2018 lent - dioceseoffresno.org · la eucaristía dominical con vibrantes comunidades cristianas....

“YoconfiesoanteDiosTodopoderosoyantevosotro,hermanos,quehepecadomuchodepensamiento,palabra,obrayomisión.Pormi culpa, pormi culpa, pormi gran culpa. Por eso ruego

aSantaMaría,siempreVirgen,alosángeles,a los santos, y a vosotro, hermanos, queintercedáispormíanteDios,nuestroSeñor.” Cuando nos reunimos como pueblo deDios para la celebración de la Eucaristía,usamos a menudo la versión aprobada delActoPenitencial.Yohagoestapregunta:¿Quées lo que pasa por su mente cuando recitaestas palabras? Probablemente no muchode sustancia real ya que, juntos, recitamoslas palabras a un tiempo bastante recortado.Quizás,sinembargo,elrecuerdodealgoenelpasadoinmediatodealguienpodríaveniralamente: el fracasode ayudar a alguienque lonecesita;nuestra impacienciapor la intrusiónde otros en nuestro tiempo; o el momentoen que decimos una palabra dura, hiriente o

crítica.Unsentimientodecontrición,entonces,podríamezclarseconlaspalabrasquecontinuamosrecitando.Cuandolespedimosa nuestros hermanos y hermanas que “oren por mí al SeñornuestroDios,”ellos,enlamismarecitacióncomunitaria,nosestánpidiendoqueoremosporellos“alSeñornuestroDios.” AlorarelConfiteor,reconocemosaDiosyelunoalotro,quesomos,despuésdetodo,sereshumanosvulnerablesydébiles,nosomoslosseresperfectosqueavecescreemosquesomos. Esta semana nos embarcamos en el período penitencialcuaresmal preparándonos para la celebración de la Pasión yMuertedeJesúsqueculminaconnuestraAleluyaPascual¡!

L E N T4 0 D a y s o f R e n e w a l

“I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters ,that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, . . . therefore I ask. . . you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.” When we gather as the People of God for the Eucharistic Celebration, we often use the above version of approved penitential acts. I pose this question: What goes through your mind while reciting those words? Probably not much of real substance as, together, we recite those words at a rather clipped tempo. Perhaps, however, the recollection of something in one’s immediate past might come to mind: a failure to help someone in need; our impatience at another’s encroachment on our time; or the time we spit out a harsh and hurtful, or judgmental word. A feeling of contrition, then, might blend with the words we continue to recite. As we ask our brothers and sisters to “pray for me to the Lord our God,” – they, in the same communal recitation, are asking us to pray for them “to the Lord our God.” In praying the Confiteor, we acknowledge before God and before one another, that we are after all, vulnerable and weak human beings – not the perfect beings we sometimes think ourselves to be. This week, we embark on the Lenten penitential period in preparation for the celebration of the Passion and Death of Jesus

THAT THEY MAY BE ONE IN USPARA QUE PUEDAN SER UNO EN NOSOTROS

submitted by Sr. Marie Francis Schroepfer, CSJ

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Volume 20, Number 4 ~ February 2018

Bishop Armando X. Ochoa Visits the Holy Landsubmitted by Stephen Colecchi - Catholic commentary. Director, International Justice & Peace, U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops

Central California Catholic LifeFebruary 20182

Central California Catholic Life February 2018 3

We came as Pilgrims of Peace to this Land that is Holy to Jews,ChristiansandMuslims.Weencounteredmanywallsandsomebridges,aswe soughtout thoseon theperipheries. AsPopeFrancis repeatedlyremindsus,webelievepeacewithjusticeforthetwopeoplesandthreefaithsofthisLandcanonlycomethroughbuilding“bridges,notwalls.” InSderot, thecity thathassuffered themost fromrocketattacksbyHamas,weencounteredtherealfearsofIsraelis.Theyhavegrievedthelossoflives,andtheirchildrenareregularlyrequiredtopracticeairraiddrills.AttheYadVashemHolocaustMemorialMuseum,weweredeeplymovedaswewereonceagainremindedofthehorrorsthatgaveimpetustotheestablishmentofasecurehomelandfortheJewishpeople. InGaza and Jiffna,we celebrated the SundayEucharistwith small,vibrantChristiancommunities. InGaza, Christians live alongsidetheir Muslim neighbors, as if ina large prison. The Israeli walland blockade stifles economicopportunity and the aspirations ofyouth.Christiansareemigratingatan alarming rate. Those few whosecureIsraelipermits toexitGazaoftenneverreturn. In Jerusalem, the uncertainstatus of the Holy Places andof the City itself has increasedtensions.ThePalestinianresidentsofEastJerusalemsufferwithpoorinfrastructure and schools, andresidency policies that separate families and cause others to lose theirrighttolivethere.InNazareth,welearnedaboutdiscriminationthatArabIsraelisfaceinemployment,housinganddailylife. In the West Bank, we encountered stark reminders of the Israelioccupation—check-points that inhibit movement, confiscations ofPalestinianlands,expansionofIsraelisettlements,andasecuritybarrierwhoseroutecutsdeepintotheWestBank,whichtogetherwithIsraeli-onlybypassroads,stranglesnaturalurbangrowthanddividesthePalestinianTerritoriesintonon-contiguouscantons.InHebron,alargePalestiniancity,over20checkpointsandroadclosures,designedtoprotectinternationallyillegalsettlementsintheoldcitycenter,makelifeterriblyburdensomeforthenativeresidentsandhasdevastatedtheireconomy. Wecallupontheleadersofournationandtheinternationalcommunityto address the grave injustices being perpetrated in Susya and theCremisanValley. InSusya,aBedouinMuslimcommunityfacesunjustappropriationsof landsandthe imminentdestructionof theirvillagebytheIsraelimilitary.IntheCremisanvalley,scoresofChristianPalestinianfamiliesfacethelossoftheiragriculturallands,andaSalesianmonastery,convent,andschoolfacechallenges. WeurgetheU.S.governmentnottocutbadlyneededhumanitariananddevelopmentassistance.WemetwithfamiliesinGazaandtheWestBankwhodependonaidforbasicnecessities,healthcareandeducation. Formany, the situation looks hopeless. In fact,we are particularlyconcernedaboutthedramaticdeclineoftheChristianpresencethroughouttheHolyLand. But hope lives on. Israeli andPalestinian lawyerswork for humanrights.IntheOasisofPeace,Jewish,ChristianandMuslimfamiliesmodelcooperationandcoexistence.TheChurchsponsorsschoolswherepersonsofdifferentreligionsstudytogether,healthministriesthatservethemostvulnerable, and relief and development agencies. We are particularlyproudoftheworkoftheKnightsoftheHolySepulchreinsupportingthelocalChurch,ofCatholicReliefServicesinGazaandtheWestBank,andofBethlehemUniversity,aCatholicinstitutionoftheChristianBrotherswhereyoungChristiansandMuslimsstudytogether,buildingleadershipforPalestine. This pilgrimage reminded us of ourApostolicVocation to serve allofhumanity.Morethanoncewewereremindednottobepro-Israeliorpro-Palestinian,buttobepro-peaceandpro-justice.Theoccupationandinjusticesmustend.Theviolenceanddiscriminationmustend. JusticeandhumandignitydemandthatthetwopeoplesandthethreefaithssharethisLand. Throughout the Pilgrimage,we felt the presence of ourLord asweprayedandcelebrateddailyEucharistintheplaceofhisbirth,thetownofhischildhood,theMountofBeatitudes, thegardenofhisagony,andthecityofJerusalemwherehesuffered,diedandroseagain.Hiswayof

VenimoscomoPeregrinosdelaPazaestatierraqueessagradaparajudíos, cristianos, ymusulmanes. En nuestra búsqueda por aquellos enlasperiferias,hemosencontradomuchosmuros,yunoscuantospuentes.ComonosrecuerdaelPapaFrancisco,creemosquelapazylajusticiaparalosdospueblosylastresreligionesdeestaTierrasolosepuedenalcanzaratravésdelaconstrucciónde“puentes,nomuros.” En Sderot, la ciudad quemas ha sufrido de ataques de cohetes porHamas,nosencontramosconlarealidaddelosauténticostemoresdelosisraelíes.Elloshansufridolaperdidadevidas,ysusniñosfrecuentementepractican ejercicios de entrenamiento para protegerse de bombardeosaéreos.EnelmuseodelholocaustoYadVashem,fuimosconmovidosalserdenuevorecordadosdeloshorroresquedieronímpetualestablecimiento

deunapatriaseguraparaelpueblojudio. EnGazayJiffna,celebramosla eucaristía dominical convibrantes comunidades cristianas.En Gaza, los cristianos viven allado de sus vecinos musulmanesen circunstanciasque se asemejanaunaprisión.Elmuroyelbloqueoisraelí sofocan las oportunidadesy las aspiraciones de los jóvenes.Los cristianos estan emigrandohaciaafueraaunritmoalarmante.Aquellos pocos que obtienenpermisos Israelíes para salir de

Gazamuchasvecesnuncaregresan. EnJerusalén,elestadoinciertodelosSantosLugaresydelaCiudadmismahaaumentadolastensiones.LosresidentespalestinosdeJerusalénEste sufren de infraestructura y escuelas deficientes, y de políticas deresidenciaqueseparanalasfamiliasyhacenqueotrospierdansuderechoavivirallí.EnNazaret,aprendimossobreladiscriminaciónquelosisraelíesárabesenfrentanenelempleo,lavivienda,ylavidacotidiana. En Cisjordania, encontramos crudos recordatorios de la ocupaciónmilitar israelí—los puntos de control que inhiben el movimiento, laconfiscacióndetierraspalestinas,laexpansióndeasentamientosisraelíes,yunabarreradeseguridadcuyarutapenetraprofundamenteaCisjordania,que junto con carreteras solo para Israelíes, estrangulan el crecimientourbano y divide los territorios palestinos en cantones no contiguos. EnHebrón, una grande ciudad palestina, más de 20 puestos de control ycierresdecarreteras,diseñadosparaprotegerasentamientosenelcascoantiguode laciudad,yqueviolentanelderecho internacional,hacen lavida terriblementepesadapara los residentesnativosyhadevastadosueconomía. Hacemosunllamadoaloslíderesdenuestranaciónydelacomunidadinternacionalparaqueaborden lasgraves injusticiasquesecometenenSusya y en elValle Cremisan. En Susya, una comunidadmusulmanabeduina se enfrenta a injustas expropiacionesde tierras, y la inminentedestrucción de su pueblo por el ejército israelí. En el Valle Cremisan,decenasdefamiliaspalestinascristianasenfrentanlapérdidadesustierrasagrícolas,yunmonasterio,unconventoyunaescuela,pertenecientesalossalesianos,enfrentandesafíos. Instamos al gobierno de Estados Unidos a no recorte la asistenciahumanitariaparaeldesarrollo,tanurgentementenecesitada.NosreunimosconfamiliasenGazayCisjordaniaquedependendeestaasistenciaparasusnecesidadesbásicas,atenciónmédicayeducación. Para muchos, la situación parece desesperante. De hecho, estamosparticularmente preocupados por el dramático declive de la presenciacristianaentodalaTierraSanta. Perolaesperanzasigueviva.Abogadosisraelíesypalestinostrabajanporlosderechoshumanos.EnelOasisdelaPaz,familiasjudías,cristianasymusulmanasmodelanejemplosdecooperaciónycoexistencia.LaIglesiapatrocinaescuelasdondepersonasdediferentesreligionesestudianjuntas,ministeriosdesaludqueprestanserviciosalaspersonasmásvulnerables,yagenciasdeasistenciaydesarrollo.EstamosparticularmenteorgullososdeltrabajodelosCaballerosdelSantoSepulcroenelapoyoquebrindana la Iglesia local, deCatholicReliefServices enGazayCisjordania, yde laUniversidaddeBelén, institucióncatólicade losHermanosde lasEscuelas Cristianas donde jóvenes cristianos y musulmanes estudian

