A message from Jorge Mendoza, Director of Catechetical & Hispanic Ministries at St. John the Evangelist Parish in San Diego…

As leaders within the Church we are called to protect our faith, and also called to reach out to the peripheries within our parish boundaries. On Sunday, March 24th, at 5:00 p.m., St John’s parish will be hosting Adoration and “Always Our Children” Lenten Mass open to the greater periphery, County of San Diego, and we invite you to join us.

What is driving this New Evangelization initiative? As a Church community, welcoming those who are struggling with mental illness, homelessness, addiction, etc. may be easy, but what about our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters who have felt marginalized and feel they are not welcomed in the church? This New Evangelization calls us to LOVE unconditionally. Through our relationships, we must now reach out to the community to show that unconditional LOVE, particularly to our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters who may be struggling due to fear of being rejected by family and the Church.

Due to the sensitivity of the social issue, “Always Our Children” is not to promote advocacy against Church’s teaching, nor is it a means to change an individual’s sexual orientation. Rather, to welcome each individual back to the Church community. Let us not allow our fear to love one another hinder us by creating barriers and walls, but rather, let us create a community of love without fear. Let us live this New Evangelization through this initiative and reestablish our relationship with All of God’s Children…. Please see event flyer (on the bulletin board). Feel free to contact me at jorge@sjesandiego.org.