From the desk of the Pastor, Fr. Mike...

 

Family Based Religious Education Program for the Parish

 

As the Roman Catholic Church moves through history, she must respond to the issues and social realities of the present moment.  In the very early history of the Church, it celebrated Mass in secret, not to expose her children to death by the established governments and religious groups.   As the Church became the state religion of Rome, it took on other realities; as she began to build churches, establish governing structures, regulate ritual actions such as the Eucharist and the sacraments, education became important.  The Scriptures were canonized and established.  Small groups of men and women began to live in communities and religious orders and communities came into being.  Monasteries became centers of learning, hospitality (hospitals) and places where the Divine Worship was studied and standardized.  As the Church grew into the Dark Ages, it survived through the monasteries, particularly due to the Irish monasteries which were far enough from the turmoil of Europe of northern tribes coming into the southern regions.  The Irish Monks were responsible for maintaining the copying of the Bible, for literature, and for keeping intact the essentials of the Church.  It responded to the times.

 

Today, as the Catholic Church marches into the twenty-first century, she again responds to the needs of this period, and renews herself in matters of worship, Scripture, and self-understanding.  As the Church emerges from the turmoil of the clergy sexual abuses of the twentieth century, she will also begin to see shifts of how things will be done and who will do them.  As the priesthood evolves in the next twenty years from low numbers and new restrictions, new leadership styles will become commonplace.  The Laity will take on many more roles, some will actually be parish leaders where there are no priests, they will run hospitals and universities and other Church organizations.  They will have a greater voice in the management of the Church structures as we know it.  As fewer Catholics  actually attend Sunday Mass and participate in the sacraments, such as marriage, new models of catecheses will emerge in our religious education programs.

 

The Diocese of Fresno, as well as many dioceses around the United States, is moving towards a new model of teaching children in our Religious Education Programs.  What was formerly called CCD, an old term that was short for the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, is evolving into new norms in which children are not the only ones receiving doctrine.  What is now a common occurrence in most parishes, and here, is parents will drop their children at religious education classes and go home.  They do not bring their children to Mass on Sundays.  Children are prepared for First Communion, not to see the inside of the local parish church again until they either make their confirmation or come to their weddings.  This practice would never be allowed in any protestant church, where membership is determined by physical presence and monetary support of the church.  

 

Thus Family Based Catechesis Process will be the new model for Religious Education in the Diocese of Fresno in the coming years.  The Parish of Our Lady of the Sierra will begin to implement this program this coming year, 2010-11.  This means that all parents ALONG with their children will be involved in religious education.  If the parents cannot come, then the children cannot attend either.  The new process is meant to strengthen the faith of the WHOLE family, to bring the WHOLE family in the knowledge of the faith, and to have the WHOLE family worship with us every Sunday.  Any component of this process that cannot be followed will mean that we must DELAY any sacramental preparation for children who wish to receive their First Penance and First Communion.  Another feature that is troubling too many of us is that some of our children go to different churches, meaning to both Catholic and Protestant Churches.  This is terribly confusing to the children and it gives them no sense of tradition, for either community.  We will ask parents to make a choice which tradition they wish to pass on to their children and to stick to that tradition.  While we are all Christians who believe in Jesus, how we see faith, Scriptures, and the sacraments are very distinct and different from each other.

 

There will be more information coming forth as the summer continues.

 

From the desk of the Pastor, Fr. Mike ...

 

Happy Father's Day

 

Today we honor the men who were given a special vocation from God the Father to be fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, stepfathers, and fathers of all sorts.  This role is a hard one for many fathers, who have felt the need to work hard, to be good models, and strong parental figures to their children.  We know that being a father is difficult and demanding, and it rarely comes with a handbook of how to do it, you just trust your instincts.  Mistakes are made and the best efforts can turn out wonderful.  My own father  Anastasio, deceased since 1981, was a strong role model, a gentle but firm guide, demanding, yet so giving.  He supported my own vocation and encouraged me to go to college and eventually to the seminary.  He did not live to see me ordained but I know he was present in heaven on that day.  My father came from a very religious Basque family, and it was that gift of faith that he passed on to me.  We have many priests and a bishop in our family line from Spain and that sense of service to the Church was a natural gift he practiced himself by faithfully going to Mass every Sunday in his life when he was able. God the Father is the ultimate role model for our fathers and we ask God to bless these men, whether called to heaven, or to those here on earth with us.  Their role in our lives cannot be measured.

