As we conclude the Christmas season with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Sunday, Jan. 11, it would be appropriate to recall that as a Diocese we proclaim in an ongoing way the Good News of the Savior’s love through the Eucharist, the sacraments, prayer and the pastoral ministry of the Church, and we strive to live out the Savior’s priorities of love, forgiveness, service and justice in our daily lives. In these ordinary ways, we carry out God’s design as disciples of Christ.

Diocesan statistics offer some insight into the deep faith of our Catholic people and the ordinary life of our Diocese and parishes. At the end of 2003, there were 520,301 registered Catholics, an increase of 10,202 over the previous year. Within the 20 counties served by the Diocese, about 18% of the population are registered Catholics. Their worship, prayer, and praise occurred in the heart of their faith communities — some 98 parishes, six Newman Centers and chaplaincies, and 42 missions. The miracle of faith transpires in the sacraments, through which people are drawn closer to God:

• 10,388 babies, children, and adults were baptized;

• Nearly 1,000 other people previously baptized converted to Catholicism;

• More than 7,000 people received First Holy Communion;

• 1,515 couples received the Sacrament of Marriage;

• Seven new priests were ordained;

• 27 additional permanent deacons were ordained;

• Three religious took their final vows.

Through various ministries and programs, the Church teaches, advocates, responds, and extends a healing hand to countless people:

• More than 14,000 students are enrolled in 54 Catholic schools (elementary and high school);

• More than 18,000 students are enrolled in parish religious education programs;

• Nearly 10,000 students participated in parish youth ministry;

• 36 seminarians are studying to be priests;

• More than 68,800 people received assistance through the Annual Catholic Appeal via our Catholic Charities’ agencies, which provide life-sustaining and educational opportunities;

• The Catholic Herald reached its highest circulation of more than 55,000 homes, while El Heraldo Catolico reached 18,000 homes;

• “The Bishop’s Hour” radio programming reaches 50,000 listeners daily and Catholic radio, in general, is flourishing.

Clearly, the Diocese has been blessed with many positive and encouraging accomplishments, even as we face new challenges and opportunities, including the serious commitment to protect children and young people.

In 2002, the people of this Diocese generously supported the Diocesan Capital Campaign, “Preserving Our Past, Building Our Future.” In 2003, their wonderful generosity became very real as pledges began to be redeemed and their gifts were applied to the following projects:

• Expansion of St. Francis High School and Bishop Quinn High School;

• Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament restoration;

• Construction of housing for retired priests;

• Construction of an additional Sacramento Food Bank Services Center in North Sacramento;

• Numerous parish construction projects;

• $1 million added to the Priests Retirement Trust;

• $1 million provided for social service ministries;

• Funding of the various educational and social service endowments will begin soon.

The continued commitment of all of you to honor your pledges by making timely payments is a sign of God’s grace at work and will enable us to fully fund the projects and purposes described in the campaign case statement. I am grateful to you and thank God for what you have already done and continue to do.

Every five years, bishops are required to make a formal visit to the Vatican to report on the condition of the Diocese. Next May, Bishop Garcia and I will make our next “ad limina” visit. It will include praying at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, meeting with the Holy Father and other Vatican officials, and submitting an extensive five-year report on the state of the Diocese.

On August 3, 2003, with the formal closing of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament for restoration, I also proclaimed the scheduling of a Diocesan Synod, the first since 1929. This solemn assembly of laity, clergy, and religious, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, will come together for prayer, dialogue, discernment, and to determine the priorities for the immediate future.

The significance of this solemn assembly, which will take place October 11-13, 2004, will become more evident in the months ahead. People from parishes throughout the Diocese have applied to be delegates and selections are being made of more than 200 of them. In preparation for the Synod, there will be opportunities for people to voice broad topics of concern during the spring of 2004, ultimately to define the topics of this crucial and monumental process in the history of our local Church.

At this important juncture, as a Diocese we pause to reflect on our rich history and traditions, our many blessings and opportunities, our present challenges and efforts to build up the Kingdom of God in Northern California. The Synod will summon us to meet, together, the challenges of a Church always in need of renewal and growth. Fittingly, the Synod theme is “Journeying Together in Christ.”

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