Dear Parishioners,

As we continue the Jubilee Year of 2025 Pilgrims of Hope, which I have mentioned a few times in my homilies and at Mass, our Most Reverend Bishop, Jaime Soto, has designated 12 parishes of our Diocese as Pilgrimage Sites for the Jubilee Year. There are brochures and stickers in the back of the church or in the lobby for those who wish to visit the designated sites. The brochure has a letter from Bishop Soto, a map, and more information about the Jubilee Year. The brochure also includes three themes for reflection for the Jubilee Year: to See God, should be reflected on Jan-Mar; To Be Living Stones, should be reflected on Apr.-Jun; and Unite Creation in Christ, should be reflected on Jul-Sept. You can obtain free PDF copies on our Diocesan website of the three themes, HERE. The Bishop has encouraged our entire parish to participate for reflection on the three themes from our parish staff, parish councils, prayer (Bible Study) and catechetical groups, school faculty, and parish and school families. 

So, please be sure to take a brochure to see how you or your family can prayerfully be involved throughout the Jubilee Year even without doing the Pilgrimage.  If you do go on the pilgrimage you can earn partial and plenary indulgences. ( A plenary indulgence is granted by visiting a pilgrimage site and praying the Apostles Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Jubilee Prayer, remembering the intentions of the Holy Father, going to confession, and receiving Holy Communion at mass. One also receives an indulgence by practicing the works of mercy along with prayer, confession, and the reception of Holy Communion at MaSS.)

In the coming months, I will announce a date and time in which I will celebrate a special Mass for the Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope at St. Joseph. 

On Ash Wednesday, we will hang the banner for 24 Hours for the Lord. One of our parishes in our deanery will have a special 24 Hours for the Lord, which will be for our Lenten Penance Service for 2025, for St. Joseph, Our Lady of Mercy, Sacred Heart Anderson, and Sacred Heart, Red Bluff. 

I will continue to offer updates on our parish jubilee activities and liturgical services.

Peace of Christ,
Fr. Eric