“Blest are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Mt 5:4)

Bishop Jaime Soto, joined by dozens of priests, deacons and laity, dedicated and blessed the new mortuary and Resurrection Chapel at Calvary Cemetery and Funeral Center during a special Mass on March 22.

“We dedicate this space to always be a place of reverence for all who come here looking for the solace of the church,’ Bishop Soto said. “Our prayers and our rituals, and this very building itself are a reflection of the divine liturgy that goes on eternally in heaven.”

The new funeral center is located at 7101 Verner Ave. in Citrus Heights. The 21,000-square-foot full-service facility will serve parishes and Catholic community members throughout the Sacramento metropolitan area.

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Dear Friends in Christ,

In the March/April issue of the Catholic Herald magazine, you will read about the ongoing efforts of the Diocese of Sacramento to protect the young and vulnerable, to create truly safe spaces for all God’s People, and to atone for the devastating sin of clergy sexual abuse. All of these are lifetime endeavors; a key part of who we are as a Church for all time.

A vital aspect of owning and atoning for the sins of the past is resolving claims brought forward by victim-survivors in a fair and responsible manner. I have committed to this principle and attempt to live it in every case.  

This year, there is a very important development I must share with you.

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The end of 2022 brought the conclusion to a three-year period provided by the State Legislature lifting the statute of limitations for victim-survivors of child abuse to file claims against the Catholic Church and other institutions. With the close of this period, the Diocese of Sacramento now faces a large number of claims. This has weighed heavily on me over the past years as the claims were submitted. In prayerfully considering how to shepherd our path forward, I have meditated on a particular text from one of the letters of St. Paul:

“In my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church.” (Col 1:24)