The Valley Catholic November 29, 2016 | Page 2

2 in the DioceSe

Statement on the Election

The Church holds in high regard the sacred right and duty of all citizens “ to use their free vote to further the common good ” ( Gaudium et Spes , 75 ). Therefore , “ the Church praises and esteems the work of those who for the good of humankind devote themselves to the service of the state and take on the burdens of this office ” ( 75 ).

Thus , we congratulate President-Elect Donald Trump and pray for his administration .

A hallmark of our Christian faith is that we are one . Our nation has experienced great division over the course of the political campaigns . Although the election has ended , our work as Catholics continues . It is time to heal the wounds .

We ask Catholics and all people of good will to unite to continue to forge one nation , subject to the rule of law and to unite as one American people , committed to the common good of these United States , with its government “ of the people , by the people and for the people ” ( Abraham Lincoln , Gettysburg Address ).

Let us stand with Jesus who stands with the poor and vulnerable , the worker and the immigrant , the prisoner and the victim . Let us stand with the Creator who made sacred , holy , and good all creation and human life from its beginning to its natural end . Let us stand with the Holy Spirit who inspires us to work together to eradicate injustice , bigotry , and hatred at every level of human action .

We draw near to the close of the Year of Mercy , a Jubilee Year inspired by the work of Vatican II . Let us recommit ourselves to the Council ’ s vision of the role of the Church in the world , when it said : “ There is no better way to establish political life on a truly human basis than by fostering an inward sense of justice and kindliness , and of service to the common good …” ( Gaudium et Spes , 73 ).

May God bless you all and may all of our people come together as “ one nation , under God , with liberty and justice for all .”

California Bishops Express Disappointment in Loss of Prop 62

The following statement was released by Edward “ Ned ” Dolejsi , executive director of the California Catholic Conference of Bishops :

“ Yesterday ’ s elections were the culmination of a long and contentious election season marked by cynicism and alienation . Nevertheless , California ’ s voters fulfilled their civic duty and placed their votes . The democratic process , once again , demonstrates that the will of the people is sovereign .

“ The California Catholic Conference of Bishops is extremely disappointed that Proposition 62 , which would have ended the use of the death penalty in the state , was not successful . In this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy , it would have been the fitting culmination of a year-long call to live out the Works of Mercy .

“ While it is disappointing that Proposition 66 prevailed and the death penalty was upheld , we give thanks for the passage of Proposition 57 , and that restorative justice will be a focus in California ’ s prisons . This is a significant milestone in recognizing the dignity and worth of every human being , no matter how flawed . We look forward to the good works that will come as a result of this new law .

“ The California Catholic Conference also renews its call for all Californians to work with the victims of crimes and their families to deal with the grief and heartbreak they experience almost daily . This is not only true in capital cases , but whenever someone is harmed by crime . They , along with all those involved in the criminal justice system , need our prayers and support .

“ We are especially grateful to the thousands of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to repeal the death penalty and promote justice . We are indebted to them for the hard work and for their living example of mercy and compassion ; and we thank them for being a voice for life and dignity in today ’ s world .”

November 29 , 2016 | The Valley Catholic

Appointments of Bishop Patrick J . McGrath

November

29 Tues , 1 p . m ., Clergy Personnel Board Meeting , Diocesan Offices , San Jose Tues , 5 p . m ., Evening Prayer and Dinner , Marianist Community , Cupertino

30 Wed , 7:30 p . m ., ILM Class , Cristo Rey School , San Jose

December

1 Thurs , 9:30 a . m ., Council of Priests Meeting , Diocesan Offices , San Jose

Thurs , 5:30 p . m ., Annual Clergy Dinner , Saint Christopher Parish San Jose 2 Fri , 11 a . m ., Mass and Lunch , Maryknoll Community , Los Altos 3 Sat , 4 p . m ., Mass , National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry / Faith Formation Conference , San Jose Convention Center , San Jose 4 Sun , 2 p . m ., Installation of Pastor , Our Lady of Peace Church , Santa Clara 6 Tues , 5 p . m ., Mass and Dinner , Knights of Malta , Carmelite Monastery , Santa Clara 7 Wed , 12 noon , Christmas Potluck Celebration , Catholic Foundation of Santa Clara County Office , San Jose Wed , 5:30 p . m ., Bishop ’ s Circle of Excellence Christmas Open House , San Jose

