Pastor's letter and Mass Times

SAINT ANTHONY

PARISH

Dear Parishioners,

On this day, which the Church refers to as Good Shepherd Sunday, our first reading provides a series of contrasts. On the first sabbath Paul and Barnabas spend in Antioch, many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism followed them and the disciples urged these followers to remain faithful. Many recognize the truth and the goodness that Paul and Barnabas proclaim.

Then, on the following sabbath, almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. Again, there are multitudes responding to God speaking through his disciples.

But here, it turns. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.

Remember: Israel’s vocation was to recognize the Messiah when he came. By heeding the words and warnings of their prophets, by rejecting idolatry, and by worshiping the one true God, the Jews were meant to prepare the world for Jesus. They were to be a people set apart so that, from them, God could bring forth a Savior who would redeem the whole world.

With Jesus’ coming and the inauguration of the Church, this became the Christian vocation. By virtue of our baptism, we are meant to recognize Jesus, to love him and be in relationship with him, and to proclaim him to the world by our words and by the witness of our lives.

My sheep hear my voice, Jesus says in today’s Gospel. I know them, and they follow me.

For us who are meant to be Jesus’ “sheep,” today’s first reading can be an examination of conscience for us. We are called to know him and to follow him. Do we recognize Jesus and listen to him? Or are we like those in Acts who, filled with jealousy, were deaf to the Good News as it was proclaimed in their midst?

Likely, we are both. We may have moments where we can hear, and moments where distractions, struggles, busy schedules, pride, or any other number of things deafen us to our shepherd’s voice.

Today, let us pray for new hearts, open ears, and the knowledge to follow Christ in this season and always. Let us seek out the silence, the stillness, the prayer, and the wise friends who can help us hear the voice of our shepherd more clearly. Let us have the humility to seek and find him on his terms and not on our own. May the One we encounter in this Eucharist shelter us and shepherd us to springs of life-giving water and wipe away every tear from our eyes. May we be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit and be an instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth.

Blessings,

Fr. Tad

MASS ETIQUETTE

Remember to silence, turn off, and put away your cell phones, tablets, and gaming devices prior the start of Mass.

Remember not to chew a gum in the church, especially during Mass.

Keep in mind the Communion fast – we are to fast from food and drink (water and medicine excluded) one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Let us prepare our body and soul to worthily receive our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

When we are in the church (specifically in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament), we should keep our volume to a reverential whisper, if conversation is necessary. This is to promote prayer to prepare our hearts and minds for Mass. Thank you for your mindfulness.

Diocesan Priest Retirement Fund - 2nd Collection -

May 10 & 11

As we approach the annual Diocesan Priest Retirement Appeal on Good Shepherd Sunday, we encourage your continued support of this vital collection which cares for those Catholic priests who have faithfully served the Diocese of San José up through their later years. https://www.dsj.org/ways-to-give/priests-retirement/

VIVA IL PAPA!

Congratulations to our new leader, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV!

May God bless him abundantly!

Habemus Papam! Join Bishop Cantú in praying for Pope Leo XIV

With grateful hearts, the Church proclaims Habemus Papam! — We have a pope.

I join Catholics throughout the Diocese of San José in welcoming Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, OSA. A son of Chicago who answered the Lord’s call as an Augustinian missionary, he spent much of his priestly and episcopal ministry in Peru—eventually becoming a citizen of Peru—before serving the universal Church in Rome.

By choosing the name Leo, our Holy Father nods to Pope Leo XIII, author of Rerum Novarum (1891), the landmark encyclical that placed the dignity of workers and the demands of justice at the heart of Catholic social teaching. Pope Leo XIV’s first words from the loggia — a call to “build bridges, not divide” — signal a pastoral desire to span the distance between divisions. Our new Holy Father embodies the richness of the Church’s global family: he understands the rhythms of North America while carrying within him the lived faith of the global South. Having shepherded the Augustinian Order and most recently advised the universal Church on episcopal appointments, he brings both administrative wisdom and a missionary’s heart for evangelization in the 21st century.

Let us entrust our new pontiff to the Holy Spirit, asking that his ministry as Bishop of Rome and Successor of Peter be marked by humility, courage, and tenderness toward all. May he inspire us to be a people who listen, accompany, and proclaim the Gospel with joy.

To unite our prayers, I will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Election of Pope Leo XIV on Monday, May 19, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph at 7:00 p.m.. I invite every parish and school to remember the Holy Father in their liturgies and devotions in the days ahead.

Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for Pope Leo XIV and for us, that together we may “keep our arms open” in welcome and walk faithfully in the love of Christ.

In Christ,

+ Oscar Cantú

Bishop of San José

DAYTIME EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

MAY 21, 2025

"Jesus asked, 'Who touched me? I felt the power going out from Me.' In the same way, because Christ is present on the earth in the Eucharist, He radiates grace. Grace emanates from Him - grace goes out from Him." - Servant Of God Fr. John Hardon

Join us on Wednesday, May 21, at 8:00 AM Mass. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will begin at 8:30 AM, and it will end at 1:00 PM with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Benediction.

Learn and pray the Rosary

at St. Anthony's Rosary Retreat

Saturday May 31, 8:45AM - 3:30 PM

Experience a day of prayer and spiritual enrichment

This retreat will provide an opportunity to learn about the Rosary, meditate on your relationship with Jesus, and pray for your intentions with the St. Anthony community. If you have never prayed the Rosary, join us to learn how it can deepen your relationship with Jesus. If you are already devoted to the Rosary, discover how you can make your prayers even more fruitful!

The retreat is free. Hospitality and lunch will be provided. Free will donations are welcome.

You will:

• Learn the basics of praying the Rosary

• Practice different ways to contemplate the Mysteries of the Rosary to make your prayer more fruitful

• Gain a deeper understanding of the scriptural basis of the Mysteries of the Rosary

• Grow in holiness by developing a true Marian devotion

Speakers:

Fr. Kevin Lixey, LC

Fr. Kevin is the superior of the Legionaries of Christ community in Cupertino, CA. He holds a bachelor’s in theology, an MBA in theological anthropology, and a bachelor’s in philosophy. Fr. Kevin has served in a variety of positions, including the International Director of the Patrons of the Arts in Vatican City, has written several books, and is fluent in four languages. (More details to come.)

Sisters of Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará (SSVM)

Sisters from SSVM who serve at Our Lady of Peace will lead sessions on Marian devotion and Eucharistic Adoration.

Alex Baretta

Alex is a highly experienced catechist and lector, a parishioner of St. Anthony Church, and a member of the pastoral council.

Chris Coutinho

Chris Coutinho is an experienced retreat leader with the Cursillo movement and with the Kairos prison ministry. Through his mission he helps to speed the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to His beloved people!

online

Contact the Church Office

408-997-4800

churchstanthony@dsj.org

Edith Baretta

SAS/Saint Anthony Seniors

ANNUAL MOTHER’S DAY BAKE

SALE MAY 10TH AND 11TH

It’s almost here! Our Annual Mother’s Day Bake Sale – we will have lots of homemade baked goods, jams and other items for you to enjoy. This is the Senior’s only fund-raising event – so please plan on taking home some delicious baked goods!

As before, we welcome your support by also donating your favorite bakery item – labeled, wrapped and priced for a generous donation! Proceeds from our bake sale have provided many items for our Church Community.

We thank YOU for your continued support!

BAPTISM AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PHOTOS

“What a glorious day” was last Sunday for St. Anthony Church! We celebrated one First Holy Communion and five baptisms. Congratulations to Eden Aurora, McKenna, Robert Adam, Charleese, Wyatt and Weston Cash and their families!

May God’s grace guide them and shower them with endless blessings!

Religious Education Students

Art Theme - Jesus, the Good Shepherd, guards His flock

2025 Annual Diocesan Appeal Supporting

Our Mission Together

Our Parish Goal: $ 93,279

Week 11: $ 109,967.60 pledged by 137 Families

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

Thanks to those who have already responded with a gift to the 2025 Annual Diocesan Appeal. There is still plenty of time to respond with a gift to this year’s Appeal. Gifts can be made through our parish office or online at www.dsj.org/ADA.

The Diocese of San Jose is asking each parish to serve for one hour during the 40 Hours Adoration at St. Martin Church in Sunnyvale. Our parish is scheduled on May 17 from 10 to 11 PM.

Please join our parish delegation in this event in praying the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament for vocations.

Jubilee Year 2025

As we begin the new year, the Universal Church embarks the beginning of the Jubilee Year 2025, marking the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord.

The theme is “Pilgrims of Hope,” and it will be a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a climate crisis. Click here for the Jubilee Year 2025 website.

Living Our Faith in Love by The Marriage Group is the world’s most popular online, on-demand Catholic marriage prep course and can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. The Marriage Group’s courses are promoted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Features of the Pre-Cana:

Downloadable His and Hers Discussion Guides that will spark meaningful and deep conversation.
Presented by couples with a variety of perspectives on the vocation of marriage
Interactive Reflection Exercises to help understand the topic and its main takeaways.
Includes a Certificate of Completion.

Marriage Help – Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi) has helped tens of thousands of couples at all stages of disillusionment or misery in their marriage. This program can help you too. For confidential information about or to register for the May or June In-Person Marriage Program beginning with a weekend on May 2-4 or June 6-8, 2025, call 408-605-4998 , email: SanJose@RetroCA.com for more information or visit the web site at www. RetroCA.com.

CALLING ALL MUSICIANS AND SINGERS

The 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM choirs are looking to recruit more singers and musicians. Please consider sharing your talent and joining us in praising God through music.

Rehearsals for the 8:30 AM Mass are on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM and rehearsals for the 10:30 AM Mass are on Thursdays at 7:00 PM.

For more information, contact Corinne Jarrett at: grammycmj@gmail.com or speak to a choir member after Mass.

Have you ever tried to “Sing the Hours”?

The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or Breviary, is the daily prayer of the universal church, with prayers dispersed at intervals throughout the day to sanctify time and work. The Office is organized around the Psalms, which train our voices speak and sing along with the voice of Christ.

Now, there is a new and easy way to learn the Liturgy of the Hours, by listening to the twice-daily podcast “Sing the Hours” with Paul Rose. Visit SingTheHours.org to get started! After a few weeks of listening and praying and singing along, you will find the timeless prayers of Jesus and His Church becoming your own prayers as well!

DONATIONS INFO

It is easier now more than ever to make your stewardship and second collection contributions online. A "Donate" button has been added to the upper right corner of the parish website home page and an "Online Giving" button to the end of each week's parish email. Clicking these buttons will take you directly to our online giving app.