Turlock reverend: This Pride Month, remember that God loves everyone | Opinion
God welcomes all
“As some LGBTQ resources dwindle nationally, in Modesto they’re expanding,” (modbee.com, Aug. 5, 2025)
June invites Catholics to contemplate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and we remember something very beautiful: His heart is open to everyone.
As our society turns its attention to the experiences of LGBTQ+ persons during Pride Month, this is a good moment to show the kindness and compassion of Jesus. Our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters are part of our families and our parishes. They are welcomed and loved by God. Let’s reject hatred, bullying and anything that hurts the dignity of another person.
God doesn’t divide humanity into “worthy” and “unworthy.” Instead, He invites each of us — gay, straight, married, single, clergy, lay — to ongoing conversion. Conversion is not a burden placed on one group; it is the lifelong journey of every disciple. When we recognize the dignity of other persons, we are not endorsing every choice they make; we are honoring the God who made them. Love does not require agreement. Love requires seeing Christ in the other.
If there’s room in Jesus’ heart for everyone, there must be room in his church for all to feel loved and welcome. As Pope Leo XIV says, “You’re all welcome, and let’s get to know one another and respect one another.”
Fr Misael Avila
Turlock
A hero hiding in plain sight
“Health care workers need our help, not partisan political games,” (modbee.com, March 27, 2020
)Dealing with an elderly parent’s health issues is overwhelming, but our home infusion nurse, Jesse Anaya, completely changed our experience with his clinical knowledge and genuine compassion.
On his final day caring for my mother, his car broke down. Instead of canceling, he paid out of his own pocket to Uber 103 miles each way to our remote cabin. He sacrificed the money needed to fix his own vehicle just so my mother wouldn’t miss her treatment and they could say goodbye.
Anaya is a hero hiding in plain sight, representing the absolute best of the nursing profession and human kindness. Modesto is incredibly fortunate to have him.
Klaudia Cataldo
Tuolumne
Public safety requires investment
“California justice department to build racial justice bureau as reports of hate crimes climb,” (modbee.com, May 11, 2021)
California’s Department of Justice (DOJ) special agents play a critical role in public safety, supporting local police and sheriff’s departments, investigating complex criminal operations and helping connect cases that cross jurisdictional lines. But too many of these positions are sitting vacant. That is not just a staffing issue, it is a public safety issue.
One example is DOJ’s Fentanyl Enforcement Program team based out of the Dublin Regional Office, which covers a region that spans from Merced to the Oregon border. That team has two vacant special agent positions, making it harder to support local agencies, identify suppliers and stop fentanyl before it reaches more communities.
The broader Dublin office has a 58% vacancy rate for special agents. California cannot ask DOJ special agents to fight fentanyl, organized crime and complex criminal operations without providing the staffing, pay and support needed to do the job. Public safety requires investment.
Ben Greenhagen
California DOJ Special Agent
President, Association of Special Agents