DAVIS — A spirit of joy and unity filled the city of Davis on Sunday, October 12, as more than 250 students, parishioners, and community members gathered for the Jubilee Mass for Young Adults and the dedication of the newly renovated Newman Catholic Center grounds.
The evening began with a Jubilee Mass at St. James Parish, presided over by Bishop Rey Bersabal, who was joined by Fr. Mauricio Hurtado, diocesan vocations director, and Deacon Stephen Tran. In his homily, Bishop Rey reflected on the profound gift of unity that flows from faith and the sacraments.
“In encounter with Jesus, we become one again,” he preached. “In confession we become one, in communion we become one — in all the sacraments, we are united again in Him.” Bishop Rey Bersabal
During the Mass, Bishop Rey commissioned student leaders from the Newman Centers at UC Davis, CSU Sacramento, and CSU Chico, sending them forth to serve as witnesses of Christ’s love on their campuses. The commissioning marked a visible sign of the Church’s ongoing mission to accompany young adults in faith, formation, and leadership.
Following the liturgy, the congregation processed with the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of Davis to the Newman Center, where Bishop Rey led Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. Along the route, several families came out of their homes to witness and join the procession — a moving expression of the Church’s presence in the community.
At the Newman Center, Bishop Rey dedicated the newly renovated grounds, which now feature a Rosary Prayer Garden, a replica of Michelangelo’s Pietà, and a nine-foot “Star of the Sea” statue of Mary anchoring the new outdoor quad. The evening concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a community meal and fellowship among the more than 200 attendees.
The renovations transform the Davis Newman Center into a vibrant hub for prayer, formation, and student life — a home where faith and friendship can flourish. The Center, which welcomes nearly 400 students each week, now offers expanded spaces for outdoor liturgies, recreation, and community gatherings.
As the Diocese of Sacramento continues its Jubilee journey, the celebration in Davis stands as a testament to the vitality of young adult ministry and the enduring call to unity in Christ.
To learn more about our Diocese's Catholic Ministry visit newmancatholiccenter.org
Photos courtesy of Uriel Ramirez