At the annual Opening Schools Mass, held this year at Sacred Heart Church, Palm Desert on Aug. 23, Catholic school teachers and staff with 25 or more years of service received special recognition. From left to right, Karen Salabaj (Sacred Heart, Rancho Cucamonga – 25 yrs), Joan Jackson (St. Edward – 30 yrs), RoxAnn Venute (St. George – 25 yrs), Kathy Kothlow (St. Francis de Sales – 35 yrs), Sister Mary Laura Rembold (St. Francis de Sales – 45 yrs), Carmelita Duarte (St. Francis de Sales – 30 yrs), Sister Kathleen Cleary (St. Margaret Mary – 35 yrs) and Carol LaFond (St. Francis de Sales – 25 yrs). Not pictured, Barbara Booher (Notre Dame High School – 25 yrs), Lois Tompkins (St. Margaret Mary – 25 yrs) , Annette Wendling (St. Margaret Mary – 35 yrs).

By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO—A spirited theme song, a little Portuguese and a blessing from the Bishops sparked excitement for the upcoming pilgrimage to World Youth Day. Pilgrims traveling to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil gathered at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in San Bernardino for the World Youth Day Send-Off Mass on June 30.

HIGHLAND—Timothy Reyes, known for his enthusiasm and zeal for Christ and his Catholic faith, was called home to God on June 8 after his tragic death in a car accident. He had been an altar server and active in youth ministry at St. John Bosco Mission in Highland. Friends and family gathered to celebrate his life on June 17. The following is taken from the eulogy given by former youth and young adult minister Angela Vargas.

By María José García

 This year, I had the blessing to attend World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro in the company of millions of Catholics! I was part of the diocesan group of 41 people who traveled to San Jose Dos Campos, a city nearby Sao Paulo for a missionary week prior to going to Rio de Janeiro. 

By Kathleen Hurtt

UPLAND—Sunscreen, water and laughter combined with a lot of planning and hard work led Michaela Larson to remind us that we all have something to give, if we only use our God-given talents!

RIVERSIDE—Earlier in the year, the Knights of Columbus, Monsignor Flanagan Fourth Degree Assembly 0059, Riverside, conducted their annual “Patriotic Essay Contest” for seventh and eighth grade students in the five parochial schools within its jurisdiction of Riverside, Corona, Norco and Eastvale.