Men Invited to ‘Explore’ Priestly Vocation Nov. 6
SAN DIEGO — The Diocese of San Diego is hosting an Explorer Day for men who are interested in a possible vocation to the priesthood, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 6, at St. Francis de Sales House of Priestly Formation at the University of San Diego.
Those interested should pick up a registration form at their parish office or call Father Lauro Minimo at (619) 291-7446.
‘Theology on Tap’ to Feature Bishop Bejarano
SAN DIEGO — On Thursday evenings, Oct. 28 to Nov. 11, young adult Catholics (ages 18 to 39) will gather for dinner, fellowship and to hear a talk by a dynamic Catholic speaker.
The next series of Theology on Tap, sponsored by the diocesan Office for Young Adult Ministry, will feature a strong line-up of speakers, including Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano.
Each week’s installment will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at St. Gregory the Great Parish in Scripps Ranch. Admission is $15 per person and includes a dinner of tacos and beer.
Speakers include Krizia (Kiki) Rocha, an abortion survivor and a dating and sexual integrity coach for women, Oct. 28; Scott Weeman, founder of the nonprofit organization Catholic in Recovery, which offers addiction-recovery resources within the context of Catholic spirituality, Nov. 4; and Bishop Bejarano, Nov. 11.
For more information, visit yamsd.org or call (858) 490-8260.
Father Joe Carroll Recognized with Award
SAN DIEGO — The American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties awarded the Spirit of Hope award posthumously to Father Joe Carroll in honor of his life-long service to end homelessness in San Diego.
Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO at Father Joe’s Villages, accepted the award in his honor during the 19th annual Real Hero Awards, hosted virtually Oct. 1.
Msgr. Joseph Carroll, better known as “Father Joe,” died July 11 at age 80. For almost three decades, he directed what grew to become Father Joe’s Villages, San Diego’s largest homeless services provider.
Workshop Offers Ways to Transform Parishes
SAN DIEGO — The diocesan Office for Evangelization and Catechetical Ministry is teaming with The Evangelical Catholic to present “The Parish as the Center for Mission Formation.”
The workshop will be offered twice on Wednesday, Nov. 10 — from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for pastors and parish staff, and from 7 to 9 p.m. for parish volunteers — at the diocesan Pastoral Center.
It will be presented by two representatives of The Evangelical Catholic, Peter Andrastek and Kendra McClelland. Andrastek and McClelland serve as senior ministry consultant and mission advancement officer, respectively. The Evangelical Catholic is a nonprofit that works with parishes, dioceses and other Catholic entities to train leaders in evangelization.
For more information, call (858) 490-8237 or email mgalvan@sdcatholic.org.
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.
Healthcare Professionals to Present on Grief, Accompaniment
POWAY — The Mental Health Ministry at St. Michael’s Parish in Poway will present a Grief and Loss Workshop from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 6.
Through the event, which will be held at the parish’s Holy Family Center, participants will learn about grief and loss, as well as how best to accompany those who are grieving.
The speakers include Dr. Sidney Zisook, M.D., professor of psychiatry at UCSD School of Medicine, who specializes in grief, anxiety, and mood disorders; Cyndi Peterson, M.D., physician, speaker and author; and Jim Reiser, M.A., a licensed marriage and family therapist with Hospice of the North Coast.
RSVP to Deacon Bill Adsit at billa@smpoway.org.
USD Aligns Investment Policy with Environmental Goals
SAN DIEGO — The University of San Diego Board of Trustees has unanimously adopted an amended Investment Policy aligned with Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, “Laudato Si’,” becoming one of the first universities in the world to do so.
In the 2015 encyclical, the pope called for urgent action to care for our common home, the poor, and the vulnerable who are disproportionately impacted by global environmental problems, such as climate change, pollution, access to clean water and loss of biodiversity.
“This change (to the investment policy) is part of multiple commitments that USD is making to set the standard to ensure a healthy environment and a sustainable common home for future generations,” said James T. Harris, president of USD.
Parish Women’s Club Sells Crafts, Baked Goods
EL CAJON — The Catholic Women’s Club at Our Lady of Grace Parish in El Cajon will hold its annual craft fair and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 6, at the parish.
The event will feature gift items from more than 75 crafters, baked goods, peanut brittle, fudge and more. Coffee, donuts and lunch also will be available. For more information, call (619) 980-6841.
Halloween Candy to Become Christmas Treats
SAN DIEGO — Local Catholics are once again invited to donate a portion of their Halloween candy to be included in the Christmas distribution at the Casa de Los Pobres (House of the Poor) in Mexico.
Donations of new toothbrushes and toothpaste are also welcome.
The Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, Queen of Peace coordinate an annual Christmas food distribution for about 1,700 impoverished families in Tijuana.
For more information about the candy collection, email carolinekelner10@gmail.com. For pick-up dates and times, email inwaogwu@nd.edu.
CCHD Collection Set for Nov. 21
SAN DIEGO — The annual collection to support the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) will take place on Sunday, Nov. 21.
The CCHD is the national anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops. It focuses on addressing the root causes of poverty and funds nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S., including in the Diocese of San Diego, that work to reverse the systemic causes of poverty.
Robert Ehnow, director of the diocesan Office for Life, Peace and Justice, described contributions to the national CCHD collection as “an investment in the organizations within our diocese that work to alleviate poverty and build a brighter future for our communities.”
