By Petra Alexander

 The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a direct road, without curves, that connects us with God’s mercy. 

SAN BERNARDINO—Renowned Catholic writer and speaker Father Ron Rolheiser, O.M.I., helped more than 230 priests and deacons prepare for the Year of Mercy when he facilitated the Clergy Day of Prayer on the subject Dec. 2 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in San Bernardino.

By Natalie Romano

RANCHO CUCAMONGA—“It’s glorious! It’s like getting married all over again.”

 But this time John Cruz didn’t put on a wedding ring. Instead he donned a sacred stole and became a deacon.

 Building a Mercy Cross, feeding and clothing the poor, making a pilgrimage, setting up a 24-hour confessional and organizing a Marian feast.

 These are just some of the activities expected in the Diocese of San Bernardino during the Year of Mercy, which begins on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8. The Diocese will begin the Jubilee with an Opening Mass celebrated by Bishop Gerald Barnes at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in San Bernardino on that day. 

SAN BERNARDINO—In the wake of California Governor Jerry Brown’s October 5 signing of a controversial bill that legalized physician assisted suicide, the Diocese of San Bernardino is part of a statewide effort to repeal the law through a voter referendum targeted for the November 2016 ballot.

 October saw the celebration of the annual Diocesan Red, Blue and White Masses to honor those in the legal, public safety and health care professions, respectively.

 The Masses are held to give Catholics in the Diocese an opportunity to show appreciation for and to pray for these three vocations of service to the public. They also serve as occasions for those in those professions to gather together in solidarity in a Catholic setting.