on feast of our lady of lourdes

World Day of the Sick Mass offered Feb. 11 in Cathedral

The Diocese of Sacramento and the Order of Malta in the diocese will host a World Day of the Sick Mass on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, located at 1017 11^th St. in Sacramento.

All those suffering from a serious acute or chronic illness, or those in need of sacramental anointing and their caregivers are invited to participate in this day of prayer and celebration. Those receiving the anointing are asked to arrive by 9:30 a.m. for seating.

The liturgy, which honors Our Lady of Lourdes, will include a blessing of the assembly with water from the shrine at Lourdes, France, sacramental anointing of the sick and the celebration of the Eucharist. Bishop Jaime Soto will preside at the celebration.

Pope John Paul II created World Day of the Sick in February 1993 and it is celebrated annually on Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. In his message for the 2012 World Day of the Sick, released by the Vatican Jan. 3, Pope Benedict XVI said anointing of the sick is not a minor sacrament but “one that deserves greater consideration today” because of its spiritual benefits to both minister and recipient. Pope Benedict noted that the sacrament, formerly known as extreme unction, may be administered in “various human situations connected with illness, and not only when a person is at the end of his or her life.”

The Sacramento location of the Order of Malta is bringing this opportunity to many people in the diocese in need of healing. The Order of Malta provides medical, social care and humanitarian aid in more than 110 countries around the world and has a long history with Lourdes, France.

Link to the website of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

Link to the website of the Order of Malta

collection in parishes Feb. 11-12

Annual Catholic Appeal supports social services, seminarians and Catholic education in diocese

Approximately 100,000 Catholic households in the diocese have received advance notice of the 2012 Annual Catholic Appeal through a brochure and envelope sent to them by The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Sacramento. The weekend for the Annual Catholic Appeal collection in parishes is Feb. 11-12.

“I would like to express my gratitude for your heartfelt and continued response to those who come to the doors of our parishes, schools and social service organizations looking for hope and a hand up,” says Bishop Jaime Soto in a letter to donors.

Generous contributions to last year’s appeal from more than 21,000 donor households totaled more than $3.2 million. Contributions helped social service programs assist the ever-growing numbers of those overwhelmed with challenges to provide basic necessities for their families; helped families apply for tuition assistance so their children could have a Catholic education; helped seminarians devote themselves fully to their studies as they prepare to serve as our priests; and assisted parishes to provide for a wide array of local community needs.

At Masses throughout the diocese on the appeal commitment weekend, parishioners will view a DVD (in English and Spanish -- see link below or on logo above to view video) featuring Bishop Soto and other parish and charities’ leaders, as well as some of the people who are helped by programs that the Annual Catholic Appeal partially supports. The appeal will help fund more than 20 different charitable organizations, which operate more than 100 different social service programs.

Twenty-five percent of gross receipts will be returned to the 104 parishes in the diocese for their local social service ministries. Fifty percent of the net proceeds will go to social service programs. The remaining 25 percent will support seminarians’ education and the diocesan needs-based assistance fund for families desiring a Catholic school education for their children but cannot afford it.

In response to the needs of the diocesan community, Bishop Soto asks that all parishioners participate in the Annual Catholic Appeal. Donors may make a one-time gift or a pledge to be billed monthly over nine months, or charge the gift to their credit card. They can also authorize an automatic payment from their checking or savings account. For more information about the Annual Catholic Appeal, call (916) 733-0266 or visit the link below to www.tcfsac.org.

Link to the website of The Catholic Foundation to watch the 2012 Annual Catholic Appeal video

couples may renew their vows

Bishop Soto to preside at Mass for World Marriage Day on Feb. 25 at Cathedral

Bishop Jaime Soto will preside at a special 11 a.m. Mass on Saturday, Feb. 25 in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento to celebrate World Marriage Day. During the Mass, married couples will have an opportunity to renew their marriage vows and receive a special blessing. The Cathedral is located at 1017 11th St.

