I hope that you are all well and enjoying these warm summer months. As usual, we have been busy with summer formation programs. We have been truly blessed through the accompaniment of new and veteran leadership in our parishes and in being one of the first groups to utilize Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center in Three Rivers. It is truly an amazing facility that will bear many gifts in our local Church. We have also been enriched by our summer interns who have been supporting our office through various projects and events. (Click Here to get to know our summer interns!) One of my favorite parts of working with college students is the mentoring and the many career and vocational discernment conversations that we share. We have been truly blessed by their many gifts and talents.
As we inch closer to September, the pace will pick up as we prepare for our annual Congress and Youth Day. Our full list of Speakers is now availablehere as are Registration Booklets at your parishes. We are excited to announce that the Eucharist Celebration on Saturday, October 13, 2012, presided by Bishop Armando X. Ochoa, will also be the opening Celebration for the Year of Faith. Each diocese will hold a special liturgy so come and celebrate with us at this great event! This year’s Congress marks my 6th and last Congress as Director of Ministries. After much discernment, I will be stepping down as Director of Ministries for the Diocese of Fresno to attend full time to my doctoral program research. My last day as Director will be on October 14, 2012 – Youth Day. I am extremely grateful to have had such an amazing opportunity to minister to/for/with the People God of the Diocese of Fresno. I am so grateful to my staff and all of you who have been so supportive during the last five years. The experience has truly changed me as a person and I have grown tremendously. Soon, a search will begin for my replacement and I ask for your prayers so that the Holy Spirit will provide the right person who can carry on our diocesan mission of being " called in and through the Spirit to live in unity and love and to proclaim the Good News of Jesus, especially amongst the poor and marginal of our society."