Volume 20, Number 6 ~ June 2017
Pentecost the Descent of the Spirit
The same Spirit descends on everyone so we must work with and for all.
Let us live our lives for God’s glory. Fatal Shootings In The Community Of Fresno Diocesan Statement From Bishop Armando X. Ochoa: Call All The Faithful To Prayer, Reflection And Reconciliation
In less than two minutes, three lives were taken for no apparent reason beyond an incomprehensible depth of hatred carried in the heart of one man. Scripture states: “Whoever says that he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:9-11)
Once again, our community is touched by darkness. Family, friends, neighbors and the vast multitude of good and caring people in our community must now decide, once again, how we will respond to this senseless tragedy. We must reflect on what we have experienced and how we feel about it. Anger and outrage are certainly a natural reaction; yet, these feelings must also be experienced as an invitation to prayerful reflection so that our raw feelings do not take hold and lead us into the very darkness we abhor.
Let us seize this moment as an opportunity to live as people of light not darkness by rejecting the temptation to hate the hater and embracing the gift of grace that opens hearts to choose love which conquers all evil.
With loving concern we pray for the deceased, their families and all who have been deeply affected by this tragic loss of life, that they may find strength, consolation and healing, as we find our place with them on the pathway to peace.
We also pray for the conversion of souls that intentionally inflict acts of violence on innocent victims. May their minds and hearts be enlightened and opened to God’s love, mercy and forgiveness; and may we be prepared to walk with them when they seek reconciliation within our community.
submitted by Ashlee Wolf, Development & Marketing Coordinator
On Tuesday, April 18, the acts of one individual plagued our community in the worst way possible. Three people had their lives taken from them and their families were left with a void that can never be replaced. On behalf of myself, the Board of Directors and staff, we give thanks to the many who have reached out as your prayers, texts and emails mean the world to us and are much needed.
It has been said that the victims were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that may be true, but that sentiment is particularly heartbreaking considering that two of the victims were here visiting us at Catholic Charities.
Our faith and our community’s support are the key things that have gotten us through this tragic time. We are truly blessed to have our Catholic faith to rely upon each day as it gives us strength to move forward. Because of that, we refuse to let this deter us from serving our community because so many families rely on our services.
We are the first responders in helping our neighbors in crisis. We are a safe harbor, a place that turns no one away, a place of relief and support and a place of service to our community. We will not let this darkness overshadow the light. Where there is light, there is hope. And that’s what we do here at Catholic Charities – we provide hope to those most vulnerable.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours. For more information on Catholic Charities’ programs and services, or if you would like to make a donation, please contact Kelly Lilles, Executive Director of Catholic Charities at [email protected] or (559) 237-0851 Ext. 1104. Thank you and God bless you all.
2 June 2017 Central California Catholic Life News from the Office of Formation and Evangelization + Noticias de la Oficina de Formación y Evangelización Parish Marriage Prep: Integrating Intentional Formation & Lay Ministry Commissioning Encounter with One’s Spouse, Parish Community and God Rose Hernandez, Director Sr. Joanne Bauer, CSC, Family Life Ministry Coordinator On Saturday, April 29, 2017, sixty-three people were commis- What helps couples create and sustain a happy, holy marriage? Dr. Ve- sioned at the completion of the Lay Formation Institute. Classes ronica Marchese, LMFT, presented a treasure chest of fascinating, in- met once a week for three years, providing advanced formation spirational and practical information that can be used by parish mar- riage prep ministers to improve their ministry in the talk she presented in theology, leadership, and communication. Those commis- at the 2017 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, “Healthy & Holy sioned are prepared for any position of leadership in the parish, Marriages: Effective Parish Marriage Prep & Beyond”. Drawing upon the and anxious to serve in any capacity. We are proud of the com- research of Dr. John Gottman and Scott Stanley and on her personal ministerial experience, this presenter shared some effective information mitment of time and talent, and of their mission to go forth and that can help parish marriage prep ministers in their ministries. Re- serve God’s People! Congratulations! search tells us that 90% of couples marry at least once and that the ma- jority receive some form of marriage preparation. The Catholic Church El Sábado, 29 de Abril, 2017, sesenta y tres personas fueron co- is a leader in this area. misionadas por la finalización en el Instituto de Formación para Dr. Marchese, a 25 year veteran of Laicos. La clase se reunió una vez a la semana durante tres marriage preparation, stated that 80% of research indicates that an años, proporcionando formación avanzada en teología, lideraz- integrated approach of education go, y comunicación. Aquellos comisionados están preparadas and encounter within the parish para cualquier posición de liderazgo en la parroquia, y ansiosos setting can be highly effective for marriage and family life. This ef- de servir en cualquier capacidad. ¡Estamos orgullos del compro- fectiveness is highest within the miso de tiempo y talento, y de su misión para ir hacia adelante y first five years of marriage. To servir al pueblo de Dios! ¡Felicidades! start, we need to meet people where they are and encourage them to grow—a process known as “gradualness in pastoral care”.
Parishes usually draw upon three forms of marriage preparation; these forms can also be used for marriage enrichment: Inventories (one piece of the puzzle), classes & workshops and retreats, such as engaged en- counter.
Through the use of inventory tools such as “Prep” (used by couples only), “Prepare/Enrich” or “Focus”, (Both of these tools are effective for the couple – parish encounter. ), a marriage prep minister can help couples so that they do not take for granted or dismiss the value of certain indicators in their relationship. For instance, there are key indicators a person can learn to recognize in oneself, reflect on, and in so doing, better relate to the partner. Several key indica- tors are: criticism, defensiveness, contempt (loss of respect), stonewalling (shutting down). The most serious of these is contempt of the other. The marriage prep minister needs to help the couple become aware of what feelings are happening and to realize that these feelings are not meaningless, but rather they are a gift to help the couple to deal with the situation. Rather than dismissing the feeling/word/action, the person needs to reflect on what is happening. The minister needs to help the person to find an antidote to deal with that aspect of conflict between the couple.
Parishes can offer its “arm of support” to engaged couples, for instance, by creating a blessing ceremony for the couple within the parish setting, (such as at a liturgical celebration), or by asking for prayers for the cou- ple in the parish bulletin and in other ways.
A stressful time that generates the lowest source of satisfaction for a couple, research tells us, is at the time of becoming parents. While there is much joy, there can also be anxiety and sleepless nights during the early days of the baby’s infancy. Why not provide a half day retreat for the couple or another kind of ongoing enrichment tailored to meet their needs? Parishes can also provide important online and library resources to nurture couples throughout the various stages of their mar- ried lives. We know that there is no “one size fits all” for a spouse or for a marriage. There must be targeted support for couples in distress.
Today, research shows us that the greatest need of couples seems to be getting through rough times, relying on helps like professional counsel- ing or organizations such as Retrou- vaille. One example of how the parish can offer practical assistance to these “at risk” marriages is by providing a class that helps “first responders.” What does this mean? We know that people Are you or someone you know will seek help through other family interested in World Youth Day members or close friends before they 2019 in Panama? Are you will go to other sources. The parish can offer assistance to these first re- planning on organizing a sponders. The intent is not to try to make these responders into coun- group from your parish to at- selors, but to teach them skills that will help them in their listening and tend? companionship to a spouse or couple. Please submit your email ad- [Note: This information has been gleaned from the Los Angeles Religious dress to the Office of Forma- Education Congress 2017 “sold out” presentation of Dr. Veronica Marchese, tion and Evangelization for LMFT. A copy of the CD, “Healthy & Holy Marriages: Effective Parish Marriage Prep & Beyond”, which includes much more research and many more practi- the latest information on cal suggestions, can be purchased through CSC Digital Media, PO Box 2156, Simi World Youth Day! Valley, CA 93062-2156 for $9.50; (805) 526-5436 or www.csctapes.com
Central California Catholic Life June 2017 3 El Grupo Juvenil “Majestad” de la Parroquia San Antonio de Padua, Reedley “Majestad” Spanish Youth Group of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Reedley
El Jueves Santo los Jóvenes hicieron una Representación de la Última Cena.
El Viernes Santo Jesús en el Huerto EN VIVO afuera le la Nueva Iglesia.
On Holy Thursday, The Youth performed a live enactment On Good Friday, the Youth performed a live enactment of the Stations of the Cross. of the Last Supper in Spanish.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Bishop, CA) holds annual portrayal of the crucifixion. Photos by Gayla Wolf
Main Participants: Miguel Gasco as Pharisee Leslie Laguna, Ester Hernandez as Juan Jose as Christ Graciela Castro as Mother Mary followers Robert Solorio, Daniel Moales and Maria Gomez as Mary Magdalene Rogelio Esparza as Simon Alfredo Martinez as Soldiers Juan Rivas as Pilate Martha Santana as Veronica 4 June 2017 Central California Catholic Life Catholic Scouting Event by Michale Phillips
The Catholic Committee on Scouting held the Fifth Catholic Scout Family Camping Retreat on March 31-April 2, 2017.