BRIDGES NOT WALLS - Reflections of the Bishops’ Pilgrimage for Peace in the Holy Land January 18 - 27, 2018PUENTES, NO MUROS - Reflexiones de los obispos en su peregrinación por la paz a Tierra Santa 18-27 de enero de 2018

submitted by the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops

Bridges not walls - continued on page 4 Puentes, no muros - continúa de la página 4


forgivenessandreconciliationleadsustoembraceencounteranddialogueaspathstopeace.Walls,physicalandideological,maketheseencounterslesspossible,andforthatreasonweseektobuild“bridges,notwalls.” WeurgeCatholicstoprayforthepeoplesoftheHolyLand,tocomeonPilgrimagetoboththeHolySitesandthelocalChristiancommunity,andtourgeournation’sleaderstosupportpoliciesthatpromotejusticeandpeace. Most Rev. Oscar Cantú, Bishop of Las Cruces, Former Chairman,CommitteeonInternationalJusticeandPeaceMost Rev. Nelson Jesus Perez, Bishop of Cleveland, Chairman, Sub-CommitteeonHispanicAffairsMostRev.JoséArturoCepeda,AuxiliaryBishopofDetroitMostRev.OctavioCisneros,AuxiliaryBishopofBrooklynMostRev.EusebioElizondo,MSpS,AuxiliaryBishopofSeattleMostRev.FelipedeJesúsEstévez,BishopofSt.AugustineMostRev.ArmandoXavierOchoa,BishopofFresnoMostRev.RutiliodelRiego,AuxiliaryBishopEmeritusofSanBernardinoMostRev.AlbertoRojas,AuxiliaryBishopofChicagoMostRev.PlácidoRodriguez,BishopEmeritusofLubbock

juntos,construyendoelliderazgoparaPalestina. Esta peregrinación nos recordó de nuestra vocación apostólica deserviratodalahumanidad.Enmásdeunaocasión,senosrecordóquenodebemossernipro-israelíesnipro-palestinos,sinoestarenprodelapazylajusticia.Laocupaciónylasinjusticiasdebenterminar.Laviolenciayladiscriminacióndebenterminar.Lajusticiayladignidadhumanaexigenquelosdospueblosylastresreligionescompartanestatierra. A lo largo de la peregrinación, sentimos la presencia de nuestroSeñormientrasorábamosycelebrábamoslaEucaristíaenellugardesunacimiento,elpueblodesuinfancia,elMontedelasBienaventuranzas,eljardíndesuagonía,ylaciudaddeJerusalén,dondesufrió,murióyresucitó.Sucaminodeperdónyreconciliaciónnosllevaaabrazarelencuentroyel diálogo comocaminoshacia la paz.Losmuros físicos e ideológicoshacenqueestosencuentrosseanmenosposibles,yporesarazónbuscamosconstruir“puentes,nomuros”. Instamos a los católicos a orar por los pueblos de Tierra Santa, aperegrinartantoalosLugaresSantoscomoalacomunidadcristianalocal,yainstaraloslíderesdenuestranaciónaapoyarpolíticasquepromuevanlajusticiaylapaz. Excmo.Mons.OscarCantú,ObispodeLasCruces,PresidenteEméritodelComitédeJusticiaYPazExcmo.Mons.NelsonJesusPerez,ObispodeCleveland,PresidentedelSub-comitédeAsuntosHispanos/LatinosExcmo.Mons.JoséArturoCepeda,ObispoAuxiliardeDetroitExcmo.Mons.OctavioCisneros,ObispoAuxiliardeBrooklynExcmoMons.EusebioElizondo,MSpS,ObispoAuxiliardeSeattleExcmo.Mons.FelipedeJesúsEstévez,ObispodeSanAugustinExcmo.Mons.ArmandoXavierOchoa,ObispodeFresnoExcmo Mons. Rutilio del Riego, Obispo Auxiliar Emérito de SanBernardinoExcmo.Mons.AlbertoRojas,ObispoAuxiliardeChicagoExcmo.Mons.PlácidoRodriguez,ObispoEméritodeLubbock

Bridges not walls - continued from page 3 Puentes, no muros - continúa de la página 3

What inspired me to become a Prison Chaplain

submitted by Fr. Manny SundaramCatholic chaplain at CCI,

Tehachapi, CA.

“Based on Mt. 25:40, I havealways believed that a servicerendered to others in good faith isworshipdoneuntoGod.Whensucha service is rendered to the needyofthesociety,andespeciallytothevulnerable and the incarcerated, itcarriesitsownwait,andIcancountit as a great blessing! I also trulybelievethatwhateverIdoneedstobring glory to God and benefit toothers. From this perspective, myservicerenderedtotheincarceratedis,trulyspeaking,aworshipdirectlyofferedtoGod.BasedonMt.25:35,I can say that a service to suchpeopleislikehavingadirectaccessto heaven. This is what inspired

me to look at the prison ministryas God’s will for me. Therefore,inmy such a service to the needyof the society, taking upmy crossandfollowingJesuswillbemywayof counting thewounds forChristand not the cost, itself. May Godbe glorified in my service to Hispeople!”

Family Members of Murder Victims Family Members of Incarcerated People

Joining together for healing and change

Please join us for a HEALING DIALOGUE

Saturday, March 24th, 2018 in Fresno

8:30 AM to 3:00 PM

We bring together people wounded by violence and a broken criminal justice system.

We are people who can support others

in their healing journey… And people who can support a justice

system that promotes healing.

Wherever participants are on their healing journey, they are welcome to a safe space to connect with others who

have been impacted by violence.

Location: 3700 N. Cornelia Avenue

Fresno, CA 93722

There is no charge for this program. Light breakfast and lunch

are included.

Sponsored by : Healing Dialogue and Action And the Office of Ministries,

Diocese of Fresno.

To attend, Please RSVP by March 19th to: [email protected] or call 424-‐240-‐9486

EnlalecturadeFilipenses(2:5-8)SanPablonosaconseja:“TenganunosconotroslasmismasdisposicionesqueestuvieronenCristoJesús.”SanPablocontinúaenlosversossiguientes,instruyéndonosqueJesúsnoconsiderósudivinidadcomoalgoparaserexplotadoensurelacióncon nosotros. Más bien, en un actomagnánimo de amor perfecto,Élseredujoanada,tomandolacondicióndeservidor,convirtiéndoseno parcialmente, sino completamente humano; encontrándose en lacondiciónhumanaserebajóasímismohaciéndoseobedientehastalamuerte.Élseidentificacompletamenteconnosotroscomounoentodosentido,exceptoelpecado. Tal vez estaCuaresma podríamos considerar un sacrificio que sereflejeenlospensamientos,palabrasyaccionesquenosimpidenalinearmásnuestroscorazonesconlosdeJesús.¿Podríamosdeshacernosdepensamientosnegativos,críticosohirientesquetenemosencontradenuestrosvecinos,otrosindividuosogrupos?Nuestroairecívicoestáplagadodediscursoirrespetuosoconaquellosconquienesnoestamosdeacuerdo,deactitudesdeautojustificación,el juzgar a los demás y de acciones hirientes hacia aquellos que noconsideramosdignosdeestarentrenosotros.Loquepensamos,decimosyhacemosesdivisivoydañino,ynomuevenuestroscorazoneshaciaunauniónconelcorazóndeCristo.Elamordesealaunión,yJesúsexpresasudeseoporlauniónmientrasestuvoorando,muyíntimamente,asuPadrelanocheantesdemorir:“Quetodosseanuno,comotú,Padre,estásenmíyyoenti.Queellostambiénseanunoennosotros,paraqueelmundocreaquetúmehasenviado.”(Juan17:21) ElactocompletodelVerboEncarnado,identificándoseentodoslossentidoconnosotros,exceptoenelpecado,modelandoperfectamenteparanosotroslamenteyelcorazóndeJesúsyllamándonosaamarnoslosunosalosotrosdelamismamanera-humildemente,sinpretensionesyensolidaridadconcadaunodenuestroshermanosyhermanas.“Yoleshedadoejemplo,yustedesdebenhacercomohehechoyo.”(Juan13:15)


that culminates in our Easter Alleluia! In Philippians (2:5-8) St. Paul counsels us: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” Paul continues in the following verses, instructing us that Jesus did not consider his divinity something to be exploited in his relationship with us. Rather, in one magnanimous act of perfect love, he “emptied” himself becoming - not partially, but fully human; humbling himself, submitting even to the experience of human death. He fully identified with us as one in every way except sin. Perhaps this Lent, we might consider a Lenten sacrifice that reflects an “emptying out” of thoughts, words and actions that hinder us from aligning our hearts more to that of Jesus. Might we take on the flushing out of negative, judgmental, or hurtful thoughts we might harbor towards associates, neighbors, other individuals or groups? Our civic “air” is rife with disrespectful discourse with those we disagree with, attitudes of self-righteousness, judgement of others, and hateful actions toward those we deem not worthy of being in our midst. So much of what we think and say and do is divisive and harmful and does not move our hearts toward greater union with the heart of Christ. Love desires union, and Jesus expresses his desire for union as he prayed, most intimately, to his Father the night before he died. “I pray Father that they all may be one as you are in me, and as I am in you; that they may be one in us.” (John 17:21) The complete self-emptying act of the Incarnate Word, identifying with us in every way save sin, perfectly models for us the mind and heart of Jesus and calls us to love one another in like manner – humbly, without pretense, and in solidarity with each of our sisters and brothers. “As I

That They May Be One In Us - continued from page 1 Que puedan ser uno en nosotros - continúa de la página 1

Blessed Maria Clara of the Child Jesus, Foundress of the Franciscan Hospitaller

Sisters of the Immaculate Conceptionsubmitted by Sr. Mary Augustine, FHIC

Blessed Maria Clara of the Child Jesus (Libania) was born in a noble family on June 15, 1843, in Lisbon Portugal. Libania was the daughter of Nuno Tomas de Mascarenhas Galvão Mexia de Moura Teles e Albuquerque and Maria da Purificação Sa Ferreira. Orphaned at the age of fourteen, Libania entered the boarding school and was later looked after by the Marchioness, a friend of her parents. Though she enjoyed the luxuries of life, the cry of those with nothing and with nobody challenged her. To respond to this cry, she entered the Convent of St. Patrick and there she exchanged her luxurious dresses for a simple habit of a religious, receiving the name of Sr. Maria Clara of the Child Jesus. She was professed on April 14, 1871, at a solemn ceremony, presided over by Fr. Raimundo dos Anjos Beirão, who encouraged and directed her. Maria Clara assumed the office of Superior of all the Sisters who had pronounced their vows with her. Thus, on May 3, 1871, was born the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Poor for the Love of God which was later called the Portuguese Hospitaller Sisters and today is known as Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Mother Clara was a woman of prayer, determination, kindness, humility, mercy and compassion. She gave herself totally and courageously, to make her life a gift of love, hope and comfort to all; especially to the

sick, the elderly, the orphaned, the poor, the needy and the abandoned of society. While caring for their physical needs, she took care of their spiritual needs as well. Where there was someone in need of food, shelter, clothing, spiritual guidance, consolation or the Word of God, she reached out to them. She accepted with serenity and faith all the sufferings that she faced. Her frequent exhortation, “Let us work with love and for love”, was a synthesis of her life. Charity was at the very core of her being. She was known as “A Sister to the poor - A face of the tenderness and mercy of God.” Under the coordination, dynamism and initiative of the good Mother Clara, the Congregation was led to a rapid expansion in Portugal, further extending to Angola, Goa, Guinea and Cabo Verde. On December 1, 1899, at the age of 56, God called Mother Clara to receive her eternal reward. Mother Clara died, but she continues to live in the heart of all the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters, spread throughout the following countries: Portugal, Angola, São Tome, Guinea, Italy, India, Philippines, East Timor, Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa, Mozambique, Spain, United States of America and Mexico. Mother Clara was beatified on May 21, 2011. The Sisters first came to the United States in 1960, in the State of California, in the Diocese of San Jose, to render their services in the field of education; then to the Diocese of Fresno in 1970. At present the sisters are involved in pastoral ministry, religious education, caring for the elderly and rendering service to the developmentally disabled. In June, 2018, the Sisters will be celebrating the 175th birth anniversary of their foundress, Blessed Maria Clara. This Jubilee Celebration for California region will be held on June, 23, 2018. The Eucharistic celebration will be at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Parish, Los Banos, presided by the Most Rev. Armando X. Ochoa, Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno; followed by reception at New Bethany Auditorium, 1441 Berkeley Drive, Los Banos. All are cordially invited to join us at this Jubilee Celebration of thanksgiving. May God’s abundant blessings be upon all of us through the intercession of Blessed Maria Clara, a woman of great faith, who impels us to go forward and do good where there is good to be done.


marriage between a man and woman and fight for the dignity of all human life from the moment of conception to natural death. On the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe we began our celebration with 5AM Mañanitas. Traditional Mexican celebration to honor Our Lady on her day by bringing her music, followers, flowers, and celebration. We were especially blessed with a bronze life size statue of the Holy Spouses, Patrons of the Unborn. We were honored to have Provincial Fr. Paul McDonnell, O.S.J., bless our statue that was sculpted by Thomas Marsh. This statue was donated to us by a generous benefactor. We chose the

12th of December in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This statue will one day be placed in the Garden Memorial of the Unborn where the tiny remains of miscarried babies will be entombed with dignity. The Garden will be a place for mothers and families to weep and heal their unforgettable children. Please visit us at www.guadalupebakersfield.org for more information.

