The motivation behind counting people experiencing homelessness stems from a deep commitment to using data science ethically and equitably to address societal issues. Data science, especially when pertaining to people who are unhoused, is perceived as objective but is often wielded in ways that inadvertently reinforce the biases and worldviews of the privileged. The count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness is not just a numerical exercise; it is a critical tool for understanding the extent of homelessness, the demographics and needs of the people affected, and the policy solutions and resources that can effectively address this complex issue.

Counting the unhoused becomes a powerful act of acknowledging their existence and struggles and is a foundational step toward advocating for their rights and dignity. This initiative is a testament to the potential to drive positive change and social justice when conducted with an equity-focused mindset.

The Regional Task Force on Homelessness is currently recruiting volunteers to support We All Count 2024, an annual count of people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in the San Diego region. This year, more than 1,700 volunteers will join the Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) to conduct the count on Thursday, January 25th, from 4:00-8:00 a.m.

“I’ve participated in We All Count several times since moving to San Diego 10 years ago and found that it helped me to better understand the challenges our unhoused neighbors experience on a daily basis,” said Jessica Ripper, who is participating in this year’s count in Mission Valley with the Board of Episcopal Community Services. “So many of our churches are already involved in providing food, clothing, and showers, and We All Count is another opportunity to support and build relationships with our unhoused neighbors.”

Several Episcopal churches will serve among this year’s 43 We All Count sites, and the Diocesan Center in Ocean Beach and St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in El Cajon still have openings for volunteers. Volunteers are also needed at 17 other sites across the county.

Volunteers can register as individuals or indicate that they are part of a group. Once registered, volunteers have access to an overview of the counting process and a short 30-minute training session via email. On the day of the count, volunteers typically work in teams of two to three people to conduct a head count and brief survey of the people they encounter in their assigned area.

You can learn more about We All Count and register to volunteer on the RTFH website.

Episcopalians love committees and meetings and, more recently, Zoom calls. We chat about shared missions and still have differing opinions on almost everything. It is something that makes the Episcopal tradition beautiful–the free expression of different experiences, cultures, and opinions. We have vestry and Bishop’s committee meetings, and Executive Council meetings, and the Standing Committee, and Diocesan Convention . . . How did the Episcopal Church get this way?

The late 18th century was a tumultuous time in the history of the United States. The American Revolution was in full swing, and not surprisingly, it came with a strong desire among American Anglicans to distance themselves from the Church of England. Yearning for a church that mirrored their newfound nation’s ideals, early Americans convened the first convention of the Church in 1785 in Philadelphia–the future first capital of the fledgling country–and established the Constitution and Canons of the Church. This outlined the democratic structure we enjoy today. It was a momentous occasion, marking the birth of a new religious institution that would strive to reconcile its Anglican heritage with the democratic spirit of the young nation.

At the core of The Episcopal Church’s identity lies a democratic structure designed to give voice to its members at every level. The foundation of the Episcopal Church’s structure rests at the local level within individual churches, where dedicated and passionate individuals are chosen to represent their faith communities. Each year, at each church’s annual meeting, vestry members and delegates to Diocesan Convention are selected by the congregation and leadership to represent their local church.

When each church’s delegation attends the annual convention of a diocese, they play a crucial role in discussing and voting on numerous resolutions, the annual diocesan budget, electing lay and clergy people into diocesan leadership, and electing the deputation that will attend the General Convention. The Diocesan Convention also gets to elect its diocese new bishop at times of transition.

Every three years, at each diocesan convention, deputies and alternates are elected to represent the diocese at the largest meeting of the Church–General Convention. This process ensures that a diverse range of voices and perspectives are brought together from various regions and backgrounds to collectively decide on matters of faith and governance.

The General Convention itself operates under a two-house system, consisting of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. This two-house structure is a reflection of the Episcopal Church’s commitment to inclusivity and balanced representation. The House of Bishops includes the spiritual leaders of the church, while the House of Deputies is comprised of elected representatives from every diocese, including both clergy and lay members.

