Bishop Cotta's Reflections

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
 
In these uncertain days, I want to speak especially to our immigrant families—to those who are living with anxiety, fear, or uncertainty about what tomorrow may bring. Please know this: you are not alone. You are seen, you are valued, and you are loved—by God and by your Church.
 
Sacred Scripture reminds us repeatedly that God hears the cry of the stranger, the sojourner, and the vulnerable. The Holy Family themselves knew the fear of displacement, fleeing violence in search of safety. Your struggles, your hopes, and your prayers are close to the heart of Christ.
 
The Church is called to be a home where no one is forgotten, and no one is abandoned. While we may not control every circumstance that surrounds us, we remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold the dignity of every human person and to walk with you in solidarity. We do this not as a political gesture, but as an act of faithfulness to the Gospel.
 
I encourage you not to lose heart. Stay rooted in prayer. Stay connected to your parish community. Reach out when you are afraid. Let us carry one another’s burdens, trusting that God is present even in moments of deep uncertainty.
 
 Ways the Church Accompanies and Assures Immigrant Families
 

• Presence and Listening: Our parishes strive to be safe places where families can share their fears, seek counsel, and be met with compassion rather than judgment.
• Pastoral Support: Clergy, deacons, and pastoral leaders are available for prayer, spiritual guidance, and accompaniment during times of distress.
• Community Solidarity: We encourage parish communities to stand together checking in on one another, offering practical help, and strengthening bonds of trust.
• Hope Rooted in Faith: Above all, we remind one another that our ultimate security rests in God, whose love no law or circumstance can ever take away.

 
 Prayer of Blessing for Immigrant Families
 
Loving and merciful God,
You are the refuge of the weary
and the protector of all who seek shelter in You.
 
Look with compassion upon our immigrant families,
especially those living with fear, uncertainty, or anxiety.
Wrap them in Your peace when worry overwhelms them.
Give them courage when they feel powerless,
and hope when the road ahead seems unclear.
 
Bless their homes with Your presence.
Guard parents as they work and provide.
Protect children in their innocence and trust.
Strengthen families in unity, resilience, and love.
 
May Your Spirit move our Church
to be a sign of welcome, a voice of truth,
and a source of comfort for all who are vulnerable.
 
We entrust every family to the care of the Holy Family—
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—
who knew the pain of exile
and the grace of God’s faithful protection.
 
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Bishop Cotta

Read the statement from the California Catholic Conference here. 

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Palabras de Consuelo del Obispo
 
Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo,
 
En estos tiempos de incertidumbre, deseo dirigirme de manera especial a nuestras familias inmigrantes, a quienes viven con temor, ansiedad o preocupación por lo que pueda traer el mañana. Quiero que sepan esto con toda claridad: no están solos. Son vistos, son valorados y son amados—por Dios y por su Iglesia.
 
La Sagrada Escritura nos recuerda una y otra vez que Dios escucha el clamor del extranjero, del forastero y del más vulnerable. La Sagrada Familia misma conoció el miedo del desplazamiento, huyendo de la violencia en busca de seguridad. Sus luchas, sus esperanzas y sus oraciones están muy cerca del corazón de Cristo.
 
La Iglesia está llamada a ser un hogar donde nadie es olvidado y nadie es abandonado. Aunque no siempre podamos controlar las circunstancias que nos rodean, permanecemos firmes en nuestro compromiso de defender la dignidad de toda persona humana y de caminar con ustedes en solidaridad. No lo hacemos como un gesto político, sino como una expresión fiel del Evangelio.
 
Los animo a no perder la esperanza. Permanezcan arraigados en la oración. Manténganse unidos a su comunidad parroquial. Busquen apoyo cuando sientan miedo. Caminemos juntos, llevando unos las cargas de otros, confiando en que Dios está presente incluso en los momentos de mayor incertidumbre.
 
 
Maneras en que la Iglesia Acompaña y Da Esperanza
 

• Presencia y Escucha: Nuestras parroquias desean ser lugares seguros donde las familias puedan expresar sus preocupaciones y ser acogidas con compasión.
• Acompañamiento Pastoral: Sacerdotes, diáconos y agentes pastorales están disponibles para ofrecer oración, orientación espiritual y cercanía en momentos de dificultad.
• Solidaridad Comunitaria: Invitamos a nuestras comunidades a apoyarse mutuamente, a estar atentos unos de otros y a fortalecer los lazos de confianza.
• Esperanza Fundamentada en la Fe: Recordamos que nuestra seguridad más profunda está en Dios, cuyo amor ninguna ley ni circunstancia puede quitar.

