PALM DESERT—With the founding bishop of the diocese and the religious sisters who built St. Bernardine Hospital among the evening’s honorees, the 14th Annual Bishop’s Dinner drew a record 994 guests on April 6.
Held at the JW Marriot Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, the dinner raised more than $600,000 for the education and formation of diocesan seminarians. It continues a sharp upward trend in both attendance and fundraising over the past five years. The 2008 Bishop’s Dinner raised about $50,000 and drew 480 guests, by comparison.
CORONA—Like many youth his age Eddie Franco says he only attended confirmation classes because his parents made him. He did not know the meaning of the sacrament and was not interested in finding out. He fooled around in class and did not take it seriously. When his catechists took interest in his development, however, things began to change. 
SAN BERNARDINO—Highlighting Asian Pacific cultures and the different ways in which each culture approaches spirituality will be the focus of a seminar in May. Sharing Asian Pacific Gifts: Faith and Cultures will be held May 17 and 18 at the Diocesan Pastoral Center in San Bernardino.
RIVERSIDE—Public concerns about the potential removal of the landmark Serra Cross in Riverside were finally allayed on April 11 when a specially formed community group bought the property from the City of Riverside in a public bid.
HEMET—Inspired by an evangelization program at his last assignment, Father Cornelius McQuillan, CSSp, has begun a new evangelization ministry at Our Lady of the Valley parish in Hemet. By evangelizing through monthly letters, Father McQuillan hopes to reach out and strengthen the bond between the parish and the greater community one neighborhood at a time. 
Compassion in Action Medical Mission was designed to address the challenge of healthcare access to vulnerable poor people in our rural communities.