By John Andrews
Editor

SAN BERNARDINO—In a strong move to boost enrollment in local Catholic schools and expand access to parochial education for those who have been unable to afford it, the Diocese of San Bernardino has established the Catholic Education Foundation.

 The Foundation has set a fundraising goal to generate about $3 million each year to help families pay tuition at one of the 26 Catholic schools in the diocese. Currently, the diocese offers about $150,000 each year in tuition assistance through an endowment fund.

SAN BERNARDINO—The Society of the Divine Word’s U.S. Western Province celebrated 50 years of service to Catholic communities in California with a Mass on May 28 at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral. 

 Priests serving throughout the Diocese of San Bernardino and in neighboring dioceses came to celebrate the anniversary of their province. The Mass highlighted the many cultures and countries served by the Divine Word Missionaries. 

By Van Hoang

LUCERNE VALLEY—On May 4, approximately 1,000 Vietnamese Catholics from across Southern California came to Saint Joseph Monastery, the most isolated location in Lucerne Valley, to attend Mass and to celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Joseph the Worker. The monastery is located in the middle of a foothill surrounded by two other foothills with higher elevation. A 33-foot cross was recently erected on top of the rocky hill where it can be seen miles away from the monastery. Tranquil is the best word to describe this place. 

By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO—Supporters, family and friends were treated to a free concert celebrating the release of Chris Estrella’s debut album “Re-Think” on April 11 at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino.

 The well-known diocesan musician was accompanied by members of the Chris Estrella Music Ministry, liturgical movement performers and notable musicians from the Diocese. 

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.”