By Anna Hamilton

 There are often no words when a death happens, especially when it results from murder. We often ask “What do I say? “How should I act?” or “What can I do?” There may be a more simple guidepost for our response – “Be Present.”

Two Diocesan global solidarity ministers reflect on their immersion journey to a small West African country in July

By Naida Castro and Adriana Franco

 “You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified…”

- Pope Francis

 After a 13-hour flight from Dulles airport, we finally arrived in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, a small country in West Africa.

By Sister Chilee Okoko, D.M.M.M.

ONTARIO—On September 17 Catholics of African descent in the Diocese celebrated with Bishop Gerald Barnes in tribute of his 25th Episcopal Anniversary with Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Church in Ontario.

 With the recent natural disasters in the United States and Mexico, Diocesan parishioners have answered the call for aid with their donations.

 Two movies with strong spiritual themes will receive special screenings in the Diocese in October.

SANTA CLARA—For his empowerment of lay leaders through formation and his leadership in promoting the blessings of cultural diversity in the Church, Bishop Gerald Barnes has been honored with the Allen Figueroa Deck Award.