On November 14, 2016, the Eucharistic Celebration for the closing ceremony of the Door of Mercy was held in the Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Reedley for the Vicariate of Fresno Rural Area presided by Fr. John Bruno, the Vicar Forane of the Area.
The bi-lingual Mass was concelebrated by Monsignor John Esquivel, Pastor of St. Anthony, Fr. Isaac Meneses, Pastor of St. Isidore, Fr. Israel Avila, Pastor of St. Mary and Fr. Edwin Manio, Associate Pastor of St. Mary. The Extraordinary Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis started on December 8, 2016 and will end on November 20, 2016 during the Feast of Christ, the King with the closing of the Door of Mercy in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
The celebration was attended by many parishioners from the different parishes. Two groups of choir, one in English and another in Spanish, animated the songs of the liturgical celebration. After the homily, the priests and all the faithful were able to pass for the last time the Door of Mercy and gained the plenary indulgence for their beloved after completing all the requirements.
