From the desk of Fr. Mike ...

 

I am very disappointed to announce the cancellation of the Lenten Retreat that was scheduled for next weekend, April 8-10 at St. Dominic Savio in Bass Lake.  It was due to a total lack of interest.  Only three people expressed an interest, and thus I felt that we had to cancel.  There will be a one day Day of Recollection on Saturday, April 9th at our Church and Retreat Center in Bass Lake for the RCIA Elect, their godparents and sponsors, and for the Confirmation students preparing for Confirmation this May 15th at Our Lady of the Sierra Parish. If you would like to join this Day of Recollection, please call the office.  I want to thank the committee who  planned a wonderful weekend:  Wayne St. John who was to be chef of the weekend, Deacon Ernie who was to help with reflections, Virginia Molloy, Kevin Jonas, Barbara Ross, and all others who assisted in planning.  We pray that we might all continue to grow in our spiritual journey this Lent.

Next weekend (April 8-10) we will welcome Father Kim from Korea who will be visiting the Allen Family and will be staying at the parish house in Bass Lake and presiding at the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday April 10th.

We again congratulate those members of the RCIA, the Elect: Danielle and Chuck and the Candidates for Continuing Conversion:  De and Donna all of whom were presented to Monsignor Cotta, our Diocesan Administrator, at St. Anthony of Padua Church last Monday evening at the Rite of Election ceremony.  Danielle and Chuck will be baptized, confirmed and receive their first Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.  De and Donna will be making their Professions of Faith, confirmed and are receiving their first Eucharist also at the Easter Vigil.  Matt and Sara  from Southern California will be joining them. We are so proud of their spiritual journey.

De from our RCIA program has become involved in the running of our Parish Store,  and will henceforth be the coordinator of the store.  We will be announcing the store hours in the coming weeks.  Should you be interested in helping De, please call the parish office.

On Sunday, April 17th, we celebrate Passion Sunday of the Lord's Passion and thereafter Holy Week.  The schedule for Holy Week will be published in next weekend's bulletin and an Easter Letter will be sent to every registered parishioner.  The celebration of the Sacred Triduum  (The liturgy which begins on Holy Thursday, continues through Good Friday and culminates on Holy Saturday with the celebration of the Great Easter Vigil) is the celebration of our highest holy days.  Make plans to come and celebrate these sacred days with us.   Also pass the news to other Catholics who we might not see regularly and to those who might be visiting the mountains those days.                                                                               Fr. Mike

 

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

 

Thank you to all who welcomed Fr. Paul Walsman, OFM this past weekend as he spent the weekend talking to you about the ministry Food for the Poor.   To those who transported him to and from the airport, transported him to the weekend liturgies and to and from his hotel (he was so disappointed that he couldn't spend the weekend at our parish house at Bass Lake, however the weather made that impossible);  hosted him for breakfast, brunch and dinner.  Truly a great reality of hospitality.  Fr. Paul is hoping to be able to join us again when he makes his annual retreat later this year.  Again, my sincere thanks.

 

The weather in the mountains this past weekend and, indeed this past week has caused havoc in  many ways to many people.  Please keep in your daily prayers those who have been adversely affected by the winter storms:  the now homeless and hungry and all whose lives have been negatively impacted by the storms.  As well, continue to pray fervently for the victims of the devastating Tsunami and earthquake in Japan. 

 

Our journey of Lent is well underway, and it is my sincere hope that everyone will take full advantage of the hard work that has been done to prepare this annual journey for our parish community.  Consider attending daily Mass if you are not a regular weekday mass attendant;   consider attending Marian Devotions or Stations of the Cross on Wednesday mornings after the daily Mass;  Holy Hour every Friday night, or a Lenten meal every Friday night.  Allow this Lent to make a great difference.  The opportunities are there, and they are for the community.

 

This weekend as we celebrate the Third Sunday of Lent, we begin the Scrutiny Rites for those preparing for the Easter Sacraments.  We include the Elect (those who are going to be Baptized) as well as those who are going to complete their Sacraments of Initiation by celebrating their First Eucharist and Confirmation.  The Scrutiny Rites are a wonderfully empowering experience and have been modified so that the entire worshipping Assembly can participate and be moved by them.  The beautiful and moving Gospels of the next three weekends (The Samaritan Woman, the Man Born Blind, and the Raising of Lazarus) will be proclaimed in a slightly different fashion so as to be able to experience a new empowerment from them.  The Rite of Election will be celebrated Monday at St. Anthony of Padua Church with Msgr. Cotta, the Diocesan Administrator.  Please continue to keep Chuck and Danielle, De, Donna, Matt and Sara in your prayers as they continue their journey.

