6
December 10, 2013
in the diocese
T
he Valley Catholic
Church of the Resurrection celebrates
50th anniversary with special Mass
By Roberta Ward
Church of the Resurrection in Sunnyvale celebrated its 50th anniversary of
founding with a special Mass, Nov. 10,
with Bishop Patrick J. McGrath presiding, along with current and past priests
who have served the parish.
Building upon the work of parish
founders, the current Resurrection
community continues its legacy of wor-
ship and service, noted Kathleen Faust,
Pastoral Associate and Director of Music
and Liturgy.
Father Robert Leger, third and current pastor, gave the homily, calling to
mind founding pastor Father Nicholas
Farana who served from 1963 to 1990 –
nearly 30 years.
Father Leger also acknowledged
Father Michael O’Connor who was pastor from 1990 to 2002, who died in 2008.
Father Leger has been pastor since 2002.
“This parish, in its 50 years,” Father
Leger said, “has had four bishops, three
pastors, nine school principals, and 31
parochial vicars (associate pastors).
What is really important are the people
of this parish. We are blessed by wonderful people who have made the parish
what it is and have brought us to this
celebration today.”
Father Leger spoke about the meaning of the parish’s name –“Resurrection.” “We know that Jesus promised us
eternal life, life after death,” he said. “Jesus is calling us here and now, giving us
a daily invitation to become more deeply
involved in our relationship with Him.
“It takes a lifetime to learn that and
gives us the opportunity to come to life
if we are willing to step out of our comfort zones,” he said, “and become more
as Christians, to say ‘Yes’ to God’s call.”
He said there are a variety of ways
to respond to the call, including becoming involved in parish ministries and
numerous services in the community,
such as visits to nursing homes.
“We are Resurrection people,” Father
Leger said, “and we pray we will have the
wisdom to continue to accept the call.”
Bishop Patrick J. McGrath (at altar) celebrated anniversary Mass at Church of the Resurrection; Father Robert Leger, pastor, is at right.
Restorative Justice prayer vigils
focus on victims of crime
The ministry of Restorative Justice
in the Diocese of San Jose is coordinated by Sister Maryann Cantlon, CSJ and
includes healing ministry volunteers,
headed by Lynne Lukenbill, who reach
out to victims of violence.
Lukenbill prepares prayer vigils to
remember victims and such a vigil was
held recently on the corner of San Carlos Street and Leigh Ave. in west San
Jose for homicide victim Pedro Meza
Hernandez who was slain in that area.
Lukenbill said, “Several of our ministry team also attended the viewing
and vigil with Pedro’s family members
and friends to express sympathy and
condolences as part of the Diocese of
San Jose. We thank those who support
this very important ministry.”
She said another young man was
found shot to death in a park near Capitol Expressway in San Jose. That victim’s name had not yet been released.
According to Sister Maryann, “Re-
At Restorative Justice prayer service (l-r)
Sister Karolina Hohmann, OP, Barbara
Harper, Doug Harper and Sister Gemma
Neunzling, OP pray for San Jose homicide
victim.
storative Justice is the process through
which relationships among victims, offenders and the community are healed
and restored.”
In whose hands is the Church of the future?
Earn a graduate degree in pastoral ministries with theological and pastoral formation for lay ministers,
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Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries
www.scu.edu/cas/pastoralministries
408-554-4831
www.valleycatholiconline.com