The retreat offered Scouts and their families on opportunity to camp two nights while experiencing religious activities, earning patches, attending outdoor Mass, prayer, and committee service.
This year’s location, Lost Lake Recreation Park in Friant, provided the ideal location for approximately 85 campers. The newly constructed day use area served as the camping grounds among the beautiful tall trees and the sound of flowing water, as the river at Lost Lake was very full. Scouts arrived Friday evening, set up tents, and prepared for campfire activities. Bishop Ochoa joined the group on Friday evening meeting scouts and families. It was a blessing to have the Bishop present to enjoy the campfire with participants from various cities in the Diocese of Fresno. Matthew Schoch, an Eagle Venture Scout, welcomed participants at the evening campfire and led the group in lively fashion with sing along songs and laughter. The Visalia Junior Catholic Daughters of America performed a skit. Guitar music by Matthew and Tom Schoch, Derrick Hirschfield, and Andy Ruperto entertained families. Afterwards, scouts roasted marshmallows on sticks to make yummy smores. Bishop Ochoa joined scouts roasting his first marshmallow while keeping warm by the fire. Scouts stand with Msgr. Ray Dreiling and the Mobile Mass Trailer Saturday started early with an opening prayer and flag salute. Scouts visited activity stations throughout the morning. They made rosaries, sang songs, and suited up in the Armor of God. This year’s theme of Courage promoted strength in the Catholic faith. Andy Ruperto, volunteer, taught scouts about Saint Isaac Jogues and the courage St. Isaac demonstrated as an early Jesuit missionary in Canada living among the Indians. Andy’s enthusiasm was contagious as scouts sang songs, played a relay game, and made posters about St. Isaac Jogues.
The Rosary Lady, Yvonne, visited for the day teaching scouts how to make their own beaded rosary while she shared spiritual discussion on the Glorious Mysterious. Scouts also suited up in Roman Soldier Armor while reading Ephesians 6:13, to learn how the spiritual Andy Ruperto, as St. Isaac Jogues, shares the story of armor of God helps them to avoid St. Isaac with Boy Scouts temptations and gain courage.
A community service project rounded out the activities on Saturday as scouts and families worked diligently to remove weeds and grass from the volleyball sand courts located in the park.
Lauren is dressed in her Spiritual Armor Mass was celebrated Saturday evening with a special appearance from the newly released Mobile Mass Trailer. The Diocese of Fresno built the mobile trailer for the 50th Anniversary celebration. The Mobile Mass Trailer will travel throughout the Diocese celebrating Mass in remote areas. Catholic scouts and families who made rosaries had them blessed by Rev. Msgr. Raymond C. Dreiling before celebrating Mass outdoors among
Scouts make beaded Rosaries with Yvonne the trees.
A potluck dinner filled scouts bellies. Matthew returned to conclude the evening campfire with entertaining skits and songs. Andy played guitar while he sang Shut the Door as scouts and families stood to join him. It was a wonderful spiritual camping experience for all scouts and families.
The Catholic Committee on Scouting provides support for Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, Venture Scouts, and Junior Catholic Daughters. If you are interested in finding a Catholic sponsored group or would like to be added to the contact list, please email Michale Phillips, Lay Chairwoman for Catholic Committee on Scouting at [email protected]. Participants roast marshmallows with Bishop Ochoa
Central California Catholic Life June 2017 5 Getting to Know Your Diocese – Part V by Scott Alston, Diocesan Archivist Fr. Harvey’s 2017
Bishop MacGinley made his Portuguese Festa List Ad Limina visit to Rome in 1925 submitted by Msgr. Harvey Fonseca, Pastor and while there he attended the St. Jude Thaddeus Church, Livingston canonization of Saint Thérèse of the Child of Jesus (The Little Flower). Before leaving Rome he very quickly petitioned the Vatican to designate the new saint as the patroness of the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno. The bishop’s request was granted and the name of Our Lady of Victory church on Wishon in the Tower District of Fresno was changed after the bishop’s return to Fresno to that of The Shrine of Saint Thérèse (The Little Flower) with the understanding that a new Fresno church would be given the Our Lady of Victory name. This was accomplished in 1950 with the erection of the present day Our Lady of Victory parish. Bishop MacGinley’s fast action resulted in our Shrine of Saint Thérèse being the Sunday, June 4 – Buhach – Holy Spirit first so designated in the world. Prior to this event, the Irish Saint Columba Sunday, June 4 – Easton/Fresno – Holy Spirit was installed as the diocese’s Secondary Patron when Chowchilla’s Saint Sunday, June 4 – Hanford – Holy Spirit Columba church was erected in 1919. In 1952, Saint Thérèse church in Sunday, June 4 – Modesto – Holy Spirit Shafter was named after this famous saint. Another high point of the Sunday, June 11 – Lemoore – Trinity Bishop’s time in the diocese was the establishment of the Saint Thérèse Chapel car in 1929 under the guidance and service of Reverend Kulleck, Sunday, June 11 – Selma – Holy Spirit C.Ss.R.. The chapel car served the diocese migrant camps and rural areas Sunday, June 11 – Tipton – Holy Spirit until Father Kulleck’s reassignment in 1938, at which time he turned the Sunday, June 11 – Turlock – Holy Spirit car over to the diocese. Bishop MacGinley also shepherded the beginning Sunday, June 18 – Stevinson – Holy Spirit of the diocese weekly newspaper The Central California Register. The first Sunday, June 18 – Tulare – Holy Spirit issue was published on June 16, 1929. Saturday, June 24 – Hopeton – St. John Bishop MacGinley’s ill health was not aided by the diocese’s perpetual Sunday, June 25 – Atwater – Holy Spirit shortfall budget problems during the early years of the Great Depression Sunday, June 25 – Visalia – Holy Spirit and he eventually resigned in 1932, retiring to Ireland where he lived under Sunday, July 2 – Livingston – Holy Spirit the care of Irish Sisters for the next 37 years, eventually becoming the Saturday, July 8 – Monterey – Holy Spirit world’s oldest living Catholic bishop shortly before his death in 1969. The diocese Vicar General, the Most Reverend Philip G. Scher who held his Sunday, July 16 – Easton/Fresno – St. Anthony office while residing in Monterey as the pastor of the San Carlos Church, Sunday, July 16 – Gustine – Holy Spirit was appointed the Diocese Administrator upon Bishop MacGinley’s Sunday, August 20 – Pismo Beach – St. Anthony resignation. Rev. Msgr. Scher was installed as the second bishop of the Sunday, August 20 – Turlock – O.L. of the Assumption diocese on April 23, 1933, subsequently leading the diocese out of the Sunday, September 10 – Gustine – O.L. of Miracles financial difficulties of the depression. During Bishop Scher’s years as prelate he was able to finance a summer camp for Catholic youth at nearby Sunday, September 24 – Visalia – O.L. of Fatima Huntington Lake. Camp Santa Teresita was supervised by Reverend Harry Sunday, October 1 – Tulare – O. L. of Fatima A. Clinch who opened the camp in 1937. Moving the facilities to a lower Sunday, October 8 – Easton/Fresno – O.L. of Fatima elevation became a reality in 1939 when the camp was relocated to Bass Sunday, October 8 – Los Banos – O.L. of Fatima Lake where it functioned until being closed in 1969. At the conclusion of Bishop Scher’s tenure, the diocese had expanded to 65 parishes with 99 Sunday, October 15 – Thornton – O.L. of Fatima secular/order priests serving the parishes and 45 missions and 25 stations. Sunday, October 22 – Hilmar – O.L. of the Rosary of Fatima In 1946 the estimated Catholic population of the diocese was 163,780. Bishop Scher presided over the erection of 9 parishes during the years of his office. The new parishes were Saint Jude Thaddeus in Livingston Knights of Columbus Christmas Food Baskets (1937), Our Lady of Lourdes in Corcoran (1938), Saint Thomas the Come out to The Shrine of St. Thérèse Catholic Church on September 16, Apostle in Arvin (1939) Saint Genevieve in Fresno (1941), Saint Mary 2017 and support the John C. Dugan Assembly of the Knights of Columbus in Buttonwillow (1941), Saint Joseph in Avenal (1941), Sacred Heart in an effort to help us raise money for our annual Christmas food baskets. in Fresno (1942), Sacred Heart in Merced (1945), and Saint John the In the past, we have distributed around 50 to 70 food baskets to needy Evangelist in Tipton (1945). Bishop Scher suffered a cerebral hemorrhage families for the Christmas season. To do this we are hosting our annual on July 26, 1946 and died January 3, 1953 at Saint Agnes Hospital where Luau dinner dance were 40% of the proceeds will benefit the Christmas he had resided since his stroke. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph T. McGucken Baskets. So please come out and support this worthy cause and help and of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles served as Diocese Administrator until feed needy families during the holiday season. the arrival from Ponce, Puerto Rico of reassigned Bishop Aloysius J. Location: The Shrine of St. Thérèse Catholic Church Hall, 855 E. Willinger, C.Ss.R. who was appointed by the Vatican as Coadjutor Bishop Floradora Ave., Fresno, CA 93728 Time: 6:00 pm Social Hour / No Host Bar; 7:00pm Dinner; 8:00 pm to of the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno with right of succession upon the death 10:00 pm Dancing of Bishop Scher. Price: $25.00 per person (2 free drinks with your dinner ticket) (See Getting to Know Your Diocese Part VI in the next issue of For Tickets information contact: Joseph Hill PFN sirknightjhill@gmail. Central California Catholic Life.) com (preferred) with contact information & parish (559) 355-1897. 