World Youth Day pilgrims head 'down under'

More than 400 Catholics from 33 different parishes in the Diocese of San Bernardino will depart for Australia this week to participate in World Youth Day 2008.

The event, which was started by Pope John Paul II in 1985, brings international Catholic youth together around a particular theme. Pope Benedict XVI has designated the theme of this year's event as - 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.' (Acts 1:8).

Before World Youth Day begins on July 15 diocesan pilgrims - as participants in World Youth Day are called - will tour dioceses throughout Australia and New Zealand, attending gatherings and festivals hosted by local youth through the "Days in the Diocese" program.

World Youth Day features a menu of youth festivals, catechesis sessions, Catholic traditions such as the Stations of the Cross and contemplative prayer and adoration. The Holy Father will conclude the event on July 20 with the final Mass, which is expected to draw up to 500,000 people.

With inclement Australian winter weather and a dizzying array of cultures, languages and food to get used to, World Youth Day will present challenges for the Inland pilgrims, who are accustomed to the comforts of home. Some parishes held retreats and camp-outs to prepare pilgrims for the rigors of the event.

"It's a true pilgrimage," said Kathy Cho, director of the diocesan Office With Youth. "It's a rough trip."

Father Miller, Sister Crimmins depart leadership positions

For nearly five years Father Bob Miller has been a familiar face in the 52 parishes of San Bernardino County, representing Bishop Gerald Barnes as Episcopal Vicar for the county.

Sister Carmel Crimmins, R.S.M., has championed social action ministries from pro life to prisoner outreach to feeding the poor as Director of Community Services for the diocese.

Both will leave their posts on June 30. They were given a ceremonial send-off at the Diocesan Pastoral Center on June 24.

Father Miller said his time as the diocese's first Episcopal Vicar for San Bernardino County allowed him to experience the hospitality of Catholics all across San Bernardino

"I appreciate the support and openness of people along the way," he said. "I have met tremendous people in all ways."

The Episcopal Vicar assists Bishop Barnes in the governance of the diocese, possessing ordinary executive power and consistently providing a physical leadership presence. Specific duties include overseeing parishes lead by a pastoral coordinator, mentoring priest ministers, performing confirmations and other liturgical celebrations and mediating personnel disputes in parishes and schools. Father Romeo Seleccion, MS, will succeed Father Miller as Episcopal Vicar for San Bernardino County.

Father Miller will take a six-month sabbatical. His next assignment has not been announced.

Sister Crimmins, whose humor and infectious smile are matched by her dogged advocacy for Catholic social issues, says she relished daily the opportunity to help the less fortunate.

"This ministry put me touch with people who are hidden," she said. "I was inspired by their compassion and their gratitude for whatever they received. That would keep me going."

While remaining in the diocese, Sister Crimmins will now take a leadership position in the U.S. province of her order, the Sisters of Mercy, focusing on peace and justice initiatives.

Diocese hosts air quality summit

Chino Mayor Dennis Yates

With the faith community showing increased interest in environmental issues, the leaders of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) came to the diocese Wednesday to talk about air quality.

More than 100 people attended the two-hour meeting, which provided an introductory briefing on the state of air quality in the Inland Empire, which is rated as the worst in the nation. AQMD also displayed three alternative-fuel vehicles outside the pastoral center: a gas-electric hybrid, a hydrogen-powered vehicle and a natural gas car.

AQMD Board Members hailed the meeting as the start of a dialogue with the religious community on the issue.

"Let us use this as an icebreaker for a sustained partnership," said Board Member and Chino Mayor Dennis Yates.

Diocese ordains record number of priests

A class of six seminarians is ordained to the priesthood in the nation's 12th largest diocese.

After ordaining just seven new priests in the past decade, the diocese welcomed six new priests on May 31, a hopeful sign that interest in this central vocation is on the rise.

Receiving the Sacrament of Holy Orders was Erik Esparza from Holy Family Parish in Hesperia, Jorge Garcia from Our Lady of Solitude Parish in Palm Springs, Javier Gonzalez from Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Riverside, Luis Alberto Guido from St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Rialto, Minh Nguyen from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Riverside and Eduardo Aguirre from St. Christopher Parish in Moreno Valley.

"Today we give gratitude to God for the ordination of these six men and we look to their future with joy and hope as they join in shepherding our local Church in this time of great growth and change," said Bishop Gerald Barnes.

Click here to view a slideshow of the ordination

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