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.