 

The Parish-sponsored Lenten Retreat is just a  few weeks away, and we are hoping to have a  minimum of 50 retreatants (plus staff and guests).  Please sign up today to avoid missing this wonderful opportunity.

 

I am now well into the catechetical and preparatory sessions at many of the parishes throughout the Diocese of Fresno as we prepare to welcome in the Third Edition of the Roman Missal this next November.  This causes me a great amount of travel and some additional time away from the parish; however, it is required by my responsibilities as Director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Fresno.  I appreciate the continued prayers and support as the Diocese prepare for this new direction that the Church will be taking this coming Advent.

 

It is, indeed, a very interesting, challenging and empowering time.  May we all be blessed as we continue to bless others.

 

From the desk of Fr. Mike

 

 We are happy to welcome Father Paul Walsman, OFM, on behalf of Food for the Poor.  I pray that his message and the good that Food for the Poor affords the destitute will bring us to a heightened awareness of those suffering so close to our borders off Florida.  I have been associated with Food for the Poor for many years, and am familiar with the work they do.  Your support for their ministry will be appreciated.

 

                     Deacon Ernie, Virginia, and I are attending the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in Anaheim this weekend.  This is the largest gathering of Roman Catholics in the United States, which occurs at this time every year.  The number of attendees has grown to over 40,000 persons attending.   Youth Day was this past Thursday, March 17, when 15,000 young people gather to celebrate Mass with their new Archbishop.  This year will be the first time Archbishop José Gomez, the new Archbishop of Los Angeles with preside over the congress.  Cardinal Mahony, who has led the congress for the last 25 years, will not be around so as to give his successor  breathing room to enjoy this great event.  Don't be surprised if you have a 'cardinal sighting' around town in the next few weeks.  If so, wish him well on his retirement.

 

As the season of Lent continues, we hope that all our parishioners take advantage of the opportunities to participate in the many spiritual exercises offered: such as daily Mass, Stations of the Cross on Wednesdays,  Holy Hour every Friday evening, Lenten meals every Friday night, as well as making a visit to the Blessed Sacrament during the week.  The church generally is opened daily from 7 am to 3 pm, Monday through Thursday, and of course,  on the weekend.

 

We owe a great deal of gratitude to the Art and Environment Commission for the extraordinarily beautiful environment created in our three churches.  Thanks to you all.  Ash Wednesday liturgies were beautiful and prayerful, thanks to those who provided ministry that day.

 

We also extend our prayers and congratulations to Chuck and Danielle, De and Donna who celebrated the Rite of Sending this past weekend, and will celebrate the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion on March 28th at St. Anthony's Church in Fresno with Msgr. Myron Cotta, Diocesan Administrator.

 

From the desk of Fr. Mike ...

 

Today, with the First Sunday of Lent, we will celebrate the Rite and Sending and Enrollment of those candidates will either be received into the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation (baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist) or through a Profession of Faith at the Easter Vigil, April 23.  On Monday, March 28, they will travel to St. Anthony of Padua, Fresno, for the Rite of Election with Monsignor Myron Cotta, Diocesan Administrator, who will officially welcome and others as the Elect for this year.  We continue to keep them in prayer as they journey these last weeks to becoming Catholics.

                     As we begin this sacred time of Lent, I really invite all our parishioners to enter a period of prayer and reflection on our journey as disciples of Jesus.  This Lent we will strive to be more reflective during our Masses and prayer services to engage God's presence in us as we struggle to lead better lives with one another in the Church and in the larger world.  With so much pain and devastation all around us, with war still raging in the Middle East, with revolutions occurring in northern Africa, death, destruction, and human displacement calls us to somehow respond peacefully.  We can, and often do, get so caught up with our own lives and struggles, that compared to what is going on around us, we forget to see how lucky so many of us are, and how those who lives are caught up by circumstance and geography, are not so lucky.

