ST. JUSTIN PARISH COMMUNITY

Transcription

1 ST. JUSTIN PARISH COMMUNITY 2655 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA (408) ~ Third of Advent What ways have you made the world a better place? The Eleventh Day of December of 2016 Weekend Masses Saturday Vigil 5:00 p.m. 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 a.m., 12:15 and 7:00 p.m. Holy Days of Obligation, 12:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Parish Office Hours Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed for lunch 12:00-1:15 p.m. Weekday Masses Monday-Friday Saturday 8:00 a.m. Reconciliation Saturdays 3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. or by appointment

2 PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Christopher Bransfield, Pastor , x 107, cbransfield@dsj.org Rev. Gerald Nwafor, Parochial Vicar , x 113, gnwafor@dsj.org Ms. Karen Suty, Principal , x 232, ksuty@dsj.org Mr. Joe Bauer, Pastoral Associate, Facilities, Community Ministry x 109, jbauer@dsj.org Mrs. Mary Kane, Director of Faith Formation x 104, mykane@dsj.org Mrs. Lillian Kwiatkowski, Music Director x 112, lkwiatkowski@dsj.org Ms. Laura Ortiz, Office Manager x 102, lortiz@dsj.org Ms. Diane Serrianne, Receptionist x 100, dserrianne@dsj.org Rev. James Okafor, In Residence PHONE NUMBERS Parish Offices: Monday-Friday, 9:00-5:00 p.m. closed 12:00-1:15 p.m. Fax: Website: Catechetical Ministry Ext. 102 Ministry to the Sick Ext. 113 Youth Ministry Ext. 104 Liturgical Ministry Ext. 107 Community Ministry School Office Thrift Store Current Hours: Monday-Friday 9-2:30 p.m. Saturday 9-3:00 p.m. 10-3:00 p.m. If you were John the Baptizer today what would your message be? The question is directed to me as an individual. I should not look beyond my nose to solve this problem or find what to be said. We are trying to make the road of the Lord to be straight. If I have the microphone (CNN/FOX/msnbc), I will cry from the mountaintop, The election has come and gone, let us sheath the sword. The losers should be humble enough to forge ahead, and the winners should be magnanimous in victory and carry everybody along. America is still our country, elections and presidents should come and go but America would remain. We should not destroy who we are because of one single election. God created humanity; we should not destroy God s creation because of our quest for social class, political affiliations, religious beliefs, economic status and moral orientation. The winners should not speak with arrogance. In their execution of justice let them remember mercy. In their use of power let them be polite and tell the truth with charity. They should not allow their egos to get in their way because the Holy Book says, Pride goes before the fall. The game should always be fair play, and nobody should be treated as an outcast. The victory is for all and, all is for the victory. No victor, no vanquish. The losers should never wallow in self-pity; it is always good to try. When you dare, you lose your footing for a while, but if you never tried at all, you're wasting yourself. There is nothing wrong with losing. In every game, there are losers and winners. The watchword will be, may the captain of the ship of the nation sail us to the promised land avoiding the land mines, icebergs, cataracts and oxbow lakes. The losers should not constitute obstacles because if the ship capsizes or wrecks, everybody is going down the drain. The losers should pick themselves up and look in the mirror of life and realize how brave they were to have fought the battle. Finally, since I do not have the microphone, in my little way I should make my families, friends and neighbors feel the impact of Christ s coming by sending them a beautiful Christmas card made in the USA. Fr. Gerald Upcoming Second Offerings Your generosity is appreciated. *Denotes Parish Second Collection. 12/11 Religious Retirement 1/8 Mentasti Scholarship WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT DECEMBER 4, 2016 Goal $12, st Collection $12, Direct Deposit $0.00 Online Giving $1, Variance $1, Parish Office will be closed Friday, December 23rd and will re-open Monday, January 2nd. The School Office will be closed Friday, December 16th at 12:30 p.m. and will re-open Monday, January 2nd. Page 2 Third of Advent December 11, 2016

