COMMUNITY
tvc.dsj.org | April 25, 2017
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CATHOLIC CEMETERIES: He is Risen, Alleluia!
pray, “Indeed for your faithful, Lord,
life is changed not ended, and, when
this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an
eternal dwelling is made ready for them
in heaven.” (Roman Missal) Faith in this
belief brings hope and peace. Catholic
Cemeteries join the faithful in proclaim-
ing, “He is risen, Alleluia!”
By Kathy Fanger
Pope Leo I called Easter the greatest
feast and rightly so. It is the most impor-
tant day in our liturgical year. Our faith,
hope, and joy celebrate Jesus’ resurrec-
tion from the dead and his promise of
eternal life for all who believe in him.
Jesus came into the world as our
Savior, to die for our sins once and for
all, and to be raised from the dead, alive
again! Even today, Jesus is alive in our
hearts through the power and gifts of
the Holy Spirit.
There are many scriptures that point
to our hope in eternal life. Jesus prom-
ised, “I am going to prepare a place for
you, I will come back again and take
you to myself, so that where I am you
also may be. I am the Way and the Truth
and the Life. No one comes to the Father
except through me.” John 14: 3-6
When Martha’s brother, Lazarus,
died, Jesus promised her, “Your brother
will rise.” He declared, “I am the resur-
rection and the life. Whoever believes
in me will live, even though they die;
and everyone who lives and believes
in me will never die. Do you believe
this?” Martha responds, “Yes, Lord, I
Having Faith During
Diffi cult Times
CHING MING: Father Carlos Alberto Olivera joins members of the San Jose Chinese Catholic
Mission at Gate of Heaven Cemetery on April 1 following their annual bilingual Rosary, Mass and
Ching Ming ceremony honoring deceased ancestors. More than 100 attendees then visited the
resting place of their loved ones.
have come to believe that you are the
Messiah, the Son of God, the one who
is coming into the world.” John 11:25-26
Jesus asks the same question of us: “Do
you believe?” As an Easter people, we,
like Martha, may confi dently respond,
“Yes, I do believe!”
When Jesus appeared to Thomas
after his resurrection, he said, “Have
you come to believe because you have
seen me? Blessed are they who have not
seen me, and have believed.” John 20:29
You and I are those believers who have
not seen, but believe.
On Easter weekend, our Catholic
Cemeteries are a testimony to this faith.
They burst forth with hundreds of
visitors who spend peaceful time at the
beautiful resting places of their loved
ones. Family members and friends pray
and decorate the sites with colorful bou-
quets of spring fl owers, plants and white
lilies. They hold onto the belief that their
loved ones live with the Lord, and that
one day they will be reunited with them.
In the Preface for Christian Death, we
April 29, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish
Fireside Room
5111 San Filipe Road, San Jose
Presenter: Monsignor Sandersfeld
This is a FREE workshop.
Jesus is the way, the truth and the
life. How has faith helped me during
the diffi cult times in my life, to come
to know my own giftedness and that
of others, and live life more fully in the
joy of the Kingdom? For more infor-
mation, contact (650) 428-3730 or visit
[email protected].
D I O C E S E O F S A N J O S E C AT H O L I C C E M E T E R I E S
Spring Open House
Saturday, April 29th — 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery
22555 Cristo Rey Drive, Los Altos, CA 94024
Free End-of-Life Planning Guide
(when you mention this ad)
Learn about our 0% interest financing* (up to 36
months) or how you can receive 10% off with a cash purchase
on all burial space. New construction is available, including
niches & in-ground burial. Pre-arrange your funeral and
cemetery needs and give your family a peace of mind.
An experienced counselor is available to answer any questions you may have.
Call us today 650.549.6056 or visit CATHOLICCEMETERIESDSJ.ORG.