Jesus` Resurrection - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno

Transcription

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Catholic
Life
CE N TRAL CALIFORNIA
Official Publication of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno
Volume 17, Number 5 ~ Apr. 2015
Jesus’ Resurrection
radically changed the history of the world
God is related intimately to humans.
Dios se relaciona intimamente a los humanos.
Our greatest power is love.
Nuestro poder más grande es amor.
We are all one family.
Todos somos una familia.
We must respect our environment.
Debemos respetar nuestro ambiente.
We should work for humility, service and love.
Debemos trabajar para humildad, servicio y amor.
My Dear Friends in Christ,
The Easter season is a great celebration because it is the
story of our salvation in Christ. Every story has a beginning, a middle and an end, And so does ours. The account
of the suffering and death of Jesus on Good Friday is a narrative of evil over goodness. Jesus was falsely charged with
crimes he did not commit, and then condemned to suffer a
death he did not deserve. One of his friends betrayed him,
his trustworthy companions deserted him and his right-hand
man denied him three times. The people he loved demanded his crucifixion and chose a notorious criminal released in his place. It
is a tale of betrayal and lies, dishonesty and mean spiritness, unfaithfulness and violence directed against an innocent victim. All this comes to a
head on Good Friday when we see Jesus scourged, mocked, led on a death
march, nailed to the wood of the cross where he dies after a few hours and
hastily buried in a tomb. If that were the end of the story, it would be a
tragedy. But glory to God, it is not.
Death is not the end of the story. There is always another chapter. This
is the most important chapter because we see him rise from the dead in all
his glory and majesty. He is vindicated. His enemies are shamed and confused. He is the Lord, who will prevail over all of the human family, his
enemies included. For all of us, his embattled followers, this is good news.
In the middle of our story, Jesus preached that the poor were blessed, the
humble would be exalted, and those who serve are really first. This part of
the story line was not well received by all.
But we must take heart and never give up on doing what is right. True
will always be true. Just will always be just. Right will always be right
even when the world around us would have it otherwise. We must learn
to believe in the sun even when it is not shining, knowing that by and by
it will shine again. It is the end of the story that counts. That is why the
Church asks us during this season to rejoice and be glad. Even when we
are going through very difficult times, through betrayal, unjust discrimination, lies, misrepresentations—even when the enemy seems to be winning
the battle in our lives. Easter reminds us all that Christ has won. And we
know that in Christ we shall overcome.
May you have a blessed Easter.
Most Rev. Armando X. Ochoa
KNXT
Mis Queridos Amigos en Cristo,
La temporada de Pascua de la Resurrección del Señor
es una gran celebración porque es una historia de nuestra
salvación en Cristo. Cada historia tiene un comienzo y un
final, así como nuestra historia. La explicación del sufrimiento y muerte de Jesús en Viernes Santo es una narración del mal sobre el bien. Jesús fue falsamente acusado
de crímenes que él no cometió, e injustamente sentenciado
a una muerte que Él no mereció. Uno de de sus amigos le
traicionó. Sus compañeros de confianza le abandonaron y su mejor amigo,
su mano derecha, le negó tres veces. La gente que el amó exigió su crucifixión y eligieron poner en libertad a un famoso criminal en su lugar. Es
un cuento de traición y mentiras, deshonestidad, infidelidad y violencia
contra una víctima inocente. Todo esto llega a un punto crítico el Viernes
Santo cuando vemos a Jesús flagelado, burlado; conducido en una marcha
de muerte, clavado en una cruz de madera donde Él muere en unas pocas
horas y rápidamente es enterrado en una tumba. ¡Si esto fuera el final de la
historia, sería una tragedia! Pero gloria sea a Dios, no lo es.
La muerte no es el final de la historia. Siempre hay un capítulo nuevo.
Este es el capítulo más importante porque vemos a Jesús resucitar de la
muerte con toda su gloria y majestuosidad. Él es justificado. Sus enemigos
están confundidos y avergonzados. Él es el Señor que va a triunfar sobre
toda la familia humana, incluyendo sus enemigos. Para todos nosotros, sus
seguidores, esta es una buena noticia.
En el medio de nuestra historia, Jesús predicó que el pobre fue bendecido, el humilde engrandecido, y aquellos que sirven serán realmente los
primeros. Esta parte de la historia no fue bien recibida por todos.
Pero hay que tener corazón y nunca rendirnos en hacer lo que es correcto. La verdad siempre será verdad. Lo justo siempre será justo. Lo correcto siempre será correcto aún cuando el mundo que nos rodea lo vería
de otra forma. Debemos aprender a creer en el sol aún cuando no está
brillando, sabiendo que poco a poco el sol brillará nuevamente. Es el final
de la historia que cuenta. Esta es la razón porque la Iglesia nos pide que
durante esta temporada nos regocijemos y alegremos. Aún cuando estamos atravesando por momentos difíciles: a través de traición, injusticia,
discriminación, mentiras, falsificación; aún cuando parece que el enemigo
está ganando la batalla en nuestras vidas. La Pascua de Resurrección nos
recuerda que Cristo ha GANADO, y sabemos que en Cristo venceremos.
Reverendísimo Armando X. Ochoa
Catholic Television
Streaming LIVE on the Internet at: www.KNXT.tv
UPDATE
KNXT-TV programming has been dropped from DISH
and DIRECTV due to a missed notification deadline.
DISH y DIRECTV han cancelado la programación de KNXT-TV
debido a un error en la notificación para renovar el contrato.
DIRECTV has agreed to reinstate KNXT-TV provided we
supply them with a clean signal to their new facilities.
Negotiations with DISH is ongoing.
DIRECTV ha aceptado restablecer KNXT-TV siempre y cuando les
proporcionemos una señal clara en sus nuevas instalaciones. Las
negociaciones con DISH están en curso.
KNXT-TV is still available on:
Antenna TV - An antenna connected to your
television.
KNXT-TV está disponible en:
TV antena – Antena conectada a su televisión.
Cable tv – La mayoría del sistema de
televisión en cable local,
incluyendo: Comcast, AT&T
U-verse y Bright House Networks.
Cable TV - Most local cable television systems
including Comcast, AT&T U-verse, and
Bright House Networks.
Live Streaming - KNXT.TV offers live streaming through
the Internet.
Trasmisión en vivo –
Thank you for your understanding, support and prayers.
2
April 2015
KNXT.TV ofrece transmisión en vivo a
través del internet.
Gracias por su comprensión, apoyo y oraciones.
Central California Catholic Life
St. Aloysius School Tulare Celebrates
Faith, Knowledge and Service
by Jane Machado, Teacher
day the students and staff had dress
up themes, an activity and a service
project. The expanded events were
the result of discussions held by the
school’s student council and their
adviser, Jane Machado. “We’ve
always had fun during Catholic
Schools Week. We thought it would
be nice to give back to the community as part of our week. With this in
mind, we came up with five service
projects,” said Machado. “We tried
to tie the projects in
with the day’s activity and even the
dress up theme.”
For example, on
Cozy Day (where
students and staff
could wear pajamas
or comfy sweats) the
students were asked
to bring a new pair
of slippers or slipper
socks. The slippers
were then donated
to Valley Children’s
Grandparents’ Day: Student Council President Dax Sousa
Hospital Healthcare.
shows his grandmother some of his class work.
Other service
school served as greeters, lectors, projects included students creating
gift-bearers and singers. Immedi- Valentine’s Day themed placemats
ately following the Mass the school that were given to local senior livwas on display during Open House. ing homes; thank you cards and
The school week was a whirlwind letters were written and delivered
of academics and activities. Each to our men and women in the miliDuring the last week of January,
Catholic schools across the nation
celebrate Catholic Schools Week.
This year’s theme for the week was
Catholic Schools: Communities of
Faith, Knowledge and Service. St.
Aloysius School in Tulare took the
theme to heart in their celebrations.
The week was kicked off with a
Sunday morning Mass at St. Aloysius Church. Students from the
Sixth Grade teacher Robbie Aldaco leads a goofy version of
Simon Says.
tary and also to our parish priests. Catholic Schools Week celebration.
Finally, on Friday, St. Aloysius had
St. Aloysius School is proud to
“Souper” Bowl Day where all were be a part of the tradition of Catholic
asked to bring in at least one can of education that has served the Tulare
soup for our local food pantry, Tu- Catholic community for almost 60
lare Emergency Aid.
years. St. Aloysius offers a comAlong with the service, there was prehensive education from Kinderplenty of fun. Students had grand- garten through eighth grade which
parents or other special people visit addresses the intellectual, spiritual,
on Grandparents’ Day. Poetry and physical, social and creative needs
Prose in the morning and a movie of each child. Enrollment is open to
in the afternoon kept our cafeteria children of all faiths. For additionfull all day. Our cafeteria did fur- al information about St. Aloysius
ther duty hosting the lower grade School, call 559-686-6250, email
religion quiz show and the
Knights of Columbus Honor
Roll Dinner. Outside, the
Knights of Columbus sponsored a Free Throw Contest
for upper grade students. The
eighth grade students played
volleyball against their parents, a long-standing
tradition. Student skits,
known as the Spirit Slogan,
were a highlight of the week.
The skits were written and
performed by the upper grade
students. Finally, the week’s
Poetry and Prose: Fourth Grader Mackenzie
activities ended with student
Sepeda performs her poem.
versus staff silly games.
Living their faith, providing service and showcasing their [email protected], or visit
knowledge, St. Aloysius School stu- www.sastulare.com.
dents made the most of this year’s
Students enjoy an
On the right, kindergartener Presafternoon screening of a lie Jones leaps to the finish line in
favorite film.
the Balloon Pop and Obey Relay.
St. Aloysius Students Earn Music Scholarships
by Jane Machado, Teacher
St. Aloysius School was well
represented at the Tulare Kings
Music Educators Association Honor Choir, which was held January
31 at Central Valley Christian High
School. The students from St. Aloysius School that participated were:
Diego Zamora, Chinmayi
Reddy, Alyssa Zamora,
Veronica Faria, Mackenzie Simmons and Vivian
Silveira. The students are
selected by their choir
teacher, Ms. Kathi Hernandez, to perform with
100 middle school students from the surrounding areas. In addition to
their performance, Diego
was awarded a $100 scholarship to
be used for music lessons or attending the music summer camp of his
choice.
Diego Zamora, who plays trumpet
in the St. Aloysius School Advanced
Band, was also selected to perform
with the TKMEA Honor Band, January 25 at the Buck Shaffer Auditorium at Porterville HS. The
Middle School Honor Band was
comprised of 85 students from
around the Tulare Kings County
Schools and students are selected
on an audition basis. Diego
placed 9th out of 28 middle
school trumpet students.
Ms. Kathi Hernandez is the
band director at St. Aloysius School.
For more information
about the music program at
St Aloysius School music
program, contact Ms. Hernandez at khernandez@
sastulare.com
Guest conductor Michael Tackett,
Director of Bands at College of the
Sequoias with Diego Zamora
April 2015
3
Fun-for-All-Ages LifeWalk & 5K Run
Hundreds to Raise Funds for Life
Reedley Walk for Life
by Eddie Jimenez, parishioner of St. Anthony’s in Reedley.
by Kelly Mauro, Event Chair
Tulare-Kings Right to Life
(TKRL) will host its 20th Annual
LifeWalk and 5K Run, April 11,
9:00 a.m., Plaza Park in Visalia.
Check in begins at 8:30 a.m. at Arbor #5. The event starts at 9:00 a.m.
This year’s event will be larger
than ever with the addition of a 5K
Run along with two bands and a
new and improved bounce house!
We will still have all your favorites: vendors, face painting, games
and more! The top three racers in
each category will receive a commemorative medal. Grand prize is
a 7-Day Mexican Riviera Cruise for
Two! Prizes will be awarded for
several different categories of participants. Those raising $150.00 or
more earn a FREE T-SHIRT.
Walkers and Runners of all ages
and abilities from strollers to wheel-
chairs are invited to join using this
easy and invigorating spring outing. Pledge forms are available
at many local churches and businesses displaying a LifeWALK &
5K Run poster. They may also be
obtained by calling TKRL’s office
at 559-732-5000 or by emailing
[email protected]. Register online
via our website, www.tkrl.org. 5K
Run registration is $25 until March
25. Late registration is $35 through
March 31.
Proceeds support TKRL’s various educational programs about
fetal development, abstinence,
post-abortion healing and stem
cell research, along with booths at
numerous fairs, expos and conferences. For more information, go to
www.tkrl.org or call 732-5000.
Annual Blessing of Boy and Girl Scouts
at St. Anthony of Padua, Reedley
submitted by Angelita Lazaro
Sunday, February 15, during
the 11am Mass, Msgr. John Esquivel blessed members of Girl
Scout Troop 216, Cub Scout Pack
228, Cub Scout Pack 28, Boy Scout
Troop 282, Boy Scout Troop 524
and Venture Crew 220. May God
bless these young people who have
committed themselves to the pursuit of Scouting.
Bishop’s Scout Mass
by John O’Rourke
On Saturday, Feb. 7, Bishop
Armando Ochoa celebrated the
Diocese’s annual “Bishop’s Scout
Mass”. The Mass celebrates Catholic Scouting in the Diocese of
Fresno and its importance as a viable youth ministry in our communities. The Mass was concelebrated
by Rev. Greg Beaumont, who is the
Diocesan Scout Chaplain and also
an Eagle Scout. There were Scouting adults and youth from throughout the Diocese in attendance. It
included Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts,
Girl Scouts and Heritage Girls (a
new Faith based scouting program
for girls).
There were over 60 youth that received their age appropriate scouting religious emblems from Bishop.
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April 2015
Two youth, Kyle Jue and Jonathan
Garza, received the prestigious Ad
Altare Dei award. The award means
“To the Altar of God”. The purpose
of the Ad Altare Dei program is to
help Catholic Youth of the Roman
Rite develop a fully Christian way
of life in the faith community. The
program is organized in chapters
based on the seven sacraments.
One unit, Pack 125 from St. Francis in Bakersfield earned the distinguished honor of being recognized
as a “Quality Catholic Unit”.
The 2016 Mass is scheduled
for Saturday, Feb. 6. For more information, please contact Diocese
of Fresno Catholic Committee of
Scouting Chair, John O’Rourke at
559-222-7200.
About 450 people from Reedley
and surrounding communities took
part in the 11th annual Walk for
Life West Coast rally and march on
Saturday, January 24, in San Francisco to voice their opposition to
abortions in the U.S.
Parishioners from St. Anthony
of Padua Catholic Church filled
four of the eight buses that departed
from Reedley. They were accompanied by residents from Dinuba,
Parlier and Selma.
The Valley residents joined an
estimated 50,000 people who gathered for the rally at the Civic Center
Plaza and the march along Market
Street.
Many young people were among
the Reedley contingent, including
brothers David and Randy Martinez, who both participated in the
rally and march for the second time
on Saturday. David, 19, said he
wanted to show his continued support of being pro-life. He also said
he liked the rally speakers, many
whose lives were affected by abortions.
“I really enjoyed the impact they
have on people, especially when
they share their stories,” he said.
Randy, 18, said that taking
part in the march was comforting
“because you’re with people who
have the same values and views [on
abortion]. It’s a great atmosphere.”
Like others who attended the march, Hector Duran, 19, noted that
there appeared to be fewer pro-choice protesters
than in previous years of
the San Francisco event.
“The word is getting out
that abortion is not OK,”
he said. Participating in
the massive march reinforced Duran’s belief
that he is doing the right
thing and taking action
on this moral issue.
Danny Vasquez said
he was encouraged by
the large number of
youth from Reedley and
elsewhere participating
in the Walk for Life. He
also appreciated hearing
from the rally speakers
because “it strengthens
your belief to defend
the unborn.” He noted
a speaker who praised
everyone attending the
rally while emphasizing
that the work of pro-life
advocates is far from
over.
Paraphrasing the
speaker, Vasquez said,
“We need to come back to our
schools and our jobs and speak for
the unborn and protect the dignity of
life.”
Chris Tasy said the march is a
pilgrimage that serves as a constant
reminder of the evils of abortion.
“Any march is intended to call
attention to a grave injustice, and
abortion has been inarguably the
greatest injustice in the history of
our republic,” he said, referring to
recent anniversary of Roe v. Wade,
the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling
legalizing abortion.
Among those participating in the
event were St. Anthony’s parishioners from various church groups,
including the Knights of Columbus
and youth from KHI-RHO Club,
Catholics in Action and Grupo Jovenes Majestad.
Reedley participants said they
were proud of the large number of
St. Anthony’s parishioners at the
march and were grateful for the support from Msgr. John Esquivel and
Father Walter Colocho-Banos.
“It was great to see all the parishioners from St. Anthony’s and from
nearby parishes joining together for
this pro-life march,” said Danny
Brooks, grand knight for the Reedley Knights of Columbus Council.
Being part of “50,000 strong”
was awesome and great, he said.
“It’s a spiritual thing.”
Photos were taken by
Danny Velasquez, parishioner at St.
Anthony, Reedley.
Praying for World Peace
Challenges of Family Life are a Priority World-Wide
by Kelly Lilles, Executive Director, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Fresno
by Sr. Joanne Bauer, CSC, Family Life Coordinator
I just returned from the Clovis Fresno Prayer Breakfast at the Convention Center with 1300 Christians in
attendance and I had the pleasure of listening to our
beloved Bishop Ochoa say a prayer for Christians all
over the world, especially those who are persecuted
for their faith in Jesus. We are truly blessed to have
our Catholic faith to rely upon each day and the communities of people who surround us at church, home,
school, and work. It is a choice to profess our faith and
belief in Jesus Christ and during this time of Lent, I am
especially grateful as we prepare for Easter. At Catholic Charities, we see so many faces that are hungry not
just to be nourished with food, but who also hunger for
faith. So many of our clients struggle with addictions, generational poverty, homelessness and life circumstances that are out of their control and have been left with little or
no hope. Our desire at each of our sites in Bakersfield, Fresno and Merced is to not only
feed them but to also provide a warm smile and a caring conversation to let them know
that they matter.
May God bless you and yours for being a part of our Ministry and helping those in
need this Easter and always.
Peace and blessings
Lenten Day of Reflection, February 27, 2015
Women’s Health Care
The centerpiece was displayed at a Lenten Day of Reflection at St. Paul
Catholic Newman Center, for our Pastoral Center Staff. The presenter was
Fr. Daniel Manger, O.S.B.Com. Our Bishop Ochoa said the Mass that day,
concelebrated with Fr. Manger, Msgr. Ray Dreiling and Deacon John Supino.
Our Catholic Church world-wide
is in the midst of discernment and
dialog which began with an Extraordinary General Assembly of
the Synod of Bishops in October
2014, and which will culminate
with an Ordinary General Assembly
of the Synod of Bishops, October
4-25, 2015. The Synod will focus
on “The vocation and the mission
of the family in the Church and in
the contemporary world.” The issues relate to “the pastoral challenges of the family in the context
of evangelization,” and they are the
driving force behind the questionnaire that was sent out to Catholics
world-wide through all dioceses
and archdioceses in the world.
These are important moments of
dialogue, reflection and consultation for our global family of faith.
Our own Most Reverend Armando
X. Ochoa, Bishop of the Diocese
of Fresno, extended this invitation
to all Catholics in the Diocese of
Fresno to provide their feedback
on our diocesan website, as well as
through various efforts at the parish
level, through parochial schools,
and diocesan ministries. Efforts
were made to reach out to the incar-
cerated where this was possible.
Family Life Ministry joins in
this exciting adventure of evangelization of the family, our domestic Church and the root of society,
through its Family Life events/organizations. More information about
can be obtained on the following
events through the Diocese of Fresno website, the Office of Ministries,
and most especially, through your
own parish, as bulletin announcements and flyers become available
and more workshops are developed:
* Women’s Health Care: two
hour seminars designed to explore
an overview of scientifically advanced NFP methods, plus more for
clergy, couples, parish ministers,
all. April 26 in Bakersfield, June 18
in Clovis, August 15 in Merced
* Pastoral Care for Prenatal Loss:
Training for Priests & Deacons,
May 1; Workshops/Trainings for
parish & hospital ministers, volunteers, May 2
* Taller de Comunicación Familiar: 2 day workshops in Spanish
(see poster). June 27 & 28 in Hanford; Sept. 19 & 20 in Merced; Nov.
7 & 8 in Taft.
* Life Decisions: TBA
Diocese
of Fresno
April 26, 2015
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Our Lady of Guadalupe ■ Bakersfield
Dr. Lynn Keenan ■ Father Larry Toschi
Speaker / Teacher: Marci Chandler, FPC
June 18, 2015
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Our Lady of Perpetual Help ■ Clovis
Dr. Lynn Keenan ■ Father Robert Borges
Speaker / Teacher: Linda Garcia
Love and Life are
always connected.
Scientifically advanced forms of natural
family planning empower women to
understand their bodies, along with ways
to optimize their health.
WHC seminars are designed to explore:
An overview of the scientifically advanced NFP
methods
Patterns of charting that may reflect
decreased fertility or chances of miscarriage
Associations between medical disorders and
charting patterns
An overview of steps women can take to
optimize their health through understanding
their cycles
An exploration of Church teaching on family
planning that affirms the blessings of love
and life in marriage to strengthen the family
and society.
Women’s Health Care Workshop
REGISTRATION:
$10 per person ■ $15 per couple
PLEASE MAIL CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO:
August 15, 2015
9:00 am to 11:00 am
St. Patrick’s ■ Merced
Dr. Lynn Keenan ■ Father Dan Avila
Diocese of Fresno
Attention: Sister Joanne Bauer, CSC
Family Life Ministry
1550 North Fresno Street
Fresno, California 93703
You can register onsite the day of the event
Adults Only—No Children Allowed
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Edith Maldonado
559-488-7474 ext. 103
[email protected]
April 2015
5
Rev. Robert Rudolph Vanoncini
1938-2015
Anniversaries of Priests, Deacons
and Religious
Priests
Rev. Joseph Heffernan May 1, 1965
Rev. Msgr. Daniel Lopez May 1, 1963
Rev. Msgr. Ron Royer May 1, 1958
Rev. Godfrey Raffel May 2, 1953
Rev. Msgr. Ray Dreiling May 3, 1975
Rev. Steve Bulfer May 5, 1973
Rev. Dominic Rajappa May 6, 1992
Rev. Jesse Venzor May 10, 1980
Rev. Guillermo Preciado May 11, 2002
Rev. Jesus Del Angel May 13, 2000
Rev. Msgr. Stephen Frost May 14, 1977
Rev. Msgr. Leslie Shenoy May 14, 1976
Rev. Michael Cox May 15, 2010
Rev. Isaque Meneses May 15, 2010
Rev. Ignacio Villafan May 15, 1999
Rev. Doug Walker May 15, 1999
Rev. Gerald Hartz May 16, 1959
Rev. Pedro Olmos May 16, 1978
Rev. Alex Chavez May 19, 2012
Rev. Santiago Iriarte May 19, 2012
Rev. Mark Maxon May 19, 2012
Rev. Rod Craig May 21, 1977
Rev. David Reed May 21, 2005
Rev. Alfredo Arias May 22, 2004
Rev. Robert Borges May 22, 2004
Rev. Efrain Martinez May 22, 2004
Rev. Jose de Jesus Reynaga May 22, 2004
Rev. Tom Timmings May 22, 1970
Rev. Dan Avila May 23, 1987
Rev. David Greskowiak May 23, 2009
Rev. Ivan Hernandez Melchor May 23, 2009
Most Rev. Armando Ochoa May 23, 1970
Rev. Guadalupe Rios May 23, 2009
Rev. Richard Smith May 23, 1998
Rev. Eric Swearingen May 23, 1987
Rev. Kris Sorenson May 24, 2008
Rev. James Dowds, CSsR May 25, 1985
Rev. Joachim Cheon May 26, 2001
Rev. Salvador Gonzalez, Jr. May 26, 2001
Rev. David Enriquez May 27, 2006
Rev. Paul Kado May 27, 2006
Rev. Craig Plunkett May 27, 2006
Rev. Angel Gonzalez May 28, 1952
Rev. Timothy Cardoso May 29, 1983
Rev. Msgr. Scott Daugherty May 29, 1983
Rev. Rodolfo Esmero-Carcueva, SMQA May 29, 1992
Rev. Msgr. Gilbert Meyer May 30, 1942
Rev. Msgr. E. James Petersen May 30, 1959
Rev. Joaquin Arriaga May 31, 1997
Rev. Raul Diaz May 31, 1997
Deacons
Rev. Mr. Ronald (Scotty) Bourne May 15, 1999
Rev. Mr. Clyde Davis May 15, 1999
Religious
Sr. Martinelle Noronha, CSST May 1, 1973
Sr. Natalie Donola, PDDM May 5, 1947
Sr. Celestina Mary Faletoi, SN May 24, 1998
Sr. Beena Joseph, CSST May 12, 1978
Sr. Sheena Karaimathi Ouseph, CSST May 19, 1994
Sr. Astrida D’Cruz, FHIC May 24, 1940
Sr. Cellsa Marcello, FHIC May 24, 1994
Sr. Lucille Carreau, DHS May 31, 1963
Sr. Maria Imelda Lobo, FHIC May 31, 1962
6
April 2015
submitted by Pamela Williams, Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home
Rev. Robert Rudolph Vanoncini, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dos Palos,
for over twenty years, was born in Santa Barbara, on May 14, 1938, and passed away at
Mercy Medical Center in Merced on Thursday, January 22, 2015.
“Father Van” as he was known by parishioners in Dos Palos, was raised in Fresno, living
within and attending St.Therese Parish. He attended
San Joaquin Memorial High School from 1950 to
1955, Ryan Seminary under the Jesuit teachers, from
1955 to 1957, St. John’s College in Camarillo from
1957 to 1959, and St. John’s Seminary, Camarillo,
from 1960 to 1963. He was ordained for the Diocese
of Monterey/ Fresno on May 1, 1963, at St. John’s
Cathedral.
His first assignment was to the St. Angela Parish
in Pacific Grove, as assistant pastor. After the Diocese of Monterey/Fresno was divided into two Sees
in 1967, Father Robert held many assignments within
the Diocese of Fresno, including St. Anthony Catholic Church in Reedley; St. Joseph Catholic Church in
Firebaugh, from 1968 to 1973; St. Anthony in Reedley, again, from 1973 to 1983; St. Patrick Catholic
Church in Kerman, from 1983 to1988; Our Lady of
Lourdes Catholic Church in California City, including its Mission of St. Joseph in Boron,
from1988 to 1994; and finally, Sacred Heart in Dos Palos, from 1994, until his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles J. and Katherine Vanoncini; his cousin,
Bishop Michael Kenny of Juneau, and aunts and uncles, Jeanne Edson, John Eachus, and
Esther Kenny.
He is survived by his brothers, Charles and his wife Diane of Walnut Creek, and David
and his wife Diana of Fresno; and his nieces and nephews, Robert Vanoncini, Laura Pera,
David Vanoncini, John Vanoncini, and Jill Vanoncini, all of the bay area.
Visitation was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Dos Palos on Wednesday, January
28, 2015, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Dos Palos on
Thursday, January 29, 2015, at10:00 a.m. followed by interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery.
In Loving Memory of Rev. Joseph Nguyen Cong Hoan
by Rev. Mr. Nguyen Phi Hung
Father Joseph was born on December 25, 1939,
at Bac Ninh, Vietnam, and passed away on Tuesday,
January 20, 2015 in Fresno, CA. at the age of 76 years
old. He was the son of Thai Van Nguyen and Sy Thi
Nguyen.
Father Joseph studied Philosophy and Theology
at Saigon Major Seminary and was ordained to the
Priesthood on April 29, 1973. Soon after his ordination, he had to flee our beloved country of Viet Nam
after the Vietnam War.
In 1980, Father Joseph, together with Rev. Chu
Quang Minh, originated the start of the Fresno Vietnamese Catholic Community and was appointed Associate Pastor of St. Helen’s Catholic Church, Fresno,
CA. Thereafter, he also originated the start of the Vietnamese Bakersfield community, served as Associate
Pastor of St. John’s Cathedral, and Administrator of
Our Lady of La Vang Catholic Church, retiring in 2013.
For 33 years, from 1980 to 2013, Father Joseph mainly shepherded Our Lady of La Vang
Vietnamese Parish, Fresno, CA. For many years, he devoted time driving to Bakersfield each
week to celebrate mass with the Vietnamese Bakersfield community. He also periodically
drove to Livingston to celebrate Mass as needed.
Father Joseph was very much loved by the Vietnamese community and revered by his
fellow priests and religious for being a quiet, humble man who was loyally faithful to his
vow of poverty. We give thanks and praise to God for Father Joseph’s tireless and dedicated
efforts to the Diocese of Fresno for 33 years!
It was an honor to have Bishop Armando X. Ochoa as Presider, as Father Victor Dinh Toan
celebrated the burial Mass in Vietnamese; one of Father Joseph’s last wishes. St. John’s Cathedral was filled to capacity with loving clergy, religious and the many caring parishioners
who gathered to say their fare-wells. It was a true testament to Father Joseph’s good works.
May Father Joseph’s beloved soul rest in peace and may he rise with our Lord on glorious
Easter.
Father Joseph, we love you and will all miss you very much!
Father Jim’s Interview with
Bishop Myron J. Cotta, Auxiliary Bishop of Sacramento
Father Jim: Bishop Cotta, I want to
thank you very much for permitting
this interview. This reason I chose you
is because it will go into our Easter
edition, and my sense is that you are a
rather happy, joyful person. May I ask
you, what was your first reaction when
you heard you were going to become a
bishop?
Bishop Cotta: My first reaction was
that of surprise and the “why me?”
The anxiety of the reality of leaving
the Diocese of Fresno and setting out
into “unchartered waters” was a little
unsettling.
Father Jim: Did you know you were
coming to Sacramento at that time?
Bishop Cotta: Yes. When I received
the phone call I was informed of the location of the appointment.
Father Jim: Did you know much
about Sacramento? Have you ever
been here before?
Bishop Cotta: I was not familiar with
the area of the Sacramento Valley.
Father Jim: I worked here about
twenty years ago, and I loved this
place.
Bishop Cotta: It is a nice place; and
getting acquainted with the area over
the past year has been great. I’m enjoying it.
Father Jim: Do you miss Fresno?
Bishop Cotta: Yes, at times I do
miss Fresno. You know, people come
to mind: family, friends, my brother
priests and all the clergy and religious,
Bishop Ochoa and everyone at the Pastoral Center are missed. At the same
time, I believe that God gives us a
grace of “detaching” which has helped
me in my transition from the Diocese
of Fresno to the Diocese of Sacramento. Plus, there is plenty to keep me focused here.
Father Jim: I remember asking you,
when you were Vicar General, and then
serving as Diocesan Administrator after the death of Bishop John Steinbock,
if you enjoyed the work, and you said,
“No”.
Bishop Cotta: Let’s put it this way, I
was not overjoyed in overseeing all of
the extra responsibilities and concerns
of the Diocese; but with the help and
Pardon me for adding these few words
about my visit to Sacramento and my
interview with Bishop Myron. It was a
wonderful moment for me, a delight
to be with a very loving friend of our
diocese. It was his idea to have this shot
taken of the two of us.
support of the Priest Consultors, we all
managed to hold it together.
Father Jim: What are the duties of an
Auxiliary Bishop?
Bishop Cotta: First of all, I continue to wear the hat of Vicar General as
Auxiliary Bishop, so some of those
duties are the same as when I was in
Fresno. The big change is that I am involved with more of the administrative
duties of the diocese as I assist the Diocesan Bishop with these responsibilities. Confirmations, parish visitations,
diocesan events, school visitations,
different liturgical celebrations, participating in various boards, councils,
foundations and committees add to the
list of responsibilities.
Father Jim: Do you have the opportunity to talk with the Bishop and give
him your ideas?
Bishop Cotta: Not only I, but all
members of our Management Team
are welcome and encouraged by the
Bishop Soto to give and share our input. There is a good rapport among
us as a team. There is a great team of
people at the Pastoral Center. Also, the
lay involvement on many of the boards
and councils have a great love for the
Church and bring the gift of their expertise and creativity to the table.
Father Jim: Now, you’re just a few
blocks from the State Capitol, do you
have a connection with our political
leaders here in Sacramento?
Bishop Cotta: A couple of months
ago I had the opportunity to attend a
meeting with several Bishops of our
California Catholic Conference with
Governor Brown. It was a good experience. Earlier that morning the Diocese hosted an annual interfaith prayer
service for the opening session of the
State Legislature of which Archbishop
Gomez was present and joining us that
morning was Governor Brown.
Father Jim: So it is rather different
from what it was in Fresno.
Bishop Cotta: That’s for sure! Having the center of the state’s political life
in the midst of the Diocese of Sacramento is a different reality than that of
Fresno. Having the State Capitol just
up the street from the Cathedral is a
stark reminder that you are in a whole
different environment compared to that
of Fresno.
Father Jim: What do you most enjoy
about Sacramento, and what do you
most enjoy being a bishop?
Bishop Cotta: I enjoy the urban-feel
of the City of Sacramento and the surrounding area of the Sacramento Valley is great. As Auxiliary Bishop, I’m
enjoying the many opportunities and
occasions to be with the people and
working as a team with members of the
laity and clergy that comprise many of
our boards, councils, committees, etc.
. Presiding at liturgical celebrations
as a bishop is a great experience! It is
humbling to experience the manner by
which people approach and greet one
as a bishop. At the same time, it is good
to see that they can approach me as a
bishop without having to feel intimidated by the position.
Also, it has been a blessing to experience the sense of welcome and sup-
port that I have received by
the clergy and religious of
the Diocese.
Father Jim: You mentioned the clergy. We Jesuits
do have a place here, Jesuit
High School. Have you had
any connection with the Jesuits there?
Bishop Cotta: A couple of
months ago, I was invited
to celebrate one of their
school Masses and to tour
their campus and see their
recently constructed chapel.
I have celebrated two Masses at St. Ignatius Parish and
have had the opportunity to
have dinner and visit with
the Jesuit Community at
their residence. They have been very
welcoming and hospitable to me.
Father Jim: I really loved my time
there, but going back to Fresno. You
grew up there and were ordained and
worked there. Is it difficult to break
away from all that?
Bishop Cotta: I thought that it was
going to be difficult, but I believe God
“graced” me in this transition to “let
go” and to allow Him to lead me. My
friends from the Diocese of Fresno
have kept in touch and some have traveled up to Sacramento to visit. That has
been great and has helped me in this
transition.
Father Jim: I love our present Pope
Francis and what he is saying. As a
bishop, do you have a closer connection with the papal world?
Bishop Cotta: Personally, no. I would
say the connection that we have with
the Pope, here in the United States,
is by way of the Papal Nuncio who is
present, especially, at the US Catholic Conference of Bishops meetings.
But, to come to think of it, I guess I do
have a personal connection/relationship with His Holiness; he’s the one
who appointed me to this position, and
as we share in the episcopacy, we are
“brother bishops.”
Father Jim: What do you think of
what Pope Francis is saying these
days?
Bishop Cotta: I think he is simply
working with what is fundamental in
regard to the Church and our role in the
Church. He is reminding us that we are
called to be disciples who put our faith
into action. The manner in which he is
among the people and the way he is so
approachable, he gives me the impression that this is how St. Peter was as
the First Pope - among the people - one
with them - pastoral -fearless. He ministers as a parish priest, as a pastor.
Father Jim: There seems to be a
movement in the Church now about the
rights of women. Do you have a sense
of that happening in Sacramento?
Bishop Cotta: The Pope has mentioned that women have played an important role in the Church which should
be recognized and appreciated. He says
that women have much to offer in the
life of the Church. We are acknowledging this year dedicated to Consecrated
Life/Religious in the Diocese. It has
been impressive to see the impact that
the women religious have had on the
history of the Diocese of Sacramento.
It is good to be aware of all they have
done and continue to do.
Father Jim: Is there any thing else
you would like to say?
Bishop Cotta: Recently, I attended the
annual bishops’ retreat in Los Altos at
the Jesuits Retreat Center. I had attended the retreat last year before my ordination. Boy, what a difference a year
makes! With a year behind me, it was a
perfect time to reflect over the year and
to thank The Lord for the many graces
received over this year of transition
and orientation as a new bishop.
Father Jim: Listening to you talk, I
am hearing something very beautiful. In my experience, for many, many
years, sometimes bishops are power
people. You don’t seem to be talking
that way. You’re talking as a member
of the Church.
Bishop Cotta: More than ever, I see
how important it is to be that “servantleader” which we are all called to be as
ordained ministers. The “power” that
becomes very evident in all of this is
the power of the Holy Spirit that is at
work in the Church.
Father Jim: But some say that the
people have servant problems.
Bishop Cotta: Jesus says that we
need to be servants, even to those who
might have “servant problems.” We
will always have those challenges just
as Christ did during his life of ministry.
Father Jim: Are there any particular
challenges here?
Bishop Cotta: The biggest challenge
is that this diocese is enormous! There
is a lot of territory to cover. The time
it takes to drive to the outlying parish
communities is challenging. Also, there
are the ongoing issues and concerns in
regard to ministry and administration
which, many times, involves personnel issues. So, as I face the challenges
of being a bishop with one year “under
my belt,” I will continue to entrust all
to the “grace and mercy” of Christ and
the Immaculate Heart of His Mother.
As good late Bishop John would say,
“Myron, God will take care of it.”
Father Jim: I want to thank you very
much, Bishop Cotta.
Bishop Cotta: Jim, it’s been my pleasure. Happy Easter to all!
April 2015
7
Bishops Join in Celebrating March
as “Juvenile Justice Month of Faith and Healing;”
Announce Support for SB 124 (Leno) and
Reforms to Juvenile Justice System
by Steve Pehanich, California Catholic Conference
The Most Rev. Richard Garcia, bishop
of Monterey and the Most Rev. Armando
Ochoa, bishop of Fresno, co-chairs of
the Restorative Justice Committee of the
California Catholic Conference, today issued the following statement on behalf of
the California Catholic Conference, asking people to observe the month of March
as “Juvenile Justice Month of Faith and
Healing” and to encourage young people
from throughout the state who will come
to Sacramento on March 24 to support SB
124 (Leno), an act that would restrict the
use of solitary confinement for juveniles
in custody and which would empower and
expand the use of regional juvenile justice
commissions to regulate the use of solitary
confinement in juvenile detention facilities.
