Cardinal Ribat leads the Archdiocese of Port Moresby, the largest of 19 dioceses that serve Papua New Guinea. Every day he says he encounters families who are losing their livelihood or even their home to the effects of rising sea levels in their island community. Climate change is not a concept or a debatable point in Cardinal Ribat’s part of the world.
Confirmation season is here!
By María G. Covarrubias
Every year during the Easter season, children, youth and adults gather to receive the Sacraments of initiation within the Christian community. Sacraments are instruments of grace; Sacraments are very important for the life of the Church and are prophetic symbols of the Kingdom of God, celebrated by the Church.
Priesthood Ordination 2019: Gino Galley
By Malie Hudson
On May 18, Bishop Gerald Barnes will ordain three men to the priesthood. It will be the culmination of nearly a decade of formation for Ted Drennan, Juan Carlos Lopez and Charles “Gino” Galley, who came from various backgrounds to pursue a vocation to the priesthood.
Galley, 32, began his vocation after converting to the Catholic faith on Easter Vigil in 2005 at St. John XXIII Parish in Rialto.
“Being a priest is something I never wanted to be,” admits Galley. “That was not the first thing on my list.”
Priest Ordination 2019: Juan Carlos Lopez
By Malie Hudson
On May 18, Bishop Gerald Barnes will ordain three men to the priesthood. It will be the culmination of nearly a decade of formation for Ted Drennan, Juan Carlos Lopez and Charles “Gino” Galley, who came from various backgrounds to pursue a vocation to the priesthood.
Lopez, 48, knew at nine years old that he would eventually become a priest.
“I was never asked or encouraged to enter the seminary or the priesthood, but I was very interested,” said Lopez. “At a very young age, after catechism, I would assist with Mass every Sunday. I developed a strong devotion to Mary and the Rosary. I enjoyed sitting in the pews in Mass before the crucifix and I would feel a profound peace.”
Victims Symposium explores pain and healing of families of murder victims
By Marge Bitetti
SAN BERNARDINO—“He who can no longer listen to his brother will soon no longer listen to God.”
Marciano Avilla, Director of the Diocesan Office of Restorative Justice, offered these words authored by noted German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer at the opening of the Victims Symposium that was held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center April 10 to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. It was a day for listening, sharing, and reflecting on hope and forgiveness.
Frs. Esparza, Vu, Dcn. Dewhirst, Elder Samaniego named to new leadership positions
SAN BERNARDINO—Elder Samaniego has been named the new Director of the Diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection, replacing Sister Cathy White, s.P., who retired in December.
Samaniego had served as Associate Director of the Office since 2009, conducting all of the ministry’s Spanish language outreach and coordinating the Restoring Me retreats that it offers.
Our faith expressed
Each month the BYTE will publish sections of the U.S. Bishops Pastoral Letter “Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters.”
While Christianity has been in India since the time of the Apostle Thomas, the majority of Asian countries encountered Christianity in the Middle Ages and later. This was the time when European and Asian missionaries entered China, Japan, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. The missionaries encountered people spiritually engaged with their own distinctive traditions and culture. They met people who took great pride in their festivals, rituals, and communal observances.