Fr. Peter Carota - Rest In Peace

We are grieved to learn the news that Traditional Catholic priest Fr. Peter Carota, originally from Santa Cruz, CA., in the Diocese of Monterey, a great lover and promoter of the Traditional Latin Mass, has passed away following a long illness.
There will be a service for Fr. Carota at the Cathedral of The Annunciation in Stockton, California. It is located at 425 West Magnolia St., Stockton 95213. Beginning with a reception of the body on Thursday July 14th at 5:00pm. The Rosary will follow at 6:00pm and a vigil at 7:00pm.
Father Carota’s funeral will be on July 15th and 10:00am at the Cathedral of The Annunciation in Stockton, California. Procession following from Stockton, Ca to Ripon, Ca.
Graveside service: 19399 W Hwy. 120, Ripon, Ca 95366 at St. John Cemetery.

One Requiem Mass was already celebrated on the evening of Fr. Carota's passing at St. Catherine of Siena (Phoenix, AZ), which is available for viewing at Sancta Missa’s YouTube page.  The following is a list of other upcoming Traditional Latin Requiem Masses:

July 15, 2016 (Friday), 12:15 PM
St. Stephen the First Martyr Church
5461 44th St
Sacramento, CA 95820
Phone: (916) 455-5114

July 16, 2016 (Saturday), 12PM
Celebrant: Fr. Joseph Illo
St. Joseph Catholic Church
1813 Oakdale Road
Modesto, Ca 95335
Phone: (209) 551-4973

July 23, 2016 (Saturday), 10AM
Solemn High Requiem Mass
Celebrant: Rev. Canon Olivier Meney, ICRSS
St. Margaret Mary’s Church
1219 Excelsior Ave,
Oakland, CA 94610
Phone: (510) 482-0596

Here is a link to an article from the Monterey Latin Mass blog from 2013, when Fr. Carota lead the annual Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Bethlehem: http://montereybayarea-tlm.blogspot.com/2013/05/pictures-from-3rd-annual-pilgrimage-to.html

 Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine.
Et lux perpetua luceat ei.

Last Mass at Queen of Heaven Cemetery Chapel

Today was our last Mass at Queen of Heaven Cemetery Chapel. A huge thank you to the Queen of Heaven Cemetery management and staff for their charity and hospitality these past four years. We will be joining Saint Benedict’s Parish in Hollister as of our first Mass on May 22nd. After Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church all are welcome and encouraged to attend our taco feed reception, to meet and greet our new Parish staff and fellow parishioners.

Thank you to California Catholic Daily for posting a story about our move on their website, click here to view it.

The Monterey Bay Area Latin Mass Community is moving

Starting Trinity Sunday, May 22, the old Sacred Heart Church in Hollister will become the new site for the Traditional Latin Mass in the Monterey Bay Area.

A Misa Cantata--also known as a sung High Mass--will be offered on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. in the historic church located at 680 College Street in Hollister (95023).

A reception will follow in the courtyard outside the church.

Although much work remains to be done, the Latin Mass community is restoring the sanctuary of the old church, following as much as possible the original design. The restoration work and other improvements will continue in the months to come. 

The Latin Mass community, which has been active in the Monterey Diocese for eight years, most recently at the chapel of a Catholic cemetery near Salinas, will now become part of the St. Benedict’s parish. It has been the only public Mass regularly offered in the ancient rite in the Monterey Bay Area. The Traditional Latin or Tridentine Mass is the classic rite of the Roman Catholic Church and was the norm until it was replaced in most churches in the late 1960s by a new form of Mass celebrated in modern languages.  Monterey Bishop Richard Garcia has supported the restoration of the Mass and of Sacred Heart Church, as has Fr. Claudio Cabrera, the new pastor of St. Benedict’s Parish. 

 http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2016/05/new-home-for-tlm-in-california.html

A note from Fr. Nicholas Milich - stand with persecuted Christians

A note from Fr. Nicholas Milich:

