Proclaim the Good News

The Diocese of Fresno's Weekly Newsletter, published every Monday morning.

April 1, 2024

Office of Bishop

Happy Easter from Bishop Brennan and the Diocese of Fresno!

Bishop Brennan and the Diocese of Fresno wish you a blessed and joyous Easter Season.

Rejoice, for He is Risen!

Bishop Brennan Visits Our Lady of Fatima School in Los Banos

Bishop Brennan celebrated Mass and visited the classrooms at Our Lady of Fatima School in Los Banos. It was wonderful day filled with new memories to cherish!

Bishop Brennan Celebrates the Sacrament of Confirmation

for Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hanford

Courtesy of Adan Madrigal, Religious Education, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Hanford

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre at

Palm Sunday Mass with our Bishops!

The members from the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ) attended the Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Spirit Church in Fresno. The Dames and Knights of the Order were present after the Mass to answer any questions and information about joining the Order for the Diocese of Fresno.

Did you know? Bishop Brennan and Msgr. Patrick McCormick are both Knight Commanders of the EOHSJ!

The Order's mandate originates from the time of the crusader knights who were responsible for protecting the Christian pilgrims traveling to the sacred sites. Today, the Order's members continue to aid the Church in the Holy Land and to strengthen the practice of Christian life amongst its members.

Bishop Brennan Congratulates All Clergy Who Celebrate Anniversaries

in the Month of April

Office of Communications

Diocesan Directory

Newly Updated!

Our Diocesan Directory has been updated and is available for you on our website.

The Diocese of Fresno's Directory is an important informational tool and research reference for parish offices, individuals and other organizations.

View Here!

Parish Focus

Slow Me Down, Lord: Embracing the Sacrament of the Present Moment

St. Patrick's Parish, Merced

You're invited to a 2-day retreat at St. Patrick's Parish hall with Terry Hershey! Terry is an author, humorist inspirational speaker, dad, ordained minister and golf addict. He has been a featured speaker for over 30 years at the annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. All are welcome to attend!

Friday, May 17: 7:00pm - 8:30pm ($15 Friday Only)
Saturday, May 18: 9:00am - 3:00pm ($30 Saturday Only)
Both Days ($40)

Courtesy of Rosemarie Pierce, Administrative Assistant, St. Patrick's Church, Merced

Learn more and register!

Annual Lenten Penance Service

St. Anthony of Padua Church, Fresno

St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fresno held their Annual Lenten Penance Service on Monday, March 25th.

They had over 500 English and Spanish speaking parishioners from the local area participate. Ten priests and Bishop Emeritus Ochoa were able to hear confessions before Easter.

The service began at 7:00 p.m. with readings and an Examination of Conscience.

St. Anthony’s ushers ensured the flow went smoothly and David Sarkisian, St. Anthony’s Music Director, provided beautiful piano background music for people to enjoy while they waited.

Courtesy of Ray Young, Director of Ministries, St. Anthony of Padua Church, Fresno

Community Partnership

Join us at our Breakfast Meeting!

A Morning of Fellowship

The April Breakfast Meeting hosted by the Catholic Professionals and Business Club of the Diocese of Fresno will be on Friday, April 12th at Pardini's in Fresno beginning at 7:15 am.

The featured speaker is Dr. Suzanne Bohlson! Suzanne is the president of The Society of Catholic Scientists and a Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Professor at the University of California in Irvine.

Suzie interweaves the nature of conversion from noted academics with her own experience in a style that is both easily accessible by lay Catholics and intellectually stimulating. You won’t want to miss her talk!

Speaker of the Month:

Dr. Suzanne Bohlson

Office of Formation and Evangelization

The Preparation for Holy Week

Getting ready for the Easter Season

On March 23rd, I had the honor of facilitating a retreat for the Elect Candidates, their sponsors and the liturgical ministers of the parish of Our Lady of the Sierra in Oakhurst.

The retreat was centered around Holy Week and focused on the elements of the Easter Vigil in order to prepare all those present for reflection and the Easter Vigil. The rite of Ephphetha and the presentation of the Our Father also took place for the Elect.

We ended with a delicious meal and those involved in the Easter Vigil went off for a rehearsal afterwards. It was wonderful to spend the day before Palm Sunday in a beautiful environment with a very hospitable community!

Thank you to the parishioners of Our Lady of the Sierra for the wonderful work you do for God’s people!

Article by Rose M. Hernández, Director, Office of Formation and Evangelization

Religious Life

Be a Part of Daily Morning Prayers!

Liturgy of the Hours

St. John the Baptist Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order invites you to their Morning Prayer: Liturgy of the Hours! The Morning Prayer is available to you daily at 6:00am virtually.

To join, please contact them for the zoom link at [email protected] or

(559) 230-9736.

Health & Nursing Ministry

More Information!

Tuberculosis Awareness

Fresno County Department of Public Health

World Tuberculosis Day took place on March 24th and is designed to bring public awareness that TB remains a serious public health threat.

In the past two years, Fresno County experienced a rise in TB cases, with 31 cases reported in 2022 and 39 cases in 2023. We must focus our efforts to end TB; one patient, one family, one community at a time.

Courtesy of Roxanna Stevens R.N., FCN,

Coordinator of Health Ministry

The CCC's Announcement on SB 1196

Opposing SB 1196

The California Catholic Conference (CCC) announced on March 21, 2024 that it is opposed to SB 1196. The proposed bill would expand the definitions for eligibility and eliminate residency requirements for those seeking suicide options from their physicians.

Read the CCC's Statement

Prayer of the Week

Events

Event Name	Location	Time	More Info
Breakfast Meeting hosted by the CPBC of Fresno	Pardini's, Fresno	April 12, 2024 7:15 AM	Learn More
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Requiem	St. Charles Borromeo Church, Visalia	April 13, 2024 7:30 PM	View the Flyer
Divine Mercy's Annual Golf Tournament	Belmont Country Club, Fresno	April 22, 2024 10:00 AM	View the Flyer
Couples Retreat	See Flyer for Details	April 28, 2024 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM	View the Flyer
Slow Me Down, Lord: Embracing the Sacrament of the Present Moment	St. Patrick's Parish Hall, Merced	May 17 -18, 2024 Click 'Learn More' for Time Details	Learn More

*A Note to our Parishes: Do you have a Parish Event you would like to promote? Send over your event flyer to [email protected] and we'll include it in the event section on our newsletter and website!

Have Something Special to Share?

We want to know! Share what's happening around our Diocese.

Contact Samantha Mejia, Promotion & Marketing Specialist at [email protected]

MISSION STATEMENT / DECLARACIÓN DE LA MISIÓN

"As God's beloved people we are called in and through the Spirit to live in unity and love and to proclaim the

Good News of Jesus, especially amongst the poor and marginal of our society."

“Como pueblo amado de Dios estamos llamados en y a través del Espíritu Santo a vivir en unidad y amor, y para anunciar la Buena Nueva de Jesús, especialmente entre los pobres y los marginados de nuestra sociedad.”

Address

1550 North Fresno Street

Fresno, CA 93703-3788

Phone: (559) 488-7400

Fax: (559) 488-7464

ONLINE GIVING