Elizabeth Lobato, a Riverside teen suffering from brittle bone disease, met with Pope Francis April 13 while attending a Vatican conference on stem cell research. Lobato, whose health has improved after receiving adult stem-cell therapy treatments, was honored during the conference. The Lobato family recently received the photo taken during Elizabeth’s meeting with Pope Francis. Let’s pray for Elizabeth’s health and for the health of others suffering from disease and ailments.
Annual Catechist Days offer enrichment
By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer
RIVERSIDE—Riverside and West End catechists began their catechetical year with a day of enrichment at the annual Catechist Day, held on Aug. 17 at St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside.
Sponsored by the Office of Catechetical Ministry each year, Catechist Day offers a series of workshops at the vicariate level to assist catechists in preparing for the catechetical year.
Diocese lobbies Congressional reps for immigration reform
YUCAIPA—With the passage of an immigration reform bill in the U.S. Senate in June, Diocesan advocacy efforts on the issue over the summer have focused on Congressional representatives.
Members of Congress who represent districts in the Diocese were invited to a special Mass, Aug. 31, at St. Francis Xavier Cabrini where Bishop Gerald Barnes preached about the present opportunity for comprehensive immigration reform and the need for policy makers to act.
Music’s role in liturgy explored at Musicians’ Day
By Andres Rivera
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO—For the participants of Musicians’ Day, the annual event proved to be more than just a day of singing. It was a day of spiritual renewal.
About 500 singers, musicians and liturgists from parishes in the diocese came to the Pastoral Center on July 20 for the annual Musicians’ Day event offered by the Diocesan Office of Worship. Presenters included Jaime Cortez and Bob Hurd, well known composers, liturgists and speakers.
Diocese accepts seven new seminarians
GRAND TERRACE—For the third year in a row, Bishop Gerald Barnes has accepted seven new men to Blessed Junipero Serra House of Formation. They entered Serra House at the end of August to begin their studies as seminarians for the Diocese of San Bernardino.
Human eggs “not for sale” says Governor in veto
By Mary Huber
California Senate Bill 926 which promised gender equality and income opportunity came and went. Authored by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla (D-Concord) and sponsored by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, this legislation would have authorized financial compensation for the harvesting of women’s eggs for the purpose of scientific research.
While working its way through the State Legislature with stealthy precision, the bill appeared to sail under the radar. But it could not circumvent the watchful eyes of the California Catholic Conference, women’s health groups and the Center of Bioethics and Culture. Bonilla’s bill ultimately failed because Governor Jerry Brown vetoed it on August 13.