The broadest level of the church, TEC, is led by a Presiding Bishop who is elected at General Convention to serve a nine-year term. While you may have heard our overall church described as the “national” church, The Episcopal Church (TEC) is actually very international. It comprises 108 dioceses, three mission areas, and 22 countries or territories, totaling over 1.5 million members. Similar to cities and states, there are levels of governance embedded within the Episcopal hierarchy. There are TEC, Dioceses, and Churches, each having a different level of authority and autonomy.

The Episcopal Church is divided into geographical regions known as dioceses. The Diocese of San Diego stretches across San Diego, Riverside, Imperial, and Yuma counties. Each diocese has its bishop, clergy, and lay representatives. Each diocese operates with a large degree of autonomy in many matters, including managing their finances and making decisions about local church practices. This decentralization allows dioceses to adapt to the unique needs and circumstances of their communities while adhering to the broader principles of the Episcopal Church.

Zooming in further, we encounter individual Episcopal churches within each diocese. These local congregations have their rectors or vicars and lay leaders. While they faithfully follow the overall structure and teachings of the Episcopal Church, they also possess a degree of autonomy in managing their own affairs. This local autonomy enables them to serve the specific needs and preferences of their local population.

The Episcopal Church’s democratic roots, sown during the American Revolution, continue to shape its governance and identity to this day. It is a story of faith and democracy intertwined, where the pursuit of religious independence and self-governance became inseparable from the quest for freedom in the United States. This unique blend of faith and democratic principles is mirrored in the church’s hierarchical structure, where the voices of both clergy and laity are heard and respected at every level.

Are you discerning a call from God? Perhaps it’s a call to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church?

Ordination in the Episcopal Church is a communal call – we don’t get to just decide ourselves that we’re going to be a priest or a deacon. We must enter into a time of communal discernment, where your bishop, your priest, your community, deacons, and laypeople help us understand what God is calling us to do and be.

The first step in this journey is to speak to your local clergy person – the next step is to attend the upcoming Day of Information, to be held on February 17 at St. Thomas, Temecula (44651 Avenida De Missiones, Temecula, CA 92592), from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bishop Susan Brown Snook and the members of the Commission on Ministry will be there to tell you more about the priesthood and the diaconate, and to share the details of the discernment process.

If you would like to attend, your clergy person must approve your attendance, and ideally, will attend with you. If you do not have a settled clergy person at your church, or if your clergyperson cannot attend with you, please contact the Rev. Canon Gwynn Lynch at glynch@edsd.org for assistance.

Register

One of the provocative and sometimes dangerous things about being a deacon is that our servant ministry allows us to travel beyond church walls and into the places where longing, desperation, and grace meet. 

It was Monday after the third Sunday in Advent, and while I had not proclaimed the gospel in our church the day before, I certainly preached it. Archdeacon Cindy Campos and I were driving east of San Diego toward the desert and a place called Jacumba. It is one of those towns where the highway drives straight through. 

We parked behind a van where a woman inside smiled at me, “Hello, my name is Nicole. Who are you looking for?”

“Sam, the man from Jacumba!” I replied.

“Well, you’ve come to the right place,” she hollered back as we walked around the front of the building.

At the entrance in fading paint were the words, “Youth Center.” It seemed odd for a youth center to exist in the middle of nowhere. I came to this “nowhere”  to hand out Beanie Bundles, a bundle made up of black beanies, knitted gloves, socks, and three candy kisses tied together by red and green velvet strings.  

The Beanie Bundle Ministry is a ministry led by the Deacons of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego designed to help migrant farm workers and those migrating with little or nothing to the US, Mexico border. During the development of the ministry, people said, “I think they’re cold, and we need to keep them warm.” What a simple and vital thing…warmth.  And we can offer it. 

The Youth Center was far from being a recreation facility for adolescents– it looked like a dumping ground for people’s donations, but it was actually “the concierge,” a place where volunteers gathered, sorted, and loaded supplies.

“Sam the Man” introduced himself. He looked like a guy from Star Wars—only the German version. He sported a German hiking/military hat that looked like it was from a film, a green button-down long-sleeve shirt, khaki shorts that were held up with a thick brown leather belt, and black boots that went well past his calves.

We left the youth center with Sam the Man, who led us to the camps where we’d be distributing our Beanie Bundles. Driving along the border fence felt like tip-toeing aside a sleeping giant– the fence towered over everything and stretched for miles. It felt dangerous like a silver and rust-colored serpent slithering across the land. I thought of the history of that fence, and the horror people experienced with it. 

