Bayne Bentley Ready to Write His Next Chapter
tvc . dsj . org | February 7 , 2017 in the diocese 3
Annual Diocesan Appeal 2017 : Proclaiming God ’ s Love , Together in Christ
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By Liz Sullivan
Mother Teresa once said “ love begins by taking care of the closest ones – the ones at home .” That quote could also be a way of interpreting this year ’ s theme for the Diocese of San Jose ’ s Annual Diocesan Appeal ( ADA ) – “ Proclaiming God ’ s Love , Together in Christ .”
“ In our actions we proclaim God ’ s love ,” said Bill Matthews , Director of Stewardship and Development for
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the Diocese , and whose department is responsible for running the campaign . “ We are the stewards of God ’ s work .”
The ADA campaign kicks off the weekend of February 10-11 and runs through April 9 , the weekend before Easter . This year ’ s goal for the 54 parishes in the Diocese is $ 6,066,745 . The incentive for parishes is that they can keep every dollar they raise above their individual goal . In 2016 , the ADA collected more than $ 8.2 million , with more than $ 2 million returned to the parishes .
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“ That is more than $ 2 million that we have put back into the local community ,” said Matthews . “ It is something we should be very proud of .”
In conjunction with the Department of Communications , the Department of Stewardship and Development produced a 5-minute video for parishes to play at Mass , along with other promotional materials such as a brochure . The
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brochure includes a letter from Bishop Patrick J . McGrath and highlights the way ADA has impacted the Diocese . This year ’ s topics are : Catechetical Ministry , Stewardship Ministry and Seminarians . It is written in English , Spanish and Vietnamese .
“ In the video you will see how we return God ’ s love for us by doing positive things for others ,” said Matthews . “ It is the simple things ; sometimes the things we take for granted .”
Learn more about Annual Diocesan Appeal at www . DSJ . org / ada .
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Bayne Bentley Ready to Write His Next Chapter
Business directory
By Liz Sullivan
At an age when most people are looking for slower pace of life Bayne Bentley discovered his second calling . Now , more than 18 years later , Bentley has closed a big chapter in his life .
The long-time Archivist for the Diocese of San Jose retired on January 20 . He was 64 when he took the job and had a fulfilling career as an engineer . A member of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph , Bentley , now 82 , was told about the position by then Pastor Monsignor J . Patrick Browne and administrator Sharon Miller .
“ When I heard about it , I knew it would be the perfect position for me ,” said Bentley . “ I had retired and I was looking for something and that was it .”
According to Canonical Law , which governs the Roman Catholic Church , every diocese must have an archive .
Can . 486 § 1 . All documents which regard the diocese or parishes must be protected with the greatest care .
§ 3 . An inventory , or catalog , of the documents which are contained in the archive is to be kept with a brief synopsis of each written document .
“ In many ways , Bayne has been the glue that holds us all together – literally , as he was the go-to person for our orders for glue and tape and a whole host of other office supplies for nearly 20 years ,” said Bishop Patrick J . McGrath . “ As our Archivist , he has been entrusted with organizing and caring for the historical artifacts of the Diocese . As much as we will miss him , we wish him a fruitful and restful retirement , one that is most certainly well-deserved .”
Bentley admitted a key to the job , which happened almost immediately after joining the Diocese : then Chancellor Linda Bearie in charge of the Archives sent her staff , including Bentley , to West Valley College for a two-day
seminar to learn about a computer software program for the archives . Bentley also developed a comprehensive database , still in use today , comprising the extensive collections of the Diocese .
“ That was a game changer ,” said Bentley . “ We have 18 departments in the Chancery ( Diocesan headquarters ), so it really , really helps . We build on it every day . Whenever we receive a box from the Chancery or a parish or school we immediately put what ’ s in the box in the database .”
Interestingly , Bentley ’ s arrival in the Diocesan offices came just a couple of years after he became a Catholic . He was confirmed by Bishop Emeritus Pierre DuMaine , the first Bishop of the Diocese of San Jose .
“ It was an intellectual conversion ,” said Bentley . “ I arrived at reason ; a point of view . I went to track the ministry of Jesus and I found that Catholics do it right . They are very solid .”
As a result of his commitment to the Diocese , Bentley was honored in August , 2014 with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal . It is awarded by the Pope , at the request of Bishop McGrath , and given for distinguished service to the Church .
“ What a nice surprise that was ,” said Bentley . “ A marvel of marvels .”
Bentley , who has two daughters and two grandsons , said he doesn ’ t have any immediate plans in retirement .
“ I plan on doing a lot of reading ,” he said with a smile . “ I will miss all of the cooperativeness of the people I have worked with over the years .”
For more information contact Karen Levesque , ( 408 ) 983-0262