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 as well as Archbishop Gomez's statement and highlights from the presentation of Fratelli Tutti.

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.

Holy Scripture boldly proclaims, “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are”(1 Jn 3:1). This love “comes from God and unites us to God; through this unifying process it makes us a ‘we’ which transcends our divisions and makes us one, until in the end God is ‘all in all’ (1 Cor 15:28).” 1 By the work of the HolySpirit, the Church is called to share with all the world this gift of love. As Pope Francis points out, “The salvation which God has wrought, and the Church joyfully proclaims, is for everyone. God has found a way to unite himself to every human being in every age.”2 Through his Cross and Resurrection, Christ united the one human race to the Father. However, even though Christ’s victory over sin and death is complete, we still live in a world affected by them. As bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States, we want to address one particularly destructive and persistent form of evil. Despite many promising strides made in our country, racism still infects our nation. . . Click on the image to read the complete letter.

There is no one who is too self-sufficient, tough or powerful that, sometime in their life, they didn’t need a mother, a mom. Even the Son of God needed the love of a mother! The love of a mother is love that is nourishing, protecting & unconditional. It’s a love which impacts & influences the formation of the life of her child......Click on the image to read the complete message in English or Spanish.

Dear Brothers and Sisters: Well, “How are we doing?” Without a doubt: “This is a Lent we will never forget!” Truly, this has been a challenging time for all of us. As we continue this journey, we need to remember that we are in this crisis together and Jesus is with us in the midst of it all. We need to believe this and we to trust him. . . . . Click on the image to read the complete letter in English or Spanish.

April 5 - Palm Sunday Mass (Livestream) at Noon. Have some branches from your garden and be ready to have them blessed at the beginning of the Mass. . . . . April 9 - Holy Thursday Mass (Livestream) at 6:00 PM. Have some bread to be blessed during the Mass. After the Mass, if weather permits, Fr. Jorge will go on his open top Jeep through the streets of Mammoth Lakes with the Blessed Sacrament blessing the Town and the people. . . . . April 10 - Good Friday Services: Stations of the Cross (Livestream) at 1:00 PM; . . . The Seven Words (Livestream) at 2:00 PM; . . . The Passion of the Lord (Livestream) at 3:00 PM. This is the main liturgical celebration. Have a Crucifix to be blessed. . . . Procession of the Cross at 5:00 PM. Fr. Jorge and probably other Pastors of the various Christian denominations will walk with the Cross in silence through the streets of Mammoth Lakes. . . . . April 11 - Holy Saturday Easter Vigil (Livestream) at 8:00 PM. Have some water and a candle to be blessed during the Mass. . . . . April 12 - Easter Sunday Service at 10:00 AM - Tentatively an Ecumenical Service (Livestream) with the pastors of various Christian denominations. . . Easter Mass at noon (Livestream). Have a white or golden flag to be blessed during the Mass. . . . . The Livestream events can be viewed on the St. Joseph Facebook page. You can join in directly on that Facebook page named Mammoth Catholic Church, or click on the Facebook symbol in the upper right corner of this page. . . . . Click on the image for the Spanish translation of this schedule.

My Dear People of God, We find ourselves in challenging and chaotic times. The whole world has been impacted by a threatening adversary: a virus. The effect that the Coronavirus is having on our global society is unprecedented. Everyday life: health, work, entertainment, sporting and cultural events, economics and politics have been “stopped in its tracks,” including the area of worship throughout the world. . . Click on the image to read the complete message.

The Diocese of Stockton affirms its commitment to provide a safe environment for its children. Under the Chatter for the Protection of Children and Young People established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in 2002 the Diocese of Stockton has expanded its protection to include children of preschool age as well as vulnerable adults. While the Diocese of Stockton works year-round to prevent abuse, the month of April is designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month a time to be extra diligent in our duty to provide a safe environment for all members of our Church and our community. As members of the Church we value the prevention of abuse and the support of those who have been abused. It is important to be aware of the signs of abuse and report inappropriate behavior to the proper agencies. What's being done in the Diocese of Stockton to Prevent Abuse? . . . Click on the image for more information.

A Weekend of Discovery, a Lifetime of Love..... Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a weekend for married Christian couples who value their relationship and desire a richer, fuller life together. Attend a Marriage Encounter weekend and learn the tools needed to keep your marriage strong. The emphasis of Worldwide Marriage Encounter is on communication between husband and wife, who spend a weekend together away from the distractions and the tensions of everyday life, to concentrate on each other. It's not a retreat, nor a marriage clinic, nor group sensitivity. It's a unique approach aimed at revitalizing Christian Marriage. This is a time for you and your spouse to be alone together. To rediscover each other and together focus on your relationship for an entire weekend. Every marriage deserves that kind of attention! Rediscover the spark that was there on your wedding day! Rediscover the best friend you had when you were first married! Join the millions of couples worldwide who have learned how to keep their marriage vibrant and alive! Click on the image for information.

The week of February 7 - 14 is time to grow an increase the grace of the Sacrament of Marriage. Come to the weekday 6:00 PM Mass at St. Joseph Church where we will pray for the couples of our Parish and talk about the various subjects of the Marriage life: The Vocation to love; We are for each other, let’s invite God to Bless us; The Sacrament of Marriage; The Fidelity; Love in good times and in bad; Respect and Honor all the days of the life; The Children, Citizens of the Kingdom of God; Priests of the Domestic Church.

Office of Bishop Myron J. Cotta, D.D.; Bishop’s Reflection for the Month of January 2020; A Blessed and Happy New Year to all! As we welcome 2020 and anticipate the joys and challenges of the New Year, let us be open to the graces God has in store for us as the clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Stockton. As we begin this New Year, the month of January can help to set the tone for the whole year. The Christmas Solemnities and celebrations of January give us several spiritual steppingstones on our journey into 2020.....Click on the image to read the complete message.