By David Okonkwo
RANCHO CUCAMONGA—On May 31, 200 people from the diocese gathered at Sacred Heart Church in Rancho Cucamonga to hold a prayer vigil for the more than 200 Nigerian school girls still missing after the large-scale kidnapping by the terrorist group Boko Haram in April. The abductions took place at the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Nigeria.
REDLANDS—Father Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I., known for his highly regarded books on spirituality, syndicated Catholic newspaper column, “In Exile,” and talks at the LA Religious Education Congress, led a retreat for priests in the Diocese of San Bernardino Apr. 28-May 2.
The theme of the retreat was “Naming the Present Moment: Searching for Nurturing Metaphors in a Time of Receding Transcendence.” It began with a reflection on the importance of Sabbath before focusing on the need to name the present moment of a spiritual journey, even if it is not positive. The final portion of the retreat invited the priests to “ponder, do priestly prayer for the world, and bless.”
By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO—Minutes before lining up and entering Our Lady of Hope in San Bernardino on the day of his Confirmation, Alberto Esparza was deep in conversation over what his future plans would be.
GRAND TERRACE—Pastoral Juvenil Young Adult Ministry Office in collaboration with the Vocations Office and the Office of Evangelization and Adult Faith Formation would like to invite all young adults ages 18 to 35 to attend “Hearts on Fire,” a two-day retreat filled with prayer, faith formation and spiritual renewal.
By Marie Widmann
MONTCLAIR—Father Scott Nguyen walked briskly the morning of May 17, sprinkling holy water passionately into every room—examination rooms, laboratories, operating rooms.
Sister Chilee Okoko, D.M.M.M., Director of the Diocesan Department of Life, Dignity and Justice, had to practically run to keep up with the Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, stopping with him every few minutes to refill the holy water. Fr. Nguyen blessed room after room, pausing at times to ask “Did I remember to bless that one?” and returning to make certain he had not missed a space.
By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO—Priests, deacons and diocesan seminarians participated in a workshop on domestic violence May 9 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. The workshop aimed to provide the clergy with tools to help build a healthy physical and mental community.
The workshop examined the cultural, psychological, legal and pastoral perspectives of domestic violence.