Our parish was blessed to celebrate six special Shrine services to celebrate the Centenary of Fatima. We held confessions followed by rosary with procession, concluding

with Mass every thirteenth of the month May-October. We had a beautiful statue that was lent to us by a parishioner. Before and after the 13th of each month the statue was on her pilgrimage with families of the parish. Our Lady of Fatima brought great hope to a society that was in dire need of realization and preparation for what would arise should our humanity continue the path of sin. We were reminded of Our Lady of Fatima’s forewarning, families will be attacked and grandeur of life will be destroyed. Now is the time for us to stand in unity as Catholics and defend

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-patroness of the Unborn Bakersfield, CA

2017 blessings bestowed upon us this yearsubmitted by Virginia Santos-Ruiz, Development Director -

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Lent is Here Againsubmitted by Katrina Flores, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Diocese of Fresno

Lent is here again you fabulous young followers of Christ. And… By YOUNG, I mean those who are between the ages of thirteen and thirty-nine. And Yes… That includes this 30 something “technical” young Catholic. I think most of us know that the season of Lent is a time when we as Catholics put ashes on our forehead, abstain from meat on Fridays, and give up soda, hot cheesy snacks, coffee or something. Even the fast food places bring out their seasonal shrimp or fish items, so they definitely know we’re coming! I look forward to this time of year because (CONFESSION TIME) my favorite fast food place has shrimp tacos. I can order them all day, every day and still consider myself a good and faithful Catholic. There are a lot of books, movies and music that have come out already that can help guide us through the season in a deeper and more meaningful way. I could give out a list of tools that I recommend and call it a day, but I was thinking about doing something a little different. After all, you have

the world at your fingertips between the internet and television. A battle I face every Lenten season is similar to the story of the Rich Young Man in Matthew’s Gospel (Chapter 19:16-30). While I can technically check off all the boxes of being a faithful Catholic, am I truly embracing what it means to walk with Christ or even have an intimate relationship with Him? I’ve spent my life walking a zigzag line nearer and farther away from Christ as I journey towards my goal being heaven. I think the questions for me to ponder are: Do I live my life with Christ in my heart? Do I love Jesus so much that it hurts? Now before you call me one of those weird super religious Catholics, think about it. Does my relationship with Christ involve sacrifice? Every love story ever told required sacrifice and hard work, so why should mine and Jesus’ be any different. He certainly sacrificed his LIFE for mine. I think the ways that loving Jesus “so much that is hurts” is different for everyone. For me it’s looking at a suffering world and my heart breaking. I want to help heal wounds. I want to lessen the burden of others. I want to reach out to those forgotten and outcasted because it is Christ who lives in everyone around me. In that same way I remember my own wounds and ways that I feel like I don’t belong and know that Christ not only understands my pain, but suffers with me. I find myself wanting to let the love I have for Christ show itself in the ways I choose to speak and act this Lenten season. The way I choose to express Christ’s love for me and mine for Him, sets the tone for ongoing sacrifice and growth. So… What are the ways that Christ is tugging at your heart and asking to come closer?

Hello Everyone!

While Lent might feel like it is only about our regrets, sufferings, and disappointments, this is a time for New Life, time to reflect on the changes we make to get closer to Jesus. Change and/or conversion are important if we want to grow in our relationship with Christ.

Here are some books that will help us reshape and change our hearts to a deeper understanding of God’s mercy so we can be renewed this Easter!

Pope Francis tells us Lent means much more. With great compassion and mercy, he helps us break free of despair. Here we find our greatest hope, lifting us up until the joy of Easter arrives. Reflect on the powerful words of Pope Francis and the accompanying Scripture, prayer, and action every day of the Lenten and Easter season.

God for Us – Rediscovering the Meaning of Lent and Easter By Greg Pennoyer & Gregory Wolfe

Explore the meaning of Lent, its importance in spiritual formation its significance in the preparation of Easter, and the holy season of Easter itself. It is not about becoming lost in feelings of brokenness, but about cleansing the palate so that we can taste life more fully. Lent and Easter reveal the God who is for us in all of life.

Walk in Her Sandals – Experiencing Christ’s Passion through the Eyes of Women By Kelly M. Wahlquist Looking at six universal gifts of women – receptivity, sensitivity, generosity, prayer, maternity, and the Holy Spirit – through the eyes of women in the gospels, this book guides you on a prayerful and creative journey through Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost.

The Catholic Playbook, Lenten Reflections for Singles By Christina Ries

Embark on a Lenten journey you’ll never forget! Lenten Reflections for Singles offers 40 meditations – one for each day of Lent – to guide you through this Liturgical season. Unite with single Catholics across the country, pray with Father Gary Caster and arrive at new levels of discipline and discovery.

Let us continue to reshape and change our hearts this year to a deeper understanding of God’s mercy so we can become messengers of God’s peace, love, and compassion to others!

Gloria Garibay, Media Center Secretary

“Let today be the day you give up who you’ve been for who you can become.”


THE LESSON OF TAIZÉsubmitted by Father James Torrens, S.J.

The Protestant Reformation has been celebrating its 500th birthday. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther issued his 95 arguments against abuses in Catholic practice and teaching. A storm of enthusiasm whipped up quickly, thanks to a new invention, the printing press, which was put to work spreading his fire. Luther’s loud success, as we know, stirred up other critics of Rome, with their own deviations from Catholic life.. Statistically speaking, the Church of Christ is today a multitude. There are liturgical churches, Catholic and Orthodox chief among them; churches heavy on preaching, such as the Calvinist and Baptist; charismatic and Pentecostal churches. Most ordinary towns in the United States display a variety of the above. We have to bemoan this divisive tendency among believers, don’t we, since we are talking about the Church of Jesus Christ. Jesus in his last hours prayed for his followers, “That they may be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, . . .that the world may believe that you sent me” (John 17:21). The scandal of division is receiving a penitent response, an approach that is called “ecumenism,” an awareness of the Church of Christ as one big household after all. A century ago Protestant missionaries in China started acting for much greater unity among their groups. This movement eventuated in the World Council of Churches. Catholic concern for reunion began thanks to some apostles—Cardinal Désiré Mercier in Belgium, Father Paul Couturier in France, and Father Paul James Wattson in the United States. Wattson and Mother Mary White were Anglican Franciscans who founded the Society of the Atonement in Graymoor, New York and launched the Octave of Christian Unity, January 18-25. The whole community became Roman Catholic in 1909. The octave is still promoted nationwide. Father Couturier taught that the hope for Christian unity lay in a common prayer for it. He called for such prayer within our individual churches, because that is where we learned Christ. The most daring initiative came from a Swiss Protestant, Brother Roger Schutz, filled with zeal for reconciliation among Christians. With a handful of companions he settled in Taizé, France, in 1944, to form a monastic community to further this goal. Their services, three times daily, were modeled on the hours of the Latin breviary. These and their open-air study sessions continue to draw busloads of pilgrims, especially the young, from all over Europe. And their chant known as Taizé Prayer is now being practiced worldwide. There has long been a communion of bible expertise among Catholics, Protestants and Jews. And Catholic theologians have engaged in formal discussions with those of other churches and at times arrived with them at some promising formulations. Fifty-some years ago, when our bishops were convoked by Pope John XXIII for the Second Vatican Council, this fraternal attitude and interaction found its sanction, and some of its ground rules, in the Decree on Ecumenism. The Council Fathers agreed that “many of the most significant elements and endowments which together go to build up the Church itself, can exist outside visible Catholic boundaries.” They could admit as well that “the brethren divided from us also carry out many liturgical actions of the Christian religion.” Officially and unofficially, therefore, our Catholic Church encourages esteem of our fellow Christians and interaction with them. Some churches reciprocate more than others, but what continues is the call to earnest, continual prayer for all followers of Christ to be One as is the Son of God with the eternal Father. We may take this to heart as the lesson of Taizé.

SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS IN THE ABSENCE OF A PRIEST submitted by Father David Norris

“The New Testament and the Fathers of the Church give ample evidence that for the early Church Sunday was the “Lord’s Day”. For it was on Sunday that the Lord conquered sin and death and rose to new life. In our own time, the Second Vatican Council has reminded us: ‘On this day Christ’s faithful must gather together, so that, by hearing the word of God and taking part in the eucharist, they may call to mind the passion, resurrection and glorification of the Lord Jesus and may thank God, who “has begotten them again unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (I Peter 1:3)’ “ Thus does the second paragraph of the introduction to the Vatican approved text of the American Catholic bishops’ publication of the ritual book Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest emphasize the central importance of the Sunday liturgy in the life of the church and for all Roman Catholics. At the same time, recognizing the declining number of ordained priests in our country, as in many other countries of the world, the bishops recognize that these services, popularly called SCAP, “are a present pastoral necessity in many dioceses and may become even more necessary in the coming years…so that...no community will be denied the Sunday celebration of the eucharist each week.” (SCAP, 1993). In the twenty-five years now that this form of Sunday worship has been approved for Catholic dioceses in the United States, it has indeed proven true that this option has “become even more necessary”. The fact that our Fresno diocese has been blessed in many ways with the abundance of deacons, lay ministers and international priests does not change the statistics that, like many dioceses in the United States, we are not ordaining men to the priesthood from our own parish communities in sufficient numbers to replace retiring and dying priests and those who are no longer in active ministry for various reasons. Thanks be to God who, guiding the Church by His Spirit, has unleashed the powerful recognition of the ministry of all the baptized. This was done in God’s providential anticipation of the current realities before they actually occurred. As early as 1965, the Second Vatican Council, in restoring and promoting the permanent diaconate and calling forth the New Testament model of the church as the body of Christ and the people of God indeed enriched the understanding of the gifts of the Spirit poured out on all God’s people. (see the Book of Joel 3:1-2) These are the gifts that are now provided, as they always have been, for so many ministries and activities of service in the church. They are particularly used now for Sunday worship in many places using the rites of SCAP. “When a priest cannot be present for the celebration of Mass on the Lord’s Day, it is of paramount importance that the parish or mission community still come together to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord…[T]hey should assemble for Sunday worship in their own community under the leadership of the person the bishop and pastor have designated to lead them in prayer.” (SCAP #10) This is already regularly done, of course, in parish weekday “Communion Services”, at health care facility services conducted by deacons or lay ecclesial ministers and in religious houses by consecrated religious. It will become more necessary as well for the Lord’s Day, as God continues to provide nourishment by the word and sacrament for His family. As our diocese moves into its next fifty years of ministry to God’s people, the Holy Spirit will continue to provide the wisdom and resources for the sacramental needs of the Body of Christ. We thank God for the insights that the local church receives from its shepherds and the experience of the people to move forward, “siempre Adelante”!


Central California Catholic Life is published six times annually by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, which comprises the counties of Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Tulare.

Publisher: Most Reverend Armando X. Ochoa, D.D., Bishop, Diocese of Fresno Co-editors: Sr. Rosalie Rohrer, IHM and Rudy Luna1550 N. Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93703 Telephone: 559-488-7440E-mail: [email protected] website: www.dioceseoffresno.org

Faith Community Nursingsubmitted by Pilar De La Cruz-Reyes, Health Ministry, Diocese of Fresno

Askanylaypersonwhataregisterednursedoesandtheywillprobablybeabletostatethatanursetakescareofpatientswhetherinahospital,nursinghome,homecare,hospice,doctor’sofficeandanyothernumberoffacilities.AccordingtotheGalluppoll,nurseshavebeenvotedthemosttrustedprofessionoutofallprofessionsfornearlyaquarterofacentury.In fact in the past 20years, the onlyyear theywere not votednumberonewas2001whenfirefightersandpolicementookoverthenumberonespot following the events of theSeptember 11, 2001 attack on theUnitedStates. Veryfewpeople,however,haveprobablyheard aboutparishnursesor faith community nurses. Thesenursesareafairlynewbreedofnurseswho instead of working primarilyin a hospital work in their parishassistingthepriestsandparishionerswith their basic health care needsby providing them with educationon diseases, offering informationonhealthcare resources,providinghome visits, answering questionsabouttheirhealth,providinginformationaboutmedications,visitingthehomebound,etc.ParishandfaithcommunitynurseshaveahealthfaithconnectionandtheiruniquenessisthattheyarecenteredontheCatholicfaith in their teachings to others.Their focus is on the intentional careofthespiritwithinchurchteachingsonhealthandwellness.Inaddition,theymayalsodosurveysontheparishionerstoidentifywhathealthcareconcernsandneedstheymayhavethatneedtobeaddressed.AneasywaytounderstandtheroleoftheparishorfaithcommunitynurseisbyutilizingtheacronymNURSE. N=Nurturingtotheparishionersinneedwhetherthatbethroughhomevisits, phone calls, sending get well cards, helping them find helpfulavailableresourcesetc.U = Understanding; Providing a parishioner a shoulder to lean on,helpingthemidentifypriorities,orprovidingpotentialoptions,ideasandsuggestionsforfollow-upcareasneeded.R =Resourceful; offering parishioners a list of available resources fortheir specific needs such as the contact number of different healthcareorganizations, ( i.e.American Heart and StrokeAssociation,AmericanDiabetesAssociation,CancerSociety,mentalhealthassociation,etc.)andothercommunityresources.S=Support;intheformofjustspendingtimelisteningtoaparishioner’sconcerns,orhelpingthemconnectwithavailablediocesesupportgroupsorcommunitysupportorganizationsthatcanhelpaddresstheirneeds.E = Education; providing classes to parishioners on different diseasesand teaching themhowtorecognize thesignsandsymptomsofaheartattackorstroke,diabetes,depression,opioidaddiction,stress,abuseandviolence,etc.

Parishandfaithcommunitynursescanplayavitalroleinhelpingtoimprovethehealthoftheparishcommunity.IfyouareaRegisteredNurseor LicensedVocationalNurse and are looking for away to serve yourparish, think about becoming a faith communityor parishnurse.ThereisatrainingprogramforthisrolestartingonMarch1st.Youareneeded!Please feel free to contact eitherRoxanna Stevens,RN or PilarDeLaCruz-Reyes,MSN,RNat(559)488-7474,Ext.108.

Haiti – A Little Historysubmitted by Ronald E. Smith, Ed.D.

As a Catholic who advocatesfor social justice, I believe itimperative that we study the pastto ensure thatweare able tofightinjustice and inequality with ourfaith, compassion, and forward-thinkingpoliciesdesignedtoupliftpeopleandnations. Haitiisanationthathassufferedfrom natural disasters in recentyears and continues to struggletoday. The people of Haiti needour prayers as they rebuild theirnation, maintain hope and seekout solutions for abrighter future.ManypeoplearenotfamiliarwithHaiti’shistoryandIthinkitwisetoshare a little bit of history so thatweasChristianswillunderstandwhycompassionandprayersareneeded. Haiti,thefirstindependentnationofLatinAmericaandtheCaribbeanisimpoverishedtodayinpartbecauseofwhattheworldallowedFrancetodotoHaitiintheearly1820’s.Haitiwasoneofthefirstcountriestoobtainindependencefromcolonialruleandunfortunatelythepriceforbeingatrailblazerwasexpensive. In1804,Haitibecamean independentnationafteraslaverevolt(1791–1804)ledtovictoryovertheFrenchandthewithdrawalofcolonialFrenchtroopsfromthecountry. In 1825, France decided that itwould try and retakeHaiti during aperiodofrestorationofthemonarchyandsentafleettotheisland.Underpressure, Haiti’s president agreed to a treaty by which France wouldformally recognize the independence of the nation in exchange for apaymentof150millionfrancs.Whilethedebtwasreducedto90millionfrancsin1838,Haitiwasunabletofinishpayingoffthedebtuntil1947. If the world had stood up to the French, Haiti might be a thrivingCaribbean nation rather than a nation thatwas forced to pay funds fornearly100yearsaspartofaninternationallyagreedupontreatythatwasforcedupon them.Theirchoice–warand thepossibilityofonceagainbeingsubjectedtoforeignruleorfinancialruin.Thatwasnotmuchofachoice,but theyhave remainedan independentandsovereignnation tothisday. The Catholic Church and other Christian organizations have beenfightingoppression,injustice,povertyandmanyotherissuesthatfaceourplanet for centuries. I amconfident that theChurchwas advocatingonHaiti’s behalf, but aswehave seen during the course of history,worldleaderssometimes ignore thechurchasgreedgets in theway.Thiscanbeseenintheeverincreasinggapbetweentheextremelywealthyandtheextremelypoor;thenumberofpeoplebeingtraffickedacrosstheglobe;andthelackofbasicnecessitiessuchascleanwaterandsanitationsystems. WhilemostCaribbeanandLatinAmericannationsremainedcolonizedintothe20thcenturyandbenefittedfrombeingconsideredBritish,Spanish,PortugueseorFrenchcitizenswiththeabilitytobeeducatedundertheirsystems, they were not independent or sovereign. The world punishedHaitiforhavingtheaudacitytofightforandwinitsfreedomfromslaveryandoveritscolonialrulers.IntheOldTestament,theGodlythingtodowas to releaseslaveseverysevenyears.Unfortunately, slaverywasbigbusinessinthe1800’sandcontinuestobebigbusinesstoday. Slaverycontinuesbecauseofgreedandalackofrespectforthedignityofpeople.Wearestillfightingtodayforallpeopletobetreatedasequal.WeareallGod’schildrenandasaCatholicperson,itismydutytosharethetruthwiththehopethatpeoplewillbeinspiredtomakesurethatwhathappenedtoHaitiwillnothappentoanyothernation. Ifyouhearpeoplespeakingnegativelyaboutpeopleandcountriestakea stand and challenge people to take the high road. Challenge peopletocomeupwithstrategiesandsolutionsforhelpingthecountrybecomeabetternationratherthanspeakingnegativelyaboutthecountryanditspeople.AsGodfearingChristians,theleastwecandoisprayforallofGod’schildrenandnot takeadvantageof them!MaybewecanpreventothernationsfromsufferingthewayHaitihasfornearlytwocenturies.If

continued on page 14


Central California Catholic Life Outreach To Our Incarcerated Communities

submitted by Jim Grant, Director, Social Justice Ministry, Diocese of Fresno

2018MARCH 13 Chaplaincy and Prison Ministry in the Diocese of FresnoMARCH 20 The Death Penalty: Why is the Catholic Church Opposed to it?APRIL 3 #7 Laudato Sí: Chapter 1: What is happening to our Common Home? Chapter 2: The Gospel of CreationAPRIL 10 #7 Laudato Sí: Chapter 3: The Human Roots of the Ecological Crisis Chapter 4: Integral EcologyAPRIL 17 #7 Laudato Sí: Chapter 5: Lines of Approach and Action Chapter 6: Ecological Education and Spirituality

If you would like more information about this entire series, or any part of it, being offered in your parish or vicariate, please contact Jim Grant.

COURSE TITLE: CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING 101PRESENTER: JIM GRANT, DIRECTOR, SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY, DIOCESE OF FRESNOSITE/TIME: ST. PAUL CATHOLIC NEWMAN CENTER, FRESNO, CA 6:00-7:30PMTO REGISTER: JIM GRANT, [email protected], (559-488-7463)FOR RE-CERT HOURS: CONSULT THE DIOCESAN OFFICE OF FORMATION & EVANGELIZATION LINDA RAM (559-488-7474)

Did you know that the Diocese of Fresno includes the 8 counties of the Central Valley, containing about 1.2 million Catholics, making it the 14th largest diocese in the United States? Did you know that the Diocese covers over 35,000 square miles, and is divided into nine vicariates and 87 parishes? Did you know we have 19 Catholic elementary schools serving 4,666 students, and 2 Catholic High Schools serving 1,118 students? While all these numbers are impressive, I have a few more staggering numbers that you probably never thought of. Spread out across our beautiful diocese, we have 11 State prisons, which house about 40, 482 inmates and 26 County Jails, with another 4,000+ inmates. Add to those prisons 15 Juvenile Facilities, with upwards of 5,000 youth and 3 Federal Facilities with 4,227 inmates. Above and beyond all this incarceration, we also have 1 ICE Detention Center in Bakersfield with a capacity for 400 detainees. To address the many and varied spiritual needs of this incarcerated population (which numbers about 20,000!) we have a Chaplin specialist, Deacon Clyde Davis and a team of 13 full time chaplains (4 priests, 1 religious brother, 2 deacons, 5 laymen, and 1 lay woman) whom he has directed and guided for the past two years. The chaplains themselves are assisted by as many lay women and lay men that they can recruit, because as you can see, the “incarcerated parishioners” are not only numerous, but many times difficult to reach and often a fluctuating community with deep and life-long spiritual needs. The Diocese of Fresno is starting in this issue of the Central California Catholic Life a brand new effort- an article, story or column each issue focused on ministry to our incarcerated brothers and sisters, and to their families, and hopefully in some way to those who have been offended. This issue’s column is an introduction to all the future ones, and an invitation to join me in writing them in upcoming editions of the CCCL. I close, inviting everyone reading this to please pray for the incarcerated, that they may use their time to become restored, renewed, and through God’s grace, rediscover their dignity as sons and daughters of God. Pray for all their victims, that they may also be healed and with time, come to forgive those who did them harm. And pray for those who work and minister in these facilities, that their faith and relationship with Christ will guide and sustain them in their particular call to service. To learn more, or to become a volunteer at Fresno County Jail or any other detention center in the Diocese of Fresno, please contact me at (559) 488-7463.

A few words from our Guest columnist Rev. James Rude, S.J.

Lent. Manypeoplethinkit issimply a time for penance, to getridofsins,but that’snot thecase.It isa timetoprepare tocelebratethree of the greatest moments inourhistory.OnHolyThursdaywewill celebrate theEucharist,GoodFridaywewillcelebrate thedeathofJesus,andEasterSundaywewillcelebratehisResurrection.Iacceptall three, especially Jesus’ death,butIdon’tunderstandthem. AtMass we normally receiveCommunion, but it is infinitelymore than that for we also takeJesusintoourbodies.It’snotjustapieceofbread.ItisJesus,andnotjustinme,butinall300or400inthechurch,andhundredsofthousandsaroundtheworld.Justhowdoesthathappen?Noclue!Iacceptit.OnGoodFridaywerememberhisdeath,andIaskmyselfhowdidhesowillinglyacceptsuchahorribledeath?Ithastodowithlove.EasterSundaywecelebrateJesus’Resurrection,butIbelievethatJesusrose fromhis death themomentHedied. I believe that after our owndeathswecangotoheaven,butIdon¹tunderstandit.Ijustacceptit.It’snotjustme.It’salsoformillionsofpeoplearoundtheworld.ThatIbelieveisessentialtous.Weareafamily,weareone.Iworkedfor26yearsinLosAngelesandsoIhaveagreatnumberofveryclosefriendsthere.Iworkedfor12yearsinFresnoandIhaveagreatnumberofclosefriendstherealso.KidsItaughtandthosewhoservedmyMasses,adultsIservedandwhoservedme,andthereisagoodchancethatIwillnoteverseethemagain.Imissthem.IwishIcouldgobackandspendweeksinbothFresnoandLosAngeles,butIprobablywon’t.Thatdoesnotmeansimplyaloss.Forwewillallbetogetherattheend,butstill,rightnow,wearetogether.Weareone.Imaymissthem,butstilltheyarewithme,andthatistheessenceofourchurch.Forchurchisnotjustabuilding.Itisallthepeopleintheworldwholiveinlove,Jesus’love.

Honoring Juanita Betancourt

Inappreciationforserving35yearsinourReligiousEducationprogramsforchildren:• 15yearsasaCatechist• 20yearsasaReligious EducationCoordinator ThroughtheintercessionofSt.Jude,youhaveservedtheLordwithgladnesstirelessly,faithfully,andwithgreatcompassionforHisflockandespeciallyforthechildren. WepraythatGodwillcontinuetoblessyouinyourretirement. MaySt.Judecontinuetoguideyouasyouenterthisnewchapterinyourlife;andmayGodblessyouwiththesamejoyandfulfillmentinretirementthatyouhavefoundworkingwiththechildreninourReligiousEducationprograms.May God bless you always!Your parish family of St. Anthony of Padua, Reedley, CA.

Honrando a Juanita Betancourt Enapreciaciónporservir35añosennuestraprogramasdeeducaciónreligiosaparaniños:•15añoscomoCatequista•20añoscomoCoordinadordeEducaciónReligiosa Juanita,porlaintercesióndeSanJudas,hasservidoalSeñorconalegríaincansable,fielycongrancompasiónporsurebañoyespecialmenteporlosniños.OramosparaqueDioscontinúebendiciéndoteenturetiro. QueSanJudascontinúeguiándotealingresaraestenuevocapítuloentuvida;yqueDiostebendigaconlamismaalegríaysatisfacciónenlajubilaciónquehasencontradotrabajandoconniñosennuestroprogramadeeducaciónreligiosa.

¡Que Dios te bendiga siempre!Su familia parroquial de San Antonio de Padua, Reedley, CA.