An informal reception for couples and their families will follow the Mass. Special certificates will be distributed at the reception honoring couples celebrating milestone anniversaries (10, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more than 50 years). Any couple interested in attending this free event is asked to register (names and anniversary year) with the diocese’s Department of Evangelization and Catechesis at (916) 733-0123 or at www.sacwmd.com at the link below. This event is co-sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

The theme of World Marriage Day is “Love One Another.” The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offers numerous online resources at the U.S. bishops’ website for strengthening and supporting marriage at www.foryourmarriage.org and its Spanish counterpart, www.portumatrimonio.org. The website offers practical information and resources for married and engaged couples and people in serious dating relationships. In addition to articles about all stages of married life, the website features a daily marriage tip, blogs, quizzes, book reviews and marriage in the news.

Link to the USCCB website of Marriage: Unique for a Reason

Link to the USCCB website, For Your Marriage

Link to the USCCB website, Por Tu Matrimonio

God-Centered discussions

Mother-daughter programs offered in English and Spanish at various locations

The Diocese of Sacramento is offering programs to help mothers discuss the subject of puberty and fertility with their 10 to 12-year-old and 13 to 16-year-old daughters.

These programs have been offered in dozens of dioceses nationwide, “helping thousands of mothers and daughters have healthy, wholesome, and God-centered discussions about the sometimes challenging transition from being a girl to being a woman,” says Steve Patton, associate director for family and respect life ministries in the diocese's Department of Evangelization and Catechesis.

The three-hour program “Tweens” program will be offered six times – four in English and two in Spanish – at the following locations:

-- Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (English) at Our Divine Savior Parish, located at 566 E. Lassen Ave. in Chico and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Spanish) at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, located at 711 T Street in Sacramento.

-- Sunday, Feb. 19 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (English) at St. Joseph School, located at 2460 Gold St. in Redding.

-- Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (English) at Presentation School, located at 3100 Norris Ave. in Sacramento.

-- Sunday, April 15 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (English) at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, located at 3450 Tennessee St. in Vallejo.

-- Sunday, April 22 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Spanish) at St. Joseph Parish, located at the corner of Seventh and C Streets in Marysville.

The four-hour “Teens” program will be offered three times – two in English and one in Spanish – at the following locations:

-- Saturday, Feb. 18 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (English) at Our Divine Savior Parish, located at 566 E. Lassen Ave. in Chico.

-- Saturday, March 31 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Spanish) at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, located at 711 T Street in Sacramento.

-- Saturday, April 14 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (English) at Presentation School, located at 3100 Norris Ave. in Sacramento.

The cost is $20 per family, which includes drinks, prizes and ice cream sundaes from Leatherby’s Family Creamery. Reservations are required to attend. To register by mail or for more information, contact Steve Patton at (916) 733-0133 or e-mail to spatton@diocese-sacramento.org. Visit the link below to register online. All registrations must be received by the Monday before the event date. Confirmation of your reservation will be sent by e-mail or postcard.

Link to www.motherdaughterprogram.com to register online and review program content

Link to www.progamademadrehija.com to register online in Spanish and review program content

Link to more information about the Mother-Daughter Program

Matter of freedom of religion

Bishop Soto asks faithful to oppose HHS decision on employees' health coverage

Bishop Jaime Soto released a letter Jan. 25 to the faithful of the Diocese of Sacramento in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ decision Jan. 20 that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees’ health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs and contraception.

“Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those ‘services’ in the health policies they write,” Bishop Soto said. “And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as part of their policies.”

In its decision Jan. 20, the Obama administration turned down repeated requests from Catholic bishops, hospitals, schools and charitable organizations to revise its religious exemption to the requirement that all health plans cover contraceptives and sterilization free of charge. Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced that nonprofit groups that do not provide contraceptive and sterilization coverage because of their religious beliefs will get an additional year "to adapt to this new rule."

