Mass of Solemn Profession at St. Malachy's Catholic Church, Tehachapi

Celebrate the Profession of Solemn Vows

Synod Listening Sessions 

Submit Your Listening Session Response to the

Synod Committee

The Synod process is still moving forward! Many parishes are still hosting listening sessions, while some are working on their summary to submit to our Synod Committee. Thank you to all who have worked hard to make this Synod a success! 

The deadline to submit information for our diocesan report is June 1st. Parish representatives have been sent the links to submit a parish report in both English and Spanish, and the link is also available on our website. 

Parishes are also encouraged to download our new brochure, which includes a link and QR code so people can submit their individual response to the Synod questions. These are great to use with people who were not able to attend a listening session, or for people who do not usually go to church or did not feel comfortable attending a session. The purpose of the Synod is to hear everyone’s voice, not only those who go to Mass each Sunday or who were able to attend a session. The due date for individual submissions is also June 1st. 

We hope reports will be sent soon, as the Synod Committee needs time to read each and every one and create a synopsis that represents the parishes of our diocese. This synopsis is due to the USCCB by June 30th. We appreciate the help in using the upcoming weeks to submit information. 

Help us share the good news of the Synod! Share pictures of your parish Synod experiences on social media and tag #synodDOF. Want to share your parish story? Contact Rosie at [email protected] to submit a short article on your parish Synod experience in future Diocese of Fresno newsletters! 

Article by: Rose M. Hernandez, Director of Formation and Evangelization

The Catechetical Corner

May is the Month of Mary

In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, we learned that the angel Gabriel came to Mary and announced that she was to be the mother of Jesus.

Greeting her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Troubled by this greeting, Mary did not know what to make of it. Gabriel assured her of God’s love for her and told her, “…you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.”

The angel informed her how the Holy Spirit would come to her and, to help her to understand the power of God. Mary’s response to Gabriel’s words were, “…I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Among many women why was Mary chosen to be the mother of Jesus? This is because Mary was humble and compliant to the will of God. Mary did not say I will not submit to the will of God because I have my own will for myself, Mary humbly said yes.

By: Roman Flores, Catechetical Ministries Coordinator