Longtime social outreach ministries expand horizons in Mecca and San Bernardino

 “See I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? In the desert I make a way in the wasteland…” (Isaiah 43:19)

 Perhaps Gloria Gomez and Claudia Castorena had the words of the prophet Isaiah on their minds when they launched the Galilee Center in Mecca three years ago. In early August they celebrated a milestone with the opening of a new facility (a renovated old packing house) that now offers essential goods to the poor and a cooling center to escape the desert heat.

By Sister Mary Frances Coleman, R.S.M.

LAKE ARROWHEAD—Upon my arrival at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Arrowhead on Aug. 18, the place was alive with anticipation. 

 The Sisters of the Congregation of Hermanas Evangelizadoras Eucaristicas de los Pobres (EEP) had gathered from Los Angeles, Tepic Nayarit and Tijuana. Youth and parishioners of the mountain and High Desert parishes were there as well as several from Los Angeles. Members of the Arce family and the EEP Sisters were warmly greeting and welcoming all to this special celebration. 

Elizabeth Lobato, a Riverside teen suffering from brittle bone disease, met with Pope Francis April 13 while attending a Vatican conference on stem cell research. Lobato, whose health has improved after receiving adult stem-cell therapy treatments, was honored during the conference. The Lobato family recently received the photo taken during Elizabeth’s meeting with Pope Francis. Let’s pray for Elizabeth’s health and for the health of others suffering from disease and ailments.

By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer

RIVERSIDE—Riverside and West End catechists began their catechetical year with a day of enrichment at the annual Catechist Day, held on Aug. 17 at St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside. 

 Sponsored by the Office of Catechetical Ministry each year, Catechist Day offers a series of workshops at the vicariate level to assist catechists in preparing for the catechetical year.

YUCAIPA—With the passage of an immigration reform bill in the U.S. Senate in June, Diocesan advocacy efforts on the issue over the summer have focused on Congressional representatives.

 Members of Congress who represent districts in the Diocese were invited to a special Mass, Aug. 31, at St. Francis Xavier Cabrini where Bishop Gerald Barnes preached about the present opportunity for comprehensive immigration reform and the need for policy makers to act.

By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO—For the participants of Musicians’ Day, the annual event proved to be more than just a day of singing. It was a day of spiritual renewal. 

 About 500 singers, musicians and liturgists from parishes in the diocese came to the Pastoral Center on July 20 for the annual Musicians’ Day event offered by the Diocesan Office of Worship. Presenters included Jaime Cortez and Bob Hurd, well known composers, liturgists and speakers.