Pastor’s Desk ~ March 5, 2023

Dear Fellow Parishioners, What is the attraction of Ash Wednesday for so many, even those who attend church only a few times a year? Part of the appeal is its universality, as any living person from the Pope on down can receive ashes. I’m almost certain that our attendance at SV was noticeably larger this […]

Pastor’s Desk ~ February 19, 2023

2023 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 […]

Pastor’s Desk ~ February 5, 2023

Dear Fellow Parishioners, This is the final of four articles on the late Pope Benedict XVI. The conclave of 2005 which elected Pope Benedict XVI was the first to be housed in Casa Santa Marta at the Vatican, built by Pope John Paul II for that purpose and for housing visiting clergy at other times. […]

Pastor’s Desk ~ January 29, 2023

Dear Fellow Parishioners, This is a third reflection on the life and ministry of Pope Benedict XVI. It will focus on his election and the first partof his papacy. Due to limitations on space, a fourth (and final– I promise!) reflection will be in next week’s “Pastor’s Desk.” For at least a century, Vaticanologists have […]

Pastor’s Desk ~ January 22, 2023

Dear Fellow Parishioners, The following is the second of what was originally intended to be a two-part series of reflections on Pope Benedict XVI. The first part dealt largely with his earlier life. Due to space limitations in this week’s bulletin, the series will need an extra week. This second part will deal largely with […]

Pastor’s Desk ~ January 8, 2023

Dear Fellow Parishioners, By the time this appears in the bulletin, the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will have taken place. After nearly 10 years as Pope Emeritus, he left the public life of the Church as quietly as he entered it. To place Benedict XVI’s life in better perspective, it might be useful […]