The Valley Catholic August 20, 2019 | Page 2

2 IN THE DIOCESE August 20, 2019 | The Valley Catholic Novena to Defeat Senate Bill 24 From Aug u st 3 -11, C at hol ic s throughout California were asked to pray a novena to Our Lady of Gua- dalupe. The novena was intended to commend all young college-age women and unborn children to the protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn. In a letter to the parishioners of the Diocese of San José, Bishop Oscar Cantú encouraged people to pray the novena, which would “serve as an opportunity to join the struggle of women who feel the pressure to abort their children, and witness to the love and support these women and children have in the Church. May all women and unborn children find safety, support, and welcome in the Church.” The novena was intended to raise awareness against SB 24. The state senate bill seeks to mandate all Cali- fornia state university health clinics to AUGUST 20 Tues, 9 & 10:30 a.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San José. Tues, 2 & 3 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San José. 21 Wed, 50th Anniversary Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas. 22-26 Out of the Office. 27 Tues, 3 p.m., USCCB Diocesan Audit – Exit Interview, OPCVA. Tues, 6 p.m., Catholic Charities Caritas reception, Almaden. 29 Thurs, 9 & 10 a.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San José. Thurs, 1:30 & 3 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San José. 30 Fri, 9 & 10:30 a.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San José. Fri, 2 & 3 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San José. dispense abortion-inducing medica- tions. Said Bishop Cantú, “universi- ties should especially be safe harbors for young women and their unborn children.” Furthermore, Bishop Cantú said, “as we joined in defense of the Seal of Confession against SB 360, may we unite with the assistance of the Blessed Mother in the defense of the most vulnerable in society against SB 24.” Statement from Bishop Oscar Cantú Regarding Senate Bill 360 The Diocese of San José has learned that State Senator Jerry Hill has with- drawn his bill, SB 360, regarding the Seal of Confession, from the California Assembly Public Safety Committee, just a day before its scheduled hearings. I want to thank the many parishio- ners who made their voices heard to their Assembly representatives in op- position to SB 360, as it violates the free practice of our faith. Our priests and I are grateful that we do not have to be subject to prosecution by law for being faithful to the privacy of Confession. The Seal of Confession is sacred and should not be broken. There is strong evidence that train- ing priests, teachers, staff, parents, and children to recognize suspicious behavior, report any and all instances of abuse and neglect, and prioritize the safety of children is resulting in the dramatic increase of safe spaces for The Valley Catholic Publisher Bishop Oscar Cantú Executive Editor and Communications Director Liz Sullivan [email protected] Business Manager children and families. The Church in San José continues to be vigilant in creating an environ- ment which is safe and nurturing for all. The reporting requirements and protections for clergy members are already identical to the requirements and protections for other mandated reporters, except for the provision ex- empting information acquired during a Confession. The Diocese of San José conducts background checks and requires re- certification training every three years for Diocesan bishops, priests, deacons, employees, and volunteers. Since 2002, approximately 52,500 adults in the Dio- cese have been trained to recognize and report child abuse. Working together to be vigilant and keep children safe, our Catholic community is committed to creating a safe environment for all children and families. The Valley Catholic (ISSN 8750-6238) is published for the Diocese of San José, 19 times a year: twice monthly except in August, December, and January (when one issue is published). The Valley Catholic is not published in July. Periodical postage paid at San José, CA and additional mailing offices. The Valley Catholic is dated and mailed to all registered households in the Diocese of San José. Subscriptions: $25 per year within Santa Clara County; $35 per year outside Santa Clara County Rosie Zepeda [email protected] Postmaster: