Once again, our community is touched by darkness.  Family, friends, neighbors and the vast multitude of good and caring people in our community must now decide, once again, how we will respond to this senseless tragedy.  We must reflect on what we have experienced and how we feel about it. Anger and outrage are certainly a natural reaction; yet, these feelings must also be experienced as an invitation to prayerful reflection so that our raw feelings do not take hold and lead us into the very darkness we abhor.

Our Lord Jesus knew that the Hosannas sung upon his entrance into Jerusalem would soon turn into cries to have him crucified.  United to Christ by faith, we too know that forms of persecution remain part of living the Christian life.  Although, like Christ, we do not seek to respond to violence with violence – we must continue to seek out ways to protect the weak and vulnerable among us, while addressing religious persecution that puts them in harm’s way.

In the early hours of Palm Sunday, as Christians began the celebration of the holiest week of the year, our brothers and sisters in Egypt suffered unspeakable persecution. They were at Church.  They were praying.  And in the midst of what should be peace, horrible violence yet again.  I express our deepest sadness at the loss of those killed, our prayers for healing for all those injured, and our condolences to those who suffer the loss of loved ones."

The word of God is truly alive today. "When an alien resides with you in your land, do not mistreat such a one. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt" (Lev. 19:33-34). To live as a people of God is to live in the hope of the resurrection. To live in Christ is to draw upon the limitless love of Jesus to fortify us against the temptation of fear. Pray that our engagement in the debate over immigration and refugee issues may bring peace and comfort to those most affected by current and proposed national policy changes. (select title for full text)

Bishop Dewane praised "include critical life protections for the most vulnerable among us" but also said, “[i]n attempting to improve the deficiencies of the ACA, health care policy ought not create other unacceptable problems, particularly for those who struggle on the margins of our society.” In quoting Pope Francis, the letter notes, “Health, indeed, is not a consumer good, but a universal right which means that access to healthcare services cannot be a privilege.” Among other things, the letter also notes a lack of any changes to afford conscience protection against mandates to provide contraception and sterilization coverage or services.

En el despertar de la Subasta Espectro ordenada por el Congreso y conducida por la Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC), nuestra estación de televisión diocesana y todas las comunicaciones diocesanas están entrando en una etapa de transformación.  Nuestro objetivo es desarrollar una red de comunicación más amplia y colaborativa, que incluye: Programación de Video; Periódico de Vida Católica de California Central (copia impresa o edición en línea); Sitio Web, Medios de Comunicación Social,  Materiales de Mercadotecnia y otros servicios de apoyo. Estos servicios están ya en funcionamiento; sin embargo, estamos comprometidos a fortalecer nuestra presencia intensificando nuestro mensaje.

In the wake of the spectrum auction mandated by Congress and conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), our diocesan television station and all diocesan communications are entering a time of transformation. Our goal is to develop a more comprehensive, collaborative communication network which includes: Video Programming; Central California Catholic Life Newspaper (hard copy and online edition); Website, Social Media, Marketing Materials and other support services.  These services are already in motion; however, we are committed to strengthening our presence and amplifying our message.

We are deeply concerned about the possibility of widespread deportations that will break up families and break down our communities.  Fear is now growing in our neighborhoods and schools.  The work of businesses and farms is being disrupted.  We seem to be turning away from our nation’s long history of renewal and innovation inspired by successive generations of immigrants and refugees.  We are a nation of immigrants.  We have a long history of welcoming those fleeing violence in other countries.  We should not turn our back on this proud legacy, especially in this current moment in our history.

The DHS memoranda eliminates important protections for vulnerable populations, including unaccompanied children and asylum seekers. They greatly expand the militarization of the U.S./Mexico border.  Taken together, these memoranda constitute the establishment of a large-scale enforcement system that targets virtually all undocumented migrants as ‘priorities’ for deportation, thus prioritizing no one.  The memoranda further seek to promote local law enforcement of federal immigration laws without regard for the existing relationships of trust between local law enforcement officials and immigrant communities.  The engagement of local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law can undermine public safety by making many who live in immigrant communities fearful of cooperating with local law enforcement in both reporting and investigating criminal matters.

There are a number of news stories and copies of addresses given available. This includes Pope Francis' message to those attending the meeting. Click on title for a list.

El cuidado y la protección de los derechos de los inmigrantes y refugiados son de suma importancia para nosotros como personas de fe. No podemos ni debemos permanecer en silencio frente a los ataques contra la vida y el bienestar de las personas, especialmente los niños y las familias vulnerables que son incapaces de defenderse o que se encuentran atrapados entre las fuerzas oscuras de las maniobras políticas y las urgentes necesidades de simplemente sobrevivir. ( Haga clic en el título de la declaración completa del Obispo Ochoa)

The care and protection of the human rights of immigrants and refugees is of paramount importance to us as people of faith. We cannot and must not remain silent when faced with assaults against the life and well-being of people, especially children and vulnerable families, who are unable to defend themselves or who find themselves caught between the dark forces of political maneuvering and the urgent needs to simply survive. (Click on title for full statement from Bishop Ochoa)

". . . we call upon all the Catholic faithful to join us as we unite our voices with all who speak in defense of human dignity."

“As he indicated, these are uncertain times and we stand ready to help Gov. Brown and our elected officials where we can to protect the vulnerable, enhance the common good and promote respectful engagement amongst all Californians.”

... we must not deny the work before us to heal both old rifts and new wounds, including those created by the evil of racism and related mistrust and violence. Society cannot continue this work if its members are unwilling to engage in encounters of the heart that honestly immerse them in one another's lives.

Mariposa and Hornitos are noted as being the earliest locales in the Diocese where irregularly scheduled Masses were held for the Catholic settlers and miners. Temporary ‘churches’ of record in these two gold country settlements of the 1850s were in homes, tents, or ramshackle buildings. Father A. Arnault was the first priest assigned to this part of California to the town of Sonora and is believed to have visited and conferred sacraments in the Mariposa/ Hornitos area as early as 1849.

Sisters and Brothers, dear People of God in the Diocese of Fresno: a warm and cordial welcome to you all.  Grace and Peace to you in Christ Jesus, Our Lord! Tonight, we begin our year-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of Fresno.  We Catholics are so predictable, aren’t we? It seems when it comes to a major celebration, what’s the first thing we think of?  Let’s have Mass!  How natural of us – how Catholic of us.  And so, it comes as no surprise, that the Eucharist is how we express ourselves because the Eucharist is the source and summit of our lives.  It celebrates who we are; what we believe; and who is at the center of everything – even our celebrations:  Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

The earliest Masses observed in the Diocese are believed to be those said by Franciscan Reverend Francisco Tomas Hermene-Gildo Garces as he traveled through what is now Kern and Tulare Counties in 1776. Father Garces was a Spanish born missionary who ministered to the indigenous Native Americans and members of the military company with which he traveled in this his last of four entradas. He noted in his diary that he had covered over 3,600 miles in an eleven month period while reaching members of the varied tribes in both California and Arizona. Father Garces was martyred by rebellious Indians in August 1779 at the Pueblo de la Conception on the Colorado River while trying to negotiate peace during an uprising. Bakersfield’s Garces High School is named for Father Garces. 

Diocese of Fresno Begins 50th Anniversary Year Celebration With Mass and Commissioning of a Mobile Chapel, toight at 6:30 at St. John's Cathedral. Following the example of the missionary priests that traveled this area in special train cars and trucks, the anniversary will be celebrated out in all the areas of the diocese,