6 June 2017 Central California Catholic Life John Samson, New Mercy Volunteer Corp Member The 2016-2017 School Year St. Francis Parish School Graduate submitted by Mona Faulkner, Superintendent of Catholic Schools Bakersfield, CA by Sister Cristina Caballero, RSM The 2016-2017 school year has drawn to a close with many substantial accomplishments in our Catholic Schools. This year John Samson graduated on May 6 from Fresno Pacific University, and our schools have served students more effectively by having: Sister Cristina Caballero, RSM is delighted. Not only was John her student in the fifth-grade class at St. Francis • Used the new STAR Assessments for standardized testing Parish School in Bakersfield, he will • Incorporated the STAR data to individualize instruction, set goals from begin service with Mercy Volunteer teachers, parents, and students for student growth, and help with Corps in Queens, NY, this summer. curriculum adoption decisions She thinks it’s a wonderful idea • Adopted the research-based reading program, SuperKids for grades for John to be part of the international Pre-K-2nd diocesan wide. Every school is also updating 1-2 curriculum volunteer organization sponsored by areas for the 2017-18 school year the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. • Continued working at all school sites to fully update curriculum within A long-time teacher and principal, the next 2-3 years Sister Cris could see glimmers of • Increased differentiated instruction to more effectively reach all levels his future in the young John. “He of learners has always had a kind and generous • Implemented learning centers in some schools with plans for full heart,” she said. implementation during the 2017-18 school year John’s mother, Mary Samson, is the librarian at St. Francis and is excited Greater efforts were made this year to better prepare our teachers for for him. She shared her thoughts on their ministry in Catholic education as well. The Sophia Institute will her son’s decision. “When he was provide an all-day in-service on Love, Mercy, and Justice for all K-12 playing team sports from grammar teachers in October to strengthen our Catholic Identity. Professional school through high school he always made sure that his teammates had a learning opportunities through teacher sharing has been very welcome and chance to shine. He played two years of college water polo, so he has always successful in Kern County Catholic schools. The administrative teams of been a good athlete, but wanted his teammates to have that experience also.” the two Catholic high schools, Garces and Memorial, collaborated this year “We would help at our Monday night dinners at Church for the less fortunate for the first time. They shared ideas and best practices with one another. for many years. He volunteered to coach the local junior high basketball team. Moving forward, we hope to expand on department level high school He was altar server for 10 years and a Eucharistic minister in high school. His collaboration. All of these accomplishments have renewed the excitement oldest sister did a year of volunteer work with Colorado Vincentian Volunteer and energy among administrators and teachers for Catholic education in Corp after college, and he has always looked to her as a role model.” our diocese. Although he was accepted by three volunteer organizations, he chose The Office of Catholic Education is thankful for each and every pastor, Mercy Volunteer Corps where he will be living in community with five other administrator, teacher, and staff member for all of his or her dedicated volunteers. His work at Mercy First in Brooklyn will be with youth in the service this year. Our thanks also to the parents who work side by side with foster care system, to help them with employment, education and housing. the schools’ staff to provide a rich and more effective Catholic education He’s excited to try a new place, a new community and as he says “a new for the children. culture.” We are all excited for him and his new beginnings. “I think we had a little to do with his selection of compassionate service, as he calls it,” says Sister St. Aloysius, Tulare Cris. submitted by Jane Machado
In a recently held county-wide essay competition sponsored by the Serra Club of Kings/Tulare County the top three spots were all awarded to Saint Anthony’s School Community – Hearts of Service St. Aloysius School students. A spokesperson for the Serra Club said they submitted by Susannah Nelson, Principal had never had a school sweep the top awards before. The first place essay In the spirit of Pentecost and the work of the Holy Spirit, the students, was written by seventh grader Isabella Ribeiro. She also received a $100 parents, and staff of St. Anthony of Padua School continue to embrace cash prize. Eighth grader Michaela Mederos took home second place and their culture of service. Together they strive to live out their Schoolwide a $75 cash prize. Emma Coelho, an eighth grader, claimed the third place Learning Expectations (Faith-Filled Catholic, Lifelong Learner, Positive title and a cash award of $50. Their language arts teacher is Mrs. DeAnna Citizen) and honor their school slogan -- Where Faith and Learning Grow Pitman. Congratulations to all of you! Hand-in-Hand -- in both educational excellence and assistance to others in need. This spring St. Anthony’s School has participated in a variety of heartfelt service projects, resulting in positive changes to the community, including: • Diaper Drive – Coordinated by the students in the SAINTS service club, this service project resulted in 15,448 diapers being collected and donated for use by the clients of Holy Cross Women’s Center. These were enough diapers to fill the Center’s needs for 6 months! • See’s for Scholarship - Coordinated by 8th grader Luca Fanucchi and his family, this service project resulted in over $13,000 being raised to assist a student at SAS with his or her tuition at San Joaquin Memorial High School, thereby establishing the new St. Anthony of Padua School 1st Place 2nd Place Scholarship. The student will be chosen based on his or her academic Isabella Ribeiro Michaela Mederos standing, citizenship/behavior, and service to others. A financial need must also exist. The scholarship awards $3,000 each year for four years. The student must maintain his or her strong academic standing as well as exemplary conduct at San Joaquin Memorial High School to continue receiving the award. • The Rice Bowl Lenten Project – St. Anthony’s students and their families responded generously to assist Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities. Thank you to everyone in the St. Anthony School community who participated in and supported these wonderful causes! It’s graduation time! We congratulate the St. Anthony of Padua graduating Class of 2017 and wish them the very best in the next chapter of 3rd Place their lives. Emma Coelho Central California Catholic Life June 2017 7 So Many Loving Friends lady to be connected with a gang and she amazed me when she said that by Fr. Jim Rude, SJ she was one of the founders of the First Street Gang back in the thirties. I asked her why she had helped found the gang and she told me the reason In a couple of months, I will be celebrating my 67th year as a Jesuit, my was because we Whites would not accept Latinos into our society, so they 53rd year as a priest and my 12th year as a Fresnoan. I have had eleven founded their own. No criminal activities then, just social groups. different jobs; in some I was good, in others I didn’t do so well, but I look back on them all, Two years of pure Spanish among the extreme poor exhausted me so I and am thrilled at what I see—the people. went to Berkeley for a one-year sabbatical. In our theology classes in the seminary, we were surrounded only by other Jesuits. But in my theology When I entered the Society back in 1950, classes during the sabbatical year, I was happily surrounded by men and I have to admit that I did not do it for deep women, Catholics and Protestants, and I loved it. I also loved them, they spiritual or apostolic reasons, but in order to were so important to me. During the second semester I worked with the find happiness. And I found that happiness Catholic chaplain at San Quentin Prison, my first prison work. I loved the with all my fellow Jesuits who became friends men there for I soon came to understand that they may be criminals, but and the older ones who showed us their love they were also victims. They had not grown up surrounded by love and and care. caring.
When I was ordained a priest, I found an incredible beauty in the After the sabbatical, I went to Santa Clara University to work with their people I was working with, celebrating Masses, hearing confessions, campus ministry. I loved it, and I loved the kids I was working with, but directing people. Over the years I was assigned to eleven different jobs in after a year and a half I was asked to replace a Jesuit friend in a parish who seven different cities, and they were all magnificent. I am referring to the needed the time for a very serious back operation. people I dealt with, not the jobs—the people were magnificent. After my friend recovered, he went back to the parish, but I was sent to My first job was as a seminarian between my years of studying philosophy LMU as minister of the Jesuit community. Minister comes from a Latin and theology. It was at Loyola High in Los Angeles and I fell madly in word that means ‘servant’ and that is what a Jesuit minister is supposed love with the kids I taught. They were so special, I decided that I was to be, the one taking care of all the physical things in the house. I served going to spend the rest of my life teaching high school kids. They were so there for two years and was absolutely thrilled with my Jesuit brothers alive, so giving, and 57 years later, I am still friends with some of them. whom I served.
