tvc.dsj.org | December 13, 2016
community
9
Pilgrimage to the Doors of Mercy to Build Bridges
By Yolanda Toulet
Genuine mercy calls us to build
bridges with God and each other. With
this objective in mind, a pilgrimage to
the Doors of Mercy was organized by
the Hispanic Council of Saint Julie Parish on November 12 to mark the end of
the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
More than 100 parishioners from
the parish united in prayer, praise and
worship walked through the Doors of
Mercy at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint
Joseph, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
and Our Lady of Peace Parish.
The pilgrimage was an opportunity
for the pilgrims to reflect upon God’s
mercy and love poured forth on all.
Opportunities for the sacrament of
reconciliation, community prayer and
silent reflection helped each one to connect with God. Father Joe Kim, Father
George Aranha, Father Saju Joseph and
Father Gerardo Menchaca blessed the
pilgrims at Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The community meal at the end
of the pilgrimage and the spiritual
direction for corporal works of mercy
provided by Father Joe Kim helped the
pilgrims to build bridges to others. People of different ethnicities, languages
and colors journeying together was a
true sign of the kingdom of God.
This has not only been a spiritually
energizing experience but also a profound community bridge builder for
Saint Julie’s parishioners.
Interfaith Celebration Highlights Solidarity and Sustainability
By Allis Druffel
California Interfaith Power & Light,
Southern California Outreach Director
California Interfaith Power & Light
held its 10th annual awards ceremony
at Oakland’s Beebe Memorial Cathedral on November 15 and the feeling
of interfaith solidarity in the room
was palpable. Representatives from
the Islamic, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Unitarian traditions met
with one another, sharing best practices on sustainability, which only
increase the capacity of the interfaith
community going forward.
The prog ra m sta r ted w it h a n
indigenous prayer in mindful support of fellow faith leaders at Standing Rock. Presenters of the awards
included CIPL Steering Committee
members Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll,
Pastor of the Church by the Side of
the Road in Berkeley; Rabbi Marvin
Goodman, Executive Director of the
Northern California Board of Rabbis;
Juana Torres of the Sierra Club and
volunteer with the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles; and G.L. Hodge,
Administrator of Providence Baptist
in San Francisco.
The Catholic community was well
represented this year with awards
going to both Saint Thomas Aquinas
Catholic Church in Palo Alto and
Saint Anthony High School in Long
Beach for Green Building, and American Martyrs Church and School in
Manhattan Beach for Energy Efficiency and Conservation. La Casa de
Maria in Santa Barbara, originally
started by the Immaculate Heart of
Mary community won the award for
Green Retreat Center. All four had
focused on sustainability initiatives
for several years, with Pope Francis’
encyclical, Laudato si,’ re-energizing