August 17, 2020
Photo of the Week:
Pictured are the three seminarians from our Diocese. From left to right stands Joshua Lesan, Patrick Germann and Akbar Saul Walle Perez. On August 20, 2020 they will begin their seminarian studies at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park. In the next couple of weeks be on the look out for feature stories in the Weekly Update that will give more insight as to who they are and what it's like to be a seminarian.
Please keep these men in your prayers as they continue on their journey to become priests.
Office of the Bishop:
A Special Address from Bishop Cotta
Bishop Cotta has addressed the suffering of Lebanon after the Port of Beirut explosion. Click below to read the address. To find out how you can support the tragedy in Beirut visit Catholic Relief Services’ Lebanon disaster response at www.crs.org.
COVID-19: No One Must Be Left Behind
The Migrants & Refugees Section is a small action-oriented Vatican office personally directed by Pope Francis to ensure that those forced to flee are not shut out or left behind. The office is derived from the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which the Catholic church is celebrating on September 27th, 2020. The office publishes a bulletin that shares innovations and good practices of different Catholic organizations around the world who assist displaced and vulnerable people during the COVID-19 emergency and seek to prevent the spread of the virus amidst and beyond these groups. Click here to read the bulletins.
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.
School of Ministry:
Registration is open for the Scripture Institute
This year the Scripture Institute focuses on the theme
New Testament Foundations: Jesus and Discipleship. Classes will start on the second week of October 2020 using online instruction. For more information, please contact Isela Quezada at (209) 546-7630 or som@stocktondiocese.org.
Catholic Social Teaching:
Restorative Justice
On October 27, 29 and 31, 2020, the Catholic Mobilizing Network will offer Harm, Healing, and Human Dignity: A National Catholic Conference on Restorative Justice. This is an online “virtual” conference and all are invited to register and attend. This conference comes at a critical moment in our Church and in our nation as interest and engagement in restorative justice is growing among Catholics. This conference brings together impacted persons, experienced practitioners, ministry leaders, and advocates from across the country to enliven Catholic engagement with restorative justice in the United States. Speakers and workshops will highlight local and national examples of restorative practices applied in criminal justice ministry, Catholic education, and parish/diocesan life. Informed by faith-based, secular, and collaborative efforts, the conference will foster formation, story-sharing, and network-building among Catholic individuals and institutions.
For additional information, including agenda, registration fees, and instructions, 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:
Walking with Moms in Need
Let us remember our yearlong service of providing prayer, support and outreach to the moms in our communities who may be experiencing an unexpected or difficult pregnancy or for single parent moms who need our support. Perhaps on September 8, the feast day of the birth of our Blessed Virgin Mary, make a donation, whether financial or in baby items to your local pregnancy center. For more information on your local pregnancy center and how to get involved, click here.
For prayers and more information on the years’ service of Walking with Moms in Need, go to the Stockton Diocese Respect Life web page.
Prayer & Reflection