3 Mass Dedications for the Week of December 12 December 18, notes deceased Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 8:00 a.m. All Souls Edward Lyles + Fr. Alex Affonso + Evan & Miles Gackstetter Filomena Pereira + Ted, Clarence, Frida, and Mike Gackstetter + Manuel da Rosa + Juanita Ciardelli + Raul Mendoza + Glen & Val Herrera Carmen Herrera All Souls Sat., 5:00 p.m. 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:30a.m. 12:15 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Willie & Efigenia Rodrigues + Samuel de los Santos + Gian Carlo de los Santos + Silver Ancheta + Sabrina Ancheta + FOR ALL PARISHIONERS 36th Wedding Anniversary- A & P Maria Barrous + We pray for those who are ill or suffering from loneliness, sadness, or depression. We pray for those who care for them. We pray for our deceased family and friends. We pray for our men and women who are serving in the military. This week we pray especially for those who are ill or preparing for surgery: Tony Bell, Lorraine Buretta, Carmen Cordina, Mariano Covarrubias, Jeanette Dominguez, Mary Engel, Agapita Feliciano, Linda Hamilton, Nanea Marie Hoffman, Patricia Hogensen, Ann Hurley, Mary Ellen, Lupe Lopez, Nathaniel Ortiz, Bill Martin, Christina Moraco, Rich Rojas, Lorraine Sandifer, Jazmine Soloman, Betty Terra And for those who have died: Hector Osorio, Fr. Andres Parra To have a person added to the Prayer Request, please call the Parish Office at ext. 100 MARK YOUR CALENDARS Monday, December 12 7:00 p.m. Parish Reconciliation Service with Individual Confessions St. Justin School Christmas Program Tuesday, December 13 6:30 p.m. Pre-K - 2nd Grade (Church) Wednesday, December 14 6:30 p.m. 3rd Grade-8th Grade (Large Hall) December :00 a.m. Simbang Gabi Novena Masses CHRISTMAS Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. Family Mass 6:00 p.m. Mass 10:30 p.m. Christmas Concert 11:00 p.m. Mass, December 25 Christmas Day 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 12:15 p.m. There will be NO 7:00 p.m. Mass., January 1 Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. 12:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. ORGANIZATIONS PARISH COUNCIL Thai Tran FINANCE COUNCIL Mary Sparacino STABLEMATES (Men s Club) Jim Newton LADIES GUILD Julia Cardoza GUADALUPE SOCIETY Maria Marquez ALTAR SERVERS Stephen Russell KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, COUNCIL #3523 Lary James gk@kofc3523.org FIL-AM ORGANIZATION Manny Balce From the Faith Formation Team: Thank you to everyone who completed the Faith Formation survey a few weeks ago. The team met recently to review the results. There was a diverse selection of topics of interest, and the most preferred learning format reported was guest speaker presentations. The results also showed variability in the best time to attend events with the most popular selections being weekday evenings and weekday mornings. With this information in mind, the Faith Formation Team is planning to offer a Lenten Speaker series one evening a week for four weeks during Lent. We are currently locating guest speakers to speak on a variety of topics relevant to the Catholic faith. Additionally, a Thursday morning scripture study on the Gospel of Matthew will begin in January. Watch this space for more information on these and other upcoming events. Upcoming Events around the Diocese: December 13th 7-8pm Msgr. Craig Harrison "Our Advent Spiritual Journey - Slow Down, Simplify, and Sanctify" Church of the Transfiguration, 4325 Jarvis Ave., San Jose, Page 3 Third of Advent December 11, 2016

4 CATECHETICAL MINISTRY NEWS Call or Laura Ortiz, (408) ext. 100, for registration information. If you have any questions about our programs, contact Mary Kane at (408) ext. 104 GENERAL INFORMATION Faith Formation is more than just religious education. It is a life long journey towards a deeper relationship with Christ. Ongoing Faith Formation Program Classes for Pre-K 3-years old through 1 st Grade: 9:00-10:00am. 2 nd Grade through 8 th Grade: 10:15-11:30am 6th Grade Service Project NEXT, December 18th in Small Hall Did You Know We Have a Program for Your 3 and 4-year olds? We offer an Early Childhood Program during the 9 a.m. Mass, from Fall until April. Our three and four-year old classes still has plenty of room. Feel free to drop by ANY to see if it might be a good fit for your child. You may obtain registration forms in room 2 or download them from our parish website. Sacramental Preparation Program Congratulations to our 50 First Communion Candidates who celebrated their First Reconciliation last! Thank you to Karen Foley, Lillian Kwiatkowski, Gabrielle Reilly, Laura Matthews and Merry Prasetyo, for their assistance with the retreat! High School Confirmation 5:30-7:00 p.m. Who is the Holy Spirit? RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 13th at 7:00-8:30pm in the PMC. Come with any questions that you may have about faith, religion, and the Catholic Church. This program is for adults who are seeking baptism, or were baptized Catholic but have not celebrated the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. This is a process marked by liturgical rites that are celebrated with the community. This process is centered on the readings and includes attending Mass. For those who are spiritually prepared, they will receive the Sacraments of Initiation, (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) during the Easter Vigil. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) NEXT SESSION Tuesday, December 13th, 7-8:30 p.m. Parish Ministry Center Are you an adult seeking baptism? Or a baptized Christian seeking the full communion of the Catholic church? Or perhaps a baptized Catholic who wishes to complete initiation in the sacrament of confirmation? Call the office at (408) ext. 104 to begin answering your questions. Or, simply come to our next session! Material Requests We are very grateful that our parishioners have responded most generously to all our requests. At this time our craft supply storage is filled to capacity. We will notify you when we are able to receive further craft donations. Thank you for your continued generosity!!! RCIA (Adapted for Children), December 11th 9:30 a.m. Class in the Parish Ministry Center. Attend 10: 30 a.m. Mass with your family. Dismissal to Parish Ministry Center after homily. Bible Study with Fr. Chris & Fr. Gerald every Friday, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the Parish Ministry Center. Page 4 Third of Advent December 11, 2016

5 COMMUNITY MINISTRY Christmas Food & Gift Project Next weekend we will be packing and distributing Christmas food and gifts to those families requesting our assistance. You will find more information about how you can become involved in today s Bulletin. We are still in need of canned Hams, Grocery Store Gift Cards and Children s Gifts (especially for children from years of age). Outreach Dinner Our Outreach dinner will be taking place today,, December 11, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the Parish Small Hall. All Senior Citizen members of our Parish are invited, along with a guest, to this meal followed by BINGO. Financial Assistance for Parishioners St. Justin Community Ministry has set aside some funds to provide Parishioners with limited Financial Assistance when facing unexpected issues. If you find yourself in need, contact Joe Bauer at extension 109 or jbauer@dsj.org MINISTRY NEWS Food & Diaper Collection Most of you are aware of the Community Ministry Collection Barrels that are located in our Church. During the month of December, we will continue to request canned Soup, Pork & Beans, Chili, Macaroni & Cheese and Tomato Sauce. We are also in need of Baby Food (Fruits and Vegetables) as well as Baby Diapers (Size 3 5). These are items that we do not receive often from the Second Harvest Food Bank. Please feel free to drop donations in the barrels in the Church, the barrel in the Foyer of the School or bring items to the Parish Office. Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Needed For those of you who have back yard fruit trees with an over abundance of fruit and/or gardens with vegetables please consider donating what you can to Community Ministry. The fruit and vegetables are a welcome addition to the food that we distribute to those seeking assistance. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION When the ties of affection and authority that bound Europe s Catholics unraveled in the sixteenth century, many cultures lost timehonored customs of faith. Some customs proved to be especially difficult for the reformers to wrest away from the people, especially those celebrated in the home. This week in Sweden, a country where the Catholic Church was disestablished four hundred years ago, a Catholic martyr from Sicily is the most beloved figure. St. Lucia, Lucy, is celebrated on December 13. The longstory-short is that Lucy was a Christian whose father wanted to marry her off to a pagan fellow, and she rejected her father s authority. To make an example of her, her father had her killed. In the course of the brutal martyrdom, Lucy lost her beautiful eyes, but her vision was miraculously restored. The candles worn today by the eldest daughter of the family are tokens of the fire that refused to harm the saint. So this patroness of light and clear vision is revered on the shortest, darkest days of the Nordic winter. Before the reform of the Gregorian calendar in the sixteenth century, December 13 was the winter solstice. Today, young girls appear in the morning wearing lighted candles on their crowned heads (battery-operated now after many mishaps), and serve sweet rolls and coffee to everyone in the house. For the Swedes, who are not churchgoers, the Lucias are the official heralds of the holiday season and a sign of everyone s yearning for more light in this world. Europe once abounded with customs like this; the survival of this custom in Scandinavia is a sign of God s grace, and how fertile the soil is to receive the true message of Advent. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Page 5 Third of Advent December 11, 2016

6 FAITH Beyond 2000 Part II A dynamic formation program for catechists and others interested in gaining a better understanding of their faith. The Chancery 1150 N. First Street San Jose, CA Mondays, 6:45 p.m.-9:00 p.m. January 23: Sacraments of Healing February 27: Sacraments at the Service of Communion March 27: Moral Formation Part I Plan now to attend FAITH beyond 2000 and give your ministry and your spirituality a boost! 11th Annual Basketball Challenge Friday, February 3, :00 p.m. Leavey Center Santa Clara University Tickets available at the Parish Ministry Center! All proceeds from the game will benefit Seminarian Formation in the Diocese of San Jose! If you suspect abuse in your parish, school or in the Diocese of San Jose, please contact: Child Protective Services ; Call 911; or The Diocesan Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults, or protection@dsj.org. If you suspect financial mismanagement in your parish, school or in the Diocese of San Jose, please contact: EthicsPoint: dsj.ethicspoint.com. Bishop McGrath s Pre-Christmas Message Dear Brothers and Sisters, I address myself today to all Catholics and people of good will, here in Santa Clara County. In a special way, I am writing to those among us who live in fear fear of discrimination, of deportation, of having their families torn apart. There is a great deal of uncertainty in these weeks following the national elections. Yet we must respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters, our neighbors and friends, and those who live and work with us in this Valley of Saint Clare. While I will not attempt to offer any false hope, I do want to assure you that the Diocese of San Jose is working in partnership with Santa Clara County and the City of San Jose and other agencies, including Catholic Charities, to address both the fears of our people and steps to defend the human rights of every individual, regardless of ethnicity, place of origin, or religion. On November 14, Mayor Sam Liccardo pledged to all who feel threatened by possible action, We ve got your back. He went on to explain that we cannot control the events in Washington, D.C., but we can do much to care for each other here at home. The Church makes the same pledge as we stand together in solidarity and accompaniment with those most in need. We cannot and will not abandon you because Jesus promised never to abandon us. As a community that professes that kind of hope in Christ, our greatest strength lies in our ability to gather together in prayer. It is what the Lord Jesus did prior to every major event in his life. It is what we must also do as we continue to promote a culture of mercy in which no one looks at another with indifference or turns away from the suffering of our brothers and sisters (Pope Francis, Misericordia et Misera). Therefore, I invite all to observe a Day of Prayer on December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. For almost 500 years since the Blessed Virgin Mary s appearance to a poor Indigenous Mexican named Juan Diego, Catholics have prayed for our Lady of Guadalupe s protection and strength under her title as Patroness of the Americas. It is in this image of Mary that we find comfort, consolation, strength, and hope. And it is in the union of our prayer with her that we encourage one another for the work that lies ahead. So that we might pray together, I ask our churches to remain open throughout December 12, from Las Mañanitas (or the first Mass) in the morning until evening, as determined in each parish. As we pray that day under the loving gaze of Guadalupe, the Mother of us all, let us remember that we cannot love Our Lady of Guadalupe unless we love el pobre [the poor one] Juan Diego with the commitment of our lives In closing, I wish to recall the opening words of the Second Vatican Council s Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes: The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the people of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Know that your joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties are ours, and I offer my prayers and solidarity with and for you. We stand with you. With every best wish and kind regard, I remain, Sincerely yours, Patrick J. McGrath Bishop of San Jose Page 6 Third of Advent December 11, 2016

7 ADS

8 Due to the support that we received from many of you, we were able to assist over 550 families with their Thanksgiving Dinner. In less than a month we hope to feed those same families and more. We also want to provide them with Christmas presents for their children and grandchildren. The entire parish community is invited to help by providing the needed food items for these Christmas meals. The families requesting food are given a choice of a Ham or Turkey Dinner or $10 Grocery Store Gift Card The menu is as follows: A Ham (5 pound canned) or $10 Grocery Store Card or A Turkey Pork or Turkey Gravy, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce Yams, Corn, Green Beans, Fruit Cocktail Community Ministry will be purchasing fresh potatoes, carrots, apples, oranges, and onions to include in the Christmas parcels. Here is how you can help.. Food: Please help us to collect the needed food items by bringing them to Church or the Parish Ministry Center before Thursday, December 15, We would appreciate you waiting until December 17 to drop off Turkeys, but Hams can be brought in anytime. Gifts: We are once again allowing the parents and grandparents of the children receiving our gifts to pick out presents, so we need the gifts to be donated unwrapped. There is a Gift tag tree located in the front entrance of the Church or you can pick up gift tags in the Parish Ministry Center during the week. We would appreciate presents begin dropped off by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 16. Wrapping Paper, bows, ribbon, gift tags and boxes are welcome. Packing the food and organizing the gift tables will take place beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 16. You are more than welcome to join the fun. A light dinner will be served. Distribution to families will take place: Saturday, December 17 from 9:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m., December 18 from 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Monday, December 19 from 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. and you are once again invited to take part. Most importantly, if you know any family who would benefit from our Christmas Meal and Gifts or if you need more information about our Christmas project, please contact Joe Bauer at ext. 109 or joeb@dsj.org Financial contributions to St. Justin Community Ministry are most welcome. God Bless you and your family during this season of giving. Looking for the 2017 Longest Married Couple! Why? Because Worldwide Encounter, for the seventh year in a row, is conducting the Longest Married Couple Project. What an opportunity to honor couples married 50, 60 or 70+ years! And just maybe a couple you know could be either the state or national winner. Winners will be honored during Valentine s Day Week, Nominations are open now through January 10, The nomination process is simple - just the couple s names, wedding date and city they live in along with your contact information to wwmelmc2017@gmail.com. It's that easy. Or, you can go to the wwmelmc.com website for more information. Warner and Patricia Nash December 15, 1957 Marriage Anniversaries If your anniversary is coming up, please let us know! Laura Ortiz at ext. 102 or lortiz@dsj.org Christmas Eve 4 p.m. Family Liturgy The Christmas Eve afternoon Mass has been a family-oriented celebration. Once again our traditional Nativity Gospel re-enactment will be taking place at 4 p.m. Children of St. Justin School and Catechetical Program are actively involved as choir, readers, hospitality ministers, and roles in the nativity gospel. If you and your children are interested in taking part, forms are at the entrances of the church. Please complete and return to the Parish Ministry Center We involve every child who completes a form, but as we have many children participate, please select first, second and third choices. Questions may be addressed to Mary at mykane@dsj.org

9 CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Justin Church # Homestead Road Santa Clara, CA TELEPHONE CONTACT PERSON Laura Ortiz SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2007 Adobe Acrobat X Windows 10 TRANSMISSION TIME Tuesday 11:00 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION December 11, 2016 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 8 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS