October: Month of the Holy Rosary and Respect Life, Grant Awards, Visit to Mundelein Seminary
Week of October 5, 2020
Dear Faithful Parishioners of St. Thomas of Canterbury,
As evidenced in the pictures in this bulletin, we had a beautiful day with the Blessing of Animals - big and small. But equally important as our companions – this was done in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. (Scroll down to see pictures of the Blessing of Animals celebration!)
At the time of this writing, I am at the University and Seminary of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Chicago, to visit our seven seminarians there - Tony, Joseph, Manuel, Duy, Robert, Ryan and Thanh. I am happy that they are well and find their studies fruitful. Like them, I am grateful to the parish for allowing me time to work in the vocations office to support and foster vocations. Thank you also for your prayers for them, me and the vocations for our diocese, which is also one of our Bishop’s three cultures of priority - Encounter, Vocations, and Innovations.
As we enter October, the Month dedicated each year to the Most Holy Rosary, we ask Our Blessed Mother to intercede for us, especially during this pandemic, so that our families and the people around the world will be safe under her maternal care and protection.
With prayers,
Fr. Andrew
October is Respect Life Month!
Each October, the Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month. See the short reflection on this year’s theme, “Live the Gospel of Life.” Join Catholics nationwide in celebrating throughout October. Learn how you can participate at respectlife.org/celebrate.
Each October, the Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month. See the short reflection on this year’s theme, “Live the Gospel of Life.” Join Catholics nationwide in celebrating throughout October. Learn how you can participate at respectlife.org/celebrate.
OCTOBER is the month of the Holy Rosary
“The Rosary is a powerful weapon to put the demons to flight and to keep oneself from sin…If you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary. Let not even one day pass without saying it, no matter how burdened you may be with many cares and labours.”
– Pope Pius XI
PRAY THE ROSARY WITH US!
St. Thomas of Canterbury Rosary Group:
Join us as we pray the Holy Rosary
Monday through Friday at 7pm via Zoom. Click on the link to get Zoom information.
October 7 is the Feast Day of
Our Lady of the Rosary
The Guadalupe Hope Society presents 2nd Friday of the Month
ROSARY and FAITH TALK
Friday, October 9 @ 11:30am to 1:00pm
VIRTUAL ZOOM ROSARY
TOPIC: St. Mother Teresa
Rev. Saju Joseph, Pastor at St. Martin of Tours, will lead the Rosary
and give a reflection.
Event is free, sign up: (408) 447-5433 or admin@ghswomenscenter.com
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
October 2020 Prayer Intention of Pope Francis – The Laity’s Mission in the Church: We pray that by the virtue of baptism, the laity, especially women, may participate more in areas of responsibility in the Church.
Good News for Our Parish! Grants awarded!
The Catholic Community Foundation of Santa Clara County and the CRS Rice Bowl program of the Diocese of San Jose have granted a combined sum of $16,285.00 for specific needs and programs proposed to serve our parish in the coming year.
The Catholic Community Foundation granted awards from six funds:
- From the Parish Outreach Fund: $5,000 for our Homeless Support Action Team (HSAT)
- From the Parish Stewardship Fund: $3,500 for a “Re-commitment to Parish Ministry” retreat
- From the Lay and Religious Leadership Fund: $2400 for a “Just Faith Series on Racial Justice”
- From the Family Life Fund: $1700 to Faith Formation for a “Parish Family/Mission Retreat”
- From the Apolonia Andre Fund for Liturgical Music Fund: $700 for “Music Ministry Training”
- From the Pastoral Ministry Training and Formation Fund: $2,000 for “On-Line Resources for Faith Formation and Spiritual Enrichment”
The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl uses our Lenten rice bowl donations to support community development programs throughout the world. Each year, 25% of the money we donate remains in the diocese to fund grants from the Office of Life, Justice and Peace to support local projects to alleviate hunger and poverty.
We also received the following grant from Diocese of San Jose:
- From the CRS Rice Bowl Program: $985 for the Homeless Support Action Team for programs to feed to poor
We are grateful for these funds and for the confidence placed by the Diocese of San Jose and the Catholic Foundation in the work of our parishioners. Our pastor, Fr. Andrew, our Homeless Support Action Team, our Mass and Liturgy teams, our Family Faith Formation Program, and our parish Social Ministries team all need your financial and volunteer support for these and many other programs for the growth and development of our parish mission. Thank you for all that you do to make our parish the Family of Saint Thomas of Canterbury.