Bishop Soto asked the faithful to do two things. First, as a community of faith, “we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting so that wisdom and justice may prevail and religious liberty may be restored.” Second, he asked the faithful to visit the website, www.usccb.org/conscience, to “learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the administration’s decision.”

The bishop said “this is an alarming matter that negatively impacts the church in the United States directly. It strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be ‘of, by and for the people,’ has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people – the Catholic population – and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.”

Link to read the entire text of Bishop Jaime Soto's Jan. 25 letter in English

Link to read the entire text of Bishop Jaime Soto's Jan. 25 letter in Spanish

Link to www.usccb.org/conscience or more information and how to contact Congress

healing after abortion

Rachel's Vineyard retreat

offered on March 2-4

Is someone you know suffering after an abortion, perhaps years after the choice? The Diocese of Sacramento’s respect life ministry will offer a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat March 2-4 in Auburn.

The retreat is an opportunity for healing for any person who has struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion.

This unique, effective experience of the mercy and compassion of God is extremely helpful for those who struggle with feelings of shame, anger or grief, and for those who have not forgiven themselves or others. The retreat is open to women, men, couples and family members touched by abortion.

The cost is $175 per person. Financial assistance is available. For a registration packet or more information, call Annette at (916) 733-0161 or send an e-mail inquiry to projectrachel@diocese-sacramento.org. Inquiries and participation are strictly confidential.

Link to more information about respect life ministries in the Diocese of Sacramento

expanding its services to community

Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services opens new education, technology center

Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services hosted a celebration Jan. 24 for the opening of its new $3.5 million building that will expand educational services to the more than 15,000 Sacramento-area families the organization serves each month. The new facility will open for client education classes on Feb. 21.

The new 22,500-square-foot building, located at 3308 Third Ave. in the Oak Park neighborhood across the street from SFBF Services’ current facility, expands adult education, parent education (formerly the Mother-Baby program) and youth education (formerly Computer Clubhouse, Youth Academy and PlayCare programs) programs, which had reached capacity in the current location.

The new two-story center has 11 classrooms and 120 computers. Funding came from a loan from the Diocese of Sacramento, along with county and federal grants. The center also received a $100,000 grant from the State Street Foundation for computers. Bishop Jaime Soto and Bishop Emeritus William K. Weigand participated in the Jan. 24 event. The food bank will rely on the continued generous donations from the community to operate all of its programs.

As a result of the additional classrooms and for the first time ever, SFBFS has the space to divide groups based on learning levels for English, technology and parenting classes. In addition, a 5,000-square-foot recreation area for children in youth education provides a safe and secure place to play.

Adjacent to the new center, a 7,600-square-foot demonstration garden will allow food bank clients and volunteers to grow fresh produce year-round to be used to feed people and teach children and adults about gardening and healthy eating.

Link to website of Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services

'engage the digital continent

with the power of the gospel'

New media workshops offered on Feb. 29 and March 28

The Department of Evangelization and Catechesis of the diocese will host two new media workshops on Feb. 29 and March 28, leading up to Diocesan Communications Day on Thursday, April 19. All workshops are free.

These events are designed specifically for clergy and lay leadership. “My hope is the content of these workshops and the Diocesan Communications Day will empower our parishes to engage the digital continent with the power of the Gospel,” says Bishop Jaime Soto. “I invite all parish staff and leadership to attend these offerings. I believe you will come away enriched with new ideas, resources and tools to more effectively minister to those the Lord Jesus has placed under our care.”

The Feb. 29 and March 28 workshops will be offered at the Diocesan Pastoral Center at 2110 Braodway in Sacramento as well as four other locations simultaneously utilizing the diocese’s new HD video conferencing system. The additional locations are Holy Spirit Parish, located at 1050 N. Texas St. in Fairfield; Our Lady of Mercy Parish, located at 2600 Shasta View Dr. in Redding; Our Divine Savior Parish, located at 566 E. Lassen Ave. in Chico; and Saints Peter and Paul Parish, located at 4450 Granite Dr. in Rocklin.

