Called to Do God s Work, Together in Christ.

Transcription

1 Called to Do God s Work, Together in Christ

2 Called to Do God s Work, Together in Christ As stewards of God s gifts we are asked to share the abundance that God has given to each of us. We do so in the context of our families, our parishes and our Diocese. In making a gift to the 2015 Annual Diocesan Appeal, you will join hands with the tens of thousands whose generosity brings the love of Christ to so many in Santa Clara County. Thank you for your generous support. May God continue to bestow an abundance of blessings on us all as together we live out the mission of our Catholic Faith. With every best wish and kind regard, I remain, Sincerely yours, Patrick J. McGrath Bishop of San Jose

3 ADA in Action: Rosa s Story Inmate at Elmwood Correctional Facility As told by Sister Maryann Cantlon, CSJ, Restorative Justice Coordinator A female inmate in her 20 s at the Elmwood Correctional Facility, whom we shall call Rosa, confided that when she was a child her mother would beat her every day and abuse her in many ways. Rosa was brought up as a Buddhist, but admits she did not believe in some of the tenets of that way of life. Rosa wanted to become Catholic. When asked why she was attracted to the Catholic Church, she became a little impatient and said, I just told you that when I was growing up, I never had a mother, and I know that if I become Catholic, Mary will be my mother. Eventually, she was baptized, received Eucharist and confirmation and was welcomed into our church. Through the funding provided by ADA, Rosa s goal of having Mary as her Mother came true and Rosa is a follower of Christ.

4 ADA in Action: Gabriel Lee Seminarian, Pastoral Year: Sacred Heart, Saratoga Gabriel came from Korea as a child and attended Sierra Junior High School in Cupertino. He decided to become a priest around the time he was graduating from Sierra High School. I wanted to help people, Gabriel states and he believes he can help people by administering the sacraments to those in need. He was accepted into the seminary at the age of 18. It takes a long time to become a priest Gabriel emphasizes. Without the help of the Diocese it would be difficult, like anyone else, seminarians need gas, clothing, and quarters for the laundry the garments we wear are expensive as well. It would be difficult to work full-time and study full time at the same time he remarks. Your ADA donation allows Gabriel and other seminarians to concentrate on their studies in spiritual and academic disciplines as they are called to religious leadership in our Diocese of San Jose.

5 ADA in Action: Sergio Gomez ILM (Institute for Leadership in Ministry) Graduate Sergio Gomez knows he is blessed. His story is a familiar one. Sergio came to the United States 24 years ago from Mexico to find work. Sergio admits he attended church, Every once in a while. I attended church during occasions, mostly. You know, weddings, funerals and baptisms. Eventually he brought his wife and children to join him and his children went on to attend St. Cyprian School. That is where he met Fr. Arthur Yabes, who encouraged Sergio to join the Institute for Leadership in Ministry (ILM). Sergio remembers the first ILM class very clearly. The instructor asked everyone in the class why they were there. Sergio didn t know. After an ordinary first year, a new passion took hold of him in his second year. His wife, friends, even customers at his business remarked that he was different. Sergio states that the feeling inside was pushing him to be a better person. Sergio eventually graduated from the ILM and now has hopes one day of becoming a Deacon. Your ADA donation makes the ILM and other religious education classes possible for the benefit of people like Sergio.

6 Llamados a Hacer el Trabajo de Dios, Juntos en Cristo Como discípulos de Cristo, estamos comprometidos a compartir con nuestra familia, nuestra parroquia y nuestra Diócesis las abundantes bendiciones que Dios nos ha dado. Al hacer tu contribución al Llamado Anual Diocesano del 2015, te unes a las manos de miles de personas que a lo largo del Condado de Santa Clara, ayudan a otros en el amor de Cristo. Les agradezco profundamente su generoso apoyo. Unámonos en la esperanza de que Dios continuará enviando sus bendiciones sobre nosotros y que todos juntos hagamos realidad y vivamos la misión de nuestra Fe Católica. Con mis mejores deseos y un afectuoso saludo, me despido, Sinceramente, Patrick J. McGrath Obispo de San Jose

7 ADA en Acción: Gerardo Vasquez Seminarista en el Seminario San Patricio Gerardo Vásquez admite que es analítico. El estudia cuidadosamente sus decisiones. Originario de Tijuana, México, Gerardo es el menor de siete hijos. Después de graduarse - con honores-, de preparatoria, él fue el primero de su familia en recibir un título universitario. A pesar de que muchos de nosotros lo veíamos como afortunado, Gerardo no estaba feliz en su interior, el estaba rodeado de personas, pero se sentía solo. Un día el Padre Samuel, quien había estado trabajando con Gerardo en su espiritualidad, le sugirió que rezara el rosario todos los días y meditación por una hora frente a la Virgen María. Después de leer algunos libros, asistió a un retiro al Seminario de San Patricio. La formula fue efectiva. Gerardo está en su primer año del Seminario. Después de 10 años en Lockeed Martin, su plan financiero ha cambiado drásticamente. Tu apoyo al ADA, hace posible para Gerardo el continuar sus estudios, concentrarse en su futuro y en sus oraciones.

8 Cùng Nhau trong Đức Kitô, Thực Thi Việc Chúa Là người quản lý hồng ân Chúa trao, chúng ta được kêu gọi hãy rộng rãi chia sẻ những ân điển dồi dào mà Chúa ban tặng cho mỗi người chúng ta. Chúng ta chia sẻ trong bối cảnh gia đình, giáo xứ và giáo phận. Khi dâng cúng trong chương trình Giáo Phận Quyên Góp Thường Niên 2015 (ADA 2015), quý ông bà anh chị em góp tay với hàng chục ngàn người, quảng đại đem tình yêu thương của Chúa Kitô đến với biết bao người trong Quận Hạt Santa Clara chúng ta. Xin cám ơn sự quảng đại ủng hộ của quý ông bà anh chị em. Nguyện xin Thiên Chúa tiếp tục tuôn đổ muôn vàn hồng ân trên mọi người chúng ta khi chúng ta cùng nhau thi hành sứ mệnh sống Đức Tin Công Giáo. Tôi gởi đến ông bà anh chị em lời cầu chúc tốt đẹp nhất, với lòng ưu ái chân thành, Trân trọng, Patrick J. McGrath Giám Mục Giáo Phận San Jose

9 ADA Hành Động: Vinh-Sơn Dương Diễn và Têrêsa Đào Hồng Học Viên ILM (Viện Lãnh Đạo Mục Vụ) Vinh-Sơn Dương và Têrêsa Đào đã kết hôn với nhau được 34 năm và luôn có cặp có đôi trong hầu hết mọi việc... trong đó có việc tham gia lớp học tại Viện Lãnh Đạo Mục Vụ (ILM). Hiện nay họ đang học năm thứ ba và theo chương trình sẽ tốt nghiệp vào tháng 5 năm Cuộc sống lứa đôi của họ tập trung nhiều vào việc học hỏi về đạo và cùng nhau thăng tiến trong mục vụ. Têrêsa nhận xét: Học ILM không phải chỉ là tìm hiểu về trí tuệ, nhưng là học kết nối bên trong tâm hồn với Thiên Chúa và làm thế nào để giao tiếp với người khác. Học ILM giúp chúng ta làm việc Chúa tốt hơn. Họ cho rằng gia đình là trái tim của giáo hội và mục tiêu của họ là giúp các gia đình, nhất là những ai đã lạc mất phần tâm linh, mang niềm vui của Chúa trở lại trong cuộc đời của họ. Vinh-Sơn nói, Thiên Chúa đã gọi tôi để làm một cái gì đó và tôi cần phải làm theo sự mời gọi đó. Têrêsa cho biết thêm, Bằng cách nào đó, Thiên Chúa sẽ làm cho sự việc xảy đến. Cặp vợ chồng Vinh-Sơn và Têrêsa tin rằng niềm tin mạnh mẽ đến từ bên trong, và họ thực hành cùng rao giảng niềm tin ấy mỗi ngày. Thật may mắn, chúng ta là những người được hưởng lợi ích.

10 How your gift makes a difference When you participate in the Annual Diocesan Appeal, your gifts help your parish meet its ADA assessment goal and the overall $5,810,550 goal for our diocese. Your contributions are distributed to these programs. Your generosity makes a difference! 17% Office of the Bishop Auxiliary Bishop, Cathedral Basilica, Vatican support, USCCB/CCC 14% Office for Parish Services Catechetical Ministry, Institute for Leadership in Ministry, Social Ministry, Youth and Young Adults, Hispanic Apostolate, Worship 4% Office for Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults 16% Clergy Priests, Retired Priests, Deacons, Seminarians 6% Tribunal 27% Operational Services Finance, Info Systems, Facilities, Human Resources, Chancellor and Archives 16% Stewardship & Development; Communications Services

11 Opportunities to Give Full credit of your gift to the 2015 Annual Diocesan Appeal will be given to your parish and applied to your parish s goal. Your parish will receive 100% of all gifts over its goal. Online Giving - Save paper. Save time. And make your gifts work harder than ever for our ministries by participating in our Online Giving program. When you give online, your gift will be transferred conveniently and securely from your bank account (or credit card) directly to the Diocese. Access your account any time you like. You re in complete control when you visit and click on Donate Today. Gifts - Checks should be made payable to the Annual Diocesan Appeal (ADA). Please mail your check in the pledge response envelope. Please make sure your parish name is written on the check. Credit Card - We accept Visa and Master Card. Simply provide your credit card details on your pledge envelope. Pledge your gift over ten months - A gift to the ADA may be paid over ten months. If possible, please include your first month s payment when you mail your pledge in the pledge response envelope. Gifts of Securities - Federal tax laws allow a charitable deduction for the full market value of the securities on the date of your gift. Matching Gifts - Many corporations match the charitable contributions of employees. Please contact your company s Human Resource professional to determine if your company participates in the Matching Gift Program. Please remember that pledges should be completed by December 31, 2015

12 The Diocese of San Jose has its roots in the California Mission established more than two centuries ago. In 1777 the Franciscan Fathers founded Mission Santa Clara de Asís which later became Saint Clare parish. More than 600,000 Santa Clara County residents identify themselves as Catholic. Our church and the growth it has achieved have always been dependent on those Catholics who have paved the way before us. It is now our turn to add the building blocks of our faith for future Catholics to stand on. Your involvement and your financial support are needed. Please support the ADA Annual Diocesan Appeal Diocese of San Jose 1150 North First St. Suite 100 San Jose, California Phone: