tvc . dsj . org | February 21 , 2017 commuNity 5

On March 25 at 3:30 p . m ., the Diocese of San Jose will hold its annual Celebration of Consecrated Life at the Leontyne Chapel located at Bellarmine College Preparatory . Bishop Patrick J . McGrath will preside .

March 25 , the feast of the Annunciation , is a fitting day for Religious to echo Mary ’ s “ Yes ” as she responded without reservation to God ’ s call . Special recognition will be given to the jubilarians who also responded to a call – some for 25 , 50 , 60 , 70 or 80 years . This is something to celebrate !

Sister Rosalie Pizzo , Bishop ’ s Delegate to Religious , encourages family , friends , coworkers , pupils , past and present , who may or may not know any of the Religious listed , to join in this celebration . It is a way , not only of expressing gratitude for the many years these women and men have served the church , but also a recognition that all of us have answered a call , first at baptism and then in the various and unique ways that we have lived out this call .

The Liturgy is followed by a reception at the Liccardo Center adjacent to the chapel . Here all gather to enjoy good food , share stories and renew old friendships .

WOMEN RELIGIOUS

Daughters of Charity of St . Vincent de Paul Sister Mary Genevieve Moonier , DC Sister Kathleen Grimley , DC Sister Stella Marie Zahner , DC Sister Trinitas Hernandez , DC

Maryknoll Sisters of St . Dominic Sister Nancy Thomas , MM

CELEBRATION OF CONSECRATED LIFE Jubilarians in the Diocese of San Jose

80 Years 70 Years 60 Years 60 Years

70 Years

Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet Sister Elaine Coutu , CSJ

Sisters of St . Joseph of Chambéry Sister Maryann Cantlon , CSJ

Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Sister Claudia McTaggart , SNDdeN

60 Years

60 Years

60 Years

Dominican Sisters - Congregation of the Queen of the Holy Rosary Sister Jane Frances Garrison

50 Years

MEN RELIGIOUS

Society of Jesus ( Jesuits ) Father Gerald Lentz , SJ Father Louis Peinado , SJ Father Joseph Retzel Father Norbert Rigali , SJ Father Joseph Angilella , SJ Father Paul Bernadicou , SJ Father John McBride , SJ Father Lawrence Murphy , SJ Father Alfred Naucke , SJ Father Frederick Tollini , SJ Father Robert Fitts , SJ Father Reynold Gatto , SJ Father Thomas Splain , SJ Brother Michael Bennett , SJ Father Robert John Egan , SJ Brother Frederick Mercy , SJ Father Mark Ravizza , SJ Father Duc Vu , SJ Brother James Sanders , SJ

Society of Mary ( Marianists ) Father Francis Nakagawa , SM

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Father Marvin F . Deutsch , MM Father Thomas F . Donnelly , MM

70 Years 70 Years 70 Years 70 Years 65 Years 65 Years 65 Years 65 Years 65 Years 65 Years 60 Years 60 Years 60 Years 60 Years 50 Years 50 Years 25 Years 25 Years 25 Years

60 Years

60 Years 60 Years

Sunli has only been with the Thompson family for a few months , but from day one , when she came off the plane and met Mia Thompson , she called her “ Mama .”

Mrs . Thompson is a first-time foster mom . She and her husband have a seven-year old son , and decided to open their hearts and home to welcome a foster youth into their family . Going from the mother of a young child to the mother of a teenager was a challenging transition , but an easy decision . “ My husband and I feel a social obligation to reach out and help people who need support , especially when those needing support are children .”

Mia felt confident in the supportive structure of Catholic Charities ’ Refugee Foster Care program . As an African-American mother to a teen from Asia , Mia wanted her daughter to feel comfortable in the United States and feel like a part of the family . One of the biggest challenges was that Sunli did not speak English , similar to many refugee youth , and could not express herself . With a bit of patience , Mia and Sunli began to communicate with gestures and hugs during the first few weeks . They began to cultivate a better understanding of one another and their love and trust as a family grew .

Sunli and her foster care mother become a family through Catholic Charities ’ Refugee Foster Care program .

“ What we have learned is that no matter where you bring these kids from , no matter their cultural or ethnic background , with a little bit of empathy and a lot of understanding , you can live together as a family ,” Mia said . “ You have absolutely nothing to lose , but so much to gain from this experience .”

The Refugee Foster Care program provides a home to youth who have lost their family , culture , and country . We match our youth with loving families and provide several channels of support to help them thrive in the U . S . To learn more about our Refugee Foster Care program , please contact Angela Albright , Division Director , at aalbright @ catholiccharitiesscc . org .

Vehicle Donations Support Catholic Charities ’ Refugee Resettlement Program

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