The March-April 2021 issue of Catholic Herald magazine has been published. The theme for this issue is "Hope through recovery and mercy." The digital edition of the magazine is available at https://www.scd.org/catholic-herald-magazine.
In the cover story of this issue, Frank and Lynn Hanratty of St. Mary Parish in Vacaville share how in the hardest of times, they had many helpers and thankfully, no shortage of people with kind hearts to assist them. When part of the LNU Lightning Complex fires tore through their 20-acre property on Pleasants Valley Road north of Vacaville in the early hours of Aug. 19, 2020, they escaped with their pets and only the clothes they were wearing. They feel lucky to be survivors and blessed that in subsequent months an outpouring of support from parishioners, family, friends and countless others helped them in their time of need, while their faith gave them the strength to carry on.
Other feature stories in this issue include Bishop Jaime Soto's column on: "Lent is the annual fortunate opportunity to find the freedom of divine grace"; Sylvina Frausto of Holy Rosary Parish in Woodland and Terry and Dale Booth of Holy Trinity Parish in El Dorado Hills reflect on after divorce, can mercy and healing be found?; Troy Ellerman and Fay Landry, Exodus Project mentors, share their experiences of walking with inmates as they return to society; and Deacon Jack Roland, founder and clinical director of the Catholic Counseling Agency, explains how he provides faith-based counseling to clients.
This issue also includes a special report on safe environment: "A Promise to Protect, A Pledge to Heal." In the Last Word column, Msgr. James Murphy reflects on "A Lenten meditation on the baptismal font."
Bishop Jaime Soto is the publisher of Catholic Herald magazine, which is published six times each year and includes moving faith stories about Catholics in the diocese, as well as news and events of the local church. Individual faith stories are the cornerstone of the magazine and columns also explore the Catholic faith and education about church teachings. To donate $15 per year to receive Catholic Herald, call 916-733-0266 or visit https://www.scd.org/catholic-foundation/giving. To view the archive of past issues of Catholic Herald magazine, visit https://www.scd.org/catholic-herald-magazine.