San Rafael Parish.
There will be a Mass at 10:30 a.m., to be celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano, followed by a lunch and fellowship.
The celebration will honor St. Devasahayam Pillai, who was born a Hindu and converted to Christianity in the 18th century. On May 15, he became the first Indian layman to be declared a saint.
San Rafael Parish is located at 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego 92128. All faithful are invited to attend, but registration is encouraged at sdicc.org.
Cristo Rey H.S. Hosting Charity Golf Tournament
SAN DIEGO — The second annual Cristo Rey San Diego High School Charity Golf Tournament will take place on Monday, Oct. 10, at the Grand Golf Club at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.
A reception featuring hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and student speakers will follow the tournament.
All proceeds support the education of Cristo Rey San Diego High School students. The school provides underserved and under-resourced students with an excellent education that combines rigorous college-preparatory academics and a unique Corporate Work Study Program.
Single players are $300; foursomes are $1,200; and reception-only tickets are $75. A box lunch and reception ticket are included for all golfers.
For more information and to register, contact bnicar@cristoreysandiego.org or visit cristoreysandiego.org/golf-tournament.
Healthcare Professionals Invited to Special Mass
SAN DIEGO — Cardinal Robert W. McElroy will celebrate a Mass for Healthcare Professionals at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Scripps Ranch.
The liturgy will recognize the service, sacrifice and compassion of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, hospital medical staff, medical students, mental health specialists, hospice workers, pastoral caregivers, and others dedicated to the healing profession of medicine.
Medical personnel are invited to wear their white coats or uniforms. A reception will follow in the parish hall. RSVP to ecasillas@sdcatholic.org.
Cardinal to Receive Humanitarian Award
SAN DIEGO — Casa Cornelia Law Center, a faith-based organization sponsored by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, will honor Cardinal Robert W. McElroy with the 2022 Lucy Howell La Mancha Humanitarian Award.
The cardinal will join this year’s other La Mancha Award recipients at the awards presentation on Thursday, Oct. 13. Awarded by Casa Cornelia Law Center’s board of directors, La Mancha Awards honor individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions in meeting the needs of victims of human and civil rights violations.
The Lucy Howell La Mancha Humanitarian Award, which Cardinal McElroy will be receiving, is named in honor and appreciation of former board member Lucy Howell for her outstanding contribution to humanitarian service, leadership and commitment to Casa Cornelia’s mission of justice with compassion.
Cardinal McElroy is being honored for his dedication to practicing and encouraging compassion and justice for the immigrant community.
For more information, visit casacornelia.org.
Oktoberfest to Support Trafficking Survivors
SAN DIEGO — Children of the Immaculate Heart, a San Diego-based nonprofit that serves survivors of sex trafficking, is holding an Oktoberfest fundraiser.
The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, at St. Mary Parish in Escondido. It will include a live oompah band, an art workshop for children, traditional German food and drinks, a silent auction, and Children of the Immaculate Heart speakers on the fight against trafficking.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.childrenoftheimmaculateheart.org/events.html.
Healing Retreat Offered for Post-Abortive Women
SAN DIEGO — Rachel’s Hope is offering an after-abortion healing retreat for Catholic and Catholic-friendly women who are suffering with grief and shame over a past abortion.
The professionally led retreat will take place from Friday, Oct. 14, to Sunday, Oct. 16, at the diocesan Pastoral Center. It will include a closing Mass.
Confidentiality will be maintained. Group size is limited.
The cost to attend is $60 per person; partial scholarships are available. Housing is also available if needed.
For more information or to register, visit RachelsHope.org or contact Rosemary Benefield by phone at (858) 581-3022; text at (858) 752-9378, or email at rachels_hope@juno.com.
Our Lady of Peace Academy Names New Board Chair
SAN DIEGO — The Academy of Our Lady of Peace (OLP), the oldest all-girls’ high school in San Diego, has named Danitza Villanueva as chair of its board of directors.
Born in San Diego, Villanueva spent her youth with family in Tijuana and grew up on both sides of the border. She has transferred her unique insight of cross-border culture, trends and philanthropy to her business and community interests.
“We are deeply blessed to have Danitza as our new board chair,” said Dr. Lauren Lek, OLP’s head of school. “For the past several years, she has co-chaired the OLP Women’s Symposium, an event that brings together women leaders across various fields and is focused on giving the next generation of women leaders the inspiration to see new heights for their future. As a high school graduate from the Academy of Our Lady of Peace (1998) and the first woman from her family to graduate from college, she brings experience and empathy along with a commitment to progress for this generation of our students.”
Widowed, Divorced Invited to Healing Weekend
OCEANSIDE — Beginning Experience, an almost 50-year-old international ministry that helps the widowed, divorced and separated move beyond grief, will hold its next weekend retreat Oct. 7 to 9.