 

Priest Retirement Fund Father's Day Collection

 

Today is the annual Priest Retirement Collection taken up every year to assist Bishop Steinbock and the Retirement Fund Committee in providing for those priests who now enjoy the reward of working so hard for so many years in the Diocese of Fresno.  This collection goes to the endowment fund from which all retired priests are paid monthly. WE NEED YOUR HELP IN PROVIDING A LIVING RETIREMENT PENSION FOR THESE PRIESTS.  Your gift at the second collection today goes directly to this fund.  Monsignor Herman, retired from Our Lady of the Sierra Parish, now living in Spain, receives his retirement check from the fund.  Please, not only help the retirement fund, but do pray for our retired priests, as they move on in their advanced ages.  Many times they are forgotten when they now longer minister in parishes.  Thank you so much!!!

 

I extend a great big thank you to so many of you who wished me well on my birthday last Sunday.  I had a lot of fun and it was a joy to be with my parish family for another milestone of my life.

 

Let us not forget our parish deacon, Ernie, who is celebrating his birthday this weekend on Saturday, June 19th.  He assures me that he is only a year or two older than me, though I admit he sure has a lot more hair than I do.  Happy Birthday, Deacon Ernie!!!

 

From the desk of the Pastor, Fr. Mike ...

 

Today, the Church brings to closure the special Year of the Priest as proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI.  This special jubilee was called by the Holy Father to bring to the attention of the Universal Church the gift of the ministerial priesthood.  While we also believe in the priesthood of all believers, the Church also calls forth men, in their humanness, with their sins, personalities, and all their qualities to offer themselves to the service of the Altar and the Sacraments.  We know that most priests are very good men, serving with loyalty to the core of the Gospel and serving people in parishes, schools and universities, prisons, and hospitals.  They come in all shapes and sizes and from every land on the earth.  They feel called and they have responded.  Some have made grave mistakes and after dealing with their faults, continue on since no one but Christ is perfect on earth.  Some have left active ministry to pursue marriage or feel they can no longer serve within the framework of the Church's teaching and structure.  The stain that affects our priesthood, especially those who have committed crimes against children, will leave an impression among our ranks.  We know that whatever is said of us, and many things are, (I heard the rumors too!)  we continue to serve in spite of our unworthiness.  None of us are perfect and without faults (that does include the laity), but we strive to be better human being at the service of God who calls all to holiness of life.

 

I pray, that in spite of my own unworthiness, but with the God-given gifts and talents that I do possess, that I continue to service the Gospel, the Church, the local Church of the diocese, and this parish community well.  As age and experience creeps up on us (today is yours truly's birthday) we are all the more aware of taking care of our spiritual, physical, and mental health.  Otherwise we cannot serve others well.  Thank you for allowing me to be in your midst, and together, we can and will build up the Kingdom of God.

 

A word to encourage a better working relationship with our parish clergy, staff, and parish community.  Rumors and gossip are NOT from God, but are inspired by the Evil One to create division and discord in the community.  I want always to invite anyone who has a question or concern about anything in the parish to come directly to me, instead of me having to hear about it (and I ALWAYS do) in the back alleys.   It is a SERIOUS sin when half truths and lies disturb people's faith.   A true disciple of Jesus works at bringing peace to the community and building up the kingdom of God.

 

Next weekend is Father's Day and we continue to encourage all to bring in their Father's Day Remembrance Envelope with the names of your deceased fathers so that we can create a special memorial dedicated to our fathers who now share fully in the Kingdom of God in heaven.  Photos will be accepted for display at Masses in our three churches.  You may contact the parish office for more information.

 

 

From the desk of the Pastor, Fr. Mike...

 

Last weekend we celebrated Memorial Day as we remembered our fallen service men and women.  Soon we will be celebrating Father's Day, on Sunday, June 20th.  As a part of our celebration of Father's Day, we would like to also in a special way remember our deceased fathers.  My own father, Anastasio Lastiri, died at an early age of 56 from lung cancer in 1981.  These men were important to us boys especially since it is said that men spend their whole life trying to imitate or have the approval of their fathers.

 

In your packets of giving envelopes that you received at home, there is a special Father's Day Remembrance Envelope which would enable you to place the name of your father or husband and, like we did for All Souls, we will create a special place in our churches as we offer the Sacrifice of the Mass for the intentions of these men.  We would ask that you complete the envelope giving us your Father's name and bring it to church this next weekend or you mail it in. The Art and Environment Committee will create a memorial table.  If you have a photo of your father and are not afraid to leave it with us, we will place photos of the fathers on the memorial table.  If you have questions, you may call the parish office.

 

We again ask you to review the many changes and additions made to the parish website recently.  PayPal, updates on liturgy, and other events and items of interest can be reviewed.  Please take the time to glance at the website.  We thank Kevin Jonas who weekly, sometimes daily, updates the information on the website.  This takes a great deal of time and dedication, and we thank Kevin for his commitment to the website.

 

As the summer months begin to settle in, it is a wonderful time to slow down and take time to enjoy the beautiful mountains and national parks that make living here so special. Take the opportunity to see God's creation and let us also show our appreciation and hospitality to the many visitors and guests that will be coming to one of our three churches.