Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we continue our celebration of the Christmas season, I would like to wish all of you: clergy, religious and laity, a Happy New Year filled with God’s blessings. On January 1, we honored Mary as Mother of God and entrusted the New Year to her maternal protection. As we continue to face the reality of the pandemic, with all of its “ups and downs,” let us do so, with a steadfast spirit. All of us know, without a doubt, that the ups and downs will surely come, but we must not allow fear to get a foothold in our lives. We now have the lived experience of 2020 behind us and it gave us the insight to seriously, and prayerfully, prioritize our everyday lives with God at the center of it all. With fortitude, patience and inspiration we have avoided, by God’s grace, what could have been, an experience of spiritual paralysis. . . Click on the image to read the compete message.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This Advent Season, with the beginning of a new liturgical year, offers to us, in the midst of the darkness of the pandemic, the opportunity to step into the light of this season of new beginnings! It is a time to be alert and prepared for the coming of the Lord! It is a season to make straight the way of the Lord. By repenting, reconciling and reflecting upon our relationship with God and our neighbor, we, with minds and hearts renewed, will be better prepared to come and adore Jesus this Christmas. . . Click on the image to read the complete reflection.

Effective Sunday, December 6 at 11:59 p.m., Mono County (as part of the Southern California Region) will be formally placed under the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Regional Stay-At-Home Order [https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/#regional] (Order). The Order, which will be in effect for a minimum of three weeks, prohibits private gatherings of any size, and closes sector operations except for critical infrastructure and retail in an effort to limit the transmission and spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). . .The following sectors now have additional modifications, in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing: Places of worship and political expression: Allow outdoor services only. . . Click on the virus image to read the complete press release from Mono County.

Effective December 2, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has reassigned Mono County to the most restrictive Tier 1 Widespread (Purple) of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy (Blueprint), the State’s “stringent and slow plan for living with COVID-19 (Coronavirus).” According to the latest order, "Places of Worship (are) Open outdoors with modifications". . . Click on the image to read the press release from Mono County.

The Covid-19 pandemic has marked 2020 as the year when everything changed for society, politics, healthcare, education and even parish life. Individuals, families and systems have been impacted in ways that may be forever changed. Becuase this continues to be a time of financial difficulty for many people, we want to make sure that you are aware of some important resources that Catholic Charities is able to provide between now and the end of December for families in need. . . Click on the image for more information.

There will be one Mass at St. Joseph Church on November 21. It will be bilingual at 12:00 Noon, and Livestreamed on the Mammoth Catholic Church Facebook Page.

Due to Fr. Jorge's illness, the Masses scheduled for Sunday, November 8, at St. Joseph Church are cancelled. Daily Mass is also suspended until further notice. See the video messages below from Fr. Jorge, and please pray for him.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today, we gather to acknowledge All Souls’ Day. Traditionally, the month of November is set aside for us to remember and pray for the faithful departed. As we do so, we know that this year has not been a typical one, to say the least! In early spring, the world found itself under siege by a deadly virus. The outbreak of the Coronavirus turned the world upside down and has altered our everyday lives. As a result of the world pandemic, many lives have been lost, and have been seriously impacted by the prevailing virus. . . Click on the image to read the complete message.

My Dear People of God, As November the 3rd quickly approaches, we are reminded of the importance of participating in our civic duty to vote. I encourage those who have not yet cast their vote to prayerfully do so. As Catholics, we are to approach this duty as informed individuals on the pressing issues at hand. . . Click on image to read the complete address.

On October 3, 2020, Pope Francis signed the encyclical Fratelli Tutti in Assisi, Italy. The encyclical focuses on fraternity and social friendship. Click on the image to link to the encyclical in both English and Spanish, Archbishop Gomez's statement, highlights from the presentation of Fratelli Tutti, and a letter from the Apostolic Nuncio Christophe Pierre.

Brothers and Sisters, It brings me great joy to share some good news with you about the most recent update to our counties' tier status in regard to places of worship. On the second page of this document you will find the status of each county within our diocese. As we start tore-open in some counties, I want to remind you to care for one another by maintaining at least a six-foot distance between those of different households and staying home if you are feeling sick. It is a great blessing to be able to celebrate Mass indoors as a community again. If you and your family are not at risk or vulnerable to the virus, I encourage you to take advantage of this blessing and attend Mass in person. It is recommended to those who are at risk and vulnerable to the virus to participate in the Mass by way of live streaming. With regard to outdoor Masses, they are still encouraged to continue as they allow for greater attendance. . . Click on the image to read the complete update and the Guidelines for Returning to Indoor Masses.

