SUNDAY READINGS

SUNDAY REFLECTION

SundReflection

As we the Church begin Ordinary Time, we reflect upon the Baptism of Jesus, and its significance in our own lives and communities. The Gospel of John does not narrate the Baptism like the other Gospels. Instead, John the Baptist gives testimony, emphasizing that Jesus has received the Holy Spirit. Jesus will go on to baptize with this same Spirit, as he did immediately after his resurrection (John 20). What might this mean for us, who share in this same Baptism? Today’s reading from Isaiah suggests that we are to be a “light to the nations,” a people proclaiming and sharing God’s love. Paul’s greeting to the church in Corinth reminds us that we are simultaneously God’s sanctified people and yet continually called to become holy. Baptism begins our journey, where we know the Spirit dwells within, and the same Spirit summons us to full maturity in Christ.

LAMB OF GOD

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist names Jesus as the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This name “Lamb of God” is rich in meaning, and can be interpreted in various ways. From the Old Testament, it evokes the lamb of Passover, linked to God’s rescue of the Hebrew people from Egypt. It is also an image of God’s faithful servant, as in Isaiah 53 as a “lamb led to slaughter.”

We can notice that here Jesus is the Lamb “of God.” He is God’s own Lamb, belonging to God. Jesus is not a cultic sacrifice to God, or a demand from God. John is presenting a traditional image in a new way. The Lamb “takes away” our sin, both exposing the reality of our sin to us (which we often hide from ourselves), and also forgiving us our sin. This same Lamb is filled with the Holy Spirit, and shares this Spirit to heal our troubled hearts.

LIGHT TO THE NATIONS

Today’s first reading is taken from the second of four “Servant Songs” in Isaiah. This Song was written around the time that the people of Israel were near release from their exile in Babylon. Israel, and also the author, had been traumatized by their separation from Jerusalem and their seeming abandonment by God.

At this time of great vulnerability and despair, God gives them consolation and affirmation. God gives the exiles a vote of confidence and an expansion of vision. God will heal their hearts, and give them new energy to be “a light to the nations.” Their purpose is not just survival, but to be the means by which God will bring the whole world into communion and harmony with God. For us today, when sometimes our parishes and communities face challenges of shrinkage and survival, perhaps God may similarly energize us, and remind us of the dignity and breadth of our mission.

Sunday’s Readings: Is 49:3, 5–6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7–8a, 8b–9, 10; 1 Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29–34

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WEEKDAYS

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 AM

In the Church & Online

Wednesday 8:15 AM

In the Church & Online

WEEKENDS

Sunday Vigil - Saturday 5:00 PM

In the Church & Online

Sunday

8:30 AM, 10:00 AM & 11:30 AM

In the Church

RECONCILIATION - Saturdays 4:00 PM In the Church

Please stay home if you are feeling ill, have tested positive, or have been exposed to Covid.

Diocese of San Jose's COVID Protocols

Online Mass Links: Zoom | Facebook

Mass Intentions

January 14-20, 2023

To schedule a Mass intention, please stop by the parish office.

Saturday 5:00 Benjamin Valle Arias †

Antoinette Lipari †

Sunday 8:30 Carmen Bustos †

Sunday 10:00 Monique Guerre

Sunday 11:30 Mary † and John † Rossi

Monday 8:00 Matt Russell

Tuesday 8:00 Benjamin Valle Arias †

Wednesday 8:00 Right to Life

Natividad Villanueva †

Thursday 8:00 St. Martin of Tours Parishioners

Friday 8:00 James & Vincee Viso †

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE DECEASED:

Carmen Bustos, Flo Bey, Martin Prolo, Anita Tomista

 PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE SICK:

Elizabeth Bulaclac, Reymond Navarra, Gloria Calizo, Crisanta Tomista, Virginia Tomista, Joey Kimpo, Luzvimind Smith, Nina Carine, Danny W. Martinez, Cristina Martinez, Sonia Azevedo, Michael Kelly, Spike Standifer, Bob Voisinet, Amalia Martinez, Helena Knapen

January 16th

Scripture Study

All are welcome!!! Contact Todd Tomilitz at newbeing@

pacbell.net or 408-218-0572 with any questions.

January 16th

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

Parish Office Closed

Please join us for Mass at 8AM. The parish office is closed in observation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

January 18th

Family Faith Night

in the Church at 6:00PM

Please join us.

January 20th

Food Box Distribution

under the tents from 4:00 - 5:00 PM

(Volunteers meet behind the Bailey House at 3PM)

Attention Discipleship

Passport Holders

Don't forget to get your passports stamped after each Saturday and Sunday Mass. Discipleship passport holders who have earned at least 20 stamps by January 21 and 22 will receive a $5 gift card. Children are also invited to enjoy hot chocolate and donuts (or cookies) with Father Gener after the 5 PM Mass on February 18 and after all Masses on February 19.

Food Box Program

The Food box program helps anyone that is food insufficient in our area. Distribution is always on the third Friday of the month from 4:00PM – 5:00PM in the parking lot. We offer fresh fruit and veg, dairy, bread, dry goods and canned food. All are welcome to come shop for their families.   

Food box pickup (Clients)

Friday, January 20th ~ 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Food box packing (Volunteer)

Friday, January 20th ~ 3:00 - 5:30 PM

Meet on the Bailey House Patio

If you have any questions, please email Therese Lehane at tlehane@stmartin.org. Thank you!!

Parish Support

We thank you for your continued support of the St. Martin of Tours Parish! If you would like to make a secure one-time donation and/or setup regular online donations, please use the GIVE NOW button below. Thank you again!!

We are looking for volunteers to help in the following ministries. Please stop by the parish office or contact Maria Moore at maria.moore@dsj.org for more information. Thank you!!

Liturgical Ministers

Ushers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers, Choir & Environment

Pastoral Care Programs

Homebound Visits, Food Box, Farm Workers’ Families, Coat Drive, Giving Tree, Welcoming Committee

Faith Formation

Catechists for CLOW & CCM

St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP)

Phone monitors, home visitors, Data Entry, Computer programmers

Parish Office

Office related assistance, such as, greeting visitors, answering phones, updating and maintaining contact lists

Dates to Remember...

Children’s Catechetical Ministry and First Eucharist

January 11

4:00 PM to 5:15 PM student sessions

January 18

6:00 PM to 7:15 PM Family Faith Night

Youth Confirmation

January 22

4:00 PM to 5:15 PM – student session in the parish office

Adult Confirmation

January 22 & February 5

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM session in the parish office

Order of Christian Initiation (formerly RCIA)

January 15 & January 22

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM session

Adults – parish office

Youth – Bailey House 

January 15 & January 29

2:00 PM to 2:45 PM in parish office – session for young children

Family Reflection

January 15, 2023 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 • 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 • John 1:29-34

 “On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” -John 1:33-34

Once again, this week the Gospel is showing us how Jesus was sent here with a mission to bring the love, forgiveness, and healing of God. Jesus, the Son of God, was a messenger for God. First, he gave us the example to follow of being baptized. John the Baptist was so moved by his experience of baptizing Jesus that he became the first person to start pointing others to Jesus. Having been baptized, we are also called to be messengers for God pointing people to look at Jesus as an example of how to live.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, you gave us so many great examples of how to live our lives. Please teach us how to be messengers of God’s love and forgiveness.

FAMILY REFLECTION: What are some ways we can be messengers of God’s love and forgiveness in our own lives?

Catholic IQ….

A self-assessment for your fun and enlightenment.

1. After the consecration:

a) The host on the paten is Jesus’ body, and the contents of the chalice are Jesus’ blood.

b) The host symbolizes Jesus’ body, and the wine symbolizes Jesus’ blood.

c) The host is both Jesus’ body and blood, and the wine is both Jesus’ body and blood.

d) Jesus’ body and blood are really present with the bread and the wine, and this is called the Real Presence.

e) None of these

2. A Mass is invalid:

a) If fewer than half the people present hold hands during the Our Father.

b) If the priest omits the opening sign of the cross and the Nicene Creed.

c) If the priest celebrates Mass while he is in the state of mortal sin.

d) If the priest ad libs any part of the canon.

e) None of the above.

3. Mortal sin:

a) Is nowhere mentioned in Scripture.

b) Is a theological construct from the Church of the Middle Ages, and since Vatican II we recognize that there are only two kinds of sins, venial and serious.

c) Is the same as serious sin; only the words are different.

d) Makes it impossible for you ever to get to heaven, no matter what you do.

e) None of the above.

4. An annulment is:

a) The canon law equivalent of a divorce under the civil law.

b) A Church-authorized dissolution of a marriage which has failed through the infidelity of one of the spouses.

c) A declaration that no valid marriage existed in the first place, even if there are children born during the relationship.

d) A declaration that children born in a failed marriage are not illegitimate.

e) None of the above.

5. A sister is:

a) Neither a lay person nor a cleric.

b) A cleric, but no longer a lay person.

c) May be installed as a chaplain of a hospital.

d) Is the female equivalent of a deacon.

e) None of the above.

Click HERE for answers

Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass

Couples are invited, on February 11, 2023 at 10:00am, to celebrate their 1st through 5th, 10th, 25th, 30th, 40th, and 50+ years of marriage with Bishop Oscar Cantú at the Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph. Please complete the registration at www.dsj.org/family-life and attend the Anniversary Mass in-person or virtually. Register at www.dsj.org/evangelization/family-life/wedding-anniversary/

Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month Mass: February 25 at 2:00pm a Mass will bring together the people of African descent, with their friends, liturgically celebrating their African Heritage. Bishop Cantú will celebrate the Mass at St. Frances Cabrini Parish, sharing Christ’s Body and Blood in Unity. For information visit https://www.dsj.org/evangelization/social-ministries/ or email caddsjbrite@gmail.com.

Diocesan Mental Health Information and Events: 

Dial 988 – for Mental Health resources in your area. Suicide Hotline 855-278-4204. NAMI Warmline (multilingual): 408-453-0400 Mon-Fri 10am to 6pm. For more information click here.

When a Loved One Dies by Suicide - series intended to bring the message of the book "How to discern God's Will for your Life". Resource from Deacon Ed Shoener, founder of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers – for article, free eBook, and more click CRUX: Ministry helps families of suicide victims. 

Parish Mental Health Listening Sessions:

• Santa Teresa Parish – Hear & Be Heard – Every first Sunday of the month at 1:00pm. Age 16 & up are welcome. More information contact Lynda.demanti@dsj.org 
• St. Simon Parish – Monthly Hope & Healing Wellness Circle – every third Monday of the month from 7:00pm – 8:15pm. More information contact roselue@gmail.com.