Entries by Fr. Bill Donahue

2025 Lenten Regulations for the Diocese of Santa Rosa

“The Lenten Season has a double character, namely to prepare both catechumens and faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. The catechumens, both with the Rite of Election and Scrutinies, and by catechesis, are prepared for the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation; the faithful, ever more attentive to the Word of God and prayer, […]

Pastor’s Desk ~ February 9, 2025

Dear Fellow Parishioners, From time to time a visitor will ask me a question about the church building, the Mass or the Catholic faith. More often than not, those questions lead me to do a bit of research to dig a bit deeper. Two days ago I celebrated a funeral which drew people from around […]

Pastor’s Desk ~ February 2, 2025

Dear Fellow Parishioners, This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2nd). It is one of the very few feasts during Ordinary time important enough to take the place of a Sunday Mass. This feast is known alternately as the Presentation of the Lord and the Purification of the Blessed […]

Pastor’s Desk ~ January 26, 2025

Dear Fellow Parishioners,     After several months of planning (and frankly, waiting months for service) the parish rectory now has a new telephone system. The former system was developing more and more problems, and at least one extension (mine) went dead months ago. That apparently was because some living creature got into the outdoor […]

Pastor’s Desk ~ January 19, 2025

Dear Fellow Parishioners, The Second Vatican Council taught at the highest level of authority that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life.” The primary setting for the Eucharist is the eucharistic liturgy, i.e., the Mass. We have been gifted with a uniquely beautiful church, and the liturgy, music and architecture should […]

Pastor’s Desk ~ January 12, 2025

Dear Fellow Parishioners, Last weekend, I announced the retirement of Deacon Jim Carr after nearly a quarter-century of ordained service to our parish. This Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., there will be a reception for Deacon Jim, with his children who have been kind enough to “share” him with us all these many […]

Pastor’s Desk ~ January 5, 2025

Dear Fellow Parishioners, This Feast of the Epiphany will be the last weekend before Deacon Jim’s retirement becomes effective on his birthday during the following week. While this may seem sudden to some – including me – who regard any such retirement as far too soon. Deacon Jim reached the official retirement age for deacons […]

St. Vincent’s Christmas Mass Schedule ~ 2024

🎄 St. Vincent’s Christmas Mass Schedule ~ 2024 🎄 Fourth Sunday of Advent — Regular Schedule Tuesday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve 4 pm, 6 pm, 10 pm, 7:30 pm (Spanish), Christmas Carols 9:30 pm Wednesday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day 7:30 am, 9 am, 10:30 am, 12 noon (Spanish) (For a complete schedule, see […]

⛪️ Pastor’s Desk ~ December 8, 2024

Dear Fellow Parishioners, On April 15, 2019, a fire broke out in the attic space of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Paris. Within fifteen hours, catastrophic damage had been done to the best-known historical monument in France, and a nearly millennium-old glory of Christian Europe. The hearts of Catholics (and many others) sank the world over as […]