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Image by Katt Yukawa

Ministry of 

Life, Dignity, and Justice

A department of the Diocese of San Bernardino serving the people

in the Riverside & San Bernardino Counties

Our MISSION

The Ministry of Life, Dignity and Justice works to create a holy and just society by promoting the Dignity of the Human person and the Sanctity of God's Creation.

Image by Nina Strehl
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"God is love..

and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him”​ -

1 John 4:16 

"We have come to believe in God's love: in these words the Christian can express the fundamental decision of his life. Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction." 

-Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (Deus Caritas est, 1.1)

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This was our first issue, August 2023.  Join us as we live out the call of Christ.

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Reflections

On September 26, 2023, staff from the Department of Life, Dignity, and Justice canvased the city of San Bernardino in an effort to distribute lunches, clothes, and hygiene kits. These are brief reflections from 3 staffers who were involved in the outreach.

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The Woman at the Park by Wilfredo Aguirre When reaching out to the most vulnerable in San Bernardino, the experiences evoked are aspects of the Scrutiny stories that are read, prayed over, and reflected on during Lent. The purpose of reading and reflecting on the three stories is to bring one to an initial examination or close inspection, followed by an acknowledgement of one’s personal sins, and culminating in the realization of the need for God’s grace and redemptive power, leading one to exercise their freedom by electing to change the status quo. When carrying out the corporal works of mercy like on that warm September 26th, I couldn’t help but be drawn to those aspects of the scrutinies: examination, acknowledgement, redemption, and action. While handing out food, jackets for the winter, and hygienic kits, I had the opportunity to speak to a couple that was living out of their vehicle in Seccombe Lake Recreation Area, San Bernardino. They walked over and greeted us. They were very grateful for the donations they received. After having received their donations, the woman at the park quickly began to ask us whether we had visited other locations where members of her community are temporarily residing. She mentioned several areas where we would find members of her community. We later visited each of those sites and found several members of her unhoused community. The urgency she expressed to ensure that we reached all of them was remarkable. She didn’t want us to miss anyone. Before leaving, I asked her, why is everyone so scattered? Why wasn’t everyone staying at the park? With a disheartened face she said, “they keep making us move. The city or the police will come and place eviction notices letting us know we gotta go.” Her statement reflects the situation being experienced by our unhoused brothers and sisters, the feeling that they belong nowhere and to no one. I know the unhoused situation is complicated to resolve, filled with stereotypes, politics, and stigmas. I also recognize that those who find themselves unhoused are equally complex dealing with mental health issues, substance abuse disorders, and broken families. However, regardless of how complicated the issue is to resolve or how complex this community is, we must remember that they are still children of God. As such, they belong to Him. This story invites everyone to all the aspects of the scrutinies: an examination of how the circumstances, an acknowledgement of how one’s own sins contribute to societal sin, a call for God’s grace, and how we as believers in Christ are called to participate in his redemptive power to change the status quo.

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The Two-Fold Commandment of Love by Yolanda Madrid I’m new to the ministry of Life, Dignity, and Justice where we recently did hands-on outreach to the local houseless in the city of San Bernardino. I’m somewhat ashamed to say that it was my first experience doing outreach like that but while it was my first, I am proud to say that it wasn’t LDJ’s first (nor the last) and this ministry strives to practice what it preaches. While out on the streets, I met a young man named Deon who was about to start a masters program when COVID hit and found himself in dire straits. Deon shared that he had just asked God for someone to talk to today. You could see in his eyes that our visit was a welcome respite from the difficulties he faces everyday. In another part of the city, we met Cole, who had taken on the guardianship of Lulu, a brown, mixed breed dog that came up to my waist. Despite living in his car, Cole took on Lulu and they make a fine pair keeping each other company. There wasn’t a single moment where I felt that I was in danger. In fact, this experience allowed me to come to a realization that I had formed implicit biases unconsciously. The unhoused live in community and look out for each other. They aren’t greedy and implored that we reach out to other parts of the city where their community was present. Most times, they thanked us with “God bless you.” I don’t want to make this experience about me nor about the LDJ department because it is about them for Christ lives in each of them just as Christ lives in me. Doing this corporal work of mercy not only helped others but it deepened my own personal relationship with Christ. It is two-fold: To love God and to love my neighbor. I am ashamed that it has taken me this long to meet my fellow brothers and sisters who live in the streets but I’m taking this experience and placing it in my heart for I am forever changed.

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A Humbling Experience: Serving the Homeless in Our Community by Mario O. Martinez As we made our way through the streets of our community, handing out food and supplies to those in need, our seven-year-old daughter's face lit up with joy and excitement. Her eyes sparkled with wonder and amazement as she witnessed the impact of our actions on our homeless brothers and sisters. "Wow, this feels incredible!" she exclaimed. At that moment, we were all filled with an overwhelming sense of hope and gratitude. The warmth of the sun on our faces, the sounds of the bustling city around us - it was all amplified by the knowledge that we were making a real difference in people's lives. As we gave out food and supplies, we saw the faces of those we were helping light up with thankfulness and appreciation. We felt a sense of connection with each person we helped, and their kindness and humanity touched our hearts in ways we could never have imagined. For us, serving the homeless was a truly humbling experience. We saw the face of Jesus in every person we served, and we were reminded of the power of compassion and generosity. We were filled with a deep sense of purpose and gratitude for all the blessings in our lives, and we knew that we had made a real impact on the world around us, a world so close to our own home. Our eight and twelve-year-old sons and seven-year-old daughter will always cherish this beautiful experience. We will hold it close to our hearts. It was not only a gift to those we helped, but also to ourselves - a reminder of the beauty and hope that can be found even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Thank you Sister Chilee for allowing us to be part of your celebration.

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