ST. JUSTIN PARISH COMMUNITY

Transcription

1 ST. JUSTIN PARISH COMMUNITY 2655 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA (408) ~ Third of Advent Who are the kind and gentle teachers in your life? What do you do with your extra costs? What do you do with your abundance? The Thirteenth Day of December of 2015 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, dserriane@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 Go to our website at to make safe and secure donations by credit card, checking or savings. We have 150 regular users! Upcoming Second Offerings Your generosity is appreciated. *Denotes Parish Second Collection. 12/13 Retired Religious 1/10 Msgr. Mentasti* It was about this time 22 years ago, that I was finishing out the first trimester of my oldest child s pregnancy. Still experiencing some nausea and still getting used to the changes in my body, the joys of holding a new baby seemed so far off, way in the distant future. At this particular time, I sang in a small choir at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Boulder, Co. One of the other members, Bill, and his wife, Glenna, were friends of ours. They were also expecting a baby, except theirs was due before Christmas. The choir gathered at their house on Gaudete for a small celebration, perhaps it was a baby shower, or likely it was a pre-christmas party, but I don t recall exactly. What I do remember was that it was cold, windy and snowing. After brushing the snow off the car and making the trek across town, the warmth of their house, the smell of baked something, the sight of their pretty Christmas tree were so inviting. We talked about the anticipation they were feeling about the baby coming. Bill would comment was that he could truly appreciate the meaning of Advent that year, the feeling of expectancy and preparation in the coming of the birth of Christ since he was experiencing the same sort of thing, as the birth of their first child was only days away. The joy in their faces was infectious, which was really a Godsend considering the slight misery I was feeling at my uncomfortable stage of waiting. We were able to rejoice with them, very easily, in their anticipation of their WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT DECEMBER 6, 2015 Goal $12, st Collection $12, Direct Deposit $0.00 Online Giving $1, Variance $2, Gaudete baby s impending birth. Gaudete is all about that sense of rejoicing and anticipation of something very special and exciting, so important yet to come. It marks about the middle Advent, when readings begin to change from dealing with the doom and gloom of today s world and the end of time to an awareness of our savior s coming. It is still Advent, so the message is still about repentance, improving upon our goodness to others and increasing our love for God, but now we are reminded that there is also hope. As John the Baptist says in today s Gospel reading by Luke, one mightier than I is coming and he preached good news to the people. In a few days, (when, by the way, Simbang Gabi masses begin) readings will begin to focus on Mary and the holy infant to come. Advent took on a new meaning for me after my first child was born. I always remember my friends on Gaudete and the sense of joy they felt then. My husband and I were able to understand fully (four times) that heady sense of expectation of our baby s imminent birth and I recall that, too, on this day. That feeling of hope in the power of God and God s goodness is essential in our world of seemingly increasing hatred and violence. May the remaining days of Advent be a special blessing to everyone and the impending celebration of Jesus birth be a reminder to us all of the love, God s love, that is needed to bring peace to the world. Lillian Kwiatkowksi Parish Office will be closed Wednesday, December 23rd and will re-open Monday, January 4th. The School Office will be closed Friday, December 18th at 12:30 p.m. and will re-open Monday, January 4th. Page 2 Third of Advent December 13, 2015

3 Mass Dedications for the Week of December 14 December 20, notes deceased Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 8:00 a.m. Thomas Byrne Michael da Rosa + Willy & Efigenia Rodrigues + Jonathan Balce Theresa Naras + Barbara Field Wheelock + Saturday 5:00 p.m. 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:30a.m. 12:15 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 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: Linda Ayer, Armando Bottelli, Ann Cambra, Perrry Demorest, David Dittmann, Michael Fernandez, Linda Hamilton, Ruth Katz, Valentino Marquez, Emily Mendoza, Ali Quilici, Bich Vu And for those who have died: Norma Alcantara, Fouad Habash, Fr. Joseph Prendergast B. John Talia + To have a person added to the Prayer Request, please call the Parish Office at ext. 100 MARK YOUR CALENDARS ADVENT Monday, December 14 7:00 p.m. Parish Reconciliation Service with Individual Confessions Wednesday, December 16 5:00 p.m. Pre-K - 2nd Grade (Church) 7:00 p.m. 3rd - 8th Grade (Large Hall) St. Justin School Christmas Program December :00 a.m. Simbang Gabi Novena Masses Samuel de los Santos + Gian Carlo de los Santos + Silver Ancheta + Sabrina Ancheta + For All Parishioners Bich Vu A & P Escobar 35th Wedding Anniversary CHRISTMAS Thursday, 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 Friday, 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. Friday, January 1 Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God 12:15 p.m. ORGANIZATIONS PARISH COUNCIL Thomas Viano 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 VOCATIONS COMMITTEE Training for Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers Lector training will be held on Saturday, December 12th at 1:30 p.m. in the church Eucharistic Ministers training will be held on, December 13th at 1:30 p.m. in the Church. December 13, 2015 Third of Advent Page 3

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 Youth Faith Formation General Information Our Early Childhood Education Program (ages three through First Grade) meets, 9-10 a.m., while our Elementary Program (2 nd grade through Junior High) meets, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Did You Know We Have a Program for Your 4-year old? We offer an Early Childhood Program during the 9 a.m. Mass, from Fall until April. Our four-year old class 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. Registration for Ongoing Faith Formation If you are new to Catechetical Ministry, please download a registration packet from our website or complete one in room 2 on. For those already registered in Catechetical Ministry this past year, your information packet was mailed. Please ensure your information is correct, sign and return it along with the fee to Laura in the Parish Ministry Center. Sacramental Preparation Congratulations to our First Communion Candidates who celebrated their First Reconciliation last! (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) NEXT SESSION Tuesday, December 15, 7-9 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 front office (408) ext. 104 to begin answering your questions. Or, simply come to our next session! High School Confirmation Are You Being Called to be a Catechist? We are still looking for catechists to join us. We arrange training and provide all materials. We are looking for: How does God help when it hurts? Anointing of the Sick and Redemptive Suffering Fourth Grade Co-Catechist (s, 10:15-11:30am) Sixth Grade Co-Catechist (s, 10:15-11:30am) Jr. High Co-Catechist (s, 10:15-11:30am) Contact Mary, mykane@dsj.org if you feel called to this ministry. Just a reminder to check all parish activities, go to our website at Click on the CALENDAR link, and you will find where it is being held and the times. Page 4 Third of Advent December 13, 2015

5 MINISTRY NEWS Christmas Project Next weekend we will be packing and distributing Christmas meals and presents for as many as 700 families. You will find more information as to how you can become involved in today s bulletin but our biggest need is for 5 pound canned hams and/or $10 Grocery Store gift cards. They can be dropped off in the parish office during the week or brought to the parish hall next weekend. Community Ministry Stuffed Animals and Books for Christmas Christmas is only a few weeks away and in the Community Ministry world we are already involved in the planning of our Christmas project. One way that parishioners can help is by donating Stuffed Animals and Books that we give away to the children of the families we serve. They can be either new or used and be dropped off at the Parish Office any time between now and our Christmas distribution, December 19. Outreach Dinner Thank you to our St. Justin School Kindergarten who sponsored last week s Outreach Dinner. Our next Outreach Dinner will be taking place on, January 3, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the Parish Small Hall. All Senior Citizen members of our Parish are invited to this meal followed by BINGO. Community Ministry 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 Food 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. 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. Warner and Patricia Nash December 15, 1957 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION This week, our celebration of Advent makes a transition in ritual and texts. Beginning December 18, the countdown of nine days (a novena) to Christmas sees a heightened sense of expectation, and also a turning from the call of the Baptist in the wilderness to the events leading up to Jesus birth. In ancient Spain, December 18 was once celebrated as the Feast of the Expectancy, and customs grew up to heighten readiness in the homes. Some customs arise from monastic life and practice and spill over into our parish life. Beginning tonight, those who pray Vespers will sing in the opening phrase a beautiful title of Christ. These titles belong to a collection of opening phrases called the O Antiphons after the awe-inspired O sung on the first note. There s a playful code in the titles: O Wisdom, O Lord, O Flower of Jesse, O Key of David, O Dawn, O Ruler, O Emmanuel. When you take their Latin names Sapientia, Adonai, Radix, and so on the titles form an acrostic when you read them backwards: ERO CRAS. In Latin, that is translated as I will be there tomorrow! It s as if Christ were answering the prayers of the waiting people in the words of the prayers themselves. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. December 13, 2015 Third of Advent Page 5

6 Due to the support that we received from many of you, we are able to assist over 700 families with their Thanksgiving Dinner. Next weekend 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 17. We would appreciate you waiting until December 19 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 18. 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 18. You are more than welcome to join the fun. A light dinner will be served. Distribution to families will take place: Saturday, December 19 from 9:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m., December 20 from 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Monday, December 21 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 or jbauer@dsj.org Financial contributions to St. Justin Community Ministry are most welcome. God Bless you and your family during this season of giving. 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. Jubilee Year of Mercy December 13, 2015 Third of Advent Pope Francis chose to inaugurate the Jubilee Year of Mercy last Tuesday because December 8 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of Vatican II. That council, Pope Francis reminds us, inaugurated a new phase in the Church s history. The Spirit called the Church to tear down the walls that for far too long had made it a fortress, and to proclaim the gospel in a new, more accessible way. Pope Francis quotes Saint John XXIII in declaring the Church s preference for the medicine of mercy, and Blessed Paul VI in proposing the Good Samaritan as our model for discipleship (Misericordiae Vultus, 4). Pope Francis adds that God s mercy is the beating heart of the Gospel, and that mercy must penetrate the heart and mind of every disciple (MV, 12). Three times today s Gospel asks, What should I do? Pope Francis would say: Imitate Jesus, who came not wielding the fiery judgment that John the Baptist had threatened, but instead imparting healing, compassion, forgiveness mercy! Peter Scagnelli, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. THRIFT STORE The Thrift Store will be closing at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, December 18th. We will be open regular store hours on December 19th and December 20th. The Thrift Store will be closed December 21 January 3rd for the Christmas Holiday. Please consider the St. Justin Thrift Store as an alternative to donating your household items and clothes. We hope to see you soon. Thank you for your patronage. December 13, 2015 Third of Advent Page 6

7 ADS

8 Father Joseph Pendergast, CSSp, who served for many years in the Diocese of San Jose, died last, December 6th in Ireland. He was 87. His funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, December 9th at the Church of the Holy Spirit. The St. Justin Parish Community will celebrate a memorial Mass on Saturday, January 9th at 10:00 a.m. Light reception to follow. 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 will at the entrances of the church. Please complete and return to the Parish Ministry Center no later than Monday, December 14. 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. Stand and be Counted Registering in a parish is a declaration of your desire to be part of a Catholic community and a commitment in all its dimensions brings you advantages, recognition, and responsibilities of many kinds. Being a registered parishioner makes things much easier when it is time for infant Baptism, weddings, when asked to be a Baptismal or Confirmation Sponsor and even funerals. We are often asked to provide affidavits for Baptismal and Confirmation Sponsors. We can only do this if a person is a registered, active and contributing member. So, are you a registered parishioner? If not, please consider registering. Registration forms are available in the Parish Ministry Center or online at Please keep him, his family and the Holy Ghost Fathers in your prayers. Please send condolences to: Holy Ghost Missionary College Kimmage Manor Dublin 12 Ireland Donations for Christmas Poinsettias The Art and Environment Committee is seeking donations to cover the cost of the poinsettia plants this Christmas. We typically spend over $300 a year on these festive holiday plants. We are asking for $10 donations to cover the cost of each plant. Donations should be brought to the PMC during regular office hours. Please place your donation in an envelope marked "Poinsettia Donation". If you would like to donate in memory of someone special, please mark your envelope with "in memory of (the person's name)" Do not bring live plants to the PMC. The office staff has no way of storing them until Christmas. Donations will be accepted up until close of business December 22. Thank you for your generosity! Page 8 Third of Advent December 13, 2015

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 13, 2015 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 8 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS