Theme 3 - The Master Who Sets You Free

Every day, every hour, every step takes the pilgrim closer to his destiny, since every day this desire is renewed. The Christian journey has its importance not by where one journeys, but by what really matters is who journeys. On this World Youth Day Rio2013, we will not be in a simple journey to Brazil or to Rio de Janeiro, but we will be seeking Christ who lives and Reigns.

Pope Francis has named Jesuit Father Michael Barber, 58, a member of the Jesuit Province of California and director of spiritual formation at St. John’s Seminary, Brighton (Boston), Massachusetts, as bishop of Oakland, California. The appointment was publicized in Washington, May 3, by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Theme 2 - The Master Who Calls You

On Saturday, April 27, fifty-six students graduated from the Vino Nuevo and New Wine ministry formation program at St. Charies Boromeo Church in Visalia. Bishop Armando X. Ochoa presented certificates to those completing the three-year diocesan formation and certification program for lay ecclesial ministry, which provides human development, theological and spiritual formation for those who are or wish to be serving in church ministry.

Beginning Sunday, April 21, Catholic dioceses in California observed National Crime Victims’ Week with special prayers services and Masses. National Crime Victims’ Week is an annual event established in 1981 to draw attention to the people and families whose lives have been affected by violent crime.

Spiritual preparation for World Youth Day is Key! The official WYD13 site has given us seven session of Lectio Divino for prayer and reflection. These can be done as a group or individually, with other Pilgrims, or with friends and family.

You might think a Pilgrim only need worry about the travel aspects of World Youth Day…passports, visas, luggage, what to pack…but there is so much more

When Monsignor Michael Braun learned that he was a winner of the Distinguished Pastor Award, he said he was surprised. The faculty, staff, and parishioners at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and Parish, however, were not surprised that their pastor had received this great honor.Msgr. Michael Braun, a Distinguished Pastor

….that 52 young adults and parish leaders are attending World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in just four months? They will be embarking on an exciting adventure; an adventure of travel, of prayer, of community, and a true experience of Universal Church!

These sacred days are moments of faith. These days we move with the mystery of the human Jesus in his personal journey to complete on earth, the mission of sanctification and unification of God’s people. During Lent we have reflected on our sins. We have prayed fervently to change our hearts and minds so as to reflect the heart and mind of Jesus. We have questioned our personal response to the suffering in the world. We have taken time, particularly this year to pray for a retiring Pope, and to pray with great earnest for a new leader to carry the Church into the future. We have been reminded in the press that we are a sinful people, always in need of reconciliation, and that all levels of the Church, from cardinals to bishops, to priests and the laity, there is much to be done to turn to justice. Jesus simply walked, prayed, cured, forgave, and suffered. It was his lot, but it is our lot. His humility is to be our humility.

Mandatory Safe Environment Training for All Clergy, Employees and Volunteers throughout the Diocese is Completed! Since the fall of 2012, 89 parishes and their missions and all 22 Catholic Schools throughout the Diocese of Fresno have been extremely busy complying with the mandatory Safe Environment Training for their employees and all volunteers who have contact with minors. Read more...

Friday, February 15th, St. Francis School welcomed Father Dan Avila, Vocation Director for our Diocese of Fresno, for a day beginning with the celebration of Liturgy, and conversation with our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.

Bishop Armando X. Ochoa, D.D. and all present at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Visalia, witnessed over two hundred forty-plus couples renew vows on their wedding anniversaries, ranging from 25 to 73 years on World Marriage Day, at the Bishop’s Annual Anniversary Mass of Married Couples, February 10, 2013. The Catholic Church of Visalia.

St. Rita Catholic Church has experienced many amazing miracles throughout its existence since 1967. This “Year of Faith” has brought a new and an unforeseen miracle for the entire Catholic community of Tulare. On Sunday, January 27, 2013, St. Rita’s Catholic Church established its very first Youth Group Ministry.

One theme of our Scriptural readings today could be summed up in one word: vocation. Each one is about vocation: the vocations of Isaiah, St. Paul and the Apostles. Now, whenever we talk about vocations, most of us probably think of priesthood or religious vocations. However, as you probably know, each one of us has a vocation, a calling from God. Through our Baptism we are all called to be a disciple of Christ in the world. But since this Sunday marks World Marriage Day, I would like to focus specifically on Marriage.

February 1, 2012 , our Bishop Armando Ochoa gathered with a good number of the Pastoral Center staff and other concerned friends to bless the new Bishop Steinbock Center. A special guest was Fr. Leo Steinbock from the Los Angeles Archdiocese, a brother of our beloved former bishop.