When we arrived at the camp, I went up to a tent and heard children laughing and giggling; with their tent completely sealed, I announced myself, “Hola niños!” The tent’s door unzipped, and a little boy with his two sisters came out. As I explained what the beanies were, each of them got very excited when I told them about the three chocolate kisses inside. I watched as smiles brightened their faces. “Gracias!” they said, returning to the tent–giggles resuming. But this was the only tent in the camp where the inhabitants were from Mexico.

The other tents housed people from Brazil, China, India, Turkey, Haiti, and Africa. The sheer range of nationalities stopped me in my tracks, but so did the poverty.

There were probably fifty tents at this site. The tents were small. There were small fires burning, women and a few men milling about, most hunched over, some with hats, others with hijabs. “Why were they here?” I wondered–but then again, I know and wondered anyway. 

A few minutes later, we were rolling up to the next site. Sam the Man was right, this was a big camp. About four times the size of the other. When we stopped the car, I saw over a hundred people come toward me, and it was chilling.

I opened the trunk of the car and began handing out the bundles–so many hands and faces from all over the world and grateful voices telling us thank you. The more people that came up, the more urgent the giving became. I felt joy. These simple acts were making me more aware of who I was as a deacon–following Jesus’ servant way.

During our return journey home, the archdeacon and I shared our experiences and the profound impact they had on us. Gazing out at the long fence stretching into the distance, I felt a deep yearning to relive the day, to continue making a difference in the lives we had briefly touched. This experience, though just a single day in the vast timeline of the migrant crisis, left an indelible mark on my understanding of service, faith, and the human condition.

If you are interested in learning more about the diaconate or the Beanie Bundle ministry, please contact Archdeacon Cindy Campos at ccampos@edsd.org. To learn more about EDSD’s ministry to migrants, visit www.edsd.org/migration-ministry

At our 50th Diocesan Convention, Bishop Susan Brown Snook announced that 2024 will be the Year of Leadership in EDSD. Throughout 2024, the Diocese is offering a number of ways for individuals to develop as leaders, both in their spiritual journey and in their practical skills to serve the community. 

At the heart of this year’s focus is Leadership Academy–a flagship event set for January 20th. This year’s academy offers three distinct tracks: Foundations, Storytelling, and Growth, each designed to cater to various aspects of leadership. We will gather at the newly formed Resurrection Episcopal Church, located at the Episcopal Church Center in Ocean Beach. The day will begin with Holy Eucharist and close with reflection and a sending prayer, offering participants the opportunity to enter into learning opportunities prayerfully.

Foundations focus on self-awareness in ministry, offering new training to help participants understand and utilize their unique differences as strengths. Workshops such as “Knowing Yourself: Ministry from a Place of Self-Awareness” and “Listening for God’s Call: Ministry of All the Baptized” are poised to deepen the understanding and practice of ministry for both new and seasoned leaders.

Storytelling, a critical aspect of modern leadership, addresses the power of communication in digital evangelism and community engagement. Workshops like “Digital Evangelism” and “Conversing Across Difference” are tailored to help leaders effectively share the Good News of Christ and foster meaningful conversations within diverse communities.

In the Growth track, the focus shifts to expanding ministry outreach, with a special emphasis on engaging youth and seniors. This track includes sessions on “Ministry with Seniors” and “Engaging Young Adults Beyond Campus Ministry,” demonstrating the diocese’s commitment to inclusivity and intergenerational leadership.

Leadership Academy promises more than just education; it’s a journey of growth, reflection, and deepening relationships with God and each other. Register today for Leadership Academy here. Registration is limited to 80 people and closes on January 15, 2024, at 9:00 PM.

The Year of Leadership extends beyond Leadership Academy. Throughout the year, EDSD offers a Formation Leaders Retreat at Camp Stevens, and various Lay Licenses including preaching, evangelism, eucharistic visitor, and catechist license training. These programs aim to empower lay members to take significant roles in ministry and leadership.

An integral part of this year’s theme is sharing unique examples of leadership in EDSD’s churches. These stories aim to inspire and connect the diocesan community by showcasing the impact and experiences that leaders have on the Church and their community. From profiles on leadership types to success stories of various church communities, these narratives serve as a testament to the power of leadership–lay and ordained. 