This week our Irish brothers and sisters will celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  In a particular way, we pray for the Irish Catholics who are struggling, trying to live faithfully to their Catholic faith, recently so tested by the child abuse scandal that has wrecked the Church in Ireland.

St. Patrick's Day in Ireland in 2012  I have been approached to lead a pilgrimage tour of Ireland next year in 2012.  The tour would leave California  March 14 for eleven days.  We would be Ireland for ST. PATRICK'S DAY, March 17, 2012.   Nawas Travel is offering this trip for the cost of around $2399, inclusive of airfare, hotels, meals, ground transportation and the like.  A brochure will be made available.  We need at least thirty (30) people to be interested in the trip for the price offered.  A deposit of $400 will keep the reservation.  We will start taking reservation immediately in our parish office.  Katie or Nancy can give anyone interested more information.

Next weekend, March 17 to March 20, 2011 is the annual Los Angeles Religious Congress in Anaheim.  Deacon Ernie and I will be attending the congress once again.  Welcome, Fr. Paul Walsman, O.F.M.  Fr. Paul joins us next weekend as our guest Presider and Preacher.  He will be preaching on a ministry providing direct relief to the poor throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.  Fr. Paul will share what he has witnessed about Food for the Poors' mission to care for the destitute as a means of living out the Gospel mandate:  "Love one another as I have loved you."  Please join us in welcoming Fr. Paul into our wonderful mountain community.

A reminder that the Women's Retreat is being held on April 8-10 at St. Clare's Retreat House in Soquel, California.  It is open to all women.  For more information please call either Linda Lynch or Barbara Vasconcellos.

The Women's Guild is hosting their Fifth Annual Tea on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Our Lady of the Sierra Parish Hall.    The tea begins at 11:00 a.m. and while there is no charge, donations are accepted.  Please RSVP by April 18th to Linda Robison at 559-777-4111.  If you would like to host a table, please call Linda as well.

Fr. Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the desk of Fr. Mike ...

 

This past weekend, Archbishop José Gomez assumed the office of Archbishop of Los Angeles on Cardinal Roger Mahony's 75th birthday. (February 26th, 2011).  As the Hispanic presence continues to grow in huge numbers in the United States Catholic arena, it was only natural that our Holy Father would name Archbishop Gomez to the largest diocese in the country.  There are over 5 million Catholics in the LA area, of which 70% are Mexican or Mexican-American.  It takes us back to our history, when the Spanish came to California to bring the Faith, and the large numbers of Spanish, and later Mexicans, who came to California.  In those early days, all the bishops were Spanish, and some from Mexico.  Things are reverted and now the reality of the Southwest.  The new archbishop of San Antonio, Texas is from Mexico, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Stiller.  Of the other bishops serving California, the dioceses of Sacramento, Monterey, San Bernardino, and now Los Angeles have Hispanic bishops.  It is without a doubt that the new Bishop of Fresno will also be Hispanic.  The bishop before Bishop John Steinbock was Bishop Joseph J. Madera, from Mexico.

As the Metropolitan Archbishop, Archbishop Gomez also has the responsibility for the southern dioceses in the state of California. That means he is responsible for gathering bishops for meetings and  discussing the needs of the lower half of the state.  The other Metropolitan in California is the Archbishop of San Francisco who takes responsibility for Northern California, Nevada and Guam.  It will be the responsibility of Archbishop Gomez to be the principle ordaining Prelate at the Episcopal Ordination of the new Fresno bishop, in the event that our new bishop has not already been ordained.  We can be sure that he will be visiting the diocese from time to time.

We also give thanks to God for the ministry of Cardinal Roger Mahony.  Cardinal Mahony, a priest of the Fresno Diocese, ordained at St. John's Cathedral in Fresno in 1962, served as priest, pastor, head of Catholic Charities, Chancellor, and Vicar General in our diocese before being ordained an  Auxiliary Bishop of Fresno in 1975, with his Episcopal Ordination at the Selland Arena, Fresno Convention Center.  In 1980, then Bishop Mahony was named the Bishop of Stockton, where he served until 1985, when he was named by Pope John Paul II as the new Archbishop of Los Angeles to replace Cardinal Timothy Manning (also a former Bishop of Fresno, 1967-73).  In 1990, Archbishop Mahony was created a cardinal by the Pope.  At the time of his retirement, he will have concluded 25 years as head of the Church of Los Angeles.  In his time, the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was built and dedicated.

