THE SPIRITUAL PURSUIT
The Easter Season presents many ways for us to renew our faith, but if that is so what are all these possibilities? It is very common for most Catholics to leave behind the disciplines of Lent once Easter arrives. Keeping these practices in preparation for the Easter festivities demonstrates a true desire to be a disciple, but now that Easter is here many still hunger for spiritual growth each day. For that reason some may wonder if there is anything more than these tried and true means of following a spiritual path.
PRAYER RESOURCES FOR DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
NEW MASS SCHEDULE
FROM APRIL 5
Weekday Mass: Monday – Saturday 9:30am (Livestream & in church)
Rosary on Mondays - Saturday at 9:00 am (Livestream & in church)
Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00pm (in church)
Sunday Masses: 9:00am (Livestream & in Church) & 5:00pm (in Church)
Confession: Saturday 3:30pm - 4:30pm in the Pastoral Center Conference Room.
IMPORTANT: The Sign-up for Mass closes on the day before your scheduled Mass. If you are unable to attend the Mass you scheduled, please cancel your reservation ASAP. If you are unable to cancel the reservation yourself, please leave a message on the Parish Office voicemail so we can make the seats available for someone else.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
(CONFESSION)
We have resumed our weekly schedule for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for all faithful with no prior appointments on Saturdays from 3.30 to 4.30 pm in the Pastoral Center Conference Room.
We are grateful to the 249 families that have made a difference with a generous gift. Our parish has raised $185,813 toward our goal of $190,233.
Many thanks for your participation in this Appeal. If you have not yet made a gift, please reflect on what you can do to also make a difference. Every gift is valued and respectfully used. It is not too late and we want your participation and need your support. Please consider a pledge payable through December 2021 or a one time gift.
Please remember that 100% of all gifts received above our goal comes back to our parish.
In the photo above: L to R: Rise Schwartz, Al Chavez & Jane Najour
Farewell Letter from Al Chavez to his St. Mary Family
I have been blessed to see the incredible generosity, kind and fun community at St Mary for 26 years. Read his letter.
YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH
ST. MARY: A PILGRIMAGE SITE
Message from Bishop Cantú on the Year of St. Joseph
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
God’s people have always been called to journey. Abraham was called to leave his home country, journey to a new land, and trust God. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, journeying through the desert for 40 years to the cusp of the Promised Land. Jesus journeyed from Galilee to Jerusalem to fulfill his mission of salvation for the world. St. Augustine notes that “the Church progresses on her pilgrimage amidst this world’s persecutions and God’s consolations” (Civ. Dei, 18, 51; LG 8). Read more.
God’s people have always been called to journey. Abraham was called to leave his home country, journey to a new land, and trust God. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, journeying through the desert for 40 years to the cusp of the Promised Land. Jesus journeyed from Galilee to Jerusalem to fulfill his mission of salvation for the world. St. Augustine notes that “the Church progresses on her pilgrimage amidst this world’s persecutions and God’s consolations” (Civ. Dei, 18, 51; LG 8). Read more.
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception selected as
one of 10 pilgrimage sites in our Diocese
A pilgrimage is no ordinary journey. It’s a kind of “holy traveling” undertaken with resolve for a particular spiritual purpose. To have a fruitful pilgrimage, simply carry a special prayer intention in your mind and heart. You can have a single intention, or a different one for each destination asking St. Joseph or the Virgin Mary to intercede with Jesus Christ for your request. Conclude by offering prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving. This act of faith, made during the Year of St. Joseph, will gain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the intentions of the Holy Father) to the faithful who, with a spirit detached from any sin, visit any of the following 10 pilgrimage sites within our Diocese for the Year of Saint Joseph through December 8, 2021.
Diocese of San Jose
For Zoom IDs and to register to attend Mass in person visit: bit.ly/ljpdsj21
SITUATION AT THE US-MEXICO BORDER
The bishops along the border of the United States and Northern Mexico have issued a joint statement on the situation at the border of the two countries. "One year ago, on the eve of Easter Sunday, Pope Francis, exclaimed: “How beautiful it is to be Christians who offer consolation, who bear the burdens of others and who offer encouragement: messengers of life in a time of death.”
Earth Day is April 22nd: To inspire everyone in California to care for our common home, the California bishops issued a pastoral statement in 2019, on the fourth anniversary of Laudato Sí to invite us to action and reflection in the hope that every Californian can find themselves touched by at least one. Visit www.cacatholic.org/protect-our-common-home for ways you can care for creation as an individual and as a parish.
40 Hours for the Lord Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations
Join the Diocese of San Jose Vocations Office and Bishop Oscar Cantu for a prayer vigil April 23-25, 2021 for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life from our diocese. All are welcome to attend for any length of time to pray at St. John Vianney Parish. It will begin Friday, April 23 at 7pm with an Opening Mass and the Closing Mass with Bishop Oscar Cantu will be on Sunday, April 25 at 10am.
Sign up for an hour of Adoration
Covid-19 Vaccine Explained Ethics
Vaccine Informational Handouts: Please share with your communities this double-sided flyer covering the basics on the ethics and science of vaccines.
Vaccine Informational Handouts: Please share with your communities this double-sided flyer covering the basics on the ethics and science of vaccines.
English | Spanish | Vietnamese
APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
Child Abuse Prevention Month Rosary for Healing & Protection: Please join Bishop Oscar Cantú as he leads the Diocese in praying the Rosary with special intentions for the healing and protection of those affected by childhood abuse on April 13th at 6pm via Diocesan livestream: Facebook or YouTube. This Rosary is a visible reminder of our commitment to preventing all forms of child abuse everywhere. As we offer our prayers for the healing and protection of all children, we ask for the intercession of the Holy Family to bless our efforts as we strive to help children around us live the full and abundant life God desires for them.
During Child Abuse Prevention Month (April), we are reminded of the call to be instruments of justice, working for the common good of all, which includes the protection of children. As Jesus entrusts to Peter the care of the flock, we are reminded that this responsibility belongs to everyone as a matter of charity and justice. The importance we place on carrying out these acts of charity will go a long way in creating a culture where children are safe and victim/survivors find healing through the love of Christ. Let us join in unity as brothers and sisters in Christ by showing our support for protecting God’s children. Together, we can raise awareness and lower the risk factors of child maltreatment while helping families thrive. Learn more about Child Abuse Prevention & Family Safety.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the month of April as the first National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and that tradition continues today. This April, take a moment to learn what you can do to help victim/survivors and prevent abuse.
May 1, 2021: Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker Mass
Aug. 11, 2021: Feast of Saint Clare Mass
Nov. 21, 2021: Closing Mass
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.