After theology and ordination and a year of spiritual study in southern After two years as minister, I was sent to Jesuit High in Sacramento as Spain, I was surprisingly assigned to Loyola Marymount University to rector. That stunned me. Why make me the boss? I had no administrative teach Latin, because the regular Latin professor had just died. I taught only experience. But apparently there were problems there and I was told to the Jesuit seminarians who that year were being moved from an isolated just screw around and let the problems fall away. I did, and they did—and mountain top in Los Gatos to the university, where they would be able to I loved working with my brothers there and the students, but also with get to know a lot of different people. I only taught the seminarians, but I some men who had been students of mine in LA some twenty years before was a prefect in a dormitory and so I also got to know many other students. and had moved to Sacramento. They were so rich for me. After my term as rector, I went to Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood. The next year the University got its own Latin professor and so I went This was home for me in three ways — home as a kid, home as a priest, to Loyola High, and I was there for eleven very happy years. I taught Latin and home in Hollywood. Our movie city was a very important part of my but also theology, which I really loved—I was able to talk to the kids about growing years, and I was there again. I loved it and I loved the people their God who was mercy and love. I also started what I called CAM, in our parish, they were so rich for me. A very heavy experience for me Christian Action Movement, a program to encourage students to volunteer was about three years working with 54 men who all died of AIDS. It was to work for the poor. One year I figured that about 300 of our students incredible working with men who had sensed themselves excluded from had volunteered for CAM—wonderful generosity on their part. The most the Church and then bringing them back. One man I helped was special. exciting thing they did was to run the Catholic Worker Soup Kitchen on I entered his room to find two couples who were angry with him and he Skid Row—some ten kids led by a student named Chris every Sunday with them. They left and he wondered whether I also would leave, and I prepared and served food for between 500 and 850 poor men and women. told him I could not because I was a priest. I told him my name and his Our kids were incredibly generous. face turned to a rich smile—he was a kid I had taught two decades before. He died happy! In 1978 I was sent as pastor to Christ the King in San Diego. It was a Black and White community, but during my second year, I added a I may have worked with the 54 men, but also very exciting were a dozen Spanish Mass for Sundays. The people were such a strong community and laypeople from our parish who were volunteers to clean the homes or one Saturday, Tom asked me to anoint his wife Kathleen who was going apartments of those 54 men. These volunteers were very generous people. to a hospital for an operation for a serious leg problem. I said I would anoint her after my homily at Mass that Sunday. One essential aspect of Nine years in Hollywood and then I was sent to Honolulu to a parish sacramental anointing is involving the friends and family members who we had there. It was a Newman Center next to the University of Hawaii/ are present—community is essential in our faith. Tom and Kathleen were Manoa, and was full of friendship, love and a deep sense of a faith-filled popular in the parish so I wanted somehow to involve all the people in the community. I loved it and when it came to an end in four years, I was sent church at that Mass. So I sent the Eucharistic ministers down among the to Fresno. people to touch the foreheads of those who would stand up to symbolize their wanting to be involved in the anointing. I was stunned and delighted These twelve years have been so rich for me, so full of people of love to see that almost all the people stood up; they must have felt they were a and faith in the parishes where I worked and in the Pastoral Center where community with Tom and Kathleen. And I was also stunned and delighted I worked and lived. I was director of the Social Justice Ministry for a bit that evening when Tom called me to tell me that he had taken Kathleen to and then became co-editor of our diocesan newspaper. Both were great the hospital but they would not accept her—because they found nothing jobs for me, but what was special was the love and the friendship of the wrong with her leg! I thanked God and the community for their miracle. people I worked with, the people I worked for, the people who simply became friends along the way. Great! I love these twelve years, because Two years and then I was back to LA to be associate pastor at Dolores of the people I came to know. Mission, the poorest parish in the LA Archdiocese. It was basically all Spanish and I loved the people. One day I discovered a First Street Gang Eleven different jobs in seven different cities, and they are all radically car wash. Some kids were washing a car and an elderly lady was standing different. Those seven cities are no way similar, but I loved them all by. I asked her and she said they were not washing her car, but rather she basically because all of the people I came in contact with were people of was in charge of the car wash. I asked her how it was possible for an old love and faith. We three Jesuits are about to leave Fresno, But I guarantee that I will never forget the goodness and love and faith that is Fresno.
8 June 2017 Central California Catholic Life Priest Anniversaries in August Anniversaries of Our Rev. James Torrens, SJ August 5, 1961 Rev. Hilary Silva August 12, 1989 Clergy and Religious Rev. Miguel Angel Mancia Calderón August 12, 2001 Rev. Denis Ssekannyo August 14, 1999 Priest Anniversaries in July Rev. Lucas Azpericueta August 15, 1969 Rev. Dan Coyle July 1, 1989 Rev. Regino Quijano August 15, 1984 Rev. Raul Marta July 1, 1972 Rev. Maurice Emelu August 20, 2005 Rev. Adrian Kim, July 5, 2002 Rev. Ferdinand Udeolisa August 20, 2005 Rev. John Okeke Agwu, SMMM July 10, 2004 Rev. Loji Pilones August 23, 1986 Rev. Marcelinus Ekenedo, SMMM July 10, 2004 Rev. Bartholomew Ifionu, SMMM July 10, 2004 Religious Anniversaries in August Rev. Jose M. Montiel, July 14, 1957 Sr. Celestine Bowens, OP August 4, 1960 Rev. Emmanuel Ogbonnaya, July 16, 1994 Sr. M. Cristina Caballero, RSM August 4, 1979 Rev. Gustavo Lopez, OSJ July 18, 2009 Sr. Judy Morasci, RSM August 4, 1962 Rev. Juan Manuel Flores July 19, 2003 Sr. Marie Francis Schroepfer, CSJ August 6, 1966 Rev. Victor T. Dinh July 19, 2003 Sr. Hermelinda Manzano Sevilla, IMAP August 9, 2015 Rev. Genaro Demecais July 20, 1982 Sr. Maria Rosario Conceicao, FHIC August 10, 1954 Rev. M. Anton J. Fernando July 25, 1992 Sr. Francis Christine Alvarez, CSC August 15, 1958 Sr. Joanne Bauer, CSC August 15, 1963 Deacon Anniversaries in July Sr. Irma Campos, SJS August 15, 1986 Rev. Mr. Jesus Hernandez July 2, 1988 Sr. Rose Carey, SN August 15, 1958 Rev. Mr. Julian Ponce July 3, 1977 Sr. Maria Casas, SJS August 15, 1968 Sr. Mary Clennon, CSC August 15, 1957 Religious Anniversaries in July Sr. Emily Demuth, CSC August 15, 1951 Sr. Leonila Diaz Encizo, SSND July 1, 2000 Sr. Benita Gomez, MCGNS August 15, 2005 Sr. Joan Litch, SHF July 14, 1956 Sr. Evelyn Loyola, SIM August 15, 1987 Sr. Ana Rosa Guzman, MEMI July 16, 1996 Sr. Margarita de Jesus Macias, MEMI August 15, 1979 Sr. Eva Herrera, PDDN July 16, 1967 Sr. Ruth Marie Nickerson, CSC August 15, 1964 Sr. M. Aurora Magtagnob, PDDM July 16, 1969 Sr. Mary Hope Sanchez, RSM August 15, 1970 Sr. Lillian Stacy, FHIC July 16, 1994 Sr. Maria Campuzano, IMAP August 20, 1993 Sr. Martha Elva Arteaga, MEMI July 24, 1988 Sr. Rose Meda Rodriguez, SJS August 20, 2016 Sr. Kathleen Bogue, SA July 29, 1967 Sr. Juana Vera, MCSTNJ August 20, 1995 Sr. Reynalda S.Maldonado, MEMI July29, 1957 Sr. Susana Del Toro, SJS August 24, 2002 Sr. Danielle Witt, SSND July 29, 1967 Sr. Helen Petrovich FHIC August 28, 1977 Sr. Mary Impellizzeri, SSND July 30, 1959 Sr. Sheron Dolan, RSM
Catholic Television KNXT Streaming LIVE on the Internet at: www.KNXT.tv Programming Highlights LIVE MASS ON KNXT-TV
MON - FRI 6:50 AM
Sunday Mass at St. Anne’s Chapel
7:30 am and 5:00 pm
