SUNDAY READINGS

SUNDAY REFLECTION

Ashes and gardens, failings and faithfulness, death and life. As we enter into Lent, we are invited to turn our thoughts, hearts, and lives toward God and God’s ways, to turn away from the death of sin, which separates us from God, and to embrace the gift of life offered in Christ, now and into eternity. Eve and Adam listened to the serpent rather than God who had given them a garden filled with beauty and abundance. On the contrary, Jesus stood firm in the face of temptation. This Lent, we ponder the choices we make in our daily lives, trust in God’s mercy as we repent from sinfulness, and strengthen our commitment to discipleship, following Jesus’ model of faithfulness.

TURN AWAY FROM SIN

Lent is a season in which we resolve to turn away from sin and turn toward Jesus. Turning away from sin requires us to admit that we miss the mark and fail to live as God desires. The first Sunday of Lent always includes a gospel account of Jesus facing temptation in the desert. Notice that it is not generic temptation Jesus meets, nor do we. Our temptations are personal, areas of particular weakness, situations in which, like Eve and Adam, we may rationalize and give in to sin rather than holding firm to what we know is right and just. Jesus gives us a model for meeting temptation: draw on the wisdom and truth found in sacred scripture and the teaching tradition of the Church to know what we must do or not do. Be strong and know that the Lord is with you as you resolve to be faithful.

TRUST IN GOD’S MERCY

“Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.” The refrain of today’s Responsorial Psalm gives voice to our conviction that God is good and reminds us that we can trust in God’s mercy as we face our sin, seek forgiveness, and resolve to avoid sin in the future. The more deeply we grow in relationship with Christ, the more sure of God’s love we become. Rooted in this love, we can admit our failings and trust that God always desires to be close to us, drawing us into abundant life. Lent is a good time to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness in the sacrament of reconciliation. We can take heart in the assurance that forgiveness awaits our repentant heart.

Sunday's Readings: Gn 2:7–9, 3:1–7; Ps 51:3–4, 5–6, 12–13, 17; Rom 5:12–19 [12:17–19]; Mt 4:1–11

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WEEKDAYS

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 AM

In the Church & Online

Wednesday 8:15 AM

In the Church & Online

WEEKENDS

Sunday Vigil - Saturday 5:00 PM

In the Church & Online

Sunday

8:30 AM, 10:00 AM & 11:30 AM

In the Church

RECONCILIATION - Saturdays 4:00 PM In the Church

Please stay home if you are feeling ill, have tested positive, or have been exposed to Covid.

Diocese of San Jose's COVID Protocols

Online Mass Links: Zoom | Facebook

Mass Intentions

February 25 - March 3, 2023

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

Saturday 5:00 Anthony Salciccia †

Sean Murphy Honohan

Sunday 8:30 Liela Palmaras Alemania

Sunday 10:00 Ben & Lena Laviano

Marcelino Mendoza †

Sunday 11:30 Terry de la Vina †

Monday 8:00 Maria Alemania Aspiras †

Right to Life

Tuesday 8:00Robert Lawrence †

Wednesday 8:00 James & Vincee Viso †

Valerie Baroni †

Thursday 8:00 Philip Volta

Friday 8:00 Lucila Palmaras Alemania †

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE DECEASED:

Jerome McCarthy, Luzvimind Smith, Enrique Robles, Marcelino Mendoza, Valentino Marcos Alvero, Edward Enos, Anthony Salciccia

 PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE SICK:

Regina Gallo, Poppy Gounaas, Inez Cruz, Gabriele Murillo Torres, Kitty McCarty, Jeanne Demers, Don Peruski, Elizabeth Bulaclac, Reymond Navarra, Nina Carine, Sonia Azevedo, Michael Kelly, Bob Voisinet, Amalia Martinez,

Helena Knapen

February 24th

Station of the Cross

in the church at 6:30PM

Please join us every Friday at 6:30PM for Stations of the Cross.

February 26th

Donut Sunday

in the community building after Mass

Please join us for coffee, donuts and conversation.

