VOL. X VOL. X ●● No. 1No. 1

Winter 2018Winter 2018

Upcoming EventsUpcoming Events

RROSIEOSIE HHERNANDEZERNANDEZ ●● DirectorDirector ●● rhernandez@dioceseoffresno.orgrhernandez@dioceseoffresno.org ●● 559559--488488--7474 ext. 1017474 ext. 101

The Grapevine NewsletterThe Grapevine Newsletter

Friday Friday -- Saturday,Saturday,

January 19 January 19 -- 2020

OCP Concert & OCP Concert &

Workshops at St. Paul Workshops at St. Paul

Newman Center, FresnoNewman Center, Fresno

Saturday, January 20Saturday, January 20

“One Life L.A.”“One Life L.A.”

in Downtown Los Angelesin Downtown Los Angeles

Saturday, January 27Saturday, January 27

“Walk for Life West Coast”“Walk for Life West Coast”

in Downtown San Franciscoin Downtown San Francisco

Saturday, February 10Saturday, February 10

St. MardiSt. Mardi--Tine’s Tine’s

Celebration for 18+ at Celebration for 18+ at

Bishop Steinbock Center, Bishop Steinbock Center,

FresnoFresno

Sunday, February 11Sunday, February 11

World Marriage Day Mass World Marriage Day Mass

& Reception with Bishop & Reception with Bishop

Ochoa at St. Philip the Ochoa at St. Philip the

Apostle, BakersfieldApostle, Bakersfield

Friday Friday -- Sunday,Sunday,

August 17 August 17 -- 1919

SelfSelf--Care RetreatCare Retreat

at StAR & STYCCat StAR & STYCC

in Three Riversin Three Rivers

Saturday, October 13Saturday, October 13

30th Annual Congress at30th Annual Congress at

Visalia Convention CenterVisalia Convention Center

From the Director…

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

W e are excited to celebrate this Christmas season with you and to start a

new year filled with possibilities! Our office staff has been meeting

regularly to find ways to improve our communication with you as well as

making sure the services we offer are relevant and timely for you and your parish

staff. Below are just a few of the changes you will see coming in the year 2018!

We hope by these means of communication we can continue to grow and serve the ministries of our

diocese. Our mission is indeed to provide for the parishes, and your input is always welcome and

encouraged! Let us know what you would like to see and we will do our best to bring it to you!

Blessings for this New Year!

— Rosie

IN THIS ISSUE… Message from the Director... Pg. 1

Family Life Ministry... Pg. 2 Media Center... Pg. 3

School of Ministry… Pg. 4 Youth & Young Adult Ministry… Pg. 5

Save the Date... Pg. 6 Other Office of F & E Staff... Pg. 6

Contact Information... Pg. 6 Mission Statement... Pg. 6

V Encuentro... Pg. 7

Formation and

Evangelization Diocese of Fresno

Rose M. Hernandez

Although our Newsletter has moved to a quarterly format (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall), we want to make sure we keep you informed of events and happenings in our diocese. So beginning in January, a Grapevine Calendar will be sent out as well. Each month you will receive a page of events of that month and the two months following, as well as a “Save the Date” section, with events to mark on your calendar for later in the year.

I will be focusing this year on our social

media and other means of staying in touch through technology. If you have not already done so, make sure to “Like” the FaceBook pages of the following offices: Diocese of Fresno – Office of Ministries; Diocese of Fresno – Youth and Young Adult Ministry; Diocese of Fresno Ministerio Hispano; or Diocese of Fresno Family Life Ministries.

Providing formation to our parishes is another big goal for us this year. We will begin advertising some new opportunities for formation in the next month, as well as some new programs. In addition, we are available to travel to parishes or send someone to provide formation when requested by pastors/administrators. If there is something specific your parish needs, let us know and we will be happy to work with you!

Finally, we hope to provide video

conferencing, webinars, and short video trainings for you, which would be available through our upcoming YouTube page. With our diocese being so spread out geographically, we recognize that people cannot always come to Fresno for training, and this is another way to take the training to your parish!

Family Life MinistryFamily Life Ministry

2

Hope Grows in Wintertime!

I t’s winter! While animals hibernate and trees lie dormant, what do you do during winter?

