o
Catholic
Life
CEN T R AL C A LIF O RNIA
Official Publication of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno
Volume 17, Number 2 ~ Nov.
2014
Our Lady of the NewAdvent
This icon is
entitled Our
Lady of the New
Advent. It is one
of a myriad of
beautiful icons
of our Lady
whose life “at the
ready”, always
listening for the
Lord and open
to His coming, is
the heart of this
season.
Proclama mi alma la grandeza del Señor,
y se alegra mi espíritu en Dios, mi Salvador;
porque ha mirado la humillación de su esclava.
Desde ahora mí: felicitarón todas las generaciones,
porque el Poderoso ha hecho obras grandes en mí:
su nombre es santo,
y su misericordia llega a sus fieles de generación en generación.
Él hace proezas con su brazo:
dispersa a los soberbios de corazón,
derriba del trono a los poderosos
y enaltece a los humildes,
a los hambrientos los colma de bienes
y a los ricos los despide vacíos.
Ayudó a Israel, su siervo,
acordándose de la misericordia
como lo había prometido a nuestros padres
en favor de Abraham y su descendencia por siempre. Amén.
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those
who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm.
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel,
in remembrance of His mercy;
as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham
and to His posterity forever. Amen
See more at:
wf-f.org/Magnifi.html#sthash.CGLH6Z94.dpuf
In deep gratitude to God we give thanks to the following Sisters who are celebrating milestone
anniversaries in Religious life and to the following Priests who are celebrating milestone
anniversaries in their apostolic life.
25 years
Sr. Maria Bernardita Nudalo,F.D.Z.
30 Years
Sr. Maria Rodrigues, F.H.I.C
35 Years
Sr. Maria Cristina Caballero,R.S.M.
Sr. Lucinda Fonseca, F.H.I.C
40 Years
Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang,P.D.D.M.
45 Years
Sr. Ana Rosa Guzman, M.E.M.I.
Sr. M. Aurora Magtagnob, P.D.D.M.
50 Years
Sr. Maria Fernanda Armas, F.H.I.C.
Sr. Maria Pilar Borregon, R.C.M.
Sr. Mary Anne DiVincenzo, C.S.J.
Sr. Marie Francis Schroepfer, C.S.J.,
55 Years
Sr. Isabel Lopez de Dicastillo, R.C.M.
Sr. Thomas Marie Heavey, S.A.
Sr. Mary Impellizzeri, S.S.N.D.
60 Years
Sr. Invencion Canas, R.A.
Sr. Maria Rosario Conceicao,
F.H,I.C.
Sr. Rita Jovick, P.B.V.M.
Sr. Margaret Larkin, S.N.
70 Years
Sr. M. Crucis D’Amico, P.D.D.M.
December Clergy Anniversaries
Rev. Joe Baca December 1, 2001
Rev. Jose Luis Rico December 1, 2001
Rev. Renato Panlasigui December 7, 1988
Rev. Francisco Diaz December 13, 1987
Rev. Patrick J. Davadilla December 17, 1988
Rev. Onyema Okorie December 18, 1999
Rev. John L. Congdon December 20, 2000
Rev. Jose Luis Varo December 22, 1956
December Religious Anniversaries
Community Anniversaries
Sisters of Love of God 150 years
Sr. Invencion Canas, R.A.D.
Sr. Carmen Fernandez-Aldudo,
R.A.D.
Sisters Servants of the
Blessed Sacrament 110 Years
Sr. Susana Del Toro, S.J.S.
Sr. Lucinda Fonseca F.H.I.C. December 31, 1978
Sr. Mary Margaret Tapang P.D.D.M. December 8, 1974
Sr. Mary Jean Williams O.P. December 28, 1961
KNXT
Catholic Television
Streaming LIVE on the Internet at: www.KNXT.tv
Programming Highlights
2
November 2014
25 Years
Rev. Dan Coyle
Rev. Hilary Silva
Rev. Gabriel Ruiz, C.M.F.
Rev. Viktor Perez,O.F.M. Conv.
Rev. Ricardo Magdaleno
Rev. Jose Carlos Mendes Dos
Santos
30 Years
Rev. Sidath P. Wilegoda
Rev. Gerald Amerando
35 Years
Rev. Jose Marino Novoa, C.M.F.
Rev. Raul Silva Arredondo, M.S.C.
40 Years
Rev. James LaCasse S.J.
Rev. David J. Norris
Rev. John Bruno, R.C.J.
Rev. Alejandro Ignacio
45 Years
Rev. Charles Casale
Rev. Denis E. Collins S.J.
Rev. Lucas J. Azpericuerta
50 Years
Rev. Stephen Devine
Rev. Don Flickinger
Rev. Msgr. Anthony Janelli
Rev. Msgr. Walter Minhoto
Rev. James Rude, S.J.
Rev. Matthew Vanissery
55 Years
Rev. Msgr. Nicolas Herrero
Rev. Msgr. E. James Petersen
60 Years
Rev. Jose Luis Vega
Central California Catholic Life
The Honduras Project
Sponsored by: Knights of Columbus Council #12085
& Saint John’s Fraternity of Secular Franciscans
Several years ago in 2011 five men came
together at Our Lady of the Sierra Parish
in Oakhurst and decided to do something
about the clean drinking water crisis in
Honduras. We found an organization called
Living Waters for the World. They had a
simple concept that attracted our Catholic
spiritual outlook. All of God’s children deserve clean water.
The road ahead would be a difficult one
and we slowly dwindled. With 2 men left
we invited our wives to join us and we grew
from there. The four of us attended school
to learn how to construct a small water
treatment plant that produces 300 gallons
of clean water per day. The water from the
plant is used to fill 5 gallon plastic bottles.
After our schooling was complete we traveled to the community of Subriana, Honduras. Our visit to the community was fruitful
and we promised to return in October.
The return flight home gave us time to
think. How were we going to raise all of the
money to complete the project? Our trust in
God was rewarded. The Parishioners of Our
Lady of the Sierra supported us with their
contributions. We were able to supply the
people of Subriana with the materials to build
their own water bottling plant. Five people
from the village received training to operate
the plant that they constructed. Eleven young
men and women received training to become
health educators and teach clean water conservation. The trip to Honduras was a success
and we returned October 30 for a follow up
visit.
We received guidance from Bishop Ochoa
and then Monsignor Cotta. Monsignor Cotta suggested that we should join a Catholic
group instead of acting as individuals on their
own. February 1, 2014, the Order of Secular
Franciscans accepted us as a project and we
are no longer individuals acting on their own.
Our new name is Friends of Saint Francis.
Our Team: Juan & Brtha Alvarado, Tony
Tucker, Macy Maginn, Sandy Soto, Ralph Lucas, Rick Jackson, Ralph Anderson & Nancy
Anderson.
Special Thanks to: Knights of Columbus,
the Arntz Family, Frank Clark, the Order of
Secular Franciscans, Parishioners throughout
the Diocese, and Father Joel Davadilla for
hosting us in his Parish.
Masseo, OFS
Four kids possibly on their way to a gang, but
with the Sons they are not a lost cause.
Interpreter Pablo Mejia, eleventh grader
and college-bound, not common among
the people
Graduation for the women trained in Health Education
and Water Conservation
The man waving his hand is Jose Anariba, the
director of the project in Honduras.
The five operators trained by the Sons of St. Francis. The
four men are Jose Ramirez, Jose Ramos, Rony and Jose
Amariba, the woman is Edys Yolando Rubio.
The house of the village president, with one of
his daughters doing the dishes
Celebration of the new water-bottling plant,
with Living Waters for the World.
The original project work group from Honduras,
mainly women. Two leaders are Brtha Alvarado and
Nancy Anderson, fourth and fifth from left in back.
Invisible Children
by Carlie Frye, teacher of Theology at San Joaquin Memorial High School
It was six years ago at a prayer group meeting that
I had the opportunity to rediscover my inner child.
We were using Crayola crayons to draw our “target
dreams,” creating images to symbolize our top five
goals for the next few years. Among my pictures, I
drew a big brown outline of Africa with a red heart
in the middle, representing my precious wish to go to
Uganda. Stemming from 2004, when I first watched
the life-altering documentary “Invisible Children: The Rough Cut,” I had
passionately dreamed of journeying to that war-torn country.
This unsettling film introduced me to the longest-running war in Africa,
a nearly thirty-year conflict that involves Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) striving initially to topple the Ugandan government
and kidnapping innocent children to create and sustain their army (they
have since relocated to remote areas of central Africa). Three brave young
men from San Diego, Jason Russell, Laren Poole, and Bobby Bailey, traveled to Uganda in 2003 and were shocked by what they found: children
sleeping in bus parks for fear of being abducted by the “rebels,” victims
of senseless brutal violence, families desperately seeking their stolen
loved ones, fear and trauma palpable and pervasive.
The filmmakers produced the documentary to tell the
story of this little-known war and make these previously “invisible” children’s reality visible to people
in America.
I was one such viewer who met the filmmakers at
Loyola Marymount University in 2004, and I knew
my life would never be the same. Heartbroken and appalled, I felt a profound sense of urgency to share this information with
others. When I became a high school teacher in 2005, I began showing
the film to my students, hoping to raise awareness and activate a sense of
solidarity with these dear children. San Joaquin Memorial, my alma mater
where I have had the honor of teaching for the past nine years, got more
involved with this cause, hosting several all-school assemblies and hearing
from formerly abducted and war-affected Ugandan advocates who visited
our campus and told their stories.
Momentum surged as our school community collaborated to raise nearly
$22,000 in the Invisible Children Schools for Schools Competition in 2010.
continued on next page
Central California Catholic Life
November 2014
3
Sister Helen Prejean Speaks against the Death Penalty
by Evonne Waldo
Sister Helen Prejean will be joining Community, UCC, in Fresno on
November 22 from 9am-2pm. Dead Man Walking: The Journey Continues
is a lecture about death row, and her encounters and witnesses of people
who she spiritually guided to the end. The cost is $25, and includes a light
breakfast prior to the talk, and lunch at 11:30. We invite all individuals,
however, seating will be limited, so please register at 435-2690. Sister
Helen will also preach on Sunday, November 23 at 10. Additional seating,
with a live video feed, will be available in Hayden Hall.