Central California Catholic Life June 2017 9 Talking to Children About Events in the News Hablando con los Niños Acerca de los submitted by Bianca Blanchette, Safe Environment Director Eventos en las Noticias submitted by Bianca Blanchette, Safe Environment Director Our children are exposed to headlines every day, whether on the TV or in the classroom. It’s important for parents and caregivers to know the Nuestros niños están expuestos a las noticias todos los días, ya sea questions to ask to help children interpret current events. Here are some en la televisión o en el salón de clases. Es importante para los padres y tips that can help guide the conversation… las personas que cuidan el saber las preguntas que tienen que hacer para ayudar a los niños a que interpreten los eventos actuales. Enseguida están Tip One: Ask open-ended questions to discover children’s knowledge algunas ideas que pueden ayudar a guiar la conversación… about the event, and any opinions that may have already been formed. Consejo #1: Hacer preguntas con final abierto para descubrir el This will determine the depth of the child’s knowledge on the subject. It conocimiento de los niños acerca del evento, y cualquier opinión que ya will also give you an opportunity to clear up any misinformation or gaps hayan formado. Esto determinará la profundidad del conocimiento del in understanding. niño acerca del tema. También le dará a usted la oportunidad para aclarar cualquier mala información o lagunas en la comprensión. Tip Two: Let children lead the discussion. Listen more than you talk and let Consejo #2: Permita que los niños guíen la conversación. Escuche them know you value their beliefs and opinions. Ask follow-up questions más y hable menos y hágales saber que usted valora sus creencias y (And then?) to keep the conversation going. This promotes mutual learning opiniones. Haga preguntas de seguimiento (¿Y después?) para mantener and creates an open dialogue that can continue in the future. One or two la conversación. Esto promueve el mutuo aprendizaje y crea un diálogo questions may be all you need for a meaningful conversation to occur. abierto que puede continuar en el futuro. Una o dos preguntas puede ser que es todo lo que usted necesita para que ocurra una conversación Tip Three: Keep your tone light and conversational to ensure children feel significativa. safe to open up. If your child shares more information than you expected, Consejo #3: Mantenga su tono bajo y de conversación para asegurar remain calm during the conversation. que los niños se sientan seguros para confiar. Si su niño comparte más información de lo que usted esperaba, permanezca calmado durante la Some examples of questions to ask are… What have you heard about conversación. this incident? How do you feel about the people hurt by the situation? How do you feel about the people that caused the incident to happen? Do Algunos ejemplos de preguntas por hacer son… ¿Qué has escuchado you think this could have been prevented and if so, how? What would acerca de este incidente? ¿Cómo te sientes acerca de las personas que fueron dañadas por la situación? ¿Cómo te sientes acerca de las personas you do if you saw this incident happen? What would you do if someone que ocasionaron que sucediera el incidente? ¿Crees que esto se pudo made you uncomfortable or asked you to keep a secret? Do you know of haber evitado y si es así, cómo? ¿Qué harías si tú vieras que pasara este anything like this happening at your school, or anywhere else? Is there incidente? ¿Qué harías si alguien te hace sentir incómodo o te pide que anything else you would like to talk to me about? guardes un secreto? ¿Sabes si algo así está pasando en tu escuela, o en algún otro lugar? ¿Hay algo más de que quieras hablar conmigo? As always, the goal of the Safe Environment office at the Diocese Como siempre, la meta de la oficina del Ambiente Seguro de la Diócesis of Fresno is to keep children safe and protected. The Diocese of Fresno de Fresno es mantener a los niños seguros y protegidos. La Diócesis de is committed to ensuring that when your child is in our care in parish Fresno está comprometida a asegurar que cuando su niño(a) está bajo programs or in Catholic Education that their safety is of utmost importance nuestro cuidado en programas de la parroquia o en la Educación Católica, and priority. To know more about what your parish and school is doing de que su seguridad es de la máxima importancia y prioridad. Para mayor and how you can be part of creating and maintaining a safe environment, información sobre lo que su parroquia y escuela están haciendo y cómo contact the Diocese of Fresno Office of Safe Environment at 559-493- usted puede formar parte para crear y mantener un ambiente seguro, 2882 or visit us online at www.dioceseoffresno.org. comuníquese a la Oficina del Ambiente Seguro de la Diócesis de Fresno al 559-493-2882 ó visite el Internet www.dioceseoffresno.org.
10 June 2017 Central California Catholic Life Social Justice Highlights by Jim Grant, director, Social Justice Ministry, Diocese of Fresno
Social Justice is needed more than ever…and there are so many ways encyclical Laudato Sí (May 24, 2015). On May 22, we are co-sponsoring for you to help in this effort! an event called “Our Faith, Our Air, Our Climate”, which will be held at Two years ago, I succeeded Fr. Jim Rude as Director of Social Justice Our Lady of Victory Church Hall, in Fresno, 6-8PM. For more on this and Ministry for the Diocese of Fresno. As I thank him once again for all that so many ways to become involved at your local parish, just give me a call. he and his brother Jesuits have done for us in so many ways, I want to invite you to join some of the Social Justice projects which Fr. Rude was 7. Diocesan Committee for the Abolition of Human Trafficking involved in, and which need your active support at this time. These projects Another one of Pope Francis’ major concerns is modern day slavery, are arranged in no particular order, and are open to each and every one of Human Trafficking. Many non-Catholic groups and agencies are committed you reading this column. to ending this scourge, and I hope one of you reading this decides to call me asking for more information. 1. Catholic Legislative Network Interested in learning more about, and participating more actively in 8. The Syrian Refugee Community the legislative process? Join those of us who just returned from Catholic As you know, 25 familes have relocated from war torn Syria and now Advocacy Day and make your voice heard by the 4 senators and the 8 live right here in Fresno, many in El Dorado Park near the St. Paul Catholic Assembly members who represent constituents living in the Diocese of Newman Center. The world-wide Migration and Refugee Crisis is very Fresno. high on Pope Francis’ list, and there is so much that we can do locally to join him in his commitment to these new brothers and sisters in our 2. The Bishops’ Homeless Advocacy Committee community. June 20, 2017 is World Refugee Day. If you’re interested in Formed under Bishop John T. Steinbock and continuing under Bishop participating in any way, please contact me soon! Armando X. Ochoa, this committee is looking for members from parishes that see Homelessness as an urgent social concern that they want to educate 9. Restorative Justice Ministry the Catholic community about and advocate for our homeless brothers I just returned from a meeting of Restorative Justice Directors from and sisters. Check the Bishops’ Advocacy Committee for the Homeless the California Catholic Conference, and you’d be amazed at all the work Facebook page for more on the committee and call me to join or to ask they are doing in their dioceses. If you have an interest in prison ministry, questions. chaplaincy, volunteering, re-entry programs and ministry to the survivors of crime, please let me know. 3. Matthew 25 County Jail Ministry Founded in 1994 by Msgr. Walter Minhoto and Msgr. John Esquivel, 10. Seeds of Mercy men and women in Matthew 25 have been conducting Communion Have you seen someone whose life shows that the Year of Mercy is Services and Bible Studies in the Fresno County Jail, located on the corner not over, and that every day offers possibilities for showing mercy? We of M and Fresno Streets in Fresno. I myself have just become a volunteer, are recording these stories, and posting them on our website. Thanks for and I look forward to starting this ministry soon. For more information, leading us to some more “Seeds of Mercy”! please call me soon. 11. Human Rights Coalition of the Central Valley 4. Faith in the Valley The Diocese of Fresno is one of 24 interfaith congregations/ Our local PICO affiliate has never been more committed to sharing its organizations committed to educating the community about human rights. faith based approach to non-violence community organizing than now! In annual events, we have convened on Torture (2012), Human Trafficking Immigration issues, Know Your Rights Forums, and campaigns in favor (2013), Bullying (2014), Climate Change (2015), and The Refugee Crisis of the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized give you some idea of (2016). Our topic this year is “Womens’ Rights are Human Rights”. the work being organized by this group working hand in glove with the Another Catholic member on the committee would be most appreciated! Diocese of Fresno. Many parishes are actively involved and benefitting from this rich collaboration, but maybe your parish is missing out. Call me 12. Social Justice Ministry Secretarial/Social Media Support for more info. (Volunteer) With a challenging goal of Social Justice Resources reaching all the 87 5. Fresno Food Security Network parishes in the 9 vicariates, I definitely need office support from across the Many local agencies are collaborating with this Network to make sure Diocese of Fresno. If this possibility interests you, or if any of the other that no one goes hungry in this agricultural capital of the United States. As offers inspired you to join the Diocesan commitment to Social Justice at many of these interfaith collaborative, the Catholic presence is usually Ministry, please contact me soon so we can better follow Pope Francis’ low. I look forward to having you step up and join this very efficient leadership on the issues and projects we bundle under “Social Justice network with me. Ministry” here in the Diocese of Fresno.
