Our annual summer camp for children ages 6 through 12 will be held the first two weeks of August (the 1st through 5th and 8th through 12th) from 9 a.m. to Noon in the Hall at Our Lady of the Rosary. Get to know more about Jesus and his family through scripture, drama, dance, music, and crafts. Throughout the two weeks we will build a Jesse Tree as we get to know Jesus’ ancestors.
In these months before November, the electorate of California will prepare to cast ballots on a record number of propositions. Among these is Proposition 62, which would put an end to the death penalty, and Proposition 66, which seeks to expedite the application of the death penalty.
The Alliance for Conscience Rights applauds the House of Representatives for passing the Conscience Protection Act. Today’s bill passage is a critical step forward to ensuring religious health care entities are adequately protected against governmental discrimination with a private right of action, which would allow them to defend their civil rights in federal court.
We will gather beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Congregation Etyz Chaim at 4161 Alma Street for a brief service at 2:00 p.m., and then walk down Alma, then Charleston, then Middlefield, stopping at Our Lady of the Rosary for another brief service. After the walk we will gather at Mitchell Park for the annual 9/11 Peace Picnic hosted by American Muslim Voice.
Do you have a child who is aged 7 or more who has not been baptized? Do you have a child over the age of 7 who has not yet received First Eucharist? The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults adapted for children is the proper venue for sacramental preparation for these children. A new year of preparation just began last week. Sessions are held from 6 - 7:15 pm in the Dermody Center. Please contact Susan at suolsen@dsj. org or (650-494-2694, ext. 25) if you have questions.
Congratulations to our newly elected officers of the Knights of Columbus – Palo Alto Council 2677 for Columbian Year 2016-2017 – Council Officers. For more information on becoming a member of the Knights of Columbus, please contact Fr. Matt (mstanley@dsj.org) or Deacon Daniel (dhernandez@dsj.org)
The eBulletin is an initiative of our parish Communications Board, whose ministry it is to improve communications in our parish. It is sent to 411 parish families each Friday. Not just a copy of the Sunday paper bulletin, it includes reminders and more articles and notices than can fit in our Sunday bulletin. If you are interested in receiving the eBulletin on a weekly basis, send an email request to clundin@stanford.edu.
Did you know that in the month of June, our Youth Ministry experienced two separate week-long summer camp retreats? Our first week of camp took place at Zephyr Cove in Lake Tahoe for the annual San Jose Diocesan Youth Retreat. Our next week of camp took place in Southern California at a camp at Big Bear Lake. Both retreats were incredible experiences consisting of hundreds of new friends, messy games, challenge courses, and powerful encounters with Christ that our teens will never forget.
As with any endeavor that makes a difference, it takes a lot of team work. The amazing support from our parishioners to make two sets of solar panels installations a reality is getting a lot attention and recognition, and we know is inspiring other parishes to do the same. We cannot thank enough all those who supported the projects in small and in big ways.
The Downtown Streets Team Food Closet is looking for a volunteer who would be available to substitute for a current Friday volunteer who will be away from Friday, June 10, through Friday, August 19, 11 AM to 1 PM. Responsibilities would include handing out food items to clients and restocking shelves. Please respond to Pat Keicher: patkeicher@sbcglobal.net
My full name is Michael Fernando Thomas Purugganan Gazzingan, the first born of Bonifacio Talamayan Gazzingan and Eufrosina Gazzingan Y Purugganan. I was born on January 28, 1976—the eldest of three. My younger brother, Fr. Mark, is also a priest, and the present Pastor of St. Victor’s Parish in San Jose. Priesthood runs in the family. I have two grand uncles who were Bishops in the Philippines. People close to me call him Gelo or simply Michael or Mike. I went to the seminary at the age of thirteen. I love to play basketball and later shifted to tennis. (I am looking for a tennis buddy now on Mondays.)
Each year, however, the expenses involved in all of our parish operations and programs increase, and as always, we depend on our parishioners to help meet these expenses. Our weekly Sunday Offertory goal is now $12,000. This is the amount we need each week in order to meet all of our financial responsibilities.
Jesus has a special compassion for the sick and suffering. He wants us to look out for them. If you are ill or homebound, or in a retirement home or a care facility or if you know a parishioner who needs pastoral care, please contact the Pastoral Home Ministry. We will visit them, bring them Holy Communion and, if needed, offer them the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick by one of our priests.
Altar servers are greatly needed for both the 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 9:00 a.m. Sunday Masses at St. Albert the Great. Please call Nora Lundin at ext. 14 or hlundin@ dsj.org to find out how you can be a part of this enjoyable ministry.
Temporarily in residence at the St. Albert the Great Rectory from July 5 to mid-August, Fr. Franklin Epie (eppie-ay) returns to our parish from Cameroon, in Africa. While he is on vacation this summer, he will celebrate both daily & Sunday Masses. He has been able to visit the last five summers. The many friends he has made over the years are so glad to see him back.
ADA Goal: $135,000 - Pledged: $158,818 Pledges: 313 - Average Pledge: $507 Goal: 110% - Potential Rebate: $23,818 It is still not too late to make a pledge or gift to this year’s ADA. Use your Visa or MasterCard, make an Electronic Funds Transfer from your checking account, or donate online at dsj.org. Anything raised above our ADA goal will directly benefit our St. Thomas Aquinas Parish and our always plentiful un-budgeted repairs to our buildings and grounds!