March 2nd

Holy Hour (Adoration & Benediction) with Happy Hour

in the church

All are welcome. Please join us.

March 6th

Scripture Study

in the Bailey house at 6:30PM

All are welcome!!! Contact Todd Tomilitz at 408-218-0572 or newbeing@pacell.net.

Parish Support

We thank you for your continued support of the St. Martin of Tours Parish! If you would like to make a secure one-time donation and/or setup regular online donations, please use the GIVE NOW button below. Thank you again!!

ADA 2023

Supporting Our Mission Together

Our Parish Goal: $148,624

We are brought together from all walks of life through various ministries and services to do God's work of justice, mercy, outreach, and formation.  Supporting Our Mission Together, the Annual Diocesan Appeal for the Diocese of San Jose, provides the financial support of these ministries and services for all Catholics in our community. 

Please prayerfully consider pledging your support to our Diocese. Once our Parish reaches its goal of $148,624, 100% of the additional funds will be returned to the Parish.  Donations can be made by completing the pledge card mailed to your home, using the QR code provided here, or online at DSJ.org/ADA. Additional pledge cards are located in the back of the Church and in the Parish Office. Thank you, St. Martin of Tours Parishioners, for your great generosity. 

As of February 22, 2023, we have received 166 pledges. The total amount pledged is $72,186. Thank you so much! We need $76,438 more to meet our goal.

CRS Rice Bowl

During this sacred season, we will intentionally slow down so that we can pay closer attention to our relationship with God, our neighbors and our planet. Reflect on how the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving can guide your journey for a more enriching Lenten experience. How can practicing these pillars help you to live in solidarity with our sisters and brothers around the world? Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.

St. Vincent de Paul:

St. Martin of Tours Conference

We help people in need. One family we helped recently was a women and husband taking care of their niece and nephew. They were behind on utilities and needed food. We were able to provide them food, food cards, gas money, and toiletries; and will be able to help with utilities after our February collection. This weekend the second collection will be to help support St. Vincent de Paul in their ministry. We thank you for all your past support and ask that you please donate what you can.

Your time and talents are need, as well, to help in the following ways:

·      Phone monitors to scan calls

·      Spanish translators

·      Volunteers for home visits

·      Computer help with spread sheets and data entry

·      Webpage builder and a manager.

To volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul to assist local families in need, please phone (408) 439-0342.

Mary Kay Tocce, Secretary

Dates to Remember...

Children’s Catechetical Ministry and First Eucharist

February 22 – Ash Wednesday no sessions (families attend Mass)

March 1- 4:00 PM to 5:15 PM sessions for children

Youth Confirmation

March 5

4:00 PM to 5:15 PM – student session in the parish office

March 11 – 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Reconciliation service & Sacrament of Reconciliation in the church

Adult Confirmation

March 5

March 12

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM session in the parish office

Order of Christian Initiation (formerly RCIA)

February 26 – 3:00 PM @ the Cathedral Rite of Election for the unbaptized adults and children    

March 5

March 12

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM session

Adults – parish office

Youth – Bailey House 

March 12

2:00 PM to 2:45 PM in the parish office – session for young children

Family Reflection

February 26, 2023, 1st Sunday in Lent

Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 • Romans 5:12-19 • Matthew 4:1-11

“…Jesus said to him, ‘Get away, Satan!’ It is written: ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.’” -Matthew 4:10

During the season of Lent, we try to make extra sacrifices to show God that we love and serve him above all other things in our life, like our possessions. This can really help us to grow closer to God, but Satan does not want us to be close to God. He will tempt us to take the easy road instead of the right road. We must guard our hearts and minds against these temptations, so we don’t start believing that money and power and identity are better than living like Jesus taught us. We can do that by talking with our family about what we will give up during Lent or what extra good things we want to do more of during Lent. That way we can help remind each other of what we promised to do or not do for these next 6 weeks. Lent can be a time of coming to understand God and the love he has for us and for everyone else, so, don’t let Satan steal that away from you. Dear Lord, you made the ultimate sacrifice for us by giving up your son and allowing him to die.

PRAYER: Please give us the grace to embrace our sacrifices this Lent so that you may know and feel our gratitude.

FAMILY REFLECTION: How have you been tempted in your life? What can you do to resist temptation?

Catholic IQ - Lent

A self-assessment for your fun and enlightenment.

1. What word do we not say or sing during Lent, especially before the Gospel is read?

a) Alleluia                     

b) Amen

c) Praise be to God.     

d) May the Lord be with you

2. During Lent, some people prepare for the sacraments of initiation. Name these sacraments.

a) Grace, oil, and water

b) Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation

c) Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation

d) Holy Orders, Eucharist, and Confirmation

3. What do we call the people who are preparing for the sacraments of initiation?

a) Catholics

b) Christians

c) Candidates

d) Catechumens

4. Each person who is preparing for the sacraments of initiation has one special person assigned to him/her during this period of preparation. What is this person called?

a) Sponsor

b) Companion

c) Friend

d) Catechist

5. What is the Church celebration that those preparing for the sacraments of initiation take part in at the beginning of Lent?

a) Pentecost

b) Rite of Election

c) Rite of Transformation

d) Rite of Conversion

 Click HERE for answers.

Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month Mass: February 25 at 2:00pm a Mass will bring together the people of African descent, with their friends, liturgically celebrating their African Heritage. Bishop Cantú will celebrate the Mass at St. Frances Cabrini Parish, sharing Christ’s Body and Blood in Unity.

For information visit https://www.dsj.org/evangelization/social-ministries/

or email caddsjbrite@gmail.com.

Discernment Weekend

Men's Discernment Weekend (Bilingual), Mar 3-5: Is God calling you to the priesthood? In this retreat you will have the chance to explore the priesthood, listen to priest's vocation stories and learn about steps for discernment, values of priestly life and the structure of seminary formation during a weekend of prayer, discussions & fraternity. Visit www.dsj.org/retreats or contact vocations@dsj.org. Register here.

Women's Discernment Weekend (Bilingual), Mar 10-12: What does it mean to have a vocation and discern it? How do you know when you are called to marriage or consecrated life? We know you have these questions, and we want to help you find some answers! The Diocese of San Jose Vocations Office invites young adult women aged 18-35 to a free retreat weekend! Visit www.dsj.org/retreats or contact vocations@dsj.org. Register here.

Fr. Charles Irvin Memorial Writing Scholarship

for High School Seniors

High School seniors are invited to submit entries to the Fr. Charles Irvin Memorial Writing Scholarship for the chance to win $1500 and publication in Content Evangelist magazine. The 2023 writing prompt is: Tell Us About The Person in Whom you Most See the Face of Christ. Further submission guidelines can be accessed at faithsyndicated.org. 

Please submit all entries to valleycatholic@dsj.org by March 17, 2023. 

CLICK HERE for FLYER

Annual Diocesan Youth Retreat

DYR SAVE THE DATE: Mark your calendar, June 12-16, 2023, for the annual Diocesan Youth Retreat, DYR, at Zephyr Point, Lake Tahoe. Watch for registration details at www.dsj.org/youth. 

Diocesan Mental Health Information and Events: 

Dial 988 – for Mental Health resources in your area. Suicide Hotline 855-278-4204. NAMI Warmline (multilingual): 408-453-0400 Mon-Fri 10am to 6pm. For more information click here.

When a Loved One Dies by Suicide - series intended to bring the message of the book "How to discern God's Will for your Life". Resource from Deacon Ed Shoener, founder of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers – for article, free eBook, and more click CRUX: Ministry helps families of suicide victims. 

Parish Mental Health Listening Sessions:

• Santa Teresa Parish – Hear & Be Heard – Every first Sunday of the month at 1:00pm. Age 16 & up are welcome. More information contact Lynda.demanti@dsj.org 
• St. Simon Parish – Monthly Hope & Healing Wellness Circle – every third Monday of the month from 7:00pm – 8:15pm. More information contact roselue@gmail.com.