Bishop John Steinbock hospitalized

Few details are being released about Bishop Steinbock's hospitalization, but he's been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments for stage three lung cancer.

By Monday evening, word of his condition started to reach people at St. Anthony of Padua in Northwest Fresno, where children and parents gathered for a Cub Scout award ceremony. Churchgoers said petitions for prayer have been going out to the Bishop every Sunday. "We certainly want a complete healing and restoration and all that. But we always couch that to God's will. He has the perfect plan and the perfect will. And we desire that above all things," said Mike Cantelmi of Fresno.

Children are also keeping the bishop in their thoughts. "They made him cards to send to the Bishop today. They all have him in their prayers in class, too," said parent Lorina Alvarez.

The Bishop was diagnosed with cancer in August. In September, he sat down with Action News Anchor Liz Harrison and talked about the diagnosis, describing it as a blessing. His strong faith and trust in God was also evident in a pastoral letter shared with parishioners this month, writing ... "We all go through difficult and suffering times, yet God's love can be found in the midst of our suffering."

Valley Catholics said they continue to be inspired by the Bishop's faith. "Certainly he's given us a role model for which to follow. So his role as a shepherd to his flock in the Diocese of Fresno... is to be a teacher even during his illness," said Brian Cameron of Fresno.