August 2, 2021
Video of the Week:
Andrea Bear is a Catholic Media influencer from the Diocese of Stockton. Andrea often writes for CatholicMom.com. Watch her video on forgiveness.
Photos of the Week:
Pastoral Center Staff celebrated an Employee Appreciation event last week at St. Jorge Winery in Acampo, CA.
The Staff Appreciation event was hosted by Vern and Janise Vierra. We are grateful for their kindness and generosity.
Office of the Bishop:
Anniversaries
Catholic Rural Life
From early times, “first fruits” were something special. They were the first taste of a new season’s produce with a promise of more variety and quantity to come. They were the end of a fast from fresh food and from a dwindling amount of last year’s harvest. So “first fruits” were seen as sacred. The best portion was offered as a thanksgiving to the Creator, then shared with those most in need and with each other as a blessing from God.
Catholic Rural Life
Change is natural if not always smooth as we move from one phase of life to another. The month of September brings us a change of seasons: The warmth of summer gives way to mornings with a touch of chill in the air; the evenings come earlier as the days shorten in the rhythm of the season. See the blessings of Change and letting Go by clicking here.
Liturgy & Worship:
(Re-) Learning the Mass
Part 3 of our series on the Mass discusses the principle of sacramentality, how the divine and the spiritual are revealed through the material creation.
stocktondiocese.org/relearning-the-mass
stocktondiocese.org/aprendiendo-la-misa
stocktondiocese.org/relearning-the-mass
stocktondiocese.org/aprendiendo-la-misa
School of Ministry:
Scripture Institute course
The Scripture Institute of the School of Ministry had its culminating session last July 21, 2021 via Zoom. It was an evening of prayer, of celebrating friendship and of reflecting on the learning experiences of the participants of the program. Year Two of the Scripture Institute focused on the questions, Who is Jesus? and What does it mean to be His disciple? When participants were asked about their bible study journey for year two, they had this to say: "It was a journey of truth, love and hope" for through their bible study they were brought to a deeper encounter with Jesus of Nazareth, their true source of salvation and well - being.
The next Scripture Institute course starts on September 29, 2021. Year 3 of the program focuses on the Hebrew Prophets and the Psalms. For more information, please call the School of Ministry office at 209-466-0636 or email at som@stocktondiocese.org.
Human Resources:
Faith Formation Coordinator Wanted
Part-Time (M-F, 25-30 hours/week) at Holy Family Church, Modesto
Fr. Juan Serna, Pastor, is looking for a part-time coordinator to run the parish faith formation (religious education) program. If you enjoy working with families and children and are bilingual, please call Fr. Juan at 209-545-4553 ext 4. Leave a message with your name and phone number.
Marriage & Family Life:
Safe Environment:
Back to School
Back to Religious Education Classes
With the new school year beginning we remain focused on the importance of protecting our children and young people from harm. Training requirements to safeguard children have been established in all parishes throughout the Diocese of Stockton. These programs help ensure that all children and youth experience a safe environment in all parish and school activities.
The Diocese of Stockton mandates that all people who work with children and youth in our parishes and schools (parents, grandparents, catechists, athletic coaches, teachers, aides, and staff) must undergo Child Abuse Prevention training as established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This training includes being fingerprinted and background checked and completing the VIRTUS on-line training course. VIRTUS training must be repeated every three years. The first course is entitled Protecting God’s Children and the second course is entitled Keeping the Promise Alive.
If you are planning on being involved at your child’s school, parish, or religious education classes, you are required to complete this training. No one is allowed to work with or around children unless they have a live-scan Fingerprint Clearance form and a recent VIRTUS Certificate of Completion form on file with the parish or school’s Safe Environment Coordinator.
It is important to remember that all clergy, staff, volunteers, and employees are Mandated Reporters. They are required by law to report any sign of abuse.
Please visit our website, https://stocktondiocese.org/safeenvironment
Development & Stewardship:
Special Second Collection in Honor of our Retired Priests – August 7 and 8
As we thank and honor our retired priests, who have served our faithful so well,
we remember St. John Marie Vianney, the patron saint of priests. He was ordained a priest in 1815, canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, and his feast day is celebrated on August 4.
The life and vocation of St. John Vianney demonstrates the importance of our priests’ role in the spiritual transformation of our parish and school communities throughout our Diocese. This special second collection honors our retired priests and St. John Vianney, and will benefit the Diocese of Stockton Priest Retirement Fund.
Please encourage the faithful of your parish to thank and honor our
retired priests for their pastoral service, keep them in prayer, and support
this important cause that provides for our current and future retired priests.
Prayer Cards have been distributed to all parishes with information on
the Diocese of Stockton Priest Retirement Fund, along with gift envelopes. All gifts given remain here in the Diocese of Stockton to support the retirement
of our local diocesan priests.
If your parish needs any additional supplies or information regarding the Second
Collection, please contact Stacy Erickson, Development Director, at (209) 466-0636
Prayer
