Bishop's Jaime Soto's "Joy and Hope" Column Feed

Bringing new innovations to The Catholic Herald

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:09:12 -0700

I remember the familiar, reassuring morning plop of the newspaper on the front porch. The subtle sound brought a sense of anticipation and sometimes dread. The plop gave a hint about what the new day might bring....

Freedom: Cherish it and use it well

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:00:43 -0700

The consideration of jazz music and war can seem jarring, uncomfortable, and even disrespectful. Yet, if we go back into the history of jazz there is a curious convergence. During the bleak, bitter days of World War II, jazz was moving from the limited audience of small night clubs to the grand dance halls and auditoriums with the emergence of large swing orchestras...

Two mothers share in compassion, healing

Thu, 20 May 2010 15:27:00 -0700

This is late for a Mother’s Day reflection. I will rely on the understanding of all mothers, especially my own. Whenever my mother would say, “I know you’re busy,” I knew that the correct translation was, “You mean you’re too busy to call your mother?!”...

Lourdes displays the Catholic paradox

Thu, 06 May 2010 15:05:30 -0700

Since my time of service in the Diocese of Orange, the Order of Malta has been after me to accompany them and the “malades” in pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. The Order of Malta is an ancient Catholic association of men and women who dedicate themselves to defending the Catholic faith and serving the infirmed....

Choose wisely from the old and the new

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 09:35:35 -0700

A common warning among the members of my family about traveling is with me is, “You’re going to see lots of churches.” I believe the threat is slightly exaggerated. My siblings’ complaint fails to take into account that if you want to see beautiful art and architecture then you go to the churches because that’s where it is....

Jesus’ enduring love and mercy will save us

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:28:30 -0700

Many of you, as well as I, have been unsettled and saddened by the recently disclosed cases of children abused by members of the clergy in Europe and the United States. The reports have accused Pope Benedict XVI of playing a role in covering up or mishandling these shocking stories...

How hard the search for answers can be

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:18:57 -0700

In the 25th chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew, we find the often repeated Christian admonition:

“’Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ...

Lent wakes us from our slumber

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:36:45 -0800

On the Second Sunday of Lent we traditionally hear the Gospel account of the Transfiguration. This year’s account comes from Luke (Lk. 9.28-36). In this account, Peter, James and John were asleep at the moment of the Transfiguration. They had gone up the mountain with Jesus to pray but had fallen into a deep sleep....

Easing up on technology could be sacrifice for Lent

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:14:48 -0800

In preparation for the Ash Wednesday, the local newspaper called me for some comments about the significance of Ash Wednesday and Lent. This is an annual story so a journalist is always challenged to search for a new angle....

The Spirit of Jesus gives us courage

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:44:09 -0800

On Saturday, Jan. 30, I celebrated Mass for the first annual Confirmation Conference, held at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento. I was delightfully surprised to walk into a gymnasium that overflowed with 1,300 plus teenagers who were “on fire” with Christ’s Spirit, in keeping with the theme of the day....

Saints’ lives fuse charity and worship

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:21:38 -0800

I have recently returned from a trip to Peru. While there, I visited the stunningly dramatic heights of Machu Picchu and other beautiful archeological sites of the ancient Inca Empire...

Christ brings the light of faith and reason

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:41:47 -0800

Growing up in Southern California, one grows accustomed to the usual tourist attraction treks: Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Magic Mountain and, if all else fails, a local mega shopping mall...

Finding many signs of Advent joy and hope

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:22:59 -0700

During the Saturday vigil Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent, I was listening to a young adult Catholic proclaim the first reading from the Book of the prophet Baruch (Bar. 5. 1-9). He announced it in such a fashion that the words came alive as if spoken for the first time....

Tradition is a flood of memories

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:26:29 +0000

Thanksgiving always brings a flood of memories. Given the fickle nature of our lives, these memories are always a mixture of both bitter as well as sweet, sad along with glad....

Hold on to the clarity of faith

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 22:25:06 +0000

Dr. Oliver Sacks, a neurologist by training, is also a renowned storyteller who writes about the curious workings of the human brain. He wrote a bestseller entitled, “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for A Hat” (1985)....