In a recent conversation with Cardinal Mahony, he told me he will be spending more time in his cabin in Fish Camp, which is within our parish boundaries.  I told him that he is welcome here at any time to celebrate Mass .  We can plan on seeing the retired cardinal around town.  Keep     him in prayer as he transitions into this new life.                           

From the desk of Fr. Mike ...

 

This afternoon, the mountain community in which we live will gather from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Oakhurst Community Center for fasting, prayer and reflection in light of the recent deaths that  occurred in Oakhurst with the Montoya family, the killing and suicide in Ahwahnee with the Lewis family, and finally the very tragic killings and suicide at Ducey's in Bass Lake.  There have been other violent deaths in our community, but these specific incidents have given all of us a reason to pause and to pray.  There are so many reasons for these needless deaths: poverty for those who could not afford their utilities, depression and mental illness that would drive a mother to kill a child and then herself.  Hopelessness and mental illness that would drive one to kill a spouse, a handicapped lawyer, and finally one's self.  These are painful realities that remind us all of the need to continue opening ourselves to those most vulnerable in our society.  It calls for a deeper look into the hearts of the disciples of Jesus to respond and to protect by law and by whatever means possible those who need our help. The cross of Christ opens up salvation for those who have died, even those who have taken their own lives. It is the promise of the Resurrection that ensures their eternal life in the presence of God the Father.  We are called by the Holy Spirit to respond generously with gifts of faith and love.   It is wonderful to see some of our Christian churches opening their doors to the homeless, feeding them and giving a warm place for them to rest and sleep.  We unfortunately lack the space to offer this hospitality, but through the contributions of so many you, we are able to financially assist these communities to purchase food and pay for other items.  We are also able to contribute to Manna House and Helping Hands on a regular basis, as well as help many individuals who come our way desperately needing help.  Just this past week, we were able to give 50 blankets and 50 coats to those who most need them through the request by Manna House.  Sincere thanks to all who donated.  It is painful to realize that we were in a position to help save the Montoya family members if only they had come to us for help with their utility bill, since we assist as many as we can.

While it may be easy to blame others, including the devil, we must first realize that we must blame ourselves if there was something that could have been done first.  Many times these actions are at the spur of the moment.  Crimes of passion and mental illness cannot not be predicted.  It is what it is.  What we must do  is to support those who are left behind with love, compassion and comfort.  They are not at fault.  We are all human, thus we are weak, and depend heavily on faith.  We must admit our powerlessness and surrender these events to God.

I hope that many of you will join us for the prayer service, whether you come for an hour, or even five minutes.  I will be at the Prayer Service at around 2:00pm myself to lead a prayer and reflection.

The winter weather continues to stay with us, and  this weekend as in the last, it has been impossible to access St. Dominic Savio  in Bass Lake.  Also, the drive to St. Joseph's in North Fork can be a treacherous drive due to the ice that forms in the higher elevations.  Your patience and understanding is appreciated with the cancellations of the Bass Lake Mass today.  We do urge all parishioners not to take unnecessary risks of getting to Mass if it is too dangerous.  We urge all our parish families to furnish the office with email addresses so that we can send out information to as many as possible when a cancellation is required.  You can email the parish at olsparish@sti.net, you can phone the parish office. 

 

From the desk of Fr. Mike...

 

On this President's Day Weekend, while many will travel with the three day weekend offering extra time off from work, it is important to reflect on the gift and challenge of leadership, and those who take on these responsibilities.  In our nation, and in our Church, leadership calls forth people who have received the gift, according to St. Paul, to guide others in the way of salvation, and to carefully care for those most vulnerable.  Those called to Church ministry, such as bishops and priests and to apostolic leadership in charge of dioceses and parishes accept not only the responsibility allotted to them by those they care for, but also to be challenged by those who may disagree and not accept their actions or opinions.  In this present world we live in, with all the media avenues available to us, it is much easier to receive information about our leaders, and it is much easier to condemn and even act with evil intent when we do not care for personalities, or we disagree with policies and points of view.  Websites and blogs can be found everywhere that can encourage and discourage leaders of the Church.  It is only with God's grace and with gifts received that we can appreciate the work and risk it takes to guide communities today.  Church leaders are human, not gods, angels, or spirits, and they will make mistakes, commit sin, and made errors in judgment.  Healthy and  constructive criticism is good for the soul.  Of course, criticism  be done in gentle charity.  Cruel remarks only harden those attacked.  I also remember, no matter how awful the remarks and criticisms thrown at Bishop Steinbock in his nineteen years of leadership as our bishop, he would take them to prayer, forgive what was said or done, and always find joy and laughter through it all.  Having gone through my own challenges, I appreciate even more how he modeled for us priests, genuine love for God's People, even when they hurt and insult.  The bishop always reminded us, that if Christ was hung on the cross because of hate for his ministry and presence, why should we escape what he could not.

When it comes to civic leadership, the discord in our public arena in recent years has grown ugly and extremely uncharitable.  We all have our political bent, and as Americans, with the great gift of free speech, we are allowed our opportunities to give and share what we think is for the good our country.  The rhetoric in recent years, though, has gone over the top.  The lack of respect for those elected by the majority is not a good measure of our Christian heritage.  Those who lead us have put their reputation, lives, and energies for the service of their respective communities and country.  Even in disagreement, we are called to be civil and to respect the offices our leaders occupy.  Change always comes soon enough if those elected do not serve their people well.

On this President's Day holiday, I invite our parish community to pray for all leaders, both in Church and State, and that God  inspires them to work for the greater good, and that we will together journey along to care for those most in need of the common good.

The parish offices will be closed this Monday, February 21st.                                                                                      

From the desk of Fr. Mike...

 

Recent news from the diocese

                     Even without a sitting bishop, the Diocese of Fresno moves along.  Along with the recent successful clergy convocation on the New Roman Missal, the local Church continues to grow and serve God's people in many ways.

                     As far as new churches being built, St. Peter's Church in Lemoore is under construction and is expected to be completed by the June 29, 2011, on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.  If a bishop is not yet named, Msgr. Myron Cotta, Diocesan Administrator will bless and dedicate the new church, which when completed, will seat nearly 1500 people, a far cry from the little church that now only seats 300 people.  St. Mary's Church in Fresno is now waiting for the final approval from the city of Fresno on their new church, and once given, will begin construction immediately.  Bishop Steinbock was able to bless and officiate at the groundbreaking that took place this past October 1st.  The Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Reedley is also completing its final stages the permit process before construction commences.  Bishop Steinbock was able to bless and officiate at their groundbreaking in early October.  All three new churches will replace the old and very small buildings now in use in their respective parishes.

St. Anthony Retreat Center in Three Rivers is still waiting for its final approval from the county of Tulare.  They are confident that that approval will come by the end of spring, and they too can move forward with constructing the new Youth Center, a long-time dream of so many.

 

Taken from Zenit.org ("The World seen from Rome")

The first U.S. convent for the feminine branch of the Norbertine Order was established in the Fresno Diocese with the solemn profession of nine sisters. The sisters, called "canonesses" due to the specific vocation of the Norbertines, made their final and perpetual vows on Jan. 29. This marked the transition of the Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph of Tehachapi, California, from the status of an "Association of the Faithful" to "full integration in the Norbertine Order, the Diocese of Fresno, California, and the Roman Catholic Church as an independent canonry of Norbertine canonesses," a press release explained.

The prioress, Mother Mary Augustine, stated, "This is truly a sacred and landmark day for our young community, a day that we have been looking forward to ever since our founding back in 1997."

Mother Mary Augustine, a native of New Caldonia, joined with four other women to found a new community on Oct. 7, 1997.

Father Eugene Joseph Hayes, the abbot of St. Michael's Abbey, their "mother abbey" in Orange, California, founded the community as a public association of the faithful.

In May of 2000, Bishop John Steinbock welcomed them as the first community of cloistered nuns in the Fresno Diocese. He set the date for the solemn professions for Jan. 29, 2011 along with the abbot general of the Norbertine Order.

The press release noted that the bishop "expressed on several occasions how much he was looking forward to the solemn professions." However, he was unable to be physically present as he passed away Dec. 5 of lung cancer.

Meanwhile, the community settled in the Tehachapi Mountains of California and increased to 20 members, some of whom entered as young as age 18.outh Center, long a dream of so many.

 

From the desk of 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.