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Proclaim the Good News

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

August 28, 2023

The Pastoral Center will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2023 in observance of Labor Day.

Office of the Bishop

Bishop Brennan invites All First Responders to the Annual Blue Mass


Bishop Brennan invites All First Responders and the Faithful to the Annual Blue Mass on September 29th, 2023 at St. John's Cathedral in Fresno at 12:10pm. This special Mass is in honor of our First Responders and those who work in public safety.


Bishop Brennan will bless all badges during the Mass and department vehicles following the Mass.

Catholic Night at the Park was a

Successful Night!


The Diocese of Fresno and the Fresno Grizzlies held the first annual Catholic Night at Chukchansi Park in Fresno.


Thank you to the Faithful for joining Bishop Brennan, Bishop Emeritus Ochoa and the Fresno Grizzlies for a great game and fellowship.


Go Diocese of Fresno and Grizzlies!

It was a wonderful night to gather with the Faithful throughout the Diocese!

View photos from Catholic Night!

Bishop Brennan announces the following Clergy to Vicar Forane


Bishop Brennan announces the following:


  • Vicar Forane for Merced-Mariposa Vicariate: Rev. John Schmoll, V.F.
  • Vicar Forane for Tulare Vicariate: Rev. Juan Maldonado, V.F.


A vicariate is a group of parishes within the diocese by geographical area for the purpose of administration.


Learn more about Our Vicariates at dioceseoffresno.org/our-vicariates

Bishop Brennan Congratulates All Clergy and Religious Who Celebrate Anniversaries in the Month of August

Office of Communications

NEWLY UPDATED Diocesan Directory

Updated as of August 2023


The Diocese of Fresno's Directory is now updated and available for your viewing as of Wednesday, August 23, 2023.


The Diocesan Directory is an important informational tool and research reference for parish offices, individuals and other organizations.


To view the Directory, please visit our website at dioceseoffresno.org/directory


Prefer to have a printed copy? Our Directory is available in a print-friendly design for your convenience.

Visit our Website

Office of Catholic Education

Our Students have Returned back to Campus!


Our Catholic Schools throughout the Diocese are BACK TO SCHOOL! We wish them a happy and joyful start to the new academic school year. Check out some photos from a few of our schools during their first week back!

Our Lady of Mercy, Merced


Last week, 8th graders from OLM, Merced attended their Beginning of the School Year Retreat. Fr. Robert Borges led the students in discussions about leadership and community. They had Mass together and spent the day bonding as an 8th grade class.

Go Lancers!

Garces Memorial High School, Bakersfield


Garces Memorial was blessed and grateful to have Bishop Joseph Brennan celebrate Mass with their student body and faculty on campus!


A wonderful way to kick off the school year and what a wonderful surprise by the Bishop to bless our new principal, Ms. Leon, at the end of Mass.

St. Anthony, Atwater

With the three digit temperatures the Valley experienced last week, St. Anthony's 2nd grade class made use of the heat and created solar ovens to "cook s'mores"!


They were delicious! Thanks Mrs. Nascimento for making science learning fun!

Holy Cross Junior High School, Fresno

Holy Cross Junior High School in Fresno has begun their first year! The 7th and 8th grades of St. Anthony of Padua and St. Helen in Fresno have moved to the Holy Cross campus at San Joaquin Memorial High School.

Courtesy of Joan E. Bouchard, Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Parish Focus

Rekindle your Relationship with

Jesus in the Eucharist Retreat

St. Mary's Church, Sanger


St. Mary's Church in Sanger recently held their Eucharistic Retreat with special guests, Bishop Brennan, Msgr. John Griesbach and Fr. Santi Scibilia!



Thank you to St. Mary's parish

and all who joined!

Courtesy of St. Mary's Parish, Sanger

Couples Retreat

CDA Court St. John 2526


The Catholic Daughters of America Court St. John invite you to their Couples Retreat. If you're in a relationship or would like to be in the future - this retreat is open for you!


Join them on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 8AM to 4PM. It will be $20 per person with Continental breakfast and lunch provided!


Please see the full flyer for complete details.


The deadline to register is October, 14, 2023.

View the Full Flyer

Women Religious

Reggie Chichi: The Sparrow that Finds a Home

PDDM's Newest Publication


The Pious Disciples of the Divine Master is happy to share with you their newest publication, "Reggie Chichi: The Sparrow that Finds a Home."


Sr. Mary Magdalene Ikeda and Sr. Mary Angela Chavez were on the staff at Regina Cleri, the Boston Archdiocesan Clergy Home, for many years. As members of the religious congregation PDDM founded in Alba, Italy, by Blessed James Alberione on February 10, 1924, one of the apostolic expressions of their Christ-centered life is service to the Priesthood. While doing their ministry at Regina Cleri, they came across an orphaned sparrow, whom they adopted and named “Reggie Chichi”. The book contains the adventures of this lovable birdie as narrated by the two Sisters.



It is a book meant for people of all ages … for those “young at heart”. Moreover, it will help us “to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards God’s infinite light” (cf. Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, n. 246). The beautiful experiences of Sr. Mary Angela and Sr. Mary Magdalene can inspire us towards the integration of creation, that is, when all things will be restored and united in Jesus Christ, the Lord of Creation.

The book will be diffused "gratis" to those who are interested.


Donations to help defray the mailing and printing expenses would be greatly welcome.