The Feb. 29 workshop is titled “Using Facebook Effectively” and will be offered at all five locations from 10 a.m. to noon or 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will include a hands-on demonstration of Facebook and its numerous features, and cover topics including account security, privacy settings and Facebook page creation.

The March 28 workshop is titled “Create and Manage a Blog” and will be offered at all five locations from 10 a.m. to noon or 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will show how parish leaders can evangelize, catechize and engage their audience through effective blogging. Participants will set up a blog, embed video, provide a “feed” and administer comments.

Use the link below to register online for the workshops at www.sacnewmedia.com.

Link to www.sacnewmedia.com to RSVP for the new media workshops

View and print a flyer on new media workshops and Diocesan Communications Day on April 19

feast of the presentation

World Day for Consecrated Life observed Feb. 4-5

The 16th annual World Day for Consecrated Life will be observed in parishes in the United States and across the Diocese of Sacramento on the weekend of February 4-5.

The annual celebration was established by Pope John Paul II in 1997, to be marked each year on Feb. 2, the Feast of the Presentation.

The U.S. bishops voted to observe the occasion the weekend following the feast, to highlight men and women religious in consecrated life as part of weekend Mass celebrations and to enable expressions of appreciation for the service of those who have chosen the consecrated life and to pray for an increase of vocations.

The church recognizes several forms of consecrated life, said Father Shawn McKnight, executive director of the Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations at the USCCB. “All who embrace the consecrated life promise poverty, chastity and obedience,” he said. “Religious priests, sisters and brothers live and pray in community, and they serve the Church in apostolic service or are wholly devoted to contemplation. Members of secular institutes fulfill their promises living within, not apart from, the world. Consecrated virgins, who are consecrated by the diocesan bishop, also serve the Church while remaining within the world, and hermits observe separation from the world in solitude, prayer and penance.”

In photo above, Sister of Social Service Jeanne Felion has served for the past 35 years as executive director of Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center in Sacramento. The Sisters of Social Service are celebrating 75 years of service in the Diocese of Sacramento.

Link to the USCCB website for resources for World Day for Consecrated Life

Link to more information about vocations and religious life from the Diocese of Sacramento

at the California Museum

'Catholic Sisters in America' exhibit open in Sacramento

The “Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America” exhibit is currently showing at The California Museum in Sacramento. The expansive exhibit premiered two years ago at the Cincinnati Museum Center, followed by stops at The S. Dillon Ripley Gallery at the Smithsonian, Ellis Island, and numerous other venues.

“This exhibit offers a piece of our American heritage puzzle that is rarely shared,” says Sister Gladys Guenther, congregational president of the Holy Family Sisters in Fremont, and chair of the exhibit communications committee. “Women religious have made tremendous contributions to the social and cultural traditions of our country and many are showcased in this exhibit.”

Defining moments in the nation’s history such as the Gold Rush, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and Civil Rights Movement are revealed through the eyes of the sisters who lived through the events. More than 70 artifacts from over 400 communities of women religious are on display. Items include a letter from Thomas Jefferson to Ursuline Sister Xavier Farjon assuring religious freedom following the Louisiana Purchase; and a Civil War nurse’s bag used by Sister Anthony O’Connell, SC, who nursed both Union and Confederate soldiers.

The exhibit is sponsored by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in association with the Cincinnati Museum Center. The LCWR is an association of leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States. The membership comprises representatives from about 95 percent of women religious nationwide.

An all-new installation was created for the final showing of this two-year touring exhibition at the California Museum and highlights the history of California sisters, who first arrived in San Francisco in 1851. the collection of new artifacts, many of which have never publicly displayed before, includes the charter for Notre Dame University, courtesy of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and the baptismal certificate of Concepcion Arguello, the first Californian-born woman to become a nun, courtesy of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael.

