By Sister Mary Garascia, C.P.P.S

REDLANDS—Father Robert Spitzer, SJ, PhD, offered thought-provoking ideas on God’s creation of life at an April 23 talk at the University of Redlands co-sponsored by The Holy Name of Jesus Parish and Trinity Episcopal Church.

Using laws and theories of current physics and cosmology, Fr. Spitzer spoke about how science itself points to a time when there was nothing.  Then, since nothing truly is nothing, science cannot deduce something (the universe) from it; therefore science supports faith’s belief in a creator, Fr. Spitzer asserts.

RIVERSIDE—Father Celestine Mbanu, chaplain at Riverside County Regional Medical Center, was recognized by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors as the volunteer of the year at the regional medical center. 

By Van Hoang

PALM SPRINGS—On March 29 the Cursillo Movement of the Diocese of San Bernardino held its annual Evangelization Walk. During the Evangelization Walk, the different Cursillo cultural groups present in the Diocese—English, Spanish, Filipino and Vietnamese—followed in the footsteps of Saint Paul the Apostle in spreading Jesus Christ’s teachings.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA—More than 140 people gathered on April 24 at Sacred Heart Church in Rancho Cucamonga to meet and listen to candidates for the 31st District seat in the United States House of Representatives.

The 31st Congressional District stretches from Rancho Cucamonga through parts of Fontana, Rialto, and San Bernardino, and includes most of Redlands. Five of seven candidates to replace retiring Congressman Gary Miller attended the forum. Democrats Pete Aguilar, Joe Baca and Eloise Gomez-Reyes along with Republicans Paul Chabot and Ryan Downing participated in the candidate forum, which was co-sponsored by Sacred Heart and the Justice for Immigrants Coalition of Inland Southern California.

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.”