The Diocese of Fresno welcomes Sr. Invención Canas, RAD who was recently appointed by Bishop Ochoa as the new part-time Vicar for Women Religious for the Diocese of Fresno

Beautiful prayer resources for your family to enjoy this Thanksgiving

SACRAMENTO – Edward E (“Ned”) Dolejsi, Executive Director of the California Catholic Conference, released a statement today regarding the passage of Propositions 35 and 36.

SACRAMENTO – The Most Reverend Gerald Wilkerson, President of the California Catholic Conference, released a statement today regarding the defeat of Proposition 34.

The Bishop's Annual Appeal is now underway

Bishop's Annual Appeal is now underway - Learn more and participate now

Visit the website for Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center!

Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery has introduced a new option for the placement of cremated remains.

Three women have been assigned to three important offices here at the Pastoral Center.

Lear about the annual Holy Bowl event from the Athletic Director/Teacher/Head Football Coach at San Joaquin Memorial High School. It will air on KNXT-TV on Saturday.

A message from our Bishop

September 2012 News from the School of Ministry

Noticias del mes de Septiembre - Escuela de Ministerios

September 2012 Youth and Young Adult News

August 2012 News for Family Life Ministry

August 2012 News for Detention Ministry

Noticias del mes de Agosto - Oficina de Ministerios

July Message from the Ministries Director

August 2012 News from the School of Ministry

Noticias del mes de Agosto - Escuela de Ministerios

Noticias del mes de Agosto - Biblioteca

Noticias del mes de Agosto - Pastoral Juvenil

Noticias del mes de Agosto - Ministerio Penitenciario

Noticias del mes de Agosto - Catequesis

Noticias del mes de Agosto

Noticias del mes de Agosto - Pastoral Familiar

August 2012 Youth and Young Adult News

Get to know the summer 2012 Office of Ministries Interns

July 2012 News for Detention Ministry

Media Center Resources for the month of August 2012

July 2012 News for Catechetical Ministry

July 2012 News for Health Ministries

July 2012 News for Family Life Ministry

The Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions invites us to participate in a Special Novena in honor of Blessed Kateri's feast day.

June 2012 News for Catechetical Ministry

May 2012 News from the School of Ministry

May 2012 News for Catechetical Ministry

May 2012 News for Detention Ministry

May 2012 Youth and Young Adult News

May 2012 News for Family Life Ministry

May 2012 News for Social Justice Ministry

May 2012 News for Multicultural/Campesino Ministry

Media Center Resources for the month of June 2012

San Joaquin Memorial High School Senior shares the impact of a Catholic Education.

An interview with Jeanne Woodford, the Executive Director of Death Penalty Focus, the largest organization working to abolish the death penalty in California.

Schools of the Diocese of Fresno - Then and Now

On Tuesday, May 1, 2012, the principals of the 20 Catholic elementary schools and the two Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Fresno, met and discussed the new “National Standards.”

A list of Anniversaries of Priestly Ordinations for the month of May 2012

On May 19, 2012 Bishop Armando X. Ochoa ordained three new priests.

La Pastoral Familiar de la Diócesis de Fresno se solidariza con la Conferencia Episcopal de los Estados Unidos (USCCB por sus siglas en inglés), la Conferencia Episcopal de California (CCC), Red Legislativa Católica de California y el Comité Nacional para una Enmienda a la Vida Humana (NCHLA por sus siglas en inglés), para apoyar “la primera y más preciada de nuestras libertades”, Libertad Religiosa:

The Diocese of Fresno’s Family Life Ministry joins in solidarity with the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops,(USCCB), California Catholic Conference,(CCC), California Legislative Network & the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment, NCHLA), to support “our First, Most Cherished Liberty”, Religious Liberty:

Noticias del mes de Abril - Oficina de Ministerios

April Message from the Ministries Director

Noticias del mes de Abril - Ministerio Penitenciario

Resources for the Month of April- Media Center

Noticias del mes de Abril - Biblioteca

Noticias del mes de Abril - Ministerio Multicultural y Campesino

Noticias del mes de Abril - Escuela de Ministerios

April 2012 News from the School of Ministry

April 2012 News for Detention Ministry

April 2012 News for Family Life Ministry

April 2012 Youth and Young Adult News

April News for Multicultural/Campesino Ministry

A list of Priestly Ordinations from February-April 2012.