THE TIDE

WelcomeBut the angel said to them, "Do not be

afraid. I bring you good news of great

joy that will be for all the people."

Luke 2:10

Our Most ReverendDanny Garcia

Like us on Facebookfor daily news and

updates:

California CatholicMinistry Conference

T H E D I O C E S E O F M O N T E R E Y F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 9 / 2 0 2 0

SECOND EDITION:

A Vist to Rome

The Diocese of Monterey warmly

welcomes you to The Tide, your local

official newsletter  that brings good

news to all. In our second edition, we

reflect on our fall and winter months,

highlighting special moments from

your Diocesan family.

This Diocese of Monterey newsletter

does not require subscription and

does not include any paid advertising

or solicitation.

Christmas AngelsThe Roman

Catholic Dioceseof Monterey

A Jubilee Celebration

A Visit to Rome...

On Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019, I was blessed to be in Rome attending theGeneral Audience of our Holy Father. I was on a pilgrimage with a very specificmission: to pray for our seminarians, and for an increase of vocations in ourdiocese. That morning, with the hope that Pope Francis somehow may blessour seminarians, I took with me the final draft our new diocesan seminarianposter, and protectively covered it with a white poster board. As all of thepilgrims waited patiently for the General Audience to begin, I began to write onthe white poster board a message, and I wrote it in Spanish hoping to grabPope Francis' attention as he passed by on the Popemobile. The message read:“Pope Francis, bless our seminarians.” Well, the moment came when PopeFrancis was brought into St. Peter's Square on the Popemobile. I askedEsperanza, one of my fellow pilgrims, to help me hold high the sign while I heldthe seminarian poster. As the Holy Father was passing by our section, the twoposters immediately caught his attention, and as he was reading the writtenmessage, a great smile grew on his face and he blessed the seminarian poster.It was a very special moment for us! Being present at the General Audience andlistening to the Holy Father’s message was a great blessing, but it was evenmore so at the end of the event. While most of the people present left St. Peter'sSquare after the final blessing, Esperanza, two other members of our group,and I remained there. We moved to the front of the barricades hoping to seePope Francis up-close for the last time, before he would depart on thePopemobile. Patience paid off! After waiting approximately 45 minutes inthe sun, Pope Francis was walking towards our section approaching andgreeting the pilgrims. As he walked right in front of me, I was in shock…motionless… speechless. He graciously blessed the poster once again andwas continuing his path. At that moment, I said to him out loud: “HolyFather, this is for you!” Turning around, he received our poster and took itwith him. The Seminarians of the Diocese of Monterey are truly BLESSED!

Article by Fr. Ommar Solis, Dir. of Vocations

A Jubilee Celebration...

California Catholic Conference

Sixty one Religious Women and Men gathered at Villa Maria del Mar, Santa Cruz to CelebrateReligious Life. Bishop Danny and FatherMiguel Grajeda were the main celebrants for theEucharistic Liturgy. Four Sisters celebrated their jubilees. During the Mass the Religious sang aLitany to their founders and foundresses. Our Cistercian Monks sang a beautiful meditation song toOur Lady, accompanied by Sister Barbara on the piano. A wonderful and joyful meal followed in thedining room.

Religious Life is based on the following of Jesus through the charism and mission of each uniqueInstitute by living the essence of their lives through the vows. All of the Religious stood during Massto renew their vows to the Lord through their particular communities. Together they professed theirrenewal:

In mid- October, sixty- one  Religious Women and Men gatheredat Villa Maria del Mar, Santa Cruz to celebrate Religious Life.  BishopDanny and Father Miguel Grajeda were the main celebrants for theEucharistic Liturgy.  Four Sisters celebrated their jubilees.During the Mass the Religious sang a Litany to their founders andfoundresses.  Our Cistercian Monks sang abeautiful meditation song to Our Lady, accompanied by SisterBarbara on the piano.  A wonderful and joyful meal followed in thedining room.       Religious Life is based on the following of Jesus through thecharism and mission of each unique Institute by living theessence of their lives through the vows.  All of the Religious stoodduring Mass to renew their vows to the Lord through their particularcommunities.  Together they  professed their renewal.

Article by: Sr. Gloria Loya, Vicar for Religious

In early December more than 2,000 people gathered at this year'sCalifornia Catholic Ministry Conference (CaCMC). The 3-day event isa multi-cultural and multi-lingual event that highlights theimportance of faith development at all levels of church and society,it is aimed at adults to enrich their faith and strengthen theirknowledge and skills to do ministry in their church and in the world. Those who attended celebrated in prayer, visited exhibits and tookpart in inspiring workshops.

T r u s t i n t h e L o r da n d d o g o o d ; d w e l li n t h e l a n d a n de n j o y s a f e p a s t u r e . D e l i g h t y o u r s e l f i nt h e L o r d a n d h e w e l lg i v e y o u t h e d e s i r e so f y o u r h e a r t . C o m m i t y o u r w a y t ot h e L o r d ; t r u s t i nh i m a n d h e w i l l d ot h i s : H e w i l l m a k e y o u rr i g h t e o u s n e s s s h i n el i k e t h e d a w n , t h ej u s t i c e o f y o u r c a u s el i k e t h e n o o n d a ys u n .

P s a l m 3 7 : 3 - 6

Christmas AngelsArticle by: Socorro Lagarda-Quiroz, Dir. of Hispanic Ministry

As is part of our tradition during the Advent Season, manyparishes across our diocese made a special effort to helpindividuals and families in need, to help make the Christmasexperience brighter.  In a similar way, our diocesan staff cametogether to collect toys and gift cards as Christmas Angels forsome of our Hispanic Migrant Ministry families. These actions oflove and generosity are very important and representexpressions of the Gospel coming alive in our communities.