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COMMUNITY
November 7, 2017 | The Valley Catholic
One Hundred Years of Fátima at
Five Wounds National Portuguese Church
Oct. 13 marked the centennial of
Our Lady’s apparitions and the Miracle
of the Sun in Fátima, Portugal. Five
Wounds Portuguese National Church
commemorated this occasion with three
days of Masses and spiritual activities
that highlighted the Fátima message
focused on the prayer of the rosary, the
prayer for peace, contrition and repara-
tion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The celebration began with con-
fessions, Mass and a live candlelight
Rosary on the steps of the church.
Each rosary decade was led by native
speakers of Portuguese, Spanish, Eng-
lish, Vietnamese and Tagalog. Hearing
prayer in the diverse languages praising
God was moving.
The following day, Mass was cel-
ebrated and during the homily a story
was highlighted of a parishioner who
experienced a healing miracle after her
family experienced a conversion as a
result of hearing and living Our Lady’s
message in Fátima. Mass concluded
with a candlelight procession around
our church when the Rosary was prayed
and religious hymns sung.
During family morning Mass, chil-
Members of the Five Wounds Portuguese
National Church in San Jose celebrate the
100 th Anniversary of Our Lady appearing to
the children in Fatima.
dren performed a play that summarized
the apparitions of the Angel and Our
Lady in Fátima. At the Portuguese Mass,
a special Blessing of the Sick was given
to those in need. During Sunday’s hom-
ily, Father António Silveira highlighted
stories of faith, healing and graces
obtained by parishioners who off ered
their prayers to Our Lady of Fátima.
All attendees participated in prayers of
consecration to Our Lady and renewed
their commitment to prayer and spiri-
tual growth.
Bike-Based Food Drive Coming to San Jose
Cranksgiving – the bike-based food
drive – came to San Jose for the fi rst
time in 2016, where 65 riders gathered
more than 1,300 pounds of food to ben-
efi t Second Harvest Food Bank.
This year it’s back on Nov. 18. Regis-
tration is free and begins at noon at Saint
James Park, San Jose – the ride begins
at 1 p.m. After registering in either the
‘Speed’ or ‘Heavy Hauler’ category, rid-
ers are given a list of local grocery stores.
When the ride starts cyclists ride off to
buy specifi c items needed by Second
Harvest Food Bank and meet at the end
location (SOFA Market) for a weigh-in,
celebration, and great prizes!
Just bring a bike, a bag, a lock, a
helmet, about $20 to spend on the food
you’ll buy to donate.
For more information, please visit
cranksgiving.org.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
For more information contact Karen Levesque at (408) 983-0262.