My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As we welcome the beautiful month of life - May - we acknowledge Our Lady, the Mother of the Author of Life! It was the Second Vatican Council that emphasized Mary as the archetype of the Church. We are challenged to imitate her virtues and perfection in seeking to do God’s will in our lives. As Fr. Harrison Ayre states in his book, Mysterion: “To be a Christian is, in a mysterious way, to have access to Mary, who allows us to see her Son perfectly through her. To be Christian is to be Marian.” . . .Click on the image to read the complete message.
HOLY THURSDAY April 6 - 7:00 PM - Mass of The Lord's Supper at St. Joseph Church, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 9:00 PM to mid-night. . . GOOD FRIDAY April 7 at St. Joseph Church - 1:00 PM - Stations of the Cross (also at Lee Vining); 2:00 PM - The 7 Words (also at Lee Vining); 3:00 PM - Solemn Celebration of the Passion of the Lord, and veneration of the Holy Cross; 5:00 PM - Procession in Silence; 6:00 PM - Condolences to the Virgin Mary. . . HOLY SATURDAY April 8 at St. Joseph Church - 8:00 PM - Easter Vigil Mass.. . EASTER SUNDAY April 9 - Follows the usual Mass schedule...Click on the image to read the special Holy Week Bulletin in English or Spanish.
“Repent and believe in the Gospel.” My dear brothers and sisters, the Church, during these 40 days of Lent, encourages us to embrace the invitation of Jesus to turn away from sin and to take to heart his words of life - the Gospel. St. Leo the Great, in one of his sermons, reminds us: “The whole Church rejoices in the forgiveness of sins. Initially, individuals are made new by the rebirth of baptism. Yet there is still required a daily renewal to repair the shortcomings of our mortal nature, and whatever degree of progress has been made there is no one who should not be more advanced. All must therefore strive to ensure that on the day of redemption no one may be found in the sins of their former life.” . . . Click on the image to read the complete message.
Dear Parishioners and Benefactors: During the first winter that I experienced when I first arrived at St. Joseph’s Parish, I was greatly surprised that I carefully observed the snowflakes that fell on my cape, as I realized that they were in the shape of stars that were so ornate, that they seemed to be the work of an expert jeweler, and I was also surprised how being so small all together came to form huge mountains and completely cover roads, valleys and houses. After many years of severe drought in California, we are now experiencing an extraordinary abundance of snow, the likes of which have not been seen before, especially in Mammoth Lakes since 1987. This is a mixture of beauty and horror. While some enjoy the beautiful wintry landscapes and take the opportunity to take part in snow sports, but on the other hand, it is regrettable that there are roads that are closed due to avalanches, there are car accidents, power and internet outages.. . Click on the image to read the complete letter.
The 2023 Bishop's Ministry appeal is underway. The theme of the campaign this year is "Eucharist Received, Eucharist Lived!" Click on the image to view Bishop Myron Cotta's video on the Bishop's Ministry Appeal. The second collection at the Masses the weekend of April 23 will be for the Bishop's Ministry Appeal. Please help us reach our goal.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Within the Biblical mindset, the heart was seen as the very core of human being. Everything was rooted in and issued forth from the heart. One’s relationship with God was seen, centered and treasured in the heart of the believer. It was the appointed time of the Incarnation that the Son of God took on a human heart in order to transmit to the hearts of the people his unconditional love. It is within the pierced-Sacred-Heart, filled with compassion and tender mercy, that our human hearts, wounded by sin, are redeemed and saved. . .Click on the image to read the complete message.
The 6:00 PM Mass tonight, January 14, is cancelled due to heavy snow. There will be Mass at 9:00 AM tomorrow (Sunday, January 15). For those not wishing to brave the elements, the Sunday Mass will be livestreamed on the Mammoth Catholic Church Facebook Page.
Blessed & Happy New Year to All! My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year 2023! As we continue our journey through this Christmas season, we are reminded of the maternal care of Our Lady as Mother of God, and Our Mother, as we begin this New Year. . . Click on the image to read the complete message.
