The Most Reverend
Jaime Soto

Ninth Bishop, Diocese of Sacramento

The Nativity Story

Our personal encounter with God

By Bishop Jaime Soto

In the Christmas saga of salvation, we meet an array of individuals: the innkeepers of Bethlehem, shepherds in the field, the magi from the East, King Herod and, of course, Mary and her husband, Joseph. To each of them came the unexpected visitation of the divine.

From hindsight we either marvel or moan over the response of each. How could the innkeepers of Bethlehem slam the door on the expectant mother of salvation during that cold winter’s night? What dark ambitions so embittered Herod’s heart to wickedly will the death of the innocent of Bethlehem? What did the shepherds say as they approached the humble family huddled around the manger? How did the Magi communicate their joyful amazement as they approached the startled young mother hugging close her infant child? Through it all, in what words and ways did Joseph and Mary support and care for one another as they nurtured the Wonder born to them?

Read the rest of Bishop Soto's Christmas message

Bishops to celebrate Christmas Masses

By Herald staff

Several Masses will be offered at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in downtown Sacramento for the Christmas season by Bishop Jaime Soto and retired bishops William K. Weigand and Francis A. Quinn of the Diocese of Sacramento.

The Masses during the season begin with the
Dec. 24 evening vigil and end on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord on Jan. 10. The Dec. 25 feast commemorates the birth of Christ.

Masses on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at the Cathedral are as follows:

5 p.m. Vigil Mass (Children’s Mass) in English with Bishop Emeritus Francis A. Quinn as presider.
7 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass of the solemnity of Christmas in Spanish with Bishop Emeritus William K. Weigand as presider.
9 p.m. Mass in English.

Masses on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, celebrated at the Cathedral are as follows:

12 a.m. Midnight Mass of Christmas in English with Bishop Jaime Soto presiding and the Cathedral choir (with musical prelude at 11:30 p.m.).
7:30 a.m. Mass in English.
9 a.m. Mass in English with Bishop Weigand as presider.
11 a.m. Mass of solemnity of Christmas with Bishop Soto as presider and the Cathedral choir providing music.
1 p.m. Mass of Christmas in Spanish.

For more information, call the Cathedral office at (916) 444-3071.

Link to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Web site

December 28

Procession, Mass on Feast of the Holy Innocents

The Catholics for Life organization invites families, members of the Knights of Columbus and youth groups to join a pro-life rosary procession and Mass in Sacramento led by priests of the diocese on the Feast of the Holy Innocents on Dec. 28. Participants will meet at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament at 11th and K Streets at 5 p.m. and walk to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 711 T St. for Mass at 6 p.m. Candles will be provided. Car shuttles will return participants to their cars following the Mass.

For more information, call (916) 791-1819.

Link to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Web site

Novena: Pray for an end to abortion and violence against children

By Bishop Jaime Soto

I invite the Catholic community in the Diocese of Sacramento to pray the Novena to the Holy Innocents. Let us together pray this novena starting on Dec. 19 and continuing up to Dec. 28.

The novena has three intentions:

For the President of the United States, all other elected officials and judges that they would recognize the humanity of every pre-born child and enact laws to defend them.
For our own conversion and that of others so that all would recognize and defend the life and dignity of the unborn.
Finally, that all innocent children, who are victimized in any way, would experience God’s love and mercy.

Read the rest of this story

Novena to the Holy Innocents

[Spanish] Novena to the Holy Innocents

Tell Congress: Remove abortion funding and mandates from needed health care reform

Stay apprised of the health care reform activity as debate continues. Contact your senators and make the moral case for genuine health care reform that will protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. Link to the USCCB's health care reform Web site below for more information, and to instantly email congress now!

Link to USCCB's health care reform Web site

Link to past article on the launch of USCCB's health care reform Web site

Holy days in 2009-2010 announced

The Office of Worship for the Diocese of Sacramento recently announced the holy days of obligation for the liturgical year 2009-2010. The holy days of obligation in Latin-rite Catholic usage are feasts on which Catholics are obliged to attend Mass.