The exhibit runs through June 3 at the museum, located at 1020 O St. in Sacramento. School and parish groups are encouraged to sign up for group tours. Admission to the exhibit is $8.50 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, and $6 for ages 6-13. For tickets call (916) 654-1729. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Link to the website of the "Women & Spirit" exhibit for more information

Link to the website of The California Museum for more information

proposals for Nov. general election

California bishops support family and life initiatives; Bishop Soto asks signature gathering in parishes on Sundays, Feb. 19 and 26

Bishop Jaime Soto, in a statement dated Jan. 13, said he is joining with the Catholic bishops of California to endorse two initiatives proposed for the November 2012 general election:

-- The Parental Notification Initiative will respect parents’ right to be informed about the welfare of their daughters. The initiative will require doctors to notify parents 48 hours prior to an abortion on their minor daughter. “This is common sense,” the bishop said. “It is good social policy.”

-- The SAFE CALIFORNIA Initiative will replace the use of the death penalty for a capital crime with the penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. “The use of the death penalty in California is unnecessary, impractical and expensive,” the bishop noted.

“The Catholic community opposes the practice of abortion,” Bishop Soto said. “The Parental Notification Initiative helps all parents bring their values to the exercise of their proper responsibility to teach and care for their children.

“The dignity of the human person is foundational to all morality,” he added. “As Catholics we work to ensure this principle permeates all social policy, even in the prosecution of those who have caused grave harm to the community. The SAFE CALIFORNIA Initiative will help bring this vital moral value to the exercise of justice in California, giving us prudent and practical means to ensure the safety of our communities.”

Both initiatives require signature gathering in order to qualify for the November general election ballot. The bishop noted that normally the state’s Catholic bishops do not take a position on an initiative until it qualifies, but they are making an exception in the case of these two initiatives.

Bishop Soto asks that the gathering of signatures for these initiatives take place at parishes in the diocese on the Sundays of Feb. 19 and Feb. 26. Only parishioners are to be involved in the gathering of signatures on parish property and only material approved by the bishop’s office may be distributed on parish property. Besides these two dates for signature gathering at parishes, the bishop said he encourages the Catholic faithful to actively participate in the collection of signatures at public locations.

Read the full text in English of Bishop Jaime Soto's statement on family and life initiatives

Read the full text in Spanish of Bishop Jaime Soto's statement on family and life initiatives

Read the text of the CA Catholic Conference's statement supporting life and family initiatives

Link to read and download a flyer supporting the Parental Notification Initiative

Link to read and download a flyer supporting the SAFE CALIFORNIA Initiative

Link to the website of the California Catholic Conference for more information

promoting a culture of life

Retreat offered on Saturday, Feb. 11 for the pro-life community in diocese

The respect life office of the Diocese of Sacramento will offer a retreat on Saturday, Feb. 11 for all who are actively engaged in promoting a culture of life.

The retreat is offered for persons who are engaged in any pro-life ministry, such as sidewalk counselors, life center staff or volunteers, parish respect life volunteers or Rachel’s Vineyard team members. The retreat is limited to the first 100 registrants.

Father Patrick Lee, a retired priest of the diocese and a leader in the pro-life movement, will lead the retreat, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mercy Center, located at 535 Sacramento St. in Auburn. The cost is $30 per person, which includes morning hospitality and lunch. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and a vigil Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m.

The retreat will serve as a means of personal rejuvenation and fellowship with others who share in the same important pro-life work, according to Steve Patton, associate director for respect life and family life ministries of the diocese. For more information, call Patton at (916) 733-0133 or send an e-mail inquiry to spatton@diocese-sacramento.org. To register online, visit the link below.

Link to register online at www.feb11.info

Link to more information about the day retreat for the pro-life community of the diocese

A peaceful, prayerful ministry

40 Days for Life campaign

of prayer during Lent to

end abortion begins Feb. 22

From Feb. 22 to April 1, Catholics throughout the Diocese of Sacramento will join with people of faith across the nation for a Lenten ecumenical campaign called “40 Days for Life.”

