COMMUNITY
tvc.dsj.org | September 5, 2017
Department for Evangelization Announces the Hiring of
Christopher Wemp; Approval of Diocesan Committees
Father John E. Hurley, CSP, the
Vicar for Evangelization for the Dio-
cese of San Jose, recently announced
the hiring of Christopher Wemp as
the new Director of Liturgy eff ective
September 5. He graduated from Santa
Clara University (SCU) with a Bachelor
of Music and Political Science and a
Master of Educational Leadership in
2015. Wemp is currently completing
his Master of Theological Studies at
the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa
Clara with an emphasis on liturgy.
Wemp joins the Diocese after serv-
ing as the Director of Professional
Development Programs in the SCU
School of Education. In this capacity
he designed and implemented pro-
grams that support ongoing profes-
sional development for organizations,
community programs and educational
institutions. He facilitated and taught
sessions on organizational behavior,
liturgical music best practices, pro-
gram assessment and technology
training. He supported and served
positive working relationships with
SCU partners like the Diocese with
Christopher Wemp
the Academy of Church Leadership
for priests and our Diocesan Depart-
ment of Education with the Blended
Learning Program. Since 2015, he has
served as Director of Music for Sunday
Masses at Saint Clare Parish. He is
also fl uent in Spanish and his Honors
thesis was on The Role of Music in
Social Awareness and Change in Peru
and El Salvador.
Initially, Wemp will work 3-4 days
a week while creating a smooth transi-
tion with the Diocese’s Drexel Schools
Blended Learning Program at SCU.
In addition, Father Hurley an-
nounced that the Diocesan Worship
Committee membership has been
On May 25 at Queen of Apostles Church, Vietnamese deacons and their wives gifted the com-
munity and friends with a traditional service that featured a traditional fl ower dance immersing
us in their customary way of honoring Mary.
Vietnamese Deacons Host Prayer Service
The Diocese of San Jose is among
the most diverse dioceses in the nation
and the San Jose Deacon community
is a microcosm of that amazing diver-
sity. Our deacon family is comprised
of thriving cultures and rich histories
that are refl ected in our multicultural
expressions of faith.
On May 25, at Queen of Apostles
Church, our Vietnamese deacons and
their wives gifted our deacon commu-
nity and friends with a traditional ser-
vice that featured a traditional fl ower
dance immersing us in their custom-
ary way of honoring Mary. From the
opening gong to the warm and deli-
cious hospitality that followed, our
understanding and appreciation of the
Vietnamese tradition was deepened.
Our exploration of the ethnic di-
versity within the San Jose Deacon
community will continue as we learn
to unconditionally embrace the diff er-
ences among us.
approved by Bishop McGrath. Joining
the Chairperson, Father Ritche Bueza,
members are: Sister Sharon McMillan,
SNDdeN; Deacon Willie Agbayani
who served as liturgy coordinator
at Saint Francis of Assisi and an ILM
Graduate; Cecile Mantecon, vice prin-
cipal of Saint Mary of the Immaculate
Conception School; Kathleen Quiazon,
Director of Mission and Ministry at
Notre Dame School; Deacon Greg
Ortiz, Cathedral Basilica and ILM
Graduate; and Robert Rodriguez, Saint
Christopher Parish.
Also, the Diocesan Word Commit-
tee membership has been approved by
Bishop McGrath. Joining the Chairper-
son, Father Sergio Ovando, members
are Sister Mary Han Nguyen, O.P.,
Catechetical Director at Saint Simon
Parish; Anabella Estrada, Pastoral As-
sociate at Our Lady of Refuge Parish;
Andrew Brown, Pastoral Associate at
Saint Lucy Parish; Christopher Brazil,
Principal at Saint John the Baptist
School; and Joselyn Martinez, Direc-
tor of Catechetical Ministry at Sacred
Heart of Jesus Parish, Willow Glen.
5
The 19 th Annual
Labor in the Pulpit
For the 19 th year, Labor in the Pulpit
(LITP) kicked off Labor Day weekend.
According to Father Jon Pedigo, Di-
rector of Advocacy and Community
Engagement for Catholic Charities of
Santa Clara County, Bishop Patrick J.
McGrath’s policy emphasis this year
is on aff ordable housing. And LITP is
kicking off the “moral persuasion” cam-
paign. Catholic Charities and Charities
Housing will work with deaneries
throughout the Diocese of San Jose, and
in collaboration with community-based
groups and coalitions to help share the
message that “We are our Brother’s and
Sister’s Keeper.”
Pedigo said the group wants to “em-
phasize our Catholic social teaching
that housing is a right and that all of us
are obligated to not only fi nd a solution,
but to be a part of the solution.”
The LITP is part of the Interfaith
Council, which is part of the Silicon
Valley Rising Campaign, a coalition
of labor, community and faith-based
organizations dedicated to addressing
income inequality in our communities.
Visit SiliconValleyRising.org/LITP.
for more information.
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