In light of the fires burning in Shasta, Trinity, Lassen, Sutter, Colusa and other counties, Bishop Jaime Soto has asked the faithful of the Diocese of Sacramento to remember in their prayers all those affected, especially the firefighters and emergency personnel, as well as residents who have been displaced, lost their residences or evacuated. Please keep all those communities affected by fires in your prayers and pray for those suffering loss during this catastrophic event.

On Aug. 13, Bishop Soto announced a special collection for Northern California relief and recovery efforts. "We turn now in solidarity to the needs of our brothers and sisters in Redding and Shasta/Trinity counties as they struggle to heal and rebuild their lives and their community in the wake of the recent wildfires," he said.

John Gisla, a family medicine physician with Mercy Medical Group in Folsom for the past 20 years, calls his specialty work with women patients using Natural Procreative Technology (NaPro) to treat the underlying causes of infertility a “labor of love.”

“It brings me great satisfaction to help women and couples who are grappling with infertility as well as those who wish to plan their family in a way that is consistent with their moral values,” says John, who is also chair of Mercy Medical Group’s Department of Family Medicine.

“Who are we,” asked one detainee, “that the Church should visit us?”

That sentiment – one of humbleness and a longing for the Sacraments and fellowship – characterized a pastoral visit by seven California Bishops and others to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Adelanto, CA, last week.

More than 350 men and women housed in the high desert facility attended four Masses, flocked to the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Spanish, English and Vietnamese and enjoyed fellowship with the delegation of twenty.

“It was palpable that for this encounter they hungered,” said Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, who is president of the California Catholic Conference, which organized the visit.  “This hunger and the reverential disposition of those present made each of the four sessions a living temple of the Spirit with Christ as the capstone.”