Resurrection! Risen Life! Victory over Sin and Death! The Empty Tomb! My brothers and sisters in the Risen Lord: Peace be with you! “Peace be with you,” these beautiful words were the first words spoken by the Risen Jesus to his Apostles. The Lord offers a peace that embraces the whole person: “Shalom!” It’s God’s blessing, his favor and consolation - His Presence- “God with us.” During the month of April, we begin our journey through 50 days of Easter during which time we will celebrate the Resurrection, Ascension and Pentecost. It is the season of hope and of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. For it is the Spirit, with his gifts and fruits, who will empower us to be the people God has called us to be.... Click on the image to read the complete message.

Easter Masses: Easter Vigil at Saint Joseph Church, Saturday, April 20, 8:00 PM. Easter Sunday, April 21 ----- 8:00 AM at Saint Joseph Church; 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Valley Chapel in Coleville; 10:15 AM at Our Savior of the Mountains Mission in Lee Vining; 12:00 PM at The Infant of Prague Mission in Bridgeport (Spanish); 6:00 PM at Saint Joseph Church (Spanish). Click on the icon for the full schedule of services during Holy Week.

This Lent participate in the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl, a faith in action program that invites you to encounter anew ourselves, our neighbors, and our God. Use your Rice Bowl and Lenten Calendar daily to guide your Lenten prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Take the Rice Bowl with you and bring in your donations to the second collection on Palm Sunday, April 14. Click on the image for more information.

My Dear People of God, I would like to sincerely thank you all for your kindness and generosity for our recent second collection to benefit our Sisters and Brothers affected by the recent Camp Fire.  Together as a Diocese we were able to collect and to send aid totaling $157,110.62 to our friends in the Diocese of Sacramento.  Your generosity will bring much comfort to them, and assure them that they are not alone.     I ask that you continue to pray for those affected communities and families, and thank you again for graciously contributing to the relief efforts.     May the Lord reward you for your goodness! Bishop Cotta

Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared the Patroness of Americal by Pope Francis. We need missionaries to deliver the message of love and hope to the families who host the pilgrim image of the Virgin in their houses. Every Wednesday during Lent at 5:00 PM, we will offer training to become a missionary. For registration and information, call Marisela Ayala at 760-914-0575.

During Lent, every Thursday we will have a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament at 7:00 PM, and every Friday we will have bilingual Stations of the Cross, in St Joseph Church and both of the Missions at 7:00 PM.

My Dear People of God, The month of March is a very significant month for me. It is the month of my birthday; the month of my ordination as a bishop; and the month of my installation as the Bishop of the Diocese of Stockton. These are all milestones in my life, and my faith journey, for which I am very grateful.....Click on the photo to read the complete message.

My Brothers and Sisters, The month of February contains several special celebrations in regard to our Catholic Faith. February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Also, on this day, we acknowledge the World Day for Consecrated Life. It is a day that we give praise and thanks to God for all the women religious, past and present, who have faithfully served the people of God for many years in our Diocese, and throughout the world. ... Click on the photo to read the complete message.

My Fellow Parishioners, As the Diocese of Stockton emerged from bankruptcy, Bishop Blair appointed a Financial Recovery Task Force to make recommendations that would strengthen the financial future of the Diocese and its parishes. All recommendations were reviewed with The Diocesan Finance Committee and the Consultors. One of the recommendations was to conduct an Offertory Program in every parish. This process will provide some funds to the Diocese through the Service Fee (7%) but much more to the growth of ministries of each parish (93%). Bishop Cotta concurred with the recommendations. We all must address finances as we look to the future. ....Click on the photo to read the complete brochure.

Monday, December 31, 6:00 PM Mass at St. Joseph Church, followed by Holy Hour and Confessions at 7:00 PM....... Tuesday, January 1, 12:00 PM at Our Savior of the Mountains Mission in Lee Vining; 6:00 PM at St. Joseph Church (Bilingual).

Monday, December 24, 4:30 PM at Our Lady of the Valley Mission in Coleville; 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM at St. Joseph Church...... Tuesday, December 25, 8:00 AM at St. Joseph Church; 10:15 AM at Our Savior of the Mountains Mission in Lee Vining; 12:00 PM at The Infant of Prague Mission in Bridgeport; 6:00 PM at St. Joseph Church (Spanish).

We are having a traditional Posada celebration with a Christmas play, candles, songs, piñatas and tamales. It is fun for the entire family. Come join us at Our Savior of the Mountains in Lee Vining on Monday, December 17, at 6:00 PM, or at St. Joseph Church on Sunday, December 23, at 7:30 PM.

Registration is open for classes in preparation for Confirmation, or for adults desiring any other Sacrament. The classes will start on January 24, 2019. Register at the Parish Office during regular office hours, Thursdays through Tuesdays from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A donation of $50 is requested to register.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, We begin a new Liturgical Year with the “season of expectation,” Advent. The four weeks of Advent is a time for us to slow down and to take time to reflect upon the season as we prepare for the Great Feast of Christmas. As we prepare, and make straight the way for the coming of the Lord, let us ponder the role of Our Lady during this month of December. On December 8, we acknowledge her Immaculate Conception. On December 12, we call to mind her heavenly visit to St. Juan Diego as Our Lady of Guadalupe on the hill of Tepeyac... Click on the photo to read the complete message.

My Dear People of God: The USCCB - United Catholic Conference of Bishops - will be convening November 11-15, 2018 for their annual General Assembly in Baltimore. Top priority will be the discussion of episcopal accountability. The U.S. Bishops will be making critical decisions in response to this current crisis. Click on the photo to read the complete message.

Dearest Brothers and Sisters, Our nation has once again been victimized by a horrendous act of violence and hatred in the tragic shootings at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. Violence as a response to political, racial or religious indifference cannot be tolerated and we must not return evil for evil... Click on the photo to read the complete message.

As Catholics, we firmly believe that God has a plan for our lives! He calls some to marriage, some to the priesthood, and others to religious life. Some remain as generous single people. Fully living our own vocations—and teaching young people how to discern God’s call—is a serious duty, but also a joyful one... Click on the image to read more.

My Dear People of God, Beginning with the first day of November, our attention is drawn to our relationship with the Church Triumphant, the Saints. Every time we proclaim our faith at Mass, as we pray the Creed, we proclaim our belief in the “communion of saints.” The lives of the Saints serve as models for us... Click on the photo to read the complete message.

Fr. Jorge will be on a Pilgrimage to the Vatican and several Sanctuaries in Europe with his brother Fr. Jairo Román, and some parishioners of Saint Joseph on October 3-26. During this time, the Parish and Missions will be attended on the first week by Fr. Chan Woo Lee, and the 2nd and 3rd weeks by Fr. Alvaro Araque. Also during this time, the Parish Office will be closed.

The budget of the Diocese of Stockton for this year is $2,300,000 to cover expenses on education and formation of Seminarians, Deacons, Catechists, various Pastoral Ministries including immigrant services, etc. Every Parish of the Stockton Diocese contributes according their ability. St. Joseph Parish needs to raise $23,245. As of September 4, we have reached 81% of our assessment. Remember that every dollar you give is going to be used to build the Kingdom of God. Click on the image to read more about the Bishop's Ministry Appeal, or go to the Online Giving page to contribute.