Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 23rd and 24th, 2021
Dear Faithful Parishioners and Guests of St. Thomas of Canterbury,
Families will always be families wherever we maybe – even in different parts of the world. We can still be connected and especially during this pandemic, we can connect through various social media and Zoom!
Likewise, as Church, the People of God, we are always Church – the people here on earth, in heaven and in the purgatory. As we approach November, the month where we remember our loved ones who have gone before us. On Nov. 1st, All Saints Day, we celebrate those who are in heaven – saints and angels – and this includes our relatives and friends as well. For the remainder of November, and in particular on Nov. 2nd, All Souls Day, we pray for those who are yet to be in heaven, that they will be united in the Father’s home with God and with our families and friends.
Although this year All Saints Day is not a holy day of Obligation, we should still celebrate because we are families and we are Church. Please come and celebrate on November 1st, at 5:15pm in the Church.
To celebrate All Souls Month and All Souls Day, please send a picture of your deceased family members in this past year to our office or to Info@StThomasSJ.org by next Sunday, 10/31, and they will be included in our PowerPoint Slide Presentation. We will also have All Souls envelope for you to include all names of all our loved ones to be remembered and offered to God at every Mass in November. All Souls Day Mass will also be indoors at 5:15pm November 2nd.
As Church and as family, we continue to pray for one another.
Have a blessed week!
Fr. Andrew
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Friendly Reminders:
Mass Schedule:
- Saturday (Sunday’s Vigil) Mass: 5:15pm (Indoors)
- Sunday Mass: 10:00am (Outdoors)
Daily Masses (Wed – Thu – Fri): 8:30AM (Indoors) - Confessions (Sat): 4:30pm-5pm (Outdoors)
*All Masses will be streamed online through YouTube and Facebook.
*All Weekend Masses will still be transmitted through Radio FM 87.9 and have Communion service to the cars.
Visits from Fr. Andrew:
If you, or someone you know of, is in dire need of receiving the sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation or Anointing of the Sick, Fr. Andrew is available to visit you. Please call the parish office, and leave a message or contact Fr. Andrew: FrAndrew@StThomasSJ.org OR (408) 766-3318 (emergency number)
October - Respect for Life month!
Each October let us more deeply consider the value of every human life and together to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death. Join the diocesan community at St. Francis Cabrini for this upcoming speaker:
For information visit bit.ly/ljpdsj21.
Sat, Oct. 30 – Bishop Oscar Cantú
TOPIC: Life – Conception to Natural Death | 3:30 – 4:30pm MASS | 5:00PM
Prayer to Mary, Mother of Hope
Mary, Mother of Hope,
Accompany us on our journey!
Teach us to proclaim the living God;
Help us to bear witness to Jesus, the one Savior.
Make us kindly toward our neighbors,
Welcoming to the needy,
Concerned for justice,
Impassioned builders of a more just world.
Intercede for us as we carry out our work,
certain that the Father’s plan will be fulfilled.
Dawn of a new world,
Show yourself the Mother of hope and watch over us!
The birth of your Son was the dawn of our salvation.
May we allow the Spirit to work in our lives in an effort to bring us closer to lasting peace.
-Pope John Paul II, 2003
Prayer to Mary, Mother of Hope
Mary, Mother of Hope,
Accompany us on our journey!
Teach us to proclaim the living God;
Help us to bear witness to Jesus, the one Savior.
Make us kindly toward our neighbors,
Welcoming to the needy,
Concerned for justice,
Impassioned builders of a more just world.
Intercede for us as we carry out our work,
certain that the Father’s plan will be fulfilled.
Dawn of a new world,
Show yourself the Mother of hope and watch over us!
The birth of your Son was the dawn of our salvation.
May we allow the Spirit to work in our lives in an effort to bring us closer to lasting peace.
-Pope John Paul II, 2003
The Holy Father's Universal Prayer Intention for October:
Missionary Disciples
We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavor of the Gospel.
We pray that every baptized person may be engaged in evangelization, available to the mission, by being witnesses of a life that has the flavor of the Gospel.
UPCOMING FAITH FORMATION SESSIONS:
Sun, October 24: Confirmation Year TWO at 11:15am to 12:30pm
Mon, November 1: First/Second Grade class at 4pm to 5:15pm
Tues, November 2: Third/Fourth Grade class at 4pm to 5:15pm,
Fifth/Sixth Grade at 7pm to 8:15pm
Sun, November 7: Confirmation Year ONE at 11:15am to 12:30pm
Sun, November 7: Sacrament Prep (First Reconciliation) at 1:30pm to 2:30pm
Sun, November 14: Confirmation Year TWO at 11:15am to 12:30pm
Last Weekend we celebrated Catechetical Sunday and all catechists around the world were blessed and sent forth to continue the mission of Jesus Christ. Let us continue to pray for all our catechists and those who are still discerning the call to become a catechist.
