By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO—The Diocesan Office of Asian-Pacific Ministry will hold its annual Asian-Pacific Ministry Conference, a day of spiritual enrichment for the Asian-Pacific communities present within the diocese. 

The day-long conference, to be held May 24 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in San Bernardino, will focus on “Living the Spirit of the Gospel.”  The topics will be based on the four core values of the Diocese: faith sharing, reconciliation, collaboration and hospitality. 

By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO—Doris Pacheco was suffering from depression because of a multitude of troubles in her life. The combination of economic stress, health issues and family conflict left her with a feeling of hopelessness. 

 She says she found relief after joining her parish’s Charismatic prayer group.

 “I believe through my faith, I was able to survive those difficult moments,” Pacheco said. “It was through the support of the prayer group.”

The Diocese is blessed with many seminarians but faces the steep cost of preparing them for the priesthood

SAN BERNARDINO—Every September when Bishop Gerald Barnes announces the newest group of diocesan seminarians, there is cause for celebration.

 But it also initiates some number crunching to make it work financially.

By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer

ROME—Among the millions expected to flood Rome for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, a small delegation sporting Blessed John XXIII parish t-shirts will be among those representing the Diocese of San Bernardino. 

 Attending the canonization will be particularly special for this group as it means the elevation of their parish’s patron from Blessed to Saint. 

By Marie Widmann

 The darkness is intense at 4 a.m. as the large truck rolls into the parking lot of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, completing its journey from the Los Angeles wholesale floral district. Several brave souls from the Knights of Columbus greet the young driver and over the course of an hour they remove large crates from the truck. The men stack the crates according to the treasures they contain: ferns, baby’s breath, red roses and roses of all other shades. 

SAN BERNARDINO—In a letter read at Masses March 15-16 Bishop Gerald Barnes encouraged those without health insurance to sign up for it before the March 31 deadline to comply with the federal Affordable Care Act.

 Bishop Barnes said he was especially concerned about reports of low enrollment among Hispanics in San Bernardino and Riverside counties and wanted to clarify the position of the Church on the controversial law.