News from the Office of Formation and Evangelization Noticias de la Oficina de Formación y Evangelización

Family Life Ministry Offers Consistency to Sacrament of Matrimony Preparation

Sister Joanne Bauer, CSC, Family Life Ministry Coordinator

Lent is the springtime of the Church, a wonderfully slow blossoming of the Paschal Mystery of our daily rising and dying into the full reign of God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” in the Second Coming of Jesus the Christ. Even as we “grow” into the fullness of God’s reign, we call upon the Spirit of Jesus to be with us in the Diocese of Fresno as Family Life Ministry and its Sacrament of Matrimony Guidelines and Specialization Certification Team continues its important planning. Most Reverend Armando X. Ochoa, DD, Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno, has approved Seven Essential Elements for Sacrament of Matrimony Preparation that need to be covered by parishes doing ‘marriage prep’ for consistency throughout the Diocese of Fresno. Also, any ‘marriage prep’ publications used within the diocese will need to be vetted for these same Essential Elements. Parishes with already existing programs and publishers will be invited to demonstrate how they implement these Essential Elements:

1. The Sacrament of Matrimony & the Spirituality of Matrimony

2. Family of Origin Issues, Challenges & Expectations 3. Personality & Temperamental Characteristics 4. Communication Styles & Skills 5. Conflict Resolution Styles & Strategies 6. Financial Management 7. Sexuality, Intimacy & Authentic Love

Note: Scripture & Gospel-Based Virtues are to be integrated into this preparation (TBA). School of Ministry/Family Life Ministry Sacrament of Matrimony Specialization Certification is piloting a Four Part Program at the Diocese of Fresno Pastoral Center in English and in Spanish: Part I: August 4, 2018; Part II: January 26, 2019; Part III August 3, 2019; Part IV: January 11, 2020. The Parts can be taken separately. While Certification is the primary goal, any Part may also be taken for enrichment. Each Part will include its own registration process, presentations by professional teachers, handouts and lunch. More information will be forthcoming.

R.C.I.A. and Lent: A Time of Reflection and Growth

Rose Hernandez, Director, and Linda Ram, School of Ministry Coordinator

This year is going to prove to be quite interesting for Catholics, as Ash Wednesday will be coinciding with St. Valentine’s Day. But we can use this to our advantage by focusing on a celebration of Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday” on February 13. It would be very easy to combine the two celebrations of Mardi Gras and St. Valentine’s Day, therefore allowing for all the parties, chocolates and celebrations.

The first ministry that I served was the process for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, most commonly known by its acronym RCIA (I should also like to state that the same acronym is used when making reference to those who are serving children in the same ministry… “RCIA adapted for Children” and should never be referred to as RCIC).

For those of you serving in the RCIA process, being able to focusing on Mardi Gras can be viewed as an opportunity for deeper reflection in his or her con-version as they approach full initiation into the Church. First look at the his-torical context from which Mardi Gras has developed and evolved. One of the many titles that make reference to Mardi Gras is “Carnival”. Carnival is al-ways celebrated prior to Ash Wednesday before the start of Lent. The name is derived from the Latin word carnis which means “meat” or “flesh” and levare means “to leave off” or vale that has (in the past) been an expression of “goodbye or farewell”. Together, the words would give the meaning of “without meat”. This includes not eating meat as well as abstaining from the pleasures of the flesh. Since many early Christians did not eat meat during Lent, all meat (and prohibited foods) in the home were consumed on Fat Tuesday prior to the start of Lent, hence the name: Fat Tuesday.

As a reflective process, hold a celebration of Mardi Gras by including all the decadent desserts and indulgent calories that we try to avoid. Then discuss the historic process and development of “Carnival” and Mardi Gras from a movement away from paganism towards Christianity. Each person can make an assessment and evaluation of his or her process of conversion. Then chal-lenge each catechumen and/or candidate to take an inventory of what they might be “leaving behind or saying goodbye to” as they become fully initiated into the Church. We all have lists of things, people and practices that we have changed or evolved from in our journey of faith. As for myself… I am a very different person than I was in college or as a young adult. Many times we feel that we are no longer evolving, but contrary to what we believe… our lives are constantly changing and we are continuously growing whether we can meas-ure it or not.

As you approach Lent, make it a time to strive for long term changes for your-self as well as for your family. Many times we do not know what we are miss-ing until we have tried it at least once. Choose one new practice or habit to incorporate into your Lenten prayer practice, and see if it develops into a practice to keep after Lent. Perhaps praying the rosary as a family or commit-ting to a Holy Hour each week will end up being something your family finds life-giving and making a permanent practice.

We pray this Lent will be a time of reflection, sacrifice, and growth, so that the Easter season will be a true celebration of new life.

Note to those who coordinate RCIA in the parish: Keep on the lookout for new diocesan resources coming to you soon! Make sure to sign up for our Grapevine newsletter to receive these and other resources by e-mail!

2nd Annual Self-Care Retreat

Retiro sobre el Cuidado de Sí Mismo

August 17-19, 2018

For more information on these or any other events in the diocese, please contact the Office of Formation and Evangelization at (559) 488-7474.

Para más información sobre estos u otros eventos diocesanos, comuniquese a la Oficina de Formación y Evangelización, a (559) 488-7474.


PST Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12:00 AM

The Rosary The Rosary With Fr. Frank

The Rosary The Rosary With Fr.

Frank

The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary

12:30 AM

Family Theater

Conversations with Cardinal

Sean

Perpetual Help Novena

TheLens

Family Theater Perpetual Help Novena

Catholic TV Presents

1:00 AM

Our Daily Bread

Catholic Underground

Realfaith TV Searchlight Women of the Church

The Church Alive

1:30 AM

Too Blessed to be

Stressed

Dios Nunca Duerme

This is the Day

Bruce Downs: The Catholic Guy

This is the Day

2:00 AM

Where God Weeps

Catholic Destinations

Novena del Perpetuo Socorro

The Gist House+Home The Faithful Traveler

From the Chair

2:30 AM

Blink Catholics Come Home

Donde Dios Llora

Rebuilt Witness Blink U

3:00 AM

Going My Way

Catholic Corner

Cambio de Agujas

Real to Reel The Church Alive The Joy of Music The Fatima Gems

3:30 AM

We’ve Got To Talk


Vatican Magazine

Revolution TheLens

WOW: The CatholicTV Challenge

Inter Nos

4:00 AM

Daily Living with Father

Chapin

Waking Up In America

Dr. John Clabeaux

Blink U A Closer Walk Blink What’s in the Bible?

4:30 AM

What’s in the Bible?

Dr. Wonder’s Workshop

Bugtime Adventures

The Fred and Susie Show

RocKids TV Paws and Tales The Fred and Susie Show

5:00 AM

La Santa Misa


Paws and Tales


Papal Audience RocKids TV Bugtime Adventures

5:30 AM


Our Daily Bread

7th Street Theater


Too Blessed to be Stressed


6:00 AM

Donde Dios Llora

Aging Gracefully

Consecrated Life

We’ve Got To Talk

Witness RocKids TV

6:30 AM

The Rosary NASA Connect

Nossa Fe, Nossa Vida

Revolution Hmong Catholic Compartiendo La Palabra

Classic Telestory

7:00 AM

Notre Dame Sunday Mass

Faithworks OS Portgueses

No Vale

Cartooning with Blitz

Hey Kids, Lets Cook!

CST 101 Gina D’s Kids Club

7:30 AM

The Church Alive

This is the Day

Where God Weeps

Vatican Magazine This is the Day Searchlight

8:00 AM

Papal Audience

Going My Way The Gist Going My Way Classic

Aging Gracefully Renewed Going My Way Classic

8:30 AM

7th Street Theater

TheLens

Subject Matters

Focus TV Context Realfaith TV

9:00 AM

CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass CatholicTV Mass NCBC Daily Mass

9:30 AM

Vatican Magazine

The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary

10:00 AM

Live Sunday Mass

Catholic Focus Daily Living with Father

Chapin

The Choices We Face


Movie Classics Hour

CatholicTV Showcase

10:30 AM

Blink Bruce Downs: The Catholic Guy

Inter Nos From the Chair

11:00 AM

The Word Exposed


Catholic Corner

From the Chair


Sean

CatholicTV Presents

11:30 AM

Consecrated Life

Family Theater

Encounter Aging Gracefully

PST Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 12:00 AM

The Rosary The Rosary With Fr. Frank

The Rosary The Rosary With Fr.

Frank

The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary

12:30 AM

Family Theater


Sean


Reel Faith Family Theater Perpetual Help Novena

CatholicTV Presents

1:00 AM

The Joy of Music


Realfaith TV Searchlight The Faithful Traveler

The Church Alive

1:30 AM

Too Blessed to be

Stressed

Dios Nunca Duerme

This is the Day

Subjuect Matters This is the Day

2:00 AM

Where God Weeps



The Gist House+Home Women of the Church

From the Chair

2:30 AM

Blink Catholics Come Home

Donde Dios Llora

Rebuilt Witness

3:00 AM

Going My Way

Catholic Corner

Cambio de Agujas

Blink The Church Alive The Joy of Music Consecrated Life

3:30 AM

We’ve Got To Talk


Vatican Magazine

Encounter Roots of Faith WOW: The CatholicTV Challenge

Inter Nos

4:00 AM

Daily Living with Father

Chapin

Waking Up In America

Dr. John Clabeaux

Blink U A Closer Walk Revolution What’s in the Bible?

4:30 AM



Bugtime Adventures


RocKids TV Paws and Tales The Fred and Susie Show

5:00 AM

La Santa Misa


Paws and Tales


Papal Audience RocKids TV Bugtime Adventures

5:30 AM


Our Daily Bread

Consecrated Life




6:00 AM

Donde Dios Llora

Aging Gracefully

7th Street Theater

We’ve Got To Talk

Witness RocKids TV

6:30 AM

The Rosary NASA Connect


CCMV Music Videos

Hmong Catholic Compartiendo La Palabra

Classic Telestory

7:00 AM

Notre Dame Sunday Mass

Faithworks OS Portguesses

No Vale



CST 101 Gina D’s Kids Club

7:30 AM

The Church Alive

This is the Day

Where God Weeps

Vatican Magazine This is the Day Searchlight

8:00 AM

Papal Audience

Going My Way The Gist Going My Way Classic

Aging Gracefully Renewed Going My Way Classic

8:30 AM

7th Street Theater

Reel Faith Subject Matters

Focus TV Context Realfaith TV

9:00 AM

CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass CatholicTV Mass NCBC Daily Mass

9:30 AM

Vatican Magazine

The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary

10:00 AM

Live Sunday Mass

Catholic Focus Daily Living with Father

Chapin

The Choices We Face


Movie Classics Hour

CatholicTV Showcase

10:30 AM

Blink Renewed Inter Nos From the Chair

11:00 AM

The Word Exposed


Catholic Corner

From The Chair


Sean

CatholicTV Presents

11:30 AM

We’ve Got To Talk

Family Theater


Aging Gracefully

12:00 PM

National Shrine Mass

CST 101 Hmong Catholic

Faithworks CST 101 OS Portgueses No Vale

Compartiendo La Palabra

12:30 PM

Witness A Closer Walk Perpetual Help Novena

Vatican Magazine


Realfaith TV Subject Matters

1:00 PM

Mass from San Fernando

Cathedral in San Antonio

The Choices We Face

Catholic Courses

Dr. John Clabeaux


The Word Exposed

1:30 PM

The Joy of Music

House + Home

Blink U Searchlight

2:00 PM

Cristo Para Todos

Realfaith TV WOW: The CatholicTV Challenge

From the Chair

CatholicTV Presents

Going My Way Dr. John Clabeaux

2:30 PM

La Santa Misa


Subject Matters

This is the Day

Revolution This is the Day

3:00 PM

Chaplet of Divine

Mercy

Chaplet of Divine Mercy






3:30 PM

CompartiendoLa Palabra

Classic Telestory


Gina D’s Kids Club


NASA DT Hmong Catholic

4:00 PM

Hmong Catholic

Zebby Zoo NASA Connect


The Adventures of Donkey Ollie

WOW Searchlight

4:30 PM



This is the Day

The Faithful Traveler

Going My Way This is the Day TheLens

5:00 PM

Real to Reel FocusTV The Gist Waking Up In American

The Fatima Gems Women of the Church


5:30 PM

Where God Weeps

Encounter Searchlight Catholic Corner

Waking Up In American

The Catholic Underground

6:00 PM

Dr. John Clabeaux

TheLens

Blink U The Joy of Music


Roots Of Faith

6:30 PM

The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary The Rosary

7:00 PM


CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass CatholicTV Mass National Shrine Mass

7:30 PM

Eucaristia Dominical

Revolution The Church Alive


The Word Exposed

This is the Day Revolution

8:00 PM

Aging Gracefully

Going My Way


A Closer Walk Vatican Magazine

8:30 PM

CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass

CatholicTV Mass CatholicTV Mass National Shrine Mass

9:00 PM

This is the Day

Catholic Focus Dios Nunca Duerme

This is the Day

Dr. John Clabeaux

Papal Audience Renewed

9:30 PM

Inter Nos Catholic Destinations

Cristo Para Todos

The Gist Catholic Courses Consecrated Life

10:00 PM

Subject Matters

We’ve Got To Talk


Revolution The Faithful Traveler

10:30 PM

Blink U Real to Reel Cambio de Agujas

Realfaith TV Rebuilt Where God Weeps FocusTV

11:00 PM

Context Blink The Fatima Gems

7th Street Theater

The Choices We Face

Wow: The CatholicTV Challenge

From the Chair

11:30 PM

Witness Encounter Life’s Journey Too Blessed To Be

Stressed

Family Theater Real to Reel Aging Gracefully

PST Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Featuring CatholicTV NetworkNational Programming

KNXT-TVLocal

Programming INTERNETLive Streaming: www.knxt.tv/liveRoku TV: In the Religious Section

CHANNEL 49/35/38

Catholic TelevisionKNXTKNXTKNXT

CHANNEL 49/35/38

Catholic TelevisionKNXT

WinterProgram

Guide

FRESNOCh. 50.1, 35.1 FRESNO

Comcast Ch. 9,AT&T U-verse Ch. 49Dish Network Ch. 49

DirecTV - Ch. 49

BAKERSFIELDCh. 38 BAKERSFIELDBright House Ch. 442

Mondays at 12:00 pmThursdays at 12:00 pm

Fridays at 7:00 am

SUN 4 PM • THUR 6:30 AM

Monday - Saturday9:00 am, 7:00 pm & 8:30 pm

Sunday12:00 pm & 8:30 pm

Monday - Saturday9:30 am, 6:30 pm

Sunday6:30 pm

THE ROSARY

DAILY MASS

LIVE ON KNXT-TV

Sun 7PM & Tue 6:30AM

Fri 6:30AM & Sat 12:00PMSun 3:30PM

Through your generosity and prayerful support, broadcasting these programs throughout the eight counties of the Diocese of Fresno and worldwide streaming is made possible. May God bless you abundantly as we continue to work together to bring the Gospel message into the homes and hearts of our viewers. KNXT.TV is the perfect place to download the current schedule, access our YouTube library with over 1,000 videos and to offer your financial gift of support. You may also send your gift to: Diocese of Fresno/KNXT • 1550 N. Fresno St. • Fresno CA 93703


The Safe Environment Office provides online training courses onchild abuse, bullying, and internet safety for all clergy and employeesandvolunteerswhohavedirectcontactwithminorsinourparishesandschools.Wedothistosafeguardourgreatest treasure:ourchildren. Thecourses increaseawareness and the ability to prevent and protectchildrenfromabuse. Here is someinformationonchildabuse…CaliforniaStatelawdefineschildabuseas:- Intentionalphysicalinjuryinflictedonachild byanotherperson- Sexualabuse- Emotionalabuse- Neglectwhichthreatensthechild’shealthor welfare- Exploitation,whichmeansforcingorcoercinga child into performing activities that are beyond the child’s capabilities or which are illegal or degrading,includingsexualexploitation. Thestatisticsonchildabusearealarming.Below areafewfactsaboutchildabuseintheUnitedStates.- Approximately 5 children die every day because of childabuseandneglect.Over70%ofthesechildrenarebelowtheage of3.- 1outofevery3girlsand1outofevery5boyswillbesexuallyabused beforetheyturn18.- 90%ofchildsexualabusevictimsknowtheirperpetratorinsomeway. 68%areabusedbyafamilymember.- 2.9millioncasesofchildabusearereportedeveryyear.- Childrenwhoexperiencechildabuseandneglectare59%morelikely tobearrestedasajuvenile,28%morelikelytobearrestedasanadult, and30%morelikelytocommitviolentcrimes.- Abusedchildrenare25%morelikelytoexperienceteenpregnancy. ItishighlyrecommendedalladultstakeadvantageofthefreetrainingcoursesourDioceseoffers.Themorewelearn,themorewecanbepartofthesolutiontotheterribletragedyofchildabuseinoursociety.Totakethecourse,pleaselogintohttps://safeandsacred-fresno.org. As always, the goal of the Safe Environment office at the DioceseofFresnoistokeepchildrensafeandprotected.TheDioceseofFresnois committed to ensuring thatwhen your child is in our care in parishprogramsorinCatholicEducationthattheirsafetyisofutmostimportanceandpriority.Toknowmoreaboutwhatyourparishandschool isdoingandhowyoucanbepartofcreatingandmaintainingasafeenvironment,contact theDiocese of FresnoOffice of SafeEnvironment at 559-493-

LaOficinadelAmbienteSeguroproporcionacursosdeentrenamientoenelInternetsobreelabusodemenores,acosamiento,yseguridadusandoel

Internet,paratodoelclero,losempleadosyvoluntariosquienes tienen un contacto directo con los menoresdeedadennuestrasparroquiasyescuelas.Hacemosestoparaampararnuestromásgrandetesoro:nuestrosniños. Los cursos aumentan el conocimiento y lahabilidadparapreveniryprotegeralosniñosdelabuso. Enseguidaestáalgunainformaciónsobreelabusodemenores…LaleyEstataldeCaliforniadefineelabusodemenorescomo:- Una Iesión física intencional causada en un niño porotrapersona- Abusosexual- Abusoemocional- Negligencialocualamenazalasaludoelbienestar delniño- Explotación,locualsignificaforzaruobligaraun niño a desempeñar actividades que están más

allá de las capacidades del niño o lo cual es ilegal o degradante,incluyendolaexplotaciónsexual. Lasestadísticasdelabusodemenoresesalarmante.EnseguidaestánunoscuantosdatosacercadelabusodemenoresenlosEstadosUnidos.- Aproximadamente 5 niños mueren diariamente debido al abuso de menoresynegligencia.Másdel70%deestosniñostienenmenosde3 años.- 1decada3niñasy1decada5niñosseránabusadossexualmenteantes dequecumplan18años.- El90%delasvíctimasdelabusodemenoresconocendealgunamanera a su infractor. El68%deellossonabusadosporunmiembrode la familia.- 2.9millonesdecasosdeabusodemenoressonreportadoscadaaño.- Losniñosquevivenlaexperienciadelabusoamenoresylanegligencia, lomásprobableesqueun59%seanarrestadoscuandosonjóvenes, un28%esmuyprobablequeseanarrestadosenlaedadadulta,ylomás probableesqueun30%cometeráncrímenesviolentos.- Esmuyprobablequeun25%delasniñasquesonabusadascuandoson menoresvivanlaexperienciadeunembarazocuandosonadolescentes. Se recomiendamuchoque todos losadultos tomen laventajade loscursosdeentrenamientogratisqueofrecenuestraDiócesis.Mientrasmásaprendamos,máspodemosserpartedelasoluciónalaterribletragediadelabusodemenoresennuestrasociedad.Paratomaruncurso,favordeentraralsitiohttps://safeandsacred-fresno.org. Comosiempre,lametadelaoficinadelAmbienteSegurodelaDiócesisdeFresnoesmanteneralosniñossegurosyprotegidos.LaDiócesisdeFresno está comprometida a asegurar que cuando su niño(a) está bajonuestrocuidadoenprogramasdelaparroquiaoenlaEducaciónCatólica,suseguridadesdelamayorimportanciayprioridad.Parasabermásacercade loquesuparroquiayescuelaestáhaciendoycómopuedeustedserparteparacrearymantenerunambienteseguro,comuníquesealaOficinadelAmbienteSegurodelaDiócesisdeFresnoal559-493-2882ovisítenosenelInternetenwww.dioceseoffresno.org.

Child Abuse in the United StatesAbuso de Menores en los Estados Unidos

Bianca Blanchette, Safe Environment Coordinator - Diocese of Fresno

Carmen Perez, Housekeeper, Pastoral Center, Diocese of Fresno

IstartedasareceptionistattheChanceryOffice17yearsago,andCarmenwelcomedme since thefirst daywith fresh roses onmydesk.Notonlydidshetaketimetocutthemherself,shealsoprovidedmewiththevase.Thiswastobeaweeklygiftfromherfromthatdayforward.ImovedtotheDevelopmentDept.in2007andwasblessedtohaveCarmen

asourcustodianinthetraileralso!The roses became a gift for myshrinetoOurLadyofGuadalupe.IalwaystoldCarmentheywerefortheVirginandthankedherforthebeautifulgifttoourMotherMary.BesidesbeingthebestcustodianIhaveevermet,shealsobecameagreatfriendtomeandtomyfamily.Wewereblessedtoberecipientsofherhomemadeenchiladas,tamalesandflourtortillas.Oneofthemanyand most special gifts she hadto offer were her prayers. Thisto me was the greatest blessingof all! I will miss Carmen andher roses. I wish her a blessed,

happyandhealthyretirementcompleting30yearsatthePastoralCenteroftheDioceseofFresno!-submitted by Belinda S. Ray, Customer Service Rep.,

Office of Stewardship/Development Dept.

Carmen was definitely one ofa kind! She always touched ourhearts in a specialway by alwaysputtingrosesonourdesk.Shewasa hard worker, but always madethe time to brighten up our day.We definitely miss her presencehere! - submitted by Gloria Garibay, Receptionist, Bilingual Media Center, Office of Formation and Evangelization


Mensaje del Señor Obispo

Página 2

Historia de la Diócesis de FresnoPágina 4

Bishop’sMessagePage 2

Mobile ChapelMinistryPage 18

History ofthe Diocese of Fresno

Page 4

REV. JAMES BLOUNT, S.O.L.T.A internationally-known priest of The Society of Our Lady of The Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), Fr. James Blount currently travels the United States and abroad, preaching at retreats and missions. Teaching the faith by prayer and personal stories, he brings passion and aware-

ness that through the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s Church can make a difference in the world today. He is currently based out of Covington, Georgia. Fr. Blount will share with us all the gifts of the Holy Spirit during the conference day!

MSgR. PATRick MccORMickMonsignor Patrick McCormick, V.F, is Pastor of Holy Spirit’s Parish, Fresno, California and Chaplain to Holy Cross Ministries. Ordaineda priest in 1975 at the Vatican by Pope Paul VIhe has since served at many parishes before coming to the Holy Spirit Church in Fresno.

Msgr. McCormick is Master of Ceremony at numerous events and an accomplished pianist and organist.

ADULT S c H E D U L E O F E V E N T S

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 283:00 pm-5:00 pm Check In - Registration All Day5:00 pm-6:30 pm Welcome - Deacon Ed Valdez, Rosary -Valdez Family 6:30 pm-7:00 pm Mass Preparation - Cheryl Sarkisian, Kathleen Lucas7:00 pm-8:30 pm Opening Mass - Fr. James Blount 8:30 pm-8:45 pm 7th Heaven Music Ministry8:45 pm-10:00 pm Eucharistic Adoration - Fr. Peter PrusakiewiczSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 297:30 am- Registration All Day8:00 am-8:30 am Music, Crowning of Blessed Mother’s Statue 8:30 am-9:00 am Rosary- Led by Deacon Paul, Sally and Kevin 9:00 am-9:15 am 7th Heaven Music Ministry 9:15 am-10:00 am Fr. Peter Prusakiewicz 10:00 am-10:15 am 7th Heaven Music Ministry 10:15 am-11:00 am Msgr. Patrick McCormick 11:00 am-12:30 pm Mass - Bishop Armando X. Ochoa 12:30 pm-1:30 pm Lunch 1:30 pm-2:00 pm 7th Heaven Music Ministry2:00 pm-3:00 pm Fr. James Blount 3:00 pm-3:15 pm Chaplet of Divine Mercy - Fr. Peter Prusakiewicz 3:15 pm-3:30 pm 7th Heaven Music Ministry 3:30 pm-4:15 pm Zachary King4:15 pm-4:30 pm 7th Heaven Music Ministry 4:30 pm-5:15 pm Chris Padgett 5:15 pm-6:30 pm Dinner6:30 pm-6:45 pm Angelus -Vickie Perez - 7th Heaven Music Ministry6:45 pm-7:15 pm Fr. Peter Prusakiewicz7:15 pm-7:30 pm Acknowledgement - Ben & Christy Villas7:30 pm- Healing Service - Fr. James Blount, CelebrantSUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 308:00 am-8:30 am 7th Heaven Music Ministry8:30 am-9:00 am Rosary - Led by Juana Vargas and Lala9:00 am-9:45 am 7th Heaven Music Ministry9:45 am-10:30 am Chris Padgett 10:30 am-10:45 am 7th Heaven Music Ministry 10:45 am-11:30 am Fr. Jose Robles Sanchez 11:30 am-12:15 pm Fr. James Blount 12:15 pm-1:15 pm Lunch1:15 pm-1:30 pm 7th Heaven Music Ministry 1:30 pm-2:15pm Zachary King2:15 pm-2:30 pm 7th Heaven Music Ministry2:30 pm-3:30 pm Fr. James Blount3:30 pm-3:45 pm Chaplet of Divine Mercy - Fr. Peter Prusakiewicz3:45 pm-4:00 pm Mass Preparation - Cheryl Sarkisian, Kathleen Lucas4:00 pm-5:30 pm Closing Mass - Fr. Peter Prusakiewicz*Schedule subject to change

TIME EVENT YOUTH

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 298:30 am- Registration All Day 9:00 am-9:30 am Rick and Gerardo Valdez9:30 am-10:00 am Chris Padgett 10:00 am-10:15 am Rick and Gerardo Valdez10:15 am-10:45 am Fr. Jose Robles Sanchez 10:45 am-11:00 am Break11:00 am-12:00 pm eXaLT/Holy Hr - Fr. Jose Robles Sanchez12:00 pm-1:00 pm Lunch 1:00 pm-1:15 pm Rick and Gerardo Valdez1:15 pm-2:00 pm Zachary King 2:00 pm-2:15 pm Rick and Gerardo Valdez2:15 pm-3:00 pm Chris Padgett 3:00 pm-3:15 pm Chaplet of Divine Mercy 3:15 pm-4:30 pm Mass - Fr. Jose Robles Sanchez*Schedule subject to change

TIME EVENT

c O N F E R E N c ES P E A k E R S

25th ANNUALMARiAN EUcHARiSTic

cONFERENcE

c O N F E R E N c ES P E A k E R S

BiSHOP ARMANDO X. OcHOAPope Benedict XVI named Bishop Armando X. Ochoa of El Paso, Texas, as Bishop of Fresno, California following Bishop John Steinbock’s death. Born in California he studied at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, CA, and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1970.

Bishop Ochoa served several Los Angeles parishes and named Auxiliary Bishop of LA in 1986, and Bishop of El Paso in 1996.

zAcHARy kiNgZachary King, a former Satanist of 26 years will present his powerful testimony on his conversion to Catholicism through the intercession of the Blessed Mother and her Miraculous Medal. He will also give a first hand insight into the dangers and deception of

the occult and how we can unwittingly be exposed to its dangers. This will be of special interest to youth.

Mark your calendarEVERy FRiDAy EXcEPT HOLiDAyS

ST. ANTHONy OF PADUA - FRESNO ROOM 23 ROSARy & cHAPLET OF DiViNE MERcy 6:45 p.m.-7:20 p.m.

cHARiSMATic PRAyER gROUP 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

AUgUST 10-12, 2018ANNUAL HEALiNg RETREAT

ST. ANTHONy RETREAT cENTER, THREE RiVERSHEALiNg RETREAT: FR. RicHARD McALEAR

$215/person double occupancy

OcTOBER 2, 11, 2018PiLgRiMAgE TO THE HOLy LAND

SPiRiTUAL gUiDE: FR. cHARLES LUERAS$3,899/person from LAX

DEcEMBER 7-9, 2018ADVENT RETREAT

ST. ANTHONy RETREAT cENTER, THREE RiVERS RETREAT MASTER: FR. JAMES BLOUNT, SOLT

$215/person double occupancy

SEPTEMBER 27-29, 20192019 MARiAN EUcHARiSTic cONFERENcE

cONFiRMED SPEAkERS: FR. PETER, DEAcON RALPH POyO iNViTED SPEAkERS: JESSE ROMERO, FR. JOSH WALTz,

AND FR. gARy THOMAS

FOR MORE iNFORMATiONcALL cHRiSTy (559) 824-0732

FR. JOSE ROBLES SANcHEzFather José Robles-Sánchez is the pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Alexandria, Louisiana. When he works with young people, he loves to provide opportunities for them to find a true and constant life in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the center of life for the Church

and absolutely must be the center of life for the youth. He loves challenging young people to have a better commitment with Christ and the Church, as this will help them live their call to holiness in their own culture and their own life.

Theme:“Jesus is calling,

are you listening? ”

NOURiSH yOUR SPiRiTExciTing spEAkErs AnD mUsiciAns

gATHEr TO sHArE wiTH YOUAnD TO cELEbrATE gOD’s grAcE.

cHRiS PADgETTA songwriter, musician, speaker and worship leader, Chris Padgett travels around the world giving talks, missions and concerts. He holds a master’s in theology from FranciscanUniversity of Steubenville, Ohio, and hasbegun doctoral work in Marian studies at the

International Marian Research Institute. Previously, Chris wrote, recorded and toured with a popular Christian band Scarecrow and Tinmen for years and now ministers at youth conferences and events, television and radio shows. Married for over 20 years Chris and his wife, Linda have nine childrenand recently published their first book, Not Ready for Marriage, Not Ready for Sex: One Couple’s Return to Chastity.

FR. PETER PRUSAkiEWiczFr. Piotr (Peter) Prusakiewicz was born in Poland and ordained a priest in 1990 enteringthe Congregation of St. Michael, the Archangel. As a religious order they ran a publishing house, schools, orphanages, youth centers and involved with missionary work in over 13 countries.

Fr. Peter is a frequent Conference Speaker and Retreat Leader at parish missions in Poland and around the world. He is currently headquartered in Marki near Warsaw, Poland where he is Chief Editor of two magazines, “Who is Like God” and “The Angels”.

ViSiT OUR WEBSiTE

WWW.HOLycROSSMiNiSTRiES.NET

Name(s) __________________________________________________________________________________________

Children Name(s) __________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________________________________________

City___________________________________________________________State_________Zip __________________

Home Phone______________________________________Cell Phone ______________________________________

Email ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Pre-registration rates before Sept. 10th are listed below. After Sept. 10th: See General Information to the right.

Single Adult ______ x $ 55 = $___________ Married Couple ______ x $100 = $___________ Teens ______ x $ 25 = $___________ (Includes Pizza Lunch)

Family* ______ x $160 = $___________ Add Teen Lunch ______ x $ 8 = $___________ Religious Orders No Charge

Total Admission: ______ x $65 = $___________Donation for needy to attend:** $___________TOTAL ENCLOSED: $___________**Teens must be between 12 and 17 years.**Your donation to help someone attend is tax deductible.

Sponsored by The Holy Cross Ministries in conjunction with other San Joaquin Valley Ministries

ConferenCe registrationWyndham garden fresno airport

5090 east Clinton Way, fresno, California 93727sePteMBer 28, 29, 30, 2018

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register & MaiL toDaY BY CoMPLeting tHe forM BeLoW:

Conference Registration:Pre-registration form must be mailed by Sept. 10, 2018 to ensure your admittance. A large attendance is expected so register early! After Sept. 10th: Registration at the door will be $10 more per Single Adult, $15 more per Married Couple and $10 more per Family. Family Registrations: Teens must be between 12 and 17 years. Sorry, no day care is available.Special Needs: Limited seating in designated area. Check box for accommodations. Wheel Chair One companion is permitted with handicapped person. Both the handicapped person and the companion must be identified on the Registration Form. Please contact Holy Cross Ministries if you need financial help to attend.Wyndham Garden Fresno Airport Hotel Registration: Attendees may reserve rooms at the Wyndham Garden Fresno Airport Hotel at a special rate of $99+tax per night King or Double, $139 for Suites by calling 559-252-3611. Mention Marian Eucharistic Conference at the time of reservation to receive your discounted rate.For more information please call:Christy Villas (559) 824-0732; Adult RegistrationKathleen Lucas (559) 269-0935; Youth Registration

aDMission fees: generaL inforMation:

Visit website: www.holycrossministries.net

payment information:

Mail Payment to: Holy Cross Ministries 4460 W. Shaw, Suite 522 Fresno, CA 93722Checks are accepted, no credit cards

sePteMBer 28, 29, 30, 2018

D i o C e s e o f f r e s n o

25th annualMarian e u charistic

Conferencefresno, C alifornia

Theme:“Jesus is calling,

are you listening? ”

Mosaic of La Virgen is Missingsubmitted by Consuelo Velasco

Guadalupanos,friendsandneighbors,yourprayersandhelpareneeded.ThebeautifulmosaicofLaVirgendeGuadalupe thatonceadorned thesoutheastcorneroftheWillingerHallat1044South9thStreet(formerlyOurLadyofLaVangChurch)inFresnoismissing.Thecolorfultilesof

the religious artifactwere chippedoff the wall months ago as thebuildingwasnolongerusedbytheFederacionMariana deGuadalupeafter over 50 years of services fortheDioceseofFresno.ThelossisofhistoricalvaluetoGuadalupanoswhowant topreserve relicswhichare testament of the traditionalactivities shared by the HispanicCatholicsof theparisheswhere asmany as 38 Guadalupe Societiesbecame federated under theleadership of Most ReverendBishopA.Willingerinwhosehonorthebuildingwasnamed.AlthoughtheFederationnolongerexistsasa

group,thereareactiveGuadalupeSocietiesinamajorityofchurchesoftheDioceseofFresno. Friendsandneighbors,wewouldlikeyourhelpinpreservingblessedartifactsthataremissinglikethemosaicofour“Morenita,”atenderlovingnicknameweusetorefertotheBelovedMotherofJesusintheMiracleofTepeyac.Ifyouknowwherethemosaiccanbefoundletusknowandbeassuredthatnoquestionswillbeasked.Wedonotcareabouttheconditionof the image. Youcan send informationvia e-mail to [email protected].

Name:________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________

City/St/Zip:___________________________________________

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50th Anniversary Special 52 Page Bilingual Edition

$5.00(Includes shipping and handling)

1968 2018

April 27,1968 April 27, 2018

Walk-a-ThonWhere: St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1018 N. Frankwood Avenue, Reedley, California 93654

When: Saturday March 10, 2018

Please join us in celebration of Monsignor’s anniversary

Everyone is welcome! All ages, including those with disabilities.For more information, call Gabi (559) 638-2098, Barbara (559) 930-7048, Marcelina (559) 393-9523

Enjoy good company

&free

refreshments

Registrationbegins at8:00 AM

Walk isfrom 8:30 AMto 10:30 AM

Masses of Thanksgiving will be open to the public and held in the new St. Anthony of Padua Church

Saturday, April 28, 20182:00 PM

Bilingual MassCelebrant: Monsignor John Esquivel

For those who would like to make a donation in Monsignor Esquivel’s honor, donations are being accepted. Please make the check payable to St. Anthony of Padua and note ‘Walk-a-Thon’ in the memo.

Mail to: St. Anthony of Padua PO Box 188, Reedley, Ca 93654

Friday, April 27, 201810:00 AM

Mass with the children of St. La Salle SchoolCelebrant: Bishop Armando Ochoa

The new Church is near and dear to Monsignor’s heart.

The first $20,000 will be for the Church loan repayment. Remaining funds will benefit the building of a future outdoor gathering space to be named in his honor.

Monsignor John Esquivel

The new Church is near and dear to Monsignor’s heart.

The first $20,000 will be for the Church loan repayment. Remaining funds will benefit the building of a future outdoor gathering space to be named in his honor.

For those who would like to make a donation in Monsignor Esquivel’s honor, donations are being accepted. Please make the check payable to St. Anthony of Padua and note ‘Walk-a-Thon’ in the memo.

Mail to: St. Anthony of Padua PO Box 188, Reedley, Ca 93654

as a Priest of the Diocese of Fresno

In Honor Of

50th Anniversary50th Anniversary50th Anniversary

St. La Salle School in Reedley, CA celebratesnew marquis in front of St. La Salle School

submitted by Angelita Lazaro

St. La Salle School in Reedley, CA, celebrated the beginning of Catholic Schools Week during the 11am Mass on January 28, 2018, at St. Anthony’s Church in Reedley. Following the Mass, Msgr. Esquivel blessed the new marquee in front of St. La Salle School.


wefollowPopeFrancis’teachings,maybeworldleaderswilltakeactiontoprovidecleanwaterforallhumanbeingsacrosstheglobe.AsChristians,itisourdutytohelpthoseinneedthewayChristandthedisciplesdidtwothousandyearsago. AsCatholics,letushelpdeveloppositivesolutionstotheproblemsoftheworldratherthansitidleandwatchthembecomeworse.Therearemorethanabillionpeople livingwithoutcleandrinkingwaterandsanitationsystems.TherearepeoplestarvinginpartsoftheworldandstrugglingtofindenoughtoeatintheSanJoaquinValley.Therearehomelesspeopleinourowncountryandthroughouttheworld.Theseproblemsandotherscanbe solved if thepeople of theworld come together and implementsolutionsthatworkforthebettermentofall. Today,IchallengeallreaderstodiscernhowyoucanuseyourGod-giventalentstomakeapositiveimpacttoaddresstheseissuesandothers.

Respectfullysubmitted,

Ronald

Ronald E. Smith, Ed.D. is a member of the Joy and Hope Committee and the African American Catholic Ministry of the Diocese. He serves as a volunteer at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Tulare and parishioner at St. Alphonsus Church in Fresno. He is a member of the Board of Trustees for Fresno Pacific University and serves on the Committee which provides oversight to the University’s Biblical Seminary. He is a licensed Funeral Director at his family’s company: Sterling & Smith Funeral Home.

