The Valley Catholic December 13, 2016 | Page 2

2 iN the Diocese

December 13 , 2016 | The Valley Catholic

January

5 Thurs , 1 p . m ., Meeting of the Bishop ’ s Cabinet , Diocesan Offices , San Jose 7 Sat , 1 p . m ., Mass for 25th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination , Our Lady of Refuge Church ,

San Jose 8 Sun , 10:30 a . m ., Sacred Heart FIRE Speaker Series , Sacred Heart Church , Saratoga 11 Wed , 12:30 p . m ., Mental Health Ministry Network Meeting , Diocesan Offices , San Jose 12 Thurs , 9:30 a . m ., Council of Priests Meeting , Diocesan Offices , San Jose

Thurs , 5:30 p . m ., CFSSC Reception , Saint William Church , Los Altos 13 Fri , 8:30 a . m ., Faculty In-Service , Archbishop Mitty High School , San Jose 16 Mon , 1 p . m ., Catholic-Muslim Prayer for Unity , Support , and Solidarity , SABA Mosque , San

Jose 17 Tues , 2 p . m ., Episcopal Ordination , Saint Columban Church , Diocese of Orange

Dear Brothers and Sisters , The events that we commemorate at Christmas still powerfully resonate with us after more than two thousand years .

• It is the story of a Birth that came about under mysterious and miraculous circumstances .

• It is a tale of hopes and dreams , of promises kept , and of quiet faithfulness .

• It is about journeys of discovery and escape , of pilgrimage and a young family ’ s flight to safety .

• It is , above all a story of boundless lov e .

Christmas is the story of the Holy Family of Jesus , Mary and Joseph , of angels , shepherds , magi and the flight into Egypt – a tale of such great love for humanity that God would restore the original unity of Creation through the Birth of Jesus Christ . When the Word became flesh , “ heaven is wedded to earth and humanity is reconciled to God ” ( Saint John Paul II ).

Today , the story of Christmas is retraced in the life of our world . In coming to worship the Lord , many Christians risk safety , even their very lives . In the harrowing journeys of migrants across the borders of nations – and even into our own country – the flight of the Holy Family becomes real once more .

The insecurity , suffering and death that so many refugees experience cannot go without our care and our attention . Truly , Jesus , the Word made flesh , is present in all who walk their treacherous paths .

This Christmas , we must renew our bond with all men and women of good will , trusting in the Lord who gave us everything in the gift of Jesus . May we in turn offer ourselves in this same love .

I pledge to you and your loved ones Christmas blessings and special remembrance in my Masses .

With every best wish and kind regard , I remain ,

Sincerely yours ,

Patrick J . McGrath Bishop of San Jose

The winner of Bishop McGrath ’ s annual Christmas card contest is Isabella Connolly . ( pictured with her brother Jack ; mother Racquel and father John ). At the time of the contest she was a Kindergartener at Saint Mary ' s School in Los Gatos . Bishop McGrath presented her with a framed copy of the Christmas card she created .

Second place – Mia Gallarate : at the time of the contest she was a seventh grader at Saint Martin of Tours School .

Third place – Amanda Tsang : at the time of the contest she was an eighth grader at Saint Joseph of Cupertino School .

The Valley Catholic

Publisher Bishop Patrick J . McGrath

Executive Editor & Communications Director Liz Sullivan easullivan @ dsj . org

Production Manager Yesenia Cabrera Hall yhall @ dsj . org

Business Manager Karen Levesque klevesque @ dsj . org

1150 N . First Street , Suite 100 , San Jose , CA 95112-4966 ( 408 ) 983-0260 PHONE | ( 408 ) 983-0295 FAX valleycatholic @ dsj . org | tvc . dsj . org

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 Jose , CA and additional mailing offices . The Valley Catholic is dated and mailed to all registered households in the Diocese of San Jose .

Subscriptions : $ 25 per year within Santa Clara County ; $ 35 per year outside Santa Clara County Postmaster : Send address changes to : Diocese of San José , 1150 North First Street , Suite 100 , San Jose , CA 95112-4966

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 valleycatholic @ dsj . org .

Deadline for the January 17 , 2017 edition of The Valley Catholic is Tuesday , December 21 . please submit to : tvc . submissions @ dsj . org .

ADDRESS CORRECTIONS

To make corrections to your subscription , email us at : valleycatholic @ dsj . org

Or cut out and mail to : The Valley Catholic 1150 N . First Street , Suite 100 San Jose , Ca 95112

Questions ? Call ( 408 ) 983-0260

Please correct my name Please correct my address

We are receiving two copies . Please cancel this subscription . Please cancel this subscription .