Our lives take different shapes and meanings during the four seasons. Many use the

images of the seasons to describe not only our physical but also our spiritual selves. As a

Catholic community, our zest for life is reflected in our passion to promote its sacredness, from

its origins through its entrance into eternity.

The Diocese of Fresno has friends involved in the Saturday, January 20, 2018

One Life L.A. [http://www.onelife.la] and in the Saturday, January 27, 2018

West Coast Walk for Life [http://www.walkforlifewc.com]

and in local marches featured throughout the year. Within the

circle of life, the Diocese of Fresno of Fresno has entered into

collaboration with Options United [http://

www.optionsunited.com] a compassionate network of partners,

whose relationship is focused on forming a communal bond in support of

those women most vulnerable in their time of need, matching them with a

nearby pregnancy care center. Options United operates a centralized call

center that serves all non-profit prolife health centers in California with “one

number, one solution,” according to its President & Founder, Thomas

Rudkins. OU has also developed a contemporary App for Life [http://appforlife.org] to unite

churches to these non-profit centers through prayer and donations.

At the core of the domestic Church, our Diocese of Fresno celebrates anniversaries of the

Sacrament of Matrimony with those who have been married 25, 30, 35, 40, 45,

50 years and every year after that. This New Year the Most Rev. Armando

Xavier Ochoa, D.D. celebrates these couples at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic

Church in Bakersfield, CA on February 11, 2018 World Marriage Day [http://

wmd.wwme.org] at 3pm, with a reception following the Mass. Registration is

open online [https://form.jotform.us/71905331339152] through January 31,

2018 at the Diocese of Fresno or by contacting bilingual secretary Edith

Maldonado: 559-488-7474 ext. 103; Edith@dioceseoffresno.org.

Also, you can have fun exploring more ways to enrich the wonderful fruits of the Sacrament of

Matrimony on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at the

following links:

For Your Marriage [http://www.foryourmarriage.org] &

Marriage Unique for a Reason [http://

www.marriageuniqueforareason.org].

The Sacrament of Matrimony Guidelines Team is working out a process to assist parishes in

keeping their Sacrament of Matrimony essential elements consistent with diocesan guidelines.

This same Team is working with the School of Ministry to offer classes that will ultimately

lead to a School of Ministry/Family Life Ministry Sacrament of Matrimony Certification.

The Team is giving priority in its planning to those parishes most in need and who most desire

to have a marriage prep program in their parish, or in collaboration with one or more

surrounding parishes.

www.dioceseoffresno.org/familywww.dioceseoffresno.org/family--lifelife

SSISTERISTER JJOANNEOANNE

BBAUERAUER, CSC, CSC

Family Life MinistryFamily Life Ministry

CoordinatorCoordinator

jbauer@jbauer@

dioceseoffresno.orgdioceseoffresno.org

559559--488488--74747474

ext. 106ext. 106

FACEBOOK:FACEBOOK:

DioceseDiocese--ofof--FresnoFresno--

FamilyFamily--LifeLife--MinistryMinistry

Media CenterMedia Center

3

Greetings to all and Happy New Year!

T his year, let us WAKE UP to grace and a new awareness of God at work in our lives! After we’ve

spent weeks contemplating our great need for God in these days of darkness, the light of Christ

shines brighter than ever!

Even though the season of Advent is over, let us continue to give ourselves completely to the Lord, so

we can shine the light of Christ to others. As Pope Francis reminds us, “To be here in order to experience

His love, however, is first of all the fruit of His grace.”

Here are a couple of suggested books to help continue refresh Christ’s light within us:

Time to Get Ready – An Advent, Christmas Reader to Wake Your Soul

By Mark A. Villano

Mark A. Villano opens up the Scriptures, themes, and liturgical traditions of these

holy seasons to better appreciate their meaning. He reveals the life-changing mystery of

Christ and the invitations of grace all around us. Consider this book a daily retreat, a

time to let go of the activity and noise of life and simply listen.

Joy To The World – How Christ’s Coming Changed Everything (and still does)

By Scott Hahn

“We rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ and the salvation He came to bring us, and

we take time to be with our families during this special season. You will learn about

the deep Scriptural meaning of the Nativity of Jesus Christ and come to more fully

appreciate the unique role played by the figures we know so well from the Gospels’

accounts. From Mary and Joseph to the Magi and shepherds, this book will help

you discover a new the joy of Christmas!” – Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

All Creation Waits – The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings

By Gayle Boss

“Each of the beautiful creatures in this little book is a unique word of God, its

own metaphor, all of them together drawing us to the One we all belong to.