The Year of Leadership is more than a series of events and storytelling; it’s a movement toward cultivating effective and faithful leadership throughout EDSD. By offering diverse training programs, sharing inspiring stories, and creating spaces for worship and reflection, the diocese is nurturing a community where leadership is not just about roles and responsibilities but about a deep commitment to serving God and our neighbors.

As the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego begins 2024, we invite you to explore and embrace your potential as leaders. In doing so, you are not only strengthening your church community but also contributing to a world in dire need of compassionate and visionary leaders.

Register for We Believe

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego (EDSD) is excited to announce the continuation of the diocesan-wide confirmation course “We Believe” following a highly successful inaugural year. This innovative program, designed for young people seeking a deeper understanding and connection with their faith, proved to be a transformative experience for participants. 

Last year, “We Believe” saw 12 teenagers embark on a journey of faith designed to help them explore their faith. Crafting their own Anglican Rosaries, participating in interactive workshops, and a four-mile prayer hike up Black Mountain were just a few of the spiritually centered activities the students reported as impactful. These experiences were designed not only to deepen the understanding of the Episcopal faith but also to foster a strong sense of community among the participants. The course was especially praised for its balance of spiritual depth and personal growth. 

This year, EDSD plans to build on this foundation with even more enriching experiences and opportunities for participants to explore their faith in a supportive and dynamic environment. “We Believe” 2024 registration opens on January 10 and is set to commence on February 18th. EDSD extends an open invitation to all individuals interested in embarking on this spiritual journey. The program’s continuation is a testament to EDSD’s commitment to nurturing faith and community within the diocese, providing a platform for individuals to deepen their relationship with God and strengthen their spiritual foundations. For more information about We Believe and to register, please use this link.

We Believe Registration 2024

For other formation events throughout the year, please contact the Director for Formation, Charlette Preslar.

Christmas Greetings, siblings in Christ! 

In the Gospel of Matthew, we find the beautiful narrative of the birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s promise to be with His people. We read, “‘Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’” This promise uttered centuries ago in Bethlehem, echoes through time, resonating across the ages that no matter who we are or where we are, God is with each and every one of us! 

The birth of Jesus is a testament to God’s love for humanity—a love so deep that He chose to enter into the human experience, to dwell among us in the person of His Son. The very name Immanuel encapsulates the essence of the Christmas story—the reality that God, in all His majesty, chose to be present with us, to share in our joys and sorrows, and to walk with us on our earthly journey. 

As we gather with family, friends, and fellow believers to celebrate the birth of the Christ child, let us be reminded of the profound meaning of Christmas: “God is with us.” The stable in Bethlehem, the simple manger, and the holy family gathered around the newborn King remind us of the humility and accessibility of our Creator. The God of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, invites us into a relationship marked by intimacy and closeness. 

This Christmas, let us strive to be mindful of God’s abiding presence in our lives. In the season’s busyness, may we find moments of quiet reflection, recognizing the sacredness of the Incarnation—the Word made flesh. In the faces of those we encounter and the beauty of creation, may we witness the reality of God’s ongoing presence, transcending time and space. 

The message of Christmas is one of hope and redemption, which resonates with the promise of a Savior who came not to condemn but to save. As we exchange gifts and share in the warmth of festive gatherings, let us extend the love of Christ to those around us, embodying the spirit of Immanuel in our relationships and actions. 

Looking ahead to the new year, may the truth of “God is with us” inspire and guide us in all we undertake as a diocesan family. Together, let us continue to grow in love, grace, and discipleship, confident that the abiding presence of our Lord marks our journey. 

I am deeply grateful for your faithfulness and commitment to the mission of our diocese. May the joy and peace of Christ’s birth be with you and your loved ones, and may the coming year be filled with the blessings that flow from the knowledge that God is truly with us. 

In Christ’s abiding love, 

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook 

Episcopal Diocese of San Diego 

Over the last three weeks, we’ve shared videos about our Diocesan history, originally shown at the 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner on November 10. You can view the Our History trilogy here. Enjoy this final installment, where Bishop Susan outlines the Courageous Love Campaign. Bishop Susan underscores the importance of our collective effort and generosity in achieving our courageous goals.


The last 50 years lay a foundation for the next 50 years, 100 years and 150 years. It has taken many thousands of people and many thousands of prayers to bring the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego to where it is today.

We have had up times, and we have had down times. Doing the work of Jesus Christ in this world is never easy, but at its best, it is a good and joyful ministry that makes a soul-deep difference to others. Think of the priests and congregations who forgave and welcomed their arsonists. The priests who visited unaccompanied minor children in the convention center when they were housed here. The priests who preach the good news of Jesus Christ to veterans and refugees. Think of the thousands upon thousands of ordinary people who needed to know that God loves them. It has been good work, but our work is not done.

We have 50 years behind us, and we are just getting started. Unfortunately, the world around us is as troubled as ever. Our church is recovering from conflict and the pandemic. There are serious issues in our communities to be faced, like a shortage of affordable housing, and there are always too many people who don’t know the love of Christ and how Christ’s calling brings meaning and purpose to our lives. Which is why I say we are only just getting started here in EDSD. We have a lot of work to do, but it is not burdensome work because when you follow Jesus, the work that he gives you to do is joy because Christ’s work transforms lives. Christ’s work is a joyful mission. So tonight, I want to invite all of you to join that mission.

Our 50 years of history is only the beginning. It is up to us to lay the foundation for the next 50 years. And that’s what the diocesan strategic plan launched in 2020 is about. We did not let the pandemic dishearten us from the mission that Jesus gave us to do. We started working on that mission slowly, at first, as the pandemic allowed, and now we’re beginning to see some fruit being born. We have much more to do and to do it, we will need your help.

We have announced our Courageous Love campaign to support our strategic plan and the mission that God calls us to accomplish. The money won’t go to buildings or structures or a diocesan endowment. Instead, it will go to our Courageous Love mission: Growing the Church, Strengthening our Congregations, and Serving our Neighbors.

Growing the Church

We believe Christ’s love makes a difference in people’s lives, and Christ commands that we share that love. So we want to plant new churches in our densely populated area. We already have, as you’ve heard, two new churches beginning to take root in Oceanside and Ocean Beach.

And there are many more opportunities. We’d like to end the next five years with 3 to 5 new churches in areas currently underserved by the Episcopal Church, growing and thriving and reaching new people with the love of Christ. We want to support our existing congregations in growing and reaching their communities by continuing to teach evangelism and community engagement.

We want to support our congregations in starting new worship services to reach the amazing diversity of people in our region. We want to make disciples of the next generations, supporting your congregations and your leaders in their ministries with children and youth, and starting two campus ministries at UCSD and Cal State, San Marcos, adding to that begun at SDSU. Reaching new people of all ages and diversities with the love of Christ is a huge part of our courageous love mission.

Strengthening our Congregations

We know that the heart of the work of the gospel happens in congregate missions as they do the daily work of worshiping and teaching the faith and loving and serving their neighbors. But coming out of the pandemic, some congregations struggling, and some are stable, but could use a hand up for bold new visions. We need to develop new leaders of younger generations and wider multicultural diversity and to be able to support them through seminary or lay training programs so that they can do the things that God is calling them to do–to bring the gospel through the Episcopal Church to the many, many people in our communities. So we will start a fund to support lay and ordained leadership development.

We also want to be able to support congregations in their bold visions. We would like to establish a grant fund for evangelism and mission grants for congregations from $10,000 to $15000 each to try bold new projects, either to invite new people into worship. For instance, with bi-cultural, bilingual, all kinds of multicultural services, or to serve their neighbors in some way. All congregations would qualify for these grants without regard to the current division between parish and mission status.

We have a bold new mission real estate program. Many of our congregations are cash-poor and asset-rich. They have corners of unused land, and we live in an area where there is an acute crisis of affordable housing. We’ve already started working with congregations who are interested in using their excess real estate in new ways for mission. And we have as we do this work, we have three values in mind. First, we want to provide long-term financial sustainability for the congregation. We want to help our congregations address the serious community issues facing our area, such as the lack of affordable housing. And whatever we do on our property, we want it to be a mission opportunity for the congregation, allowing the church to interact with and offer ministry to the projects on our property. We note, also, that there is a clergy housing crisis for us as for many professions, teachers, health care workers, and so on, it is hard for our congregation fans to pay enough for our employees to live in this area.

