January 25, 2021
Video of the Week:
Catholic Schools Week is from January 31st-February 6th, 2021! In anticipation of the event please see part 3 of the mini series Why I Love Catholic Schools! The mini series was created by our very own Catholic Schools.
Office of the Bishop:
Bishop Cotta's 2021 BMA Address
Inauguration Press Release from USCCB
Bishop Cotta would like to share the press release from Archbishop Gomez, President of the USCCB, regarding the Presidential Inauguration which was released on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021.
Catholic Restorative Justice Network
World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life
February 2, 2021
(Celebrated in Parishes February 6-7)
In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church.
World Day for Consecrated Life will be celebrated in the Church on Sunday, February 2, 2021 and in parishes on the weekend of February 6-7, 2021. Please pray for all those who have made commitments in consecrated life and be sure to thank them on their special day. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God's gift of their vocation.
On Saturday, February 6, 2021, Bishop Cotta will gather the Religious Women and Men from the Diocese of Stockton for a virtual time of prayer and a recognition of those who will be celebrating significant anniversaries this year.
Anniversaries
Catholic Rural Life
The start of a new year: a time to renew and get back on track. But before carrying out our resolve for the year, it serves to remember that rest and silence are also valuable.
Catholic Rural Life
Change is natural if not always smooth as we move from one phase of life to another. The month of September brings us a change of seasons: The warmth of summer gives way to mornings with a touch of chill in the air; the evenings come earlier as the days shorten in the rhythm of the season. See the blessings of Change and letting Go by clicking here.
Vicar for Women Religious:
Remembering Sr. Bernadette Mascarenhas
It is with great sadness, and with so many wonderful memories, that we announce the death of Sr. Bernadette Mascarenhas, Daughter of the Cross.
Sister passed away in Ireland on Sunday, January 17, 2021, at the age of 98 surrounded by her community.
For more than 50 years Sr. Bernadette served the diocese with love and spread her gentle manner of bringing the love of God to the people she served. She gave of her time and talent over the years in many various way. She served as the diocesan Librarian for many years and also worked in St. Patrick's, Angels Camp, St. Linus and the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton and at St. Bernard's in Tracy.
We missed her when the Daughters of the Cross left the Diocese in 2019, but now we mourn her passing. We keep this beautiful soul in our prayers as we commend her to the loving arms of our Lord.
For more than 50 years Sr. Bernadette served the diocese with love and spread her gentle manner of bringing the love of God to the people she served. She gave of her time and talent over the years in many various way. She served as the diocesan Librarian for many years and also worked in St. Patrick's, Angels Camp, St. Linus and the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton and at St. Bernard's in Tracy.
We missed her when the Daughters of the Cross left the Diocese in 2019, but now we mourn her passing. We keep this beautiful soul in our prayers as we commend her to the loving arms of our Lord.
May she rest in peace.
Keep her community and her Congregation in your prayer.
Keep her community and her Congregation in your prayer.
Life & Dignity:
Human Trafficking Awareness
St. Josephine Bakhita is the Patron Saint of Human Trafficking Victims.
Josephine Margaret Bakhita, F.D.C.C., was a Sudanese Italian Canossian religious sister who lived in Italy for 45 years, after having been kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan. In 2000 she was declared a saint. February 8th is her feast day for which the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General has designated this day as an annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking.
On February 8, Catholics all over the world are encouraged to host or attend prayer services to create greater awareness about this phenomenon.
For more information on anti-human trafficking visit the following sites:
- Recent, local webinar - WITHOUT PERMISSION here.
- From the USCCB for facts and videos here & here.
Family & Respect Life:
Catholic Engaged Encounter 2021 Weekends
Catholic Engaged Encounter of Stockton has decided to present all its marriage preparation retreats virtually in 2021. Their leadership team under the direction of Tom & Mercedes Hollcraft have done a great job in converting the traditional retreat weekend into an effective instructional, spiritually formational, and emotionally rewarding virtual experience,
2021 Engaged Encounter Virtual Weekend Schedule:
February 20 & 21 Two-day weekend retreat
April 15 - May 20 Six 90-minute sessions over 6 consecutive Thursday evenings
May 29 & 30 Two-day weekend retreat
July 8 - August 2 Six 90-minute sessions over 6 consecutive Thursday evenings
August 7 & 8 Two-day weekend retreat
September 9 - October 14 Six 90-minute sessions over 6 consecutive Thursday evenings
November 13 & 14 Two-day weekend retreat
Cost of retreats is $75 per couple.
Workbooks will be mailed to couples prior to the retreat and a certificate of competition will be mailed to couples on completion of the retreat.
Prayer