Adapting to the dark and cold they announce in twenty-four different ways the Good

News of Advent: that through every dark door the creating Love of the universe

waits.” – Richard Rohr, OFM

Let us continue to reshape and change our hearts this year to a deeper understanding of God’s mercy

so we can become messengers of God’s peace, love, and compassion to others!

GGLORIALORIA

GGARIBAYARIBAY

Media CenterMedia Center

Secretary &Secretary &

ReceptionistReceptionist

ggaribay@ggaribay@

dioceseoffresno.orgdioceseoffresno.org

559559--488488--74747474

ext. 100ext. 100

www.dioceseoffresno.org/mediawww.dioceseoffresno.org/media--centercenter

School of MinistrySchool of Ministry

4

I hope that everyone has experienced a

very blessed Christmas season as we

progress towards Lent. It seems that our

Christmastime is all too often overlooked as

society moves directly into the new year and

proceeds into the next perceived holiday…

Valentine’s Day. All of the cards, chocolates,

and hearts are already on the store shelves as

we speak. This year is going to prove to be

quite interesting for those of us in religious

education and faith formation since Ash

Wednesday will be coinciding with St.

Valentine’s Day. But we can use this to our

advantage by focusing on a celebration of

Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday” on February 13.

It would be very easy to combine the two

celebrations of Mardi Gras and St.

Valentine’s Day, therefore allowing for all

the parties, chocolates and celebrations.

The first ministry that I served was the

process for the Rite of Christian Initiation

for Adults, most commonly known by its

acronym RCIA. I should also like to state

that the same acronym is used when

making reference to those who serving

children in the same ministry… “RCIA

adapted for Children” and should never be

referred to as RCIC.

For those of you serving in the RCIA

process, being able to focusing on Mardi

Gras can be viewed as an opportunity for

deeper reflection in his or her conversion as

they approach full initiation into the Church.

First look at the historical context from

which Mardi Gras has developed and

evolved. One of the many titles that make

reference to Mardi Gras has always is

“Carnival”. Carnival is always celebrated

prior to Ash Wednesday before the start of

Lent. The name is derived from the Latin

word carnis which means “meat” or “flesh”

and levare means “to leave off” or vale that

has (in the past) been an expression of

“goodbye or farewell”. Together, the words

would give the meaning of “without meat”.

This includes not eating meat as well as

abstaining from the pleasures of the flesh.

Since many early Christians did not eat meat

during Lent, all meat (and prohibited foods)

in the home were consumed on Fat Tuesday

prior to the start of Lent, hence the name:

Fat Tuesday.

As a reflective process, hold a celebration of

Mardi Gras by including all the decadent

desserts and indulgent calories that we try to

avoid. Then discuss the historic process and

development of “Carnival” and Mardi Gras

from a movement away from paganism

towards Christianity. Each person can make

an assessment and evaluation of his or her

process of conversion. Then challenge each

catechumen and/or candidate to take an

inventory of what they might be “leaving

behind or saying goodbye to” as they become

fully initiated into the Church. We all have

lists of things, people and practices that we

have changed or evolved from in our journey

of faith. As for myself… I am a very

different person than I was in college or as a

young adult. Many times we feel that we are

no longer evolving, but contrary to what we

believe… our lives are constantly changing

and we are continuously growing whether we

can measure it or not.

As you approach Lent, make it a time to

strive for long term changes for yourself as

well as for your family. Many times we do

not know what we are missing until we have

tried it at least once. My wishes for everyone

are the continued blessings of Christmas

throughout the entire year and that each of

may always experience the miracle “gift” of

Christ in our lives.

LL INDAINDA

RRAMAM

School of MinistrySchool of Ministry

CoordinatorCoordinator

lram@lram@

dioceseoffresno.orgdioceseoffresno.org

559559--488488--74747474

ext. 104ext. 104

www.dioceseoffresno.org/www.dioceseoffresno.org/

schoolschool--ofof--ministryministry

Happy New Year!

