"Lack of funding exasperates the problems many minorities and vulnerable populations already have in receiving basic health care. It reduces the quality of life for those who can’t get care for routine, treatable medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. And it reduces options at the end of life for palliative and hospice care. But perhaps worst of all, SB 380 (Eggman, D-Stockton) sends a dangerous message to minorities and vulnerable populations: It costs too much to care for you but California has another 'option' you might consider." -- Bishop Oscar Cantú of the Diocese of San Jose. READ OP-ED | MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD Ask your state legislators to oppose #SB380.

There has been confusion resulting from statements made by some U.S. bishops about the moral acceptability of certain vaccines. Those statements can be confusing for “good-Catholics.”  To clarify the situation the California Catholic Conference, made up of bishops in California including our Bishop Cantú, have authored an article, “Catholic Moral Teaching and Tradition on Covid-19 Vaccines.” The article expresses the position that it is not only morally acceptable to be vaccinated, but also an act of Christian charity to do so. Knowing that Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI received the vaccination may also help you to navigate this “Catholic confusion." READ ARTICLE

As a reminder, we wear masks for the protection of our fellow employees, volunteers, and parishioners, for the care of those most vulnerable – the immunocompromised and children – and for the greater public health of our communities as we work to prevent this Delta variant from spreading and other variants from gaining traction. It’s important to note that a return to masks for those who are vaccinated does not mean the COVID-19 vaccines do not work. Vaccines continue to be extremely effective, particularly at preventing severe illness, but they may not always be completely effective at preventing infection or transmission of the Delta variant. According to the CDC, new data show the Delta variant is highly contagious. It’s more transmissible than the flu, the common cold and is on par with chickenpox, which is considered to be the most contagious of common viruses. Still, the vaccines continue to prevent most infections and almost all hospitalization. If you have yet to get a vaccine, we strongly encourage you to do so. The Diocese has a webpage summarizing the Catholic Teachings on vaccinations and the COVID vaccine that you can review HERE. Together, we can put this pandemic behind us. This new variant is not an unsurmountable setback – just the next hurdle on this journey. Our top priority remains the health and safety of our employees, clergy, and volunteers and those we serve and minister to in our diocese.

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