The first event coming up is the 40 Days for Life vigil. Beginning Wednesday, 28 September 2016 there will be folks praying daily outside of Planned Parenthood on Commercenter off of Hospitality in San Bernardino. Planned Parenthood is right next door to the Pregnancy Counseling Center and across the street from Survivors (several young men from Survivors were manning the information tables after the Masses at Olive this past Sunday). The vigil lasts all day from 6am to 6pm each day until the 40th day on Sunday, 6 November. If you can’t commit to a timeslot, consider stopping by anytime you can and joining your voice in prayer for life. For more information go to 40daysforlife.com/san-bernardino.
The second event that will be happening in our diocese is the Year of Mercy Pilgrimage on Saturday, 1 October 2016. This Pilgrimage is to the seven Year of Mercy sites in our diocese. It begins at 6:30am at Our Lady of Guadalupe in San Bernardino and proceeds to a location in each of the vicariates in our diocese. An hour is spent at each site where there will be liturgies, prayers, or reflections. Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral is the last stop with Mass at 8:15p. If you cannot do all 7 sites (much driving is involved) please consider joining us for Mass at the Cathedral. You will be able to go through the Holy Door there and receive the plenary indulgences offered for going through any Holy Door anywhere in the world. As a side note, it was nice listening to what Holy Doors folks were able to visit over the summer. The Philippines was the furthest one I heard about, and even I was able to go through the Holy Doors in Fresno and Madera when I went up to visit Miss Martus over the summer. Please note that if you wish to receive the grace of the plenary indulgence the usual requirements must be met of going through the Holy Doors, making a profession of faith in the church, praying for the pope’s intentions, receiving communion while meditating on mercy and participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (the latter two can be done 20 days before or after the pilgrimage). For more information contact Deacon Mike Jelley ([email protected]).
As we move into the Fall season Cinema for the Soul is worth checking out. This month’s movie on Thursday, 22 September at 7pm, is The Letters. Miss Morrison picked this movie about Saint Mother Teresa to tie in with Mother Teresa’s recent canonization on 4 September. The movie in particular focuses on the dark night of the soul that she experienced during much of her religious life. Come join for the movie and discussion, or just stay for the movie if time is limited. Cinema for the Soul is upstairs in the parish hall youth room.
Lastly the September Five Minutes With Francis is available. This month we look at the beautiful scandal of divine mercy and our call to participate in it.
Thank you. Mrs. Alhadef