Welcome to St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church
A Message From Our Pastor Fr. Gene
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Church News and Announcements
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A message from the Parish Office:
St. Catherine’s Church is open at the following times: Monday – Friday 7:30 am to 9:00 am and 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Saturday 7:30 am to 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm Sunday 6:00 am to 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm If you have questions, please call the Parish Office at 951.781.9855. Thank you. The Hispanic Ministry will be selling tickets after all Masses on Sunday, October 27, November 2 & 3 and 9 & 10 to benefit the celebration of the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, 2019. click here Life Teen Remember every Sunday is LIFE NIGHT, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Hall or Youth House, 6956 Nixon Drive. All High School Age Youth are welcome to come over as soon as the LIFE TEEN Mass ends. Click Here Lay Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Call 369-9228 for more information SPARK - Catholic Young Adult Community Are you looking to grow in your Catholic faith with other young adults that share your faith? SPARK Catholic Young Adult Community of young adults ages of 18 to 39. We meet every 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month at St. Catherine’s or St. Thomas in Riverside. @spark_ya or text at 951.468.5671 or email at spark.catholicyoungadult@gmail.com. CATHOLIC MEN’S FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY Are you looking for faith, hope and prayer in your life? Come join Catholic Men’s Fellowship here at St. Catherine on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm or 4th Saturday of the month at 9:00 am. Meetings are held at the Ministry Center, Room 1—7005 Brockton Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506. “All men welcome.” Call Robert at 951-784-7642 or Al at 951-212-1971 for information. Diocese of San Bernardino Office of the Bishop Pope Francis a Restorative Justice role model in the church. Click here: |
Thinking about becoming Catholic?
Have questions? Call Mary or Marty at 781-9855 ext. 29 for the answers. Help for the homeless and hungry Riverside County residents. You may get $200 in Food Stamps when you apply. Call 800-464-1123. Youth and young adult choir If you are between the ages of 14-39 and enjoy singing or play an instrument, join us on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month from 7:00—8:00 pm in the Church for rehearsal. Response to the Clergy Sexual Abuse Crisis October 30, 2018 Sexual Abuse Crisis Announcements: Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of the Diocese of San Bernardino has authorized release of a list of priests who have faced credible accusations of sexual abuse of minors, and has written a letter explaining his decision. In addition, St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Parish recently held a town hall on the issue, providing an opportunity for members to share their concerns. A full report is available on our website. Town Hall Followup in English and Spanish: Click Here: Diocese of San Bernardino Department of Life, Dignity & Justice Advocacy & Justice for Immigrants The Catholic Church and SB 54 Why Not Physician-Assisted Suicide? For English click here. For Español click here. Diocese of San Bernardino Filling Lives With Hope (Suicide Prevention) Llenando Vidas De Esperanza (Prevencion de Suicidio) Diocese of San Bernardino Offices of the Bishop YEAR OF EPISCOPAL TRANSITION"The next 12 months will be a year unlike any other in recent memory in our Diocese. It will be a time of ending, of new beginnings and, for me, a time of transition..." Bishop Gerald Barnes Click here |
Pulpit Announcements
Ask the Clergy
Q. A divorced Catholic asked, “I have severe anxiety and cannot seem to get into a confessional. Is there any other way to confess my sins so that I can get back to church each week and receive the Holy Eucharist?”
Two members of the St. Catherine of Alexandria staff responded, Fr. Sesinando “Jun” Cajucom and Deacon John De Gano. Here are their answers:
A. I understand your concern because there are other people who are also in the same predicament. But it should not be a hindrance for you or for anyone to receive the mercy of God. And to answer your question, the confessional room is not the only place for confession. You can do it wherever you feel comfortable and free to confess your sins as long as a priest or a bishop is physically present. Confession over the phone, by mail, or through any electronic device is not allowed. The seal of confession requires and guarantees absolute and strict confidentiality. I recommend that you just approach a priest or contact our parish office and we will arrange how you can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and finally for you to receive communion during Mass.
- Fr. Jun Cajucom
A. Many of us who grew up prior to the Second Vatican II Council can remember the ‘box’, a dimly lit (mostly pitch dark) narrow ‘closet’/room with a 4 inch wooden ‘shelf’ for kneeling that more times than not I missed while trying to get in the kneeling position before the door completely closed. Ouch! None of these elements helped to make going to confession a joyful experience.Today most parishes no longer use such an intimidating vehicle for encountering God.
Penitents have the option of the type of confession they would prefer. Face-to-face (the modern form) or through the screen/curtain (for those who want a little more anonymity). Confessionals have been replaced in many churches with reconciliation rooms, with normal lighting, and optional chairs (instead of kneelers) for those with knee problems or an adversity to the kneelers of old.