It will be held at Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, where organizers promise a supportive and caring environment with others that are going through or have gone through the same experiences.
The cost is $300, which covers individual rooms, food and materials. Scholarships are available for those in need.
For more information, email beginningexperiencesd@gmail.com or call (858) 748-2273 in English or (330) 607-8774 in Spanish.
Julian Parish Hosting Fall Celebration
JULIAN — St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish will welcome the fall season with its annual Oktoberfest.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1, at Julian Town Hall and Julian Town Square, located at 2129 Main St. in Julian. Admission is free.
There will be live music, great food, local beer on tap, craft vendors, kids’ activities, and both silent and live auctions. Auction items will include cabin rentals at Lake Cuyamaca.
New this year will be a “Sip and Paint a Madonna and Child Icon” activity, led by artist Ann Reilly Cole. This is limited to 15 participants. To register, call the parish office at (760) 765-0613 or email office@stelizabethjulian.org. Call the parish office to inquire whether there is still space available in the class.
‘Begin a New Tomorrow’ at Parish’s Fall Festival
SAN DIEGO — Holy Family Parish will hold its annual fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 2. The theme is “Together We Begin a New Tomorrow.”
There will be live entertainment, accompanied by Mexican, Filipino, Vietnamese and American food booths. Carnival games and a bounce house will be available. There will also be raffle prizes up to $3,000; winners are not required to be present.
The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.
Ladies Guild Selling Crafts
SAN DIEGO — For almost four decades, the Father Joe’s Villages Ladies Guild has provided volunteer services for homeless children residing at Father Joe’s Villages.
The organization will hold its annual craft sale, beginning at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 10, at St. Gregory the Great Parish.
For more information, contact Margie Mills at (619) 733-7410 or margie.r.mills@gmail.com.
Knights of Columbus Holds ‘Evening in Bavaria’
SAN DIEGO — An “Evening in Bavaria,” an Oktoberfest sponsored by Knights of Columbus Valley of Angels Council 9170, will begin at 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 14, in the church hall at San Rafael Parish in Rancho Bernardo.
The menu will include bratwursts, sauerkraut, German potato salad, pretzels, and strudel with ice cream. Beer, wine and soft drinks will also be for sale.
An oompah band will provide entertainment. New this year will be a Bavarian costume contest. Children are welcome with a kids’ menu and a clown providing entertainment.
Tickets at the door are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 6 to 18; ages 5 and under are free. Discounted pre-sale tickets ($15 and $7, respectively) are available after all weekend Masses Oct. 1-2 and 8-9 at San Rafael Parish.
All net proceeds benefit the needs of San Rafael Parish, seminarians and religious vocations, and other charitable organizations supported by the Knights of Columbus.
Holiday Craft Fair, Bake Sale Returning
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. 5.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parish center and patio area. Admission is free.
There will be more than 70 crafters, whose handiworks will include fashion apparel, home decor and artwork for the upcoming holidays. In addition, there will be freshly baked items, fudge, peanut brittle and cakes. Lunch will also be available.
For more information, call (619) 980-6841.
Ready for Christmas? Let Advent Mini-Retreat Help
SAN DIEGO — Whispering Winds Women’s Auxiliary is hosting an Advent mini-retreat.
Led by Anamaria Anthony, chair of the Theology department at Mater Dei Catholic High School, it will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30, in Mission San Diego de Alcalá Parish’s St. Francis Chapel.
Participants will be invited to ponder Mary’s humble “yes” and reflect on the areas in their own lives where they may be challenged to say “yes” to God’s plan.
There is no cost to attend the event, which is open to both men and women, but a “love offering” will be collected.
For information, call, text or email Judy Lemm at (619) 507-1152 or judylemm@cox.net.
Carlsbad Man Commissioned as Salesian Lay Missioner
HAVERSTRAW, N.Y. — Five Salesian Lay Missioners were commissioned Aug. 18, toward the end of their retreat at Don Bosco Retreat Center in Haverstraw, N.Y.
Among them was Timothy Hughes, a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Carlsbad. Hughes, 24, is the son of Patrick and Regina Hughes of Carlsbad. He earned a B.F.A. degree in Acting at Pace University in New York City.
Hughes has been assigned to the St. Dominic Savio School and youth center in Colima in the Salesian province of Guadalajara, Mexico, a new site for the SLM program.
“I hope to give of myself in some small way that may benefit others and to receive whatever they have to give to me,” Hughes said. “I hope to be a participant in the Body of Christ. Most of all, of course, I hope to do God’s will.”
Hughes was preceded in 2019 by another volunteer from the San Diego Diocese, August Konrad, who served as a high school teacher and youth minister at the Salesian mission in Lungi, Sierra Leone, for a year.
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 8:30 p.m.
Remaining dates in 2022 include: Oct. 14, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9.
For more information, email olmcheartsoffire@gmail.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.
