From Fr. Mike

Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of All Saints. This will overrule the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time. We begin this month of All Souls, but first celebrating those who have entered into glory. Today's feast is celebrated with solemnity and great joy. Tomorrow, we begin the month of All Souls, as we remember our deceased family and friends who have died and are in need of our prayers for their entrance into heaven. We will offer a very special Mass tomorrow morning, November 2nd at 8:00AM for All Souls, with music and we want to remember the deceased by asking you to bring photos of your loved ones that you want remembered to this special Mass. They will be placed in a special area near the altar with the Easter Candle nearby. Also we are asking everyone to bring in their All Souls envelopes so they can also be placed in a special place for the entire month of November. The Church asks that all Masses, prayers, and good works be offered up for the salvation of those in purgatory. We will have the All Souls envelopes enshrined in all three churches.

I am grateful to Monsignor Tony Janelli who helped us while I was in China. Msgr. Janelli has now moved to Mariposa and will be helping us from time to time with Masses, confessions, Penance Services, and other liturgical activities. Msgr. Janelli is a long time friend, and was the last worship director for the diocese before me. I appreciate the fact that he felt very welcomed during his visit to Oakhurst.

The winter hours begin this weekend with the Sunday Mass at Bass Lake being changed to 4:00pm. Next weekend, the Our Lady of the Sierra 5:00pm will change to 4:00pm to accommodate many of our parishioners who do not want to drive home in the dark. These hours will be in place until April 1st.

I have re-introduced the restrictions regarding the H1N1 Pandemic Flu for our parish. Each parish is recommended by the Bishop to do so at this time. I have issued a diocesan instruction on this matter to all pastors at the request of Bishop Steinbock. The restrictions include no Sign of Peace, no holding hands at the Our Father, no distribution of the Precious Blood, and Communion given only on the hand. All ministers, including clergy, are to wash their hands with sanitizers immediately before and after the distribution of Holy Communion. We continue to pray for all affected by this flu virus, and encourage that vaccinations be given to children and pregnant women.