6. Laudato Sí and Care for Our Common Home Jim Grant, Social Justice Ministry Director, Diocese of Fresno There are many faith based and secular collaborative working [email protected] (559) 708-3530 passionately to address the issues raised by Pope Francis in his monumental
Our Lady’s Mission for Life La Misión de Nuestra Señora Por la Vida A California Pilgrimage to Close Abortion Centers Una peregrinación de California para Cerrar by Enrique Medina, St. Joachim Church, los Centros de Aborto Business Administrator/Personnel Manager La imagen Peregrina de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe la cual está The Pilgrim image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was on a two-month en peregrinación por dos meses a lo largo de California visitando, de pilgrimage (March 2-May 1) throughout California visiting, in prayerful forma orante, cada clínica de aborto, hizo una parada en Madera. En una fashion, every abortion clinic made her stop in Madera. On a cool evening noche fría el Martes 25 de Abril 2017, fue traída a la Parroquia de San on Tuesday April 25, 2017, she was brought into St. Joachim’s Church in Joaquín en procesión con la canción popular “Paloma Blanca” y colocada procession to the popular welcoming song of “Paloma Blanca” and placed prominentemente en frente do todos, pero accesible a los fieles. prominently in front for all to see, yet accessible to the faithful. Durante esta Misa bilingüe de la fiesta de San Marcos el Evangelista, el During this bilingual Mass on the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, Padre John Warburton, O.S.J., combinó hermosamente la Primera Lectura Fr. John Warburton, O.S.J., beautifully interwove the first Reading and y el Evangelio en su homilía insertando verdades acerca de la santidad de Gospel in his homily sprinkling it with truths about the sanctity of life and la vida y los peligros del aborto a las madres y los padres, y a la sociedad. the dangers of abortion; to the mothers and fathers, and to society. He Hizo hincapié en cómo María es el ejemplo humano Perfecto del amor y la emphasized how Mary is the perfect human example of God’s love and belleza de Dios. beauty. Después de la Misa bilingüe de 7:00pm, hubo Adoración al Santísimo After the 7:00 p.m. Bilingual Mass, there was all-night Adoration of Sacramento toda la noche con cantos, oración bilingüe de la Coronilla the Blessed Sacrament with song, bilingual praying of the Divine Chaplet de la Divina Misericordia, se rezaron los 20 Misterios del Santo Rosario, of Divine Mercy, praying all 20 Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, also también bilingüe, así como también hubo momentos de Silencio Sagrado bilingually, as well as times of sacred silence to give the attendees time para dar tiempo a los asistentes de meditar individualmente y tener su continued on page 12 Continúa en la página 12
Central California Catholic Life June 2017 11 Annual Reflection Day submitted by Sr. Invencion Canas, RAD, Liaison for Women Religious
Congratulations to Rev. Msgr. Gilbert Meyer On his 75th Anniversary of Ordination! Msgr. Meyer was ordained in the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno on May 30, 1942 at the age of 27. We pray for continued Blessings on Msgr. Meyer.
The Religious of the Diocese gathered together for the annual Reflection continued from page 11 Day on Saturday, April 29 at the D and D Ranch in Madera. Thanks to individually meditate and have their personal moment with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The Adoration went through the night and into to the De Fendis family, we were fortunate to have such a serene and the early hours of the next morning. The faithful came and went ensuring beautiful setting for our Retreat. Sr. Joann Heinritz, CSJ facilitated the that Our Blessed Lady of Guadalupe and her Son Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament were never left alone. retreat. The theme was: Women Awakening to God's Love: We explored different ways to replenish the oil in our lamps based on the Parable of the The Blessed Sacrament was returned to the Tabernacle in preparation Ten Bridesmaids in the Gospel of Matthew 25:1-13. During the retreat we for the 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. Masses. After the 8:00 a.m. Mass, Our Lady was taken to the abortion clinic in Madera where the faithful again were invited to rekindle our faith, validate our experience as women, and prayed bilingually reciting the Holy Rosary to end abortions. be transformed by God’s unconditional love.
THREE PRESBYTERAL ORDINATIONS ON MAY 27, 2017 Continúa de la página 11 BY MOST REV. ARMANDO X. OCHOA, D.D. momento personal con Jesús en el Santísimo Sacramento. La Adoración continuó toda la noche terminando en las primeras horas de la mañana. Los fieles iban y venían asegurándose de que Nuestra Señora Santísima de Guadalupe y su hijo Jesús, en el Santísimo Sacramento, nunca fueran dejados solos.
El Santísimo Sacramento fue devuelto al Tabernáculo en preparación Reverend Reverend Reverend para las Misas de 7:00 y 8:00 am. Después de la Misa de 8:00 am, Nuestra Joseph Govindu Athanasius Okure Gonzalo Siller Ramirez Señora fue llevada a la clínica de abortos en Madera dónde los fieles rezaron el Santo Rosario bilingüe para poner fin a los abortos.
— Liturgical Life at the Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph — • Paschal Season 2017 • And Pentecost Holy Week Easter
Tenebrae Service Renewing Baptismal Promises during the Sacred Triduum at the Morning Mass
"Sing, The Day of Pentecost O my tongue, "The community of believers the Victor’s praise, was of one heart and mind..." For Him the [ACTS 4:32] The Paschal Fire noblest trophy "This is the night which raise..." delivers those that [Pange Lingua,Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday] believe in Christ from darkenss of sin..." Lumen Christi! Veneration of the Cross [From the Exultet, of the Easter Vigil]
For One Another The 5 Marks of the in Christ Norbertine Order We thank you for your prayers for us, and • Devotion to the Holy Eucharist Devotion to the Sacred Liturgy as always, please be assured of our daily To find out more about our cloistered contemplative Norbertine way of life, make prayer • prayers and sacrifices for you, Bishop requests, or ask about our schedule, gift shop hours or Bethany Guest House, • Devotion to the Immaculate Virgin Mary please call: (661) 823-1066, email: [email protected] -or- [email protected] Armando Ochoa, the Diocese, and all of or visit: www.norbertinesisters.org • Spirit of Penance your intentions. May God bless you. The Norbertine Canonesses of the Bethelehem Priory of St. Joseph 17831 Water Canyon Road, Tehachapi, CA, 93561-7686 • Zeal for Souls
12 June 2017 Central California Catholic Life MERCED-MARIPOSA VICARIATE HOLDS RURAL MASS IN HONOR OF OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY by Rev. Msgr. Harvey Fonseca, V.F.
On a breezy afternoon on the Bowles Ranch, located between Dos Palos and Los Banos, Bishop Armando celebrated a “Mass for Spring Planting” in the Merced- Mariposa Vicariate. The Mass also commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions of the Mother of God at Fatima, Portugal and the upcoming Canonizations of Bl. Francisco Marto and Bl. Jacinta Marto, the Shepherds of Fatima. The concelebrating priests were all vested in beautiful Marian chasubles. The offertory procession featured asparagus in a field crate, tomatoes and a potted greenhoused orchid plant. A variety of farm implements were also presented including: syphon pipes, drip irrigation lines, a hoe and shovel and a farmworker’s cap. Rev. Mr. Higinio Yañez of Planada served this Solemn Mass as deacon and English and Spanish choirs echoed throughout the countryside, as the sun set behind the Coast Range Mountains to the west of our fertile valley. A very special thanks to Rev. Fr. Efrain Martinez, the local pastor, for organizing the celebration and to Margarita Ruiz of Livingston for reading the intercessions multilingually in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Parish delegations attended from Sacred Heart in Merced, Dos Palos, Los Banos, Hilmar, Atwater, Gustine, Livingston and Delhi. Participating in full force was the Life Teen youth group from St. Jude Thaddeus in Livingston, The Missionary Sisters of The Apóstoles de la Palabra, Misioneros de Jesús y María, V Encuentro and The Livingston Spanish Council of Caballeros de Colón. Brenda Noriega, Rosie Hernandez, Linda Ram and Mary Cardona represented the Pastoral Center. It was a most enjoyable and faith- filled Eucharist. Our sincere thanks to His Excellency Bishop Armando X. Ochoa for being with us on this historic event.