Courtesy of Sr. Mary

Margaret, PDDM

Diocesan Retreat Centers

High School Camp

Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center, Three Rivers


Check out the photos from Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center's High School Camp!

Courtesy of Samantha Rodriquez, Retreat Coordinator

Catechetical Ministry

Catechetical Ministries in Motion

St. John the Evangelist Parish, Wasco


A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to give a catechist retreat in the parish of St. John the Evangelist in Wasco. I wanted to thank the director of religious education of the parish, Alicia Gonzalez, and her staff for helping with the set-up and luncheon along with Fr. Guillermo Preciado for the use of his parish facilities and hospitality.


Using resources from Eucharistic Revival, the focus of this workshop was to discuss and understand the function of the Eucharist and communion of the faithful within the various elements in which we are directly connected as Christians, catechists and servants to the Lord’s people and through the strength of the Body of Christ, “Connecting with the Eucharist”.


The celebration of the Eucharist is not a private devotion but rather a communal gathering much like a family meal. We come together at the same time and in the same place so that we can take part in a common action. We open with a ceremony of pardon, a way to unburden ourselves of past offenses so that we can rejoice in one another’s company as the community of the faithful.


So how can we function as the Eucharist within our communities? Aside from the service we can provide through our ministries, participation within the community we partake in takes on a more personal and intimate role. Belonging to a community of faith is so crucial and valuable that Christ Himself modelled it in His personal earthly ministry.

Article by Roman Flores, Catechetical Ministry Coordinator

Read More (ENG/ESP)

Youth & Young Adult Ministry

A Recap on World Youth Day 2023 Lisbon

For the Young People in the Diocese of Fresno

“Todos, todos, todos! En la Iglesia hay Lugar para Todos!” Pope Francis addresses the 1.5 Million young souls at the 2023 World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, Portugal.


The journey entailed submerging oneself in a different culture, meeting new friends and families, long hours of walking and unrest, and for many pilgrims from the Diocese of Fresno, the opportunity to see Pope Francis within a couple of feet of proximity; his presence filling hearts with happiness and bringing tears of joy. The Holy Father encouraged everyone “not to let their ‘Great Dreams' of changing the world be 'stopped by fear." For the young people in the Diocese of Fresno, this message is for you.


1.A Different Culture

Portugal with open arms, welcomed all pilgrims worldwide to worship as one. For many, culture shock was real. Pilgrims enjoyed learning the language, tasting the food and using Euros as currency. Without a doubt, Portugal is beautiful. The perfect country for many youth's first WYD.


2.Days in the Diocese/World Youth Day

Days in the Diocese (DID), usually the first week before the Main WYD events, allowed groups from allowed groups from all around the world to experience Portugal in a very intimate manner. Registered groups were divided into the different Dioceses of Portugal and were assigned "Host Families." Host Families are native families who, through God's love and grace, opened the doors to their home to pilgrims. Pilgrims had the opportunity to experience a week in the life of a Portuguese family.

Article by Ely Medina, Youth & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator

Read More (ENG/ESP)

Events

Event Name

Location

Time

More Info

Divine Mercy Catholic Church Fundraiser

Panera, Clovis

1260 Shaw Ave

September 6, 2023 4:00 PM -8 :00 PM

View the Flyer

Marriage Enrichment Retreat

St. Anthony Retreat Center, Three Rivers

September 8 - 10, 2023

View the Flyer

International Exhibition the Eucharistic Miracles of the World

St. Charles Borromeo Church Hall,Visalia

September 9 - 10, 2023

9:00AM - 7:00 PM

View the Flyer

Come Away Retreat

St. Anthony Retreat Center, Three Rivers

September 12- 14, 2023

View the Flyer

Women's Retreat

St. Anthony Retreat Center, Three Rivers

September 22 - 24, 2023

View the Flyer

Our Lady of Fatima Celebration Mass and Raffle

St. Charles Borromeo Church, Visalia

September 24, 2023

10:00 AM

Learn more

Foundations Course for Faith Nursing

The Shrine of St. Thérèse, Fresno

September 28 - October 1, 2023

Visit Website

The Diocese of Fresno's Annual

Blue Mass

St. John's Cathedral, Fresno

September 29, 2023 12:10 PM

View the Flyer

Harvest Festival

St. Joachim School Yard, Madera

September 29 & 30, 2023

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Learn More

Diocesan Congress and Youth Day

Visalia Convention Center, Visalia

October 13 - 15, 2023

Save the Date!

Visit Website

Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Fr. Dade Assembly Annual BBQ Retreat

St. Anthony Retreat Center, Three Rivers

October 15, 2023

2:00 PM

View the Flyer

Couples Retreat

View Flyer for Details

October 21, 2023

8:00AM - 4:00 PM

View the Flyer

The Hour of the Laity: A Lay Catholic Conference

Christ Cathedral Campus, Garden Grove

November 2 -5, 2023

Learn More

Advent Family Retreat

St. Anthony Retreat Center, Three Rivers

December 10, 2023

8:00 AM - 4:00PM

View the Flyer

Prayer of the Week

Have Something Special to Share?

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


Contact Samantha Mejia, Promotion & Marketing Specialist at smejia@dioceseoffresno.org

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.”

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Address


1550 North Fresno Street

Fresno, CA 93703-3788


Phone: (559) 488-7400

Fax: (559) 488-7464

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