Haiti – A Little History - continued from page 8

Earlier this year, Catholic Charities celebrated the Grand Opening of

its new Career and Education Center at its Merced site. With the

opening of the new Career & Education Center in Merced, all three

Catholic Charities Sites are now able to offer this incredible program

that provides free courses to those wanting to learn new skills, build

confidence, become self-sufficient and get back to work.

Career & Education Center

This March, the Representative Payee Program at Catholic Charities

celebrates its 25th Anniversary! This program assists those who need

help with the management of their monthly resources from Social

Security, Veteran Administration, or their pension. Catholic Charities

currently assists nearly 800 clients through this program by managing

their budget, paying their bills with their own income, and maintaining

financial stability for those most vulnerable.

Representative Payee Program

Through guidance from our community partners, we have been made

keenly aware and now responsive to the deeply disturbing issue of

human trafficking. Catholic Charities is now working to provide

advocacy and awareness surrounding this great evil, assist our direct

response partners with food and clothing needs, intercept trafficked

individuals in crisis who visit Catholic Charities seeking help in other

forms and offer a safe haven and access to necessary resources.

Human Trafficking

Catholic Charities, Diocese of FresnoAt Catholic Charities, we see so many faces that are hungry not just to be nourished with

food, but who also hunger for faith and hope. So many of our clients struggle with addictions,

generational poverty, homelessness and life circumstances that are out of their control. Our

desire at each of our Sites in Bakersfield, Fresno and Merced is to not only feed them but to

also provide a warm smile, caring conversation and help when they need it most.

Throughout the Diocese, we have approached the challenge of greater need and shrinking

resources by using the mission of Catholic Charities as the cornerstone of our work. Our

creative and passionate staff has developed ways to help connect our clients to all of the

available resources they are in need of including some of the programs below.

An update from

WorldDayforConsecratedLifewascelebratedonFriday,Feb.2,2018.TheSistersoftheDaughtersoftheDivineZealreceivedaSpecialBlessingandcelebratedtherenewaloftheirVowstoConsecratedLifeduringtheSt.LaSalleSchoolMassintheNewSt.AnthonyofPaduaChurch,Reedley. Maytheycontinuetobeinspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously toGod’sgiftoftheirvocation.

ElDíaMundialde laVidaConsagradasecelebroen la Iglesia el viernes 2 de febrero de 2018. LasHermanas de las Hijas del Celo Divino recibieronunabendiciónespecialycelebraronlarenovacióndesusvotosa lavidaconsagradaenestedíadurante laMisaconlosniñosdelaEscuelaLaSalleenlaNuevaIglesiaSanAntoniodePadua,Reedley.QuecontinúeninspirándoseenJesucristoyrespondangenerosamentealdondeDiosdesuvocación.

Celebrating Consecrated Lifesubmitted by Angelita Lazaro

Msgr.JohnEsquivel,KaylenZepeda, Sr.M.BernarditaNudalo,FDZ,

Sr.LucyCassarino,FDZ, Sr.MarieLillyNaduvilaveedu,FDZ

SISTER CLARA ANN BUDENZ, OPsubmitted by Jan Bourg, Administrative Assistant, Adrian Dominican Sisters

ADRIAN, MICHIGAN—February 5, 2018—Sister ClaraAnn Budenz, formerly known asDorothyBudenz,diedonFebruary4, 2018, at the Dominican LifeCenter in Adrian, Michigan. Shewas85yearsofageandinthe66thyear of her religious professionin the Adrian DominicanCongregation. Sister Clara Ann was born inTerre Haute, Indiana, to Henryand Clara (Massing) Budenz.She graduated from LourdesHigh School in Chicago, Illinois;receivedaBachelorofArtsdegreeinHistoryfromSienaHeightsCollege(University)inAdrian,Michigan,and aMaster ofArts degree in Education from the University of SanFranciscoinSanFrancisco,California. Sisterspent27yearsministering inelementaryeducation inDetroit,Michigan; Santa Cruz, Oakland, Castro Valley and Walnut Creek,California;andLasVegas,Nevada.InCalifornia,afterteachingfor6yearsatHolyCrossSchoolinSantaCruz,shewasprincipalforeightyearsatSt.LawrenceO’TooleinOakland,foroneyearatOurLadyofGraceinCastroValley,andforthreeyearsatSt.MaryinWalnutCreek.SisterwasdirectorofreligiouseducationforsixyearsinAptosandforfiveyearsinFresno.FortheDioceseofFresno,shewasDirectorofMinistriesforfour

yearsandVicarforReligiousforsevenyears.SisterbecamearesidentoftheDominicanLifeCenterinAdrian,Michigan,in2011. Sisterisprecededindeathbyherparents;herbrothers,Henry(Bud),LouisWilliam(Bill),Lawrence(Larry)andJerome(Jerry)Budenz;andasister,MaryKathrynHart.Sisterissurvivedbylovingniecesandnephews. TheFuneralMasswasofferedinSt.CatherineChapelonThursday,February 8, 2018. The Rite of Committal was in the Congregationcemetery.MemorialgiftsmaybemadetoAdrianDominicanSisters,1257EastSienaHeightsDrive,Adrian,Michigan,49221.

Holy Cross, Santa Cruz 1958-1964 Elementary TeacherSt. Lawrence O’Toole, Oakland 1967-1978 Elementary Teacher/PrincipalOur Lady of Grace, Castro Valley 1978-1979 Elementary PrincipalFamilies for Prayer, Oakland 1979-1980 Regional DirectorFamilies for Prayer, Alameda 1980-1985 Regional DirectorSt. Mary, Walnut Creek 1985-1988 Elementary PrincipalResurrection Church, Aptos 1989-1995 Pastoral Associate/Director of Religious EducationSacred Heart Church, Fresno 1995-2000 Director of Religious EducationDiocese of Fresno, Fresno 2000-2004 Director of MinistriesDiocese of Fresno, Fresno 2004-2011 Vicar for Religious


ClergyMarchRev.ChummarChirayath,OSJ3/13/1978Rev.JamesCatalano,OSJ3/19/1963Rev.DanielBringas3/26/1976Rev.GeraldChavez3/31/1973

Religious March Sr.HildaBarreraSJS3/19/1961Sr.MaryAnneBradishBVM3/19/1956Sr.M.EugeniaPiaBiancoPDDM3/25/1957Sr.M.MargaritaCeballosPDDM3/25/1963Sr.M.CrucisD’AmicoPDDM3/25/1944Sr.M.RosariaGallardoPDDM3/25/1962Sr.M.AlbaScellatoPDDM3/25/1943Sr.AnneMarieMaxfield,ESEH3/25/2006Sr.ElaineElgart,ESEH7/29/1967

Clergy AprilRev.VictorP.Hernando4/1/1982Rev.RogerLeDuc4/2/1960Rev.LarryToschi,OSJ4/3/1976

Anniversaries of Our Clergy and Religious

Rev.EdwinDaniloPeñaHernandez4/4/2009Rev.ShowreddyThirumalareddy4/7/1997Rev.CarlosEsquivel,OSJ4/9/1983Rev.JohnBurns4/12/2003Rev.JoseLuisVega4/17/1954Rev.DavidNorris4/20/1974Rev.BalaswamyGangarapu4/24/1998Rev.RayannaPudota4/24/2001Rev.RaulSilvaArredondoMSC4/27/1979Rev.Msgr.JohnEsquivel4/27/1968Rev.Jean-MichaelLastiri4/27/1985Rev.GregorioNeri4/28/1992Rev.Msgr.MichaelBraun4/29/1967Rev.KevinBray4/29/1967Rev.Msgr.JohnCoelho-Harguindeguy4/29/1967Rev.Msgr.RonaldSwett4/29/1967Rev.DonaldFlickinger4/30/1964Rev.Msgr.AnthonyJanelli4/30/1964Rev.Msgr.WalterMinhoto4/30/1964

Permanent Deacon April Rev.Mr.LeonMiller4/10/1988

Rev. Daniel Coyle1945-2017

submitted by Msgr. Michael Braun - Bakersfield

FatherDanCoylediedinhissleepofheartfailureonDecember17,2017,attheageof72.Theyoungestofsixboys,FatherDanwasborninNewYorkCityandcametoFresnoas an insurance company analyst.He attended SacredHeart Churchand,whilesinginginitschoir,wasdrawntothepriesthood.HestudiedatMt.Angel Seminary inOregonandwasordainedapriestonJuly1,1989bytheMostReverendJosephJ.Madera,M.Sp.S.,fortheDioceseofFresno. FatherCoyle’sfirstassignmentasapriestwasatOurLadyofPerpetual Help Church inBakersfield. He also served at St.Anthony’sChurchandathishomeparish in Fresno. In 1993,BishopJohn T. Steinbock appointed himpastor of Sacred Heart ParishinBakersfield.Hewas pleased to return toKernCounty and began torevitalizeaparishthatwouldseeanincreasingnumberofnewparishionersasthecitygrewinitsdirection.Butthereweredifficultdaysfinanciallyinhisearliestyearsaspastor.Formonthshewentwithoutasalaryinordertoimplementneededprogramsandpaystaff.Iftherewaseverapriestwholovedbeingapastor,itwasFatherDan.Hewasknownasapastorwho,asseveralparishionerswould indicate,didnotpreachwhatparishionersnecessarilywantedtohear,butwhattheyneededtohear.Buthealwaysspokefromhisheartandneverhesitatedtobreakintoasmileandsharehisengaginglaugh.HebroughttotheparishtheKnights ofColumbusCouncil and actively supported all the parishorganizationsandfundraisers.Iconsthroughoutthechurchwouldbecomehislegacy,inadditiontoanewparishofficeandconferencecenter.Hislastprojectwasthecompletecementreplacingoftheparkinglot.Unknowntomany,wastheassistanceaskedofhimbyBishopSteinbocktoadministrateotherparisheswhilestillservingaspastorofSacredHeartChurch.In1994,hetraveledweeklytoparishesinMercedandnearFresnoto oversee thembetween pastors. In 1996 and 1997, hewas appointedfulltimeadministratorofChrist theKingParish inOildale, againwhileremainingpastorofSacredHeart.OtherrequestsbytheBishophadhimcoverchurchesinFrazierParkandTaft.ItcametoapointthatFatherDanconfessedtoclosefriendsthat,lookingoutandseeingtheBishopathis

door,hewouldpretendnottobeathome!ButinevitablyhedidwhatevertheBishopaskedofhim. FatherDanwasverygenerousinhissupportoffundraisersinotherparishesandatGarcesMemorialHighSchool.Hecouldalwaysbecountedonbypastorstopurchaseticketsorcontributeitemsfortheirauctions.Henevermissedagatheringofclergy,beitaretreat,conferenceormonthlylunches.HeorganizedwithhisparishKnightsofColumbusanannualgolftournamentforthesupportofseminarians.ItwasFatherDan’shumorthatendearedhimtoparishionerswhocametoknowhimandenjoyhis friendship.He lovedorganizing excursionswhetheritbeforalargegrouporjustwithafewfriendstodestinationsnear or to his beloved Ireland.AnoutingwithFatherDanwas alwaysspecialand,whenhedrove,anadventure!Afterall,hewouldexplain,helearnedtodriveonthestreetsofNewYorkCity. Father Dan retired as pastor inAugust of 2015. He remained in Bakersfield and celebrated Masses, heard confessions, and assistedteachinginvariousprogramsatGarces,SanClementeMission,andSt.Philip’sParish.Heleftwordthathewishednothingspecialafterhisdeath,onlyforhisashestobeburiedathismother’sgraveinSt.Peter’sCemeteryinFresno.ButheadmittedtofriendsthathecouldhardlyobjectafterhisdeathifaMasswascelebratedforhim.OnDecember29,anoverflowingcrowd of friends and parishioners from throughout Bakersfield filledSacredHeartChurch.TheyjoinedBishopArmandoOchoaandpriestsoftheDiocesetocelebrateaMemorialMassforabelovedpriest,FatherDanCoyle.AndonWednesday,January24,2018,hisasheswereinterredathismother’sgrave,ashewished.

March 10th and 11th 2018Sat 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Sun 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.At Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Hall (601 E. California Ave, Bakersfield Ca) ACatholicworkshoponSexuality,Marriage,Communication,Responsibleparenthood,NFP&theMissionoftheFamily.PresentingteamsareCatholiccouplesandFr.LarryToschiO.S.J.Marriedandengagedcouplesaswellasinterestedindividualsareinvited.Child care & Lunch providedContact:O.L.G.Church@661-323-3148or Andres&Hortencia@661-345-4518


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