The Valley Catholic September 23, 2014 | Page 2

IN THE DIOCESE September 23, 2014 2 The Valley Catholic Continuing the Legacy of The Valley Catholic Faith Formation Conference set for Nov. 21-22 at Santa Clara Convention Center Welcome to another edition of The Valley Catholic newspaper. My name is Liz Sullivan and I am the new Executive Editor. It is my great pleasure to join the Diocese of San Jose as editor of the newspaper and as well as the Director of Communications. I am a veteran of 17 years in the newspaper industry and spent more than six years in the public relations field in both Pennsylvania and California. A product of Catholic Schools in Pennsylvania (Sisters of Mercy and Holy Cross Fathers), I have lived in Northern California since November of 2012. I am passionate about newspapers and the message of the Diocese of San Jose. This is your newspaper and you can expect the same outstanding publication you have been reading since 1982. I look forward to working with Bishop Patrick J. McGrath and everyone associated with the Diocese of San Jose – staff, parishes, parents, students and parishioners, everyone to help take The Valley Catholic to the next level and improve an already outstanding publication. From news about to what’s happening at the Vatican to what’s happening right here at home in the Diocese of San Jose you can expect to find it all in upcoming issues of The Valley Catholic. This is an exciting time for the Diocese of San Jose and the Roman Catholic Church across the world. We want to be that source of information for you as we look forward to sharing the stories that matter to you in The Valley Catholic. Each edition of The Valley Catholic endeavors to provide on-going information and reporting of the Good News of the People of God in this Local Church. “The window to the world can be covered by a newspaper,” Stanislaw Jerzy Lec, Polish poet. Of course I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the outstanding contributions of my predecessor, Roberta Ward, who led The Valley Catholic since 1985. Roberta has left some pretty big shoes to fill, but with your help I am up for the challenge. I want to hear from you, the reader. Feel free to contact me at 408-983-0228 or [email protected]. Thank you. -- Liz Sullivan, Executive Editor The ninth annual Faith Formation Conference will take place Nov. 21-22, 2014, at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The Diocese of San Jose will join with the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Dioceses of Monterey, Oakland and Stockton to host the conference, themed to Living the Gospel Joyfully/ Viviendo el Evangelio con Gozo. Wendy Scherbart, Director of Catechetical Ministry for the Diocese of San Jose, said, “This two-day multi-cultural and multi-lingual event highlights the importance of lifelong faith development and is aimed at adults to enrich their faith and strengthen their knowledge, skills and commitment to be disciples in their Church and in the world.” Over 2,500 people are expected to come from all over northern California to attend the 105 workshops to be offered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese and to visit over 70 exhibits. “Parishioners and parents are encouraged to attend,” Scherbart said, along with church/parish ministers, including pastors, pastoral associates, school principals and teachers, catechists, liturgists, youth, young adult and social justice ministers. On Sat., Nov. 22, there will be a special track for environment and art. Nationally renowned speakers will include Joe Paprocki, Amy Florian, Jesuit Father Eduardo Fernández, LM Giuse Nguyễn Việt Hưng, Thomas Groome, SF Auxiliary Bishop Robert McElroy, Jesuit Fathers Greg Boyle and Christopher Collins, Lisa Hendey, Paulist Fathers John Hurley and Larry Rice, Nancy Bird, Dr. Lori Dahlhopf, Kathy Hendricks, Brother Mickey McGrath, Father Tony Ricard, Kerry Weber, Ann Garrido, Jesuit Father Chris Nguyen, Pedro Rubalcava and Dr. Francisco Castillo. Catholic schoolteachers from the Diocese of San Jose will join the conference Fri., Nov. 21 as in-service. Paprocki, National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, will give the keynote, “Proclaiming the Gospel Joyfully: No Sourpusses Need Apply!” Concluding Friday’s conference, a Wine & Cheese Gathering will take place in the exhibit hall. On Saturday, following a Eucharistic liturgy, there will be three keynotes: Amy Florian in English (see below), Father Eduardo Fernández in Spanish and LM Giuse Nguyễn Việt Hưng in Vietnamese. Workshop presenters will offer a variety of topics. Visit www.faithformationconference.com for more info. ‘The window to the world can be covered by a newspaper’ Are you connected with the Diocese of M