“The purpose of California’s juvenile
justice system is not to warehouse juvenile
offenders until they can be turned over to
the prison system, but to intervene and prevent young people from continuing in their
downward spiral of crime and violence. Its
goal must be rehabilitation and its efforts
must be focused on helping young people
and their families change the trajectory of
their lives.
“We are proud to join with the Healing Justice Coalition and people of faith
throughout California in bringing attention to California’s juvenile justice system, and reminding policymakers and the
public that these young people in their care
are often from broken homes and broken
families. They have no experience with
the praise, the love or the family support
most of us take for granted. They are all
our prodigal sons and daughters; we have
a responsibility to embrace them and help
bring them back into productive society.
“For that reason, we are pleased to support SB 124 by Sen. Mark Leno and so
very proud of the Catholic school students
and others from throughout California who
will be coming to Sacramento on March
24 to lend their support to this important
legislation. SB 124 would appropriately restrict the use of solitary confinement in juvenile justice facilities; more importantly,
however, it would strengthen and expand
regional juvenile justice commissions to
reinvigorate community ties and make
sure that young people in the system are
not forgotten.
“All of us share in the love of Christ;
let us never forget that His love knows no
bounds.”
More information is available at www.
restorejustice.com or at www.cacatholic.
org. or contact Kevin Eckery at 916-4432528.
(The California Catholic Conference
(www.cacatholic.org) is the public advocacy office of the Bishops of California.
Representing the Archbishops of Los Angeles and San Francisco, and the Bishops
of Fresno, Monterey, Oakland, Orange,
Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego,
San Jose, Santa Rosa and Stockton, it is the
official voice of the 10 million Catholics
and their many parishes, schools, universities, social service agencies in California.)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given
us new birth into a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...
1 Peter 1:3
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8
April 2015
A Spiritual Interview
by Elizabeth Moreno, Freshman at San Joaquin Memorial
For religion class, my classmates
and I were asked to interview two
people about their vocation, and why
they chose that certain one. I had the
privilege of personally knowing a man
named Kevin Farrow who is currently
applying to a seminary in Denver. I
saw an opportunity to interview him,
and this was his response.
Kevin spoke of a conversation with
his friend where she mentioned that
she thought she was being called to be
a nun. He said to her, “No one is really
called to be a priest or nun. I was called
to love God a little more one day, and
know Him more the next.” He told me
that he is closer to God than he was
two years ago, but that that can be said
about two and four years ago, or four
and six years. He never just woke up
and knew he wanted to be a priest. It
was a gradual increase in the love and
devotion to God that made him realize
God was the center of his life. “It’s not
about what I want. I mean, it is what
I want, but it’s not first about what I
want.” He was referring to what God
wants for him. Up to a few months ago
he was in a long-term relationship. He
was at a job he dreaded going to everyday because he wanted to go back
to Christ in the City—a nonprofit charity bringing Christ to all people on the
streets, but that focused on homeless
people. As he puts it, “I devoted my
entire life — I broke up with my girlfriend, quit my job, set aside my career,
and now I’m giving up my dream of
having a family and kids for a piece of
bread. It’s amazing to think of it that
way. God became man, now that’s
spectacular, but then he became bread.
Do you understand it? Because I don’t,
and I’m about to devote my entire life
to this piece of bread that I don’t understand, and am not fully capable of ever
understanding.”
This reminded me of a quote I heard
in religion class. “If God is an ocean,
our minds are a paper cup.” This quote
captures the immense vastness of God.
Sure, different paper cups scoop different parts of the ocean, and some day, if
all the right people’s paper cups were
combined, we might understand God a
little better, but we can never fully understand Him.
I noticed that he was called to give
up something that had become the center of his life. Kevin gave up his longterm girlfriend, career, and dream of a
family. He did this to be closer to God
our creator. Kevin said, “Atheists truly
believe we have no purpose in life. I
can’t imagine not having a purpose. If
there is no purpose, then why are we
here?”
This has really helped me. In my
trek to be closer to God I find myself
challenging and questioning his existence. Now I find myself faced with
this seemingly irrefutable fact that we
don’t exist to simply exist. We exist to
become closer to God before joining
him in heaven. Knowledge, pleasure,
wealth, fame, these things have no value in the long run. We were made to
glorify the Lord. We have been given
the chance to grow closer to him and
to prove to him and everyone else that
we are in fact good enough to be in the
same place as God. So if we have been
given this literally once in a lifetime
chance, why not take it?
Forming Students in Faith and Service
by Madison Laval, Junior at San Joaquin Memorial
Faith and service are major components of San Joaquin Memorial’s education program.
“It is all about learning,” said Kathleen DeSantis, the Service Education
Coordinator at SJM.
The Service Learning Program allows students to grow in their faith personally and socially, while promoting
camaraderie and leadership.
As stated in the Service Learning
Mission Statement, “[Service] is an opportunity for students to gain the skills
and confidence to extend themselves to
others.”
SJM has developed clubs and opportunities to help exercise faith into action. One such club is S-Club, a service
oriented, student-run program with
two moderators overseeing its activity.
“S-Club is very much based on
tradition,” said moderator of S-Club,
Carlie Frye.
Members of S-Club are given the
opportunity to create projects, present
them to the board, and run the projects from start to finish. Additionally,
St. Francis Club, CSF, and Peer Mentors provide service to both school and
community throughout the year.
In a more formalized setting Campus
Ministry is a class offered by SJM and
its students are in charge of putting on
Masses, retreats, and prayer services.
The pupils must learn to create and ex-
ecute liturgies and retreats for the entire student body. Another component
of Campus Ministry are their monthly
run Faith Nights, which allow students
to get away from the stress of school
and pray with their peers in a spiritual,
and fun-filled environment.
Along with the aforementioned activities, SJM offers additional opportunities to make a change in the community. For example, this year they
have offered three Fill the Bus events
where even administrators and teachers joined in the fun, setting a positive
example for students. Fill the Bus service projects included direct service to
the poor and marginalized at the Boys
and Girls Club, Catholic Charities, and
Fresno Interdenominational Refugee
Ministries.
To celebrate the themes of Catholic
Schools Week this year SJM also hosted a school-wide service day. The student body, administrators, teachers and
parents worked to beautify the campus
and serve the needs of the neighborhood.
Faith and service are part of the
foundation upon which SJM was built.
The Service Learning Mission Statement is being lived in countless ways
at SJM “our goal is to empower students to make positive changes in our
communities and thoughtful choices
for the future.”
Blessings in the Name of the Lord
Katherine Pauline Butler Carmine
by Lauro Platas, Freshman at San Joaquin Memorial
by Marilyn Camin
donism, individualism, and minimalism
have driven the city’s youth to utter complacency. Young people are fine with living
in their self-centered fantasy worlds. They
simply do not wish to remove from their
eyes the rose-colored blindfolds that hide
from them stark realities such as poverty.
When I see young people volunteering at
charitable organizations, I often hear them
groan and complain that they are only doing the service because their school requires it and how they would much rather
be doing something “fun”. This is hedonism and individualism. Young people are
averse to service because it isn’t what they
want to do, and it doesn’t give them any
quick pleasure. In the end, these youths
only do what is required of them at the service organization, and with the least enthusiasm possible. This is minimalism; doing
the least one can do in order to get by.
My friends, this is but one example
of how the three pillars are poisoning the
community of Fresno. But take heart, for
there is always hope. The answer to this
apparent plight is simple: God. God the
Son is the way, the truth, and the life. It is
in Him alone that the remedy to all poisons
is found. So I urge you to pray earnestly
and fervently for Fresno and its people.
Go to Mass, and truly listen to the priest
and all the beautiful words of Liturgy. Pay
attention to every ritual, even if you do
not understand. It is within these sacred
mysteries that is contained the source of
all life: Christ. Come to Him faithfully in
the Eucharist. Receive Him at Mass and
spend time in His presence when your local church exposes the Blessed Sacrament.
Tell him your problems and ask Him your
questions. Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist, is a person; He loves you tremendously. It is in consuming the Eucharist
that you are made one with Jesus himself!
Have faith, my friends, that you are consuming far more than bread, but indeed are
taking into your mouth the Creator of the
universe. I challenge you all to rip the rosecolored blindfolds from your eyes and refuse to be complacent and indifferent about
reality. Go, drive out to places like G Street
in Downtown Fresno. There you will witness many homeless people living on sidewalk curbs in cardboard huts and trash bag
tents: this is the world we live in. I dare
you to rise together out of the darkness and
help your suffering brothers and sisters!
Remember the words of Pope Benedict
XVI: “The world offers you comfort. But
you were not made for comfort. You were
made for greatness!”
I love you my friends, and I end my
letter to you now with faith that God will
guide you in His ways. May the blessings,
graces, peace, and joy of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you and remain with you
always. Amen.
St. Agustine taught us that by singing,
you are praying twice! St. Helen’s choir is
truly blessed to include Kathy Carmine,
who by her faith and singing has embraced
this lesson and continues to pray through
song!
At 98 years old – born April 15, 1916
– she is an inspiration to everyone around
her. Kathy was always involved in music
and has been a member of various singing
groups. As a member of the Sacred Heart
Choir she sang for Pope John Paul II when
he came to Dodger Stadium and the Coliseum in Los Angeles in 1987. She was a
performer in the New Wrinkles productions in Fresno for many years. In addition to currently singing in the St. Helen’s
choir, she also is a singer in the Retired
Teachers Chorus. (Although her memory
slips on occasion and her hearing gives her
problems – she always sings in
perfect pitch!)
Kathy was the middle daughter of James and Pauline Butler,
having an older sister Jane Marie
and a younger sister Patricia. She
is proud of her Irish heritage, as
both her mother and father were
Irish. Raised in Fresno, she attended St. John’s school and
later attended Fresno State and
became a teacher. In 1943 she
enlisted in the Women’s Army
Corps (WAC) and completed
basic training in Des Moines,
IA. She arrived in New Guinea
in September 1944 and worked
on the base in the executive office until 1945. After returning to
Fresno she was very involved in
the American Legion, Post 509
and was a Post Commander. She
married Les Carmine, who was
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also a veteran, in the early 1970’s. (Les
passed away in the late 1970’s.) Kathy
worked for Fresno-Madera Farm Credit,
from which she retired.
Although she never talks about it, Kathy
is also an accomplished artist who has
completed countless painting in oil and
watercolor. She has sold her artwork and
also won awards in various art competitions. Kathy loved to go to Yosemite to get
inspiration for her artwork and continually
took classes.
Kathy is a devout Catholic and has rarely
missed a Mass or Holy Day. Her faith gives
her strength to be the independent positive
person she is. She is always interested in
all aspects of life and wants to keep learning and enjoying every day. Her secret to
her longevity has been to keep busy and be
involved with others.
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My Dear Friends of Fresno,
I, Lauro Platas, a freshman in San Joaquin Memorial and a disciple of Christ
called by the will of God, send you many
blessings in the name of our Lord. May His
peace, grace, and guidance remain with
you always. I write to you now with great
urgency and excitement, for the hour to rise
above your failings and complacency is at
hand. Today is the day to rise and unite as
Christ’s body, to do good works, and grow
in holiness. I beg you to dare to step out of
the comfort of the sidelines and onto the
battlefield for Jesus.
My friends, I have lived in your city for
fifteen years as of now and have observed
a great many things about you. I commend
you for your beautiful organizations devoted to the poor, namely Catholic Charities, St. Martha’s Pantry, and the Poverello
House. Your Diocese’s great dedication to
the education of its youth is wonderful and
wise, since it is in the hands of these young
people that the future of our world rests.
But it is with the youth of Fresno in mind
that I must bring to your attention in all
honesty, my friends, those areas in which
you must improve.
The people of Fresno are plagued by
complacency and apathy. Young people are
growing up with the lies of the mainstream
media coursing through their veins. Step
outside your house and drive to places like
Fashion Fair Mall, River Park, Sierra Vista
Mall, or any public area and you will witness the saddening state in which we are.
Here is where the youth gather in throngs,
with their noses pointed always down at
their phones or up in the air. Their conversations are worldly—that is, focused on
material, self-centered wants. They complain about not having enough luxuries or
of not leading a life in conformity to society’s status quo. In short, young people
are enslaved to what author Matthew Kelley calls the three ugly pillars of the modern culture: hedonism, individualism, and
minimalism. Hedonism is driven by the
motto: “If it feels good, do it.” It worships
excessive pleasure, mistaking it for happiness, and teaches that any and all suffering
is evil. Individualism is self-centeredness.
It teaches people to always ask, “What’s
in it for me?” If something is of no advantage to an individual, then it is a waste of
time. Minimalism is a branch of sloth, or
laziness. It teaches people to take the easy
way out, to meet only the standard requirements to survive in any given situation. My
friends, these are the masters of not only
the youth, but all people who live according to our culture’s ways! They destroy and
corrupt the hearts, minds, and lifestyles of
many, making them egoistic and slow to do
good works.
Fresno has a high population of homeless people who are need of help. But he-
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April 2015
9
The Homeless and You
by Bill Lynam, member of the Bishops’ Committee on Homelessness
Every Catholic, all Christians, and other
people of good will are called upon to develop an attitude of respect for the dignity
of the homeless. These individuals, generally the poorest of the poor, all possess a
soul and a human dignity befitting every
child of God,
Some individuals, who as a result of poor
personal choices aggravated by medical
health, mental health, or behavioral health
problems, wind up homeless. Poor educational preparation and no salable job skills
only complicate their problems. Other individuals experience dislocation caused
by social, financial, economic, and technological changes. Many of these changes
are out of the individual’s control but they
still lead to homelessness. In 2014, seventy
three percent (73%) of the homeless people
in Fresno City and County live in unsheltered conditions that are not fit for human
habitation.
“Recovery” is a prize that some will
achieve but many will find it beyond their
grasp. This reality is due to the difficulty of
the challenge.
Homeless individuals who can stabilize their lives and embrace the goal of recovery need to be provided with necessary
services and permanent housing. Since the
demand for permanent housing exceeds
the supply, it would be prudent to utilize
transitional housing during the recovery
period.
Individuals, who are unable to achieve
recovery, need to be provided with supportive services and longer term housing.
This housing should provide, as a minimum, personal shelter, warmth, and safety.
In addition, these facilities need to provide
accommodations for feeding, sanitation,
personal hygiene, and facilities to wash
and dry clothes.
In addition to the argument of human
dignity of the individual, what is the justification for spending public and private dollars to maintain a homeless person in habitable housing? If government and business
leaders plus the tax payers choose to ignore
the reality of homelessness, all will find
an ongoing cost to provide services to the
homeless population. These costs include
expenditures for services such as police,
fire, and ambulance responses. Hospitals
experience higher utilization of emergency
rooms and hospital beds. The County’s
Social Welfare and its Mental and Behavioral Health units will also continue to incur cost to provide services to the unsheltered homeless. By moving the unsheltered
homeless individuals off the street and into
habitable housing, lives will be extended
How Fresno’s Faith Community Can Serve the Homeless
and costs will be reduced.
The homeless count in 2014 in Fresno
County is 603, in Madera County is 106,
a total of 719, but these are the sheltered
homeless. The unsheltered homeless is
1662 in Fresno and 221 in Madera for a
grand total of 2265 in Fresno, and 327 in
Madera.
Local experts, however, believe the
homeless population could be higher than
this reported total. The Fresno Bee reported (September 10, 2014) that 3729 Fresno
Unified students were homeless in 2013.
The breakdowns of sheltered verses unsheltered students were not reported.
It is believed that the number of sheltered individual has increased and the
number of unsheltered has decreased.
Consider, though, that there are still 1662
homeless individuals living in unsheltered
conditions in the City and County of Fresno every night.
The majority of these people live in the
greater Fresno area and tends to be males
(88.3%).
How can you make a difference in reducing homelessness? First, every person
is encouraged to pray and to thank their
creator for the bounty they have received.
Second, each person is encouraged to pray
for a reduction in homelessness, especially
the unsheltered.
Each person is encouraged to consider
sharing a fair measure of their time, talents,
and treasury. A few examples are offered
for your consideration.
Time: Teach GED Classes, or provide
citizenship training. Join the Wings Program (a program to help individuals move
into permanent housing). Help acquire
documents needed for application, or secure donated furniture, or help a person
move in and get set up. There is always a
need to develop a supply of new housing
stock.
Treasury: Future help will be needed to
raise funds for a new walk in shelter. Assistance will be needed with grant writing,
fund raising, and development of programs
for end of life giving. Personal monthly donations to cover operating expenses would
also be welcome.
Talents: What talents, skills or relationships do you possess that will benefit a
non-profit?
- Small business owners are encouraged
to consider hiring a pre-screened homeless
job seeker for employment. The individual
benefits by earning a pay check and learns
the discipline of work. New job skills are
either learned or updated.
- Retired individuals in fields such as
marketing, public relations, computer
hardware and software could make meaningful contributions.
by Marianne LeCompte, member of the Bishops’ Committee on Homelessness
Like many people of faith, you may
have helped or befriended some of Fresno’s reported 1,662 homeless people.
That’s the officially documented count,
but local experts estimate the homeless
population could actually be several times
that number. In fact, Fresno has the thirdhighest percentage concentration of homeless in the United States. In 2014, a group
of committed citizens, led by the Diocese
of Fresno Bishops’ Homeless Advocacy
First, Wings raised funds to pay for California identification cards and birth certificates needed by individuals to qualify for
housing. Then the group organized volunteers to assist homeless men and women
fill out forms and navigate the application
process at the local DMV and Hall of Records. When needed, Wings also provides
transportation and accompanies homeless
clients to obtain documents. During their
first 6 months, Wings
volunteers helped people obtain 34 California
identification cards, 25
Fresno County birth
certificates and 21 outof-county birth certificates.
After individuals are
given housing, agencies and volunteers are
well aware that the new
residents have no furnishings with which to
fill a home. So Wings
expanded its services
Wings photo with Karen Goodman and Marianne LeCompte to include providing
gently used furnishings
planning for a big delivery from Wings warehouse.
and welcome boxes
filled with cleaning and
Committee, launched Wings Fresno to lekitchen
supplies
for
the newly housed. This
verage the efforts of multiple faith-based
includes
pickup
and
delivery of donated
congregations. Inspired and trained by the
furnishings
from
friends,
family, and memsuccessful Wings program in Santa Cruz,
bers
of
congregations
all
over the greater
Wings members worked for almost two
Fresno/Clovis
area.
years to study, plan and organize a program
In addition, volunteers form teams of
that would increase the positive impact
two
to build a relationship with a recently
volunteers from the faith community could
housed
individual to help him or her dehave on the lives of the homeless.
velop
the
life skills needed to remain sucWings’ close collaboration with Fresno
cessfully
housed.
This caring, long-term
County agencies while planning outreach
relationship
supports
the services provided
and advocacy programs led it to be the only
by
agency
case
managers.
volunteer group invited to participate in
Members of the Diocese of Fresno can
the 25 Cities Initiative, a national program
participate
in the Wings Fresno ministry in
tasked with ending veteran and chronic
several
ways.
They would be enthusiastihomelessness in 25 U.S. cities with high
cally
welcomed
to join the group as a reguconcentrations of homeless. Through close
lar
volunteer
in
a
variety of roles, they can
coordination with the agencies, Wings
encourage
their
congregation
to support
Fresno has developed specific services in
Wings,
or
they
can
make
a
tax-deductible
which the faith community can expedite
the journey from the streets to home. Mari- contribution. Information is available on
anne LeCompte, a leader of Wings Fresno the group’s website, wingsfresno.org, or by
and member of St. Helen parish, said, sending an email for further information to
“Wings is committed and excited to bring [email protected].
the whole faith community into the fight
against homelessness in Fresno.”
10
April 2015
Human Trafficking
Trafficking, sexual slavery, child prostitution ... all are gross violations of human
dignity and demand urgent attention.
If you are a resident of the U.S., urge
your senators to support the End Slavery
Initiative of 2015.
Learn more about the annual National
Weekend of Prayer to End Slavery and
Trafficking (held every January), by clicking on these words as a website.
For many years, Maryknoll missioners
have worked with people who have been
trafficked ... for example, today Sr. Helene
O’Sullivan works with women who endured sexual slavery in Phnom Penh.
It is time for a new abolitionist movement -- a movement to raise awareness of
and work to stop the illegal and inhuman
trafficking of people. Tens of millions of
people are enslaved around the world today, working in factories, private homes,
farms, and as sex workers. We must work
together to end the use of humans as commodities.
Check out a Maryknoll-produced film
on the connections between migration and
human trafficking: Lives for Sale (website).
Listen to Sr. Helene O’Sullivan describe
the anti-trafficking work in Cambodia in a
story entitled Shackled on Maryknoll’s radio program, Voices of our World. In two
parts, each 14 minutes.
President Obama spoke forcefully about
modern slavery during his September 25,
2012 remarks at the Clinton Global Initiative: “... Modern anti-trafficking laws must
be passed and enforced and justice systems must be strengthened. Victims must
be cared for. So here in the United States,
Congress should renew the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. ... And more
broadly, as nations, let’s recommit to addressing the underlying forces that push so
many into bondage in the first place. With
development and economic growth that
creates legitimate jobs, there’s less likelihood of indentured servitude around the
globe. A sense of justice that says no child
should ever be exploited, that has to be
burned into the cultures of every country.
... [Our] global economy companies have a
responsibility to make sure that their supply chains, stretching into the far corners of
the globe, are free of forced labor. ... Every
faith community can take action as well,
by educating their congregations, by joining in coalitions that are bound by a love of
God and a concern for the oppressed. And
like that Good Samaritan on the road to
Jericho, we can’t just pass by, indifferent.
We’ve got to be moved by compassion.
We’ve got to bind up the wounds. Let’s
come together around a simple truth -- that
we are our brother’s keepers and we are
our sister’s keepers.”
U.S. laws on trafficking in persons:
The Victims of Trafficking and Violence
Protection Act of 2000 (PL 106-386), the
Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003 (HR 2620), the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization
Act of 2005 (HR 972), and the Trafficking
Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of
2008 (HR 7311) provide the tools to combat trafficking in persons both worldwide
and domestically.
Latest UN report on human trafficking exposes modern form of slavery: “
According to the report, the most common
form of human trafficking (79 percent) is
sexual exploitation. The victims of sexual
exploitation are predominantly women and
girls.
The second most common form of
human trafficking is forced labour (18
percent), although this may be a misrepresentation because forced labour is less
frequently detected and reported than trafficking for sexual exploitation. Worldwide,
almost 20 percent of all trafficking victims
are children. However, in some parts of Africa and the Mekong region, children are
the majority (up to 100 percent in parts of
West Africa).”
Garces Memorial Announces New Principal
St. Anthony’s School Fresno Embarked on Lenten Journey
by Lou Ann Durrett, Director of Marketing and Alumni Relations
by Susannah Nelson, Principal, Saint Anthony’s School
Garces Memorial conducted a
year long, nationwide search before
selecting Ms. Myka Peck as the
next Principal of Garces Memorial
High School. Ms. Peck will replace
Garces Memorial Principal, Dr.
Richard Tucker, effective July 1,
2015. Dr. Tucker graciously agreed
to return to Garces on an interim
basis while the search for the right
candidate was finalized. He served
as the Garces principal from 19781988 and went on to become a
school superintendent before retiring. His love of Garces Memorial,
and his devotion to his faith, called
him to come out of retirement and
help run Garces until a new principal could be found. Dr. Tucker
will assist in a smooth transition
and continue to serve as the interim
Principal through June 30th. Of the
new principal, Ms. Myka Peck, Dr.
Tucker stated, “her energy, enthusiasm, knowledge, vision, and preparation for the position all suggest
that the future of Garces could not
be in better hands. I could not be
more pleased than to have Myka
take her seat in this office.”
Ms. Peck has been a member of
the Garces Memorial staff for the
past seven years, serving as an AP
and Honors Psychology instructor, Yearbook instructor, Head Varsity Girls Soccer Coach, Admissions Director, and, for the past six
years, as the Director of Student
Activities. She is a member of the
accreditation team, a department
chair, and serves on the Campus
Life Committee. Previous to that,
she worked at St. Francis of Assisi
Parish School for four years, where
she served as a Physical Education
instructor, Athletic Director, Activities Director, and Administrative
Assistant. She is an alumnus of St.
Francis Parish School and holds a
B.A. in Psychology from Loyola
Marymount University and an M.A.
in Educational Administration from
California State University, Bakersfield.
A Brand New
Parking Lot
A parking lot has been constructed in preparation of a new
15,000 sq. ft Youth Center for
St. Francis which will be opened
in April 2015.
In the photo to the left, we
see Jeff Turman of Turman Construction and Msgr. Craig Harrison, pastor of St. Francis, on
their new parking lot.
Decathlon Champions at St. La Salle, Reedley
submitted by Angelita Lazaro
Congratulations, decathlon team, for an outstanding achievement!
These students exceeded their own expectations in every event. We are
very proud of all of them.
There were three sets of events: Individual, Logic and Super Quiz. For
individual subjects: Claire McGahan first place in Religion, Eliza Sanchez
second place in Literature, Diana Hoffman sixth place in Science, Andrew
Herrera fifth place in Social Studies, Allie Moncada fourth place in Current Events. Logic and Super Quiz are team events. St. La Salle got third
place in Logic, and fourth place in Super Quiz. We were tied for third
place with Our Lady of Mercy, Merced.
Our overall placement was third place. Just to say the least, we are very
proud of our students. We thank them for their great effort and commitment. Also, thank you to the parents for their support. May God Bless you.
On Ash Wednesday Feb. 18, the
St. Anthony of Padua School community embarked on our Lenten
journey. The season of Lent is a
Catholic liturgical season consisting of 40 days of fasting, prayer
and penitence (40 days is the length
of the fast and temptation of Jesus
in the desert, described in Luke
4:1-13). It begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes at sundown on
Holy Thursday, April 2. The word
derives from the Middle English
word Lenten, meaning “springtime.”
Lent is a period of intense
spiritual reflection as we prepare
for Easter. Throughout our history, Christians have found prayer,
fasting and almsgiving to be an
important part of repentance and
renewal. Traditionally, Catholics
give up something for Lent. Many
Catholics now also add something
during Lent, either to address personal habits that need improvement
or to add some outreach to others
in need.
At St. Anthony’s School, we
engaged in two almsgiving proj-
Other Lent activities included
our weekly School Mass; our celebration of First Reconciliation for
our 2nd grade students; retreats for
our 7th and 8th grade students; a
staff retreat; a Living Stations of
the Cross during Holy Week; and
our Holy Thursday Prayer Service.
Let us use as our inspiration the
Lenten message of Pope Francis:
“Lent is a time of renewal for the
whole Church, for each community
and every believer. Above all it is a
‘time of grace’ (2 Corinthians 6:2).
God does not ask of us anything
that he himself has not first given
us. ‘We love because he first has
loved us’ (1 John 4:19). He is not
aloof from us. Each one of us has a
place in his heart. He knows us by
name, he cares for us, and he seeks
us out whenever we turn away from
him. He is interested in each of us;
his love does not allow him to be
indifferent to what happens to us.”
Bottled water drive a success
Saint Anthony’s students completed a successful bottled water drive for Porterville and St.
Anne Parish and
School in February. Bishop Armando X. Ochoa
challenged
the
students to donate bottled water
to this community in which 760
wells have run
dry. Our school
families donated
1,103 cases of
bottled waKids from St. Anthony costumed for their
ter, and one
Walk through Ancient History
of our parects during Lent to reach out to ents donated trucks and drivers to
those in need. At the global level, transport them to Porterville. What
we participated in Catholic Relief a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift for
Services’ Rice Bowl program. Our those in need!
donation will assist in serving the
poorest among us in 100 countries Other spring events at St.
worldwide. CRS is the official hu- Anthony’s:
manitarian agency of the Catholic √ 5th graders assisted at Catholic
community in the United States. Charities in March
Locally, 25% of the funds collected √ Two of our students competed
for the Rice Bowl Program will go in the Fresno County Spell Off on
to Catholic Charities to assist those March 19
in need in the Fresno area. We also √ Open House was held from 6 to
participated in the Baby Bottle 7:30 p.m. on March 26
Project, which assisted in funding √ VIP/Grandparents’ Day on March
the local Right to Life program.
27
A Brand New
Holy Rosary
Church
in Hilmar
Completion is
expected in late
May 2015.
April 2015
11
Prayer For The Year Of Consecrated Life
O God, throughout the ages you have called women and men to pursue lives of perfect charity through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. During
this Year of Consecrated Life, we give you thanks for these courageous witnesses of
Faith and models of inspiration.
Their pursuit of holy lives teaches us to make a more perfect offering of ourselves
to you. Continue to enrich your church by calling forth sons and daughters who, having found the pearl of great price, treasure the Kingdom of Heaven above all things.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of
the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Diocesan Congress/Congreso Diocesano
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2015
This Diocesan
event is for
everyone in
your parish!
PRIESTS AND DEACONS
Featuring: Local/National Presenters
Presentations in Multiple Languages:
 English
 Spanish
 Vietnamese
 Hmong
 Korean
PASTORAL / FINANCE COUNCIL
New Young Adult Track
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
TEACHERS (CATECHISTS)
RELIGIOUS SISTERS
Lots of Changes
by Fr. Jim Rude, S.J., Co-editor
Gosh, but there have there been a lot of changes in our
world!
When I was a kid I remember the signs on Wilshire Blvd
in LA saying that the signals were set for 30 mph, which
meant you could drive from downtown to Santa Monica
without stopping, if you kept at that speed, and get there in
about a half hour. There were no freeways then, but now
some of them are slower than the streets.
Speaking of streets, also as a kid I had an afternoon paper
route, when I biked down the middle of a residential street,
throwing papers to houses on my left and to houses on my
right, rarely coming in contact with cars. About the only
thing I would meet is a Helms Bakery truck, which I would
stop to buy a doughnut.
Another change is electricity. In those days, electric referred to radios, clocks and
lights. Now it refers to machines so small that they can be hidden in the palm of a hand,
and still be able to take photographs and collect them, make calls around the world, and
get information that we used to get in libraries.
Another change is the young people. They’re great people, but I don’t like their music,
don’t understand all their words and when I see young men, I would like to pull their
pants all the way up or all the way down.
But changes include some very wonderful things. The number of streets named after
Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez proves that our world has changed. Not completely yet, there is still racism, but nothing like it was before. For in the good old days,
racism had law on its side. For example, during WWII, Florida had some prisoner of war
camps for German soldiers where the prisoners were permitted to leave the camps under
guard to do work in the cities, but at lunch time, the prisoners were allowed to eat in local
cafes, but not their US military guards who were African-American.
And our liturgy has changed beautifully. Instead of a priest mumbling a foreign language while facing a wall, he is now speaking our languages and looking at us, as the
people also participate in the Eucharist and not just watch the priest do it. I said the old
Mass for a couple of months back in ’64, and I was always confused about the symbols a
priest would make. Symbols are meant to say something to others but no one could see
the symbols the priest was making over the Eucharistic elements, except God, who knew
my thoughts and didn’t need symbols.
And there is the communion rail. Once it was used to create the sanctuary which a
woman could not enter during liturgies, except during her wedding, when the communion
rail was opened and so there was no sanctuary. Now there’s no communion rail.
A lot of changes in our world, but the greatest of all is that created by the Resurrection of Jesus, when his closest disciples finally understood who He was and what He was.
Thousands of people were converted on that very first day! But there is still a lot of work
for us to do. The Resurrection introduced us to the human/divine Jesus and made us realize that God was not the Creator way out there somewhere in space, but our continual
Creator and Lover intimately bonded with us, if we permitted it, if we understood what
God was inviting us to, a life lived with a very close relationship with God. Of all the
changes our world has experienced, no question this is the greatest of the all.
ADMINISTRATIVE /
SUPPORT STAFF
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION
BAPTISM PREPARATION
CONFIRMATION PREPARATION
YOUTH GROUP
LITURGY COMMITTEE
BIBLE STUDY GROUP
LECTORS / READERS
LITURGICAL MUSICIANS
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS
YOUNG ADULT
VOCATIONS
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
Youth Day/Dia Juvenil
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2015
Youth Conference is specific to meet
the needs of the Youth with an
opportunity for our Youth to
interact with one another
Engaging & Dynamic Speakers
High Energy Praise & Worship Music
SOCIAL JUSTICE
HEALTH CARE MINISTRY
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
SENIORS’ MINISTRY
BEREAVEMENT
SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRIES
TECHNOLOGY / SOCIAL MEDIA
PARISH LIFE, FAMILY LIFE,
AND RESPECT LIFE
MULTICULTURAL /
CROSS‐CULTURAL
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
For more information contact:
Diocese of Fresno
Office of Ministries 559-488-7474
www.dioceseoffresno.org
Ministries Webpage
12
April 2015
St. Francis Bakersfield Has a Christian Families Program
“WAKE UP THE WORLD!”
Diocesan Celebration of the World Day
of Consecrated Life
by Kay Nowatzki, Junior High Religion Teacher
by Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang, PDDM
On February 8, 2015 the religious of
the Diocese of Fresno gathered at the Sacred Heart Parish in Fresno to celebrate the
World Day of Consecrated Life. It was a
beautiful morning freshened by some gentle rain. The Sisters arrived early to greet
the parishioners, to socialize and also to
display vocation materials. There were 70
Sisters from 25 congregations/institutes
who participated in the Children/Life Teen
Mass presided by Bishop Armando Ochoa
and concelebrated by the parish priest Rev.
Alejandro Ignacio, the Diocesan Director
of Vocations Rev. Dan Avila, and the homilist Rev. Larry Toschi, OSJ, from Bakersfield. The Mass was vibrant but solemn;
well animated by a talented youth choir
and various ministers. This was followed
by a delightful pot-luck meal at Nazareth
House.
At the Opening Rite of the Mass, the
Vicar for Religious, Sr. Invencion Canas,
RAD, reiterated Pope Francis’ appeal to
religious men and women to “wake of
the world” with their testimony of faith,
holiness and hope … with “prophetic and
countercultural witness”. She also reminded us of the purpose of the World Day of
Consecrated Life that was instituted by
Saint John Paul II in 1997. Indeed, the diocesan event has brought us closer to this
threefold goal.
1. THANSGIVING: To thank the Lord
for the gift of consecrated life: What could
be a better way than the Eucharist? As the
Sisters were entering the church during
the solemn Entrance Procession, one parishioner was clapping his hands and exclaiming: “Thank you, Sisters! Thank you,
Sisters!” I was deeply moved. The act of
thanksgiving was directed not only to God,
but also to the Sisters, whose consecrated
life enriches and gladdens the Church with
manifold gifts or “charisms” and by various expressions of apostolic charity and
service.
2. FORMATION: To promote knowledge of and esteem for the consecrated
life by the entire People of God: The
homily of Fr. Toschi explaining the meaning of consecrated life, the various vocation materials available for diffusion, and
above
all, the vision of 70 Sisters in the Sanctuary
– in full force – renewing their religious
vows before the assembly have impacted
positively the parish community. That
Sunday at the Sacred Heart Parish was a
formative moment not only for the parishioners, but likewise for the Sisters, in the
value of consecrated life. As we renewed
our vows publicly, we felt the “beauty and
holiness” of our life shining through.
3. RENEWAL: To invite the religious
to celebrate the marvels the Lord has accomplished in them, to discover by a more
illumined faith the rays of divine beauty
spread by the Spirit in their way of life,
and to acquire a more vivid consciousness of their irreplaceable mission in the
Church and in the world: The Sisters look
forward to this annual event knowing that
our journeying together brings
enrichment, encouragement and
mutual support. Through the
“mysticism of encounter” with
the Bishop, the clergy, the religious and the parish laity, we are
able “to embrace the future with
hope”.
The following remark of
Sr. Mary Eugenia Pia, PDDM,
sums up the meaning of the celebration:
“I’m sure to interpret the sentiments
of gratitude of my Sisters in community as
well as those in our Diocese by thanking
our Bishop Armando Ochoa for the initiative of celebrating the Mass for the World
Day of Consecrated Life in a different
parish every year. This year we joined the
people of the Sacred Heart Parish for their
11 o’clock Mass on Sunday, February 8.
The church was packed with youth groups
and families … and the people looked so
excited and happy to participate with all
the religious. For me this way of celebrating together is one of the best vocational
advertisements of our witness.”
Let us continue to pray, work and enjoy
together, according to our charism, by witnessing the “JOY OF THE GOSPEL” for
we are signs of love and hope in today’s
world, as Pope Francis encourages us!
For several years, the students of St.
Francis Parish School have been involved
in an all-school program called “Christian
Families.” Children from every grade level
(K-8) meet in small groups to learn about
their faith, about being good stewards of
the earth, and serving their community.
These groups are led by eighth grade “family leaders” who help plan the lesson and
activity each month which is based on a
theme or virtue. One of the goals of Christian Families is to have the students focus
on the needs of other people, and do it in a
way that bonds them together as “family”
by working together to make it happen.
our National Salute to Veteran Patients. The
leaders made students aware that there are
many people who have served our country during war and peace time and may
have special needs when they return home
from duty.
The leaders taught
that some
of soldiers
c o m e
home injured, depressed,
or unable
to
find
good paying jobs.
They
Melia Marquez and Leilani Lam
a l s o
could get diseases much later as a result of
combat.
The children recognized that when they
themselves are hurt, depressed, hungry,
etc., they have their parents to take care
of them.
T h e y
were told
that often
times,
Sophia Camou and Payton Jamieson
veterans
Because of the holidays this month, Feb- d o n ’ t
ruary was a perfect time to talk about our h a v e
two most famous Presidents, Lincoln and f a m i Washington, and how they dedicated their lies who
lives to our country. It was also a time to can fill
Venecia ~ Padua ~ Florencia ~ Asis ~ Roma ~ Tierra Santa
recall the story of St. Valentine and the sac- t h o s e Christian Family Leaders, in back
rifice of his life for the love of others.
n e e d s . l. to r. are Claire Dobrzanskki, JusIn February, the Christian Family leaders Howev- tin Montoya and Megan Kelly.
reminded their “family” members about the er, the
sacrifices made by men and women in uni- United States has an agency called the Deform and how this month commemorates partment of Veteran Affairs (VA) that addresses some of those basic requirements.
The children learned that while we can
never fully repay these courageous men
and
women
22 DE JUNO ~ 4 DE
JULIO,
2015 for the sacrifices they have
made on our behalf, we can take the time to
themCarlos
know they
are not forgotten. The
Padre Jesus Reynaga y let
Padre
Serrano
children
in
each
family
group made “ValAcompanados por Juanita Posadas
entines for Veterans” which were dropped
Lun-22 de Jun: Traslado para el aeropuerto de San Francisco, vuelo para off
Lun29at
de the
Jun: Vuelo
por la
manana
hacia la Tierra
Santa. Asistencia y
local
VA
facility
in Bakersfield.
Roma durante la noche.
traslado hacia jaffa, celebración de La Eucaristía en la Iglesia de San pedro.
The
vets
showed
happiness
to
Visita a Cesárea, el antiguo teatro Romano, las ruinas know
Cruzadas ythat
el AcMar-23 de Jun: Salida por la mañana para Roma, visita al Museo del Vati- someone
ueducto Romano.
Seguiremos
hacia la bulliciosa
ciudadwhen
de Haifa they
sobre el
was
thinking
of them
cano. Capilla Sistina y Basílica de San Pedro. Tiempo libre para el almuer- Monte Carmelo. Visita al Monasterio Carmelita de Stella Maris. Luego de
messages
love andhacia
thanks.
zo. Salida para las visitas guiadas a las Basílicas romanas, San Juan, San read
apreciarthe
la vista
desde el monte,of
continuaremos
San Juan de Acre
Pablo y Santa María Mayor. Paseo en la Roma Imperial, el Coliseo y Arco para visitar
la antigua
fortaleza Cruzada.
Tiberiades.
It was
apparent
thatNoche
notenonly
the vetde Constantino. Cena y alojamiento en Roma.
erans
at
the
VA
Center
benefited
from
Mar-30 de Jun: Paseo en barco por el Mar de Galilea, visitaremos this
CafarMie-24 de Jun: Por la mañana, nos dirigiremos hacia la Plaza de San Pe- project,
naum ciudad but
a la cual
SanFrancis
Marcos llamostudents
la casa de Jesús,
visita aable
la casa
St.
were
droPicture
para participar
en la Audiencia
del Santo
Padre y recibir suya de San Pedro y la Sinagoga. Visita a la Iglesia de la Multiplicación donde
includes
L-RGeneral
Lawyer
Escalera,
recognize
thatdeshowing
compassion
for
bendición. Tiempo libre para almuerzo. Por la tarde, paseo a pie por al- to
aconteció
la multiplicación
los panes y peces.
Misa en la Iglesia
del
Bella
Burks,
Luke
Jamieson,
Jesus
gunos de los lugares más emblemáticos de Roma, Vía della
Conciliazione, others
primado dewith
San Pedro.
Ascenderemos
allove
Monte and
de la Bienaventuranza
y
messages
of
support
is
Castelo SantÁngelo,
Piaza
Navona,
Panteón,
Fontana de Trevi, Plaza de por la tarde viajaremos a Caesarea di Philipo para celebrar un servicio esManzo
and
Jack
Denison
a
way
to
demonstrate
their
Christian
faith.
España, etc.... Cena y alojamiento en Roma.
pecial de bautismos y renovación de los votos de servicio al Señor. Noche
Peregrinacion a Italia y Tierra Santa
Jue-25 de Jun: Por la mañana, salida de Roma para la Ciudad de Asís. Visitaremos la Basílica de Santa María de los Ángeles y la Porziuncola adonde
San Francisco fundó la orden de los Franciscanos y la Capilla del Tránsito
adonde San Francisco murió en el año 1226. Almuerzo seguido de la visita
guiada a la Basílica de Santa Clara y de San Francisco adonde se encuentra
su túmulo. Noche en Asís.
en Tiberiades.
Mie-1 de Julio: Visita a Cana, aquí vamos a hacer un servicio especial
de renovación de Votos Matrimoniales, seguiremos para Nazaret y celebraremos Misa en la Basílica de la Anunciación. Visitaremos lo que fue la
carpintería de San José, el Monte Tabor y Jericó la ciudad más Antigua del
mundo. Noche en Jerusalén.
Peregrinacion a Italia y Tierra Santa
Venecia ~ Padua ~ Florencia ~ Asis ~ Roma ~ Tierra Santa
Vie-26 de Jun: Después del desayuno, salida para Florencia ciudad del renacimiento, visitaremos la Basílica de Santa Cruz, Catedral de Santa María
de las Flores y el Bautisterio. paseo hasta la Puerto del Paraíso, Plaza de la
“Signoria” y el Puente “Vechio”, famoso por sus joyerías. Noche en Florencia.
Jue-2 de Jul: Paseo al Monte de los Olivos para una hermosa vista panorámica a la ciudad de Jerusalén. Seguiremos para la Basílica de
las Naciones junto al Huerto del Getsemani. Visitaremos la Basílica de
la Agonía y la antigua ciudad de Jerusalén, La muralla de occidente y el
Domo de la Roca. Vía Cruces en la Vía Dolorosa y Santa Misa en la Iglesia
del Santo Sepulcro, nuestro día terminara con la visita a la tumba del Rey
David, la habitación donde se llevó a cabo la última cena y la Abadía de
dormición. Noche en Jerusalén.
Sab-27 de Jun: Salida para Padua.Visita a la Basílica de San Antonio de
Padua, el Santo portugués nacido en Lisboa. Celebración de la Santa Misa.
Visita a la Capilla de las reliquias y al túmulo del Santo. Por la tarde continuaremos nuestro viaje para la isla de Venecia. Paseo en barco por las Vie-3 de Jul: Visita a Belén, Misa en la Basílica de la Natividad y visita a
distintas islas de Venecia, Murano famosa por sus cristales, San Giorgio la iglesia de Santa Catalina, haremos también una vista panorámica a la
22enDE
JUNO ~ 4 DE
JULIO,
2015
Maggiore y Burano. Check in en hotel. Cena e noche
Venecia.
iglesia
y Campo
de los Pastores. Cena y traslado al aeropuerto. Vuelo de
noche hasta San Francisco.
Dom-28 de Jun: Después del desayuno,
visita
guiada por
las calles, canalesy Padre Carlos Serrano
Padre
Jesus
Reynaga
y puentes de Venecia hasta la Plaza de San Marcos. Visita a la Basílica. Sab-4 de Jul: Después de una bonita peregrinación adonde hemos conAcompanados
por templado
Juanita
Posadas
Tiempo libre para almuerzo. Por la tarde, paseo hasta la Iglesia de Santa
las maravillas
de hombres inspirados por la mano de Dios, reMaría de la Salud. Posibilidad de hacer un paseo en góndola (libre). Cele- greso a casa llenos de riquezas culturales e espirituales.
Lun-22 de Jun: Traslado para el aeropuerto de San Francisco, vuelo para Lun29 de Jun: Vuelo por la manana hacia la Tierra Santa. Asistencia y
bración de la Santa Misa. Hotel. Y noche en Venecia.
Roma durante la noche.
traslado hacia jaffa, celebración de La Eucaristía en la Iglesia de San pedro.
Visita a Cesárea, el antiguo teatro Romano, las ruinas Cruzadas y el AcMar-23 de Jun: Salida por la mañana para Roma, visita al Museo del Vati- ueducto Romano. Seguiremos hacia la bulliciosa ciudad de Haifa sobre el
Passaje
aereo
lujo Carmelo.
* Hoteles
(3 &al4Monasterio
estrellas)Carmelita
* Desayuno
y cena
diaria
cano. Capilla Sistina y Basílica de San Pedro. *Tiempo
libre
para *elautobus
almuer- de
Monte
Visita
de Stella
Maris.
Luego de
zo. Salida para *lasBilletes
visitas guiadas
a las Basílicas
romanas,
San Juan,
apreciar la *vista
desde el de
monte,
continuaremos
San Juan de Acre
de entrada
a lugares
visitados
segunSan
el programa
servicios
Hotel
* Guías en hacia
Espanol
Pablo y Santa María Mayor. Paseo en la Roma Imperial, el Coliseo y Arco para visitar la antigua fortaleza Cruzada. Noche en Tiberiades.
Impuestos de aeropuerto * Seguro de viaje * Misa y oraciones
de Constantino. Cena y alojamiento en* Roma.
Mar-30 de Jun: Paseo en barco por el Mar de Galilea, visitaremos CafarMie-24 de Jun: Por la mañana, nos dirigiremos hacia la Plaza de San Pe- naum ciudad a la cual San Marcos llamo la casa de Jesús, visita a la casa
C OST
POR
PERSONA
dro para participar en la Audiencia General
delO
Santo
Padre
y recibir suya de San Pedro y la Sinagoga. Visita a la Iglesia de la Multiplicación donde
bendición. Tiempo libre para almuerzo. Por la tarde, paseo a pie por al- aconteció la multiplicación de los panes y peces. Misa en la Iglesia del
gunos de los lugares más emblemáticos de Roma, Vía della Conciliazione, primado de San Pedro. Ascenderemos al Monte de la Bienaventuranza y
Para reservar, favor de llamar
Castelo SantÁngelo, Piaza Navona, Panteón, Fontana de Trevi, Plaza de por la tarde viajaremos a Caesarea di Philipo para celebrar un servicio esEspaña, etc.... Cena y alojamiento en Roma.
pecial
de bautismos
y renovación
y enviar formulario con $400
deposito
por persona
a: de los votos de servicio al Señor. Noche
en Tiberiades.
Jue-25 de Jun: Por la mañana, salida de Roma para la Ciudad de Asís. Visitaremos la Basílica de Santa María de los Ángeles y la Porziuncola adonde Mie-1 de Julio: Visita a Cana, aquí vamos a hacer un servicio especial
San Francisco fundó la orden de los Franciscanos y la Capilla del Tránsito de renovación de Votos Matrimoniales, seguiremos para Nazaret y celeadonde San Francisco murió en el año 1226. Almuerzo seguido de la visita braremos Misa en la Basílica de la Anunciación. Visitaremos lo que fue la
PILGRIMAGES
inc. Tabor y Jericó la ciudad más Antigua del
guiada a la Basílica de Santa Clara y de SanCANTERBURY
Francisco adonde se encuentra
carpintería&
de TOURS,
San José, el Monte
su túmulo. Noche
NocheOffice:
en Jerusalén.
Ea st CenoaAsís.
st O ffice: P.O., Box 403 Goff town, NH 03045mundo.
West Coast
.O. Box 91811, Pasadena, CA 91109
EL PAQUETE INCLUYE:
: $4,895 habitacion doble
JUANITA POSADAS: 518-605-6424
Vie-26 de Jun: Después del desayuno, salida para Florencia ciudad del renacimiento, visitaremos la Basílica de Santa Cruz, Catedral de Santa María
de las Flores y el Bautisterio. paseo hasta la Puerto del Paraíso, Plaza de la
“Signoria” y el Puente “Vechio”, famoso por sus joyerías. Noche en Florencia.
Sab-27 de Jun: Salida para Padua.Visita a la Basílica de San Antonio de
el Santo
Central California Padua,
Catholic
Lifeportugués nacido en Lisboa. Celebración de la Santa Misa.
Visita a la Capilla de las reliquias y al túmulo del Santo. Por la tarde con-
tinuaremos nuestro viaje para la isla de Venecia. Paseo en barco por las
distintas islas de Venecia, Murano famosa por sus cristales, San Giorgio
Maggiore y Burano. Check in en hotel. Cena e noche en Venecia.
Dom-28 de Jun: Después del desayuno, visita guiada por las calles, canales
Jue-2 de Jul: Paseo al Monte de los Olivos para una hermosa vista panorámica a la ciudad de Jerusalén. Seguiremos para la Basílica de
las Naciones junto al Huerto del Getsemani. Visitaremos la Basílica de
la Agonía y la antigua ciudad de Jerusalén, La muralla de occidente y el
Domo de la Roca. Vía Cruces en la Vía Dolorosa y Santa Misa en la Iglesia
del Santo Sepulcro, nuestro día terminara con la visita a la tumba del Rey
David, la habitación donde se llevó a cabo la última cena y la Abadía de
dormición. Noche en Jerusalén.
April 2015
13
Vie-3 de Jul: Visita a Belén, Misa en la Basílica de la Natividad y visita a
la iglesia de Santa Catalina, haremos también una vista panorámica a la
iglesia y Campo de los Pastores. Cena y traslado al aeropuerto. Vuelo de
noche hasta San Francisco.
Why I’m (Still) A Catholic
Rejoice! by Ronald E. Smith, Ed.D.,
Member of African-American Catholic Ministry
Parishioner of St. Alphonsus Church & St. Rita’s Catholic Church
For He is Risen! Easter Greetings from Your Friends at The Valley’s Oldest Independently Owned & Operated Funeral Home Serving the Clergy & Families of the Diocese Since 1893 1121 Roberts Avenue Madera, CA 93637 (559) 674-‐‑8814 Dan Whistler President FD-‐‑125 FD-‐‑385 w w w .ja y c h a p e l .c o m Wayne A. Gomes Vice Pres., Manager FD-‐‑171 STERLING & SMITH FUNERAL HOME
“Integrity without Compromise”
TULARE LOCATION
FD 2106
415 N. K Street
Tulare, CA 93274
Ph: (559) 684-9304
Catholic Owned and
Operated
DINUBA LOCATION
FD 2213
139 w. Mariposa Street
Dinuba, CA 93618
Ph: (559) 595-7940
FRESNO LOCATION
FD 1836
1103 E Street
Fresno, CA 93706
Ph: (559) 266-9711
www.sterlingsmithfd.com
When invited to speak in February at the annual Black History Month Mass at St. Alphonsus
Church I chose to speak about why
I am still a Catholic. In an era when
some choose to leave the Catholic
Church I take pride in remaining a
Catholic. I would like to share excerpts from that presentation.
