IN THE DIOCESE
tvc.dsj.org | February 20, 2018
3
“Sharing the Joy of the Gospel; Together in Christ” ADA 2018 Update
By Liz Sullivan
Throughout the Diocese of San Jose,
parishioners have responded to the
call of “Sharing the Joy of the Gospel;
Together in Christ” as the Diocese is in
the midst of the 2018 Annual Diocesan
Appeal (ADA).
“I am overwhelmed by the gener-
osity of the parishioners towards the
ADA and the needs of their parishes,”
said Joe Naylor, Chief Development
Officer for the Diocese of San Jose,
and also in charge of the department
overseeing ADA.
All funds collected over a parish’s
goal are rebated back to the parish.
Last year, the Diocese was able to rebate
more than $2.4 million to the 54 par-
ishes for their own needs. In the past,
these rebates have enabled parishes to
hire liturgical directors and remodel
areas of their churches in order to foster
more prayerful liturgical celebrations.
This year’s goal is $6.2 million, with
a projected 2018 parish rebate of $2.7
million. According to the Office of
Stewardship and Development, only
24 percent of parishioners participate
in the ADA. Naylor, ADA Manager,
Sue Pershon, and their team are hop-
ing the video, which features first-
time access to the Santa Clara County
Jail and the work of the Restorative
Justice Ministry, along with video of
the seminarians in their new home at
Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in
Mundelein, Illinois, and scenes of the
Bishop meeting with students and the
work of youth ministry, will inspire
more people to contribute.
According to the Offi ce of Steward-
s hip and Development, the parishes
successfully promoting the ADA are
doing it through:
• Well-thought out talks from Pas-
tors, ADA Chairpersons and
Parochial Vicars.
• Testimonials from key parish
volunteers – especially Permanent
Deacons and Institute of Leader-
ship in Ministry graduates.
• Showing the ADA video during
Mass.
• Promoting the ADA on the parish
website and Facebook pages, with
links to the video and Donate
Now Page.
• Email blasts from the Pastor.
In addition, 80 percent of the par-
ishes have added to their goals for
special projects. These projects include:
Audio/Visual installation/improve-
ada
ments in the worship space; hosting
a homeless women’s rotating shelter;
expanding youth ministry programs;
parish mission trips; debt reduction;
acquire adjacent land for future expan-
sion; parking lot repair & maintenance;
roof repair & maintenance; worship
environment renovations; grow par-
ish ministries; replace church window
coverings; stained glass repair/mainte-
nance; parish hall maintenance; parish
budget shortfalls; restroom remodels
– parish halls and churches; establish
building fund for future repairs; ex-
pand catechetic/religious education
programs; plumbing improvements
and new tables for parish hall.
One of those parishes which have
added to their goals is Holy Family
Parish, led by Pastor Father Andrew
V. Nguyen.
In his fourth year as Pastor, Nguyen
decided to combine the ADA campaign
with a needed project campaign at Holy
Family. This year’s ADA goal is $188,692
and the Project Campaign is $500,000.
Right now the parish has pledged about
$414,733 or 220 percent of their goal.
Realizing that there was only so
much he could ask of his parishioners,
Nguyen met with his Church Renova-
tion Committee and decided to begin
fundraising before the official ADA
Kick Off which was in mid-January.
This resulted in Holy Family securing
$275,000 in early donations.
“I called this the silent phase of the
campaign,” said Nguyen. “I was out
every day meeting with parishioners;
whatever time was convenient for
them. I am very pleased and grateful
to God and my parishioners for their
generosity.”
In his fi rst three years, Nguyen said,
the focus of ADA was small projects
outside the church. This year, and next
year, the focus is inside the church
including: pews, AC units and carpet.
“We decided if not now, when,” said
Nguyen in combining the ADA and the
Project Campaign. “People can see we
are meeting their needs, whether it be
physical or spiritual. We are all here to
serve God.”
To learn more about the 2018 Annual
Diocesan Appeal (ADA), and to see the
video, visit www.dsj.org/ADA.
Syro Malankara Bishop Visits San Francisco Bay Area
It was a grand occasion of abundant
blessing and joy for Saint Jude Malan-
kara Catholic Mission, San Jose as Most
Rev. Dr. Philipos Mar Stephanos made
his pastoral visit from January 22 – 28.
Saint Jude Malankara Catholic
Mission belongs to one of the Eastern
Catholic Churches, which follows the
ancient Antiochean Liturgical tradi-
tion. The Bishop, Mar Stephanos, is
the new Bishop of Saint Mary, the
Queen of Peace, the Syro-Malankara
Catholic Eparchy in the United States
and Canada. This was his fi rst pastoral
visit to the mission, which was offi cially
inaugurated on February 16, 2014 by
his predecessor Most Rev. Thomas Mar
Eusebius.
The enthusiasm of the faithful
reached even San Francisco as many
came up to the airport to welcome
His Excellency. The humble shepherd
was kind enough to visit with many
families and bless them. Needless to
say, the people of God were eager to
welcome him.
The highlight of His Excellency’s
pastoral visit was a solemn celebra-
tion of the most Holy Eucharist with
the people of God on January 27. The
celebration began with a solemn litur-
gical reception at the main vestibule of
Saint Mary of the Immaculate Concep-
tion Church in Los Gatos. Secretary,
Dr. Moni Mathew and treasurer, Liji
Mathew of the Saint Jude Malankara
Catholic Mission, welcomed him with
a fl ower garland.
In his pastoral exhortation, His
Excellency spoke about origin and
uniqueness of the Malankara Catholic
Liturgy, which traces back its heritage
to Saint James the Apostle, the fi rst
bishop of Jerusalem. The celebration
of the Holy Qurbono was a unique
experience of the ancient Liturgy even
to the parishioners of the Saint Mary
of the Immaculate Conception Church.
During the Holy Qurbono two children
received their First Holy Communion,
symbolizing growth in the Church.
The Bishop, Mar Stephanos, was in
awe with appreciation for the fellow-
ship he witnessed among the people
and with their pastor, Father Daniel
Biju Varghese. Dr. Moni Mathew
thanked everyone for the sacrifice,
teamwork and enthusiasm, which
enabled the successful completion of
a week of parish life with the Bishop.
His Excellency Philipos Mar Stepha-
nos was welcomed by the parish
of Saint Mary Immaculate Church
where he celebrated a Holy Mass in
Latin Rite on January 28. He thanked
Father Rick Rodoni, the Pastor of the
Saint Mary of the Immaculate Parish
and its parishioners for the gracious
support they provide to the Malankara
Catholic Mission.
Invites Everyone To Hear
Amanda Vohs
Director of Strategic Partnerships for Northern California
International Justice Mission (IJM)
"Following God's Call To Seek Justice"
Thursday March 8, 2018
Monthly Speaker Series | September - June
Join us for Morning Mass & special Speaker Presentations the second Thursday of each month
Mass: 7:00am | Speaker Presentation: 7:30am
Sponsored by:
Members: $18* | Non-Members: $25*
Three Flames Restaurant Banquet Room - 1547 Meridian Avenue, San Jose
RSVP for events at: www.sjcatholicprofessionals.com
* Increase effective September 15, 2017