We would also like thank those that stepped forward last weekend to serve as catechist in some way: Amelie Arango, Minh Le, Alice Marciel, Phyllis David, and Matthew Zeik
ADULT FAITH FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES: Pastoral Ministry Foundation
Learn more about the foundation and theology of our Catholic faith. The Diocese of San Jose is offering classes. Classes are on Thursday evenings via Zoom from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. (no cost to parishioners).
As the previous classes in October can be made up, it is all right to sign up now.
This Thursday, October 28 will be on Introduction to the New Testament.
Register here:
ADULT FAITH FORMATION: Becoming Catholic
Are you interested (or do you know someone who is) in learning more about the Catholic way of life? Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Have you been away from the faith? Are you are a baptized Catholic but still need to receive First Eucharist and Confirmation? Are you a Catholic and have questions about your faith? Are you seeking something more?
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Team welcomes all! We are here to provide information and spiritual guidance for all those interested in becoming Catholic, those interested in completing the sacraments and those who have a desire to know God.
The RCIA itself is a process developed by the Catholic Church for unbaptized adults and adapted for children (ages 7 and above) guiding them through education, formation and ritualization of entrance into the Catholic community. The process for the RCIA is always open and is year round since God’s time and plan is different for everyone.
Contact Barbara Louis (click her name to send an email) for RCIA inquiries.
What's coming up in Mental Health Ministry:
Upstanders, the third in the series of Indie-Flix films, following Angst and Like, will be shown with a live panel discussion on-line. Taking on the tough subject of bullying, this film is recommended for Age 13 and up and is an excellent choice for teens and parents to watch together. Anyone with children or who ministers to children or teens can definitely benefit from this experience. Upstanders airs 5:30--7pm this Monday, October 25. Sign up: https://sites.google.com/view/upstandersoct25/home
SAVE THE DATE: Thurs Nov 11th, 7 pm
Sanctuary for Catholics on FORMED in Becket Hall
More info to follow
Weekly Offering 10/17/2021 $5,300
Thank you!
MTD OFFERINGS AS OF 10/17/2021
MTD budget: $ 13,500
MTD offerings: $ 18,397
MTD surplus: $ 4,897
You are welcome to drop off or mail your donations to the parish office.
On-line giving available at our website: www.StThomasSJ.org
Click: Give & Fundraising
or scan the QR Code to the left.
This weekend's second collection is for World Mission Sunday.
THIS WEEKEND we celebrate World Mission Sunday. Pope Francis invites the entire Church to support mission dioceses in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe, where priests, religious and lay leaders serve the world’s most vulnerable communities. Please keep the Pope’s missions in your prayers and be generous in next week’s collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
This year’s theme for World Mission Sunday is “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Every parish in the world can participate, united in this special Eucharistic celebration. Every parishioner is a missionary, sharing our love for Christ’s Gospel with one another, supporting the Church most in need.
With your help, this World Mission Month, the Pope’s missions can construct reliable water harvesting systems and sturdy cisterns to collect and distribute safe drinking water to families in remote areas.
In doing so, you will protect these parents and children from debilitating waterborne illnesses and help provide one of the most fundamental needs for life.
In doing so, you will protect these parents and children from debilitating waterborne illnesses and help provide one of the most fundamental needs for life.
Lucy Chai runs our Scrip program at St. Thomas. See button below to click on to buy scrip and she can deliver it to you.
Please remember these checks should be made out to: St Thomas Scrip
Thank you for your purchases - they help raise funds for our parish!
One of the homeless we serve, Frank, his sister was recently shot, unable to work and confined to a wheelchair and is pregnant, due on December 1. She is in need of infant clothes, blankets, or onesies - up to six months would be appreciated. Please Call Linda to set up a time for drop off. Thank you!
GIVING AT ST. THOMAS: Time, Talent and Treasure
Your continued support greatly helps us to live out the mission of the parish and of the Church, especially during these difficult times.
- TREASURE: Thank you for your on-going financial support! There are many ways to give: Offering envelopes, On-line recurring giving, and also through Benevity! If you work at Apple, you can give through the Benevity platform and Apple matches your donation to the parish. Let us know if your company has a giving/matching benefit. To access all our giving platforms, visit our parish website or click below.