Come and Be Informed and Pray as we prepare for the 2020 National Election.
As Catholics, “we bring the richness of our faith to the public square.” This means shedding light on the shadows that plague our society.
How does the church shed light on issues of human life? On the situation and rights of Dreamers and immigrant families? On religious freedom and conscience rights? On the realities of xenophobia, human trafficking, racism, and even infanticide?
All of these are current issues that need to be met with the Church’s testimony that all human beings, from conception to natural death, have inherent dignity, are created equal, and have the right to life.
We invite you to register at: civility@santateresachurch.com
Questions please contact Donna Ingoglia: (408) 826-9217
Lynda DeManti: (408) 839-3163
Merciful Father,
Thank you for inviting each of us to join in your work of building the kingdom of love, justice, and peace.
Draw us close to you in prayer as we discern your call in our families and communities.
Send us forth to encounter all whom you love:
those not yet born, those in poverty, those in need of welcome.
those not yet born, those in poverty, those in need of welcome.
Inspire us to respond to the call to faithful citizenship, during election season and beyond.
Help us to imitate your charity and compassion and to serve as models of loving dialogue.
Teach us to treat others with respect, even when we disagree, and seek to share your love and mercy.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
October 4, 2020
St. Francis of Assisi
Make us a channel of your peace and pray for us!
Sacramental Celebrations
Congratulations to Kendra Kuwada who received her First Holy Communion this past Saturday and now joins us at
the Table of the Lord!
Upcoming celebrations:
Saturday, October 10: Celebration for the Ruiz Family!
Bellami will be baptized and Oasys will receive her First Holy Communion.
Has God called "you" to serve as a catechist?
For more information, contact Vicki at info@StThomasSJ.org
FAMILY FAITH FORMATION:
Faith Formation Sessions begin the first week of October on Tuesdays 4pm-4:45pm.
All sessions will be remote via Zoom.
First Grade: October 6 and November 3
Second Grade: October 13 and November 10
Third/Fourth Grade: October 20 and November 17
Fifth/Sixth Grade: October 27 and November 24
Registration for Family Faith Formation and Religious Ed has begun. All previously registered families have been mailed a registration packet. If you are new to our parish, all registration materials are available on our parish website.
Faith Formations sessions will be on-line/virtually.
Sacramental Preparation Sessions for First Reconciliation/First Eucharist and Confirmation will take place on Sundays. Schedules are being prepared.
Visit our website for schedules and more specific information or contact Vicki Schwoob, Director of Family Faith Formation.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION:
Learn More about the Old Testament and the New Testament
Presentation led by Joy Aspenal, Master Catechist
Presentation led by Joy Aspenal, Master Catechist
Thursday, October 15 at 7:45pm via Zoom
All interested are welcome to attend this session! Please sign up below and we will send you meeting information.
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 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 Vicki Schwoob for inquiries and sacraments; info@StThomasSJ.org
or (408) 378-1595.
Old Testament Presentation 7:45pm Thursday, October 15
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Thursdays 6:00pm to 6:30pm in the Prayer Garden
Visits from Fr. Andrew:
If you would like to receive the sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation or Anointing of the Sick, and you are not able to come in person, Fr. Andrew would be happy to visit you. Please call the parish office, and leave a message or contact Fr. Andrew: info@StThomasSJ.org OR
(408) 660-8901 (emergency number)
OFFERINGS 10/04/2020
Weekly budget: $ 4,500
Weekly offerings: $5,439
Surplus: + $ 939
You can always drop off or mail your donations at the parish office. On-line giving available at our website: www.StThomasSJ.org
Click: Give & Fundraising
Thank you for your support and generosity!
PARISH WEBSITE:
We are still in the process of building our pages for our parish website; It is a work-in-progress so we ask you to please be patient.
Visit our website to sign up for Mass, see our Mass schedule, get information for our live-stream Mass, to volunteer and to send in your prayer requests.
If you cannot come to outdoor Mass, celebrate with us and watch on our YouTube or Facebook channel. The links for our channels are provided below.