8 Thurs , 1 p . m ., Meeting of the Bishop ’ s Cabinet , Diocesan Offices , San Jose Thurs , 5:30 p . m ., Our Lady of Fatima Villa , Saratoga

9 Fri , 11:30 a . m ., Docent Potluck , Loyola Hall — Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph , San Jose

Fri , 7 p . m ., Mass for Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe , Our Lady of Guadalupe Church , San Jose 10 Sat , 10 a . m ., Groundbreaking , Holy Cross Church , San Jose 11 Sun , 2 p . m ., Wigilia , St . Brother Albert Chmielowski Polish Mission , San Jose Sun , 12 Midnight , Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe , Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph , San Jose

13 Tues , 10 a . m ., Mass and Visit , Saint Lucy School , Campbell Tues , 5:30 p . m ., Bishop ’ s Circle of Excellence Christmas Open House , San Jose

COMING UP IN OUR DIOCESE

Faith Formation Confere nce & National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry December 1-3 @ 8 a . m . – 5 p . m .; San Jose Convention Center , West San Carlos Street , San Jose . For more information , visit www . faithformationconference . com .

Annual Layette Tea 2016 December 4 @ 3 – 5 p . m .; 4848 Pearl Avenue , San Jose . Join us for prayers , speakers , basket raffle and refreshments . For further information , please call Eileen McMahon at ( 408 ) 978-5298 .

Faith Beyond 2000 – Part 2 – The Eucharist December 5 @ 8 a . m . – 5 p . m .; Chancery , 1150 N . First Street , San Jose . A dynamic formation program for catechists and others interested in gaining a better understanding of their faith . Contact ( 408 ) 983-0127 for further information .

Advent Morning of Prayer December 8 @ 9:30 a . m . – 1 p . m .; 366 St . Julie Drive , San Jose . Mary “ Full of Grace .” Facilitator , Father RON SHIRLEY , Pastor Emeritus for Resurrection Catholic Community in Aptos . Registration Fee : $ 25 . Morning Hospitality and Lunch will be provided .

Nativity Diorama at Our Lady of Peace Parish December 9 @ 5 - 9 p . m .; 2800 Mission Blvd , Santa Clara . “ Come to Bethlehem ” a biblical Nativity Diorama is on display from December 9 to January 8 . Come see more than 200 hand-crafted figurines from Murcia , Spain depicting the mysteries of the life of Mary and the Christ Child . For more information call ( 408 ) 988-4585 .

Messenger Craig Harrison Advent Talk December 13 @ 7 – 8 p . m .; 4325 Jarvis Avenue , San Jose . Monsignor Craig Harrison who was awarded the Mother Teresa Award at the recent Italian Catholic Federation national convention in Fresno , will be speaking . His talk is entitled “ Our Advent Spiritual Journey – Slow Down , Simplify and Sanctify .” Contact Dick Pfaff ( 408 ) 265-7902 .

On the cover Bishop Patrick J . McGrath joins Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph Pastor , Father Joseph Benedict ( left ), Deacon Greg Ortiz and Parochial Vicar Father Michael Syjueco . ( Photo courtesy of Jen Vazquez )

The Valley Catholic

Publisher Bishop Patrick J . McGrath

Executive Editor & Communications Director Liz Sullivan easullivan @ dsj . org

Production Manager Yesenia Cabrera Hall yhall @ dsj . org

Business Manager Karen Levesque klevesque @ dsj . org

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