‘Spiritual gym’ transforms lives| The Southern Cross
By Christina Bagaglio Slentz, Ph.D. When many think of St. Francis of Assisi, they think of his love for animals and the beauty of creation, which is fair, recognizing that he is the patron saint of ecology. Francis’ conversion moment comes, however, following his experience of war and imprisonment, when he encounters a leper, the... The post St. Francis and environmental vulnerability appeared first on The Southern Cross.| The Southern Cross
SAN DIEGO — The young adult group at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish has certainly come a long way. Natalie Valle, one of the group’s nine leaders, remembers what happened on Feb. 9, 2024, when the young adult group at the Barrio Logan parish tried to hold a kick-off event. “We had the biggest hall... The post Parish works to make young adults visible appeared first on The Southern Cross.| The Southern Cross
SAN DIEGO — Each year on the last week of September, the Catholic Church expresses solidarity with immigrants and refugees through prayer, accompaniment and advocacy. This year, however, the Church will observe the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on the weekend of Oct. 4 and 5 to coincide with the Jubilee of Migrants. This jubilee... The post Migrants are ‘messengers of hope’ appeared first on The Southern Cross.| The Southern Cross
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV asked Catholics to pray the rosary each day in October for peace. The pope made his request at the end of his weekly general audience Sept. 24 and the day after he said he had spoken again with the pastor of Holy Family Church in Gaza City, the only... The post Pope asks everyone to pray rosary for peace throughout October appeared first on The Southern Cross.| The Southern Cross
SAN DIEGO — It’s hard to believe that something so small could cause so much harm. But, during the 2024-2025 flu season, almost 40,000 people in San Diego County caught the flu virus, and 220 died from it, compared to 63 deaths the previous season. Flu season typically runs from October to May, with the highest... The post Diocese to help promote flu vaccination appeared first on The Southern Cross.| The Southern Cross
The post <i class="fal fa-camera"></i> ‘Spiritual gym’ transforms lives appeared first on The Southern Cross.| The Southern Cross
SAN DIEGO — Plans for a long-awaited Catholic cemetery for North County have just cleared a major hurdle. The San Diego County Planning Commission voted unanimously Aug. 22 to grant a major-use permit for the project. Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery will be built on an approximately 14.5-acre property in Vista. It will be the second diocesan... The post Catholic cemetery in North County approved appeared first on The Southern Cross.| The Southern Cross
SAN DIEGO — A basketball court at St. Rita’s School has been dedicated to the memory of an NBA legend. Bishop Michael Pham joined the school community Sept. 12 to bless the Bill Walton Basketball Court. The basketball court was added to the St. Rita’s campus as part of the school’s “Art, Play, Pray” project, an... The post NBA star ‘will inspire generations of kids’ appeared first on The Southern Cross.| The Southern Cross
SAN DIEGO — “What inspired you to take time away from family and daily life to guide and teach children and adults the faith?” Bishop Michael Pham asked around 320 catechists that question at the diocese’s Commissioning Mass, which was held on Sept. 11 at St. Catherine Labouré Church in San Diego. It was the... The post ‘You are sent to proclaim the Good News’ appeared first on The Southern Cross.| The Southern Cross
‘40 Days for Life’ campaign underway SAN DIEGO — The fall campaign of 40 Days for Life will run from Wednesday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 2. Held around the world, the campaign is an effort to protect the unborn through fasting and prayer, community outreach, and 40-day, round-the-clock prayer vigils on the public sidewalk...| The Southern Cross
OAKLAND, Calif. — “Love IRL: A Radiate Love Marriage Summit for Ministry Leaders” will be held on Friday, Sept. 26, at Christ the Light Cathedral in Oakland. Hosted by the California bishops, the special summit follows their one-year effort to celebrate marriage and family through their Radiate Love Initiative. Some 200 people, who minister to young...| The Southern Cross
SAN DIEGO — Bishop Michael Pham, of the Diocese of San Diego, recalled his arrival in the United States as a refugee as he celebrated an early morning Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral on World Refugee Day, June 20.| The Southern Cross
SAN DIEGO — “This is history in the making. We are becoming part of the history of something beautiful.” That’s how Gloria Morales-Palos, a co-chair of the San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP), described a new, interfaith ministry focused on having people of faith accompany migrants and asylum-seekers to their immigration hearings. FAITH, which stands for...| The Southern Cross
SAN DIEGO — The Force may not have been with Bishop Michael Pham on July 17. But the Holy Spirit certainly was. “You may be used to seeing a tall bishop and cardinal … but now, you can envision before you a shorter bishop, like Yoda in ‘Star Wars,’ getting ready to lead,” he said...| The Southern Cross
SAN DIEGO — Catholic Charities, in the Diocese of San Diego, continues to work on several fronts to support immigrant families, parishes and schools in the face of unprecedented actions from the federal government. Fulfilling its Gospel mission, the organization has provided emergency assistance to the most vulnerable in the community for more than a...| The Southern Cross
By Christina Bagaglio Slentz In May 2015, Pope Francis released his encyclical, “Laudato Si,” which highlights the gift of creation. Drawing from Scripture, tradition, and magisterial teachings of our faith, the encyclical frames the revelation of God’s love for us and calls us to healing action to respond to today’s environmental crisis. Pope Francis explains,...| The Southern Cross