 
Oración de Bendición por las familias inmigrantes
 
Dios amoroso y misericordioso,
Tú eres refugio de los cansados
y protector de todos los que buscan amparo en Ti.
 
Mira con compasión a nuestras familias inmigrantes,
especialmente a aquellas que viven con miedo,
incertidumbre o angustia.
Cúbrelas con tu paz cuando la preocupación las abruma.
Concédeles valentía cuando se sienten vulnerables
y esperanza cuando el camino parece incierto.
 
Bendice sus hogares con tu presencia.
Cuida a los padres  mientras trabajen y proveen.
Protege a los niños en su inocencia y confianza.
Fortalece a las familias en la unidad, la resiliencia y el amor.
 
Qu tu Espíritu mueva a nuestra Iglesia
a ser signo de acogida, voz de verdad
y fuente de consuelo para todos los más vulnerables.
 
Encomendamos a cada familia
al cuidado de la Sagrada Familia—
Jesús, María y José—
quienes conocieron el dolor del exilio
y la gracia de la fiel protección de Dios.
 
Te lo pedimos por Cristo nuestro Señor.
 
Amén.

Obispo Cotta

Lee el comunicado de la Conferencia Católica de California aquí.

First Saturdays Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Hope for Humanity 

In this year, 2026, I would like to share some information that might be new to some or a helpful reminder to others, related to the Message of Fátima. The following are words which Our Lady entrusted to Sr. Lúcia dos Santos, visionary of the Apparitions of Fátima, in the year 1917.

“To save souls, God wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If the world does what I will ask of you, many souls will be saved, and there will be peace. The war will end. But if mankind does not stop offending God… a worse war will begin. When you see a night illuminated by an unknown light, know that this is a great sign, which God gives you that will punish the world for its crimes by means of war, hunger, and persecution of the Church and the Holy Father. To prevent it, I will come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart and the Communion of Reparation on the First Saturdays. If they listen to my request, Russia will convert, and there will be peace. If not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, promoting wars and persecutions of theChurch. The good will be martyred. 

”Years later, after the experience of the six apparitions at Fátima, Sr. Lúcia was gifted with a heavenly vision of Jesus. In this visitation, He explained to her that there are five blasphemies against theImmaculate Heart of His Mother, Mary, which call for reparation. The blasphemies are the following:

1. The blasphemies against the Immaculate Conception.
2. Against her virginity.
3. Against her divine maternity.
4. Those who publicly seek to instill indifference, scorn, and even hatred toward her Immaculate Heartin the hearts of children.
5. Those who insult her directly through her holy images and statues.

Now, here are the principal elements of the Five First Saturdays Devotion that Our Lady revealed toSr. Lúcia and entrusted to us in order to counter the Five Blasphemies against her Immaculate Heart.Our Lady directs us to:

“Go to Confession; receive Holy Communion; pray five decades of the Holy Rosary; keep Mary and Her Immaculate Heart company for fifteen minutes while meditating on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, with the purpose of making reparation to me.

”The Lord desires us to take to heart the First Five Saturdays Devotion of Reparation and incorporate it into our spiritual lives. As a means of encouragement, I am providing this link to more background information about the First Saturdays Devotion.

My hope is to initiate this devotion in relation to the blessing of the images of Saint Jacinta and Saint Francisco Marto, two of the three visionaries of Fátima. The statues will be blessed on Saturday, February 21, at the Cathedral of the Annunciation during the 5:30 pm Mass. The figures of the two saints will be enthroned next to the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima that was gifted to us last May during the Jubilee Year. All are invited to attend this special Mass as we honor the Shepherd Children of Fátima. 

As we integrate this devotion of the First Saturdays within our spiritual lives, let us be consoled and assured by these maternal words of Our Lady of Fátima: “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.

”Our Lady of Fátima, pray for us. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

St. Jacinta, pray for us. St. Francisco, pray for us.

In the Peace of Christ,

Bishop Cotta