It was pure joy for me to greet our students coming back to school as they were dropped off. The students were so happy and excited to meet their new teachers, see their friends, and meet the new students in class. It was so nice seeing all of the students back on campus.

I appreciate the parents and families for their cooperation, understanding and support as we navigate through these challenging times. With eager hope, I look forward to seeing the parents and children at Sunday Masses as we walk with the children and form them in faith along with their intellectual and emotional growth.

This year, we are blessed to support, St. Maurus Hanga Abbey, a community of religious Benedictine monks in Songea region in Southern Tanzania. The monks of St. Maurus Hanga Abbey are dedicated to spiritual life and serving the poor. The community is involved in providing social services to a rural population. These services include: an orphanage, schools, a Health Center, and a clean water project. More details about the mission are given HERE.

Please support the mission during the second collection this weekend or by mailing your checks to St. Martin of Tours with "Mission 2021" in the memo.

With gratitude and prayers,

Fr. Saju

To schedule a Mass intention, please email stmartinoftours@icloud.com.

As recent COVID vaccine mandates have been imposed in certain industries and professions, some Catholics may seek a “religious” exemption from the several vaccines now available. For clarity, a religious exemption is a public declaration that a person’s decision to refuse a vaccine is rooted in and supported by – in the case of a Catholic – authentic Catholic faith. However, such a declaration is inconsistent with the Holy See’s declaration that the COVID vaccines are morally permissible, especially considering the urgency and common good (the need to help curb the loss of life, diminished mental and physical heath, and a struggling economy, etc.) during this pandemic. While a person may decide that, in conscience, they cannot receive the COVID vaccine, we cannot equate individual objection with doctrinal authority. Though an individual has a right to conscientious objection, the authority of their objection derives from their personal conscience, not from the teaching of our Church. For these reasons, we compassionately can not sign declarations rejecting the COVID vaccine on religious grounds.

Food Box pick up Friday, August 20th 4-5.30 (clients)

As of July, we are back to our "Client Choice" model, where we set up a shopping market under the tents outside the church (just like we used to do in the Gym pre: Covid). We will need a LOT more volunteers for this model. Please mark your calendars and bring your children back to the program. Covid regulations will still be in place, masks are required and closed toe shoes, please sanitize on arrival. Please email tlehane@stmartin.org if you have any questions. 

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

The RCIA Process for the 2021-2022 Faith Formation Year has begun. We meet in the parish office at 11:30 AM. The session dates for August are:

For more information, please contact Lerma Simpson at the parish office. lerma.simpson@dsj.org; (408) 294-8953 ext. 321 

To register for either of these programs or if you have questions, contact: Kathy Mattingly at kat@kajon.com or (408) 378-2355.

As we can safely begin our ministries, we need your help. Please take five minutes to complete our online Volunteer Request Form that will list what ministries you are interested in, provide us with your current contact information, and an emergency contact.

Lectors proclaim the living Word of God at Mass. Ushers/Greeters are men, women & youth greeting the people at church, seating them, helping with the collection, and helping keep the church safe and in order. If you are able to help, please click HERE, from your computer, to sign up.

Registrations for Catechetical Ministry, First Eucharist, and Youth Confirmation for 2021-2022 are available. You may access the registration forms through our parish website at http://stmartintourschurch.org/. Forms are also available at our parish office. For more information, please contact Lerma in Faith Formation at (408) 294-8953 ext. 321 or at lerma.simpson@dsj.org. 

Deadlines for the Faith Formation Registrations:

August 22, 2021 • 21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Prayer: Oh Jesus, we are convinced that you are the Holy One of God. Strengthen our belief if we begin to doubt.

Action: Begin and end each day this week with this simple prayer: “Jesus, I trust in you.”

CHILDREN'S SUNDAY BULLETIN & ACTIVITIES

Web Link for this week - Children's Sunday Bulletin & Activities:

Have you thought about becoming a Catechist? 

Rev. Lawrence Goode, from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in East Palo Alto, will lead us in a rosary for the unborn and their parents, and share a faith talk on St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. This event will be virtual via zoom. Please register to attend: (408)447-5433, or email: admin@ghswomenscenter.com This event can be found on our website also. https://www.guadalupehopesociety.org/events and on eventbrite.

Now Available! Rent Assistance Programs and Resources: Two programs for Rent Assistance now available! Low-income Santa Clara County residents who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can receive assistance with rent payments. Visit bit.ly/dsjhh21 to view details on available programs. Post these flyers in your community. 

Diocese of San Jose Year of St. Joseph Webpage

We hope that through using these resources you will grow in love and devotion St. Joseph as the guardian and protector of God’s people, the Church. May Saint Joseph and the Holy Family intercede for us in this work of rededicating ourselves to the mission of Jesus Christ.  www.dsj.org/yearofstjoseph