Our final figures from the 2018 Catholic Charities Appeal are in, and I am delighted to let you know that the total contributions made to Catholic Charities from the generous members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish were $16,031. With the support of partners like you, Catholic Charities raised a grand total of $243,892. It is such a blessing to have Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County in our midst and offering hope to our neighbors in need that were helped last year. Thanks to you, we are changing lives for good.

Parish Goal: $185,000; Pledges: $270,051 – Paid: $216,310; Anticipated Refund: $86,044 Please keep making your regular payments. When all our pledges have been paid, St. Francis of Assisi will use our rebate to reduce parish debt and fund continuing improvements to our parish facilities. Thank you for your support of Bishop Cantú and our local Church

Jesus has a special compassion for the sick and suffering. He wants us to look out for them. If you are ill or homebound, or in a retirement home or a care facility or if you know a parishioner who needs pastoral care, please contact us. We will visit them, bring them Holy Communion and, if needed, offer them the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick by one of our priests. Contact Cecile Vo, Family Life Office at 408-223-1562 ext. 305 or tvo@dsj.org.

Every Sunday the children of our parish are given the opportunity to explore Sundays Gospel at their level of understanding. If your children enjoy this program, we ask that you give one hour a month to this special ministry. Many of our CLOW catechist are retiring and we thank them.  Please contact Lisa Nakamura at 408 224-1770 x316 or lnakamura@dsj.org.

Registration for JOY starts July 1, 2019. All sacramental preparation goes through the JOY process. Joy is open to everyone in our parish. Most of us as adults have not attended any formation (catechism classes) since then. For most of us the experience of “CCD” was dry and boring. Secondly, we think “I already know all that stuff about the Catholic Faith.” Well, let me tell you, a lot has changed since the time you went to Faith Formation or Catholic School. The Church continues to grow and learn about itself all the time.

As to be expected, SB 24, (Levya, D - Chino Hills) the bill that would provide chemical abortion-inducing drugs for students in public colleges and universities in California, was put on the suspense file during the Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing this week, but the bill is not by any means dead. Catholics throughout California held a novena from Aug. 3 - 11 asking for intercession from Our Lady of Guadalupe to defeat SB 24. Please continue to look out for any updates on this bill and any other ways you can help speak for and protect life in this state.

In a year when some California lawmakers attacked the core forgiveness ministry of Catholic priests, 44 men were ordained to the sacred priesthood for California, accepting God’s call to serve his people. Ordinations took place around the state, including the dramatic metropolitan cathedrals of Los Angeles and San Francisco, seven diocesean cathedrals from Sacramento to Orange, parish churches and the chapels of religious orders.

As your Pastor, I want to encourage all parents and guardians to also make plans for your children’s ongoing faith formation, as our own programs commence in just a couple of weeks. Your parish stands ready to help you in fulfilling this pledge. Over the summer, our Faith Formation Staff (Lisa, Lerma, and Kevin) have been hard at work preparing for this new year of learning and living our Catholic faith. We have programs for children in pre-school through high school. Our vision of faith formation is structured to engage children and youth in a process that is instructional, challenging, and fun.

Thank you to everyone who supported the mission and ministries of our parish during the month of July. Our average weekly collection was $20,344. You also generously donated to various important causes in our July 2nd Collections in the amount of $20,298 ($4,059 a week.) This brings our July total to $24,344 a week.  We budgeted our Sunday Offertory income for the first month of the new fiscal year (4 weeks) at $80,000 and received $81,376. Any additional income helps us to pay-down our $2.3 million debt. 

Skills: Custodial/Janitorial/Maintenance experience. Have knowledge of cleaning techniques and safety procedures, ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and pass a background check, possess strong communication, comprehension, and interpersonal skills. Have the flexibility to adjust his/her schedule to suit the needs of the church and motivation to work independently or with others to provide thorough, efficient custodial services to the church.

Working as a census worker can be a great way to make extra money while helping your community. The Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people across the country to assist with the 2020 Census Count. In Santa Clara County, the Bureau is looking to hire over 2000 census workers for a variety of temporary jobs, including census takers (also referred to as enumerators), recruiting assistants, office staff, and supervisors. Positions offer excellent pay ($24-$33 hourly rate), flexible hours, and paid training.

On a hot August night accompanied by fresh peach slices and sizzling pizza, about twenty young people gathered on the stone patio of St. Francis of Assisi Church to share fears and faith about college. Kevin Bernaga, parish Director of Youth and Young Adults and Maleny Quirnoz, parish Director of Hispanic Ministry, led the roundtable discussion that continued until 10 p.m.

The news was depressing, to say the least: A Pew Research Center poll generated headlines announcing that only 30% of American Catholics believe what the Church believes about the Eucharist — that it is the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, and not merely a symbol. Who’s to blame for that? We all have our guesses, I’m sure — but I also know that, in a crisis, assigning blame isn’t the top priority. Stopping the crisis is.

“This should be a wake-up call to all of us in the Church—priests, bishops, religious, laypeople, catechists, parents, everyone—that we need to pick up our game when it comes to communicating even the most basic doctrines of the Church,” Barron wrote on his blog Aug. 6.

The Church dedicates the month of August to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is a dogma of the Catholic faith that Mary is the Immaculate Conception; that is, in preparation for the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity in her womb, she was conceived without the corruption of sin through the infinite merits of her Son, Jesus Christ.

Parish Goal: $185,000; Pledges: $268,785; Paid: $207,504; Anticipated Refund: $84,778 Please keep making your regular payments. When all our pledges have been paid, St. Francis of Assisi will use our rebate to reduce parish debt and fund continuing improvements to our parish facilities. Thank you for your support of Bishop Cantú and our local Church

The Sacrament of Confirmation marks the completion of baptismal grace. Are you attending Mass each Sunday, and yet have not yet received this important sacrament? It’s time to step forward and complete your initiation into the Catholic Church. We will have a preparation session this Fall. If you are interested in participating or have questions, contact Lisa at 408-223-1759, ext. 316 or lnakamura@dsj.org.

Like other couples in your parish or family, you may be wondering if your marriage is fully recognized by the Catholic Church. Catholic Church law ordinarily requires baptized Roman Catholics to marry before a priest or deacon.

Following the updated Flowers Rules & Regulations, every 2nd Wednesday of the month facilities will remove all flowers & items. Please pick up your items prior to the 2nd Wednesday of the month, if you wish to keep them. Facilities will place items on designated tables near the outdoor sink. Items not retrieved will be given away or discarded the following Monday. St. Francis is not responsible for any items. Thank you for following the regulations. 2019 Wednesday clean up dates: August 14 , September 11, October 9 , November 13 and December 11.

The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office, is an important vehicle for advancing in the spiritual life. Fr. Timothy Gallagher shows you the basic elements of the Liturgy of the Hours; how to incorporate them into your day; how praying the Divine Office will revitalize your prayer life; and how it will extend the graces you receive at Mass and help you to apply them throughout your entire day. As Fr. Gallagher opens your eyes to this spiritual treasury, you will find yourself among the many Catholics who pray the Hours daily and are blessed and changed by this holy practice. Paperback.