Good Shepherd's Voice: June 2025

Dear Good Shepherd Parish Family,

This summer at Good Shepherd Catholic Parish has been a beautiful reminder that our Church is alive, growing, and deeply rooted in Christ. We have witnessed moments of grace across our community, each one a reflection of the Holy Spirit at work.

At St. Charles Borromeo Church, the ordination of two transitional deacons marked a powerful step forward in vocations. Inside the church, the installation of five new stained glass windows are now complete. On Pentecost Sunday, over 100 adults received the Sacrament of Confirmation, completing their journey of initiation.

As we begin a new formation year, more than 1,000 individuals have registered in our Catechesis and Evangelization programs. From children preparing for First Communion to adults seeking a deeper relationship with Christ, our parish continues to respond to the call to grow in faith and discipleship.

We invite you to reflect on the grace that has filled this season and to join us in praying for all those who are walking the path of faith within our Parish.

A Joyful Milestone: Our Newly Ordained Transitional Deacons

This summer, St. Charles Borromeo Church was blessed to host a moment of great joy and spiritual significance. On Saturday, June 21st, Scott Vincent Borba and Marco Antonio Ayala were ordained as transitional deacons for the Diocese of Fresno. The Ordination Mass brought together parishioners, family members, clergy, and friends who gathered in prayer to witness this important step in their journey toward the priesthood.

As transitional deacons, Scott and Marco are now entrusted with proclaiming the Gospel, preaching homilies, assisting at the altar during Mass, celebrating baptisms, witnessing marriages, and serving the Church through works of charity.

On Sunday, June 22nd, they joyfully served at their first Masses as deacons at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo. Their presence at the altar was a moving reminder of the beauty of vocation and the power of saying "yes" to God's call.

Both men have shown great dedication and love for the Church throughout their formation. Their ordination is a blessing not only to our parish but to the entire diocese. As they continue preparing for priesthood, we ask the parish community to keep Deacon Scott and Deacon Marco in prayer.

May their service bring many hearts closer to Christ, and may their ministry be filled with faith, joy, and compassion.

Our Parish has been graced with five beautiful stained glass windows depicting saints whose lives speak powerfully to our mission and values. May their radiant presence inspire prayer, service, and hope in all who gather here.

St. Jude Thaddeus

One of Jesus’ original twelve Apostles, St. Jude is invoked in desperate and impossible situations. He is the patron saint of lost causes and difficult cases. Adorned with the flame of Pentecost and holding the Image of Edessa, his window invites us to persevere in faith and hope.

Pope  St. John Paul II

As shepherd of the universal Church from 1978–2005, St. John Paul II worked for human dignity, evangelization, youth, and peace. He is patron saint of World Youth Day, Catholic sports, and Poland. His window calls us to not be afraid and to bring Christ to the world.

St. Josephine Bakhita

Once enslaved, then freed and transformed by God’s love, St. Josephine Bakhita exudes quiet dignity and resilience. She is the patron saint of Sudan. Her story of forgiveness and freedom in Christ shines as a light for all who suffer.

St. Lorenzo Ruiz

The first Filipino canonized by the Church, St. Lorenzo Ruiz was martyred in Japan in 1637. He is the patron saint of Filipino youth, the Philippines, overseas workers, and altar servers. His window, featuring the palm of martyrdom, reminds us that even laypeople can bear witness to Christ's love in everyday life.

St. Vincent de Paul

Famous for his compassion and charity, St. Vincent de Paul is patron saint of charitable societies, hospitals, hospital workers, volunteers, and prisoners. His image caring for children symbolizes our call to serve the poor and vulnerable in our own community.

As sunlight pours through these windows during Mass, it shines through the lives of these holy men and women who reflect Christ’s light in every corner of the world, from Poland to Sudan, Manila to Rome. May these saints remind us that holiness is not far from us. It is lived in the everyday, in sacrifice, in prayer, and in service. Let us be inspired by their lives, and allow their stories to shape our walk with Christ.

Making Room for More: St. Charles Adds Parking Spaces

As more parishioners gather for Sunday Masses at St. Charles Borromeo, our Church community continues to grow. With that growth comes a greater need for accessible parking.

To better accommodate the increasing number of families and individuals attending Sunday Mass, we are expanding our parking lot with additional parking spaces. This improvement will help ease congestion, improve traffic flow, and create a more welcoming experience for all who come to worship.

We thank you for your continued patience during construction and for being part of a parish that is alive in faith and fellowship.

Together, we are building more than a parking lot. We are making space for every person who seeks Christ.

Adult Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday

On Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025, at St. Charles Borromeo Church, our parish witnessed a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit as 124 adults completed their Sacraments of Initiation through the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Adult Confirmation is the final step for many Catholic adults who have already received Baptism and First Communion. Through prayer, study, and formation, these individuals prepared their hearts to fully embrace the grace and mission that come with being sealed by the Holy Spirit.

The celebration took place during a joyful Pentecost liturgy, a fitting day to receive the gifts of the Spirit. Surrounded by family, friends, sponsors, and our parish community, each candidate renewed their commitment to Christ and the Church.

This milestone marked the completion of their sacramental journey and the beginning of a new chapter of discipleship. We are proud of each one of them and pray that the Spirit continues to guide their steps with courage, wisdom, and faith.

A New Year of Faith Formation

As we begin the 2025–2026 formation year, our parish is filled with excitement and hope. Families, teens, children, and adults have come forward in large numbers, eager to deepen their relationship with Christ through our Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation programs.

This year, St. Charles Borromeo and Good Shepherd Catholic Parish are offering:

• First Communion Preparation

• High School Confirmation

• C-CAT (Children’s Catechesis and Catechumenate)

• Adult Confirmation

• OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)

• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Across all programs, we have welcomed a total of 1,053 registrants.

This overwhelming response is a beautiful reflection of the faith alive in our community. From young children beginning their journey to the Eucharist, to adults saying yes to a deeper commitment, each person brings something unique to the life of the Church.

We are grateful to our dedicated catechists, volunteers, and families for answering the call to evangelize and form disciples. Please continue to keep all participants in your prayers as we walk together in faith, love, and truth.

Finding Our Way with Christ at “True North”

This year’s Vacation Bible School, themed True North, brought joyful energy and spiritual discovery to St. Charles Borromeo during a five-day summer experience. The program welcomed 65 children and 70 volunteers, creating a vibrant and faith-filled environment for all involved.

The increase in participation reflected a growing desire among families for meaningful, faith-based summer activities. Children engaged in Bible stories, music, games, and crafts, all centered on learning how to follow Jesus as their guiding light. Volunteers, including both teens and adults, helped lead activities, guide groups, and support each day with care and enthusiasm.

True North was more than just a summer program. It was a joyful journey in faith where hearts were opened, friendships were formed, and the love of Christ was shared in creative and memorable ways.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the parents, volunteers, and donors who helped make this year’s VBS a success. Your time, support, and generosity made a lasting impact.

Share Your Stories: Celebrating Our Parish Community

At Good Shepherd Catholic Parish, every parishioner and ministry plays a vital role in building our vibrant, faith-filled community. Each of you brings unique experiences, talents, and contributions that make our parish a place of worship, service, and fellowship. Now, we invite you to share your stories with us!

Whether you’re part of a ministry, have participated in a parish event, or have a personal story of faith and service, your experiences matter. By sharing them in The Good Shepherd’s Voice, you can inspire others, strengthen our community, and highlight the incredible work happening across our parish.

Ministries, too, are encouraged to submit updates, events, and stories that showcase the positive impact you are making. These stories are a way to recognize the hard work and dedication that often happens behind the scenes and to inspire even greater involvement.

If you have a story or event to share, please submit it using the Communications Request Form. Together, we can continue to celebrate the many ways God is working through each of us in our parish community. Let’s keep building a parish where every voice is heard, and every story of faith is celebrated!