From the Office of Worship

 

Update from the

Chancery office …

             On Wednesday, January 18th, I met with Msgr. Cotta at the Chancery office in Fresno.  He had requested of me an overview of the parish of Our Lady of the Sierra and after submitting that, we had a conversation about some interim procedures that would be in place until a new pastor or pastoral leadership is named by Bishop Ochoa for our parish.

 

First and foremost, I am deeply grateful to Msgr. Jim Logan for agreeing to remain in the parish to preside at Liturgy until a new pastor or pastoral leadership is named for us.  Msgr. Logan is well loved in the parish, and his presence here insures that our liturgy schedule will remain uninterrupted for the most part.  Please do pay close attention to the weekly schedule, though,  as weekday liturgies may be Communion Services from time to time.

 

Msgr. Cotta was very grateful to receive the overview of the parish, as well as the knowledge gleaned from it.  He now realizes how busy our parish and its ministries have grown to be in the last several years;  he joins with us as  we pray for  a new pastor or pastoral leadership that will have the energy and stamina to withstand the commute from Oakhurst all the way to Yosemite;  the understanding of the importance of Liturgy in our lives;  the need for powerful preaching and homilies.  We will all, I am sure, be storming heaven with prayers for our new pastor.

 

When the pastorship of a parish becomes vacant, and until a new pastor is named;  the Bishop of the Diocese will necessarily  become the administrative power to safeguard the parish and its resources.  While no extraordinary purchases are approved, the parish continues to pay for its necessary expenses.  Checks for these payments are signed temporarily, by the Bishop or a chancery official.

 

The parish staff (Director of the Office of Worship, Director of Faith Formation, office manager and secretary) remain in place and continue their work until a new pastor or pastoral leadership is named.

 

The Chancery office is joining us in prayer during this time of transition;  it is aggressively pursuing a new pastor for us.  I will keep you very well informed as developments take place.  In the meantime…let us pray!

 

Kevin Jonas, Director:  Office of Worship

 

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