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

 

  The Clergy Convocation of last week in Fresno on the New Roman Missal was a great success.  The priests and deacons very much enjoyed all the presentations given by Dr. Paul Ford Ph.D., Professor of Liturgy and Theology at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo.

He led us through the various changes that we will see with the new language and new rubrics concerning the Mass, to begin on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011.  Most of the changes will directly affect the priests, since most of the language of the Missal (the prayer book used at Mass) will be different.  The laity in the  pews will have to learn new responses, but as with most things, we learn and adjust.  As the year goes on, more information will be forthcoming.

One of the major movements in the Mass is the implementation of more quiet time for prayer and reflection during Mass.  Sacred Silence is to be incorporated in more places during the Mass, such as after the invitation to the Penitential Rite, after the invitation (Let us pray,) before the Opening Prayer, and between the readings, after the homily, and before the Closing Prayer.  These are moments that invite all the people to quietly prepare ourselves to listen carefully to the prayer we are about to hear, or the Word of God just read or about to be proclaimed.  We will begin putting some of these things into action now and especially at Lent.

We continue to receive donations towards our Memorial in honor of Dr. Edward Santoro, the statue of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, patroness of the Diocese of Fresno.  If you wish to donate to this memorial, please contact the parish office.

 

From the desk of the Pastor:

 

BISHOP'S ANNUAL APPEAL 2010-2011

                Nearly ten years ago, Bishop John Steinbock, of happy memory, began the  Bishop's Annual Appeal in our diocese so that funds could be raised for the many projects the diocese has going on.  The funds were used for the Priest Retirement Fund, to purchase properties for future church sites, to help with funding the education of our seminarians, to purchase St. Anthony's  Retreat Center, now to continue building new buildings at the retreat center, etc.  The major capital campaign was a real boost towards many of these needs.  The annual Bishop's Appeal continues to raise funds for new programs: to educate permanent deacon candidates, to fund many catechetical programs.  The initial hope was to raise $800,000 a year from all registered parishioners in all 90 parishes in the Diocese of Fresno.  The other hope was to lower the assessment that each parish pays the diocese annually (currently 16% of plate income) for administrative costs of the Diocese.  

Two years ago, Bishop Steinbock began to assess each parish the amount each parish will be expected to give to the Bishop's Annual Appeal.  Up until that point, the diocese accepted whatever was offered. This is common practice in most dioceses. The balance of the amount assessed, after receiving what the individual parishioners give, is then to be paid from the operating budget of the parish.  The assessed amount for the parish of Our Lady of the Sierra, (which includes Our Lady of the Sierra, St. Dominic Savio and St. Joseph the Worker) for the year 2010-2011  is $7,840.00.  To date, parishioners of our parish have given $880.00.  The parish will be owing $6,963.00, due June 1st, 2011.  The balance left owing on June 1st will have to be paid from our budget.

If you still have your envelope and letter from the Diocesan Development Office requesting your assistance, we would certainly appreciate your giving to the appeal. We may have to have second collections before June 1st in order to raise most of the funds needed to complete our obligations.  Your help is needed. 

  Fr. Mike

St. Thérèse of Lisieux statue 

We are continuing to receive funds towards the purchase of a beautiful statue of St. Thérèse of Lisueux, the patroness of the Diocese of Fresno. The statue has been designed in order to duplicate the color, size, and style  of the wall relief of the Holy Family that now graces the right side of the sanctuary at Our Lady of the Sierra.  The amount originally raised in honor of my 25th Anniversary of Priesthood was over $1500.  Funds are coming in as a memorial to Doc Santoro;  the statue will therefore be in honor of my 25th Anniversary and as well, as a memorial to Doc.   The relief will be installed next to the wall relief of the Holy Family. Please call the parish office to donate.