Confirmation Class registration will be taken at the Parish Office from Wednesday to Sunday, during the hours of 4:30 - 7:30 PM until February 8. Students should be at least 14 years old. Remember to bring a Baptismal Certification and the fee of $50.00.
Fr. Jorge Román will go to Mexico to visit his family, and on the weekend of January 21 and 22, Fr. Jeffrey Wilson will celebrate the Masses at St. Joseph Church and the Missions. Please make him feel welcome in our community.
As we begin this final week of our preparation for Christmas, let us reflect upon the Gift. God the Father will send his Son who is Light from Light, true God from true God. He will appear as tender compassion for poor sinners. His coming is inevitable, like the coming of the dawn in all its splendor! There is nothing that prevented the first coming of Jesus, nor will there be anything to prevent his future second coming which “shall break upon us. . . Click on the image to read the complete message.
Dear brothers and sisters, God, himself, has sworn that he will free us from the hands of our enemies, the obstacles, the sins that attempt to bind us. Our God want us to experience the freedom to worship him, trusting in his mercy and forgiveness.. . .Click on the image to read the complete message.
My Dear People of God, As we are faced and confronted with the reality of the outrageous outcome of Proposition 1, I want to commend and thank all of you, clergy, religious and laity, who were committed to the effort of defeating Prop 1. I am grateful for your witness and dedication in upholding the truth about the sanctity and dignity of life. Your prayers, active involvement, sacrifice of time, and financial support have been greatly appreciated. . Click on the image to read the complete message.
Every year, on the fourth Thursday of the month of November, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day with family and friends. This one day is set aside, with the intention, for us to offer a sign of gratitude; but it should not be confined to only one particular day on the calendar. Gratitude is to be an ongoing expression of our appreciation for the many blessings we have received from God on a daily basis. We are called as disciples of Christ to be grateful at all times: in the good, positive and joyful times, including the bad, negative and challenging times of our lives. . .Click on the image to read the complete message.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Msgr. Bill Leser, a longtime friend and benefactor of St. Joseph Parish, who passed away recently. His funeral will be on Nov. 7 at 10:00 AM at St Jude the Apostle Church in Westlake Village (32032 Lindero Canyon Dr, Westlake Village, CA 91361). There will be a reception in the parish center after the funeral.
It is time to register your children for catechesis classes that will start on November 5 and 6. You may go to the Parish Office from Wednesday to Sunday from 5 PM until 7:30 PM, or you may call the Parish Office to arrange a time to register.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BISHOP On Opposing Proposition 1 My Dear People of God, On November 8, you will be asked to cast a ballot to either support or oppose Proposition 1 which supports abortion for all nine months of pregnancy, without restrictions or any limits, and would be written into the constitution of our State of California. Proposition 1 was passed by the state legislation and it was signed by Governor Newsom. Now, it will go to a vote by the people of California needing a simple majority for its approval. . . Click on the image to read the complete message.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, My friends, to some degree, this expresses the state of affairs we are experiencing in our day and age, young and old alike. Jesus desires to have a life giving relationship with us. As our friend, he wants to lighten our burdens that we carry in life. As Catholics, we encounter Jesus in a unique way at Mass in the Liturgy of the Word and in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. As we listen attentively and reflect upon the proclamation of his Gospel, his words have the power to evangelize and change us. By taking Christ’s Gospel to heart, a conversion -metanoia - can lead us on a new way of life... Click on the image to read the complete message.
THE HOLY ROSARY: A Way to Foster the NEW EVANGELIZATION On Pentecost Sunday of this year, I announced that we, as a diocese, were embarking on the mission of the New Evangelization. I provided to all, the diocesan prayer to launch this endeavor. Please continue to offer this prayer as we begin to better evangelize our families and parishes. Pray it daily as we turn to the Holy Spirit for guidance to be the evangelizers of our day and age. . .Click on the image to read the complete message.