Sister Helen is a devoted member of the Congregation of St. Joseph and
has been instrumental in shaping the Catholic Church’s opposition to state
executions, and has drawn national attention to the death penalty.
Her initial interest in the death penalty began while working at Hope
House from 1981-1984. She was asked to correspond with Patrick Sonnier, a death row inmate at Angola. After becoming his spiritual adviser,
and witnessing his execution, Sister Helen wrote Dead Man Walking: An
Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States. Her book
later became a movie, an opera, and a common play for high schools and
colleges.
Since her time at the Hope House, Sister Helen has dedicated her time
between educating citizens about the death penalty, and counseling individual death row prisoners. In addition to Patrick Sonnier, Sister Helen
has spiritually accompanied 5 men to their
deaths. Through this
process, Sister Helen
was inspired to write
her second book, The
Death of Innocents: An
eyewitness Account of
Wrongful Executions,
published in December
of 2004 by Random
House. Her books will
be available for purchase during her visit to
Community, UCC.
Invisible Children, con’t
SJM was paired with Keyo Secondary School, and the funds we raised
assisted in building three new wings and constructing a much-needed science building. It was an exhilarating experience, and our school won a trip
as a result! Our Invisible Children Club president and champion, Laura
Stambach, represented SJM by going to Uganda, and shared with us her
poignant adventures. This only sparked more of a desire in my heart to one
day make it to Africa and see Keyo myself in person.
Fast-forward to the fall of
2013, when Invisible Children sponsored a “#zeroLRA Fundraising Campaign”
and gave away trips to Uganda to the highest fundraisers
within two-week spans. Unbeknownst to me, my generous and compassionate
uncle and aunt, Mike and
Mary Draper, together with
the Medtronic medical technology company, conspired
to be my fairy godparents
and donate during one of the
competition rounds, winning a trip for me! It was
absolutely surreal: I was
Carlie with Angela, who works for World stunned and humbled and
Vision
overwhelmed, and above all,
supremely grateful.
This past June I had the joy and gift of finally seeing my Crayola-scrawled
Africa transform into the rugged, unspoiled, jungly terrain right before my
eyes. I met fifteen outstanding women from all over the country who were
fellow trip-winners, and together we explored Invisible Children’s various programs in both Kampala and Gulu, Uganda. We visited IC’s headquarters and met so many inspiring individuals, collectively committed to
rebuilding their communities. From meeting Grace, a resilient rape victim
with a humble heart of gold, and her adorable child, Favor; to spending
quality time with Tony, one of the boys hiding from the rebels in the Rough
Cut film who has since risen to assist IC in their endeavors; to touring
the radio tower that
IC has constructed
to warn villages in
remote locations
about LRA abductions and attacks;
to attending the
jubilant Functional Adult Literacy
(FAL) graduation
celebration
and
seeing adults dancing as they triumCarlie with Grace and Favor
4
November 2014
phantly asserted that they could finally read… it was nonstop inspiration.
I felt like I had glimpses of heaven on earth; this is the Kingdom of God,
to me: people from all walks of life dedicated to justice, hope, and love.
The concept of global citizenship is a priority for Invisible Children and
its proponents, and I feel so proud and honored to be a part of that vision.
Two of the most heart-hitting experiences were going to Keyo Secondary School (at last!), and going to the World Vision Center. I broke down
in tears at Keyo, for this was the very school SJM had partnered with…
right before my eyes! I got to introduce myself in several classrooms and
tell the respectful, uniform-clad students how much our students cared
about them. It was exciting to see the science building and the new wings
our funds had assisted with constructing, though rather eye-opening to
note the contrasts between these newer classrooms and the original ones,
which were decrepit and bare bones. The contrast between even the new
wings and our classrooms in the U.S. also affected me deeply, and made
me realize how much we take for granted back home. The reverence for
education that the students in the IC “Legacy Scholarship” program have
also touched me profoundly: education is their key to triumphing over the
tragedy they have grown up with, and they are driven and determined to
succeed.
Yet our tour of World Vision reminded me that the horrors of war—
while the fighting is removed now from Uganda—linger persistently in
the victims of LRA violence; this center exists to counsel and rehabilitate
children and mothers who have been rescued or have escaped from LRA
captivity. Meeting Angela, a counselor at World Vision, who was abducted
by the LRA at age 14
and survived 8 years of
brutality before escaping and saving the lives
of two children and a
mother, greatly moved
me. Her courage as a
wounded healer—truly
living up to her name
as an angel ministering
to others—I will never
forget. She showed us
crayon drawings done
by formerly abducted
Carlie with some students at
children, which depict
Keyo Secondary School
images of violence and
suffering. This art therapy, aimed at helping the children deal with their experiences and heal,
resonates with me all the more today. “We don’t want children to suffer
any more!” one drawing beseeches. “Love one another,” another urges.
Whereas I colored a crayon picture of my future aspirations of going to
Africa, these innocent children in Africa color to grapple with their past.
I will continue to tell their stories and pray for them, and together with
Invisible Children supporters and advocates, we will keep striving to end
this era of suffering. Cwing.*
Please visit invisiblechildren.com for more information about this conflict and how you can help!
*The Acholi word for “courage.”
Central California Catholic Life
Reedley Knights of Columbus and Frank Camacho Circle of the Columbian Squires
by Angelita Lazaro
After the 5pm Mass on Saturday, September
20th, Msgr. John Esquivel along with the District
Deputy of the Knights of Columbus invested the
new officers of the Knights of Columbus Council
#10264 and of the Frank Camacho Circle of the
Columbian Squires. Dan Brooks is continuing as
the Grand Knight for another year and Dominic
Cacace our first Chief Squire.
A potluck was held at the Turner’s home where
they were presented with the Family of the Year
award. Mike Sullivan was recognized as the
Knight of the Year for his many Venecia
years of dedi- ~
cation and quiet hard work for the Council and
the Parish. The Squires were presented with their
charter by John DeFore.
Peregrinacion a Italia y Tierra Santa
Padua ~ Florencia ~ Asis ~ Roma ~ Tierra Santa
Knights of Columbus and Squires and Msgr. John Esquivel
22 DE JUNO ~ 4 DE JULIO, 2015
Padre Jesus Reynaga y Padre Carlos Serrano
Acompanados por Juanita Posadas
Lun-22 de Jun: Traslado para el aeropuerto de San Francisco, vuelo para
Roma durante la noche.
Mar-23 de Jun: Salida por la mañana para Roma, visita al Museo del Vaticano. Capilla Sistina y Basílica de San Pedro. Tiempo libre para el almuerzo. Salida2014
paraSquire
las visitas
guiadas
a las Basílicas romanas, San Juan, San
Charter
Certificate
Pablo y Santa María Mayor. Paseo en la Roma Imperial, el Coliseo y Arco
de Constantino. Cena y alojamiento en Roma.
Mie-24 de Jun: Por la mañana, nos dirigiremos hacia la Plaza de San Pedro para participar en la Audiencia General del Santo Padre y recibir suya
bendición. Tiempo libre para almuerzo. Por la tarde, paseo a pie por algunos de los lugares más emblemáticos de Roma, Vía della Conciliazione,
Castelo Sant´Angelo, Piaza Navona, Panteón, Fontana de Trevi, Plaza de
España, etc.... Cena y alojamiento en Roma.
Lun29 de Jun: Vuelo por la manana hacia la Tierra Santa. Asistencia y
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 Acueducto Romano. Seguiremos hacia la bulliciosa ciudad de Haifa sobre el
Monte Carmelo. Visita al Monasterio Carmelita de Stella Maris. Luego de
apreciar la vista desde el monte, continuaremos hacia San Juan de Acre
para visitar la antigua fortaleza Cruzada. Noche en Tiberiades.
2014 Knight of the Year Mike Sullivan
Mar-30
de Jun: Paseo en barco por el Mar de Galilea, visitaremos CafarThe
Turners
naum ciudad a la cual San Marcos llamo la casa de Jesús, visita a la casa
de San Pedro y la Sinagoga. Visita a la Iglesia de la Multiplicación donde
aconteció la multiplicación de los panes y peces. Misa en la Iglesia del
primado de San Pedro. Ascenderemos al Monte de la Bienaventuranza y
por la tarde viajaremos a Caesarea di Philipo para celebrar un servicio especial de bautismos y renovación de los votos de servicio al Señor. Noche
en Tiberiades.
Peregrinacion a Italia y Tierra Santa
Venecia ~ Padua ~ Florencia ~ Asis ~ Roma ~ 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.
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.
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
Sab-27 de Jun: Salida para Padua.Visita a la Basílica de San Antonio de David, la habitación donde se llevó a cabo la última cena y la Abadía de
Padua, el Santo portugués nacido en Lisboa. Celebración
de laJUNO
Santa Misa.
dormición.
Noche
en Jerusalén.
22 DE
~ 4 DE
JULIO,
2015
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
Maggiore y Burano. Check in en hotel. Cena e noche en 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, canales
y puentes
de Venecia
hasta
de San de
Marcos.
Visita a lavuelo
Basílica.
de de
Jul:Jun:
Después
unalabonita
peregrinación
adonde
hemos
conLun-22
de Jun:
Traslado
paralaelPlaza
aeropuerto
San Francisco,
para Sab-4
Lun29
Vuelodepor
manana
hacia la Tierra
Santa.
Asistencia
y
Tiempo
libre
para
almuerzo.
Por
la
tarde,
paseo
hasta
la
Iglesia
de
Santa
templado
las
maravillas
de
hombres
inspirados
por
la
mano
de
Dios,
Roma durante la noche.
traslado hacia jaffa, celebración de La Eucaristía en la Iglesia de Sanrepedro.
María de la Salud. Posibilidad de hacer un paseo en góndola (libre). Cele- greso a casa llenos de riquezas culturales e espirituales.
Visita a Cesárea, el antiguo teatro Romano, las ruinas Cruzadas y el Acbración de la Santa Misa. Hotel. Y noche en Venecia.
Mar-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
cano. Capilla Sistina y Basílica de San Pedro. Tiempo libre para el almuer- Monte Carmelo. Visita al Monasterio Carmelita de Stella Maris. Luego de
zo. Salida
las visitas guiadas
a las Basílicas
romanas,
Juan, Sande lujo
apreciar
la vista (3
desde
monte, continuaremos
hacia
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entrada
lugares
visitados
segun
el programa
* servicios
HotelCruzada.
* GuíasNoche
en Espanol
de Constantino. Cena y alojamiento en
Roma.
* Impuestos
de aeropuerto * Seguro de viaje * Misa y oraciones
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
dro para participar en la Audiencia General
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suya
de San Pedro
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de llamar
gunos de los lugares más emblemáticos de Roma, Vía della
primado
de San Pedro. Ascenderemos al Monte de la Bienaventuranza y
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deposito
por persona a:
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de bautismos y renovación de los votos de servicio al Señor. Noche
en Tiberiades.
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S AVisiDA S : 5 1 8 - 6 0 5 - 6 4 2 4
Jue-25 de Jun: Por la mañana, salida de Roma
para
taremos 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
CANTERBURY
PILGRIMAGES
& TOURS,
San Francisco fundó la orden de los Franciscanos
y la Capilla del
Tránsito de renovación
de Votosinc.
Matrimoniales, seguiremos para Nazaret y celest C oamurió
st O ffice:
P.O.,
Box
403 Goff
town, de
NH
CoastMisa
Office:
Box 91811,
Pasadena, CA
91109 lo que fue la
adonde San Ea
Francisco
en el año
1226.
Almuerzo
seguido
la 03045
visita West
braremos
en la.O.
Basílica
de la Anunciación.
Visitaremos
guiada a la Basílica de Santa Clara y de San Francisco adonde se encuentra carpintería de San José, el Monte Tabor y Jericó la ciudad más Antigua del
su túmulo. Noche en Asís.
mundo. Noche en Jerusalén.
Padre Jesus Reynaga y Padre Carlos Serrano
Acompanados por Juanita Posadas
CaliforniaJue-2
Catholicde
Life Jul: Paseo al Monte de los Olivos para una
November
2014 visVie-26 de Jun: Después del desayuno, salida para Florencia ciudadCentral
del rehermosa
nacimiento, visitaremos la Basílica de Santa Cruz, Catedral de Santa María ta panorámica a la ciudad de Jerusalén. Seguiremos para la Basílica de
de las Flores y el Bautisterio. paseo hasta la Puerto del Paraíso, Plaza de la las Naciones junto al Huerto del Getsemani. Visitaremos la Basílica de
5
Professional Masses at St. John’s Cathedral
Blue Mass —September. 26
Bishop Armando Ochoa celebrated a Blue Mass on September 26 at the
12:10 pm Mass at the Cathedral honoring all firefighters, police officers,
and emergency medical technicians who serve the local community. It
started after the 9/11 attack on the East Coast.
Red Mass—October 10
The Red Mass was celebrated in honor of judges, attorneys, law school professors, students, and government officials, and their work for the community. St. Thomas
More, patron of lawyers, was honored at the Mass.
White Mass —October 17
The White Mass was celebrated close to the feast of St. Luke who was
a physician and is the patron saint of physicians and surgeons. The White
Mass got its name from the white coats worn universally as a symbol of the
medical profession. Bishop Armando Ochoa was the celebrant and other
clergy concelebrated the Mass at 12:10 pm also in the Cathedral honoring
doctors, nurses, medical technicians, hospital administrators, and emergency personnel in appreciation for their services to the local community. As we see in the photo, all personnel in the medical field received a
“blessing of hands” from Bishop and other clergy.
Garces’ Plaque—Tribute to
Its Founding Brothers and Sisters
The Advent Season
by Luke Vazquez, Garces Memorial High School Senior
by Lou Ann Durrett, Garces Memorial High School Alumni Relations, Director
The Advent season is right around the corner and we started off with
a talk by Monsignor Craig Harrison about his spiritual journey, sharing
with us how he found God’s purpose for his life while a student at UCLA.
Monsignor Craig’s talk inspired us to seek God, even in those moments
where we think He’s not listening. As usual, Monsignor Craig was able
to connect with the Garces students by making us laugh and turn to our
Father in prayer.
We have gotten into the swing of the
new school year with clubs that remind
us that our faith is part of every part of
our lives. Every club – from the international service clubs like Key Club and
Interact, to the political Young Republicans, to the newer clubs like Paleo for
Christ and Karing for Kids, even to the
academic clubs like CSF and Mock Trial
– reminds students to put Christ first and
to follow in His footsteps in all aspects
of our lives.
Our homecoming week celebration
started
with an all-school Mass, rememMsgr. Craig Harrison
bering that our Catholic faith is what gets
us through everything – celebrations and
defeats, good times and bad. Up next is our school wide canned food drive
during November. Last year, Garces Memorial collected over 11,000 cans
of food for the pantry at the St. Vincent de Paul Center. In December, we
will collect toys for needy families. During the Advent season, it is a time
to remember that our faith calls us to show compassion for others and to
do what we can to help those in need.
This is a photo of the presentation of the plaque by the Garces Alumni
Board to the school, honoring the Christian Brothers and Dominican Sisters who founded the school back in 1947.
Bishop Armando Ochoa and the Garces Memorial Rector, Rev. Msgr.
Perry Kavookjian, blessed the plaque and then posed for the photo with
members of the alumni board and with a member of the first graduation
class, Esther Lozano, Class of 1948.
Members of the alumni board in the photo are: Judge Gary Friedman
’61, Dennis Franey ’70, Dianne Riley ’73, Michael Cerri ’69, John Etcheverry ’53, Joe Munoz ’54, Tom Franconi ’52 and Ken Peters ’50.
Advent Prepares Us for Cbristmas.
Christmas means community, and
for community to prevail,
hearts must bleed.
6
November 2014
Central California Catholic Life
Father Jim’s Interview with
Msgr. Robert Wenzinger, Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua, Fresno
Fr. Jim: Thank you very much, Msgr,, for this interview…
Msgr. Rob: My pleasure!
Fr. Jim: Do I call you Msgr. Wenzinger or what?
Msgr. Rob: Msgr. Rob works fine, and there’s a reason behind that. And that is that a lot
of people have a real hard time with my last name. And so I feel it is easier to just forget
the last name and leave it as Msgr. Rob.
Fr. Jim: Where does the name Wenzinger come from?
Msgr. Rob: It was originally from Switzerland, but it is derived from Bohemia.
Fr. Jim: Bohemia, so you’re Eastern European.
Msgr. Rob: Actually there are seven different nationalities running through my veins,
and two different religions. My mother’s mother was Presbyterian…
Fr. Jim: And I’m glad that you became a Catholic. And became a priest.
Msgr. Rob: Me too.
Fr. Jim: Where were you born?
Msgr. Rob: I was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised on the south shore of Long
Island, in a little town called West Islip, for ten and a half years, and then we moved to
California, first to the San Fernando Valley and then what is referred to now as Santa
Clarita, but then it was simply called Newhall.
Fr. Jim: I remember Newhall, I don’t remember Santa Clarita. But what got your family
out to California?
Msgr. Rob: Actually, what brought us to California was the weather. My parents had just
made the decision that they had had enough of the cold winters in New York, specifically
the winter of 1966-1967 was rather fierce, and Mom and Dad made the decision that
enough was enough. That year my dad was turning forty, so he decided that if we were
going to move, we were going to move now. Why California? It was actually a flip of a
coin, for it was going to be either California or Florida. And California won out.
Fr. Jim: I’m glad we won.
Msgr. Rob: So am I.
Fr. Jim: So you came out here and you went to school here?
Msgr. Rob: Right. I finished off the elementary school in San Fernando Valley and then
I went to high school when we moved to Santa Clarita, and in all cases a public school. I
graduated out of Hart High School back in 1974.
Fr. Jim: And did you go into the seminary at that time?
Msgr. Rob: Yes, I went in right after high school, so when I entered I was not quite 18.
And originally studied for the archdiocese of Los Angeles but then decided, well, the area
that I grew up in was rather rural, and that was true of San Fernando Valley in those days,
but then I came to the realization that things were different in Los Angeles. I grew up in
a number of different dioceses and then one of my classmates who was studying for the
Diocese of Fresno asked, ‘Hey, why don’t you come and take a look at Fresno?’ And I
did and I looked and decided, yeah, this is where I wanted to be.
Fr. Jim: You left New York because of the weather. Do you like the freezing winters and
the boiling summers here in Fresno?
Msgr. Rob: Well, I don’t consider the winters here to be freezing, just a little on the chilly
side, but as for the heat in the summer, I can tolerate it.
Fr. Jim: But you are pleased with the Fresno Diocese.
Msgr. Rob: I love the Diocese of Fresno. I could not imagine being elsewhere—except
for Honolulu!
Fr. Jim: I was in Honolulu for four years, and it never went above 80° and never below
60°. It was very boring. And very beautiful.
Msgr. Rob: Nice.
Fr. Jim: But I loved Honolulu, and I love Fresno, too. What’s so special about Fresno
that you like? The farms, the agricultural aspect?
Msgr. Rob: I really do like the agricultural aspect, even though obviously I am pretty
much in a city parish. I think it is also the people. My experience of the people in the
Central Valley is that they are warm, out-going, friendly people. And I kind of like that.
Fr. Jim: My experience of Fresno is the same way, very open, very friendly. What do
you feel they need that you have to offer?