Does anyone know how you became a Catholic? My parents were
married at St. Alphonsus Church
fifty-one years ago and I became a
Catholic when they decided to have
me baptized. As a child, my mother’s friend Charlene Ambrosini
took me, my brother Tony and my
sister Sybil to church with her at St.
Alphonsus. When I was in about the
fifth grade, my father told me that
I could go to any high school that
I wanted to – as long as it was San
Joaquin Memorial. While in high
school, I was afforded the opportunity to study different religions and
develop values that have helped me
throughout my life. As a senior, my
Godmother, Billo Norris asked me
if I was going to take the confirmation class. I didn’t even know what
it meant, but after she explained it
to me I knew that I wanted to take
the class and I was confirmed by
Bishop Joseph Madera on May 18,
1986.
While in college, I spent lots of
time at the Newman Center, but I
had no idea that it was supported by
the Catholic Church. I still support
the Newman Center today. About
fifteen years ago, my sister asked
me if I would become the Godfather of my nephew Shawn. I told her
yes. She then told me that I needed
a letter from my church saying that
I was a Catholic in good standing. I
admit that I had not attended church
regularly in years, but I started attending and have on a regular basis
since then.
Today, there are several reasons
why I remain a Catholic. First, in
my profession as a funeral director
I have experienced many religions
and religious services and I humbly
say that the Catholic experience is
second to none! Second, the feel-
ings and love that are shared with
the parishioners at St. Alphonsus
when our priest asks us to extend
peace to each other is exhilarating.
People move all around the church
to share peace with others and it is
a beautiful experience. Third, taking communion; there is no greater
feeling than taking communion.
For me, life is better when I take
communion! Fourth, change – our
church has changed over the years.
The Mass has become modern and
it is inviting for all who attend. Music is an integral part of mass with
a variety of modern and traditional
versions of songs being used to engage parishioners. Our new Pope is
open to all and is encouraging all
Catholics to be more open minded,
more accepting and less judgmental. Traditions – we still have our
traditions and are passing them on
to future generations.
Throughout my life – GOD has
put people, places and circumstances in my life that have helped me
lead the life of a Catholic. It would
have been easy to find a different
denomination, but for some Godly
reason I have remained a Catholic.
I truly believe that God has purposes and plans for us all – maybe he
intended me to be in church from
time to time as a speaker! Maybe he
wants me to evangelize to Catholics and non-Catholics; believers
and non-believers; maybe he wants
me to wear my Catholicism on my
sleeves so that in my thoughts, my
words and my deeds, people will
know that Jesus is within me! I do
not know why – but I do know that
I choose to remain a Catholic and I
ask each and every one of you here
to pray for me – help me stay true
to my Catholic upbringing, beliefs
and values as I will pray that you
also continue to choose to celebrate
Christ as a Catholic!
Finally, as I close today I want
to share with you that I am Catholic
today because I truly believe in my
heart that it will take leadership from
our Pope and the Catholic Church
to bring about a more peaceful, loving and Christ-like world!
May God continue to Bless You!
Our family and staff wish you a
HAPPY EASTER
A Reflection on Francis
May God continue to Bless our Pope, our Bishop, our
Clergy, Religious leaders and our Parishioners as we end
this Lenten season stronger in faith and with an attitude of
gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
14
April 2015
What excites me most about our wonderful Pope is
that he knows the past and is not bound up in it. He is
willing to be open to change, which will include bishops
from areas not before heard from [he has created cardinals from sees that never before had a cardinal], and the
feelings and attitudes of lay people. I don’t think he is
going to wildly change Catholic doctrine, but he seems
open to listen and reflect.
—a friend
Why we have a
School
Endowment Fund
“Like good stewards of the
manifold grace of God, serve one
another with whatever gift each
of you has received.”
Our Lady of
Guadalupe
Parish School
I Peter 4:10
Endowment Fund
I n f o r m at i o n al
Br o c h u r e
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
School Endowment Fund:
 Promotes education in
traditional religious and moral
values as they grow
increasingly important.
Helps our school reach out to
other children in need of
Catholic Education


Encourages us to be better
stewards of Christ
School Endowment Fund
provides donors
an opportunity to:

Make a permanent gift from
accumulated assets

Provide on going support for
Catholic Education
Our Lady of Guadalupe
School Parish
609 East California Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93307
School is a community of
Catholics instilling Gospel
values and striving for
academic excellence
Phone: 661-323-6059
Fax: 661-323-1860
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 661-323-6059
Fax: 661-323-1860
E-mail: [email protected]
Would you like a copy of their brochure? Cut here!
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish School Endowment Fund
Workshops / Trainings - Central Valley Embrace
Embrace Clergy Training - Pastoral Care for Prenatal Loss - Friday May 1st, 2015,
10 AM to 2 PM Register: www.bookwhen.com/embrace
St. Brigid Office - 200 E Florinda St, Hanford CA 93230m Our Lady of Guadalupe
Room. Set Up - 8:30 AM
- Provide Working Lunch
- Arrange Parent Panel 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM— 1 miscarriage, 1 stillbirth, 1 infant loss
parent…mixture of mom and dad’s preferred. (could be couples)
A four-hour training workshop offered for Clergy. This workshop will provide the
insight and tools you can use to minister to families whose lives have been touched by
the tragic death of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death.
“Embrace has opened my eyes to the suffering of so many families from a kind of
loss that is very often ignored. The training has given me valuable resources and more
importantly, a great compassion for those who have lost a child, and the ministry has
provided an immeasurably grace-filled and consoling environment for healing to begin.”
from Fr Michael Silliway.
Embrace Volunteer Training - Saturday May 2nd, 2015, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Register: www.bookwhen.com/embrace
St. Brigid’s Youth Center - 319 N Harris St, Hanford CA 93230
Set Up - night before or 8:00 AM
- LCD projector and Screen
- Provide Working Lunch and Snacks
A six and half hour training workshop offered to volunteers. The workshop provides
insight and tools to guide volunteers in ministering to families. The training also includes how to start and Embrace Ministry at your home parish and training on becoming
an Embrace Companion.
“One of the best Saturdays of my life because it forever changed my life! After losing three babies (two miscarriages and one still birth) following having three perfectly
uneventful and healthy pregnancies, and holding all the grief, suffering, and anger in, the
day of EMBRACE training spent with so many others who had walked the exact same
path was nothing short of miraculous. To finally be able to open up in such a loving and
empathetic environment among a group of people who knew exactly the feelings I was
feeling and had felt and could have finished my sentences about the pain and devastation
was incredibly healing and therapeutic. To then follow that up with learning of all the
resources that are available through EMBRACE and gain the tools to be able to help and
support so many others who have faced or will face this tragic loss has empowered us
and done what we would have thought impossible - made something good come from
something so so painful. For us, it provided an answer to the question of why bad things
happen to good people……so we can help others through our suffering. EMBRACE did
that for us and has the power and potential to change many more lives than just ours.”
Kelly Todd a participant of the training and now an Embrace Companion and Parish
Coordinator.
Central Valley Embrace Core Group Training - Sunday May 3rd, 2015 12:30 to 3:30
Register - RSVP personally
Consolidated Security Integration - 625 E Ivy St, Hanford CA 93230
A three hour practical hands on workshop to running an Embrace Charter. It will
cover all you need to know in keeping records, marketing, fundraising, and ministering
to those that serve the families.
PASTORAL CARE FOR PRENATAL LOSS
Clergy Workshop - May 1, 2015 - St. Brigid, Hanford CA
Priests and Deacons are invited to attend
Friday May 1st, 2015
St. Brigid - 200 E Florinda St, Hanford CA 93230
Our Lady of Guadalupe Room
10 AM to 2 PM - Lunch provided
!
!
Nicole Hartman - Founder and President
All Embrace Inc
From Nicole’s personal experience of losing
three babies, from miscarriage, Caine, Lea, and
Cara along with her Catholic ministry
background she was lead to form All Embrace
Inc. Our mission is to embrace families who
have lost a child through miscarriage, stillbirth,
or infant death. Embrace is an act of holding
these families close. Embrace is surrounding
these families with help and support. Embrace
is an act of helping these families embrace the
loss of something so precious and continue on
with life. To accomplish this mission our clergy
need to have the knowledge and tools to
minister to our families in the pews. 1 in 4
pregnancies ends in a loss, we all need to know
how to love and support these parents.
www.allembrace.com
www.embracefamilies.com
!
Reserve Your Spot - www.bookwhen.com/embrace
!
Do you struggle with what to say to a family when their baby dies?
Have you ever said to a newly bereaved mother;
-“You are young, you can have more children.”
-“Best that it happened early.”
-“Everything happens for a reason.”
Do you know the impact of those words?
This workshop provides insight and tools you can use to minister to families whose
lives have been touched by the tragic death of a baby through pregnancy loss,
stillbirth, or in the first few months after birth.
!In this Workshop you will:
-Assess the depth of the grief process of families whose baby has
died.
-Gain, the necessary skills and resources to minister with families
whose baby has died.
-Interact with a panel of parents who have experienced the death of
their baby. Discover ways others were helpful or hurtful as they
grieved the loss of their baby.
-Identify key people within your parish to lead “embrace” ministry.
-Learn practical ways you can minister to families through our
Catholic identity.
Fr. Javier Fayos, L.C. - “The course was very moving because Nicole and the others’
testimonies spoke from their own living experience. I did not imagine how much
suffering there is behind a mother that losses her child. Also it was very practical.
Now we know what to say or propose in these situations.”
April 2015
15
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish School Endowment Fund
What kinds of gifts can be made to
the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
Endowment Fund
Mission
School Endowment Fund?
There are many types of gifts that could benefit our
Parish school endowment fund. A few of them are:
•
Cash
•
Real estate
•
Personal property
•
Stocks and bonds
•
Life Insurance
•
Bequests from 401k and IRA’s
Are endowment fund gifts tax deThe Our Lady of Guadalupe School
Endowment Tuition Fund is a fund
whose main purpose is to keep tuition
at a stable and affordable level, so that
more children may have the
advantage of the excellent Catholic
education we offer.
What makes this gift diferent from other forms of
church giving?
ductible?
Your gifts to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish School
Endowment Fund are usually tax deductible. Bequests, life income gifts and other donations of value
are generally exempt from Federal estate and Gift
taxes.
Whereas ordinary contributions areable to be used immediately, cntributions tothis fnd have permaent
benefit. They remain in the fund and
only the interest or earnings from this
is used. Gifts to this fund continue to
give year after year.
What is a planned gift?
A planned gift to the Parish school is
a financial gift structured to serve the
needs of the school as well as the
giver, such as:
•
Charitable gift annuities, which
provide payments for life, tax
benefits and ultimately benefit
our Parish school Endowment
Fund.
•
Gifts through wills, also known
as bequests.
•
IRA or Employer sponsored
retirement Plan by naming
Our Lady of Guadalupe School Endowment Fund as a beneficiary.
•
Life Insurance, by naming Our
Lady of Guadalupe School Endowment Fund as a beneficiary
of your life insurance policy, or
donating a fully paid life insurance policy.
Who administers the fund?
The Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
School Endowment Fund Committee
is composed of the pastor, the
principal, and a school board
designate. The committee allocates
funds to the school only according to
the fund’s statutes, which are
formulated to insure that the fund
continues to grow over time. On
long-term average, 90% of the fund’s
earnings are allocated annually.
A Decathlon in Porterville
submitted by Sylvia Herrera
The casual photo below shows the academic decathlon team with
Sr. Carmen, principal of St. Anne’s School and Mona Faulkner, Superintendent of Catholic Education for the Diocese.
The decathlon consisted of ten different events. The first one
was for the team as a whole, an Opening Logic Quiz. Then followed eight events for individuals, included literature, reading, religion. and more. At the end was the Super Quiz for the team, with
five academic areas, including religion, science, and literature.
Central California Catholic Life is published six times annually by the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, which comprises the counties of
Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Tulare.
2014-2015 Academic Decathlon Team
Isabella Baez, Ryan Cometa, Marvia Cunanan, Daniela DelaCruz, Paloma Gomez,
Emily Herrera, Katie Land, Marie LoBue, Alegra Negrete and Isabel Sutherland
Publisher: Most Reverend Armando. X Ochoa, D.D.,
Bishop, Diocese of Fresno
Co-editors: Sr. Rosalie Rohrer, IHM and Fr. James Rude, SJ
1550 N. Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93703
559-488-7463
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Diocesan website: www.dioceseoffresno.org
16
April 2015

Jesus` Resurrection - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno

Transcription

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