March 30, LA CongressYouth Day---Young people dress the altar during the preparation of the gifts....

An even better pic...

Archbishop stands behind this young person whose story of conversion is extraordinary and inspiring...

Archbishop Mahoney gives homily with two extraordinary young people

Bishop Solis and brother Bishops preparing to process in for the mega Liturgy

Brotherhood of Bishops

Stand up 4 God --in our daily life--in all that we do....

Megachurch the Catholic Way!!!

John Rinaldo in charge----I knew him when.....

Thousands of youth gathered in one place raises the roof!

Parishioners at St. Julie cover Fr. Jon Pedigo with blessings as he prepares to leave for Washington DC...Scroll down to find out WHY...

PACT Candlelight Vigil for Just Immigrant Reform – Monday, March 27th

Many immigrants in our community are under fear. US Senate are discussing
immigration reform provisions that would not only criminalize the undocumented but also would criminalize all those who assist them - who help to feed the poor and the hungry.

We hope you can come to the candlelight vigil to support of a comprehensive
immigrant reform, to urge our local official to pass a resolution condemning
federal bill that will divide our communities and to be in solidarity with a
group of religious leaders who will in Washington the same day.
Monday March 27th, 6:00-7:00 pm in front of San Jose City Hall-- Please pass the word.

Rite of Sending for Fr. Jon as he leaves for Washington DC Sunday evening.

Fr. Jon Pedigo receives a prayer blessing from pastoral associate Jeanine Jensen at St. Julie Church.

We Send these Religious Leaders Forth With our Prayers and Blessings

Top Religious Leaders, Our Own Rev. Jon Pedigo and Rev. Eduardo Samaniego, Step up Protest to Anti-Immigrant Legislation by Going National

What: Bay area congregations will hold special masses on Saturday and Sunday to bless their priest, pastor or rabbi as they prepare to join the national protest of anti-immigrant legislation in Washington D.C. on Monday, March 27. The seven clergy from Northern California will join hundreds of religious leaders from twenty-six states in a silent vigil in the halls of the Senate and on the lawn of the Capital to call the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject xenophobic provisions in immigration reform legislation.

Visual: Congregation members gather around their clergy and lay hands them in prayer and blessing praying for compassionate and humane immigration legislation.

When: Saturday, 6:30 PM March 25, 2006
Where: English Mass
2040 Nassau Dr., San Jose, 95122
Most Holy Trinity

When: Sunday, 12:30 PM, Spanish Mass
Where: 3261 23rd St., San Francisco
Mission Presbyterian Church (Iglesia Presbiteriana de la Mision)

When: Sunday, 9:45 AM English Mass, 1:45 PM Spanish Mass
Where: 366 St. Julie Drive, San Jose 95119
St. Julies Catholic Church

Who: Rabbi Allen Bennett, President, Northern California Board of Rabbis
Fr. Jon Pedigo, Representing Bishop P.J. McGrath, Diocese of San Jose, St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church
Rev. Carol Been, Director of the Interfaith Council, for Religion, Race, Economic and Social Justice, Representing Bishop Mullen, Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rev. Phil Lawson, Interfaith Committee on Immigrant Rights, Representing Bishop Shamana, Northern California-Nevada United Methodist Conference
Fr. Eduardo Samaniego, Representing, Provincial John McGarry, California Jesuit Province, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church
Rev. John Freesemann, Representing California Council of Churches IMPACT, Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church
Rev. Mauricio Chacón, Presbyterians For Just Immigration, Iglesia Presbiteriana de la Misión

Why: The Senate Judiciary Committee will begin debate this Monday on what to do with the 12 million undocumented people in our nation. Senate Majority leader Bill Frist has threatened to present a draconian replacement bill on the same date, regardless of the status of the Judiciary Committee's deliberations. Hundreds of religious leaders and thousands of community advocates will join in silent witness of the millions of lives affected by this kind of legislation “fueled by fear and hatred”. Rev. Carol Been, Director of the Interfaith Council states, “We are traveling to Washington to pray and to persuade the Senate Judiciary Committee to find a compassionate, fair and just solution to a complex problem. Let’s not let bullies like Sen. Frist force us into criminalizing compassion or unduly punishing those who have been forced to become economic refugees.”

For more inof please check out the following:

USCCC on justice for immigrants: www.justiceforimmigrants.org
Work of the People: http://dsjliturgy.blogspot.com
Bishop McGrath's Statement on Immigration: http://dsjbm.blogspot.com


About The Interfaith Council for Religion, Race, Economic and Social Justice
Formed in 1997, the Interfaith Council is an association of clergy and laity working with labor and community organizations to promote social, economic and racial justice in Silicon Valley and beyond. Through the promotion of human solidarity and the common good, we are creating an inclusive community of justice, abundance and peace. We realize that vision by empowering low wage workers and their families, education congregations and providing the means for a diverse community to advocate for religious, racial, economic and social justice for all.

Catholic Christian Youth Leader Institute

Helping Youth Make A Difference For Good!
YouthLeader is a team approach to Christian leadership formation for youth and adult leaders that integrates Christian spirituality and ministry skills. The purpose of YouthLeader is to empower young people for Christian leadership in Church and the wider community.

Join Us!

YouthLeader Overview
Registration Packet (Lafayette)
Registration Packet (Santa Rosa)
Parent Permission Form, Lafayette
Parent Permission Form, Santa Rosa
Other Y&YA Resources
For questions, please contact Yvette Espinoza @ 510-267-8389.

The Silver Jubilee Celebration of the DSJ begins...

