Msgr. Robert P. Walton, a beloved priest of the Diocese of Sacramento for 51 years, died on March 18. He was 76. He resided most recently at the Priests' Retirement Village in Citrus Heights.

Bishop Jaime Soto will preside at a funeral Mass on Friday, April 4 at 1 p.m. in Sacred Heart Church, located at 1040 39th St. in Sacramento. A reception will follow the Mass at Sacred Heart School, located at 856 39th St. (across the street from the church). The committal will be held following the reception at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, located at 7101 Verner Ave. in Citrus Heights.

The vigil will be held on Thursday, April 3 in Sacred Heart Church from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Msgr. Walton retired on June 30, 2022, after serving as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish for more than 20 years, from Feb. 6, 2002 to June 30, 2022. 

In above photo, Pope Francis is seen in the chapel of his suite of rooms at Rome's Gemelli hospital March 16, 2025. The Vatican press office said the 88-year-old pope concelebrated Mass that morning. (CNS photo/Vatican Press Office) 

St. Benedict, Oregon — On March 11, 16 seminarians representing seven (arch)dioceses and two religious communities were instituted as lectors and acolytes during the annual Ministries Mass at Mount Angel Seminary. Bishop Jaime Soto, bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento, was the principal celebrant and instituting prelate. Other concelebrants included Abbot Jeremy Driscoll, OSB, abbot and chancellor of Mount Angel Seminary, Fr. Jeff Eirvin, president-rector of Mount Angel Seminary, vocation directors and visiting priests, and priests from the monastery and the Seminary.