The Valley Catholic January 21, 2020 | Page 5

COMMUNITY tvc.dsj.org | January 21, 2020 5 Catholic Cemeteries: Allow us to Walk with You in the New Year By Laura Schemmel Another year has passed. It brought us love, joy, happiness, and all of its opposites. How was it for you? Did you keep your resolutions from last year? It’s reported that only up to 8% do keep their resolutions. Surprisingly, this usually happens within the first month. We would like to help facilitate your resolution to document your End-of-Life plans. This could include an array of things from completing your Advance Directive to purchasing your burial property. We do not know when our death will happen. As baptized Catholics, we do know that God will send the angels to be with us and that our place with Jesus is there and waiting for us. As good stewards of what God has given us, why wouldn’t we take care of making our final statement of FAITH. Now is a time you can document your wishes and select someone to imple- ment them when you cannot. On January 25, Catholic Cemeter- ies will have an Open House at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Los Altos from 10am to 2pm. There will also be an Estate Planning and Ad- vance Directive Seminar from 10 a.m. – noon, followed by a reception. This is an opportunity to look at property and discuss with professionals your options for Estate Planning, Advance Directive and Burial Property. Paul Pelosi, PAP Law Office, will address many aspects for estate plan- ning to include Revocable Living Trust and charitable and legacy planning and gifts. He will also cover Durable Power of Attorney and Healthcare Power of Attorney. Estate planning also involves giving permission to a family member, friend, or an attorney to carry out your wishes if you become incapacitated while still alive. Without the proper planning and documents, probate court may lead to unintended distribution of assets. Cindy Safe, former director of CODA Alliance and former Program Director of Senior Services for Catho- lic Charities, will give step by step instruction on completing an Ad- vance Directive. This form is specific to California and provides detailed information. Use the durable power of attorney and advance directive in conjunction to ensure you receive the care you desire. Enacting only a durable power of attorney may leave you at the will of the decision mak- ing of your elected representative, whereas the advance directive serves as a blueprint to your preferred health decisions. An advance directive will provide instruction for the durable power of attorney on how to proceed. Failure to enact both may leave you susceptible to health care decisions The Integral Program contradictory to your wishes. End-of-Life Planning can seem overwhelming. It is very easy to pro- crastinate on this. Give yourself and your loved ones the gift of peace of mind. Allow San José Catholic Cem- eteries to walk with you as Jesus walks with all of us, by aiding with making these tough decisions in accordance with Catholic Social Teaching. Let us know you’d like to attend our Seminar or meet with a Counselor by calling (650) 288-1506. Upcoming Workshop New Paths For Healing A One Day Grief Retreat February 29, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saint Nicholas Church – 473 Lincoln Avenue, Los Altos. Facilitator: Candee Lucas, M.A. Pastoral Ministries Consider a day of reflection, encoun- tering the presence of God in your daily life in the midst of grieving. The day will include prayer, reflection and hands-on activities to explore the ways in which grief and God color our lives. $15. RSVP by February 21, (650) 288-1506 or [email protected]. Season of Sharing Program Made Christmas Brighter for Families Catholic Charities’ Season of Shar- ing program made Christmas 2019 brighter, thanks to the support of many generous donors. Businesses, parishes, schools, and individuals donated 1,350 new gift items for people of all ages served through Catholic Charities programs. Special thanks to all who donated, in- cluding generous individuals and fami- lies, and the following organizations: • ACTenviro: Hazardous Waste Disposal Services • Bellarmine College Preparatory Dad’s Club • Church of the Ascension • Ciari Plumbing & Heating, Inc. • CSLOT: Center for Speech, Language, Occupational and Behavioral Therapy • ENS Technology • One Workplace • Santa Clara University • Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church For information on how you, your parish, or company can get involved in Season of Sharing in 2020, please call Emma Harris, (408) 325-5250. 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