Proclaim the Good News

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

April 3, 2023

Bishop Brennan Celebrates the

Annual Chrism Mass

Bishop Brennan celebrated the Annual Chrism Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Visalia.

During Mass, Bishop Brennan blessed the Oils that were given to each Parish in the Diocese of Fresno to be used for Sacraments.

Our Diocesan Priests also renewed their priestly vows.

In case you missed it, you can watch the Mass at dioceseoffresno.org/chrism-mass

A Moment with Bishop Brennan "Experiencing the Empty Tomb"

In this episode, Bishop Brennan talks about the experience of the Good and Bad News of the Empty Tomb - the Resurrection of Jesus.  

“Let the joy of the Resurrection rule your hearts as this Easter Season is about to begin” - Bishop Brennan.  

Bishop Brennan Congratulates All Clergy Who Celebrate Anniversaries 

in the Month of April

Parish Focus

St. Anthony of Padua's Teen Confirmation

Over 1,000 family and friends were in attendance at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fresno on Saturday, March 25, 2023 to witness 82 parish youth receive Confirmation. We pray this special day and the significance of what they received from Bishop Armando Xavier Ochoa remains with them throughout their life. Bishop reminded them that today is not a graduation, but rather the beginning of their adult faith journey. Today is when you say Yes (like Mary’s “Fiat”) to the call of the Holy Spirit to live your Catholic faith and to share that faith with others. It is a call to be an active part of the faith community starting this Sunday and every Sunday thereafter at St. Anthony of Padua and St. Agnes parishes.

Let us continue to pray for these young people that God will use them in unique ways to influence our local community with the fruits of the Holy Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Congratulations to the Confirmandi and their families.

Courtesy of Ray Young, Director of Ministries

The Annunciation of Mary and

Stations of the Cross

St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal, Delano

Children from the Religious Education program had a celebration of The Annunciation of Mary and Stations of the Cross at St. Mary's School in Delano.

Courtesy of St. Mary Miraculous Medal, Delano

The 33rd Annual Blessing of the Bikes

St. Helen's Church, Fresno

You're invited to the 33rd Annual Blessing of the Bikes at St. Helen's Church in Fresno on May 20th at 12:00pm!

Bring your bikes for a blessing of safety and protection.

For more information, please call

(559) 213-2334!

Courtesy of St. Helen's Church, Fresno

Catechetical Ministries

The Catechetical Corner

Celebrating the Resurrection

The celebration of Easter is one of the most significant events in biblical history. As we remember it, believers visibly and actively celebrate God's redemptive work for His people throughout Scripture. However, as a catechist, I do tend to encounter parishioners on occasion, both young and older, that still do not understand what this celebration is about.

We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We embrace the fundamental aspects of the Passover and the story of redemption. Jesus is the Passover Lamb.

Not only did Jesus celebrate the Passover, but He Himself became the sacrificial lamb at Passover. In chapter 12 of the book of Exodus, we are told how the sacrifice of God's lamb was not only precise in time, but also in purpose. The blood of the Passover lamb guarded, for one night, God's people from the righteous judgment of the Lord that would come upon Egypt for the sin of the Egyptians. Likewise, the blood of the Lamb of God eternally guards God's people from the righteous judgment of the Lord who comes upon all the earth for the sin of mankind.

Article by Roman Flores, Catechetical Coordinator