By David C. Okonkwo

RIVERSIDE—Juneteenth was the day African slave workers gained their freedom officially from slavery. As you remember, slavery was the center of the Civil War between the North and South. It was a time the slaves sang about in their “negro spirituals.” Songs like “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” giving them hope while they bore their daily agony in life.

By Sister Marilu Covani, S.P.

SAN BERNARDINO—”Planning our future. Always forward!”

 This was the theme that about 200 delegates and participants of the National V Encuentro of Hispanic/Latino Pastoral Ministry followed during a General Meeting at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino on May 18. 

COACHELLA—A joint effort of the Diocese, Catholic Charities and the Valley Missionary Program (VMP) to provide transitional assistance to Central American asylum seekers has received an important piece of stabilizing funding from the State of California, allowing the ministry to continue.

SAN BERNARDINO—Individuals from throughout the Diocese were recognized for their service to the Church and community at the Annual Diocesan Awards Ceremony held on May 20, the Feast of St. Bernardine, patron of the Diocese. Honorees were awarded the Pro Ecclesia Et Pontice Cross, St. Bernardine Award, Our Lady of Guadalupe Award and the St. John Paul II Youth Award. A reception was held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center followed by Mass and presentation of the awards at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in San Bernardino.

SACRAMENTO—With a special emphasis on state legislation that impacts families, Catholic Advocacy Day on Apr. 30 saw 12 of our diocesan faithful travel to Sacramento to meet with legislators and their staff members.

SAN BERNARDINO—The pressures and effects of modern society can challenge our ability to carry hope and maintain good mental health.