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!!!