ST. JUSTIN PARISH COMMUNITY

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1 ST. JUSTIN PARISH COMMUNITY 2655 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA (408) ~ MY ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY Masses Saturday 8:00 a.m., 5 p.m. (Vigil) 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 a.m., 12:15 & 7:00 p.m. Daily Mass, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m., Saturday Holy Days of Obligation, 12:15, 7:00 p.m. Reconciliation Saturday 3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. or by appointment Initiation If interested in exploring the Catholic Faith or completing the Sacraments of Initiation as an adult or youth, contact Catechetical Ministry at x 104. Marriage Couples registered within the parish are required to make arrangements at least six months prior to the date of marriage by calling and must complete a Marriage Preparation Program. Sacrament of the Sick If you know of any parishioner who is ill, at home, or in the hospital, please notify the Parish Office so our Eucharistic Ministers of the Sick may bring communion or anointing can be arranged. Baptism Infant baptism is celebrated following completion of our parish Baptism Preparation Program. New and expectant parents are invited to call the Parish Office at Youth Confirmation High School Youth Confirmation is celebrated during the Easter Season. Registration occurs in the summer. On this day, 16th August of 2003 at exactly 12:19 p.m., I was ordained a catholic priest in my local Cathedral 13,000 miles away from where I am standing now. I cannot communicate orally the feeling I experienced, but I would quote the Psalmist, TASTE AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD. It was a journey that started with all the wrong steps and intentions but eventually it turned out to be meaningful and purposeful. Like the apostles, I started following so that I would be at his right or left when his kingdom would reign. Our intention and plan does not matter to him so much because he said in the book of Proverbs, Let whoever is simple turn in here; to the one who lacks understanding, she says, come, eat of my food and drink of the wine I have mixed. I went, I saw, I tasted and it was sweet. I treasured him so much that I was willing to give my life to Him. In my family, I am not the most intelligent, as a matter of fact, I fall dead last when it comes to in academic excellence. I am the only person in my family who has repeated a class, twice. I am the only sibling who has been asked, Are you SURE you are the son of teacher-nwafor? People have also said, You are not as bright as your brothers. I have constantly struggled to be just like them but it was very difficult for me. I am not the strongest. Physically, I am weak. Everyone can beat me up. I guess that is why I took to running as my favorite sport, because of its non contact. I would run away whenever there was a hint of war. People made fun of me, saying, I am not as handsome and beautiful as the rest of my siblings. and ask, Who gave you this big head? I would get angry, but would not fight for fear of losing. In the seminary, I sought the Lord, it was like magic, the Lord answered me and delivered me from all my fears. I tasted Him and saw His goodness. The psalmist said, When the poor one called out, the Lord heard him and from all his distress he saved him. The last, the lost, the late and the least, God has picked out and turned into the first, the found, the faithful and the freed, because I tasted the bread of life like the simple fishermen of Galilee and saw the goodness of the Lord. The bread will give us life here on earth, it will also give us life hereafter because the giver is life himself. Please celebrate with me as I recount the Lord s blessing in my Life. And the ontological change of the bread in my life. Please pray for me as I celebrate this day, my 12th anniversary as a priest, as I will continue to pray for all of you. My culture would say, Try to shake my hand this day to bless me more. Fr. Gerald Nwafor August 16, 2015 Twentieth in Ordinary Time Page 1

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 , ksuty@dsj.org Mr. Joe Bauer, Pastoral Associate, Facilities, Community Ministry x 109, joeb@st-justin.org Mrs. Lillian Kwiatkowski, Music Director x 112, lillian@st-justin.org Ms. Laura Ortiz, Administrative Assistant x 102, lortiz@st-justin.org Ms. Diane Serrianne, Receptionist x 100 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. 102 Liturgical Ministry Ext. 107 Community Ministry School Office WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT MAY 27, 2012 Goal Thrift Store $12, st Collection Current Hours: Monday-Friday 9-1:00 p.m. Variance Saturday 9-3:00 p.m. 10-3:00 p.m. Upcoming Second Offerings Your generosity is appreciated. *Denotes Parish Second Collection. 8/16 Church in Africa 8/30 Community Ministry* 9/13 Catholic Education Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 8:00 a.m. Mass Dedications for the Week of August 17 August 23, notes deceased Ramos Family Emilo & Vicenta Urmatam + Helen Barela + Paul Barela + Janet Curtis + Theresa Hernandez + Joseph Hai Nguyen + 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: David Distefano, Beatrice Fernandez, Linda Hamilton, Valentino Marquez, Emily Mendoza, Jennifer Navarro, James Shoaf, Randy Taylor, Dolores Ramos, Ron Willcox And for those who have died: Keith DeFiesta, John Funckhausen, Gerianne Stringari To have a person added to the Prayer Request, please call the Parish Office at ext. 100 Go to our website at to make safe and secure donations by credit card, checking or savings. WEEKLY STEWARDSHIP REPORT AUGUST 9, 2015 Goal $12, st Collection $9, Online $1, Direct Deposit $1, Variance $ READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 17 AUGUST 23, 2015 Monday Jgs 2:11-19; Ps 106:34-37, 39-40, 43ab, 44; Mt 19:16-22 Tuesday Jgs 6:11-24a; Ps 85:9, 11-14; Mt 19:23-30 Wednesday Jgs 9:6-15; Ps 21:2-7; Mt 20:1-16 Thursday Jgs 11:29-39a; Ps 40:5, 7-10; Mt 22:1-14 Page 2 Twentieth in Ordinary Time August 16, 2015 Friday Saturday 5:00 p.m. Saturday 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:30a.m. 12:15 p.m. 7:00 p.m. B. John Talia + Danuta Hejwowska + Paddy Malloy + For All Parishioners Placido, Rosenda and Family Phyllis Flores + Ru 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22; Ps 146:5-10; Mt 22:34-40 Ru 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17; Ps 128:1b-5; Mt 23:1-12 Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Ps 34:2-3, 16-21; Eph 5:21-32 [2a, 25-32]; Jn 6:60-69

3 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 Robert E. Carvalho gk@kofc3523.org FIL-AM ORGANIZATION Manny Balce VOCATIONS COMMITTEE St. Justin School Annual Charity Golf Tournament September 25, 2015 Los Lagos Golf Course, San Jose The annual St. Justin School Charity Golf Tournament ensures that St. Justin School, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, can continue its mission of providing a quality education as it has over the last 50 years. The school serves students of diverse backgrounds, and fosters an environment in which students Live their Faith within the community. For more information please pick up a flyer at the entrances of the church or visit, 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. 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 August 16, 2015 Twentieth in Ordinary Time Page 3

4 CATECHETICAL MINISTRY NEWS Call or Laura Ortiz, (408) , ext. 100, for registration information. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) 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. 100 to begin answering your questions. Youth Faith Formation Ongoing Faith Formation New Registration We provide ongoing faith formation for children age 3 (by December 1) through Junior High. The 3 s 1st grade meet 9-10 a.m., and the 2nd Jr. High meet 10:15-11:30 a.m. from September April. If you are new to our program, you may contact the Front Office (408) , ext. 100 and we will send you a registration packet or you may download one from our website. Ongoing Faith Formation Returning Registration If your child attended faith formation last year, you will receive a packet THIS week, which will include a database printout for you to sign and return, a calendar, and an invoice for fees. Sacramental Preparation Program Our program prerequisite is enrollment in either Catholic School or our ongoing Faith Formation Sessions on mornings, for an entire year prior to preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Preparations are parent-led at home and family-oriented parish events. Enroll your child in our Ongoing Faith Formation this Fall for Communion, May High School Confirmation Program We use Ascension Press Chosen program to prepare St. Justin Parish youth for the sacrament of Confirmation. The candidate sessions take place on s, 5-6:30 p.m. Preparation will begin in the Fall with Confirmation taking place Spring In Search of Catechists & Aides Our catechetical programs could not function without the dedication of many catechist volunteers. We are looking for both adults and youth who feel called to this very important ministry. We will arrange your training and provide all materials. Our needs at this time are the following: 4 s catechist(s) (s, 9:00-10:00am) 4th grade catechist(s) (s, 10:15-11:30am) 6th grade catechist(s) (s, 10:15-11:30am) Jr. High catechist(s) (s, 10:15-11:30am) Liturgy of the Word for Children Leaders (9am & 10:30am Masses) High School Confirmation Team Members (s, 5-6:30pm) Sacramental Preparation Team Members (event-based schedule) Call the Front Office, (408) , if God is calling you today. FAITH Beyond 2000 Our diocesan-sponsored program for catechists and others interested in gaining a better understanding of their faith. The Chancery 1150 N. First Street San Jose, CA Monday, 6:45 p.m.-9:00 p.m. August 24: Family, Culture & Church Plan now to attend and give your ministry and your spirituality a boost! Page 4 Twentieth in Ordinary Time August 16, 2015

5 Community Ministry MINISTRY NEWS Outreach Dinner Our Outreach Dinner will be taking place next week,, August 23 beginning at 1:30 p.m. in our Parish Small Hall. All Senior Citizen members of our Parish are invited, along with a guest, to this meal followed by BINGO. We are presently searching for a family or group interested in sponsoring the Outreach dinner on September 13. Contact Joe Bauer at or joeb@stjustin.org if you are interested. Attention High School Students! Many of you are in need of Service Hours for the schools that you attend. I would like to invite you to consider helping us during the summer. Our Food Pantry is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. 12 p.m. and you are welcome to help there. We also have a few other projects taking place during the summer in which we need help. Contact Joe Bauer at or joeb@st-justin.org if you are interested. 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 joeb@st-justin.org Food Collection Most of you are aware of the Community Ministry Collection Barrels that are located in our Church. During the month of August, we will continue to request canned Soup, Pork & Beans, Chili, Macaroni & Cheese and Tomato Sauce. We are also in need of Baby Food, especially Vegetables, Fruits and Cereals. 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. 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. Bible Study with Fr. Chris & Fr. Gerald every Friday, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Parish Ministry Center. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION If the alb is the premier baptismal garment, then why are there so many other styles of vesture in evidence in our parishes? In some places, altar servers and other ministers might wear a garment, usually black, called a cassock. Over that is normally worn a white garment (a surplice ), reminiscent of the alb but much shorter, often of starched linen and trimmed with lace. The cassock is not a liturgical garment, but a clerical robe. Its origins lie in the religious habit of monks. By the late Middle Ages, diocesan priests and clerics increasingly were encouraged to emulate religious priests. Very small boys were often apprenticed to monasteries, especially for music education, and would be invested with a cassock and sometimes even inducted into the ranks of clerics. For centuries before the Reformation, it was required that all men entering higher education be clerics, and so the cassock and its variations became familiar academic garb. At the Reformation, many ministers retained a form of the cassock as ordinary dress, rejecting liturgical garments. In the seventeenth century, the English Civil War was in part provoked by the Archbishop of Canterbury s insistence that ministers wear surplices. Although the Episcopal Church now retains cassock and surplice as the normal dress for lay men and women assisting at liturgy, Catholics are increasingly attentive to the deeply traditional treasure of the alb, our baptismal robe, when special liturgical vesture is needed. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. August 16, 2015 Twentieth in Ordinary Time Page 5

6 2015 Diocesan Young Adult Retreat: Pure Fire SEE, LOVE, WALK October 16-18, 2015 Friday evening - afternoon Mt. Hermon Ponderosa Lodge We invite you to join faith-filled and faith-curious young adults from all over the Bay Area on the Pure Fire Retreat as we encounter God in everything, everybody, everyday; discover God s mercy and selflessness; and answer the call to service. Get ready to be ON FIRE at the NorCal Jam at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo Saturday, September 19, 2015 Celebrate Mass with 4,000 youth, the diocesan Bishops, Fr. Agustino Torres, Steve Angrisano, Papa Joe Lucero & SDYG Choir and SkaAmén. Get inspired by speakers Amanda Vernon, El Padrecito & the FoundNation Family. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat lunch and ride till you drop with two hours exclusive park access. Enjoy an evening concert featuring Anthem Lights, Amanda Vernon, and SkaAmén! Sign up today at For Cost and Registration, visit: Hosted by the Diocese of San Jose Young Adult Ministry Tentative Schedule 7:00am Tram Service Starts 8:00am - Gates of Park Open 8:15am - Chabot Stadium Opens 9:00am - Morning Program & Mass w/ Steve Angrisano, Amanda Vernon, & Papa Joe & SDYG Chabot Stadium 11:30am - El Padrecito & the FoundNation Family (en Español) 11:30am - Amanda Veronon (in English) 11:30am - 4:30pm - ON FiRE Local Dolphin Plaza 12:00pm - 3:00pm - Lunch 3:30pm - Holy Hour w/ Steve Angrisano 5:00pm - Evening Concert with Anthem Lights, Amanda Vernon and Chabot Stadium 7:00pm - Park Closes to General Public 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Exclusive Ride Time for ON FIRE ticket holders ST. JUSTIN SCHOOL IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS St. Justin School is accepting applications for the school year. Please call ( ),stop by the school office, or visit the school website for an application. We offer an In-Parish discount for active St. Justin parishioners! ***St. Justin School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, or disability in the admission of students, the administration of educational policies, scholarship, and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Employer Matching Funds Did you know that many companies have matching donations to charities? Did you also know that St. Justin qualifies as a charity? This means that your weekly donations, Building Fund and Community Ministry contributions may be matched by your employer. That could double the contribution! You can use the January tax letter you receive from the parish as proof of your contributions for your employer. Our IRS number is under the name: Roman Catholic Bishop of San Jose, Corporate Sole St. Justin Parish 2655 Homestead Road Santa Clara, CA Please consider this company benefit, if available, as a choice for your charitable contributions. THRIFT STORE The Thrift Store will go back to its normal hours beginning September 1st. Monday - Friday 9-2:30 p.m. Saturday from 9-3:00 p.m. from 10-3:00p.m. The Thrift Store will be closed on August 20th for the first day of school. We have been very busy at the Thrift Store. New items are coming in daily you never know what treasures you may find. 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. Page 6 Twentieth in Ordinary Time August 16, 2015