Proclaim the Good News

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

May 15, 2023

The Dedication of St. Rita's Church is ONE WEEK AWAY!

The Dedication of St. Rita's New Church is next week on Monday, May 22, 2023 - the Feast of St. Rita! Watch the latest episode of A Moment with Bishop Brennan, "The Dedication of St. Rita's Church" by clicking the video.

Please note that the Dedication Mass is by invitation only.

There are opportunities for families to join St. Rita's in their spiritual journey and preparation. To learn more about the Novena, Evening Prayer & Veneration of Relics and Thanksgiving Masses for the New Church, please visit dioceseoffresno.org/st-ritas

Bishop Ochoa Brings a Strong Spiritual Presence to Valley Children's Hospital

Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, California, is a wonderful healthcare facility filled with great doctors, nurses and volunteers who strive to serve the Central Valley by providing quality healthcare to children.  

Valley Children’s is filled with volunteers from all walks of life and one of them happens to be our very own Bishop Emeritus Armando Ochoa, former Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno. Bishop Ochoa volunteers at Valley Children’s at least twice a week, providing Spiritual Care for families. 

“One of the reasons I went to Children’s Hospital was because we didn’t have a Catholic presence [in the spiritual care department],” Bishop Ochoa states. After retirement, Bishop was looking for a ministry he could step into and Valley Children’s was the lucky recipient of his dedicated ministry.  



Valley Children’s represents the demographics of the Central Valley in that a good portion of the hospital’s patients, families and visitors are Hispanic Catholics, with a large portion of them being farmworkers. The Catholic Community is strongly represented throughout the Valley Children’s staff. Many of the staff members know Bishop Ochoa and a few were even confirmed by him. 

Bishop Brennan wishes his Diocesan staff a Happy Birthday

Eucharistic Revival

"Jesus and the Eucharistic"

Small Group Series

St. Anthony of Padua Church, Fresno

In June 2023, we will kick-off the Year of Parish Eucharistic Revival.

St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fresno is planning for the “Jesus and the Eucharistic” Small Group series in both English and Spanish in September in addition to their monthly First Friday Holy Hour.

This will be followed by their Fall Parish Mission, “Ignite Your Faith” with Fr. Ron Hoye on November 14 – 16, 2023.

For more information, please visit stanthonyfresno.org/eucharistic-revival23

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

Catechetical Ministries

Catechetical Ministries in Motion

OLPH, Bishop - Confirmation Retreat



This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to accompany our Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator, Eli Medina, to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bishop to provide a Confirmation retreat. We thank Fr. John Gracey, Deacon Jorge Cruz and the amazing staff for their hospitality and support in putting together this retreat. From the music provided by Eli and his team from UNITED Ministries to the talks and activities, even though it was a small group, we were blessed to be able to share in the faith with a group of confirmation candidates full of attentiveness and enthusiasm, a testament to their catechetical team and community.

One of the sessions in which I shared with the group focused on walking with Jesus. It reflected upon the Stations of the Cross and how they relate to contemporary times. In this modern world, the Stations of the Cross are a reminder of the values and virtues that are essential for a life of faith and love. Through reflection and meditation on the Stations, we can renew our commitment to God and to the values of compassion, love, forgiveness and hope that are at the heart of the Christian message.

Article by Roman Flores, Catechetical Ministry Coordinator

Photo Courtesy of Eli Medina, Youth&Young Adult Ministry Coordinator

Diocesan Retreat Centers

STYCC Summer Camps!

Jr. High and High School Camps



Summer is just around the corner! Join us for fun and fellowship at our High School and Junior High Summer Camps at the Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center in Three Rivers.

• Junior High Camp: June 26-30, 2023
• High School Camp: July 31 - August 4, 2023

For more information or scholarship applications, please contact (559) 561-1038 or [email protected]