One of our goals is to find a way to solve our clergy crisis. One of the things that we believe our diocese can truly support congregations in is providing some of the technical expertise and development, and financing that most congregations don’t have and connecting them with the right people to discern what God is calling them to do and to and help them get the projects done. But expertise like that is expensive, too. Too much for any congregation to afford on its own, which is why we want to support them. Our diocese received a $350,000 grant from Trinity Wall Street. They are partnering with us to help us with this mission’s real estate project to fund part of this, to provide technical expertise on land development and financing to our congregations. The Courageous Love fund will contribute to this work, to support our congregations in this work, particularly with the clergy housing issue.

Serving our Neighbors

The third priority, which interrelates with the other two, is to serve our neighbors. The Mission Real Estate Project will serve our neighbors as we work with other faith and government leaders to solve the housing crisis and other crises of affordability in our region. Evangelism and Mission grants will also serve our neighbors, as we anticipate that many congregations will have big visions for congregational-level service ministries that we can help to fund. Third, we have diocesan-level projects that we would like to support that will serve our neighbors in addition to existing diocesan service ministries that happen through our homeless services at the Episcopal Church Center and others that happen through some of our affiliated institutions like Episcopal Community Services, Refugee Net and Vida Joven.

We have opportunities before us to serve our neighbors. One such opportunity and vision that we have is to start a migrant shelter in Tijuana. We have a generous, service-oriented Episcopalian from our diocese who owns a building there, and has offered to us for this use. And because the building already houses an orphanage, its Mexican licensing would allow a migrant shelter there for women and children.

Our vision is to create a shelter for migrant women and children who have gotten as far as Tijuana and probably won’t get any further, but who can’t go home because they can’t go back to whatever it was they were fleeing in their home, their home communities. And so they need a safe place to stay, and they need job training so that they and their children can make a new life in Tijuana.

We believe that we can make a vital difference in the lives of migrants who live difficult lives, who suffer difficult lives. Just 30 minutes south of here are truly our neighbors in our backyard. These are some of the neighbors that Jesus calls us to love. We’re glad to be working jointly with our companion diocese of Western Mexico and Obispo Ricardo Gomez, on this project, along with the generous owner of the building and two other nonprofits, including our own Episcopal-affiliated Vida Joven.

This group of partners would all be supporters and participants in this work. We are applying for some grant funding for this project, and we hope also to have some diocesan funding to share with this mission of Mercy and Hope, which we are calling the Community of Light. We will be a beacon of light for our migrant neighbors.

These are our priorities for this Courageous Love Campaign. It is a bold vision. It is a vision that will take all the courage and love that we have. It is a vision of courageous love. And we invite you to share in this vision.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego has been through a lot of ups and downs in the last 50 years, and coming out of a pandemic has felt like a downtime. It’s certainly been a challenging time, but we believe that God is not finished with us yet. God has a vital, essential ministry that He wants us to do, and it is time now for us to lay a foundation for the next 50 years to reach out with hope and joy and love and care for our neighbors. To answer Christ’s call to mission in confidence that whatever God calls us to do, God will make it possible. To pray without ceasing, worship without ceasing, love without ceasing, and to give so that that mission and vision can become a reality.

My husband, Tom, and I have committed sacrificially to this campaign, and I’m inviting you now to consider it as well. Our total goal is $2.5 million. And we believe with your vision and support, we can do the things God calls us to do. We can become the diocese that God envisions us becoming. We can live with courageous love. So, please join me in answering God’s call.

By your grace, you have called the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego to be a joyful, dedicated, visionary fellowship of faith. We thank you for the 50 years we have shared in ministry, and we ask for your blessing in the years and decades to come. May the vision of courageous love prosper through the vision and courage of the people of this diocese, grant success to this campaign and to the vision and mission it will support.

Bless the memories of our former bishops, Robert, Brinkley and Gethen, and bless all the clergy and people of our diocese. Grant that in the Diocese of San Diego, your word may be truly preached and truly heard, your sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received by your Spirit. Fashion our lives according to the example of your son and grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen. 