Last Sunday I reminded you how traditionally Catholics have stood with the persecuted, those imprisoned for their faith, those condemned to die, their martyrs. I then asked three things of our community: 1) Daily prayer--even a short prayer, but something--for the persecuted Christians of the world. Secondly, contributions of material aid to these who are our own--one suggestion was Aid to the Church in Need (www.churchinneed.org), an organization attached to the Holy See, which tries to provide for the persecuted and endangered throughout the world, and 3 ) Political pressure especially for those cases where the violence against Catholics is tied to a nation, which can in fact be pressured. One of the most striking of those cases is that of Asia Bibi, who is condemned to die in Pakistan. You can write to Sen Diane Feinstein (who has in fact said that she finds the situation horrendously unjust) and Sen. Barbara Boxer, and your local Congressional representative (Sam Farr for most of our people but not all). Here is a story from, surprisingly enough, the New York Times, told largely by Asia Bibi's husband. The headline: Please Don't Abandon Me.

Note: Asia Bibi, a Christian Pakistani woman, was sentenced to death for blasphemy against Islam in 2010. The year before, while picking fruit with Muslim women, she took a sip of water from the local well. She was immediately accused of making the water impure by the other workers, who told her that they could no longer use the well. According to her husband, Ashiq Masih, and others, men and women started beating her and accusing her of making derogatory remarks against the Islamic prophet Muhammad, a charge she denies. Asia is currently in prison waiting to be hanged after losing an appeal on Oct. 16. She has told her story in a memoir, Blasphemy: A Memoir: Sentenced to Death over a Cup of Water, written with French journalist Anne-Isabelle Tollet.

Below is an open letter by Ashiq addressed to the world community. (Madam Mayor refers to Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who has offered her support to Asia.)

Yesterday, I returned from the prison in Multan where my wife, Asia Bibi, was transferred eight months ago. Since Asia was sentenced to death in November 2010 for drinking a glass of water from our village well, my family has lived in constant fear and under death threats. I live in hiding with my five children as near as possible to Asia. She needs us very much to help keep her alive, to bring her medicine and good food when she is sick.

After my wife had spent four long years in prison in terrible conditions, we were hoping that the High Court of Lahore would free my wife. She did not commit blasphemy, never. Since the court confirmed the death sentence on the 16th of October, we do not understand why our country, our beloved Pakistan, is so against us. Our family has always lived here in peace, and we never had any disturbance. We are Christians but we respect Islam. Our neighbors are Muslims and we have always lived well with them in our little village. But for some years now the situation in Pakistan has changed because of just a few people, and we are afraid. Today many of our Muslim friends cannot understand why the Pakistani justice system is making our family suffer so much.

We are now trying our best to present the final case to the Supreme Court before the 4th of December. But we are convinced that Asia will only be saved from being hanged if the venerable President Mammon Hussain grants her a pardon. No one should be killed for drinking a glass of water.

My five children and I have only survived thanks to the protection of a few faithful friends who risk their lives daily to help us. We are the husband and family of Asia Bibi and many people want us to die. Thanks to our friend Anne-Isabelle Tollet, who has become our sister and helped us for four years now, we speak often about what is happening in Paris and the world to help save Asia. Hearing that people are supporting Asia from so far away is so important for us. It helps us to hold on. Every time I visit Asia in prison I tell her the news. Sometimes it gives her the courage to keep going.

Just before taking the ten-hour journey to visit Asia, I learned the wonderful news that Paris is offering to welcome Asia and our family to Paris if she is freed. This is a huge honor and we are very humbled. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to you, Madam Mayor of Paris, and to say that we are immensely grateful for your concern. I hope that one day we will visit you alive, and not dead.

