We are fast approaching the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception—December 8, our parish feast day! On this day we celebrate the Virgin Mary conceived without original sin. It was this grace that enabled Mary to give a true and resounding yes to God’s plan and become the mother of the incarnate Son of God.
Living in a time of pandemic has allowed us to slow down, look at the blessings we have received, and find gratitude for what is important. As a parish we are grateful to the many who answer the call to be good stewards of their resources to meet the needs of this community. These resources include financial assistance, giving time and talent in service to the parish, and dedicating time for personal and communal prayer.
Reflecting on our gifts I want to recognize the generosity of our parishioners and raise awareness in support of the Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish Endowment. For the past four years this endowment fund has contributed growth toward the FOREVER VALUE of our parish. Our endowment allows us to be supported by an invested fund that grants to our parish every year no matter what challenges our community may face.
Our Parish Endowment started through a generous donor’s commitment to contribute a matching gift. For the past four years, with this matching donation and contributions from numerous parishioners, our endowment balance is now over $220,000 and growing. Because of the pandemic, we have moved this matching opportunity from this year to next, when we will be able to join in celebration—hopefully in the Church— on our parish feast day in 2021. With generous efforts of our parishioners, we will ensure and preserve the past, present, and future of St. Mary in Los Gatos.
We are thankful for your support and dedication to our Catholic Community. This is not a solicitation, but simply a reflection on the generosity of this community and our ability to be resilient in all circumstance.
With gratitude,
Fr. Rick Rodoni
The Financial Report for fiscal year 2019-2020 is now available on our website or your can download it here: 2019-2020 St. Mary Financial Report
Faith In Action
Seniors Sheltering Alone
Please join our Wednesday early evening Zoom/phone group for conversation and faith-sharing. Small group is forming now with St. Mary Parishioners: Valerie Lozowicki and Denise Leffers facilitating. We plan to begin on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Please call Jane Najour at (408) 354-3726 x121 or jnajour@stmaryslg.org for questions or to sign up.
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
Get Little Books for Advent on Your Phone!
The Little Books App is now available for your iOS and Android devices. For a simple $10/year subscription, you’ll get all the seasonal books in the app for easy daily reading. Available in the App Store or on Google Play
Bp. Barron's Advent Refections
The Advent Reflections module began on the First day of Advent and will update daily during the Advent season with reflections from Bishop Robert Barron via his Word on Fire ministry. You can find the Advent Reflections on our website's Advent page
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 are to 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
Weddings or Funerals
For information about weddings or funerals please contact Jane Najour
or call (408) 354-3726 x121
Faith Formation
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
Faith Formation - Fall 2020
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).
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
Marriage Prep and NFP: For a list of Marriage Prep Retreat being held at the Diocese of San Jose please click here.
St. Mary School
Where did that first Trimester go?! It seemed to fly by, but we couldn’t let it pass without honoring our Junior High students who made the Principal’s List by having a minimum 3.8 GPA in Religion, Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies, a pass grade in P.E., Spanish and Art, and who met Expectations in all General Behavior Expectations outcomes.We usually recognize these students at an Honors Assembly in the Church; however, this year, Mr. Clauss presented an Honors Assembly for his 6th Grade recipients via Zoom! Parents zoomed in to watch as students were presented with their certificate, and all celebrated with lots of applause!
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, or call our school office: 408-354-3944
The teachers and students at St. Mary School may have been in Distance Learning, but they were connected as ever with families sharing 1st Day of School photos, tuning in for the Back to School Mass, and keeping all the victims of the fires in their prayers. The St. Mary PTG is putting together care packages for school or parish families that have been displaced by the fires. Please call the school office so we can make sure a care packages reaches you if your family has been impacted!
See’s Candies Fundraiser ends Friday, December 4! Go to this link and take care of some of your holiday shopping! https://bit.ly/SeesFundraiser. Thank you for supporting the See's For St Mary's! We'll receive all profits from any items you purchase below. Order more to help us reach our fundraising goal!
Monica Hernandez, Principal mhernandez@stmaryslg.org
Kathy Rosendin, Administrative Assistant krosendin@stmaryslg.org
Diocese of San Jose
Congratulations Catholic Charities: The Diocese of San Jose congratulates Catholic Charities for being recognized by the Silicon Valley Business Journal with a Nonprofit Champion Award during the newspaper's 2020 Community Impact Awards. They received the honor recognizing their critical work this year in the community during the pandemic.
A guide to Celebrate Advent 2020 with your family and parish: Prepare this Advent Season for the Hope, Joy, Love & Peace that Jesus Christ offers us. Let us open our hearts and prepare to receive Christ’s message. Visit the Diocesan website to view weekly Advent 3-minute videos and a sharing discussion guide for the week. Also, you will find fun and rewarding family resources on the Advent guide webpage: www.dsj.org/advent . These can be done at home or join a small group at your parish.
White Mass for Health Care Workers: Bishop Cantú invites all Healthcare Professionals to a White Mass in their honor on Dec 6th at 9:00 am at Our Lady of Peace parish. This Mass recognizes the ministry of those across our diocese who protect life and care for the ill and dying, such as physicians, nurses, compassionate care minister, ministers of consolation, chaplains, mental health workers, and all in the medical profession. To register visit Life, Justice, and Peaceweb page. This Mass will also be Live Streamed on DSJ Facebook.
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.