Send address changes to: Diocese of San José, 1150 North First Street, Suite 100, San José, CA 95112-4966 Production Manager Opinions, quotes, and views appearing in The Valley Catholic do not necessarily reflect those of The Valley Catholic and do not represent an endorsement by The Valley Catholic. Acceptance of advertising for publication in The Valley Catholic does not constitute approval or endorsement by The Valley Catholic. Address all letters, news releases, advertising inquiries, circulation, and/or subscription requests to The Valley Catholic at the address listed above, or e-mail at [email protected]. Yesenia Cabrera Hall [email protected] 1150 N. First Street, Suite 100, San José, CA 95112-4966 [phone] PHONE | [phone] FAX [email protected] | tvc.dsj.org Appointments of Bishop Oscar Cantú SEPTEMBER 1 Sun, 10:30 a.m., Sunday English Mass & noon Spanish Mass, Our Lady of La Vang, San José. 3 Tues, 9 & 10:30 a.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San José. Tues, 2, 3 & 4 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San José. 4 Wed, 8:30 a.m., Mass & School Visit, St. Lawrence the Martyr, Santa Clara. Wed, 4 p.m., Opening Mass, Jesuit Leadership workshop, Santa Clara Mission Church. 5 Thurs, 9 a.m., Annual DRE & Youth Ministers, Mass & Commissioning Day, Church of the Transfiguration, San José. Thurs, 4 p.m., Prayer Shawl Ministry Anniversary, St. Francis of Assisi, San José. Thurs, 6 p.m., Village House Women’s Shelter, Annual Appreciation Dinner, Cathedral of Faith, San José. 6 Fri, 9 & 10:30 a.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San José. Fri, 2 & 3:30 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San José. Fri, 6 p.m., Marian Mass & Candle Light Procession, Our Lady of Peace, Santa Clara. 7 Sat, 4 p.m., Mass & Autumn Festival, Beginning of School year, Our Lady of La Vang, San José. Sat, 6:30 p.m., Mother Mary (Velankanni Madha) Celebration Mass, Indian Community, St. Cyprian Parish, Sunnyvale. 8 Sun, Opening Mass, 100th Anniversary Holy Name Church, Houston Texas. 10 Tues, 2:30 & 4 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San José. Retrouvaille Marriage Program August 23 @ 6 p.m. - August 25 @ 6 p.m., Saint Clare Retreat Center, Soquel. Retrouvaille of San José “Weekend Marriage Program.” The program offers the chance to redis- cover yourself, your spouse, and a loving relationship in your marriage. For more information or to register visit www.HelpOurMarriage.com, call [phone] or email [email protected]. Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat August 23 @ 3:30 p.m. - August 25 @ 2 p.m. Women, men, and couples – anyone affected by pregnancy loss – are encouraged to attend the Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. The retreat is a non-denominational, interfaith environment offer- ing Biblical principles and perspectives for restoration. Scholarships are available. Contact us at [email protected] for more information. Safe & Environment Training August 24 @ 9:15 a.m. – 11 a.m., Saint Elizabeth Parish, 750 Sequoia Dr., Milpitas. On-site Safe & Environment Training in Vietnamese language only in main church building. Celebration of Thanksgiving Honoring the Blessed Mother August 24 @ 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Holy Family Parish, 4848 Pearl Avenue, San José. The Diocesan Council of Filipino Catholics is inviting everyone to a Celebration of Thanksgiving Honoring the Blessed Mother. For more information, call: Lou [phone], Poi [phone], or Marilyn [phone]. Vigil for Migrants at the Border September 4 @ 7-8 p.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe, 2020 East San Antonio Street, San José. Sponsored by the Department for Evangelization, the vigil is being held in solidarity with the migrants who have died attempting to cross the border between the U.S. and Mexico. On the cover: The Diocese kicks off a new school year with the Annual Convocation Mass. Deadline for the September 10, 2019 edition of The Valley Catholic is Friday, August 23, noon. Please submit to: [email protected]. ADDRESS CORRECTIONS To make corrections to your subscription, email us at: [email protected] Or cut out and mail to: The Valley Catholic 1150 N. First Street, Suite 100 San José, CA 95112 Questions? Call [phone] Please correct my name Please correct my address We are receiving two copies. Please cancel this subscription. Please cancel this subscription.