The Valley Catholic April 25, 2017 | Page 8

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April 25 , 2017 | The Valley Catholic
Bishop Announces the Formation of the Department for Evangelization ; Names Father John Hurley , CSP , as Vicar
By Liz Sullivan
Over the last several years the Diocese of San Jose ( DSJ ) has identified Word , Worship and Witness as the characteristic elements of Evangelization . Under the guidance of Bishop Patrick J . McGrath , the Diocese has engaged in surveys , diocesan assemblies , deanery meetings and conversations with parish leaders and Chancery personnel regarding the structure and functions of the Office of Parish Services ( OPS ), specifically how they could be more aligned with the needs of the DSJ parishes and schools .
On March 31 , Bishop McGrath announced the formation of the Department for Evangelization and named Father John Hurley , CSP , as Vicar . This department will replace OPS and include services in the areas of Liturgy , Youth and Young Adults , Faith Formation
, Marriage and Family Life , Cultural Diversity , Social Ministries , and the Institute for Leadership in Ministry ( ILM ).
“ I have full confidence that the formation of this new department and our ongoing work with leadership in the areas of Word , Worship and Witness , our evangelical efforts will be well-resourced and appropriately aligned with the needs of the parishes and communities throughout our local church ,” said the Bishop in making the announcement .
A Paulist , Father Hurley has a broad background in the area of Evangelization , both locally and nationally . Ordained in 1977 , Hurley has worked on parish , diocesan and national levels . A native of New York , Hurley served as pastor of Old Saint Mary ’ s Cathedral in San Francisco where he currently resides . He earned a B . A . in Religious Education from the Catholic University of America , a Master of Divinity
Father John Hurley , CSP
degree from Washington Theological Union and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley .
In 2014 , Hurley launched New Evangelization Strategies . Through this ministry , based in San Francisco , Hurley helps diocesan leaders , parish leaders , councils and others create a new paradigm for evangelization . Among his many assignments , Hurley led the Archdiocese of Baltimore Department of Evangelization . In addition , in 2014 , Hurley became an adjunct faculty member
of the Academy of Church Leadership at Santa Clara University .
The mission of the Paulist Fathers is to evangelize , or preach , the Gospel .
“ I have known the Bishop a very long time and I welcomed the offer to lead the Department for Evangelization ,” said Hurley , who officially began his new role on April 18 . “ The Bishop is very committed to what we want to put in place through Word , Worship and Witness . I thrive on the challenge of doing something like this and it has been a blessing to find the Diocese of San Jose . I am very energized by all of it .”
Hurley added , “ I think we are in a good place in the Diocese of San Jose . The question is how the offices serve the parishes . I see my role as a listener . I think that the most effective means of evangelization is listening . We need to more effectively respond to the needs of the parishes , prioritize and function as a cohesive unit .”
Detention Ministry Training Session Set
The next training session for Detention Ministry will be held on May 20 at the Chancery : 1150 North First Street , San Jose . If you would like further information , contact Sister Maryann Cantlon at ( 408 ) 983-0131 or at mcantlon @ dsj . org .

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Bishop ’ s Message on Adults at the Center to the Parishioners of the Diocese of San Jose
Third Sunday of Easter , April 30 , 2017 Gospel : Road to Emmaus Lk : 24 : 13-35
Dear Friends ,
After Jesus appeared to his disciples on the road to Emmaus , they proclaimed , “ Were not our hearts burning [ within us ] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us ?” This is what happens when we recognize Jesus ’ presence . Sometimes , though , we do not live with open eyes and burning hearts . Like the two disciples , we often need help to see the Word of God with eyes of faith .
Life can feel like an accelerating hurricane , and we frequently seek to anchor ourselves . Our relationship with Jesus Christ and the faith community is the anchor for well-being and spiritual growth .
The Surgeon General says the most prevalent disease today is isolation . In the most connected age in history , what ails us the most is being disconnected . God wants to be in relationship with us . God made us for relationships . A relationship with God and others keep us moving toward Christian maturity .
Since the Second Vatican Council , the Church has sought to significantly change the role of the laity from spectators to participants . Adult faith formation is at the root of this participation . What you received as children is not sufficient to grow in faith as adults within today ’ s Church .
Jesus frees captives . Adult faith formation frees adults from what ensnares them . Like the Disciples who walked
with Jesus to Emmaus , our fast-paced culture can prevent us from seeing what is right in front of us . Emancipatory learning allows adults to reflect on how we live to find ways to align our lives with the message of Jesus . Adult faith formation calls on us to do it Jesus ’ way . Adult faith formation :
• Is foundational for the success of our diocesan Evangelization initiative ;
• Is key to deepening our relationship with Jesus ;
• Promotes active membership in the Christian community ;
• Prepares adults to act as disciples in service to the world . I encourage you to engage with the hearts of adults , build them up in the faith , and send them into the world as disciples .
“ Let us strengthen our commitment and intensify our efforts to help the adults in our communities be touched and transformed by the life-giving message of Jesus , to explore its meaning , experience its power , and live in its light as faithful adult disciples today . Let us do our part with creativity and vigor , our hearts aflame with love to empower adults to know and live the message of Jesus . This is the Lord ’ s work . In the power of the Spirit it will not fail but will bear lasting fruit for the life of the world .”
– US Bishops , Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us , 183
Bishop Patrick J . McGrath