Commissioning Masses to precede ‘40 Days for Life’ campaign
SAN DIEGO — Two commissioning Masses will be celebrated to mark the beginning of the spring campaign of 40 Days for Life.
Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano will preside at both Masses. The first will be at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 4, at St. Mary Church in Escondido; the second will be at 10 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 11, at St. John of the Cross Church in Lemon Grove.
The 40 Days for Life campaign, which will run from Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, to Palm Sunday, March 24, 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.
For more information, email mvalencia@sdcatholic.org or call (858) 490-8323. More information about local prayer vigil locations can be found at sdcatholic.org/40-days-for-life-campaign.
‘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, 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 office by Friday, Feb. 9.
World Day of Sick to Be Celebrated Feb. 10
SAN DIEGO — Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido will celebrate a multilingual World Day of the Sick Mass.
It will be offered at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, at Good Shepherd Parish in Mira Mesa.
The Mass will include the anointing of the sick, a blessing with water from Lourdes, a blessing of caregivers and ministers of the sick, and a celebration of the fourth anniversary of the Caring for the Whole Person Initiative.
Watch the livestream at https://sdcatholic.org/event/world-day-of-the-sick-mass.
For more information, email mvalencia@sdcatholic.org or call (858) 490-8323.
Gala to Benefit Trafficking Survivors
SAN DIEGO — Children of the Immaculate Heart, a nonprofit that serves survivors of sex trafficking in San Diego, will hold its 11th annual Holy Hearts Gala.
The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, at St. Therese of Carmel Parish, 4355 Del Mar Trails Road, San Diego 92130. The evening will include appetizers, dinner, dessert, beer and wine, a live band, and a silent auction. The keynote speaker will be Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano.
Children of the Immaculate Heart has served sex trafficking survivors for 10 years. The organization also offers immediate assistance in its emergency mobile clinic that provides assistance with getting services, food, clothing and toiletries.
Gala tickets are $85 each. RSVP is required at childrenoftheimmaculateheart.org/events.html or (619) 431-5537.
Ladies Guild Holding Fundraiser Luncheon
SAN DIEGO — The Father Joe’s Villages Ladies Guild will hold “A Souper Bowl of Caring,” a soup-and-salad luncheon and silent auction fundraiser, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, at St. Gregory the Great Parish Hall in Scripps Ranch.
Tickets are $60 per person. Net proceeds will be used to benefit children living at Father Joe’s Villages, including through the provision of diapers, strollers, shoes, a backpack full of school supplies at the start of the new school year, and more.
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”; credit cards are also accepted.
For more information, contact Margie Mills at (619) 733-7410 or margie.r.mills@gmail.com.
Valentine’s Day Promotion to Gift Warm Blankets to Needy Moms
SAN DIEGO — Birthline of San Diego is planning a special Valentine’s Day event for the vulnerable moms and their kids that the organization serves with material support and services.
The Wrap, Care & Share campaign provides an opportunity to gift a mom in need with a warm custom blanket from Sackcloth & Ashes, a small mission-driven business that supports community-driven solutions. The blankets are responsibly made from recycled materials fabricated in Italy and finished in the USA.
Every $100 Wrap, Care & Share donation to Birthline funds a special Valentine’s Day gift blanket for a needy mother with children.
Every $250 donation to the campaign funds three special Valentine’s Day gifts: two for needy mothers and one complimentary blanket for the donor. The donor can hand pick their blanket to gift to a loved one or use in their own home.
For more information, contact Birthline at (858) 270-2491 or email clairemont@birthlineofsd.org.
Catholics Invited to Cheer on USD Athletes
SAN DIEGO — Families are invited to celebrate “Catholic Schools Day” on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the University of San Diego.
They can cheer for the USD Toreros at two basketball games that day.
The USD women’s basketball team will play Loyola Marymount University at 2 p.m., while the men’s team will take on Santa Clara at 7 p.m.
Tickets are discounted to $5 per person. A ticket purchased for the women’s game is good for both games. There also will be food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, All-star Choir and All-star Cheer performances, and more.
Knights to Honor Priests, Religious
SAN DIEGO — The Knights of Columbus San Diego Chapter will host its annual Priest and Religious Appreciation dinner on Saturday, Feb. 17.
The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. in the parish hall at Ascension Parish in Tierrasanta.
The annual dinner is a way for the Knights to thank priests and consecrated religious for their service to the Church.
After-Abortion Healing Retreat Scheduled for March 8-10
Catholic (and Catholic-friendly) women who are seeking relief from their grief and regret over a past abortion are invited to attend an after-abortion healing retreat.
Presented by Rachel’s Hope, the retreat will begin on Friday, March 8, and conclude on Sunday, March 10. It will be held at the diocesan Pastoral Center. A closing Mass is included.
The cost to attend is $60. Partial scholarships and housing are available if needed. The group size is limited.
For more information or to register, call (858) 581-3022, text (858) 752-9378, email rachels_hope@juno.com or visit rachelshope.org.
5K Walk Keeps Oaxacan Kids in School
SAN DIEGO — The Oaxaca Education Fund will host its annual 5K Walk on Saturday, March 23.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The walk will start in Canyonside Park (12350 Black Mountain Road, San Diego 92129) and venture into the beautiful Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve.
There is a suggested donation of $20. (Children walk for free.)
The Oaxaca Education Fund grew out of a migrant ministry that served the field workers who worked between Rancho Peñasquitos and Del Mar. Every year, volunteers travel to the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico, to distribute school supplies to the children in the towns these workers come from.
The fund provides books and supplies to about 1,500 children, as well as a monthly food stipend for 50 orphans and disabled children.
For more information or to donate, visit oaxacaeducationfund.org, email drchristauriawelland@gmail.com or call (858) 922-8555.
Parish Choir to Perform Palm Sunday Concert
SAN DIEGO — The St. Thérèse of Carmel Parish Choir invites you to its annual highly anticipated spring concert.
The choir will perform Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem at 3 p.m., Palm Sunday, March 24, inside the parish church. A reception will follow in the plaza.
Admission to the concert is free.
The St. Thérèse of Carmel Parish Choir, under the direction of Catherine Marshall, includes 35 voices. They will be performing with guest organist Emma Whitten.
St. Thérèse of Carmel Church is located at 4355 Del Mar Trails Road, San Diego 92130.
Retrouvaille Offers Hope for Struggling Marriages
SAN DIEGO — Retrouvaille is a program designed to help struggling marriages regain their health. It helps a husband and a wife rediscover or re-awaken the love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together.
The next English-language Retrouvaille weekend will be held May 3 to 5.
For more information about an upcoming Retrouvaille weekend, including the cost to attend, call (951) 259-9474 or visit helpourmarriage-sandiego.org.
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.
