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COMMUNITY
June 25, 2019 | The Valley Catholic
Notre Dame San Jose High School Breaks Ground on Center for Women’s Leadership
By Liz Sullivan
To some it is a moment in history
that is easily overlooked, but not to
those associated with Notre Dame San
Jose High School.
On August 26, 2020, the all-girls
high school will dedicate the Center
for Women’s Leadership. That date is
significant because it marks the 100 th
Anniversary of the signing of the 19 th
Amendment to the US Constitution.
The 19 th Amendment gave women
the right to vote.
On June 11, the high school held
a ceremonial groundbreaking on the
site of the new center in downtown
San Jose.
“Today is an important day for
Notre Dame San Jose High School,”
said Principal Mary Beth Riley. “I am
so thankful for this community to help
make this happen.”
The Center for Women’s Leader-
ship will serve as an icon of Notre
Dame’s 168-year history in San Jose. It
will provide spaces that reflect Notre
Dame’s mission and support the vision
to expand opportunities for young
women to innovate in an open-lab
environment, to chart a path toward
career and life work and to consider
what it means to be a Catholic in the
21 st Century.
“I have seen first-hand how Notre
Dame inspires women,” said Randy
Pond, campaign co-chair, whose wife
is an alumna of Notre Dame. “The time
has come for women to be educated
with these strong leadership skills
they deserve.”
Santa Clara County Supervisors,
Cindy Chavez and Dave Cortese,
presented Notre Dame officials with
a Commendation from the Board for
their efforts in making this happen.
“I have extreme reverence and
respect for the past and what Notre
Dame has brought to our community,”
said Chavez. “You (Notre Dame) are
announcing to the word that this is
your path and this is your intention
and I am very excited for you.”
Family Estate Legacies Live on in the Priesthood
By Kathy Fanger
With great joy, newly ordained
priest, Father John Hoang, celebrated
one of his first Masses with 51 rela-
tives and friends on June 8 th at Calvary
Catholic Cemetery, the resting place
of his parents, Pierre Dam Hoang and
Teresa Tuyet Hoang.
Father John began his homily with
a huge smile, “You have a priest in the
family! This is a surprise! A surprise
because most of you knew me grow-
ing up, and probably did not see this
coming…Believe me, I myself did not
see it coming! I just wanted to learn
more about my faith, but through
prayer I was called, and trusted that
the Lord wanted me here, and here I
am. Surprise!”
Father John’s grandmother and par-
ents must also have been surprised. His
grandmother always encouraged John’s
oldest brother to become a priest. But
for John, the youngest, following four
sisters, the topic was never even dis-
cussed. In his 20’s, John was a DJ, often
out until 2 or 3 in the morning, with
his parents waiting. A priest? Hardly.
Father John continued, “What sur-
prises has God made in your lives?
Where has he called you? God’s work
is a mystery, yet we are surprised
when we reflect upon His work in
those big and little tasks and events in
our lives. That’s when we say, ‘Thanks
be to God.’ Even when, at times it
hurts, we say this because of our trust
in Him.
Father John chose to celebrate one
of his first Masses as a priest with
Father John Hoang sprinkling holy water on
the grave of his parents
Newly ordained Father John Hoang poses with family and friends after Mass at Calvary
Cemetery.
those closest to him, alive and de-
ceased, because here at this site some
have seen one or more of their family
members or friends laid to rest here.
This is the physical place they are. Fa-
ther John stated, “So, when we come
to visit, we keep in mind the memories
they have left with us and how they
have impacted our lives in a certain
way. So, we reflect on these things.”
Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese
of San Jose bridges the gap before,
during and after the death of a loved
one. We honor a life legacy by provid-
ing hope and compassion, peace of
mind and financial stewardship in a
beautiful resting place where we can
reflect on the lives of those who have
died and their impact on us. Let us
share the journey with you in protect-
ing your loved ones and your legacy.
Catholic Cemeteries can provide as-
sistance and resources to help with all
your End-of-Life needs.
Upcoming Workshops
Estate Planning Workshop
June 29, 10 a.m. – Noon
Saint Joseph of Cupertino Parish
10110 N. DeAnza Blvd. Cupertino, CA
Facilitator: David Ryan, Esq., Providen-
tial Law Corp.
An estate plan is more than just a
document that designates how our
assets are passed down. Having an
estate plan in place has a variety of
benefits that extend beyond simple
inheritance and cover critical elements
that wills ignore, such as guardianship
for your children, protection for your
business, what happens if you are inca-
pacitated, as well as burial and funeral
plans. Come join us for an educational
session on what you an do today to
protect your family, your wealth,
assets and yourself. For more infor-
mation, contact Catholic Cemeteries
(650) 428-3730 or [email protected].
Caregivers’ Mass and Brunch
July 20, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery – All
Saints Chapel 22555 Cristo Rey Drive,
Los Altos
Caregivers and the person you are
caring for, if able, are invited to this
Mass which will include the sacrament
of the Anointing of the Sick. Please
RSVP by July 15 to (650) 428-3730 or
[email protected].
Death Café
June 19, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. (3rd Wednesday
of each month)
890 Benton Street, Santa Clara
Facilitator: Candee Lucas, M.A. Pastoral
Ministries
Space provided by Santa Clara
University Graduate Program in Pas-
toral Ministries. For more informa-
tion: www.deathcafe.com/deathcafe.
Endorsed by Catholic Cemeteries