Pierina Caligaris has been involved in youth ministry for over seven years as a volunteer. She is currently a student at San Jose State University and continues to stay active in various youth and young adult programs throughout the diocese. Some of her experiences include assisting with the youth ministry at Saint Simon’s Parish as well as previously teaching catechism at Saint Athanasius. She has also been a small group leader at various retreats including the annual Diocesan Youth Retreat in Tahoe. Through this new opportunity she hopes to bring teens closer to Christ and give them the tools and teachings they need to become more involved and steadfast in their faith. Mark your calendars: We will have our First Orientation Meeting after the OLR 10.30am Mass on September 22 at the Dermody Center.
Are you an adult seeking to learn more about the Catholic Church and what it means to be Catholic? Do you wish to prepare to receive any of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation or Eucharist? Our Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults process will begin on Monday, September 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Hospitality Center at St. Albert the Great.
The RCIA adapted for children (for children between the ages of 7 and 17) who wish to prepare for any of these sacraments continues on September 18 from 6 until 7:15 in Our Lady of the Rosary Church. Children who have reached the age of 7 and have not been baptized belong in this process. Older children who have not received 1st Communion are also welcome. If you have any questions about either of these processes, please contact Susan at the Pastoral Center or at susanlee.olsen@dsj.org.
Are you an adult who has been Baptized and received Eucharist but missed the Sacrament of Confirmation? WE WANT YOU!! It’s time to step forward and complete your initiation into the Catholic Church. We will begin a series of preparation sessions for Confirmation for adults (post-high school and up) on Wednesday, October 9 from 7:30 pm to 9 pm in the Dermody Center.
Join us at our FIRST Orientation Meeting (parents too, please) – To share an overview & select a meeting time that suits most (5-6:30pm, 6-7:30pm or 7-8:30pm on Wednesday Evening) . We will meet Wednesday, September 18th at 7PM (classes start Wed., September 25th) at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Hall, 3233 Cowper St. Ages 13 and over are welcome.
We are in need of ministers to bring communion to individuals at home and at nursing care facilities. Many of our ministers have left or retired due to age and health issues. Please consider joining this fulfilling ministry. If interested, please contact Mary Fong at 650-494-1660 or fongmt@hotmail.com
If a new rule by President Donald Trump's industry-friendly EPA stays in effect, the public's ability to shine a light on the Trump administration's backdoor dealings with Big Oil and polluters could remain in the dark. Climate deniers and industry insiders packed into the EPA are fighting to keep public records secret in order to gut environmental protections and enrich the industries that are destroying communities and exacerbating the climate crisis...(more inside)
We are all called to share our faith with others by virtue of our Baptism. We need catechists to help form our children and our youth in their faith. In particular, we are needing help with our youngest children (Pre-K and Kindergarten) at Our Lady of the Rosary.
We are happy to report that St. Thomas Aquinas Church is open again starting Friday, July 5. All St. Thomas Masses will return to the church this weekend.. It will remain open until 5:00 pm each day with Adoration each Wednesday at 5:00pm
You might have heard that there is a proposal to vote in California to remove the seal of confession. This would be specifically regarding religious and Church employees that might disclose abuse inside the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This would not apply to any other person but only religious and Church employees. I would like to share some resources about this law provided by our diocese of San Jose. Click the title to see more...
Please click for current Mass schedule for St. Thomas Aquinas Parish which St. Thomas Aquinas Church is closed for construction of front steps. This schedule will be in effect through the first week of July 2019.
Hard to believe, but summer is just around the corner. For sisters, Gwenn Connolly and Karen Vetter that means finding the funds to send 30 kids from St. Elizabeth Seton kids to CYO Summer Camp. These kids have big dreams and talents — but few resources. Funds Needed: $300 per camper The total cost for camp is $850 per person for seven days. Each child’s family pays a portion and campership funds cover the remaining 65%. Your contribution, big or small, will make a difference. Donations are tax deductible. Make checks payable to: CYO Camp Scholarships Memo Line: Please write St. Elizabeth Seton School students Mail to: Attn: Eddie Caumeran, Catholic Charities 990 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 To learn more about the project or make an online donation please visit: sendakidtocyocamp.com CYO Camp is a program of Catholic Charities, SF
Housing and Death Penalty Efforts An HCC (Human Concerns Committee) member recently attended a diocesian-wide meeting dealing with housing issues. If anyone is interested in getting involved with this issue please contact Tom Morman at 408-666-0531 or tmorman@cbnorcal.com On Monday, March 18, the California People of Faith Against The Death Penalty will be having their Board of Directors meeting at the Chancery Office, 1150 N. First St. San Jose. The meeting willbe from 10 AM to 2 PM. The meeting is open to the public, but I need to know if you plan to attend. Please reply to terrymc0531@gmail.com.
Heart and Home Collaborative Update On Thursday, February 21 a plentiful dinner was prepared for the lady guests at Heart and Home women's shelter. Thanks to your donation, ribs, chicken, meatballs, salad, quinoa and a shrimp hors d'euvre were served. On Sunday, February 24, the shelter moved from University Lutheran to Unitarian Universalist Church. See the H&HC website if you are interested in volunteer opportunities. http://www.hhcollaborative . The Human Concerns Committee
Thanks To Those Who Were Able To Donate: HCC-Sponsored Soles4Souls Gently-Used Shoe Collection So far (as of Thursday, February 28) 352 pairs of shoes were donated with one more last pick up at St. Albert the Great church. Thanks for your generosity! The Human Concerns Committee
Update for the ADA 2019 - As of last Monday, the total donated or pledged is: $82,265 by 92 families. That's 51.4% of our total goal! Thank you to those who have pledged!
Bishop Patrick J. McGrath and Bishop Oscar Cantú invite all couples celebrating their 1st through 5th, 25th, 40th and 50th (or more) Wedding Anniversaries in 2019 to participate in the Annual Wedding Anniversary Celebration Mass at the Basilica Cathedral of St. Joseph on Saturday, February 23rd. You can register for this event at Wedding Anniversary Mass Celebration or contact Christina at chvo@dsj.org or 408-983-0128. Please pre-register by February 15, 2019.
The bipartisan bill, which aims to place a price on carbon emissions, is "a hopeful sign" that legislators are taking climate change seriously, says Bishop Frank Dewane. Read all about it at: https://www.ncronline.org/news/environment/carbon-dividend-act-gets-support-head-bishops-justice-office