You can join EDSD in its courageous work by pledging or giving today to the Courageous Love fund here.

Last week, many of our congregations held celebrations honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose feast day is traditionally observed across the globe every December 12. The celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe may sound familiar to many of us, particularly those of us who have grown up or lived for many years in Southern California and in proximity to Mexico and Mexican culture. 

The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe takes place in 1531, a decade after the Spanish conquest of Mexico. A man originally named Cuauhtlatoatizin, later baptized as Juan Diego, was Indigenous to the Chichimeca people and a devout converted Christian.  The Nican Mopohua (the earliest known recording of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego) describes him as being “poor but worthy of respect.” 

One day, Juan Diego was passing by a hill in the small village of Tepeyac, when an apparition of The Virgin Mary appeared to him. She instructed Juan Diego to visit the palace of the Bishop and then ask the Bishop, Don Br. Juan de Zumarraga, to erect a chapel in Tepeyac in her honor. This chapel would be a place of comfort for all who sought her and her compassion in their troubles and pains.

Juan Diego set off to do as this apparition of Mary asked but found the task difficult. Upon arrival at the Bishop’s palace, Juan Diego begged the Bishop’s servants to allow him an audience. When Juan Diego finally met with the Bishop to tell him all he had seen and heard, Bishop de Zumarraga did not believe him.

Juan Diego returned the way he came, once again encountering the apparition of Mary, and regretfully shared with her that he had failed. The apparition encouraged Juan Diego to visit the Bishop again the next day. Juan Diego did, and again, the Bishop did not believe him. This process repeated a few times, with Juan Diego failing to convince the Bishop of the miracle of the apparition. 

The Bishop, tired of Juan Diego’s harassment, threatened him with violence if he returned again. 

Juan Diego pleaded with the Virgin Mary to send someone else: perhaps “one of the nobles who are held in esteem, one who is known, respected, honored…so that he will be believed.” 

Juan Diego, understanding his humble status on the socioeconomic hierarchy, insisted that it was not his place to bring this vision to the Bishop. But this apparition of Mary insisted that it must be Juan Diego, and that only through his intercession could this vision of a new chapel be a reality.

To assist him, the apparition told Juan Diego to gather an abundance of cut flowers into his tilma (a type of cloak worn by the Aztecs and peoples of central Mexico), and to take these flowers to the Bishop, “that in these flowers the Bishop would see Mary’s wish.” 

Juan Diego followed this command, and ventured to the Bishop’s palace for the fifth time. During this visit, as Juan Diego opened his tilma and the flowers fell to the floor, there appeared on Juan Diego’s tilma a vision of the Virgin Mary. The Bishop finally understood this sign and believed Juan Diego, and a church was then built in her honor.

The celebration of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe is distinctly of Mexican and Catholic origin. But the influence of “La Guadalupana” is worldwide, with countries across Latin America and elsewhere recognizing this celebration. On July 16, 1935, Pope Pius XI declared Our Lady of Guadalupe as the patron saint of the Philippines. 

As congregations throughout EDSD prepared for her celebration this year, leaders took the time to share with me what Our Lady of Guadalupe meant to them. 

For Julian Sanchez, who is of Mexican-American heritage and grew up attending St. Matthew’s in National City, where he now serves as Bishop’s Warden, the Virgin of Guadalupe symbolizes reconciliation, and a way forward. 

Sanchez said, ”When I was a child, La Guadalupana meant love for the Mexican people. But now, as an adult, she means redemption to me.  If I put myself in the times of Diego, a lot of acts of violence were committed to the native Mexicans by the Spanish and the Church. She appeared in a time of trouble to [move] two different cultures [toward] a new time of hope and acceptance.  Though we still struggle with identity today, it was a huge first step forward [to bring us to where] we are today.  As a Mexican American, Spanish, or native blood, we all stop to give thanks and gratitude for our mother of peace.”

The Rev. Brian Johnson, and the community of St. John’s, Indio, offered another perspective. Rev. Johnson said, “When the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego in 1531, she became a sign of the reconciliation of the Spanish and indigenous people through a common devotion to her. Subsequently, as the “Queen of Mexico and Patron of the Americas,” she has played a unique role in national (and international) identity. 

“Those who venerate the Virgin are united in spirit whenever they are, whatever their heritage. She inspires people to create communities, to give rise to social movements, and encourage social justice. Due to her wisdom and gentleness, many see her as a wise counselor and comforter, and one who will bring minor and major miracles to life. She breaks down walls of racial separation, and assures us that things which were cast down are once again being raised up.”

But what does the Virgin de Guadalupe mean to me? How does Juan Diego’s story help inform my place in the world today? 

The Virgin of Guadalupe’s consistent affirmation of Juan Diego as an important and valuable leader in God’s mission resonates with me. Even as Juan Diego insists that it might be better to send another person of higher status with more social power and privilege, La Guadalupe doubles down that it must be him, in the fullness of everything that he already is. 

In this, I find myself reflecting on my own past, present, and future. When have I been Juan Diego, insisting on my own lack? Who have been the people who have affirmed and uplifted me in my own journey, in the way Our Lady of Guadalupe affirmed and uplifted Juan Diego? And, who are the Juan Diegos in our midst, called to perform modern-day miracles of mission and lead us into a new, more inclusive way of being? And how can we journey alongside them, as La Guadalupana journeyed alongside Juan Diego?

As we begin our diocesan Year of Leadership, join me in reflecting on how we can be more like Juan Diego–trusting, persistent, and humble as leaders sharing the Good News of Christ with the world. 

*Summarized from a translation of the Nican Mopohua

In the heart of December, a cherished tradition unfolds across Latin America, captivating millions with its profound blend of holiness and family-centered joy. Las Posadas, celebrated from December 16th to Christmas Eve, spans nine days, symbolizing the expectant nine months of Mary’s pregnancy leading to the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Translated as “the inn” in English, La Posada encapsulates the poignant search for shelter by the Holy Family in Bethlehem. This tradition, rich with symbolism, is uniquely mobile, mirroring Mary and Joseph’s journey in search of refuge. It’s a spiritual pilgrimage embraced by families who visit one another’s homes, sharing in the anticipation of the arrival of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 

In San Diego, where the United States and Mexico meet amid a formidable barrier, an extraordinary celebration called Posada Sin Fronteras (Shelter without Borders) has thrived for three decades. Gathering at Friendship Park, separated only by a border fence, hundreds of people from both sides joined hands, hearts, and voices to recognize the struggles of migrants and commemorate the Holy Family’s quest for a safe haven. 

Year after year, ‘pinky hugs’ were exchanged through the fence, songs of hope echoed, and prayers were offered for migrants seeking a better life. The reenactment of the Holy Family’s search for shelter became a powerful symbol of finding welcome in each other’s presence. However, the world has changed, and since 2019, Friendship Park, once a symbol of unity, has been closed. 

Despite the physical separation imposed by the closed park, the spirit of La Posada prevailed. This year, as we celebrated from a distance, my heart reached across the divide to friends in the United States, standing near ‘Whiskey 8’ where migrants’ dreams hung in the balance between fences. Though physically apart, our celebration remained poignant, echoing the timeless message of compassion and unity. 

We reflect on the Christian call to welcome the stranger, a message more urgent than ever. In remembering the Holy Family’s journey, we recognize that this call to hospitality extends beyond a season—it’s a perpetual invitation to open our hearts. In welcoming strangers, we might unknowingly entertain angels, and in every act of kindness, we embody the true spirit of Posada. 

Recalling San Diego’s history of opening its arms to unaccompanied migrant minors, we see the Posada spirit alive in acts of compassion. Now, as migrants find themselves detained between border barriers, our collective compassion is summoned once again. The Posada is not merely a tradition to observe but a way of life to embrace. 

Approaching Christmas, with the birth of Jesus symbolizing love and salvation, our hearts stir with empathy. Posada isn’t confined to a set time; it’s a daily commitment to welcome strangers, witnessing the light of gratitude in their eyes and the blessing of their appreciation. 

As we celebrate this timeless tradition, remember the Posada spirit’s enduring relevance. To learn more about EDSD’s Migration Ministry, a beacon of compassion and outreach, visit www.edsd.org/migration-ministry. Join us in embracing the Posada spirit—a celebration that transcends borders and embodies the essence of love, hope, and hospitality.