The Valley Catholic October 21, 2014 | Page 2

in the dioceSe October 21, 2014 2 The Valley Catholic Bishop McGrath delivers State of the Diocese remarks By Liz Sullivan Diocese of San Jose Bishop Patrick J. McGrath held his annual State of the Diocese talk during the Catholic Professional’s monthly breakfast at Three Flames Restaurant, San Jose on October 9. While he touched on the solid state of affairs in the Diocese of San Jose, Bishop McGrath also spoke about his experience of meeting Pope Francis recently for the first time. McGrath, who just returned from a pilgrimage to Italy, was impressed with his first encounter with the Pontiff. “Pope Francis is different,” said McGrath, who was one of thousands on a hot Italian day to hear the Pope say Mass in St. Peter’s Square. “It is just like meeting another Bishop. You shake his hand and not kiss his ring as you have done with other Popes. He is also a Jesuit and I forgive him for that. He is a true Jesuit because he consults, consults, consults.” Elected Pope in March, 2013, Pope Francis has taken on the task of reforming the Roman Catholic Church and helping it progress with the rest of the world. “The Pope is like a new CEO of a company that has to be reformed,” said McGrath, who said he has met every Pope since Pope Paul VI except for the short lived Pope John Paul I. McGrath said the Pope and his advi- ‘The Diocese is strong thanks to all of you. There is no intent to close any parishes. We actually need to open another church in Gilroy. St. Mary’s is bursting at the seams.’ -Bishop McGrath sors are closely watching what transpires at the Synod currently taking place in Rome. The results of the Synod will be announced in a year, when the second phase of the Synod is complete. Of course, Pope Francis will make his first trip to America as Pope in September, 2015 when he is expected to attend the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. “The Pope wants to hear the truth,” said McGrath. “Not what people think he wants to hear and I think that is a great start. The Pope wants people to speak their minds so he can hear the challenges of the world and church and know what we are facing.” McGrath did have a message for the Pope; the first Jesuit ever elected Pope and who surprisingly doesn’t speak English. “People of all faiths love him,” said McGrath. “He knows what he’s doing, but he must act on what he hears and sees, if not we will be in a much worse situation that we already are. It was a lovely experience meeting him. I pray for him every day. He did ask me in English to pray for him.” McGrath did touch on the state of the Diocese in San Jose, including whether parishes will be closed. “The Diocese is strong thanks to all of you,” he said. “There is no intent to close any parishes. We actually need to open another church in Gilroy. St. Mary’s is bursting at the seams.” Michael Wentz, president of the Catholic Professionals, said it is always a treat to have Bishop McGrath give his yearly speech to their organization. “It is great that you visit us every year,” said Wentz. “It is fascinating to hear your dialogue and like you said, hopefully it is fruitful.” Faith Formation Conference is Priceless, Hugs are Free By Joanna Thurmann I see more smiling, laughing and hugging at two days of Faith Formation Conference than I do for the whole rest of the year. Faith makes us authentically joyful. As Christians, after all, we have a lot to celebrate, and it readily shows. Each year, I come for the free hugs. We celebrate joyfully, but we also toil in the vineyard. Outside conference halls, the obligations of balancing family, career, and ministry tug at our sleeves. We evangelize and catechize, feed the hungry, tend the wounded, and welcome the stranger. And we become tired and weary. But inside conference Are you connected with the Diocese of San Jose? Like us on Facebook Visit us online www.dsj.org Diocese of San Jose Follow us on Twitter @DioceseSanJose Information about parishes, schools, programs, events, jobs, ministries and more! The Valley Catholic Vol. 33 | No. 5 • October 21, 2014 Publisher Bishop Patrick J. McGrath Executive Editor & Communications Director Liz Sullivan [email protected] Communications Production Manager Yesenia Cabrera Hall [email protected] Communications Business Manager Mario Peña [email protected] Advisory Board Kelly Barbazette, Jeannine Leichner, Father Brendan McGuire, Amy Pizarro, Father Michael Russo, Sandra Torres, Penny Warne www.valleycatholiconline.com walls is a sanctuary; a safe haven to rejuvenate and refuel our minds, hearts and hugs for the year ahead. I seek its refuge, too. I also come to drink from a fire hose. With over 100 workshops from over 50 speakers, it is hard to choose just a few. In pas Ё啅