Bishop Jaime Soto will preside at a Mass for the the intention of Bishop Richard J. Garcia of Monterey on Monday, June 25 at 12:10 p.m. in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, located at 1017 11th St. in Sacramento. All are welcome to attend. Bishop Garcia has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
In a memo to clergy June 21, Bishop Soto noted: "We join with the family of Bishop Richard Garcia as well as the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Monterey lifting up in prayer our brother ... We ask the Lord Jesus that his merciful hands hold Bishop Garcia in his tender care. May the accompaniment of our Masses and prayers bring him and his family comfort and strength."
Bishop Soto asked his brother priests to include petitions for the health of Bishop Garcia and his family in the general intercessions of Mass.
Bishop Garcia served as Auxiliary Bishop of Sacramento for nine years. He was named by Pope John Paul II on Nov. 25, 1997, after he served since 1973 as a priest of the Diocese of San Jose. He was ordained by Bishop William K. Weigand in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento on Jan. 28, 1998.
While serving as Auxiliary Bishop of Sacramento, he was Moderator of the Curia and Vicar for Hispanics and other ethnic ministries. In addition, he represented the church to countless pastoral and civic groups and, in particular, gave special attention to the young people of the diocese in Catholic schools, parish faith formation and youth ministries.
On Dec. 19, 2006, Pope Benedict XI appointed him as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Monterey. He was installed during a Mass in the Monterey Convention Center on Jan. 30, 2007.