Proclaim the Good News

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

February 24, 2025

Office of the Bishop

Pray for Pope Francis

Bishop Brennan calls for Valley Catholics to pray for Pope Francis amid his hospitalization.

“Trusting in the comfort and healing of the Lord, I ask for the charity of your prayers for Pope Francis. We pray for the restoration of his health and for his liberation from pain. We also pray for the healthcare professionals guiding him through this journey.”

- Bishop Brennan

St. Joseph's Table:

Bishop Brennan's Annual Charity Event and Mass

Bishop Brennan invites the parishes of the Diocese of Fresno to join him in celebrating

St. Joseph’s Table, a Catholic tradition he holds dear, at all weekend Masses of March 22nd and March 23rd.

This tradition is especially significant to him because of his Italian heritage, his birth name, and it’s close connection to his birthday.

Each parish community is encouraged to bring non-perishable foods to a ‘table’ honoring St. Joseph, which will be delivered to Catholic Charities.

For the faithful who would like to participate, please contact your parish office or join Bishop Brennan at Holy Spirit Church in Fresno on Sunday, March 23rd at 10:00 am.

Learn More!

Bishop Brennan Addresses

Immigration Challenges

"There are gospel values at play here and human lives at stake.”

- Bishop Brennan

Bishop Brennan addresses mass deportations and immigration challenges that are directly impacting our community with an interview with ABC30.

Click here to watch Bishop Brennan's Interview

Annual Clergy Workshop

We ask the faithful to pray for our Bishops, Priests and Deacons as they attend their Annual Clergy Workshop on Wednesday, February 26th.

Bishop Brennan celebrates

World Marriage Day Mass

Bishop Brennan celebrated the World Marriage Day Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Visalia on Sunday, February 16th. Couples and families gathered at this special Mass to celebrate the beauty of marriage and family.

Check out the photos!

Congratulations, Mindy Casto!

Bishop Brennan and the Diocese of Fresno would like to congratulate Mindy Casto on becoming the 24th Police Chief of Fresno. Chief Casto is the first female appointed to the position.

Throughout her interim, the Diocese and Fresno Police Department have been able to reinforce a strong community partnership, building bridges between the community and law enforcement. We look forward to our continued work towards our common goal of a safe and peaceful community.

Congratulations, Chief Casto!

Bishop Brennan wishes his Diocesan staff a Happy Birthday

Office of Catholic Education

It's Basketball Season!

Congratulations to the Girls Basketball Team at St. Aloysius School in Tulare and the Boys Basketball Team at George McCann Memorial in Visalia for taking home the First-Place trophy at the PAL Tournament at San Joaquin Memorial High School last weekend.

Girls Basketball Team at

St. Aloysius School in Tulare

Boys Basketball Team at

George McCann Memorial in Visalia

Librarian for a Day

St. Anthony School, Fresno

There was a new librarian at St. Anthony School in Fresno for the day!

Grace Ayala, student of St. Anthony's School, stepped into the shoes of Mrs. Wills to become "Librarian for a Day."

Together, they assisted students, organized the bookshelves and read!

Courtesy of St. Anthony School, Fresno

Office of Vocations

Priesthood Discernment Group Meeting

Join us at our upcoming meeting!

Are you looking for support and encouragement as you consider the vocation to the priesthood? The Diocese of Fresno's Office of Vocations is offering Discernment Group Meetings for those who are being called the priesthood.

Join them at their next meeting on Sunday, March 2nd at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Bakersfield starting at 6:00pm.

For more information, please contact Fr. Ivan Hernandez Melchor, Director of Vocations, at (559) 488-7424 or vocations@dioceseoffresno.org.

View the Schedule!

Parish Focus

Community Wedding

San Clemente Mission Parish, Bakersfield

12 couples from St. Joseph and San Clemente Parish in Bakersfield received the Sacrament of Marriage recently.

Fr. Jose de Jesus Reynaga, Pastor of St. Joseph Church, organized a Community Wedding which allowed these beautiful couples to get married at San Clemente Mission Parish.

Courtesy of St. Joseph's Church, Bakersfield

Prayer and Life Workshops

Shrine of St. Thérèse, Fresno

The Shrine of St. Thérèse presents Prayer and Life Workshops!

Take a leap of faith to experience true freedom in your life with Christ during this dynamic 15-week program.

All are invited to attend an Introductory Session on Monday, March 10th at the Shrine of St. Thérèse in Fresno beginning at 6:00pm.

Courtesy of Fr. Ivan Hernandez Melchor,

Pastor, Shrine of St. Therese

View the Flyer

Restorative Justice

Forming Parish Prison Ministry Teams

To support restorative justice, Msgr. John Griesbach formed a Diocesan Prison Ministry Formation Team. This team is comprised of individuals with rich and varied experiences working with the prison system in our country.

On February 16th, the Diocesan Formation Team held a meeting with parishioners throughout the Merced Vicariate to encourage and provide information on building a prison ministry team at their parish.

Diocesan Retreat Center

Ash Wednesday Day of Reflection: Hope in Difficult Times

Join the St. Anthony Retreat Center in Three Rivers for their Annual Ash Wednesday Day of Reflection on March 5th, 2025.

Kick off your Lenten journey by reflecting on how the season of Lent can provide hope in difficult times.

Learn More! (ENG/ESP)

Events

Event Name	Location	Time	More Info
Priesthood Discernment Group Meetings	St. Philip the Apostle, Bakersfield	March 2, 2025 6:00 PM	View the Flyer
Ash Wednesday Day of Reflection	St. Anthony Retreat Center, Three Rivers	March 5, 2025 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM	View the Flyer
Youth Confirmation Fundraiser: Rico Pozole	St. John's Cathedral, Fresno	March 9, 2025 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM	View the Flyer
Prayer & Life Workshops	Shrine of St. Therese, Fresno	March 10, 2025 6:00 PM	View the Flyer
St. Patrick's Day Dinner and Auction	St. Anthony's Event Center, Fresno	March 15, 2025 6:30 PM	View the Flyer
Holy Spirit: The Soul of the Church Presentation	St. Brigid Church's McHugh Hall, Hanford	March 22, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM	View the Flyer
St. Joseph's Table: Bishop Brennan's Annual Charity Event and Mass	Holy Spirit Church, Fresno	March 23, 2025	Learn More
Praise & Prayer Concert with Ge'La	San Clemente Mission, Bakersfield	April 1, 2025 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM	View the Flyer
Soup for the Soul Lenten Fundraiser	St. Aloysius School Cafeteria, Tulare	April 4, 2025 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM	View the Flyer
Priesthood Discernment Group Meetings	St. Patrick’s Church, Merced	April 6, 2025 6:00 PM	View the Flyer
Divine Mercy Sunday: Pilgrimage Trip	Shrine of Our Lady of Peace, Santa Clara	April 27, 2025	View the Flyer
Priesthood Discernment Group Meetings	St. Jude Catholic Church, Easton	May 4, 2025 6:00 PM	View the Flyer
Priesthood Discernment Group Meetings	St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Reedley	June 1, 2025 6:00 PM	View the Flyer
9th Annual Seminarian Dinner Fundraiser & Casino Night	Pardini's, Fresno	June 28, 2025 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM	View the Flyer

*A Note to our Parishes: Do you have a Parish Event you would like to promote? Send over your event flyer to smejia@dioceseoffresno.org and we'll include it in the event section on our newsletter and website!