 

From the desk of Fr. Mike

 

We have returned to Ordinary Time today in the liturgical year.  Green vestments are brought out, Christmas decorations have been put away, and life moves on  through the winter months.  We have an exceptionally long period of two months before we begin Lent on March 9, 2011.  There will be many activities to keep us all busy in the meantime.

The next major event in the diocese is our Clergy Convocation, a mandated exercise for all priests and deacons.  We will be missing the presence of Bishop Steinbock this year, the first time in nineteen years.  Dr. Paul Ford, a seminary professor from St. John's Seminary in Camarillo will be leading the discussions regarding the new changes coming later this year in the New Roman Missal.  This convocation will give the clergy, especially the priests serving the Diocese of Fresno the opportunity to see the new revisions for the first time.  The entire English speaking world will commence with this Missal on Sunday, November 27th.

I want to remind all parishioners as we go through the winter months, to please be careful on the roads, especially when driving to Mass on the weekend.  If the conditions appear too dangerous, do not risk driving to church.  Also, on questionable days, when one is not sure whether there will be Mass in Bass Lake or North Fork, call the parish line for an update (559-642-3452), or check the website (www.olscatholic.org).  If the weather appears dangerous, liturgy at one or both St. Joseph's in North Fork or St. Dominic's in Bass Lake might be cancelled.

In order to conserve my energies now that we have five Masses on the weekends, Deacon Ernie will be helping me more by taking one of the mission Masses a month as a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest (SCAP).  From now on, the second Sunday of the month Deacon Ernie will lead a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest at St. Dominic Savio in Bass Lake.  On the fourth Sunday of the month, Deacon Ernie will lead a Sunday Celebration in the Absence of a Priest at St. Joseph the Worker in North Fork.  This will be ongoing.  I will Preside at  all the Masses on the first and third Sundays, unless there is a serious reason.  This will assist me and will allow for the parish community to experience more of deacon Ernie's gifts.             Fr. Mike

 

From the desk of the Pastor...

 

On this final day of a very short Christmas Season, I wish to thank the many of you who shared with me your Christmas wishes through gifts and baked goodies.  I received so many cards and kind sentiments this year, in the midst of a very busy season.  Thank you to each and everyone of you.  I was simply overwhelmed this year by the generosity of so many.

I want to also thank the many people involved in our parish community in preparing and executing a beautiful holiday season.  From all those involved in liturgical ministries, to all those who were instrumental in singing or playing instruments, to those who help to decorate all three churches; to those who clean on Wednesdays and other days to keep our churches beautiful and clean; and  to those who worked quietly behind the scenes.  There are so many to thank and I am so grateful that we are blessed with wonderful parishioners who love their parish and come together to make these days special.

In a very special way, I want to acknowledge the men who planned and work hard to finally place the new cross on Our Lady of the Sierra Church.  The cross is beautiful, and the shape below the cross mimics Half Dome in Yosemite Park, with the cross on top to signify God's presence in our mountain communities.  Father Herman, who had dreamed that this cross, which was on the original plans, but never completed, was sent pictures of the completed project. He will return to Oakhurst to personally see the cross this summer.  I blessed this cross in honor of Father Herman and in memory of our beloved Bishop John Steinbock, who dedicated the church some eleven years ago.  Thank you, gentlemen … well done.

On Christmas Eve morning, our parish lost a very dedicated parishioner in Dr. Ed Santoro.  I want to acknowledge many of the ways Ed was instrumental in the spiritual life of the parish with his dedication to the Marian Hour and First Friday Adoration, and to leading the many rosaries after daily Mass.  We pray for his widow, Katie, who will continue working in our office and we pray for his family in their loss.  May God grant him eternal rest.

Next Saturday, January 15th, the Diocese of Fresno will ordain sixteen men to the permanent diaconate.  His Eminence, Cardinal Roger Mahony will return to Fresno to ordain these new permanent deacons.  We ask that you keep these men and their wives in your prayers as they prepare to the serve the future of the diocese of Fresno.