It will be held in the Sacramento area where participants will aim to end abortion through prayer, fasting, outreach and vigils. The life-saving, peaceful and prayerful ministry is endorsed by Bishop Jaime Soto.

This will be Sacramento’s 10^th 40 Days for Life vigil, while Redding, Chico, Yuba City, Reno/Tahoe, Vacaville, Fairfield and over 300 cities around the world have also participated.

During a “40 Days for Life” campaign, members of the community offer peaceful prayer outside a local abortion business for a total of 40 days, “compassionately helping women who are facing the challenges of an unexpected pregnancy with whatever they might need so that they are better able to choose life for their unborn children,” according to Wynette Sills, spokeswoman for the Sacramento 40 Days for Life campaign. “We also offer post-abortion healing to anyone who has been hurt by this very painful choice.”

The Lenten vigil will be located at the public sidewalk in front of a local abortion business at 1750 Wright St. in Sacramento, located near the corner of Wright Street and Alta Arden. Christians will be praying there and offering women assistance Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bishop Jaime Soto will celebrate the opening Mass for “40 Days for Life” on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. in St. Philomene Church, located at 2428 Bell St. in Sacramento. Several priests of the diocese will concelebrate the Mass. The pro-life rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. For information about 40 Days for Life, visit the link below to www.40daysforlife.com/sacramento or call Wynette Sills at (916) 955-1577.

Link to the website of 40 Days for Life for more information

digital edition on website

January-February issue of Catholic Herald Magazine is

published, with the theme

of Catholic education

The January-February issue of Catholic Herald Magazine, the magazine of the Diocese of Sacramento, has been published. The digital edition is available on the upper right margin of this website or at the image to the left of this story.

The theme of the January-February issue is Catholic education and faith formation, including a cover story on Brita Willis and Jamel Nicholas. Brita and Jamel are involved in two specialized graduate teacher education programs and are devoted to Catholic education as a meaningful vocation. They teach at Holy Cross College Preparatory Academy in West Sacramento and at St. Joseph School in Sacramento.

Other feature stories include a conversation with Marion Bishop, who is retiring as president of St. Francis High School in Sacramento; a feature story on Bishop Emeritus Francis A. Quinn, reflecting on his 65 years of priesthood and nine decades of life; how Father Francisco Hernandez-Gomez as vocations director for the diocese cultivates a climate of vocations awareness; a feature story on Barbara Genera, principal of Our Lady of Lourdes School in Colusa, who has influenced thousands of students over more than three decades; a feature story on students at Cristo Rey High School in Sacramento and how their work experience will pay off in college dreams and deeper faith; how “every day, every year” is different for longtime educator, Marsha Taricco, of Sacred Heart School in Sacramento; and a feature story on how first generation immigrants from India, members of St. Clare Parish in Roseville, continue their tradition of family catechesis.

Bishop Jaime Soto is publisher of the magazine, which is published seven times each year and includes moving faith stories and high-quality photography about Catholics in the diocese as well as news and events of the local church. Individual faith stories are the cornerstone of Catholic Herald Magazine and columns also explore the Catholic faith and educate about the teachings of the church. To subscribe for $15 per year, call (916) 733-0266 or send an e-mail inquiry to heraldcirculation@diocese-sacramento.org.

Link to more information about Catholic Herald Magazine -- 2012 issue themes and deadlines

Link to the website of Catholic Herald Magazine

Black History Month essay contest open to high school students; deadline is Feb. 10

All Catholic high school students through the diocese have the opportunity to enter a Black History Month essay contest sponsored by the diocese’s Black Catholic Council.

The essay contest is open to all Catholic high school students in the diocese and high school students who actively participate in parish youth programs. Three winners will be selected and notified by mail. Prizes will be given of $200, $100 and $75.

Students can select from one of several essay topics dealing with: what is your point of view on “Tebowing”; black Catholic leaders in the United States; and the role of joy in the lives of young Catholics.

Each student may enter only one essay and essays should be no longer than 1,000 words. Entries must be received by Feb. 10. Entries must be mailed to bcc@diocese-sacramento.org or Charlene_har@msn.com or mailed to Charlene Harris, Diocesan Pastoral Center, 2110 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95818.

For more information, see the link to the flyer below or call Charlene Harris at (916) 733-0160 or send an e-mail inquiry to bcc@diocese-sacramento.org.

Link to more information and rules/guidelines for the Black History Month Essay Contest

Live sessions and online program

Diocese offers Ministry Basic Training in English and Spanish at regional locations

The Diocese of Sacramento's Department of Evangelization and Catechesis is offering Ministry Basic Training in English and Spanish in 2011-12, a program open to all Catholic adults who want to learn more about their faith, and all parish ministers who would like to be more competent and confident in their parish ministries.

The Ministry Basic Training sessions can also be used to be certified as a basic catechist or to renew basic catechist certification.

Sessions are offered in Spanish on select Saturdays through May at four locations: St. Mary Parish in Vacaville, St. Isidore Parish in Yuba City, Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Redding and the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Sacramento. Sessions are offered in English at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Sacramento. Sessions will include a retreat on April 14 in Yuba City and specialized training in specific areas (such as K-8 faith formation, youth ministry, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, marriage preparation, respect life, liturgy and new media evangelization).

In addition to the in-person program at the four locations, the diocese also offers an online program that includes all sessions except the retreat and specialization sessions.

The cost is $20 per class. Registration and more information are available online at the link below to MinistryBasicTraining.com. For more information, call (916) 733-0123.

Link to more information and to register online for Ministry Basic Training

contributing to the public dialogue

U.S. bishops reaffirm forming consciences for faithful citizenship as guiding teaching in political life

In advance of the 2012 elections, the U.S. bishops have reaffirmed their 2007 document, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," in this coming election cycle and beyond, as the “continuing teaching of our bishops’ conference and our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy,” they said.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), joined the chairs of nine USCCB committees, including Bishop Jaime Soto, in offering an introductory note to the document. Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship was approved overwhelmingly by the U.S. bishops in 2007. Bishop Soto is chairman of the USCCB committee on cultural diversity in the church.

“We urge our Catholic pastors and people to continue to use this important statement to help them form their consciences, to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue, and to shape their choices in the coming election in the light of Catholic teaching,” the bishops wrote. “It does not offer a voter’s guide, scorecard of issues or direction on how to vote. It applies Catholic moral principles to a range of important issues and warns against misguided appeals to ‘conscience’ to ignore fundamental moral claims, to reduce Catholic moral concerns to one or two matters, or to justify choices simply to advance partisan, ideological or personal interests.”

Link to website for Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship and to read the text of the document with the new introductory note

Link to the website of www.faithfulcitizenship.org for more information and resources

new online course for catechists

'Catechesis 101' now offered to give catechists a solid foundation for their ministry

The diocese’s Department of Evangelization and Catechesis has developed “Catechesis 101,” an innovative eight-lesson online course designed to give catechists a solid foundation for their ministry. The course is now available.

The course was designed for anyone engaged in the work of catechesis: K-8 faith formation, youth ministry, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, marriage preparation, sacramental preparation and any other form of catechesis. All eight lessons contain beautiful, high quality video with music and instruction to enrich the learning experience.

In the Diocese of Sacramento, all catechists are required to be working toward obtaining or renewing their California catechist certificate. This course fulfills the content requirement of “The Nature of Catechesis and Catechetical Methodology.”

To access this and other courses, visit the link below to www.CatholicClass.org. The cost is $29. More information is also available by calling 1-866-981-8964.

