October 26, 2026
Congratulations to our seminarian Josue Montoya who on Thursday, October 22nd was instituted as Acolyte at St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, CA.
An instituted acolyte in the Roman Catholic Church is a lay minister appointed to serve at the altar, assist priests and deacons, and help distribute Holy Communion. This is also another important step closer towards the priesthood.
An instituted acolyte in the Roman Catholic Church is a lay minister appointed to serve at the altar, assist priests and deacons, and help distribute Holy Communion. This is also another important step closer towards the priesthood.
On Wednesday, November 4, parishioners, community members, alumni, and friends are invited to participate in the SEEDS Scholarships Day of Giving—a 24-hour online fundraising event supporting students at the Diocese of Stockton’s 11 Catholic elementary schools.
Your support will help fund student scholarships, opening the door to Catholic education for more families who desire it.
Whether you're passionate about Catholic education, investing in future leaders, or sustaining the mission of the Church, this is an opportunity to make a difference. Every contribution helps create opportunities for students to grow in faith, knowledge, and service at one of our schools.
Donations are tax-deductible, and convenient payment options are available.
Please help spread the word and join us in making a difference on November 4!
Donate to SEEDS Scholarships
Your support will help fund student scholarships, opening the door to Catholic education for more families who desire it.
Whether you're passionate about Catholic education, investing in future leaders, or sustaining the mission of the Church, this is an opportunity to make a difference. Every contribution helps create opportunities for students to grow in faith, knowledge, and service at one of our schools.
Donations are tax-deductible, and convenient payment options are available.
Please help spread the word and join us in making a difference on November 4!
Donate to SEEDS Scholarships
This October, Bishop Cotta invites us to reflect upon USCCB's Respect Life Prayer and Action guide, prompting us to deepen our commitment to the dignity of every human person. As we observe Respect Life Month, let us prayerfully reflect on his message and put our faith into action by supporting and advocating for life at every stage. We encourage all the faithful to use this reflection as a resource for prayer, reflection, and concrete acts of love and compassion throughout October.
Click below for the Prayer Guide
Click below for the Prayer Guide
Stay connected with the Synod journey in our diocese! The Synod Corner provides updates, reflections, and resources to help us continue walking together in faith, listening to one another, and participating in the life and mission of the Church.
English: Click here for Synod Corner #12.
Español: Oprima aquí para el Rincón del Sínodo #12.
English: Click here for Synod Corner #12.
Español: Oprima aquí para el Rincón del Sínodo #12.
The Church designates feast days and liturgical celebrations throughout the year to help us reflect on and rejoice in our spiritual journey. Catholic Rural Life is especially attuned to the rhythms of nature and strive to connect the changing seasons with the enduring Word of the liturgy. To that end, Catholic Rural Life has a series of blessings for each month of the year that highlights an aspect of rural life.
Click here for October's Monthly Blessing - Blessing of Animals
Click here for October's Monthly Blessing - Blessing of Animals
Every Monday, Deacon Mike Wofford from Catholic Charities will have a new reflection to share. To view his current and archived messages, click the image above.
Upcoming events from our Ministries
Office for Vocations
- NEW Save the Date – For Patrick Germann and Joshua Lesan's Transitional Diaconate Ordination at Sacred Heart Church in Trulock, Jan. 9, 2027, at 10 a.m. and Presbyterate Ordination at St. Stanislaus Church on June 12, 2027, at 10 a.m.
- NEW November Word of Life Edition for Parish and Laity: Includes Parish Leader Kit – Catholic Care of the Sick and Dying, - An Adoption Love Story - Accompanying Expectant Mothers Considering Adoption & more. In English & Spanish.
- NEW Walk for Life West Coast 2027 Parish Bus Financial Assistance. Are you leading your parish from the Diocese of Stockton on a bus to San Francisco for the W4L West Coast? Click the above link for more details.
- Bishop’s Cotta’s Respect Life Month/Family Video Messages. Listen to Bishop’s inspiring words in two different video messages on Respect Life and the Ministry of Family & Respect Life in English and in Spanish.
- Respect Life Toolkits for Parishes, Schools and Ministries. Includes resources for Catholic Education, Clergy, Faith Formation, Media Kit & Youth Ministry.
- NEW Change lives today! Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Stockton invites you to join our Kindness Collective Program and make a difference, register today or request more information at (209)593-6113 or visit our website ccstockton.org.
- ¡Cambia vidas hoy mismo! El Programa Colectivo de la Bondad de Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Stockton te invita a formar parte de nuestra comunidad y hacer la diferencia. Regístrate hoy o solicita más información al (209) 593-6113 o aprende más en nuestro sitio web en https://www.ccstockton.org/kindesscollective
- ¡Cuidado con el Fraude de Inmigración! Infórmese y protéjase, El Programa de Inmigración de Caridades Católicas de la Diócesis de Stockton los invita a un Taller Gratuito. Cada tercer jueves del mes en Caridades Católicas, Stockton.
- Low-Cost Mental Health Counseling. Take care of your Mental Health, services are available to individuals, couples, children, youth, and elderly regardless of race, age, gender, religion, ethnicity, economic status or sexual orientation. For more information contact Alma Torres at 209-369-6947.
- Asesoramiento a bajo costo de salud mental. Cuida tu salud mental. Abierto a todos, los sevicios estan disponibles para personas, parejas, ninos, jovenes y ancianos, independientemente de su raza, edad, genero, etnia, situacion economica u orientacion sexual. Para mas informacion comuniquese con Alma Torres al 209-369-6947.
- All Souls’ Day –Join us on November 2nd at our Catholic Cemeteries for Mass for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. For schedules and resources on our Catholic practice of praying for the dead, please visit: https://stocktondiocese.org/all-souls
- Instituto Hispano/JST. Líderes Custodios de la Magnífica Humanidad. Explora el impacto de la IA en la fe y descubre recursos prácticos para el servicio pastoral. Únete a una Comunidad de acompañamiento y Estudio Pastoral sobre la Encíclica Magnifica Humanitas. 7 sesiones de estudio, oración y diálogo participativo. Fecha de Inicio: jueves 29 de octubre de 2026.
Modalidad: Online. Clases virtuales por Zoom de 6 a 8 p.m. (PST). Jueves: 29 de octubre, 19 de noviembre, 10 de diciembre, 14 de enero, 04 de febrero, 25 de febrero, 18 de marzo.
Inscripción: $25 USD
Regístrate aquí y haz clic en el enlacede abajo para ir al formulario: https://slate.scu.edu/register/magnificahumanitas
(Selecciona la opción "Workshop $25") Para mayor información o dudas sobre el proceso de registro, comunícate con nosotros al (510) 549-5020 o escríbenos a jstinstitutohispano@scu.edu. - Guía práctica parroquial de CLINIC. Apoyando a los inmigrantes en tiempos de necesidad. Versión en español en este enlace: Parish Toolkit - Español.pdf
CLINIC's Parish Toolkit. This toolkit aims to provide immediate steps that parishes and Catholic institutions can take to promote the safety and security of its members and to accompany and support immigrants who have a family member who is detained or threatened by deportation. It includes essential Know Your Rights information for immigrants, emergency preparedness planning resources, and accompaniment and educational resources for parish staff and volunteers. Parish Toolkit Supporting Immigrants in a Time of Need.2026.0410.pdf
Office of Marriage and Family Life
- Join the Catechetical Institute for a FREE webinar series
- Tuesday, October 27, 2026 - 5:00pm WDT (In Spanish) - Virtud que transforma: Liderazgo católico para nuestro tiempo (Transformed by Virtue: Catholic Leadership for Today)
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 - 5:00pm WST - Temptations to Suicide: Helping Someone Who is Struggling
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 - 25:00pm WST - What Does It Mean to be a Woman in the Order of Love?: Reminding Women of Their Great Dignity
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 - 5:00pm WST - Faithfully and Creatively Utilizing Digital Tools for Evangelization, Teaching, and Community Building
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 - 11:00pm WST - Christmas: Myths, Mistakes, and Meaning
Thursday, November 19, 2026 - 5:30pm WST - Under the Influence: Psychological and Sociological Perspectives on Sexual Attraction
Tuesday, November 24, 2026 - 5:00pm WST - (In Spanish) - La importancia de oración según San Ignacio (The Importance of Prayer According to St. Ignatius of Loyola)
You may sign up for all sessions or only those of interest to you at Franciscan Institute Guild webinar series
- Is God calling you to be an Engaged Encounter Presenter Couple? Couples validly married for any length of time are encouraged to volunteer. You will receive one-on-one training from another Presenter Couple. Please contact Ed & Laura Mann at mann@stocktonee.org for more information.
- The Center for Sainthood Studies – Certificate Program
Join the Intensive 6-Day Certificate Program January 31- February 6, 2027
Location: Vallombrosa Center 250 Oak Grove Ave Menlo Park, CA 94025
Register today and advance the cause of holiness in America.
For more information: info@sainthoodcenter.com
The Certificate program is an intensive week-long course designed to provide participants with an understanding of the theology, history, canon law, and ecclesial practices related to the causes of saints. Sainthoodcenter.com
Events from our Parishes and Community
- Christian Life Program: Couples for Christ at St. Anthony's Parish in Manteca invites Couples, Single Men and Woman, Widows and Widowers, every Sat. from Oct. 24 to Nov. 14 from 1:30 - 4 p.m.
- Un Día con Jesús Misericordioso: Parroquia de San Eduardo y el Apostolado de la Divina Misericordia les invita. Jueves, 5 de Nov., de 10 a.m. a 6:30 p.m.
- Christmas Gift Fair: Finish your shopping early! Bake Sale, Gift Baskets, Raffle, White Elephant, Lunch and Cash Drawing. Sat. Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at St. Parick's Parish Hall, Sonora, CA
- Tree Lighting Celebration: Sat. Dec. 12, after the 5 p.m. Mass. St. Luke Church Shine a Light Fundraiser. Honor someone special with a colored bulb to decorate St. Luke's 21 ft. Christmas tree. Click here to place your bulb order.
Saint of the Day
Click image below
Pope's September Prayer Intention:
For Mental Health Ministry.
Click below to watch video
"Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses."
~ Pope Leo XIV~