I was out front waiting to take pics of all the Bishops and priests as they filed in---unbeknownst to me, Lynda DeManti grabbed me to process in front of the Ecumenical Ministers and usher them to their reserved seats.... so no pics :<
It was fun being a part of the pageantry---I wasn't sure whether I should smile, look down, or wave....

Bishop PJ incenses the altar--Diana Macalintal, liturgist extraordinaire has her back to the camera

Tracey Hoagland, Janice La Motte, Terri Trotter--great friends-great people, great DRE's!!!

Our Chancellor, Linda Bearie, reads the proclamation of the founding of our diocese.

Bishop Rich Garcia from Sacramento (but really from San Jose!)

I have heard so much about Bishop Garcia since I returned to the Bay Area in 2000.
I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Regional Encuentro this past January. In this picture he sends his love and blessings to the people of the Diocese of San Jose.
He was present with us at the Jubilee celebration!!

Our priests concelebrate...

Transitional Deacon Normandy Segovia "Chaddy' proclaims the Gospel...

The Vietnamese youth dance...

...before the liturgy begins. The dance is graceful, powerful, humble, prayerful...a prayer...

Young Dancers from the Vietnamese Community begin their beautiful flower dance...

The cathedral is packed as we wait for the liturgy to begin

Youth Ministry Coordinator's Retreat---Frs. Jon and Rick lead the way....

to the chapel where we ended the day with Mass...
Friday-March 17,2006 although a bit rainy and overcast turned out to be a beautiful day for the Youth minister Coodinator's retreat. It was a day to "uncover" all that takes us away from the one true thing that Christ has given us for the transformation of the world--the Cross
We began the retreat praying together the following questions and reflecting on them together but in silence for one minute each.
***
Litany for Youth Ministry Coordinators
***
How did I come to this ministry?
***
What is energy giving in this ministry?
***
What drains me of energy?
***
What are the challenges?
***
How do I overcome these challenges?
***
What gifts do I bring to do this ministry?
***
Am I passionate about this ministry?
***
If so, what is the source of the passion?
***
Who are my mentors in my personal life?
***
Who are my mentors in my professional life?
***

Fr. Rick Rodoni and Andy Rebollar

Fr. Rick Rodoni the youth ministry chaplain for the diocese joined us after a long week retreat with the Camaldolese at Big Sur. His presence and participation WITH the coordinators was deeply appreciated.

Andy Rebollar coordinates youth ministry for three Santa Clara parishes--a daunting task!

Ruben Solorio from MHT and Terry Trotter from St. Mary's Los Gatos

Ruben is the Director for the Youth Ministry Internship Coop for Deanery 6. He coordinates the training for the parishes who have joined this coop and has brought in some of the best speaker-trainers from around the country: Sean Lansing, Marcos Martinez, Tom East.

Terry Trotter has been the Director of Catechetical Ministry at St. Mary's Los Gatos for over 10 years. She has developed a youth ministry model for middle school youth, which is strong and sustainable. This is one of the reasons that the youth ministry gathering is so big and doing so well!

Fr. Jon Pedigo and Michelle Billiet

Fr.Jon and Michelle Billiet relax during one of our breaks.
I was able to relax the environment at Villa of the Holy Names in Los gatos was so beautiful.

War in Iraq---What should we give up for Lent this year?????

US Cost of War in Iraq: $250,000,000,000 and counting...

Civilian Casualities in the thousands--no one knows for sure...

US Military Casualties: 2302 +

Iraqi Military Casualities: ?????

Ash Wednesday March 1, 2006

Reflections on Ash Wednesday
Stuart Malloy

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It is a somber day of reflection on what needs to change in our lives if we are to be fully Christians. It was not always the way we know it today. Ashes marked on the forehead of worshippers were not given to everyone, but only to the public penitents who were brought before the church. Much like Hester Prynne bearing her scarlet letter, these open and notorious sinners were marked publicly with the sign of their disgrace.

As time went on, others began to show their humility and their affection for the penitents by asking that they, too, be marked as sinners. Finally, the number of penitents grew so large that the imposition of ashes was extended to the whole congregation in services similar to those that are observed in many Christian churches on Ash Wednesday.

We who will bear the ashes upon our foreheads stand with those whose sins may be more public, but not, according to the Scriptures, more grievous to the heart of God. And so we make our confessions. . . . If you only knew the secrets of my heart, if you only knew the sins that I am capable of contemplating, if you only knew some of the schemes I have considered – and of course God does know – then you would know that I, too, am a sinner.

Ashes are signs that we are all in this sin business together, and that the difference between the good in us and the bad in us is sometimes frightfully thin. We so often fall short of the Faith we claim. We have treated people as things and we have treated things as if they were valuable people. And so we look into our hearts and make the ancient prayer of one notorious sinner our own: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10; see Psalm 51 and the Language of Transformation).

Lent is a season that reminds us to repent and get our lives centered, our priorities straight, and our hearts clean. This holy season offers us a new chance to say, "yes" to the Lover of our Souls who created us, who made us in his own image. Lent is the time for a restoration project that will reveal the beauty of God’s design for us, showing once again the scale, proportion, and priorities intended by our Maker.

Further, Lent is a season of hope and with ashes on our foreheads and hope in our hearts, we go forth to love and serve. For by God’s grace in Christ, we do not have to stay the way we are.



-Stuart Malloy, Copyright © 2006, Christian Resource Institute
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Related pages
The Church Year
Season of Lent
The Days of Holy Week
Daily Readings for Lent
Daily Readings for Holy Week
The Easter Season

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