The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Resources We continue to pray for those who have been affected by recent gun violence. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has long advocated for responsible gun laws and increased resources for addressing the root causes of gun violence. I, along with the USCCB, wish to continue to call upon the President and Congress to set aside political interests and find ways to better protect innocent life. I also wish to take this opportunity to share with you the link to the USCCB’s Criminal/Restorative Justice section of their website, where you can see what exactly is being done to combat this serious issue. Thank you for your attention to this memorandum. Click on the image to go to the USCCB’s Criminal/Restorative Justice section of their website.

This is a big Festivity of the Church. The schedule of Masses is the same as that of a regular Sunday. Wednesday, August 14 - 6:00 PM in Saint Joseph Church. Thursday, August 15 - 8:00 AM in Saint Joseph Church; 10:15 AM in Our Savior of the Mountains Mission in Lee Vining; 12:00 Noon in The Infant of Prague Mission in Bridgeport, to be combined with the funeral Mass for Nixon Edward Denton; 6:00 PM in Saint Joseph Church, Spanish.

Dear Students, I hope you are having a great summer. As we quickly approach another academic year, I would like to remind you of two basic things as you get ready to continue your studies and reunite with your friends in the new school year..... Click on the image to read the complete message.

If you want to use the Parish Hall for a reception, banquet, wedding or other event, please contact Veronica Saray at the Parish Office.

In order to raise some money to cover the Parish deficit, we ask for your help bringing all the items, gifts and things that you have in your house that you don´t want anymore. Bring all your donations on August 15 to the Parish Hall to be sold at the Garage Sale on August 17 from 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM.

During Fr. Jorge's absence on the weekend of August 10 and 11, Fr. Nghia Cao, a Missionary of Cross Catholic Outreach, will be celebrating the Masses in our Parish.

We need someone who is willing on helping us to review the Parish finance system, and to give us financial advice and counseling. If you are the one or if you know someone, please, contact Fr. Jorge Román.

The Parish Offertory Program Pastor Committee has concluded that our 35 parishes within the Diocese of Stockton will embark together, As One Church to continue the Offertory Program in 2019. Pastors will soon receive a letter from Bishop Cotta regarding the Parish Offertory Campaign with Parish Offertory Participation Committee forms, Timeline, and RSVP forms for the upcoming Parish Offertory Workshops to be conducted by Bannon and Associates, Inc. All Pastors, Priests, Office Business Administrators, Parish and Finance Council Members and Parish Offertory Committee Members are to attend one of the workshops below. Parish Offertory Workshops: 8/22/2019- 10:00 am, St. Frances of Rome Church, Riverbank. 8/22/2019- 6:00 pm, Church of the Presentation, Stockton. 8/23/2019- 10:00 am, St. Patrick Church, Angels Camp. If you can participate on the St. Joseph Offertory Committee, please call Fr. Jorge or the Parish Office. For additional information or if you have any questions, please contact the Development Office at 209-466-0636.

My Dear People of God, As we began the month of July, we sadly came together, as family, to offer the solemn funeral liturgy for our beloved Bishop Emeritus, Stephen E. Blaire. The Cathedral of the Annunciation was the perfect setting for us to gather to worship and give thanks to God for Bishop Blaire..... Click on the image to read the complete message.

The Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire, the fifth bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton in California died June 18, 2019 after a prolonged illness, at his retirement residence at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Modesto. He was 77 years of age. Click on the photo to read the complete obituary.

The Eastern Symphony will present two concerts as part of their 42nd Annual Summer Festival at St. Joseph Church. The concert on Friday, June 28, at 7:30 PM will feature the music of Vivaldi, Southers, and Haydn. The concert on Saturday, June 29, at 7:30 PM will feature the music of Mendelssohn, Mozart, and Brahms. Both concerts are free to the public. Click on the image for more information.

Beginning with the celebration of Pentecost 2019, the Diocese of Stockton will launch a collaborative effort of evangelization by means of prayer. It must be a prayer that is centered, and finds its origin in the Holy Spirit who was given to the Church at Pentecost. This effort is in response to the challenge and invitation of Pope Francis and his predecessors in regard to the “New Evangelization.” ..... Click on the photo to read the complete message.

During the Masses on June 22 - 23, we will have elections for the Parish Pastoral Council. Click on the image to see the list of candidates.

May is traditionally the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a month in which we celebrate May crownings in our parishes and schools. On May 13, the Church acknowledges Our Lady’s first apparition at Fátima in 1917 and on May 31 we honor the visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. It is in the month of May that we express our love and appreciation of the gift of motherhood as we honor our mothers, including our Blessed Mother. As Mother of the Church, Mary protects and intercedes for her children, especially for us, in our present day and age......Click on the image to read the complete message.

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.