2
IN THE DIOCESE
Lenten Reflection These Lenten days resemble Jesus ’ time in the desert .
There is a completeness signified in the number 40 . 40 days for the great flood . 40 years of Israel ’ s exodus in the wilderness From Egypt to the Promised Land . Jesus ’ 40 days in the desert . This Lent – six weeks – 40 days .
For Him it was a time of testing , just as it is for us .
He was alone – but not really , because He and the Father have always been one .
Neither are we alone , for we have each other . And that is the true beauty of the season , this new spring , that we share this time with each other , that we support one another in the common practice of ashes , of abstinence , of fasting , of increased prayer and heightened care for the poor .
It is a time of grace , a time of reconciliation , a time in which we open ourselves to the Lord , even as Jesus did .
It is the time we think back to Noah and the flood , and to the waters of life and death which we call Baptism .
We look back , even as the catechumens , soon to be the Elect – chosen for Baptism – look forward .
How faithful have we been to those waters ? How deeply do we immerse ourselves in them today ? Is it time to do more than to dip our fingers in the font ?
We pray , we discipline ourselves – fasting , we care for the poor , which we should always do – but in Lent we try even harder than the rest of the year .
This is the invitation of these six weeks . It is our annual retreat .
So that when they are complete , we may enter again – more deeply – into the mystery of the dying and rising of the Lord .
He is light in our darkness , hope in our despair , life even beyond death .
And so in this hope , we die , we rise , we are made new ...
COMING UP IN THE DIOCESE
March 6 , 2018 | The Valley Catholic
Appointments of Bishop Patrick J . McGrath
March
7 Wed , 10 a . m . Mass and Visit , Holy Family School , San Jose 8 Thurs , 9:30 a . m ., Meeting of the Council of Priests , Diocesan Offices , San Jose Thurs , 1 p . m ., Meeting of the Bishop ’ s Cabinet , Diocesan Offices , San Jose Thurs , 5:30 p . m ., Catholic Committee on Scouting Reception , Kelley Hall Youth Center , Saint Frances Cabrini Parish , San Jose 11 Sun , 11:30 a . m ., Gaelic Mass , Saint Joseph Church , Mountain View 14 Wed , 10 a . m ., Archbishop Mitty High School , San Jose 15 Thurs , 2 p . m ., Installation of Bishop Myron J . Cotta as Sixth Bishop of Stockton , Saint Stanislaus
Church , Modesto 16 Fri – Mon , March 19 , Visit with diocesan seminarians , Mundelein Seminary , Chicago 20 Tues , Clergy Afternoon of Reflection and Dinner , Saint Joseph of Cupertino Parish , Cupertino
Tues , 7:30 p . m ., Chrism Mass , Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph , San Jose
In mid-February , 27 men went on retreat with our seminarians and diocesan priests , to discern a possible call to the priesthood at the Diocese ’ s of San Jose ’ s 2018 Men ’ s Discernment Weekend .
Each man found more clarity in the direction God was calling them , as they listened to talks , prayed the Liturgy of the Hours , Holy Hours and Mass , shadowed priests across the Diocese , had Spiritual Direction and group discussions , played games and had impromptu praise sessions with their brother retreatants , and enjoyed dinner with our priests and Bishop Patrick J . McGrath . The retreat closed with Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe .
Cantor Workshop March 10 @ 9:30-11:30 a . m ., Church of the Resurrection , 725 Cascade Dr ., Sunnyvale . An opportunity to improve your skills as leader of song and proclaimer of the word . Led by acclaimed composer Janet Whitaker . Cantors and accompanists encouraged to attend together . For more info or to RSVP contact Amy Stacke , ( 408 ) 245-5554 , astacke @ resparish . org .
Lenten Parish Mission March 12 @ 6:30 p . m . - March 14 @ 7:30 pm , Saint Nicholas Parish , 473 Lincoln Ave ., Los Altos . “ Surrender !” 3-day Lenten Parish Mission led by Father Patrick Dooling . Abbreviated session at 8:30 a . m . each day following morning Mass ( March 12 , 13 , 14 ). Full session at 6:30 p . m . each day . Hospitality and fellowship follows each morning and evening session . Learn more at www . stnicholasandstwilliam . org .
Faith Beyond 2000 – Part I – The Old Testament March 12 , 6:45-9 p . m ., Diocese of San Jose , 1150 North First St ., Suite 100 , San Jose . Faith Beyond 2000 is a dynamic formation program for catechists and others interested in gaining a better understanding of their faith . Faith Beyond 2000 , Part 1 . For more information , call ( 408 ) 983-0127 .
Meet the Author March 14 @ 7-8:30 p . m ., 43326 Mission Circle ( entrance off Mission Tierra ), Fremont . Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose Center for Education & Spirituality present : Meet the Author S . Donna Maria Moses , O . P . of American Catholic Women Religious : Radicalized by Mission in celebration of National Catholic Sisters Week . Free will offering . Register by March 12 at bit . ly / 2018 _ MariaMoses or call ( 510 ) 633-6360 .
Feast of Saint Joseph March 19 @ 12:05 - 2 p . m ., Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph , 80 S . Market St ., San Jose . The Table of St . Joseph , La Tavola di San Giuseppe , Bishop Patrick J . McGrath will celebrate 12:05 Mass . Please join us after Mass in Loyola Hall for a free Lunch 1 – 2 p . m . donated from various downtown restaurants in honor of Saint Joseph , the Patron Saint of our City San Jose .
The Valley Catholic
Publisher Bishop Patrick J . McGrath
Executive Editor and Communications Director Liz Sullivan easullivan @ dsj . org
Production Manager Yesenia Cabrera Hall yhall @ dsj . org
Business Manager Karen Levesque klevesque @ dsj . org
1150 N . First Street , Suite 100 , San Jose , CA 95112-4966 ( 408 ) 983-0260 PHONE | ( 408 ) 983-0295 FAX valleycatholic @ dsj . org | tvc . dsj . org
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 Postmaster : Send address changes to : Diocese of San José , 1150 North First Street , Suite 100 , San Jose , CA 95112-4966
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 valleycatholic @ dsj . org .
Deadline for the April 10 , 2018 edition of The Valley Catholic is March 16 . Please submit to : tvc . submissions @ dsj . org .
ADDRESS CORRECTIONS
To make corrections to your subscription , email us at : valleycatholic @ dsj . org
Or cut out and mail to : The Valley Catholic 1150 N . First Street , Suite 100 San Jose , CA 95112
Questions ? Call ( 408 ) 983-0260
Please correct my name Please correct my address
We are receiving two copies . Please cancel this subscription . Please cancel this subscription .