The Valley Catholic March 5, 2019 | Page 2

2 IN THE DIOCESE March 5, 2019 | The Valley Catholic Lent 2019: Ash Wednesday, March 6 Lent focuses on two aspects of Christian life. First, we remember our Baptism and prepare those to be baptized. Second, we practice more intensely Christian penitential disciplines in order to live more faithfully the vows we made, or will make, at Baptism. In these two ways, Catholics prepare for the great Easter sea- son when those who are not Christian are baptized and those who are already Christian renew their baptismal promises. Because we often fail to live out our baptismal call, we sin in ways that weaken our relationship with God, each other, and the world. Through our Lenten penance, we strive not only for inward conversion but also for outward reconciliation with the Church, those around us, and creation. Thus, we practice more intensely three penitential disciplines: prayer, fasting, and works of charity and love. Prayer and Works of Charity During Lent, Catholics participate more often in the Eucharist not only on Sun- day but also on traditionally penitential days, such as Friday. We also celebrate the Sacrament of Penance and other liturgies, such as Evening Prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. To deepen our prayer life, we participate in other devo- tions and works of service, including Stations of the Cross, daily prayer, Scripture reading, spiritual reading, alms-giving, self-denial, forgiveness of others, and increased care for those in need. Fasting and Abstinence We practice the traditional penitential discipline of fasting by denying or limit- ing ourselves of food. During Lent, Catholics age 18 or older, until the beginning of their 60 th year, are obligated to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting means eating only one full meatless meal per day. One may also eat two other meatless meals that are sufficient to maintain strength but together do not equal a full meal. One may also drink liquids, including milk and fruit juice, between meals. If your health or ability to work is affected, you are not obligated to fast. If possible, fast on other days of Lent as well. We practice abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent. On these days, from the day after one’s 14 th birthday, all Catho- lics are bound by Church law to abstain from meat. For children younger than 14, pastors and parents should form them to have an authentic sense of penance, conversion, and reconciliation. Easter Duty and Holy Communion All the faithful, after they have participated in First Communion, are obligated to share in Communion at least once a year. This law must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at some other time during the year. In the United States, with regard to this law, the Easter season is the period from the First Sunday of Lent until Most Holy Trinity Sunday (the Sunday after Pentecost). Sacrament of Penance After Baptism and a diligent examination of conscience, members of the Chris- tian faithful who are old enough to understand what they have done are obligated at least once a year to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance if one has consciously committed a serious sin. The Church encourages us also to confess less serious, or venial, sins. Are you connected with the Diocese of San Jose? Visit us online www.dsj.org Like us on Facebook Diocese of San Jose The Valley Catholic Publisher Bishop Patrick J. McGrath Executive Editor and Communications Director Liz Sullivan [email protected] Business Manager Follow us on Twitter @DioceseSanJose Follow us on Instagram @DioceseSanJose The Valley Catholic (ISSN 8750-6238) is published for the Diocese of San José, 19 times a year: twice monthly except in August, December, and January (when one issue is published). The Valley Catholic is not published in July. Periodical postage paid at San Jose, CA and additional mailing offices. The Valley Catholic is dated and mailed to all registered households in the Diocese of San Jose. Subscriptions: $25 per year within Santa Clara County; $35 per year outside Santa Clara County Rosie Zepeda [email protected] Postmaster: Send address changes to: Diocese of San José, 1150 North First Street, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95112-4966 Production Manager Opinions, quotes, and views appearing in The Valley Catholic do not necessarily reflect those of The Valley Catholic and do not represent an endorsement by The Valley Catholic. Acceptance of advertising for publication in The Valley Catholic does not constitute approval or endorsement by The Valley Catholic. Address all letters, news releases, advertising inquiries, circulation, and/or subscription requests to The Valley Catholic at the address listed above, or e-mail at [email protected]. Yesenia Cabrera Hall [email protected] 1150 N. First Street, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95112-4966 [phone] PHONE | [phone] FAX [email protected] | tvc.dsj.org March 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Appointments of Bishop Oscar Cantú Tues, 9 a.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Tues, 10:30 a.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Tues, 1:30 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Tues, 3 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Wed, Noon, Ash Wednesday Mass, St. Joseph Cathedral, San Jose Thurs, 9:30 a.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Thurs, 2 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Thurs, 3 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Thurs, 4:30 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Fri, 9 a.m., Mass & School Visit, St. Catherine, Morgan Hill Sun, 10 a.m., Sunday Mass at St. Martin Parish, Sunnyvale Sun, 3 p.m., Rite of Election, St. Joseph Cathedral San Jose Mon, 9 a.m., Internal Office Meetings, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Mon, 1 p.m., Internal Office Meetings, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Mon, 4:30 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Mon, 7:30 p.m., Rite of Election, St. Joseph Cathedral San Jose Tues, 7:00 a.m., Mass for Immigration Workshop, Santa Clara Mission Tues, 9:00 a.m., CMS – Center for Migration Studies, presentation, SCU, Santa Clara Tues, 3 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Wed, 11 a.m., USCCB – SCEMS Sub-committee, conference call Meeting Thu, 10 a.m., Mass & School Visit, St. John Vianney, San Jose Thu, 2 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Thu, 6 p.m., Lenten Recollection Retreat, St. Martin of Tours Parish, San Jose Fri, 9 a.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Fri, 1:30 p.m., Jesuit Provincial & Bishops meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Sat, 6:30 p.m., Domican Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, San Jose Sun, 9 a.m., Sunday Mass, St. Mary’s Parish, Gilroy Sun, 1 p.m., Sunday Mass, Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Jose Mon, 9 a.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Mon, 10:30 a.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Mon, 1:30 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Mon, 3 p.m., Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Mon, 6 p.m., St. Francis High School Board of Directors Gathering, Los Altos Hillls Tues, 9 a.m., Mass & School Visit, St. Martin of Tours, San Jose Tues, Noon, Feast of St. Joseph Mass, St. Joseph Cathedral, San Jose Tues, 3 p.m. Internal Office Meeting, Diocesan Offices, San Jose Tues, 7 p.m., Feast of St. Joseph Mass, St. Joseph Parish, Mountain View Correction In a photo caption on Page 17 of the February 19 issue of The Valley Catholic one of the people in the photo accompanying the Archbishop Mitty story was misiden- tified. It should be Lorraine Shepherd, Principal at Sacred Heart Nativity Schools. Same Address; New Look The Diocese of San Jose (DSJ) unveiled a new website on February 25 and an updated logo. The new website can still be found at the same address – www.dsj.org, but includes much, much more. The new website is intended for use by everyone, whether they work for the Church, are parishioners or school families, or are simply searching for information on the Catholic Church. In an effort to have consistent DSJ branding throughout the Diocese, people are asked to refer to the brand guidelines. This will detail the do’s and don’ts of how to use the new logo along with the official colors and fonts. Questions or concerns can be directed to the Office of Communications at [email protected], or Liz Sullivan [email protected] in the Office of Communications, or Jason Crain [email protected] in Technology Services. Deadline for the April 16, 2019 edition of The Valley Catholic is Friday, March 29, noon. Please submit to: [email protected]. ADDRESS CORRECTIONS To make corrections to your subscription, email us at: [email protected] Or cut out and mail to: The Valley Catholic 1150 N. First Street, Suite 100 San Jose, CA 95112 Questions? Call [phone] Please correct my name Please correct my address We are receiving two copies. Please cancel this subscription. Please cancel this subscription.