From the desk of our Pastor, Fr. Mike

 

Today we welcome Bishop Steinbock as he comes to confer the sacrament of Confirmation on five of our young people at the Sunday morning 11:00am Mass.  We want to congratulate the following :

 

Tyler Grocholski

Nathaniel Luna

Eloisa Ortiz

Pierrette Peredia

Samantha Shackelton

 

The Knights of Columbus will again host a luncheon following the Confirmation Mass for the Bishop and the families of those who receive confirmation in the parish hall. Thanks to the Knights again for their hospitality.

 

I, as mentioned in last week's bulletin, am presiding at the Basque Festival Mass in Los Banos this morning.  I will return in the  afternoon for Mass at Bass Lake.

 

With Deepest Gratitude!!!

 

I want to extend this weekend to all those who were responsible for organizing and executing all the festivities that were recently held for my 25th Anniversary of Ordained Ministry.  So many of you dedicated months of effort in planning the event that came to a conclusion on April 27th.  I want to thank Barbara Nadeau and her wonderful committee for organizing the wonderful meal, along with the parish Women's Guild and the Knights of Columbus who barbequed the meat.  The decorations were beautiful as well as the table settings in the hall.  I was told that nearly 250 people were fed that evening, as well as many of the priests who came to share the day with us.  Great fun was also had with Father Cardoza and Father Bulfer providing the roast that evening.  Father Cardoza brings a lot of memories of our time together since we were teen-agers in Hanford.  I also want to extend thanks for the kindnesses shown to my mother in the jubilee celebrations by many of you. As you honor her, you honor me. I am also very grateful for the many gifts that were showered on me as well.  Your generosity was overwhelming.

 

The Choir and Friends of the Choir collected nearly $1300 for a wall statue of St. Therese, the patroness of the Diocese of Fresno, which will be placed in the sanctuary at a future date in honor of my Silver Jubilee.  I am not certain what the final cost of the statue will be but if anyone is interested in donating to the cause, you many call parish office.  I am grateful for this honor and it is a way to give thanks to the Little Flower for all she has done for me and for all of us.

 

I also want to profusely thank Kevin, the choir, and all the liturgical ministers who participated in the most beautiful and solemn Mass that afternoon.  Everything went so well.  The church was full and the music was out of this world.  The art and environment was stunning, especially all the roses that adorned Our Lady of the Sierra Church.  Several priests who drove a great distance to be here (Bakersfield, Lamont and Gustine) as well as from closer locations were amazed at the talent in our parish.  They were also once again taken back by the warm hospitality they were shown.

 

All in all, it is an event that I will never forget.  When Bishop Steinbock named me pastor a few days later, it was a great finish to the event.  I feel I belong and I know that we can continue to work together to build up the Kingdom of God in these mountain communities.