“Sinful national scourge”
From the website of the Diocese of Sacramento
Bishop Jaime Soto invites all Catholics in the Diocese of Sacramento along with people of good will to join together to observe a day of fasting, abstinence, prayer and works of charity on Friday, Jan. 20, in reparation for the sinful national scourge of abortion. The day is marked in recognition of the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, and designated by the bishop as a Diocesan Day of Reparation.
Events will be held that day at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, located at 1017 11th St. in Sacramento. Catholic junior high and high school student council members are invited to attend a pro-life educational program at the cathedral in the morning (call the Catholic Schools Department at (916) 733-0110 for information).A Mass for the reparation of sins will be offered at 12:10 p.m. in the cathedral with Bishop Soto presiding. Priests of the diocese are invited to concelebrate the Mass with the bishop and to offer their Jan. 20 Masses in their parishes for an end to abortion. On Sunday, Jan. 22, the bishop has asked priests to pray and preach for an end to abortion and a renewed promotion of the gospel of life.
The priests of the Sutter-Butte Deanery are celebrating together the Diocesan Day of Reparation (penance and prayer) and invite the faithful to attend Mass on Friday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. in Our Divine Savior Church, located at 566 E. Lassen Ave. in Chico.
As a guide to those who are able to fast on Jan. 21, Bishop Soto recommends that those fasting limit themselves to one full meal. Those choosing to abstain may refrain from eating meat that day or from anything that is normally consumed as part of one’s daily routine. Works of charity are particularly encouraged: helping at food distribution centers, visiting the sick or imprisoned, or assisting at shelters for women and families in need.
Bishop Soto also encourages the faithful of the diocese to participate in the eighth annual West Coast Walk for Life on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 12:30 p.m. in San Francisco.
For more information about these events, call Steve Patton, associate director for family and respect life ministries, at (916) 733-0133.
