“Our event that evening will acknowledge the men and women who genuinely care for people in need not only during a crisis, but during the emergency situations of everyday life,” said Theresa Montminy, Director of Mission Advancement for the Diocese and the coordinator of the event. “No matter what the crisis or how painful the experience, we do not want to lose hope; that truly would be a second disaster.”
There was a strong connection to Catholic schools among the victims from the December 2 attack at the Inland Regional Center. Damian Meins was a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Riverside and recently taught art and physical education at nearby St. Catherine of Alexandria School. His wife, Trenna, is the Principal of Sacred Heart School in Rancho Cucamonga. Another victim, Harry Bowman, had taught eighth grade at Sacred Heart Academy in Redlands during the 2011-2012 school year.
In honor of their service, the funds raised from the Bishop’s Dinner this year will go toward the Catholic Educational Foundation of the Diocese, which provides scholarship monies for Catholic school attendance.
The theme for the dinner is: “In this Year of Mercy, be a light of hope.” When Pope Francis introduced the Year of Mercy, he wrote: “ Mercy is the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life.” The corporal works of mercy call us to respond when our brothers and sisters are in need.”
In his Pastoral Letter on the Year of Mercy, Bishop Gerald Barnes wrote, “the work of our communities is to identify in our local reality those who are marginalized and to offer them the oil of consolation and the bandages of mercy.”
This year, Bishop Barnes has selected the following honorees for his 2016 Amar Es Entregarse Award who have proven to be true lights of mercy and hope: Martha’s Village, Mary’s Table, Veronica’s Home of Mercy (I and II), Catholic Charities San Bernardino-Riverside, Lestonnac Free Clinic, and the Oblatas de Santa Marta religious community. There will be further information on the honorees in the March issue of the BYTE.
The Dinner will take place at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort. The evening activities begin with a reception from 5-6 pm, followed by dinner and the Amar Es Entregarse Awards from 6-9 pm, and close with dancing until midnight.
Registration for the Bishop’s Dinner is available through the Mission Advancement Office at 909-475-5460.