My Dear People of God, As we find ourselves in this time of uncertainty, prayer for our personal peace of mind and heart is urgent at this time. This month of October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary. If you and your families have not yet embraced this powerful prayer form, I highly recommend that you do so. It will bring many essential graces for you and your family at this time of difficulty. . . Click on the image to read the complete letter.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I believe Mary is with us as we feel frustration, anger, pain, and uncertainty during these days of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and increasing civil strife as we struggle with the scourge of racism and seemingly ever-increasing polarization. Mary understands and will intercede for us if we ask her. During the month of September we celebrate two feasts of Mary: September 8: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and September 15: Our Lady of Sorrows. . . Click on the image to read the complete message and link to the prayers.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This month I direct my reflection to the parents of the 35 parishes within our Diocese of Stockton. As Bishop, I am blessed to serve you, our Catholic families, from Lodi to Newman; from Mammoth Lakes to Tracy, and all the communities within the 10,000 square miles of our Diocese of Stockton. The Catholic Church has contributed to the rich history of this region of California. It has blazed trails providing and fostering the Christian faith in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. It has upheld and provided Catholic school education and faith formation for countless families. The Church has also provided quality hospital and medical care, as well as outreach ministries such as Catholic Charities. Our outreach ministries have provided many life sustaining services to countless families. This has, and continues to be, the “mission call” of our Diocese. . . Click on the image to read the complete message.

Dear Friends and Benefactors: This year 2020 will be an unforgettable one because the pandemic. It has affecting us all over the World in many different ways. We discovered how vulnerable we are and we have been affected personally or with someone close to us who became sick or die because of the Coronavirus. Many people are struggling with the lack of jobs and because they don’t have enough income to survive and we were forced to reinvent ourselves and to learn things that we never thought we ever need. . . Click on the image to read the complete letter.

You can attend the Sunday Masses at St. Joseph Church which are celebrated outside in the church parking lot: English Mass at Noon and Spanish Mass at 6:00 PM. Both are Livestreamed on the Mammoth Catholic Church Facebook Page. Wear a face mask and bring a hat or other protection from the summer sun since there is minimal shade there. For those participating online, they may go to the Church to receive Holy Communion immediately following each Mass for about 30 minutes. There is no daily Mass, but St. Joseph Church remains open for private prayer from Noon to 8:00 PM daily.

My Dear People of God, It is truly a blessing for us, as the Church, to have a beautiful Solemnity in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the midst of the summer season. On August 15, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption. On that day, we are reminded of the Dogma of the Church that Mary was taken up to heaven body and soul. As Our Glorified Mother, she intercedes for us always wanting the best for us, her children. . . Click on the image to read the complete message.

My Dear People of God, As we continue to move forward in our Sunday celebration of Mass, I want to thank the priests and their parish teams for coordinating the necessary safety precautions in order to have Mass. Also, I want to thank you, the parishioners, for your patience and cooperation, as we move forward in the midst of the presence of this pandemic. . . . Click on the image to read the complete message.

Sunday Masses are being held at the St. Joseph Parish Hall in Mammoth Lakes. There are two Masses: 12:00 Noon in English, and 6:00 PM in Spanish. Both Masses are also Livestreamed on the Mammoth Catholic Church Facebook Page. Although open to the public, attendance is strictly limited on a first come - first seated basis. Seats will be assigned as you arrive. Face coverings are required throughout the Mass. Due to the reduced capacity, the faithful are strongly encouraged to participate through Livestream. There is also be an opportunity for the Livestream participants to receive Holy Communion in person at the entrance to St. Joseph Church for approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of Mass. Click on the image to see Fr. Jorge's video explaining the new Mass and Communion protocols.

As we anxiously anticipate opening up our churches for the public celebration of Mass and the Sacraments, we must prayerfully reflect on what it means to receive and to be nourished by Jesus in the Eucharist. Coming back to Mass is not only about a “me and Jesus” thing. Although a personal encounter with Christ is important, it does not end there. As we receive Jesus at church, in Word and Sacrament, we, then, are not to leave him in church as we are dismissed and sent forth from church. . . Click on the image to read the complete message.