Link to www.CatholicClass.org to sign up online

'faith foundations'

Diocese offering online course to fulfill most of coursework requirements

for catechist certificate

The Diocese of Sacramento, in partnership with My Catholic Faith Delivered™, is offering a 28-lesson online course called “Faith Foundations.”

This interactive online course fulfills most of the coursework requirements for one's catechist certification. It may also be taken by anyone simply to grow in one's own Catholic faith.

Students learn at their own pace, on their own time, from the comfort of their home or office. Lessons are enhanced by audio, video, links, assessment, reflection and online discussion. The cost is only $59 for all 28 lessons! The course grants completion credits for four areas: profession of faith, Christian mystery, Life in Christ and Christian prayer.

Other "mini-courses" are also available: a 12-lesson course that grants completion credit for profession of faith for $35; an eight-lesson course that grants completion credit for celebration of the Christian mystery for $35; and an eight-lesson course that grants completion credit for Life in Christ for $35. Coming Sept. 1 will be an eight-lesson course that grants completion credit for the nature of catechesis. To learn more about this course, visit www.Catechesis101.com.

If you have any questions about why or how to be certified or what other formation opportunities are available, speak with your parish catechetical coordinator. To sign up today online for "Faith Foundations," visit the link below to www.CatholicClass.org.

Watch an introductory video

Link to informational flyer about 'Faith Foundations'

Link to www.CatholicClass.org to sign up online

follow us on twitter

Want to receive timely news from the Sacramento Diocese on your mobile phone?

You can now receive the latest news from the Diocese of Sacramento on your mobile phone. Simply text “follow saccatholic” to 40404. This service is provided free of charge by Twitter.

Be sure to add 40404 to your contacts list under the name “Twitter.” Then, whenever you receive news via SMA text message on your phone, you’ll see something like this: “Twitter: saccatholic: Bishop Soto to preside at Ash Wednesday liturgies on March 9" or "Twitter: saccatholic: Bishop will ordain three new priests next week at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament."

searchable Pdf on this website

2011 edition of the Diocese

of Sacramento Directory is

available for purchase

The 2011 edition of the Diocese of Sacramento Directory is available for purchase.

The directory contains contact information for all parishes, schools, diocesan offices and institutions and agencies of the diocese. The directory also contains listings for all priests, deacons and men and women religious.

A searchable PDF of the 2011 diocesan directory is available on this website (see right hand navigation margin). Here you can search all content in the directory. The diocese is pleased to provide this to website users to replace the previously-published newsprint version of the directory that was formerly distributed in bulk to the parishes in the diocese.

Copies of the directory may be purchased by using the link to the PDF form below. If you wish to order, print out the form with your requested order and mail it in with your payment. The suggested donation per book is $12.50 ($8 plus $4.50 for postage and handling). You may pay $8 per book (and avoid the postage and handling fee) by picking up your directory order at the Diocesan Pastoral Center at 2110 Broadway in Sacramento from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Only orders with payment by check or money order payable to the Diocese of Sacramento will be processed.

Link to the order form to download and print to purchase the 2011 diocesan directory

report on causes and context of clergy sexual abuse of minors addresses several misperceptions about abuse, reports no single cause or predictor

According to a long-awaited report on the causes and context of sexual abuse by priests in the United States released May 18, because potential sexual abusers of minors cannot be pinpointed through “identifiable psychological characteristics,” it is “very important” to prevent abuse by limiting the “situational factors” associated with it. The report, released at a press conference in Washington, D.C., said there is “no single identifiable ‘cause’ of sexually abusive behavior toward minors.” It encouraged steps to deny abusers “the opportunity to abuse.” The report is titled “The Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests in the United States, 1950-2010.” It reports the findings of a study mandated in 2002 under the U.S. Catholic bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.”

Link to read the story from Catholic News Service about John Jay investigator criticizes bad reporting about abuse report

Link to Child and Youth Protection and Pastoral Care resources in the Diocese of Sacramento

Link to the full text of the report

Link to the press release from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

OTHER NEWS & UPDATES