By Deacon John Barna

 Recently at a men’s group a friend asked the question, “Does one’s enjoyment of heaven correspond to the life one has led down here?” That is, if you led and exemplary life down here (a saint) would your enjoyment of heaven be greater than that of a person who just got by? After some discussion they came to the conclusion that the saint would indeed be able to appreciate heaven more than the other person. The next day the question was raised again. This time it was accompanied by the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. The laborers who worked the last hour only, got as much as those who had put in a whole day. Now I’m not so sure their conclusion was right. We just don’t know who has been worthy of heaven.

By Petra Alexander

 As immigrants we live through a process of adaptation as we fit in different aspects our life with the new culture. Many of us keep some deeply rooted identity traits together with our traditions from our homeland and it is difficult for us to embody ideas or practices from societies where we arrive. One of these is our view of death. 

RIVERSIDE—Catholic Charities will host its 23rd Annual “Evening of Hope” Benefit Gala on Saturday, November 2nd at the Victoria Club in Riverside. The theme for the gala is The Evening is Ours, The Benefit is Theirs.

 “Evening of Hope” is an elegant and inspirational fundraising event where guests will have the opportunity to learn more about the accomplishments of Catholic Charities and be given multiple opportunities to support its necessary work to provide compassionate social services that respond to the suffering and the vulnerable and those in crisis in our local communities.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA—The second African – African American Dialogue will take place at Sacred Heart Parish, Rancho Cucamonga on October 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first dialogue or, “Diaspora,” was held on June 15 and provided a beginning to the conversation. In it, the need was seen for further meeting and talking among those of African descent who bring a variety of experiences and perspectives .

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.