Flocknote

Change for Good

It is the New Year, each of us trying to imagine how this year might be a departure from the way last year unfolded as a series of rather unusual circumstances. With all the slowdowns and stay at home orders, our perception of time seemed out of sync with an ever-changing array of directives and course corrections. During the Christmas Holidays, many were unwilling to reunite with family and friends near and far for fear of infecting or being infected. So much has changed in such a short span, and most agree that it will be a great relief to return to a time that defined us only 12 months earlier.

Throughout the years of our lives, each of us has the opportunity to find wonder in the newness of discovery. Change is good, though never easy. At its worse, change can be unnerving and confusing. Still, none of us can exhaust the breadth and depth of human intelligence or divine wisdom, and it is quite possible that discovery will provide the answers to questions to imponderables that have plagued us from their inception. We do well not to harden our hearts to the possibility of learning something new or seeing anything as novel, as a hardened heart can lead to skepticism which can lead to cynicism and ultimately leads to solipsism.

Our cultural environment can absorb only so much of a self-centered attitude, and we could become easily persuaded to stop providing for those that do not wish to provide for others. We cannot change the course of someone who is overly self-centered or who has a hardened heart. Change comes from a compelling call to reevaluate one’s life and push the reset button in order to see what is truly wonderful and what can be gained by new discovery.

Leonard Bernstein was asked in an interview, “What’s the most difficult instrument to play.” Without hesitation he answered, “Second fiddle. I can find plenty of people to play first violin. But to find someone to play second violin or French horn is difficult. Still without the second chair for any instrument, there can be no harmony.” It’s probably true that everyone wants to be numero uno, but conductors need more than just the best, they need every musician to play her role without exception.

Part of what it means to belong to a community of believers is to take up our role in the process of human progress by becoming what God is calling each of us to be. No one has so central a role that everything depends on him or her, rather we are called to be aware of how each of us is meant to be in service to God and each other. It is in those circumstances that we find wonder and discovery. May 2021 bring us closer to our true calling in life, and may God bless us all as we enter a new year.

Fr. Rick

Mass Schedule

Weekday Mass in-person: Monday – Saturday 9:30am (courtyard)

Confession: Saturday 1:30pm in the Conference Room in Pastoral Center

Saturday Vigil Mass in-person: 3pm (courtyard)

Sunday Masses: 8am Livestream (in the Church) and 9am & 3pm Mass (courtyard)

IMPORTANT: *sign-up for mass closes on the morning of your scheduled mass. If you are unable to make mass please cancel your reservation asap. If you are unable to cancel yourself, please leave a message on the Parish Office voicemail so we can make the seats available.

Mass Sign-Up

NOTE: Mass sign-ups are available through January 31, 2021 online. Offices are still not be open for in-person meeting and assistance per diocesan & county health protocols.

Mass Intention Requests - Now Available Online

We have created a form so you may request Mass Intentions while our office is closed. Dates for intentions should be made at least 3 - 4 weeks in advance as most recent dates are usually filled. Requests will be completed in the order in which we receive them (date/time) on Mondays (except holidays) and Thursdays - stmaryslg.org/mass-intention-request.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

We are resuming our weekly schedule for the Sacrament of Confession for all faithful with no prior appointments on Saturdays from 1.30 to 2.30 pm. More information is available on our website

Faith In Action

St. Mary

Christmas Giving Tree

The joy of giving.

Catholic Charities Refugee Foster Care Program would like to thank St. Mary’s for the fabulous contribution of 60 Target gift cards equaling $1500.00 for the refugee youth in our program. An extra special thanks goes out to Karen Camara the head elf who coordinated this event this year along with Jane Najour.

Karen has been working with Catholic Charities for 26 years! When she started we had about 50 youth and now we have doubled that amount.

This was very special this year because of Corvid we had no holiday party to distribute the gifts. So thanks to St. Mary’s quick work we were able to mail out all the gift cards in time for Christmas.

We hope everyone has a safe and healthy New Year and we at Refugee Foster Care are excited about welcoming new youth.

If you are interested in learning about our program please contact Claire Collins at ccollins@catholiccharitiesscc.org or call 408-325-5107.

Claire Collins

Outreach Coordinator

Refugee Foster Care

Refugee Foster Care Program

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County

408-325-5107

www.catholiccharitiesscc.org

ccollins@catholiccharitiesscc.org

"Working to End Poverty -- Changing Lives for Good"

Weddings or Funerals

For information about weddings or funerals please contact Jane Najour

or call (408) 354-3726 x121

Prayer Requests

How Can We Pray For You? We are committed to being a community that prays for one another. Whatever your circumstance or situation is, prayer can effect and transform it. Feel free to leave an intention below and know that you are being prayed for. Prayer Requests can be made online

Music Ministry

Do you like to sing? Play an instrument? We invite you to consider joining the music ministry! Choir rehearsals (virtually have started). We are also putting together a children's choir (virtually) For more infomation or questions, please contact Percival at pperlas@stmaryslg.org or 408.354.3726 x122

Faith Formation

Baptism Ministry

If you are interested in having your child baptized or have any questions about the baptism process, please email Pamela Bergmann or call 354.3726 x123 to set up an interview.

Faith Formation Classes

Registration and information Playways, Elementary, EDGE (Junior High) & Element 4:12 (High School) is now available on our website stmaryslg.org/faith-formation-registration-form. Please email Michael Lomas if you have any questions about our programs Playways through Elementary (3yrs - Gr5), EDGE (Jr. High) and

Element 4:12 (High School).

We are looking for catechists to help guide our children and families on their continued faith journey. It is hard to stay connected during these times of social distancing and we are looking at new ways to share our faith as a community. If you are interested in working with elementary children or with our children who will be receiving First Reconciliation and First Communion, please contact Michael at mlomas@stmaryslg.org

St. Mary School

smslg.org

408.354.3944

The Sisters of the Holy Names were so appreciative of the treats and Christmas cards created by the 5th graders. We sure miss seeing the Sisters, as we'd often see them at our school masses.From Sr. Kate:
Dear Mrs. Freitas, 5th Grade students, Mrs. Connolly, Mrs. Cain and Mrs. Mezzetti,
Thank you so much for the treat for the Sisters and extra special cards that you wrote. I know that the Sisters will be touched by your thoughtfulness. Thank you Mrs. Hood for delivering the gifts today. May Christmas be a time of joy and hope for you and your families.

Sr. Kate Ondreyco and the Sisters of the Holy Names

Apply Now!

The Application link for school year 2021-2022 is live, and we are accepting applications for the upcoming school year. See our webpage for more information:
https://smslg.org/enroll, or call our school office: 408-354-3944

https://smslg.org/enroll

Monica Hernandez, Principal mhernandez@stmaryslg.org

Kathy Rosendin, Administrative Assistant krosendin@stmaryslg.org

Diocese of San Jose

Keeping Families House - Workshop 2: An additional workshop will be held on Jan. 31st from 6:30pm to 8:30pm assisting families being effected with the threat of eviction. Thousands of families throughout our community are unable to pay rent. How can parishes help and understand how to respond to this crisis? Learn about the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act of 2020 and inform your community. Click here to for registration details for this important workshop.

The Church in the Media: These days, it sometimes seems as though any good news regarding the Catholic Church is overshadowed by headline stories that remind us of the painful past of child sexual abuse in our Church. For those who strive to live the teachings of Jesus and work together for the protection of children, youth and the vulnerable, these stories can seem overwhelming. As we continue to work toward preventing child sexual abuse from happening and stopping it from continuing, we must remember that we are doing God's work on earth. We are creating an environment that promotes the furtherance of our faith, the expansion of the Kingdom of God, and the formation of people who serve children and youth with love, grace, dignity and respect. As a caring adult, you make this happen. You are a protector of children, youth and the vulnerable and can help foster accountability and healing. Read More: English | Spanish

Men's Virtual Discernment Weekend: January 29-31, 2021. 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. Click here for more information or contact vocations@dsj.org.

Women's Virtual Discernment Weekend: February 5-7, 2021. 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 18-40 to a free bilingual retreat weekend! Click here for more information or contact vocations@dsj.org.

Retrouvaille of San Jose/Silicon Valley Virtual Marriage Program. The Virtual Retrouvaille Marriage Program Mission is to help hurting marriages heal, and bring peace to families, especially during this difficult time of pandemic. The Retrouvaille program consists of a weekend presented by 3 Catholic couples and a Priest, starting January 14. There are 6 Saturday post weekend sessions. Approximately 48 hours of presentation. Please contact RetrouvailleSJ@gmail.com for information reservation.

Catholic Professionals Speaker Series. "Live a life of no regrets." Don't miss this free event on January 14! Author and Catholic Speaker Robert Rogers will deliver his powerful message to live a life of no regrets, with God and one another. His compelling message has impacted lives and inspired people to renew their faith. Please contact sjcathpros@gmail.com for more information and registration.

Please continue to check our website for updates - stmaryslg.org

Previous eNewsletters can be found at stmaryslg.org/enewsletter

We are still available by email. If you call and leave a voicemail it will reach us to. Just go to our Contact Us page or our website.