August 10, 2020
Photo of the Week:
St. Mary's High School in Stockton hosted a Faculty Formation webinar in preparation for the upcoming school year. Faculty were addressed by Bishop Cotta and guest speaker, Fr. Leo Edgerly who is pictured. Fr. Leo is the pastor at Corpus Cristi parish in Piedmont CA. The webinar helped faculty form their own faith but also gave them tips on how to form the faith of their students in the upcoming school year. To view the webinar, click here.
Office of the Bishop:
Bishop Cotta's Monthly Reflection: Bishop Cotta has released his Monthly Reflection for August. In his reflection he encourages people to pray the rosary. To view the reflection and the rosary resource that goes with it, click the links below.
Faces of Ministry 2020: The Diocese of Stockton's Pastoral Center is the home office for 45 individuals who work to support ministries within parishes. For the next couple of weeks, Bishop Cotta would like to give parishioners an inside look at these ministries. Through this campaign, he hopes to put a face to each ministry and shed light on how the work done at the Pastoral Center impacts parishes.
Liturgy & Worship - Michael Schmitz:
Michael Schmitz is the Director of Liturgy & Worship for the Diocese of Stockton. He assists parishes in celebrating the liturgy better and more fully. With all of the changes to Masses due to COVID-19, Michael has been essential in ensuring that liturgy and worship within Masses is still aligned with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
"I have loved you with an everlasting love"
Sr. Maria de Lourdes Guerra Torres
Anniversary Mass for Sr. Maria: On July 16, 2020, Bishop Cotta celebrated the 25thAnniversary Mass for Sr. Maria de Lourdes Guerra Torres, superior of the Sisters of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Because of COVID-19, there were a small number of friends gathered with the Sisters to celebrate this milestone. We ask abundant blessings on the life, ministry and consecrated life of Madre Lourdes. Please keep her in your prayers.
Anniversaries: Please join Bishop Cotta in prayer and gratitude for the life and service of our vowed religious and priests who celebrate anniversaries in the month of August. Click here to access the list.
Development & Stewardship:
Bishop’s Ministry Appeal (BMA) Update: Thank you to all of our parishes for your continued BMA efforts and great work! During this challenging time of Covid-19, the BMA is especially needed to ensure that critical ministries, whether virtual or outdoors, continue to serve our communities throughout the Diocese of Stockton. It is also a great time to remind your parishioners to continue fulfilling BMA pledges in the coming weeks and months – their ongoing support is needed more than ever!
Congratulations to the parishes below who have exceeded their 2020 goal -
- All Saints University Parish, Turlock
- Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Turlock
- Our Lady of Fatima Church, Modesto
- St. Anthony Church, Manteca
- St. Bernard Church, Tracy
- St. Joachim Church, Newman
- St. Michael Church, Stockton
- St. Patrick Church, Ripon
Below are the Campaign totals to date received from 7,655 faithful donors-
- Total Cash Collected: $2,150,774 (One-Time Gifts and Pledge Payments)
- Total Rebates to Parishes: $207,253
- Total Amount Pledged: $1,102,601
If your parish needs any assistance or if the Development Office can help with your BMA campaign, please contact:
Stacy Erickson, Director of Development at serickson@stocktondiocese.org
Martha McCoy, Assistant Director at MMcCoy@stocktondiocese.org.
Hispanic Ministry:
Region XI which includes Diocese of Stockton's Hispanic Ministry, participated in putting together a video about Covid-19. A Representative from each Diocese in the Episcopal Region XI is speaking and encouraging people to follow the protocols, motivating them to keeping their families safe and at home, educating the public and asking to care for the health of all in our communities.
Servicios de Caridades Catolicas, Diocesis de Stockton:
COVID-19. PROGRAMAS DE ASISTENCIA
Ofrecemos asistencia financiera a personas que han sido afectadas por Covid-19 y que tienen acceso limitado a otros recursos. Esta ayuda es para renta, utilidades, comida y otras necesidades básicas. (los fondos son limitados).
(209) 444-5940 o igalindo@ccstockton.org
PROGRAMA DE CONSEJERIA
Se ofrece breve interveción de consejería a travez de plataformas seguras para apoyar a quienes experimentan estrés económica, social y emocional causados por la crisis de Covid-19.
(209) 340-3218 o eprado@ccstockton.org (en los condados de San Joaquin y Estanislaos)
(209) 396-6953 o cjohnson@ccstockton.org (en los condados de Calaveras y Tuolumne)
Catholic Social Teaching:
Preferential Option for the Poor: As our federal government enters into the final phase of negotiating a second COVID-19 economic stimulus package, it is more vital now more than ever that this bill includes relief for the most vulnerable living in our society. Families and individuals are facing immediate hardships: rent is due, food prices are rising, businesses are closing, layoffs continue, access to healthcare is being lost, and those who are most vulnerable in the criminal justice system are not being adequately protected from the coronavirus. As followers of Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet in order to actively promote and bring about a society where the needs of the poor and vulnerable are always considered first. We are all encouraged to contact our Senators, and to provide our support for those who are poor and are most vulnerable during this pandemic. In your letter, please add your own personal story about your own need for COVID-19 relief. For additional information on how to contact your federal representatives please click here.
Philip Trompetter specializes in the practice of police and forensic psychology and is currently the President-Elect of the American Board of Police and Public Safety Psychology.
Bob Lugo is a County Security Contractor with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department and Stanislaus County Office of Emergency Services. He is a Terrorism Liaison Officer and a Retired Sergeant with 27 years of prior Law Enforcement experience.
Family & Respect Life:
Pray: The Story of Patrick Peyton: A new film in theaters October 9, 2020. The inspiring true story of a poor Irish immigrant who sets sail for America in 1928 with dreams of becoming a millionaire but, with the help of the most iconic celebrities of Hollywood, ends up spending his life championing the message, The family that prays together stays together.
The conference which is hosted by the Diocese of Stockton's Family & Respect Life Ministry will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2020. The 2020 virtual Pro-Life and Family Leadership Conference is open to parishioners. The conference will:
- Enhance your leadership in ministries within your parish & community.
- Present the new Respect Life theme of the year to better serve your parish.
- Help you engage in ongoing evangelization within your parish.
- Expand the leadership roles within your parish with young adults.
The two-hour session will include:
- Opening prayer.
- Opening Address from Bishop Cotta.
- Rolling out the new pro-life theme from the USCCB: Living the Gospel of Life.
- Break-out Zoom-room sessions.
- Regather in main Zoom-room to go forth & live the Gospel of Life.
For more information, contact:
Robert Poncini, Coordinator of Life & Dignity at
209-466-0636 or email: rponcini@stocktondiocese.org
Steve Budnik , Coordinator of Marriage & Family Life at
209-466-0636 or email: sbudnik@stocktondiocese.org.
Hispanic Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Healthy Relationship Seminar: The Diocese of Stockton's Hispanic Youth & Young Adult Ministry and Region XI, invites you to a webinar in Spanish, Healthy Relationships: Who does it depend on?
Connect through Facebook Live: @ XI.RECOSS or YouTube Live: Ministerio Hispano Region XI (https://youtu.be/B1P7V8dXROs)
Prayer
