Preparing the Way to Come Home


Dear Parishioners,


In the readings of this weekend, the exhortation is to “Prepare the way of the Lord.” John urges us to clear away all the stumbling blocks that make God’s road difficult. Why? Can’t God handle few curves on the road and few mountains? Actually, the landscaping was not prepared for God’s sake but for the exhausted and tired people to come home from exile. Preparing the way for God is preparing the way for others to be home.


There is a great old song, “I will be home for Christmas.” May it to be your song during this Advent season. Come home to your family …. even if it involves some forgiveness. Come home to your church … even if that involves some forgiveness - perhaps in both directions. Home is where we treat one another with kindness even though the other is imperfect. Home is where we treat one another with kindness that no one has to earn.


At Christmas we belong with our family, and with our Church. After all, we are celebrating the birth of the Son of God who referred to us as brothers and sisters. “I will be home for Christmas.” I will also prepare the way for others to be at home - in my house, in our Church where they will be treated with kindness that they do not have to earn.


Prepare the way … be at home … and be a home for others this Christmas.


Fr Saju

December 10, 2023

Second Sunday of Advent - Peace

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December 9/10, 2023

To schedule a Mass intention, please stop by the parish office.

Saturday 5:00 PM

Ron Contreras †

Rudy Mendoza †

Anthony Jones †

Juanito & Victoria Cerezo †

 

Sunday 8:30 AM

Joseph Palalay †

Anthony Jones †

 

Sunday 10:00 AM

J. W. Knapen

Sunday 11:30 AM

Edward Enos †

Mary & John Rossi †

Deceased Members of ICF

Monday 8:00 AM

Joseph Palalay †

Bobby Ocampo †

Tuesday 8:00 AM

James & Vincee Viso †

Anthony Jones †

Fred Schlichting †


Wednesday 8:00 AM

Moses Pirotta †

Bobby Ocampo †

Rex & Ellie Cerezo (Anniversary)


Thursday 9:00 AM

Anthony Gamab, Sr. †

Elizabeth Dominador Domingo †


Friday 8:00 AM

Erma de los Santos †

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE DECEASED:

Amando Navarro, Josie Medina, Robert McCord, Jon Campisi, Bobby Ocampo

  

 PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE SICK:

Geroge Delucchi, Carol Brinton, Megan Favoli, Bekah Dominguez, Emma Firpo, Nigisti Bassali, Jimmy Verna, Christine Burroughs, Kathleen Lupo, Ron Zeppa,

Roberta Williams, Connor Vierra, Audrey Pontier, Gary Farfan,

Joanna Nu Tran, Anthony Dung Do, Raphael Nathan Luu, Noell Do,

Noi Dinh, Frances Pizzo, Tom Rodenfils, Marie Flemate, Rodger “OB” O’Brien, Sr.

Please pray with us for our parishioners, family and friends.

PARISH STEWARDSHIP

As the year is coming to an end, we invite you to prayerfully consider making a one-time year-end donation to support our parish and its ministries.

The link below will connect you to the portal.

We thank you for your generosity!

CLICK HERE

AOFFERINGS AND ONLINE GIVING

Sunday Offering 11/26/23 Fiscal Year to Date

Budget

$15,320

$270,505,

Actual

$17,318

$268,429

Difference

$1,998

($2,076)

St. Martin of Tours School

St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP)

 

If you would like to donate online, please use the QR Code provided.



Thank you for your

SECOND COLLECTION

December 9-10


Catholic Sisters, Brothers and religious order priests have selflessly served for decades without significant financial compensation. However, due to escalating health-care costs, numerous U.S. religious communities face a substantial gap between their elderly members’ needs and the financial resources available for their care. Many religious orders currently experience insufficient retirement savings.


Next weekend we are honor to support the people who have dedicated their lives to the service of God's people.


We are so grateful for your generosity!

PARISH NEWS

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Friday, December 8

8:10 AM (School Mass - open to all),

12:10 PM & 7:00 PM

(Holy Day of Opportunity -Obligation)

Food Box Program

The Food box program helps anyone that is food insufficient in our area. Distribution is always on the third Friday of the month from 4:00PM – 5:00PM in the parking lot. We offer fresh fruit and veg, dairy, bread, dry goods and canned food. All are welcome to come shop for their families.



