These unprecedented times of pandemic, has made everyone’s condition volatile. Being in quarantine has brought so much stress to our minds and bodies. We all need some creative ways to get some relief, to lose those pounds gained, to make our bodies active once again, to make our minds clear and our spirits up. So, the Vocations office of the Diocese of San Jose is very pleased to bring you “Rev Up the Sems” Fun Run/Walk – Virtually! Yes, Virtual! You can join us run, walk, dance, skip, hop, or jump....your pace, your space. This fun-filled event will run for a month, beginning June 15, 2020 until July 15, 2020. For rules and details, please visit us at https://www.dsj.org/event/rev-up-the-sems-2020/

Beginning at 6pm on June 13 through 8am on June 14, we will continue our parish tradition of an all-night adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in our Chapel. It would be a wonderful time of grace if you could spend at least one hour with our Lord on this great feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Please visit our web page for a google.doc link and sign up for your holy hour or call the parish office.

The ancient Litany to the Holy Spirit gives us a great summary of who he is and his actions in our lives.

The Catholic Health Association of the United States also has some wonderful COVID-19 spiritual resources including prayers, meditations and online masses. It also provides online chapels for prayer and candle lighting where individuals can enter the virtual chapel of their choice and leave an intention. Top

I echo the statement issued today by the US Bishops in the wake of the death of George Floyd: “We are broken-hearted, sickened, and outraged to watch another video of an African American man being killed before our eyes.” The senseless taking of life defies the fundamental principle of justice and respect for human life. We must recognize the fact that all lives are sacred. As Catholics, it is not enough to relegate our concern to only thoughts and prayers. Our church, at every level, must speak out unequivocally and work against the sin of racism.

There is an abundance of hope that the time for re-opening our churches for public worship is near. The Diocese of San Jose’s Task Force in anticipation of the reopening of our churches for worship has given to each parish a set of guidelines that we are required to follow. Our parish staff continues to work at adapting these guidelines to meet the specific needs of our own parish.

Our COVID-19 Resource Page on our website is available to access community services. A list of parishes with dates and times of food distribution is below. If you can give help, please visit our website, send a check or call: catholiccharitiesscc.org/donate. Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, 2625 Zanker Rd., San Jose, CA 95134 (408)325-5191

ADA 2020 Parish Goal: $220,000 - Pledged: $220,220 – Average Gift: $474   You are amazing! Despite the tremendously difficult times we are living in, your outpouring of generosity and support for our local Church of San Jose is a true sign of God’s goodness. We have gone over our goal of $220,000. My thanks to the 465 parishioners who turned in their gifts and pledges towards this year’s ADA. Every dollar from here-on-in (pledged and paid above our goal) will be rebated back to St. Francis of Assisi.  

Thank you to everyone, who continue during this time of quarantine, to support the mission and ministries of our parish during the month of April. Our average weekly collection was $15,299 (20% increase!) Our Easter collection was $33,000. You also generously donated to various important causes in our April (2nd Collections) in the amount of $10,452 ($3,484 a week.) This brings our April total to $18,793 a week.

On May 1st, the Diocese will mark one year since Pope Francis accepted Bishop P.J. McGrath’s retirement, and I succeeded him as Bishop of San Jose. I had served as Coadjutor Bishop of San Jose since the previous summer, allowing for my introduction to the Diocese, while working closely with Bishop McGrath over many months.

Due to the instability of our Internet connection, our Daily Mass & Sunday Mass will be broadcast at 11:00 am each day.

Many people are understandably experiencing uncertainty and anxiety due to the spread of COVID-19. The severity of the situation has forced our leaders to make significant changes in our daily lives including suspending publicly celebrated Masses.