May 9, 2022
Photo of the Week:
On April 21st St Michael’s Parish had a group of forty teens receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation including 3 from St George parish. Bishop Cotta was the main celebrant along with parish pastor, Msgr. Agustin Gialogo. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide the steps our the newly confirmed.
Office of the Bishop:
Catholic Rural Life
May - Blessing of All Who Work the Land
We share in God’s work through our human labor. Work is not drudgery that our Creator has imposed on us, nor is it a penance for our sinfulness. Work is a gift: human participation in the creative activity of God.
In Church tradition, we have a beautiful partnership of work by the married farm couple, Isidore & Maria. These saints labored with their hands, cared for the land and its creatures, and brought a blessing to the poor of their day and the Church for all time.
Click here for the Blessing of All Who Work the Land.
Upcoming Parish Appointments
In consultation with the Diocesan Priest Personnel Board, Bishop Cotta is sharing the announcement of upcoming parish appointments.
Catholic Social Teaching:
Resources to Help Respond to Division
Division between human persons seems to be a pandemic that is proving to be far deadlier and more destructive than the pandemic virus that the world has battled for over 2 years. This division leads to discord and fighting between nations, unrest and violence on our city streets and even breaks in relationships within our family homes. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Office of Justice, Peace & Human Development offers us resources that describe ways that we, as Catholics, can respond to division in our world. Pope Francis’ encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, encourages us to seek “a better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good” (no. 154). The following resources help us to “love our neighbors by committing to charity, clarity, and creativity”. These resources provide ways to pray, reflect and to productively respond to the divisions that separate us from God and one another.
(These are also posted on the Diocesan Catholic Social Teaching webpage (https://stocktondiocese.org/cst).
Office of Life & Dignity:
Resources Regarding the Dobbs Case
California Catholic Conference Statement on CA Response to Dobbs Leak
Office of Media and Communications:
Did You Know?
The Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Stockton is derived in part from the family crest of Commodore Stockton, for whom the city is named. The blue upper portion and the white wings symbolize the Angel Gabriel. The blue field also is the Blessed Virgin's color; the cross of Christ symbolizes his humanity; the background color in gold his divinity. The chevron and star are retained from the Stockton Coat of Arms. The golden star is for the Mother Lode.
Office of Vocations:
Nora Kong, mother of Seminarian Joshua Kong, shares her story.
Click the image to see the inspiring video. For more information on religious vocations, please contact the Vocations Office at 209-546-7620.
Sharing the Good News:
Training Sessions - St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish, Stockton
The School of Ministry and the Office of Liturgy & Worship - Liturgical Training sponsored the sessions for Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion on April 23, 2022 and April 30, 2022. The four sessions were conducted in English and Spanish. There were over 200 participants. May God bless the work of these parish volunteers.
Prayer
Prayer for Civility: Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace
