St. Thomas Aquinas Parish

July 11, 2018 It was with great joy that I received news that Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Oscar Cantú, currently Bishop of Las Cruces in New Mexico, as Coadjutor Bishop of San Jose. I congratulate Bishop Cantú on his appointment and thank him for his willingness to come west. I look forward to collaborating with him in our ministry of service to the people of this local Church. As we prepare to welcome Bishop Cantú to San Jose, I ask the people of this Diocese and all of our brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic Church to join us in praying for Bishop Cantú. I know that the new bishop will be eager to come to know the people of the parishes, schools and other institutions of the Diocese, and that he will be as impressed with the work of the clergy, religious and laity as I am. We will celebrate the Mass of Welcome for Bishop Cantú at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph on September 28, 2018.

It was announced on July 11, 2018, that Pope Francis has named Bishop Oscar Cantú, currently Bishop of Las Cruces, New Mexico, as Coadjutor Bishop of San Jose. See inside for more information about Bishop Oscar Cantū

from the Diocese of Monterey. . . . In the last few days Bishop Garcia had begun to experience additional health complications and continued to receive very attentive care with the direct assistance of VNA Hospice. While he was being kept comfortable, last night he began to experience new difficulties. Bishop Richard Garcia passed away this morning, July 11, 2018 at 6:30 a.m.

I want to let you know that I am very excited to return back home to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. The last time when I was here, I was a seminarian from St. Patrick's Seminary doing my pastoral year at St. Thomas Aquinas from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998 in the Diocese of San Jose when Fr. Barry Freyne was the pastor.

July 1, 2018 (Week 1): Total: $10,168 (Goal: $12,000) July 8, 2018: Total: $10,935 (Goal: $12,000)

On the afternoon of June 14, a rather spirited, fascinating, and unexpected debate broke out on the floor of the USCCB spring meeting in Ft. Lauderdale. At issue was the possibility of reconsidering “Faithful Citizenship,” the 2007 statement of the US Bishops on the formation of conscience regarding matters political. A group of bishops, including myself, had proposed that instead of producing another lengthy document to succeed “Faithful Citizenship,” the bishops ought to write a brief and pointed letter on the political challenges of the present moment and then to create a video or a series of videos bringing forth the salient points of Catholic social teaching.

Campers will be trained in the basics of the timeless sung prayer of the Church, Gregorian Chant. The children will have the opportunity to apply their learned skills at the daily Mass! Our main instructor will be Gabriela Estephanie Solis, mezzo-soprano. She is currently a student of Notre Dame, studying for a Master of Sacred Music in Vocal Performance.

The ongoing practice of separating children from their parents has already, as of May, left nearly 2,000 children separated from their parents. As Bishop Vásquez, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, and Sister Donna Markham OP PhD, President and CEO of Catholic Charities, remind us - as a nation and people of faith, we can and must do better.

Registration for next year’s classes (including preparation for reception of the sacraments) begins now. Registration forms are available in the vestibule at all churches and on-line. And please consider helping us out as a catechist for these classes. There is always a need for people willing to share their faith with our children. Questions? Contact Susan in the Pastoral Center (650-494-2496, ext. 25).

Meet Daniel in Babylon! A summer camp for children ages 5 through13 will be offered July 30 - August 3 and August 6 - August 10 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon in the Hall at Our Lady of the Rosary.