By Marie Widmann

SAN BERNARDINO—Commemorating the 41st anniversary of the Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion for any reason throughout all nine months of pregnancy up to the moment of natural birth, families will prayerfully and peacefully march outside the largest Planned Parenthood Clinic in San Bernardino County on  January 19.  

 As many as 60 million women have suffered physical, psychological and spiritual harm and 60 million unborn children have died as a result of Roe v Wade.

SAN BERNARDINO—How are the teachings of the Church on issues related to family life being administered in the Diocese of San Bernardino?

 The Vatican’s Synod of Bishops asked dioceses around the world to probe this question through a lengthy survey that will be used to make a local report to Rome for the 2014 Synod on the Family. 

By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer

 Typhoon Haiyan hit Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines, in early November, displacing thousands and leaving many missing or dead. In the Diocese of San Bernardino, parishes, ministries and schools rallied to offer prayers and donations to support the relief efforts. 

 Following the news of the devastating effect the typhoon had on the impoverished and densely populated country, the diocesan Mission Office invited parishes to hold a second collection to benefit Catholic Relief Services, in aid for the victims of the typhoon. 

SAN BERNARDINO—In the month of November Catholics of African Descent celebrated “Black Catholic History month.” 

 It is a month filled with memorials and commemorations of the contributions made to the Church by Catholics of African descent, some of whom have been called “fathers and teachers of the Church.”

SAN BERNARDINO—Just months into a public campaign to raise money for the construction of a men’s shelter in West San Bernardino, Mary’s Mercy Center has received a $200,000 grant from Bank of America that will be used for the project.

 Mike Hein, Vice President/Administrator of Mary’s Mercy Center, said he was grateful for the generous donation and hopes it will bring legitimacy to the fundraising campaign.

By Sister Chilee Okoko, DMDM 

SAN BERNARDINO—Bishop Gerald Barnes has worked hard to insure that the mission of the diocese is lived out in every aspect of ministry. The issues of pastoral ministry - social justice, love for the poor, the underserved, the suffering, justice for immigrants - hold pride of place in his heart. This reflects the teaching of Jesus in Mark 12:41-44; willingness to share, to give, even from the little he has.