Receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

This Sunday, the Church celebrates her birthday in the receiving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost when the Apostles and the others in the locked room felt the 'heat' of the Spirit, that took the form of flames on their heads. Many communities today will celebrate this important event with special Masses and festivals. Many Portuguese communities in the Valley, particularly in Hanford and Fresno will have their Holy Spirit Processions and Mass, other ethnic communities will also have their cultural events in connection with this feast. Pentecost is such an important event in the life of the Church, and many times, as with other feasts, we tend to underscore this feast while overemphasising others. We thank God for the gift of the Spirit, and pray that the Spirit will continue to inflame the hearts of the faithful, especially in these very troubling times.

Recently in Ireland, the Irish Report on the Abuse of Children was published which was commissioned by the Church and the government. The report gave a shocking report on the abuse of children at the hands of religious orders, both men and women, in Ireland from the 1800's through the 1900's. This report speaks of physical, sexual, and emotional harm done to children of all ages. As this report is now public in Ireland, and is being shared throughout the world, one must remember that we should remember that it was not all Irish religious men and women responsible for these reprehensible acts, but only a minority, and that the majority of nun and brothers were good people who taught in our Catholic schools and worked in our Catholic hospitals tirelessly for the good of God's People. I was taught by all Irish nuns in school, there was only one who was cruel, all others were wonderful women of faith, and I owe my priestly vocations to their love and attentions.

Bishop's Annual Appeal

We are taking up a second collection to retire a debt to the diocese on the portion of the Bishop's Annual Appeal that was not received directly from our parishioners. As mentioned earlier, now every parish is assessed a certain amount, given directly by the parishioners to the diocese in the annual appeal, and if the amount assessed is not met, then the parish coffers must pay the rest, so that the entire diocese will have given a certain amount towards projects in the diocese. The total amount goal for the diocese is $800,000 this past year. Our assessed amount is $6,953.00. The amount collected was $2117.00, thus the remainder is $4,836, due on June 1st. Your help is deeply appreciated. What is not collected in the collection will be taken from the parish savings.

Ordination to Priesthood

Last weekend, the Diocese of Fresno ordained three new men to the priesthood at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fresno. They are Fathers David Greskowiak, Ivan Hernandez Melchor, and Guadalupe Rios. These new priests have been assigned to their first parishes. We pray that God bless them in their new ministries.

From the desk of Fr. Mike

Today we are happy to welcome Bishop John Steinbock back to the parish for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Ten young people will be celebrating this sacrament in we pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit to come into the hearts of these people. This also completes the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) which fully initiates all of us into God's Church. We are proud of these men and women and pray that they will continue to grow in their love for the Church and become faithful disciples of Jesus.

Next weekend we will be celebrating the Feast of Pentecost, in which the Holy Spirit came into the lives of the Apostles and the others in the Upper Room, including our Blessed Mother. This feast is considered the birthday of the Church. The color of the feast is red, the color of the Holy Spirit. I encourage all parishioners to wear red so as to show us solidarity with the whole Church and with each other on this solemn day.

The choir from St. Joseph the Worker Mission in North Fork will be providing the music for the Confirmation Mass. I want to thank Phyllis and her choir for their participation in offering their gift of music to the parish.

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish all the mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, godmothers, and mothers of every sort a very joyous Mother's Day.  It is no accident this occasion is in the month of May, of our Blessed Mother.  I commend to the protection of our mothers to Mary's care and love.  May God bless you and your families.

 

It was one year ago today that I came to celebrate Mass in Oakhurst to help Father Jerry.  I must confess I was here to 'case' the place out.  After witnessing such warmth and hospitality, I told the bishop that I would like to come here, and he told me to do a few more Sundays, and the deal was sealed, making my appointment final on July 1st.  Again, it has been wonderful to be in your midst this past year.  May God give all grace to do ministry in the name of Jesus, His Son.

 

Please RSVP in the office for the Volunteers/Ministry Dinner, scheduled for May 22, 2009.  We must know the count by this Friday, May 15th, to order the necessary food and essentials.  Call the parish office this week.

 

Next Sunday we will celebrate the First Communion of our parish children at the 11:00AM Mass.  We are excited as we see our children come and join us at the Eucharistic Table.  May they never hunger for the Bread of Life!