On Jan. 13, participants in a workshop hosted by the St. Dominic Art Guild became “santeros” (saint makers in Spanish) by learning to paint their own versions of a Mexican devotional folk art called “retablo.”

It is 8:15 on a Friday morning in January at San Francisco’s Our Lady of the Visitacion School. The rowdy ritual chaos of students arriving for class becomes a schoolwide hush as the voice of a fellow student comes across the intercom announcing daily rosary prayer.

St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception School charges tuition based on family income – and principal Barbara Moodie says that fact makes the Mission District school very affordable for Latino families who might have thought Catholic school was out of reach.

Latin is now compulsory for kindergarteners through eighth graders at Mission Dolores Academy, according to principal Meredith Essalat, offering the diverse student body a “unifying” language where no student is at a disadvantage in the development of language skills.

Longtime St. Mary’s Cathedral cantor Stephen Walsh died Jan. 13 at age 61. He had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia on Jan. 8.

Antonio Sanchez-Corea, called “a great friend of the Archdiocese of San Francisco” in a statement from the Office for the Vicar for Clergy, died Jan. 8 from cancer.

Catholic Schools Week provides an annual opportunity to remember and appreciate anew the contribution of Catholic schools in the United States. This remarkable school system stands apart from public and other private school systems, and is a source of great pride for the Church. It is fitting for us to recognize and remember the vision and sacrifice of the countless women and men who helped Catholic schools take root in this country and flourish to this day.

Prayer events aligned with the Jan. 27 Walk for Life West Coast include a Vigil for Life, Jan. 26, St. Dominic Church, 2390 Bush St. at Steiner, San Francisco, 5-8 p.m. with vespers, Mass and Holy Hour; all-night Eucharistic Adoration for Life, Jan. 26, 8 p.m.-7 a.m., Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 666 Filbert St., San Francisco; Evening High Mass in extraordinary form, Jan. 27, 5 p.m., National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, 610 Vallejo St., San Francisco.

Just Faith Ministries seeks volunteers committed to adult faith formation, personal transformation and Gospel ministry to the needy and vulnerable.

After 13 years as pastor of Notre Dame des Victoires Parish in San Francisco, Marist Father Rene Iturbe has a new job with the Archdiocese of San Francisco serving as “the face of the church” to locally incarcerated men and women.

For more than 30 years Ángel Suárez has been serving at Church of the Epiphany in San Francisco and witnessed the changes the parish has experienced. He can readily tell you the difference between what Latino Catholics of yesterday needed and what they need today.

This longstanding Catholic Relief Services Lenten program takes place in dioceses around the country March 14-April 1. In a letter circulated to parishes and schools, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone said the Rice Bowl effort helps the faithful connect “with our brothers and sisters in need around the world.”

The Archbishop’s Circle began in the spring of 2016 and now consists of nearly 50 households representing about 75 individuals. The Circle is comprised of individuals who donate funds to special projects and initiatives identified by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis marked the Feast of the Epiphany by encouraging faithful to imitate the actions of the Magi, who weren’t attached to worldly comforts, but were willing to go out and take risks in order to find Jesus.

With regard to San Mateo approving cannabis farming, concern was expressed regarding becoming the “Napa Valley of pot.” I am not sure what the problem is with being regarded as the home of product that is known worldwide for its superior qualities.

The Holy Father’s comments in response to a question about a line in the Lord’s Prayer have gotten much attention and perhaps left some confusion.

With reference to Pope Francis’ idea for more focusing the Lord’s Prayer, my preference would be: “… and lead us away from temptation and deliver us from evil,” a simple change.

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and women religious from 11 Northern California congregations are redoubling efforts to educate consumers and the general public about labor and sexual exploitation and to advocate for victims.

When 50,000 or so pro-life supporters fill San Francisco’s downtown Jan. 27, they will continue to publicly share a message of pro-life, pro-woman, pro-family values in a city where it is a matter of course that all elected officials support legal abortion.

The Sisters of Mercy have announced a year of outreach and solidarity with focus on “education about Islam, prayer for peace in our global village, and conversations for relationship building.”