Food box packing (Volunteer)

Friday, December 15~ 3:00 - 5:30 PM

Meet on the Bailey House Patio

Food box pickup (Clients)

Friday, December 15 ~ 4:00 - 5:00 PM


If you have any questions, please email Therese Lehane at [email protected]. Thank you!!

 

Giving Trees are Up

 

The Giving Trees are up! This year we have requests for toys, sports balls, blankets, sweatshirts and gift cards. We have been blessed with such a generous Community every year, thank you. Please take a tag from the tree and return the unwrapped gift to the Church before December 10th so we can sort and deliver before we caravan to the Farmworkers on December 17th after the 8.30 Mass. 

 

Thank you for your participation in this Ministry!

Prayer Shawl Ministry Needs You!


            We rely on all our parishioners to be our eyes and ears for those in need of God’s love to wrap around them and console them as God guides them through their troubled times. Many recipience of our Prayer Shawls say they feel the care and love that went into these shawls and feel his presents.

            So please if you need or know of anyone needing comfort whether through depression, illness, loss of family member or loneliness, etc. for any reason call and give us their name and information.

  If you can knit, crochet, weave or would like to learn and want to share with others the gift of God’s healing love, please join our Prayer Shawl Ministry.

 

Join us in making a difference.

Contact: Mary Kay Tocce

408-515-6104

Prayer Shawl Ministry Coordinator

 

THANKS



We are grateful to TONY & ALBA’S, LA SORELLA & MIA VICCINO for putting together the SOCKTOBER Drive for the Farm Workers in Watsonville, the unhoused of San Jose, and for people in need. As a result, they have donated over 2,200 pairs of socks.

FAITH FORMATION

The community of St. Martin of Tours is praying to support our catechumens and candidates in deepening their relationship with Christ while they are on their journey in preparation to receive Sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation.

 

Please pray for all catechumens and candidates who celebrate the

Rite of Acceptance/Welcome.

Novembre De Bernardo

Gianna Grace Vern

Parker Tate Way

Isabella Mayling Stipe

Bennett Daniel Stipe

Mussie Kidane

Matheos Kidane

Anthony Greg Escobar

Lander Dayne Levita

Nicholas Ernest Jacob Zeppa

Millen Debesay Kidane

Whitney Todd Stipe

Trenton Anthony Madej

Kevin Koufax Madej

Hannah Skye Park

Zoey Chan Park

Oliver Chan Park

Janey Sher Chan

Monica Ann Chavira

Prayer cards are available for parishioners

to take home.

We are very grateful for the large number of children joining our CLOW. Thank you, parents, for taking your children to worship with the community every Sunday! For us to provide a better environment for children to celebrate the Word of God in CLOW,


We need help to supervise the children in the CLOW session. We will create a signup form for parents to participate in this joyful ministry." We need 2 parents for each session.


Your generosity in sharing your time and love for our children will be greatly appreciated. Please click HERE to sign up. 

KIDS CORNER


Dear parents and children, kindly click on the link below to download and print out catechetical activity for children for this weekend. This link is updated every week with activities that corresponds to the readings and Sunday celebrations.

CLICK HERE
AROUND THE DIOCESE & COMMUNITY

Advent Resource Guide


Please visit www.dsj.org/advent for A Guide to Advent. This guide enable parish groups, families, and colleagues available tools to utilize as a personal Advent resource. The resources of the guide were gathered throughout our Diocese by priests, religious, directors of ministry, and the teams from the Departments of Communications and Evangelization.


The focus on the traditional themes of the Advent wreath is Hope, Love, Joy & Peace. Feel free to utilize this Advent image for your website and Parish Bulletin. 

Stay up to date with Diocesan wide news, events, and stories as well as news from the USCCB and the Vatican. Read the Bishop’s messages, see what our children are doing in school, and learn about upcoming community events. Follow the Diocese of San Jose on FacebookInstagramTwitter, and Vimeo. Social Media Posts: Facebook Instagram
The Valley Catholic
RESOURCES & ASSISTANCE
Health & Safety
Behavioral Health Services, Santa Clara County - Flyer
Youth & Young Adult Wellness Online
Food & Rental Assistance
Free Meals for Kids - Second Harvest
Rental Assistance in the Community

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County Food Distribution


Women, Infant & Children (WIC) Food & Nutrition Support



St. Vincent de Paul


Questions?

Please email the Parish Office.

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