The Valley Catholic December 10, 2013 | Page 2

2 December 10, 2013 in the diocese Ian Abell honored with Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (For the Church and the Pope) medal is an award of the Roman Catholic Church, also known as the “Cross of Honour.” It was established by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 to honor lay men and women. It is the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity by the Papacy. Bishop Patrick J. McGrath recently presented Ian Abell, diocesan Director of Facilities, with the award for his service to the diocese Ian Abell (r) holds parchment presented to him as recipient of over the past six years. the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal (on his lapel), joined by Abell is charged with (r-l) his wife Tamra Abell, Bishop Patrick J. McGrath, and Ian’s overseeing all buildings mother, Regina Abell. of parishes, schools and other diocesan “In addition to acting as a resource entities. for our pastors and principals, Ian has Bishop McGrath said, “Ian is a worked tirelessly in the upkeep and humble man, a man who does his work renovation of my residence, a house without any expectation of thanks, built in the first quarter of the 20th solely for the benefit of the Catholic century.” community of the Diocese of San Jose. The bishop continued, “Mr. Abell is Together with our Chief Finance Offia gentleman who exemplifies kindness, cer, he carried the major responsibility honesty and faith. He is also active in for preparing our new chancery buildhis parish, St. John Vianney, in San ing for occupancy. Jose.” T he Valley Catholic Appointments of Bishop Patrick J. McGrath December 10 Tues, 11:30 a.m., Docent Christmas Lunch, Loyola Hall, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, San Jose Tues, 5:30 p.m., Annual Clergy Dinner, Saint Christopher Church, San Jose 11 Wed, 5:30 p.m., Citti Family Holiday Open House, San Jose Wed, Midnight Mass, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph 12 Thurs, 11 a.m., Mass and Lunch, Maryknoll Community, Los Altos Thurs, 1:30 p.m., Meeting of the Bishop’s Cabinet, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Thurs, 5:30 p.m., Bishop’s Circle of Excellence Christmas Open House, San Jose 13 Fri, 6:30 p.m., American Leadership Forum of Silicon Valley Annual Christmas Open House, San Jose 14 Sat, 4 p.m., Mass of Thanksgiving, Our Lady of La Vang Church, San Jose 15 Sun, 9 a.m., Advent Mass, Elmwood Men’s Detention Facility, Milpitas Sun, 2:30 p.m., Wigilia, Saint Brother Albert Mission, San Jose 18 Wed, 7 p.m., Mass, Simbang Gabi, Saint John the Baptist Church, Milpitas 19 Thurs, 5 a.m., Mass, Simbang Gabi, Our Lady of Peace Church, Santa Clara Thurs, 12 noon, Lunch with Ecumenical Leaders, Campbell Thurs, 4 p.m., Finance Council Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose 20 Fri, 12:30 p.m., Chancery Staff Christmas Bishop’s Christmas card contest winners (Left) Art by Joycelyn George of St. John the Baptist School, Milpitas, second place; and Jake Mifsud, Queen of Apostles School, third place (below). Open House, San Jose 21 Sat, 5:30 a.m., Mass, Simbang Gabi, Holy Family Church, San Jose 22 Sun, 2 p.m., Clergy Christmas Open House, San Jose 24 Tuesday, Midnight Mass, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, San Jose january 9 Thurs, 9:30 a.m., Council of Priests Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Thurs, 1 p.m., Meeting of the Bishop’s Cabinet, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Thurs, 5:30 p.m., South County Catholic High School Dinner, San Jose 13 Mon, 5:30 p.m., Mass and Dinner, Annual Clergy Night at SCU, Santa Clara 14 Tues, 6 p.m., St. Sylvester Award Reception, San Jose Appointments of Auxiliary Bishop Thomas A. Daly December 10 Tue, 1 p.m., Clergy Personnel Board Mtg, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Tue, 10, 5:30 p.m., Advent Clergy Dinner, San Jose 12 Thurs, 8:30 a.m., School Mass, Saint Lawrence the Martyr Parish, Santa Clara 14 Sat, 4 p.m., Th anksgiving Mass, Our Lady of LaVang Parish, San Jose january 9 Thurs, 5:30 p.m., South County High School Dinner, San Jose 14 Tues, 14, 6:30 p.m., Talk, St. Leo the Great School, San Jose 22 Wed, 11 a.m., Pro-Life Mass, Saint Nicholas Parish, Los Altos The Christmas Letter from Bishop Patrick J. McGrath and Auxiliary Bishop Thomas A. Daly (Page 1) is available in Spanish and Vietnamese online: www.dsj.org and www. valleycatholiconline.com. CORRECTION In the Nov. 19 edition, page 3, “Reflection,” Father Robert Brocato is listed as pastor of Christ the King Parish in San Jose. That was his previous assignment, concluded in 2009 when he took a mission assignment in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Upon returning from Jamaica, Father Brocato has been pastor of St. Mary Parish in Gilroy. The Valley Catholic Vol. 31 | No. 16 • December 10, 2013 Publisher Bishop Patrick J. McGrath Director of Communications Bernadette Luongo-Hoye [email protected] Executive Editor Roberta M. Ward [email protected] Communications Production Manager Yesenia Cabrera Hall [email protected] Advisory Board Kelly Barbazette, Jeannine Leichner, Father Brendan McGuire, Amy Pizarro, Father Michael Russo, Sandra Torres, Penny Warne www.valleycatholiconline.com 1150 N. First Street, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95112-4966 [phone] PHONE | [phone] FAX [email protected] | www.valleycatholiconline.com The Valley Catholic (ISSN 8750-6238) is published 19 times a year: semi-monthly in September, October, November, February, March, April, May, June and monthly in August, December, and January. The Valley Catholic is not published in July. Diocese of San José, 1150 North First Street, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 951124966. 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