- TIME and TALENT: Volunteers are needed to help with our outdoor Mass celebrations. There are many tasks; set up before Mass (Altar, equipment, chairs, camera, sound system), check-in of Mass attendees, check-in of "in-car" attendees, seating and sanitizing. Would you like to serve as a Lector, Eucharistic minister or Sacristan (prepare the Altar) or Usher? Prayerfully discern how you can serve. Training will be provided in all areas.
The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary.
Pray with the St. Thomas community Monday through Friday at 7pm via Zoom.
If you are in need of a Rosary (no charge), come to the parish office during office hours or contact Linda or Vicki. We also have brochures to help with your prayer.
Our next monthly Eucharistic Adoration will be Saturday, November 13th.
Join us in the Church's Family Room.
"In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering." Pope Benedict XVI
Come seek LORD JESUS as He awaits you in the Blessed Sacrament.
The family room inside the church will be open from 7am to 5pm that day. Access to this room will be from outside the church NOT inside the church. Adoration will end at 5pm with Benediction.
Here is an agenda for the day.
7am - open for adoration
7 to noon - adoration in silence
Noon - Angelus/rosary
1 - 3pm - adoration in silence
3pm - Divine Chaplet
3:30 - 4:30pm - adoration in silence
4:30pm - Benediction
We look forward to your joining us for any portion of our next day of Adoration on Saturday, November 13th.
Noon - Angelus/rosary
1 - 3pm - adoration in silence
3pm - Divine Chaplet
3:30 - 4:30pm - adoration in silence
4:30pm - Benediction
We look forward to your joining us for any portion of our next day of Adoration on Saturday, November 13th.
Marriage Preparation Retreats:
The Diocese of San Jose offers English and Spanish Virtual Marriage Preparation retreats throughout the year. The retreats are one day. Visit the Marriage Prep webpage. Upcoming English Saturday Date: Nov 20th
The Diocese of San Jose is nearing the end of it's 40th Anniversary Celebration year. Check out the details of activities here:
40th Anniversary Information Portal: www.dsj.org/40th-anniversary/
Among the events:
November 20-21: Solemnity of Christ the King
Friday, December 3, 2021: Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration
Sunday, December 5, 2021: Jubilee Closing Mass in ST. Joseph Cathedral
40th Anniversary Prayer
Diocese of San Jose
Diocese of San Jose
Ever-living and faithful God,
we give you thanks for walking with us,
your people of this Diocese of San José.
we give you thanks for walking with us,
your people of this Diocese of San José.
Pour forth your Spirit on this local Church,
that our works of Faith and labors of Love
may lead others to Jesus, your Son,
and that our endurance in Joy and Hope
may lift up those weary from uncertainty.
that our works of Faith and labors of Love
may lead others to Jesus, your Son,
and that our endurance in Joy and Hope
may lift up those weary from uncertainty.
Accompanied by Saint Joseph and Saint Clare,
may we continue “Journeying Together in Hope,”
and day by day be drawn closer to your Son,
our Light, our Hope, and our Salvation,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever. Amen.
may we continue “Journeying Together in Hope,”
and day by day be drawn closer to your Son,
our Light, our Hope, and our Salvation,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever. Amen.
A Virtual Catechetical Conference: REGISTRATION IS OPEN! $25 for all days.
Thurs-Sat Nov. 4-6, 2021, HOPE, HEAL, RENEW: OUR JOURNEY CONTINUES.
Engage in over 100 formation sessions, prayer services & liturgies, live interactions with presenters. Registration includes access to recorded sessions after conference has ended - www.hopehealrenew.org.
Dr. Elizabeth Klein and Dr. John Sehorn, professors at the Augustine Institute, walk through the culture shaping, famous work of The Confessions of Saint Augustine. This classic of western literature has shaped thought for over 1,500 years and is a spiritual masterpiece reflecting man's relationship with God.
Join these two patristic scholars as they help viewers learn how to read this classic text and draw from the riches of the spiritual life of doctor of the Church, Saint Augustine.
Join these two patristic scholars as they help viewers learn how to read this classic text and draw from the riches of the spiritual life of doctor of the Church, Saint Augustine.
If you have a free account through us, go to: https://watch.formed.org/login
If you do not yet have one, go to: formed.org/signup and select our parish and your email and you will be sent a link to create your free account.