Central California Catholic Life June 2017 13
The Diocese bids a grateful adieu to the Jesuit Community of Fresno by Jim Grant, Director Social Justice Ministry Diocese of Fresno
There’s an old saying that “no one is irreplaceable”. Usually people say it who believe that no matter what good work someone has done, there is no need to worry when they stop working, and no need to cry when they move away because someone else will step up, continue where they left off, and move everything forward pretty much as well, if not better, than their predecessors. In the case of the James Gang (Fr. Jim Torrens, Fr. Jim Rude and Fr. Jim Gallas) I beg to differ. I think each one of them is irreplaceable, and I have no idea how we will ever find a team like theirs to continue the magnificent ministry that they have shared with us as individuals and as a religious community for the past 12 years.
What more could these three 80+ year old men have done for us in their “retirement”? They heard thousands of confessions, celebrated hundreds of Masses at parishes, prisons and migrant farm worker camps, and gave dozens of priests weekend support at local parishes. They ministered as prison and hospital chaplains, spiritual directors, adult educators and diocesan directors of social justice. They visited and prayed with dying members of our Diocesan Pastoral Center Staff and consoled many families who came to them when others were not available at certain critical moments in their lives. They fed all of us who work where they live, at the Pastoral Center, with daily Mass and weekly visits to our offices. Their constant presence among us was never taken for granted, but deeply and daily appreciated. Their prayerful encouragement inspired all of us in good times and supported some of us in more difficult moments of our diocesan work. They came to love the entire diocese of Fresno and served it well, just as they had in all their other assignments in a combined 160+ years of Jesuit ministry all over the world.
Even before Pope Francis brought the Spirit of St. Ignatius to the whole world’s attention, our three Jims showed us daily the beauty of the Jesuit vocation and mission, and the depth of its spirituality, and prayer life. Their pastoral visits to prisons and hospitals and their personal and communal engagement in local social justice commitments predate and resonate with Pope Francis’ passion for the poor and marginalized and his plea to reach out to the peripheries.
Fr. Rude wrote no pastoral exhortations, but his untiring work with Sr. Rosalie Rohrer, IHM on the Central California Catholic Life newspaper has been a gift to the diocese for which we will be forever in his debt. When not working on the diocesan paper, his commitment to the abolition of the death penalty, and homelessness and human trafficking have inspired all of us blessed to serve with him on these diocesan committees and projects.
Over his scholarly life as a professor, Fr. Torrens’ doctorate in English has enabled him to educate hundreds of students at great Jesuit institutions like Santa Clara University. His intellectual brilliance has not faded while living in Fresno, but is reflected in the editing of poetry selections he did for America Magazine, as well as the books he authored on Poetry, Discernment, Advent and the Psalms. These literary and spiritual gems have enriched readers all over the world, including all our Catholic chaplains serving in California prisons who received a personally signed copy of his Yearning for You My God: A Companion for Praying the Psalms book at their February 2017 Retreat .
If Fr. Rude is the social justice activist/journalist, and Fr. Torrens is the spiritual poet/spiritual director, Fr. Gallas is the soft-spoken, smiling saint/ friend! He brings a sense of calm, grace and peace wherever he goes, and in his gentleness, kindness and openness incarnates what Pope Francis means by “encounter”. Proof of this would be the sadness we all felt when Fr. Gallas became ill and had to spend time in Los Altos recovering, and the joy that filled the Pastoral Center on his healthy return!
I find the 3 Fr. Jim’s irreplaceable, not so much for what they’ve done for us, but for what they have become for us, and for me, personally. Jesuits (Scholastic Jim Torrens among them) had staffed the Fresno diocesan minor seminary from 1952 until it closed. All we can do is thank God, the California Province of the Society of Jesus, Bishop John Steinbock, Rosa Guembe and everyone else who had any hand in bringing the Jesuit Community of Fresno back to Fresno in September 2005 and for the grace that has come to the diocesan community and to us as individuals through the presence (presents!) of Frs. Jim Torrens, Jim Rude and Jim Gallas. May God bless them with peace, good health and wonderful memories of their ministering to us in so many diverse and beautiful ways.
14 June 2017 Central California Catholic Life 13 DAY PILRIMAGE TO CROATIA, MEDJUGORJE, HUNGARY, AUSTRIA, CZECH REPUBLIC & POLAND FATIMA, LOURDES &
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA PILGRIMAGE
11 Days: November 7 - 17, 2017 ir ine ta es ue surc arges inc u e Insurance $288.00 (Optional) visiting Single room supplement $599.00 Lisbon • Fatima • Santiago de Compostela our a ain
Tuesday, September 12, 2017 “Pearl of the Adriatic” where we will visit Salamanca • Avila • Madrid • Lourdes e o n uetsc DEPART SAN FRANCISCO one of the world’s oldest pharmacies, the hosted by We depart San Francisco on flight LH455 medieval walls and historical buildings Pastor t Patric at o ic Y urc erce to Frankfurt at 3:05pm. including the Franciscan Monastery and Fr. Perry Kenaston the harbor. A visit to the Basilica of St. on a cto er 11 1 ri a cto er 1 1 on a cto er 1 1 Wednesday, D P September 13, 2017 Blaise, theP patron saint of Dubrovnik. G V D $2999 from Los Angeles ARRIVE SPLIT Return to Medjugorje for dinner and Arrive ur Frankfurt r u l at Journe 11:00am be n and transfer e e r to overnight. o , e ll e re our o el ol n re n (Air/land tour price is $2349 plus $650 government taxes/airline surcharges) e on our r n l n l o n en e our mo or o n r e o orn n ring then our ao walk e of l e the old o e town between flight LH1412 to Split at 4:10pm. Arrive l n, l nner n re ll be , e or o n u e on e rno the University r n and n Opera n house l r , passing Split at 5:50pm where we will be greeted Saturday, September 16, 2017 er e n l er e e e r ol , n lu n major e monuments l o to r n ,include edonner’s by our tour host and bus driver. Transfer to e e r lMEDJUGORJE n er / r n en me o n or fountain, Belwedere Palace gardens, our hotel dinner ues a and overnight. cto er 12 1 mou MARIJA r n BISTRICA/ o, n ZAGREB e orl rel ou em n e ernoon, on nue Hofburg palace, Spanish horses training Afterrene e breakfast, e n n o er we drive er ol to ,depart o n o nn o on o rr l n e on nue o loren e nner n r n erplace, o ourSt. o elSteven or Basilica nner n (exterior). Thursday, September 14, 2017 Zagreb. En route visit Marija Bistrica, the on rr l l n r or , e ll be ern ur o el ern Dinner and overnight in Vienna. me b SPLIT/ our o lMEDJUGORJE e re en e n en Marian Shrine of Croatia and home to
This emorning or in or en on Split we enjoy our a walkingo l n the miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary. on a cto er 1 1 Tuesday, September 19, 2017 tour exploring n lu n l nthe Diocletian e r l, Palace, ur a o one Here we atur a will celebrate cto er M1 a ss1 and then G D r o r e n r elle r e , VIENNA /PRAGUE of a kind Imperial Palace that was enlisted continue to Zagreb for dinner and e uomo n e en er o e o n e r This morning, er we re visit the oSchonbrunn n in UNESCO’S World Heritage. Then to overnight. ernoon le ure n l n o re er orn n re n ol , o nn Palace ere and e Gardens r . eIn ur the afternoon, o Medjugorje.our lon During l our nner stay n in Medjugorje, ern ollo e b u e our o loren e e r elle r e, en o we drive to Prague. Dinner and we willour o el meet and share our faith with Sunday, e em September u eum 17, o 2017 ee e e omb o e u n mon ble overnight in Prague. pilgrims from all over the world. We attend or n l ZAGREB/BUDAPEST n n o , on o e e m or 0 e r on nue o e nes a cto er 1 1 e r l r el ore, e uomo, n no, e o e century ‘Miracle of the morning English language Mass at St. This morning, we depart to Budapest. V P D e er e ol en oor o the Eucharist’Wednesday, displayed September in the Monstrance. 20, 2017 James Church, and then we follow the path WGhiberti,e enjoy Giotto’s a Bellhalf Tower-day andof ontoguided the on nue o ome rr l n r n er o PRAGUE up the er Apparition re Hill ourwhere o el, the e young e r sightseeing or l en er in Budapest. o e o n Our visits ell today our o el or ern Full day in Prague visiting Hradcany visionari l nes onfirst our encountered o Veron Our Lady. rr l Our include nor the ernoon Fisherman’s le ure Bastion, n loren e which Veron , n or o e en er o or me o rel on nner n Castle, ues a St. Vitus cto er Cathedral, 20 1 St. George’s guide will arrange a meeting with one of takes its name from the guild of e o n er, e on nue o u , ern our o el Basilica, the Royal Castle and later to the visionaries in front of their homes or in fishermen that were responsible for ome o n on , ron n o the Church of Our Lady Victorious, a public‘Things place Lost’. (subject Holy to Mass their at healththe Basilica and defending this stretch of city walls in the er bre , e be n our where we see the Infant Jesus of schedule).bu l n onor nner n ern n Middle un a Ages, cto erfollowed 17 1 by Matyás e V n n en e Prague and celebrate Mass at the u Church, a gorgeous Romanesque style V n u eum, e r e ller , nechurch. el, Then e V n we cross br r , the n Charles church whose Ecclesiastical Art museum urs a cto er 1 1 morn n , er re , e r e l er Bridge e to r n see the ome old town ern and market houses rou enumerous ne re on sacred o erelics ando our o el V square and Wenceslaus Square. medieval enn , b r l e stone o carvings, er ne, including V r n