There are also special Communal Penance Services (typically offered in Advent and Lent) that allow multiple penitents to be heard by one of several priests at the same time. At St. Catherine we utilize our side chapels, occasionally an alcove or space behind the altar, etc.(all out in plain view) in addition to the regular reconciliation rooms (mentioned above).
My preference is the Communal Penance Services as they have an opening ritual, scriptural reading, group prayer and then individual confessions. I like that I can see my fellow parishioners partaking of this holy and living sacrifice and pray for them as they pray for me to have a good confession. It reminds me that we are all on the road to heaven together and need each other for spiritual support.
And finally, we have the option to request the sacrament of reconciliation at any time. The parish bulletin and website mention calling the Parish Office to schedule a time. This is preferred to waiting for Father to hear their confession immediately after mass (he might have an appointment) or asking him to hear your confession beforehand (puts stress on Father who wants to meet your needs but also has people waiting for him to celebrate the mass in a couple of minutes!
When we schedule an appointment we can arrange to meet with Father at the Church, the Rectory, the Ministry Center, or other mutually-acceptable location.
We need not be intimidated any more. ‘Going to’ Confession is not what it was like when I was a teen.
I’ll pray that you find the experience life-affirming, a relief, and a true conversion experience that will make the anxiousness disappear (over time) and fill you with the joy of the Lord.
Welcome home
Deacon John De Gano
A. I understand your concern because there are other people who are also in the same predicament. But it should not be a hindrance for you or for anyone to receive the mercy of God. And to answer your question, the confessional room is not the only place for confession. You can do it wherever you feel comfortable and free to confess your sins as long as a priest or a bishop is physically present. Confession over the phone, by mail, or through any electronic device is not allowed. The seal of confession requires and guarantees absolute and strict confidentiality. I recommend that you just approach a priest or contact our parish office and we will arrange how you can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and finally for you to receive communion during Mass.
- Fr. Jun Cajucom
A. Many of us who grew up prior to the Second Vatican II Council can remember the ‘box’, a dimly lit (mostly pitch dark) narrow ‘closet’/room with a 4 inch wooden ‘shelf’ for kneeling that more times than not I missed while trying to get in the kneeling position before the door completely closed. Ouch! None of these elements helped to make going to confession a joyful experience.Today most parishes no longer use such an intimidating vehicle for encountering God.
Penitents have the option of the type of confession they would prefer. Face-to-face (the modern form) or through the screen/curtain (for those who want a little more anonymity). Confessionals have been replaced in many churches with reconciliation rooms, with normal lighting, and optional chairs (instead of kneelers) for those with knee problems or an adversity to the kneelers of old.
There are also special Communal Penance Services (typically offered in Advent and Lent) that allow multiple penitents to be heard by one of several priests at the same time. At St. Catherine we utilize our side chapels, occasionally an alcove or space behind the altar, etc.(all out in plain view) in addition to the regular reconciliation rooms (mentioned above).
My preference is the Communal Penance Services as they have an opening ritual, scriptural reading, group prayer and then individual confessions. I like that I can see my fellow parishioners partaking of this holy and living sacrifice and pray for them as they pray for me to have a good confession. It reminds me that we are all on the road to heaven together and need each other for spiritual support.
And finally, we have the option to request the sacrament of reconciliation at any time. The parish bulletin and website mention calling the Parish Office to schedule a time. This is preferred to waiting for Father to hear their confession immediately after mass (he might have an appointment) or asking him to hear your confession beforehand (puts stress on Father who wants to meet your needs but also has people waiting for him to celebrate the mass in a couple of minutes!
When we schedule an appointment we can arrange to meet with Father at the Church, the Rectory, the Ministry Center, or other mutually-acceptable location.
We need not be intimidated any more. ‘Going to’ Confession is not what it was like when I was a teen.
I’ll pray that you find the experience life-affirming, a relief, and a true conversion experience that will make the anxiousness disappear (over time) and fill you with the joy of the Lord.
Welcome home
Deacon John De Gano
Mass Schedule
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Saturday Evening
5:15 pm (Vigil Mass) Sunday 6:30 am (English) 8:30 am (English) 10:15 am (Interpreted for the Deaf) 12:00 pm (English) 1:45 pm (Español) 5:15 pm (English) English Daily Mass 8:00 am (English) 5:30 pm (Monday – Friday, except from Memorial Day through Labor Day) |
Holy Days (except Christmas & New Year’s)
Vigil at 5:30 pm; 8:00 am, 10:15 am, 7:00 pm Confessions Saturday: 3:30-5:00 pm; Daily Upon Request St. Catherine’s Church is open at the following times: Monday – Friday 7:30 am to 9:00 am and 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Saturday 7:30 am to 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm Sunday 6:00 am to 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm If you have questions, please call the Parish Office at 951.781.9855. Thank you |