“Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord” -----Traditionally, the Church has set aside the month of November as a time to remember all who have died; the holy ones on November 1st, All Saints’ Day; and November 2nd, All Souls’ Day, (Dia de Los Muertos) as we remember all the faithful departed.....Click on the image to go to the complete message.

If you are willing to participate in the Festivity of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 11 from 10:00 PM until the Midnight Mass with songs, poetry, or dance; or if you want to collaborate with donations of food or money; please contact Marisela Ayala: 760 914 0575.

CLERGY DAY.- On Monday Oct. 28, all the Clergy of the Diocese of Stockton will attend a day of study in Riverbank, CA. Pray for all the Priests of the Diocese. Instead of Mass on Monday and Tuesday, a Celebration of the Word and Holy Communion will be celebrated in Saint Joseph Church at 6:00 PM

Friday, November 1, is All Saints Day. The Mass schedule is: 8:00 AM at St. Joseph Church (English); 6:00 PM at St. Joseph Church (Spanish) with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament; 7:30 PM at Our Savior of the Mountains Mission in Lee Vining (English/Spanish).

In October we will once again celebrate Respect Life Month. This year’s theme, chosen by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,is Christ Our Hope: In Every Season of Life. In this time of ever-increasing attacks on the life and dignity of the human person, we as the people of God need to be conscious of our call to evangelize, to bring Christ, our hope, into every season of life......Click on the image for the link to the complete message.

When you care enough to give the very best…… give yourself and your spouse a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Marriage Encounter Weekends are March 6 - 8, 2020 and October 16 - 18, 2020, both in Modesto. Click on the image for more information.

Beginning on Saturday September 28, the Vesper Mass on Saturdays will be at 5:00 PM.

Registration continues until Wednesday September 18 for CCD from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Parish Office. The Catechetical program is not only to be prepared for First Communion or Confirmation. It should be a continuous education to be a good Christian. We will be taking registrations for RCIA and Adults who need any Sacrament. Classes will begin on September 28.

September 4, 2019 ---- Dear Brothers and Sisters, As many of you have heard, tragedy struck in the form of a devastating boat fire off the coast of Santa Barbara on Monday. We have learned that members of our own Stockton community were among those lost. I wish to express our shared sorrow at this tragic loss of life. I express as well my sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of all the victims. Please keep all those affected by this tragedy in your prayers. May God grant them comfort and strength during this most difficult time. In the Peace of Christ, Bishop Cotta

CCD Signups for the new school year will be from Sept. 1 until Sept. 13 at the Parish Office from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Please bring the Baptismal Certificate of each child and a suggested donation of $50.00 for materials. For more information please call the Parish phone at (760) 934 6276.

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.

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.

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.