re our o el en e r e o replicas n o or of o the e Hungarian ur ur royal or crown Venice, one of the world’s unique cities. ll n lu e e ro rom Thursday, September 21, 2017 and coronation jewels. Dinner and We celebrate Holy Mass at St. Mark’s er ne re e e e m e roll PRAGUE/WADOWICE/ KRAKOW overnight in Budapest. e r l, er e roll rou e rou e len n rro ree rom e This morning we drive to Krakow. En u re, n o e l e n e en r l u re o el m o, o e route stop in Wadowice to visit the home r e o er en n me n Monday, el uomo, September o er o e 18, 2017 b e of Pope John Paul II which is now a be u ul Ven e, e re urn o our o el n ll m rbleBUDAPEST/VIENNA e r l on nue o u Friday, or nner Septe n mber ern 15, 2017 nner n ern our o el museum. We celebrate Mass at the This morning we depart to Vienna. Upon MEDJUGORJE/ DUBROVNIK/ Wadowice Basilica. Continue on to arrival, we enjoy a city tour of Vienna MEDJUGORJE Krakow for dinner and overnight. including a panoramic tour of the famous After breakfast we depart to Dubrovnik, the 2 www.nawas.com
An Evening with Matt Maher & Audrey Assad
Featuring Special Guest John Tibbs POSSIBILITY PRODUCTIONS Presents
Holy Spirit Church and Possibility Productions invites you to An AN EVENING WITH Evening with Matt Maher & Audrey Assad featuring special guest, John Tibbs on Friday, August 18! Mat t Matt Maher, an eight time-GRAMMY nominee, has written or co- MAHER written five No. 1 radio singles. Maher has penned songs recorded by Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Third Day, Matt Redman, Hillsong, Casting Crowns, Jesus Culture and Bethel among others. He has garnered multiple radio successes writing and recording songs including & “Lord I Need You” for which he was awarded his first RIAA Gold certification. As Catholic artists, Matt and Audrey have recently AUDREY performed for Pope Francis and tens of thousands during the World Meeting of Families and World Youth Day 2016 in Poland. ASSAD
FEATURING Audrey Assad, a multiple Dove Award nominee, is highly regarded among THE BEST Christian female artists in the country. Audrey JOHN TIBBS and Matt share national and international stages in a Spirit that can FRIDAY only be described as “Heaven on Earth.” AUGUST 18 Coming off the heels of a nationwide tour with Matt Maher in 2016, Tibbs is excited to bring a unique performance to both new and 7:30PM familiar places. ‘My hope is that I can create music that connects PUBLIC TICKET SALES | TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH people to Jesus – both Christians and those who may not identify HOLY SPIRIT PARISH OFFICE WWW.HOLYSPIRITFRESNO.ORG 355 EAST CHAMPLAIN DR. with Christianity. I want to make music that moves people, and I PHONE 559-434-7701 FRESNO, CA 93730 hope that it honors God.’ – John Tibbs $50 VIP 6PM SEATING $35 DAY OF EVENT $30 ADVANCE SALE Q&A WITH ARTISTS GENERAL ADMISSION GENERAL ADMISSION VIP tickets are SOLD OUT! Advance General Admission tickets are (Limited Availability) (Save $5) available to the public EXCLUSIVELY through Holy Spirit Church. Walk in the office or visit www.holyspiritfresno.org to purchase your tickets. You can phone 559-434-7701 for more details. Group purchases are welcomed.
Central California Catholic Life June 2017 15 Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrim Image - Maria Antonia Castellanos La Virgen de Guadalupe Peregrina - Por María Antonia Castellanos
[Editor’s Note: Maria Antonia Castellenos was invited by Rev. Larry [Nota del Editor: María Antonia Castellanos fue invitada por el Reverendo Toschi, OSJ, pastor of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Co-Patroness Larry Toschi, OSJ, pastor del Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, of the Unborn, to reflect on her experience as part of Our Lady’s Mission Co-Patrona de los No Nacidos, para reflexionar sobre su experiencia como for Life, which journeyed through the Bakersfield, April 23 and 24. The parte de la Misión de Nuestra Señora por la Vida, la cual viajó a través journey began with an 8:30pm Prayer Vigil on Sunday, April 23 at the de Bakersfield, el 23 y 24 de Abril. El viaje comenzó con una Vigilia de shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (601 E. Oración el Domingo a las 8:30pm, el 23 de California Ave.). It continued on Monday, April Abril en Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Avenida 24 with 9am prayer at Planned Parenthood, and California 601 Oriente). Y continuó el Lunes, 24 culminated with an 11am Mass and Rosary at de Abril con la Oración de las 9am en Planned the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (4600 E. Parenthood, y culminó con una Misa a las 11am Brundage Lane). This California Pilgrimage y el Rosario en el Santuario de Nuestra Señora took place March 2-May 1, 2017.] de Guadalupe (Brundage Lane 4600 Oriente). Esta Peregrinación California tomó lugar del 2 When I was informed of the visit of the de Marzo al 1 de Mayo, 2017.] image of Our Mother Our Lady of Guadalupe, as a pilgrim to end abortion, I thanked God for Cuando se me dio a conocer la visita de la imagen de nuestra madre la Virgen de letting her come to visit us, since a few months Guadalupe, como peregrina para el fin del ago, our pastor Father Larry invited my husband aborto, agradecí a Dios por permitir que viniera and myself to integrate ourselves to the Pro-Life a visitarnos, ya que cuando unos meses atrás, committee. Our answer was, “We’ll think about nuestro pastor Padre Larry nos invitó a mi it”. During about three weeks my prayer was, esposo y a mí a integrarnos al comité Pro-vida, “Lord, I do not know how to serve you in this nuestra respuesta fue "lo pensaremos". Durante ministry, and if it is your will that I serve you, unas tres semanas mi oración era "Señor, no lead me through the guidance of our Mother. sé cómo servirte en este ministerio, y si es tu She took me to Jesus when I was lost; she will voluntad que te sirva, permíteme la guía de guide me and tell me what to do.” nuestra madre. Ella me llevó a Jesús, cuando andaba perdida; ella me guiará y me dirá qué After that time, we accepted to be part of the hacer. committee. Later we consecrated our ministry to St. Joseph and Mother Mary, and for that reason Después de ese tiempo, aceptamos formar parte del comité. her visit confirms to me that she will guide us to be an instrument of the Lord. Posteriormente consagramos nuestro ministerio a José y María, y es por During the visit of the Image, I heard my husband’s and acquaintances’ esta razón que su visita me confirma que nos guiará a ser instrumentos del words, about feeling a great blessing and the strength to continue forward, Señor. Durante la visita de la Imagen, escuché las palabras de mi esposo fighting against the moments in which they felt frustrated by the offenses y de conocidos, que sentían una gran bendición y las fuerzas de seguir that they received when they were praying outside the abortion clinic, and adelante, luchando contra los momentos cuando se sentían frustrados now they will continue to do since they feel her company closer. The same por las ofensas que recibían cuando estaban orando fuera de la clínica way I feel with a great blessing. de abortos, y que ahora lo seguirán haciendo ya que sienten más cerca su compañía. Al igual yo me siento con una gran bendición. Maria Antonia Castellanos - Pro-Life Coordinator Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe María Antonia Castellanos - Coordinadora Pro-Vida Co-Patroness of the Unborn Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Bakersfield Y Co-Patrona de los No Nacidos Bakersfield
Central California Catholic Life is published six times annually by the Roman Catholic Co-editors: Sr. Rosalie Rohrer, IHM and Fr. James Rude, SJ Diocese of Fresno, which comprises the counties of Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, 1550 N. Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93703 Telephone: 559-488-7463 Mariposa, Merced and Tulare. E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Diocesan website: www.dioceseoffresno.org Publisher: Most Reverend Armando X. Ochoa, D.D., Bishop, Diocese of Fresno Vintage-golden-frame Created by Freepik
16 June 2017 Central California Catholic Life