KKATRINAATRINA

FFLORESLORES

Youth & Young Adult Youth & Young Adult

MinistryMinistry

CoordinatorCoordinator

kflores@kflores@

dioceseoffresno.orgdioceseoffresno.org

559559--488488--74747474

ext. 105ext. 105

FACEBOOK:FACEBOOK:

DioceseDiocese--ofof--FresnoFresno--

YouthYouth--andand--YoungYoung--

AdultAdult--MinistryMinistry

5

Greetings Youth and/or Young Adult Ministry Leaders

www.dioceseoffresno.org/www.dioceseoffresno.org/

youthyouth--andand--youngyoung--adultadult--ministryministry

Youth & Young Adult MinistryYouth & Young Adult Ministry

I hope this Christmas season brings time for reflection and discernment on that ways

that we are living examples of Christ’s love to the world. In reviewing the responses

from the SAPP or Siempre Adelante Pastoral Plan Survey, my heart was impacted

by the loneliness and isolation that young people face. This is a reality that crosses

many boundaries such as culture, ethnicity, religiosity, sexual orientation, and gender.

Young people feel alone and disconnected to the Christ’s love. As a youth or young

adult leader, it is easy to feel discouraged and compassion fatigue on top of the

challenges we face in our personal lives i.e. spouses, family life, work, and our own faith

journey. Leaders, I want to share my prayers and hopes for you.

If there is an area within youth or young ministry that you would like support or

resources, please don’t hesitate to call or email. I’m here to listen and point you in the

direction of someone that can answer your questions if I cannot myself. I hope you and

your family are well and 2018 brings you opportunities to both encounter Christ in a

deeper way and to model Christ to the young people that to whom you minister.

Peace in Him.

My prayer for you is to…

Recognize the Lord’s presence in

the little things in life and that you

recognize the love and support you

have from the people God has

placed in your life. My hope is

that, as leaders, we reach out in the

spirit of collaboration and support.

Not everyone can understand the

challenges we face in Youth or

Young Adult Ministry, but we can

be there for each other.

Take time to first strengthen the

relationship we have with our

heavenly Father even when it feels

like we don’t have the time.

Spend time in daily Mass or

prayer, reconciliation, or

Eucharistic Adoration.

Find and or meet up with another

Youth or Young Adult Leader to be

a prayer or accountability partner

so that you can walk, talk, laugh,

and cry with each other and remind

yourselves or why God has asked

you to accompany young people in

their life and faith journey.

Prioritize your health and the health

of your family.

Seek out help from your pastor

when you feel overwhelmed or

unsure of what to do to support

your young people.

EEDITHDITH MMALDONADOALDONADO

BilingualBilingual

SecretarySecretary

emaldonado@emaldonado@

dioceseoffresno.orgdioceseoffresno.org

559559--488488--74747474

ext. 103ext. 103

Other Office of Formation and Evangelization StaffOther Office of Formation and Evangelization Staff

PPAULAUL MMENTLEWSKIENTLEWSKI

AdministrativeAdministrative

AssistantAssistant

pmentlewski@pmentlewski@

dioceseoffresno.orgdioceseoffresno.org

559559--488488--74747474

ext. 102ext. 102

GGRACERACE AALSTONLSTON

School of MinistrySchool of Ministry

SecretarySecretary

galston@galston@

dioceseoffresno.orgdioceseoffresno.org

559559--488488--74747474

ext. 113ext. 113

Contact InformationContact Information

Mailing DIOCESE OF FRESNO - OFFICE OF FORMATION & EVANGELIZATION Telephone FAX Address 1550 North Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93703-3788 559-488-7474 559-493-2847 To Visit our Website: www.dioceseoffresno.org/ministries To Sign-Up to Receive our Monthly Newsletter via E-mail. To “Like Us” on Facebook: Diocese of Fresno Office of Formation & Evangelization

Save the DateSave the Date

Visalia Convention CenterVisalia Convention CenterVisalia Convention Center ——— 30th Annual Congress 30th Annual Congress 30th Annual Congress ——— SSSATURDAYATURDAYATURDAY, O, O, OCTOBERCTOBERCTOBER 131313

The Mission of the Office of Formation and Evangelization is to provide SpiritThe Mission of the Office of Formation and Evangelization is to provide Spirit--led service to the people of Godled service to the people of God

under the guidance of Bishop Armando Xavier Ochoa. We are committed to facilitate formation of effective leaders for under the guidance of Bishop Armando Xavier Ochoa. We are committed to facilitate formation of effective leaders for

ministry through a process that is collaborative, empowering and sensitive to cultural diversity and pastoral needs.ministry through a process that is collaborative, empowering and sensitive to cultural diversity and pastoral needs. 6

7

Diocesan V Encuentro by Brenda Noriega, former Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry

https://vencuentro.org/https://vencuentro.org/

V EncuentroV Encuentro

W e celebrated our

Diocesan V

Encuentro (Fifth

Encounter) on Sunday,

October 15, 2017. More than

500 delegates from more than

30 different parishes

participated in a day of

celebration of our past and

discovering the fruits of our

ministry at the parish level.

We reflected on our present

challenges and possibilities,

dialogued about pastoral

priorities for our diocese, and

reinforced our commitment to

be missionary disciples in a

daily basis reaching out to

those in the peripheries and

serving the Church. We had

more than 80 young people

between the ages of 14 to 25

participating and choosing

their priorities as well.

Our dear Most Rev. Armando

X. Ochoa spent the day with

the parish delegates, actively

listening to the needs of the

people, and spending a great

amount of time with the youth

and young adults. The parish

delegates were excited their

bishop was with them. Parish

delegates also expressed their

appreciation to their pastors

for having the process of

Encuentro in their parishes.

During the Diocesan

Encuentro , the conclusion or

summary of the different

working documents from each

participating parish was

presented to all delegates.

The parish delegates chose

three priorities to work on as

the Diocese of Fresno.

The priorities chosen are:

Priorities of Adult

Delegates:

Formation on scriptures,

faith, and evangelization.

Go out to visit others in

their homes and

knocking on doors to

invite them to Church.

Programs for children

after first communion,

more programs for youth.

Priorities of the Youth/

Young Adult Delegates:

Authentic faith formation

programs that allow them

to grow in relationship

with God.

Young Adults’ programs

and ministries where they

can learn about scriptures

and their Catholic faith.

Spiritual retreats. Also

financial help to continue

their college studies.

To be themselves, young

and creative.

The parish delegates

committed to continue

working in their parishes to

have fruitful Catholic

communities where the

essence of missionary

discipleship, a culture of

encounter, and

accompaniment are present in

every activity and event. The

next step for parishes is to

work on their parish priorities.

Our diocese continues

participating in the national

process of the Fifth

Encounter. Our next step is to

take 150 diocesan delegates to

the Regional V Encuentro on

April 27- 29, 2018. We will

also present a document with

our priorities and conclusions.

The V Encuentro process has

borne fruit in parishes and

people who participated in the

process of Encuentro.

Nevertheless, this process is

only the beginning of the

conversation, not the solution.

Our work is not over.

V ENCUENTRO UPDATE:V ENCUENTRO UPDATE:V ENCUENTRO UPDATE: During the month of January, those who wished to be considered as During the month of January, those who wished to be considered as During the month of January, those who wished to be considered as

Diocesan Delegates to the Regional Encuentro are being contacted individually to see if they are still able Diocesan Delegates to the Regional Encuentro are being contacted individually to see if they are still able Diocesan Delegates to the Regional Encuentro are being contacted individually to see if they are still able

and willing to attend. These delegates will represent our Diocese at the Encuentro in April, along with and willing to attend. These delegates will represent our Diocese at the Encuentro in April, along with and willing to attend. These delegates will represent our Diocese at the Encuentro in April, along with

the delegates of diocese from California and Nevada. Please pray for them and for everyone involved as the delegates of diocese from California and Nevada. Please pray for them and for everyone involved as the delegates of diocese from California and Nevada. Please pray for them and for everyone involved as

we prayerfully discern our delegates and the priorities we will be discussing for the future of our diocese we prayerfully discern our delegates and the priorities we will be discussing for the future of our diocese we prayerfully discern our delegates and the priorities we will be discussing for the future of our diocese

and our regional Church. and our regional Church. and our regional Church. ––– Rose Hernandez, Director, Office of Formation and Evangelization.Rose Hernandez, Director, Office of Formation and Evangelization.Rose Hernandez, Director, Office of Formation and Evangelization.