Msgr. Rob: Oh boy, Jim, that is really a tough question to answer. I would fancy to
look towards the idea of trying to love them as Christ loves them, as Christ loves me, and
does it without condition. And trying to give a sense of what it means to be a follower of
Christ, because I think that people sometimes have a tendency to divorce their religious
lives from their daily lives, in as much as, especially with the social teachings of the
Church, how you can see a disconnect in people between what the Church teaches and
what Christians practice. At times, it can be on the worrying side.
Fr. Jim: Right. When I was young, Friday was always fish day, Saturday was always
confessions and Sunday was always Mass, but that was the only time we were Catholic.
The rest of the time we were just human beings. So there’s work to be done.
Msgr. Rob: It’s basically as I said, there’s that disconnect between the religious life and
the secular life. And trying to get people to realize that they should incorporate the two
together, get rid of the disconnect.
Fr. Jim: When I read an article in the paper about some guy killing people, number one,
I feel sad for all the victims and their families, but number two, I wonder where was the
guy? What did he go through for so long that made him do that? Apparently there was
no religion in him, just a lot of anger. You mentioned a few minutes ago social justice. Is
that important to you as a pastor?
Msgr. Rob: Very much so. And again part of it is a mission. Wether it be in this parish
or just about every other parish I’ve been in —no, it’s every parish—in that you obviously
have the situation of disparity in income, in social status, what have you, the recognition
that at times we do not treat each other the way we should be treating one another. One
of the things I have been involved with through PICO and through Faith in Community is
immigration reform. It absolutely startles me that we talk about being brothers and sisters
in Christ, but is that just brothers and sisters in Christ in the United States, or just brothers
and sisters in Christ? And recognizing the hardships and the lack of hope that many of
our immigrants feel in regards to where they’re from. Do we not then have a responsibility for them? I put it this way: we have a responsibility to help build up their country or
we have a responsibility to allow them to build up their own lives here. It makes no sense
to me, and I know that people will disagree with me on this one, but it makes no sense
to me at all, the idea that for some reason, because these people do not have the proper
papers that somehow, that means that their lives are somehow less meaningful than ours.
Fr. Jim: You know, what stuns me is that there are thousands of children who are running
away from their home and from their countries…
Msgr. Rob: Because they have no future
there.
Fr. Jim:…because they have no future
there, because there is violence there , and
yet there are people here in America who say
simply, they are illegal, kick them out.
Msgr. Rob: Exactly.
Fr. Jim: As their brothers and sisters, we
have an obligation towards them.
Msgr. Rob: Especially if we claim that we
are pro-life. To me, when you say you are
pro-life, it is not simply being anti-abortion
but it also involves the issues of euthanasia,
the death penalty, but it also means recognizing the idea that these people, these children have a right to a life, and not only to a life,
but to a decent life. And so how can a person be pro-life and at the same time basically
saying they’re not human?
Fr. Jim: I am stunned that here in Fresno, which I love, there is still racism here, looking
down on people of color, and what you just said is true, they’re saying that they’re not
human. And that’s really sad. There’s work to be done.
Msgr. Rob: But it’s not just in Fresno where we have that situation, In all fairness, racism
doesn’t exist here in the Valley. It is,sadly, a part of human history. A lot of people don’t
realize that the interpretation of the 14th amendment to include everyone who is born in
the United States is automatically an American citizen was based, in part on a Supreme
Court decision on the Chinese Exclusionary Act. West Islip, when I was growing up
there, was essentially, and Anglo community. Our divide was along the lines of religion.
Catholic, Protestant,and Jewish. Although we all got along fine. However, I do remember
one African-American man who worked for the road department. I remember people,
including children, hurling racial epitaphs at the poor guy. Even as a child, it didn’t make
sense to me. I inherently knew there was something wrong with such attitudes and behavior. You know, we call each other brothers and sisters, but when are we going to treat
each other as brothers and sisters?
Fr. Jim: Beautiful, Msgr, Rob. And it reminds me of the day I came over here to help
you with a First Confession Penitential Service, and I have a basic problem: what does a
seven-year old know about sin? For sin is an evil thing that a person does that is connected with God, and so I am a little concerned. But I loved the way you handled the service.
Msgr. Rob: I think basically speaking, what I went ahead and did was based on my own
experience, with my own first confession and my older brothers how they were teasing
me at the time. And then in the service I went ahead and said to the kids, I already know
what you guys have done, you disobeyed your parents, hit your brother and kicked the
dog. Then their eyes got really big, “Wow, how does he know what we did?” Because
I have been hearing confessions for 32 years. I was really trying to bring it down to their
own level. It is remarkable to me, sometimes, the things you hear in regards to their own
sinfulness, and yet you believe that there is no way that that kid could have done what he
said he did as sin. And so trying to talk with them on their own level and through that to
help them to try to come to a greater understanding.
Fr. Jim: You were superb, I was watching the kids and they were laughing, and when I
heard their confessions, they were very good.
Msgr. Rob: I love the kids. The kids are great. That’s what I feel with our school here.
Fr. Jim: Yeah, talking about kids and your school, you have a helper here, Edgar Briseño
and he did something with the kids about homelessness that I loved.
Msgr. Rob: Oh yes, it was with the Spanish Youth Program, and what they did, they went
ahead and had the kids one night set up a homeless encampment at the school and stayed
there overnight and then when the kids were up, Briseño and some adults went out and
destroyed their encampment, kind of like what happened here in Fresno. And I remember
the outrage that the kids felt and we did it to get across to the kids that this type of thing
does happen and try to instill in them even more so a sense of compassion. And as we all
know, what ‘compassion’ means is to suffer with. That doesn’t mean to suffer from afar,
but to suffer with someone you have to be with them and for them.
Fr. Jim: By the way, compassion comes from two Latin words that mean suffer with,
but the Hebrew word for compassion comes from a Hebrew word which means uterus,
so when you read in the Old Testament that God has compassion for a person, what it
means to the Hebrews is that God loves that person the way a mother loves the child in
her womb.
Msgr. Rob: Wow, that’s phenomenal. I did not know that.
Fr. Jim: Social Justice. You’ve done work with PICO, but you don’t go to PICO meetings anymore because you’re so busy with other things.
Msgr. Rob: Right. This time last year, I started a course in bio-ethics at the University
of Chicago and because of the amount of work that it entails, including being Rector of
Memorial High School, I had to give up a couple of things that are on the back burner for
now, and one of them, unfortunately had to be Faith in Community. There are only so
many hours in the day.
Fr. Jim: But if they would come to you with an issue, you would respond?
Msgr. Rob: Absolutely. There are things to do, but by and large my own personal involvement had to take a backseat. But from my perspective, it is a temporary issue.
Fr. Jim: Something that intrigues me as a Jesuit priest is the whole question of bishops.
We do have a couple of Jesuits who have been made bishops for one reason or another…
Msgr. Rob: And one who was made pope!
Fr. Jim:…right, one who was made pope, but for the most part, do diocesan priests
think in terms of being bishop? I’m thinking of Myron Cotta, a wonderful person here
in Fresno, who is now an auxiliary bishop in Sacramento, and they love him there. Do
diocesan priests think in terms of becoming bishops?
Msgr. Rob: I can only tell you, Jim, that I certainly do not. I’m happy with what I’m
doing in my life, in fact, it actually kind of surprised me when I was given the title of
monsignor, but possibly there are other guys, one or two who would like to be bishop, but
I think the majority of us are happy right where we’re at.
Fr. Jim: And so what you want is to be working with the people of God.
Msgr. Rob: Right. Working with the people of God. In various areas.
Fr. Jim: Is there any last thing that you would like to tell your people?
Msgr. Rob: Just that God loves them, very, very much.
Fr. Jim: Thank you, Msgr. Rob.
Central California Catholic Life
November 2014
7
United in the Feast
Diocesan Congress and Youth Day 2014
by Rose Hernandez, Director, Office of Ministries
FRESNO CONGRES
United in
It was a joyous weekend spent with over 2,500 people at the Visalia Convention
Center on October 11 and 12, 2014! Our Diocesan Congress and Youth Day were
both a great success!
Saturday, October 11 began with people arriving at the Convention Center in the early morning hours. By 7
am, registration was open, exhibits were ready, and the day was underway. By the time we began our morning
prayer, we had approximately 1,550 participants, 60 volunteers, 70 exhibitors and 48 speakers!
Sunday, October 12 was a similar experience with a smaller crowd; approximately 1,000 teens and their
chaperones, 50 volunteers, 40 exhibitors and 6 speakers. We were aided by wonderful youth and young adult
volunteers as well, from parishes in Visalia, Reedley and Dinuba.
Why do so many gather for this event?
One benefit people receive from the Congress and Youth Day is the formation from speakers that come to
us from all over! This year we had our keynote speakers, Fr. Patrick Twohy from Seattle, Washington, and Dr.
Jose Antonio Medina from the Diocese of San Bernardino, both of whom spoke on our unity as a People of
God. Other speakers included Pat Gohn and Allison Gingras from Massachusetts, Ron Lamping from Ohio,
and Miriam Hidalgo from Connecticut. Familiar names such as Fr. Greg Beaumont, Fr. Ivan Hernandez and
Msgr. Craig Harrison are favorites, added with many from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Diocese of
Stockton, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, and speakers sponsored by our publishers. We were blessed
to have a variety of topics and teaching styles; there was something for everyone!
Youth Day offers the same benefit for our youth and young adults; a chance to listen to speakers who
address our youth community and the issues that affect their daily lives. Topics for youth included media,
music, vocations, suicide, and the Mass. Music and presentations, such as a skit reflecting the theme of the
Gospel and the youth Mariachi and Tinikling group who shared their talents make it fun experience for youth
and adults alike!
A second benefit is building up the community in our Diocese. More than anything, it is hoped that the
theme of the day was carried through not only in word and music, but in action. “United in the Feast” was the
theme, and by coming together to share in a feast of words, prayer, and the Eucharist we grow as a community
of ministers, as a People of God in the Diocese of Fresno. Taking the opportunity to gather, to see friends,
meet people from other parishes and connect with ministers of our Diocesan offices is a great gift.
At the end of both days, we gathered in the Exhibit Hall to celebrate Mass, presided by our Bishop Armando X. Ochoa and several members of the clergy, including Msgr. Dreiling, Vicar General. Bishop Ochoa
and Msgr. Dreiling both extended a great welcome to everyone as we gathered in prayer and worship for our
liturgy. There is no place that we can feel more united than when we are around the table of the Lord, sharing
the feast of the Eucharist.
All in all, the celebration of our Diocesan Congress and Youth Day were successful because of the hard
work of our Diocesan Staff and the wonderful volunteers who helped, not only during the weekend, but helping with the preparation of materials, the distribution of registration guidebooks, and many other tasks that
were vital to our success. Our appreciation to our wonderful sponsors whose financial support and donations
make it possible for us to host such a large event. This event would not be possible if not for the generous
hearts that came together in support of our Diocese.
Finally, a thank you to all who attended! We pray that it was a fruitful event for you, and that we will see
you again on October 10 & 11, 2015!
The Office of Ministries Staff values your support and your input! Please submit your evaluation of Congress and/or Youth Day either by email to [email protected], or using the evaluation form on
our website, www.dioceseoffresno.org/congress.
Above, KNXT’s Webmaster Rudy Luna, General
Manager Colin Dougherty, Operations Supervisor RosaMaria Henry and Production Manager
Randy Reed and below, Jim Grant from KNXT
with his brother Rob, who is a musical fixture
in Catholic San Francisco, who co-founded
and chairs
the Northern
California Lay
Convocation
and who gave
two lectures on
Liturgy at the
Congress.
Brenda
Noriega,
from St.
Anthony
Claret, who
works for
Restorative
Justice
Organizing
Project,
and Claude Muncey, the Diocesan Director for
Detention Ministry
8
November 2014
Ministries Director Rose Hernandez, who
led the opening prayer at the Congress.
Greg and Christine Williams from the
Kateri Circle and Fr. Pat Twohy, SJ, who has
worked with the Native Americans in the
Northwest for some 40 years, and gave the
keynote address at the Congress.
Five friends from Our Lady of Perpetual Help
in Clovis, Garciela Tapia, Beatriz Dominguez,
Hermana Martha Arteaga, MEMI,
Ruth Espinoza and Betty Ibarra
Fr. Rey Alcantará, formerly from St.
Anthony Claret, Fresno, Gonzalo
Siller, Seminarian, and Fr. Dan Avila,
Vocations Director
Fr. Jim Rude, Diocesan Director of Social Justice,
Jim Nelson, chairman of the Homeless Committee,
Bill Wilson, former chairman, and Maria Telesco,
dedicated to working in the Prison Ministry
Deacon Gustavo Escrucería from
the Diocese of Oakland, where he
is involved evangelically with the
Hispanic community, is in charge of
the Maryknoll table with a friend,
Hector Secco.
Central California Catholic Life
SS and YOUTH DAY
the Feast
Six of the 70
volunteers at the
Congress are Sergio
Acosta, Isaiah Abat,
his mother
Eleana Abat,
Veronica Rocha and
her son Ricardo,
and seminarian
Andy Ruperto.
Over 1300 young people were present for Youth Day
Members of the Vietnamese Youth Movement,
whose aim is to teach youth to be virtuous
people and good Christians, accepting Jesus as its
focal point, as the source of spiritual life and as
ideal for the life of its members.
Deacon John
Sousa, director
of the
Permanent
Diaconate
“I like Youth Day’s youthful spirit and the different
cultures.”
Dinh Nguyen, Our Lady of La Vang in Fresno
“I love that everyone is very welcoming and
I love the idea of the cross.”
Ibeth Garcia, Holy Family in Kingsburg
As kids processed in the Visalia
Convention Center, they were invited
by other teens to sign “the cross.”
During the prayer led by Andrea
Vasquez, the emcee and new Youth
and Young Adult Coordinator for the
Diocese, kids carried the cross into
the main hall where all of the kids
were. Their names on the cross were
meant to symbolize the solidarity we
hold with all Christians worldwide, the
free and the persecuted. We are all
part of Christ and
of each other as
One Christian Family and together we
are called to share
in that One Eucharistic Feast.
Central California Catholic Life
November 2014
9
Christ the King Celebration Mass
Sunday, November 23, 2014, 5:15 PM
Msgr. James T. Logan
submitted by Msgr. Ray Dreiling, V.G.
by John Harker, St. John’s Cathedral, Fresno
Our Pastor/Rector Fr. Sal Gonzalez, Jr. and the Christ the King Committee, invites you to join us for this inspirational, unique Mass for Our Lord Jesus Christ,
King of the Universe.
Reasons why you should attend
this special feast’s Mass:
The Main Celebrant is Fr Sal Gonzalez, Jr. at this BI-LINGUAL Mass.
This is the 19th consecutive celebration year. The statue of Jesus, Christ
the King, will be carried in as part of
the procession. Flags representing 58
countries will be carried in by many
sponsors in the opening/closing Cathedral procession. No other church
in the Diocese has this unique flag
procession. The Cathedral choir has
been preparing their hymns for this
special occasion.
After the Mass, in Singleton Hall,
there will be a pot luck FREE MEAL
provided by various parishioners, Our Lady of Guadalupe Group, and Knights of
Columbus.
One Hour for Life with Tori Harris
by Brian K. Kravec
Merced’s St. Patrick’s Faith Event Ministry, the Knights of Columbus and G.L.O.R.I.E.
present One Hour for Life – Eucharistic Adoration, Praise and Worship featuring the music of Tori Harris – uniting the Central Valley in prayer for an increase of the Sanctity of
Life from conception to natural death. One Hour for Life is admission free.
Tori Harris is an emerging 26-year-old Catholic singer, songwriter, worship leader,
speaker and concert artist whose star is rising brilliantly on the Christian music horizon.
She recently performed for 15,000 fans on the main stage of Lifest Christian Music Festival and is currently on the road with the While We’re Young tour opening for One Girl
Nation and the Oswald Brothers Band. Clearly, Tori is bridging the gap as she is warmly
welcomed and sweetly embraced by Catholics, Protestants and other Christian denominations alike.
Tori has two albums on iTunes’ Top 100 Christian Music Chart. Adoremus holds the
#73 spot and her newest release – Sweet Dolor – debuted at #2. She’s been featured as a
guest on Relevant Radio, Sirius XM Catholic Radio, Catholic TV and EWTN.
Tori is also an artist representative for Save the Storks, a nationally recognized prolife non-profit organization with a
mission to equip pregnancy centers
to more effectively connect with
abortion-vulnerable women in their
communities. This is accomplished
by providing Stork Buses - mobile
medical units - so that pregnancy
centers can offer free sonograms
and pregnancy tests wherever women need them. The newest Mercedes
Benz Stork Bus recently landed on
the West Coast at the Alpha Pregnancy Help Center in Merced.
Everyone attending One Hour
for Life will be able to tour the Stork
Bus at St. Patrick’s who, partnered
with the Knights of Columbus, are
hoping to attract generous benefactors and raise necessary funds
to equip the Stork Bus with a mobile ultrasound machine. The fully
equipped mobile unit will then be
100% mission-ready and capable of
reaching out to women in crisis before it’s simply too late.
Monsignor James T. Logan was born on April 25, 1929 in Bakersfield, the
eldest of four brothers. He was ordained May 8, 1954, at Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio.
He served the Diocese of Monterey Fresno for 60 years beginning in 1954 with
his assignment to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bakersfield, followed in 1963
as administrator at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Exeter and later appointed pastor in
June of 1967. In 1968, he was assigned to St. Philip, Bakersfield. In December of
1981, he became the first pastor of the new Holy
Spirit Parish in northeast Fresno. On January 1,
2009, he was appointed temporary administrator
at St. Mary, Taft. He retired in March of 2002.
However he continued to practice his priesthood
until his passing.
He served on various boards and counsel
through the years. In 1979, he was bestowed the
Honorary title of Prelate of His Holiness, Pope
John Paul II.
Monsignor was a fifty year member of the
Lion’s Club and actively involved in Bakersfield
and Fresno where he served as their chaplain and participated in many activities.
He enjoyed watching USC and Oakland Raiders football terms and the New York
Yankees baseball team every season.
He is survived by 18 nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial was held on Thursday, September 11 at 10:30 am at
Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fresno. Interment followed at St. Peter’s Cemetery,
Fresno.
Healing the Family
Advent retreat for those seeking God’s freedom and
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Tulare’s St. Aloysius School Spellers Advanced
by Jane Machado, teacher
St. Aloysius School has advanced two spellers and
one alternate to the Tulare County Spelling Championship. Jack Johnson, an eighth grader, finished
in first place. He and second place speller, Lilliana
Silveira (sixth grade), earned spots in the county
competition. Eighth grader Rylan Uchita finished in
third place and will be an alternate. The St. Aloysius Spelling Bee was held on October 17, 2014.
The Tulare County Spelling Championship will be
held in February. The winner from that competition
will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in
Washington D.C.
St. Aloysius Parochial School is proud to be a
part of the tradition of Catholic education that has served the Tulare Catholic community
for almost 60 years. St. Aloysius offers a comprehensive education from Kindergarten
through eighth grade which addresses the intellectual, spiritual, physical, social and creative needs of each child. Enrollment is open to children of all faiths. For additional
information about St. Aloysius School, call 559-686-6250, email [email protected],
or visit www.sastulare.com.
10
November 2014
Pictured from left to right are: Front Row: Rylan Uchita, Jack Johnson and
Lilliana Silveira; Back Row: Sebastian Pires, Alyssa Zamora, Landon Poston,
Grace Jardon, Faith Nunes, Chinmayi Reddy and Michaela Mederos
Central California Catholic Life
1119 K Street, 2nd Floor
Sacramento, California 95814
T: (916) 313-4000
F: (916) 313-4066
www.cacatholic.org
September 2014
As Summer Ends and Drought Continues
California Bishops Renew Call for Conservation, Prayers
On October 4, Catholics around the world celebrate the extraordinary life of St. Francis
of Assisi. His love for those who are poor and afflicted, as well as his deep affection
for God’s creation, is a timely reminder as the Golden State enters the fourth year of a
record-setting drought.
We are part of God’s creation. The shortage of water illustrates how precious, and
sometimes precarious, that connection can be. Tens of thousands of jobs are at
risk and the state’s economy is straining, especially in the agriculture sector. The
images of our neighbors’ homes, churches, businesses and communities destroyed by
drought-intensified fires are even more heart-breaking.
Californians have responded with support for fire victims, greater water conservation
and realistic conversations on future water management. The solidarity and
compassion that guide these efforts must become abiding habits of the heart as
we discern the best way to ensure a sustainable future for the present and future
generations of Californians.
Among the sustaining habits, we urge that all Californians continue to pray as well.
Please join us in prayer for those of us who have lost homes and jobs; the first
responders who put their lives at risk for us; our leaders and non-profit agencies who
organize drought response and disaster recovery; and our children and friends whose
respiratory ailments are increased by the dry conditions.
Let us also ask the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi so that we can all be better
stewards of God’s creation. With him may we promote a deeper reverence for the
human person as part of God’s given creation, especially those most vulnerable and
forgotten. They too are created by God, created to be part of us.
As we work to mitigate the impact of the drought on our sisters and brothers, let
us take encouragement from the words of Saint Francis: “Start by doing what’s
necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
May the Blessings of God be upon us and upon our State in the coming months,
The Catholic Bishops of California
###
Prayer resources are available on www.cacatholic.org.
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
by Sr. Cristina Caballero, R.S.M.
The St. Francis Parish School Family in Bakersfield was doubly blessed on Friday, October 3, as our sixth graders and their homeroom teachers not only raised over $2,400.00
along with tons of dog food and blankets in the 12th Annual Coins for Canines and Cats
service project; they also led families and friends in a beautiful prayer-blessing service
for our four-legged friends!
Every year as we prepare for the feast of our patron, our sixth graders begin our service
projects (every class has a service project in keeping with our Corporal and Spiritual
Works of Mercy) by asking all of our students to collect coins and donate food, blankets,
and items for our dogs and cats. And every year the outcome is grander than the year
before!
This year we will be assisting several charities. We will be sponsoring a kennel at the
SPCA for one year. We have made donations to the following: Marley’s Mutts, Alpha
Canine Sanctuary, and the H.A.L.T Rescue. The dog and cat food along with blankets
and other items are going to the Bakersfield Pet Pantry where every day pet food is given
t the poor families in our community and to The Cat People program.
Happy Feast Day, St. Francis of Assisi!
Elizabeth Bassett, a fourth grader,
and her father, Mr. Tye Bassett
Msgr. Craig Harrison
with eighth grader Jesse
Shelbourne
St. John’s Cathedral Biretta Ball —August 23, 2014
by John Harker, parishioner
St John’s Cathedral held their Oscar Gala in Frank’s Place at the famous
Warnors Theater in downtown Fresno. The theater belongs to the Caglia
family, owners of the Electric Motor Shop. The event had a festival, happy feel and was a very successful occasion. The ball had not been held for
several years and Fr. Sal resurrected it to raise money for the Cathedral’s
Singleton Hall kitchen renovation.
This year the theme for the ball was 1920’s Oscars and guests were
asked to wear, if possible, clothes from that era and many people did,
adding to the festive feel. About 170 guests attended, who thoroughly
enjoyed everything.
Outside Frank’s Place, parked at the curb was a beautiful vintage 1930’s
Studebaker car courtesy of Chapel of the Light. A red carpet from the car
into the entrance added a grand welcome touch.
The tables had beautiful tablecloths, wine glasses and cutlery. The
floral centerpieces were lovely and incorporated miniature Oscars. Also,
every table had a photograph of a 1920’s era film star. Excellent food
was catered by Vintage Press from Visalia. Champagne, wine and hors
d’oeuvres were donated by Anna Maria Di Cicco’s restaurant.
Just inside the entrance, in an open room, there was a full-sized Oscar and a hand-held Oscar presented by Phil Rivas of Sunnyside Trophy
which were used by everyone for taking photos.
Howard K. Watkins of Photographic Archive Project took many wonderful photos of this special event.
Music for dancing after dinner was provided by the Fresno Great Joe
Lenigan Big Band, which was most enjoyable.
The Ball was truly blessed by the presence of Bishop Armando Ochoa,
Father Sal Gonzalez Cathedral Pastor, religious members of the Immaculate Heart Community, the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, and Holy
Cross, Sister Rosalie Rohrer, IHM, Msgr. John Coehlo- Harguindeguy,
Msgr. James Petersen, and Msgr. Pat McCormick, originator of the Biretta
Ball, wearing his robes and biretta hat.
Before the dancing began Fr. Sal presented four plaques to Cathedral
parishioners for their outstanding work at St. John’s. He also presented a
plaque to Sally Caglia on behalf of the Biretta Ball Committee.
Other notable guests were the MC Bud Elliott, local TV news anchor,
Ray Reyes Biretta Ball Chairman and his committee members, Sally Caglia and family, owners of Frank’s Place, Vic Baca, San Francisco Floral,
Gentile’s Flower Basket, and Sheriff Margaret Mimms.
The live auction prizes included two
dinners for ten people, a romantic hot
air balloon ride, a ride on the Sheriff
Department’s “Eagle 1 Helicopter”, an
Elaborate Sound Package for weddings,
concerts, parties, etc. Raffle prizes included two separate sets of Bohemian
Crystal donated by Msgr. John CoehloHarguindeguy, a Samsung 7” Tablet, and
a Fresno Fuego Package consisting of a
team jersey, a signed soccer ball and season tickets for two.
Nico, Bianca, children of Andy and Linda Azzaro, Bob and DeDe
Adolfo Puertas and Fr. Sal
Azzaro of San Francisco Floral and Fr. Sal
Photo credit: Howard K. Watkins
Central California Catholic Life
Erna Bonetto and Fr. Sal
Sr. Dorothy Bushnell, IHM, and Sr.
Rosalie Rohrer, IHM
November 2014
11
Franciscan Jubilarians Served Diocese of Fresno in Education
at the former St. John’s School in Wasco
2015: Year for Consecrated Life
Sunday, June 22, was a day of great celebration for the more than
300 sisters who gathered in Our Lady of Angels Chapel to honor the 28
jubilarians celebrating 75, 70, 50, and 25 years as Sisters of St. Francis of
Philadelphia—1605 collective years of service. The jubilarians processed
around the outside of the motherhouse, their joyous voices singing Rufino Zaragoza’s “Praise and Glory.” As they entered the chapel, the choir
and congregants began the entrance hymn—Dan Shutte’s “Gather the
People,” beginning the Eucharistic liturgy presided over by Fr. Cyprian
Rosen, OFM, Cap.
Three of this year’s jubilarians ministered previously in the Diocese of
Fresno. Diamond jubilarian Sister Nadine Rose Bennett, OSF (formerly Sister Agnes St. Rose) is celebrating 70 years of religious profession.
During her years in the Diocese of Fresno, she taught at St. John School
in Wasco. Sister Nadine currently lives at St. Ann Convent in Tacoma,
Washington, where she serves in prayer ministry.
Two of the golden jubilarians celebrating 50 years of religious profession also ministered previously in the Diocese of Fresno. Sister Patricia Michalek, OSF (formerly Sister Paschalis) was principal of St. John
School in Wasco. Currently she serves as director of St. Francis House in
Puyallup, Washington, a ministry founded many years ago by her parents,
Doris and Stan Michalek.
Sister Loretta Schaff, OSF (formerly Sister Magdalen Marie) also
taught at St. John School. She currently works as an adjunct professor of
religious studies at Marylhurst University in Portland, Oregon. She also
serves as a spiritual assistant with the St. Clare Secular Franciscan Fraternity and for the past six years has volunteered with the women incarcerated at Coffee Creek Correctional Center.
“Consecrated life is prophecy,” Pope Francis
confirmed that 2015 will be the Year for Consecrated Life. “The consecrated are a sign of God
in the different areas of life,” said the Holy Father;
they are leaven for the growth of a more just and
fraternal society, they are the prophecy of sharing
with the least and the poor. Thus understood and
lived, consecrated life appears as what it really is:
a gift from God, a gift of God to the Church, a gift
of God to His People! Every consecrated person
is a gift for the People of God on its journey.”
The special year will begin on the solemnity of the Purification, February, 2, 2015, and concludes on November 21, the 50th anniversary of the
publication of the Vatican II decree on Religious life, Perfectas Caritatis.
Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Religious,
said that the Year of Consecrated Life is designed to help religious face the
future with confidence; and he encouraged members of religious orders to
rediscover the original charisms of their communities, as set forth in their
founding.
Excerpts taken from: Adoremus Bulletin, Vol. XIX No. 10, February
2014
Contact Information: Sr. Ann Marie Slavin, 610-558-7743, [email protected]
by Sr. Rosalie Rohrer, IHM, Co-editor
Advent: Patience and Hope
by Rev. Mike Lastiri, Director
Office of Worship, Diocese of Fresno
In a world of instant communication, smartphones and tablets, we receive emails, texts, news, and Facebook anywhere and anyplace. We are
not a people used to patiently waiting for anything important. We want it
now, expecting it immediately.
Patience is in short supply. We can eat wherever we want, drive through and get a hamburger
or taco. Restaurants are open twenty-four hours.
Everything is open twenty-four hours. Grocery
stores, department stores and other businesses
are open early and close late. Shopping in major department stores for Christmas begins on
Thanksgiving Day. We can get online all day
or all night, order things, chat with friends, and
send pictures to anyone anyway in the world.
So, how does this modern age celebrate the
Season of Advent? It took generations of the Jewish community to wait
for a savior. They too were not always patient, when they created the
golden calf in the desert, since forty years were far too long to travel the
Sinai. They questioned God in the desert constantly.
How patient are we, when an illness comes into our lives? We seek
a quick remedy from the doctor, and if the doctor refuses our request for
antibiotics or a miracle cure, we leave in haste, angry and desperate. We
want relief now. We have been made to believe that all can be delivered
in our timeframe. Yet, often it is said, the things worth waiting for are the
best. We save up for something important, and we have pride in our efforts.
We have only four short weeks of Advent. We listen to stories of patience in Isaiah, looking forward with hope to a new tomorrow, the stories
of how peace could be achieved, how people have their needs met, and
what that new creation will be like, once the King of Glory reappears. The
gospel stories talk about people in the desert, crying out to prepare for this
king, not a king of material glory, of military might, but one of love and
compassion, seeking to bring all creation to wholeness.
With the recent Synod on the Family in Rome, many have waited years
to hear words of compassion, especially for those who are hurting, feeling
the alienation of the community. The synod is another example of hope.
Patience and hope are common themes for Advent. They need to be
common themes in our lives. The Eucharistic Celebration every Sunday is
a calling to patient waiting for the coming of the kingdom, yet celebrating
it in the present moment, bringing hope to the sinner and broken hearted.
The four Sundays of Advent, with their violet vesture are not penitential Masses, but anticipatory Masses, looking forward, reflecting the past
promises, and hoping for the fullness of God’s Presence at the end of time.
Advent Prepares
Us for Cbristmas
12
November 2014
Central California Catholic Life
Marvelous Fall Festival in Kingsburg
Everyone Has a Vocation
by Consuelo Velasco
by Fr. Jim Rude, Co-editor
The Fall Festival held October 5, at the Kingsburg Historical Park was
an outstanding event.
Father Gregory Beaumont of the Kingsburg Holy Family Catholic
Church was visibly pleased with the fantastic turnout at the annual fall
event held at the beautiful Kingsburg Historical Park. All parish organizations participated in a variety of booths that gave family, friends, and
interested persons an opportunity to have fun while supporting the well
planned fundraiser. Father arrived shortly after the noon Mass. He was
dressed in a casual outfit topped with a cowboy hat to fit the occasion. It
was interesting to see how fitting his attire was in the diversified dress
of the participants. His enthusiasm matched the joy that was evident in
the crowd.
Hats off to you, Father, for wonderful leadership. The delicious food
to go was a hit and the service provided by Boy Scouts and community
leaders was unparalleled. Other food was as diversified as the church
community. The market booth provided fresh fruit, vegetables, and nuts
from local venders who donated with great quality. The silent auction
provided a competitive shopping opportunity at bargain prices. Those
who missed an increase in a bid were heard lamenting the loss of a great
buy.
A person who missed the event asked if Father had had the bean contest this year, lamenting the opportunity to join the fun again. Mark your
calendar for the 2015 FALL EVENT.
Saint Helen's Students Are Busy
by Bob Peerson, Principal
The new school year for St. Helen’s Catholic School has taken off like
a rocket. In September we had our welcome back Bar-B-Q. The Parent/
Teacher Club, with the help of the Knights of Columbus, cooked dinner
for over 500 parents and students. We also had our parish Festival. It
was another good example of the parish community and the school community coming together to help the school. At the end of September our
6th grade class attended the Sierra Science Camp. They learned about
nature and about working together to accomplish a common goal.
In October our students were busy with trips to the Pumpkin patch
to find that very special pumpkin for decorating. On October 25th our
Parent/Teacher Club hosted our Fall Auction and dinner. We had great
weather and a wonderful time visiting with each other as we raised money
for the school. On October 28th we had our pumpkin decorating contest.
One of our parents donated enough pumpkins (350 pumpkins) so every
student would have a pumpkin to decorate. At the end of October our
students had fun with Halloween. The students came to school dressed
in their costumes. We all gathered on the playground for our Halloween
Parade. Everyone enjoyed seeing the very unique, colorful and interesting costumes.
At the end of October and continuing into November the school community joined forces with the parish community to gather food and make
food baskets. The food baskets will be distributed to those in our parish
who are not as fortunate as we are. Having students become involved in
community service is very important. It helps teach the children compassion and to be aware of the needs of other people in their community.
One of the problems in our church is that when most
Catholics hear the word ‘vocation’, they immediately
think of priests and nuns. But as a matter of fact, that’s
wrong, really wrong. The word ‘vocation’ comes from a
Latin word which means ‘to call’, and God is calling all
of us. God is calling to every single one of us, because
He has something on his mind that He wants us to take
care of.
Does that mean that we can’t decide to become lawyers or doctors or nurses or teachers or business people?
No, but it actually means that we cannot choose those
careers in order to become rich or famous. There’s nothing wrong with making money. Whoever is in charge of
paying the bills in your family will certainly be happy to
have enough moolah to cover all those bills. But our working goal should not be to see
just how much money we can make. We also shouldn’t choose a career just because we
have a certain talent or interest. Our goal should in some way involve our sisters and
brothers, all of our sisters and brothers. And that includes those who are separate from
us, religiously, ethnically and geographically.
I am fascinated by the Greek word which has given the Mediterranean countries
their word for ‘church’, iglesia, igreja, église, chiesa and us English speakers words like
‘ecclesiastic’. They all come from ekklesia εκκλησια which means assembly, but literally means called from. I’m not a linguistic expert but thinking of the church as a group
of people who are called away from another larger group seems to me should make us
always be aware of those who are not called, or better, those who have not responded to
the call. For, as I said above, God calls everyone.
The human Jesus, as a good Jew, did not use the word for God, Yahweh. Whenever
He talked about God or saw that word in the Bible, He read it as Adonai, Lord. But personally I believe that as He grew in his relationship to God, He did start using the word
Yahweh, and I believe it because we know that He moved on to calling Him Ab, Father,
and finally Abba, Dad. The human Jesus was that intimately related to the Creator.
We see in John’s Gospel that what Jesus wanted us to do was to abide with Him and so
abide with his heavenly Father, with his Dad—and He is our God, our Father, our Dad as
well. John shows this so very clearly in the Greek original, but it is not so clear in most
translations. For there is one Greek word that he repeats 43 times, which in my English
Bible is translated in seven different ways, and so reading the English we miss the emphasis expressed in what John said.
The word in question is menein, μενειν, which means abide. God creates everyone in
the world and so God is Father to everyone in the world. And thus God wants everyone
in the world to have an intimate relationship with Him, to abide with Him.
God calls everyone to such a relationship, and therefore everyone has a vocation.
Official Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Church of the
Immaculate
Heart of Mary
Two Valley Catholic Priests to host
Pilgrimage to Rome,
including a special exhibition of the
Holy Shroud of Turin.
With an unprecedented growth of interest in visiting the Holy City of
Rome, home to The Vatican and to His Holiness, Pope Francis, valley
Catholic Priests Fr. Mike Lastiri and Fr. Tim Cardoso are hosting a PilKevin Jonas, Director grimage to Italy in June of 2015.
Office of Pastoral Music
Art and Environment
Publicity and Promotion
10435 Hanford Armona Road
Hanford, CA 93230
559-584-8576
213-910-7252 (Kevin cell)
www.ihmhanford.org
[email protected]
Fr. Mike Lastiri, Pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in
Hanford, is hosting a Pilgrimage next month to Rome. This second Pilgrimage was scheduled when interest in visiting Rome grew to an all
time high, particularly after such events as the Synod on the Family, the
2014 Synod ending within a few days. When it was announced that the
Holy Shroud of Turin would be a part of the Italy Pilgrimage in 2015,
plans to host the Pilgrimage were immediate, as was the initial response
of pilgrims.
Co-hosting the Pilgrimage is Fr. Tim Cardoso, Pastor of St. Mary, Queen
of Apostles Catholic Church in Fresno, CA.
The 2015 Pilgrimage is from June 9-18, 2015 and will visit Milan, Turin,
Florence, Assisi, and Rome.
On the third day of the Pilgrimage, pilgrims will be en route to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist to see the Holy Shroud of Turin, the centuries old linen believed to be the actual burial cloth of Christ. Pilgrims
will be one of the few pilgrims to view this Holy Linen which was restored in 2002 and last displayed in 2010. It is on a brief display in 2015
to honor the 200th anniversary of St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesians.
Just a few days later, pilgrims will enjoy a Papal Audience with Pope
Francis in Rome as the pilgrimage comes to an end.
For more information, please call Fr. Mike Lastiri at 559-584-8576 or Fr.
Tim Cardoso at 559-275-2022.
Central California Catholic Life
November 2014
13
Saint Anthony’s Carnival Brings Fun to All
Three Rivers’ Guadalupe Grotto Nears Completion
by Lisa Birrell
by Msgr. John Griesbach
Saint Anthony’s Catholic School in Fresno held its annual carnival on Sunday,
Sept. 28, bringing fun to all with activities, farmer’s market, rides and delicious
food. Talented performers rotated on the main stage, as families visited the many
food and vendor booths, won tasty
treats at the cake walk and enjoyed
spending time with each other and
parish friends. The carnival is one of
Saint Anthony’s main fundraisers and
was a great success this year raising
money to benefit the school.
In addition to the carnival, Saint
Anthony’s has many great activities
on its calendar for the remainder of
the year, including:
* Student Government Food Drive,
starting Nov. 3. Coordinated by Vice
Principal Tom Neumeier.
* 7th grade Medieval Mass on Nov.
21. Coordinated by teachers Abbi
Riddle and Jolaine Cornwell.
* Annual Christmas program “All I
Want for Christmas” on Dec. 16 at 6
p.m. for grades 2, 4, 6 and 8B; 7 p.m.
on Dec. 16 for grades 3, 5, 7 and 8S;
and 11 a.m. on Dec. 18 for grades kindergarten and first.
Fall sports thrive at SAS
Saint Anthony’s has had an incredible fall sports season with students receiving accolades for their individual and team triumphs. Noah Menezes, 8th grade,
finished first place in the Junior High City Cross Country Championships. He is
the first SAS male student to achieve this feat. Noah outran 139 competitors with
a record-breaking time. SAS was the smallest team represented at the championships with the boys taking 4th place out of 19 schools.
The SAS girls also had big wins in volleyball and golf. The 7th and 8th grade
girls’ varsity volleyball team finished its season in second place in a highly competitive league. The girls’ golf team took first place in the Girls Golf Championships, ending the season with a perfect 10-0 record. Congratulations to all SAS
teams for your hard work, dedication and commitment.
Guadalupe Grotto, a project of the
Knights of Columbus of our central
valley, is nearing completion at St.
Anthony Retreat Center. Built to look
like the natural outcropping of a massive granite rock at the north end of
the patio, this faux cavern will feature
a magnificent, illuminated mosaic of
Our Lady of Guadalupe, and an altar hewn from a slab of local granite.
Bishop Ochoa will be on hand Monday, December 11, the Feast of the
Immaculate Conception, to celebrate
Mass and to bless the grotto at 1:30
pm during an Advent Day of Prayer
at St. Anthony Retreat Center. For
more information, call (559) 5614595 or go to the retreat center website: www.stanthonyretreat.org. All
are welcome.
The mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe is
the work of Peter Ladochy from Cayucos.
Workers
create
the steel
reinforced
shell that
will later be
made to look
like a cave of
natural rock.
Our Lady of Mercy School Merced Thinks Pink for a Cure
You are invited to an
by Annmarie Felsinger, OLM Parent and School Board Member
October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and OLM students joined the
fight for a cure. All throughout the month of October, OLM students showed their
support by purchasing pink shoe laces and socks and wearing them throughout
the month. The student body also took part in a Think Pink Free Dress day for a
$1.00 donation and shirts available for purchase at $20.
October 22 was OLM’s Annual Mother-Daughter Think Pink Volleyball Tournament and Think Pink Rally. The festivities started out in the morning with a
Fight for a Cure Rally put on by the OLM Student Council and followed up by
the Mother-Daughter Volleyball Tournament in the evening. Both the A and B
volleyball teams were victorious over the moms. The A moms-team even had
the help of Principal and Coach Judy Blackburn who was definitely the star of
the moms-team, but could not hold up against her A Team Lady Lancers —she
taught them all too well. The evening was filled with much laughter and good
times, but most importantly, it was evening that brought the student body and
parents together to support the fight against breast cancer.
All of the money
raised was donated
to the Susan G.
Komen for a Cure
Organization.
Breast Cancer
touches us all and
it’s a journey we
need to take together to fight for
a cure.
ADVENT DAY of PRAYER
“Where God and Humanity Meet: In Mary and in Us!”
OLM Rally Students
14
November 2014
Central California Catholic Life
and the blessing of the
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS GROTTO
dedicated to
OUR LADY of GUADALUPE
By Bishop Armando Ochoa
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception
9:00 am Continental Breakfast
10:00 am Morning Sessions in English and Spanish
12:00 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Outdoor Mass and Dedication of Grotto
Suggested Donation: $25.00
R.S.V.P. Barbara at (559) 561-4595,or
[email protected]
St. Joseph’s Landscaping Dedication
by Erich and Sheelah Gehring
St. Joseph’s in Mariposa, the oldest continually-used church in the Diocese of
Fresno, celebrated with joy the dedication of the completion of its landscaping project on Sunday, October 5, 2014. The Pastor, Fr. Steve Bulfer led a ribbon-cutting
ceremony with an Opening Prayer and blessing with Holy Water. County officials
and dignitaries were introduced. Construction Designer, Marc Farias-Jones made remarks regarding the details of the landscaping makeover. In addition, Justin Meisner,
from Sierra Masonry, Inc., electrician Rob Hambleton and Dave Gerken, General
Contractor, offered their comments as to the uniqueness and meaning of this project
and how they were deeply honored to have been a part of such a special, historymaking undertaking. Along with the new hardscape areas, plantings and lawns, the
changes include an easier access to the church from the front parking lot which enables a person to go to the church without encountering stairs.
A generous gift from the late Tillie Stroming made this project possible. In her
honor, a plaque was placed above “Tillie’s Terrace”. With its freshly painted exterior,
interpretive plaques and new landscaping, it’s a friendly place for tourists.
A time capsule was placed under the new courtyard in front of the church. This capsule
is a testament to the belief that the congregation will be going strong one hundred years
from now when it is to be opened. Some of the items in the capsule include the following: A hand-made rosary, a piece of Mariposa slate, issues of the Mariposa Gazette and
Catholic Life, Parish Directories, and audiovisual samples. In addition, items from the
Sesquicentennial celebration in January, 2013, were included. It is presumed that these
items will give the parishioners and community members of 2113 a good example of what
St. Joseph’s and Mariposa were like in 2014. Perhaps as you travel through Mariposa on
the way to Yosemite National Park, you might visit the grounds of historic St. Joseph’s,
as well as the church’s interior, to travel “back in time” and enjoy its unique history and
charm.
At the landscaping dedication at St. Joseph’s in Mariposa, we see Fr. Steve Bulfer, the pastor, cutting the ribbon
and a group of parishioners burying the time capsule to be opened in perhaps a hundred years. Photo credit Leroy Radanovich
Catholic Action at Reedley
Reedley High School and St. Anthony’s
Youth Group
The annual Blessing of CIA Members
and the 2014-2015 Installation of Officers
took place on Sunday, September 14
during the 11am Mass.
Congratulations are in order for the
President Christian Garcia, the Vice
President Mikki Alvarez, the Secretary
Yazzie Gonzalez, the Treasurer Freddy
Mancilla and ASB Elliot Santos and ASB
Heidi Flores.
Habitat for Humanity House Warming.
On Wednesday September 10, 2014,
Members of Catholic Daughters’, Reedley,
attended the Habitat for Humanity House
Warming.
Our members volunteered to help build three
homes in Orange Cove. They were also there
to present monitory gifts to each of the three
families. Catholic Daughters' Aide Garza, Jean
Gardner and Trish Johnson are pictured with
one of the families.
“See You At The Pole” is about one simple
act, PRAYER. On Wednesday, September 27,
Reedley High School students of all denominations came together to humble themselves, turning to God, and interceding for
their generation. Many Catholic In Action
youths were present!
Central California Catholic Life
November 2014
15
Bishop’s Annual Appeal 2014-2015
Giving God gratitude for our gifts
by Phillip G. Torrez, Consultant
Reflecting the importance of the family in our Holy Church, the Diocese of Fresno
has kicked-off its 2014-2105 Bishop’s Annual Appeal with the theme, “Together in
Faith, Families Sustaining Our Diocesan Church.”
The goal for the ambitious diocesan-wide campaign is $900,000, to be used for four
critical areas that touch every Catholic in our eight-county diocese: Supporting seminarians and vocations, catechetics, family life ministries and youth ministries.
Gilbert J. Haro, director of the diocese’s Development Office, which coordinates
the appeal, says, “All of these ministries are important to the strength and future of the
Church because they assure the education and formation of our priests, provide for the
spiritual foundation of children and adults, help to strengthen family life and marriages as
well as engaging our youth in the Catholic faith.”
Half of the proceeds of the appeal will go toward the Education Formation Endowment
for vocations, an idea of Bishop Ochoa that will be used to help support the seminary
costs of our priests in training who will serve the diocese after their ordination and to
promote much-needed vocations among the faithful.
The other ministries supported by the appeal ensure that our parishes are present to
Catholics throughout the many phases of their lives, from children to teens, to young
married couples and growing families. “With the appeal’s support, our bishop and pastors
will be able to provide parishioners with grace-filled opportunities to build and deepen
their relationships with God and fellow parishioners,” Haro says.
A major focus of the appeal is to foster stewardship among Catholics in the diocese.
“Stewardship is the idea that the blessings all of us have been given come from God,
He has entrusted those gifts to us, and in turn we must share those blessings to promote
the Catholic faith and bring Jesus’s message of love to all,” says Haro.
He adds, “The appeal gives us a way to promote stewardship as we recognize the many
gifts God has given us. If we are His disciples, as proclaimed in our baptism, we must
accept the responsibility of being good stewards.”
As has been done in previous appeals, the bishop has given each of the 89 parishes in
the diocese a target goal, which is based on a parish’s income.
Thanks to the efforts of our pastors and parishioners in the diocese, more than $735,000
was contributed to last year’s appeal, or more than 81 percent of the $900,000 goal. The
results were heartening in light of the less-than-favorable state of the economy, says Haro.
The size of the gift isn’t the important factor, rather it’s that everyone in the pews contributes to the appeal, Haro says.
“As we always say, no gift is too small. If every parishioner contributed whatever
amount they could -- we know it’s difficult right now for some Catholics -- we would
easily surpass our $900,000 goal.”
Success of the 2014-2015 appeal hinges on everyone participating in the campaign,
he says.
“Pope Francis implores us to care more deeply, to love more gently and to give more
generously,” Haro says. “Within all of us we have the power to make a meaningful difference in our parish, our community and our world, when we become good stewards,
sharing with gratitude the many gifts from our Lord.”
For more information about the appeal or to make a contribution,
please contact the diocesan Development Office at (559) 488-7414 or
www.dioceseoffresno.org/baa.
16
November 2014
I wish to purchase a copy of the Diocese of Fresno Directory 2014-2015 for
the price of $17.50, which includes shipping and handling.
Name: ____________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
City: ___________________________ State: ______ Zip:_______-_____
Please send this coupon with your donation (personal check or money order)
to:
Diocese of Fresno
c/o Sr. Rosalie Rohrer, IHM
1550 N. Fresno St.
Fresno, CA 93703-3788
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.
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
Central California Catholic Life