The Valley Catholic December 13, 2016 | Page 5

commuNity tvc.dsj.org | December 13, 2016 5 God Needs You By Gregory Kepferle CEO, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County and president, Charities Housing Development Corporation Imagine a God who needs you. As I reflect on the story of the first Christmas, I am struck once again by the paradox of an all powerful God who chooses to be weak in order to be one with us weak humans, that we might become one with God. Jesus was conceived by an unwed teen, born homeless among animals, became a child refugee, lived in an occupied country ruled by a dictator, and was imprisoned and executed by the state as a convicted criminal. He needed food, shelter, an education, a livelihood, safety, and companionship. Jesus was very much like the people we see every day at Catholic Charities: refugee children, children of young moms, people who are homeless and need supportive housing, seniors and children who are hungry, children who want to learn, youth seeking safety from gangs, adults who want to work, people in jail or being released from jail who need housing, work, and an opportunity to turn their lives around, and families seeking a sense of belonging in their neighborhoods. Jesus becomes one with each of these who are rejected by society. Jesus also was a teacher, a preacher, a healer, a comforter, a community builder, a miracle maker. Today at Catholic Charities we have many staff and volunteers who share the same calling – to teach, to bring good news to those who are poor, to heal the The Diocese of San Jose Celebrates the Feast of The Santo Niño The Diocesan Council of Filipino Catholics (DCFC), Diocese of San Jose, invites one and all to the annual celebration of the nine-day Novena Masses in honor of the Feast of Santo Niño (Holy Child) from January 12 to January 20, 2017, at different parishes. The schedule of the Novena Masses is as follows: Day 1 Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. Saint Justin Day 2 Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. Our Lady of Peace Day 3 Jan. 14 at 4:30 p.m. Saint Victor Day 4 Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. Saint Maria Goretti Day 5 Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. Saint Elizabeth Day 6 Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m. Our Lady of Guadalupe Day 7 Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. Saint John the Baptist Day 8 Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. Saint Francis of Assisi Day 9 Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. Our Lady of Peace sick in mind and heart, to visit the imprisoned, to feed the hungry, to comfort the afflicted, to speak up for justice, to build homes and communities, to welcome the stranger. In doing this with a spirit of unconditional love, we celebrate the miracle of becoming the hands and feet of Christ even as we serve Christ in those we encounter. I invite you to join us in this ministry of witness to the miracle of Christmas. We need you. God needs you. To learn more go to www.catholiccharitiesscc.org. 25 50 Wedding Anniversary Celebr ation Celebr ación de Aniversario de Boda Couples celebrating their 5th (or less), 25th, 40th and 50th (or more) Wedding Anniversaries are invited to the celebration. Las parejas que celebran su 5º aniversario (o menos), 25º, 40º y 50º (o más) están invitadas a asistir a la celebración. 5 40 Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph 2 pm – February 4, 2017 (Reservations are required, register early due to limited seating) En la Catedral de San José a las 2 pm – 4 de Febrero 2017 (Reserve su lugar y registrese a tiempo los lugares están limitados) For information call/Para su información llame: Annie Bui [phone]. Register online/Registrarse en linea: www.dsj.org/WeddingAnniversaryMass ✃ Bishop Patrick J. McGrath will be the celebrant at the final Eucharistic Celebration on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at 12:00 Noon at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 S. Market Street, San Jose. A colorful procession of the traditional Filipino “Sinulog and Karakol” will take place at the Cathedral at 11:45 A.M. preceding the Mass. At 6:30 p.m., a dinner dance, capping the celebration, will be held at St. John the Baptist, Pavalkis Hall, 279 S. Main Street, Milpitas. Tickets are $30 prepaid and $35 at the door or through DCFC members. For ticket information, please call Poi Buenaventura at [phone]; Manny Balce at [phone]; or Marilyn at [phone]. Anniversary Mass Registration Form Misa de Aniversario Hoja de Registración Please print or type and return to the address below. Only those who are celebrating 5th (or less), 25th, 40th and 50th (or more) will receive certificates signed by the Bishop. A reception will follow the Mass. Por favor llene su hoja de registración y regrésela al domicilio indicado abajo. Solamente las parejas que celebran su 5º aniversario (o menos), 25º, 40º y 50º (o más) recibirán un certificado firmado por el Obispo y están invitados a la recepción. Mail to: Envie a: The Chancery Office for Parish Services Attn: Annie Bui (Wedding Anniversary Mass) 1150 North First Street, Suite 100 San Jose, CA 95112 www.dsj.org/wEddingannivErsaryMass rEgisTraTion dEadLinE/FECHa LiMiTE dE rEgisTraCiÓn janUary 20, 2017 Please print names exactly as you wish them to appear on the certificate: Por favor escriba su nombre como quiera que esté en su certifidado: Husband’s First Name/Nombre del Esposo Wife’s First Name/Nombre de la Esposa Prices starting at $2,499 ~ with Airfare Included in this price Last Name/Apellido Anniversary Being Celebrated/Años de Aniversario Several trips to different destinations: the Holy Land; Italy; France, Portugal, & Spain; Poland; Medjugorje, Lourdes, & Fatima; Ireland & Scotland; England; Austria, Germany, & Switzerland; Greece & Turkey; Budapest; Prague; Our Lady of Guadalupe; Colombia; Brazil; Argentina; Domestic Destinations; etc… Address/Domicilio City/Cuidad State/Estado E-mail/Correo Electrónico Telephone/Número de Teléfono from anywhere in the USA We also specialize in custom trips for Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Call us 24/7 Hablamos Español www.proximotravel.com [email protected] 508-340-9370 855-842-8001 Number of Guests Attending (limit to 5) Número de Invitados (limite de 5) Parish/Parroquia We wish our certificate/Nos gustaría nuestro certificado en ❐ English ❐ Español ❐ We are requesting handicapped seating for ____ peopl