By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO—When Celia Zelaya Saravia’s son was diagnosed with autism, she looked into finding or creating a support group for families who have children with special needs.
From there Amigos Unidos was born. The ministry currently holds a monthly Mass in Spanish, helps families prepare their children to receive the Sacraments of Initiation and holds informational sessions.
By Amanda Alexander
SAN BERNARDINO—Beginning January 1, 2015 undocumented persons in California will be able to apply for a California driver license. AB 60, which was signed into law in October 2013 by Governor Brown, allows undocumented residents to legally drive in California if they can show documents proving California residency, complete the driver license application, pay the fee associated with the application, and pass the driving tests.
By Ana Garcia
SAN BERNARDINO—Nearly 600 ministry leaders, including pastors, parish staff and members of the Coordinator of Ministries Formation Program (CMFP) and Diaconate Formation Program, attended the Fall Pastoral Conference at the Diocesan Pastoral Center on October 17-18.
This year’s conference, themed “Becoming an Evangelizing Parish,” was led by two Paulist priests: Father Kenneth Boyak and Father Bruce Nieli, who both emphasized the importance of becoming “missionary disciples” in the Church.
By David C. Okonkwo
November is the month chosen by the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus to celebrate black people and their contribution to the Catholic Church in particular; approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
By Petra Alexander
In California’s cultural circles The Day of the Dead becomes clear.
People in makeup multiply, mixing color and creativity with skulls all around.
In antiquity, skulls and skeletons were a decoration proper of hermits and the most austere monks. A skull on their window or their desk reminded them daily that we will end up that way, and this let them live a temporary detachment under the principle: “Nothing goes with you when you die.”
By Marie Widmann
Adagio, slowly and quietly, the violin engages the audience, softly accompanied by the piano, revealing the story of Thais, the most alluring and worldly woman of 4th century Thebes, as told in French composer Jules Massenet’s opera. The much loved “Meditation” interlude reveals Thais’ struggle to reject her life of opulence and sin and to accept God and a life of grace.