When I visited Asia Bibi yesterday she asked me to give you this message:

“My prison cell has no windows and day and night are the same to me, but if I am still holding on today it is thanks to everyone who is trying to help me. When my husband showed me the photographs of people I have never met drinking a glass of water for me, my heart overflowed. Ashiq told me that the city of Paris is offering to welcome our family. I send my deepest thanks to you Madam Mayor, and to all the kind people of Paris and across the world. You are my only hope of staying alive in this dungeon, so please don’t abandon me. I did not commit blasphemy.”

Ashiq Masih
Pakistan, 17th of November 2014

http://www.churchinneed.org

Monterey Latin Mass on CalCatholic - 'Churches Worth Driving To'

California Catholic Daily has recently done an article about our Latin Mass site in their 'Churches Worth Driving To' section:
http://cal-catholic.com/wordpress/2013/06/14/churches-worth-driving-to-48/
Thank you California Catholic Daily for the thumbs up~

An Interview with Fr. Nicholas Milich - Part 2

The following is part 2 of an interview with our Chaplain, Rev. Nicholas Milich, done by the Latin Mass Network back in 2007. If you missed part 1 you can click here to read the beginning of the interview.

  My Anchor, and My Constant Challenge- The Traditional Latin Mass: 

An Interview Fr. Nicholas A. Milich

Photo by Mr. Ron Placzek

 Part II of the Interview:

6. Fr. Milich, what is the most important thing a parishioner can do to show their respect and appreciation for the priesthood?

Fr. Milich responds:
"I think that it is important for parishioners--including those who have no interest in the Traditional Latin Mass themselves--to recognize how important, even vital, it is for their priests to offer the older Mass. The older Mass is an instrument of sanctification for the priesthood. So, I would hope parishioners could be patiently supportive of their priests and try to learn what it is in the older Mass that so strongly draws their priests--and which so wondrously built up the Church over the centuries."

7. What advice do you have for parents who want to encourage vocations in their family? 

Fr. Milich responds:
"Take your children to the Traditional Latin Mass. Have them learn it, along with several of the traditional devotions.  Enroll them in a schola, have the boys serve Mass, pray daily for the Church and priests and bishops, put Mary in a place of honor. God will take care of the rest."

8. What do you think is the goal of the Holy Father in making the Traditional Latin Mass available widely and without impediment?

Fr. Milich responds:
"I thank God for Pope Benedict. The Church IS Roman and he has made Rome an ally and defender of Tradition as it has historically been. We live in this fascinating transitional time when the Pope is trying to guide us back to our own Tradition. We don't want to miss being part of this tremendous adventure. That being said, I feel very strongly the need for further clarifications from Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei on Summorum Pontificum.  In spite of the very Roman clarity of the document, there are people who still wish to impose impediments.  All of us in parishes have a certain trepidation that this treasure could be taken from us."

9. Who is your patron saint and how does he or she inspire you to holiness? 

Fr. Milich responds:
"I have several patron saints--Nicholas of Myra/Bari is my baptismal patron, I took Paul as my confirmation name, and said my first Mass on the Feast of Peter and Paul. I have a special love for Therese of Lisieux.  And there are several others...I think of them as my family."

An Interview with Fr. Nicholas Milich - Part 1

The following is part 1 of an interview with our Chaplain, Rev. Nicholas Milich, done by the Latin Mass Network back in 2007:

  My Anchor, and My Constant Challenge- The Traditional Latin Mass: 

An Interview Fr. Nicholas A. Milich

Photo by Mr. Ron Placzek

 Fr. Nicholas A. Milich was the pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Ephrata, Washington and was gracious enough, and at a very busy time of year, to give us an interview about what the Traditional Latin Mass means to him as a priest and what it means for the Church. I think you will agree that his answers are eloquently expressed and show a beautiful insight and understanding.

The word "Ephrata" may sound familiar to you. It is another name by which the town of Bethlehem is known.  And I understand that the hymn "Veni Emmanuel" was traditionally known as "Ephratah".

Part I of the Interview:

1. Fr. Milich, what does the Traditional Latin Mass mean to you as a priest and how does it reaffirm your priesthood?

Fr. Milich responds:

"I have come to depend upon the traditional Mass.  It is my anchor, and it is my constant challenge--can I live up to what this Mass requires of a priest? Saying this Mass is like a daily examination of conscience.  Somewhat like the traditional breviary, I believe, the traditional Mass is a rampart against challenges to our vocation.  Beyond that, way beyond that, really, way beyond my own feelings, there is an objective quality to the older Mass. This is our RITE.  And the rite itself is holy.  When you enter into it, you leave yourself behind, you enlist in the work of the communion of saints. It may be that others have that experience with the Novus Ordo. For me, the Older Mass has been necessary."

2. What would you say is the most striking difference between the Novus Ordo and the Traditional Latin Mass?

Fr. Milich responds:

"It may be that the most striking difference is that the Traditional Latin Mass is "prayable." Unless the Novus Ordo is offered privately, it is almost impossible to pray the Mass as I should. But even offered privately, the Novus Ordo simply does not seem to offer such a powerful contemplative plane, on which you can rest and commune with the Lord for a few moments. I am sure there are persons far holier than I am who can pray the Novus Ordo easily, but I need the older Mass. If that's a weakness, I accept it and give thanks to God for His gift of this Mass."

      3. What would most surprise the average Catholic layman about the Traditional Latin Mass?

 Fr. Milich responds:

"I think the biggest surprise for someone new to the Mass would be the silence, the profound, unremitting, but acutely focused silence is a bit of a shock.  We don't know what to do with silence in our culture. The Novus Ordo calls for certain moments of silence, but they seem like add-ons, which are neither necessary to nor adequate for the particular culture of the Novus Ordo. The Novus Ordo wants to speak--it seems that it was designed as a teaching tool. The older Mass does not apologize for being a sacrifice. And before a sacrifice there is only awe. And silence."

4. Can you give some biographical information about your childhood, family life, your vocation, seminary training and how you discovered the Latin Mass?

Fr. Milich responds:

I grew up with the older Mass, and my very saintly Croatian grandmother would take me by the hand and walk me to church almost daily for prayer. I fell in love with the Mass and with the Lord's dwelling place. Meanwhile, I wanted to be a priest, but my Croatian father would have nothing of it. Then, when I was a teenager, the New Mass arrived and I thought it was pedestrian, that the language was silly at best.  In time, I did come to accept it, but--and I don't think this is accidental--my desire for the priesthood had waned. Two decades later, I found that my vocation had never completely disappeared. My seminary training was very decent, but was thoroughly Novus Ordo in its format. I tried to find training in the older Mass but no one could help me. So after ordination, I began to study on my own--not just the Mass, but the older theology, the things that had been overlooked in the seminary.  I honestly feel that compared to some other fairly recently ordained priests, I did get a respectable theological education, and no one stopped me from doing independent study on my own. But there was a wholly beautiful theological landscape out there which I had only glimpsed from afar. It became apparent, over time, that it IS the theology of the Mass, that it is all of one piece, one seamless garment."

5. What do you think the future of the Latin Mass is in the U.S.?

Fr. Milich responds:

"Only God knows the answer to that. I rather suspect, though, that God is at work, answering the prayers of his faithful ones, and hearing the perhaps unarticulated cries of so many who long for the sacred. My hope is that within a generation, the Traditional Latin Mass becomes a somewhat normal and expected form that will help re-catholicize our people.  So much depends on our bishops.  Their role is crucial. My own bishop is a good man.  Although he is not himself involved with the older Mass, he has listened to me over the years. He also allowed me to offer the older Mass privately and to be part of a team which offered Mass at our bimonthly indult site.  For that I am grateful. And when the Motu Proprio came out, he, unlike some of his colleagues, did recognize that is the law of the Church. We desperately need bishops who will support priests with a love for the traditional forms. If they do that, they will find some surprising rewards--including a big upsurge in vocations."

Click here for part 2 of the interview.

Latin Mass Community of St. Mary Magdalen's new home

Our friends from the Latin Mass Community of St. Mary Magdalen sent this note to Archbishop Gomez regarding their recent move from Mission San Buenaventura:

Your Excellency,
I just wanted to let you know that we have successfully moved from the Mission in Ventura to St. Mary Magdalen chapel in Camarillo. We had 275 people on our first Sunday (Palm) and 205 on Easter. So, we have doubled in size from our typical 90-110 at the Mission.
We are feeling welcome in our new home! Many newcomers say that they have never been to an Extraordinary Form Mass and were very moved at the reverence and beauty of this ancient form of the Roman Rite.

Visit their new blog, which includes:
Mass and Confession schedule,
Posts on items of interest,
Recommended links,
Blog Archive.
www.tlm-smm.blogspot.com

Here is a link to pictures from their Palm Sunday Mass at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church:
http://latinmassventura.shutterfly.com/pictures/70

California Catholic Daily Online News Story

The following is a news story regarding the move of the Monterey Bay Area Latin Mass community to our new home at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum. Thank you California Catholic Daily for posting this story~

“A more normal parish life”

Latin Mass community in Monterey Diocese moving to ‘stable home’ on cemetery grounds

Less than a year after relocating to the Shrine of St. Joseph in Santa Cruz, members of a Traditional Latin Mass community in the Diocese of Monterey are moving again -- this time to a location they hope will be their permanent home.

Last year, Monterey Bishop Richard Garcia asked the Traditional Latin Mass Community, which had been celebrating the Extraordinary Rite at Mission San Juan Bautista since 2008, to move to the Santa Cruz shrine. The first Traditional Latin Mass was celebrated there on July 3, 2011.

“It is Bishop Garcia’s intention that we find a church for ourselves, a church for the Traditional Latin Mass, our own parish,” Father Nicholas Milich said in a message to the Latin Mass Community at the time.

The last TLM at the Shrine of St. Joseph was celebrated on Sunday, June 10. Beginning next Sunday, June 17, the Extraordinary Rite will be celebrated at Queen of Heaven mausoleum, located between Prunedale and Salinas.

“Established in 1964 by Monsignor Thomas Earley, this cemetery was originally opened as the parish cemetery for Sacred Heart Church in Salinas,” says an entry on the cemetery’s website. “The 30-acre site, with approximately 12 developed acres, offers a majestic view of the Salinas Valley. With its beautifully landscaped environment and recent plant renovations, Queen of Heaven is the most attractive cemetery in the county.”

“The reason we are moving is that our Mass site in Santa Cruz was a temporary one,” explained June Ely, secretary of the Monterey Bay Area Latin Mass Community, in an email to California Catholic Daily. “The Oblates of St. Joseph had generously allowed us use of their Shrine in Santa Cruz while we were searching for a more permanent home. Our chaplain and other members of our community had been looking for a home the past year, when we finally found out about the Queen of Heaven Mausoleum between Prunedale and Salinas, right off of Hwy. 101. The Mausoleum church there was only used once a month on Saturday's for a memorial Mass, and very occasionally for funerals.”

“This beautiful location, overlooking the Monterey Bay Area, is about as central as possible for our spread out community,” Ely continued. “When we approached our Bishop about using it, he said it was a great idea. The director of Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Mr. Charles Fowler, has been very welcoming to our Traditional Latin Mass community, and is working closely with us to get it ready for our intended move date of June 17th. We will be having High Mass at 10:30 every Sunday, and will be able to observe all the Holy Days of Obligation.”

“Our parishioners are very grateful to our Bishop and the cemetery directors, and are excited about having a stable home where they can have a more normal parish life,” Ely said.

The mausoleum chapel at Queen of Heaven Cemetery is located at 18200 Damian Way, Salinas. For a map to the new location, Click Here.

A second Traditional Latin Mass in the Monterey diocese is offered at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Pismo Beach.