SUNDAY READINGS

SUNDAY REFLECTION

From the Pastor

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Greetings and blessings to all of you in the year ahead! I want to thank you all for your participation, help, and support in rejuvenating the parish beyond the pandemic. St. Martin of Tours’ feast day, coat drive, giving tree, ministry to farm workers, Christmas Masses, New Year celebrations, and other community events show that we are growing together and moving in the mission and vision of Christ. I thank you!

After 20 years of ministry, the Diocese of San Jose gives priests the opportunity to take a 6 month sabbatical for prayer, reflection, refresher courses, and relaxation. I began my 30^th year of priestly ministry on January 4. I have been in this diocese for the past 22 years, and the Diocese of San Jose has permitted me to take my sabbatical beginning in January.

Although hesitant not to be here serving the community that I love, I accepted the gracious offer knowing the strength and leadership that exists within the community and staff. In my absence, Fr. Generoso will be the administrator. Fr. Angelbert and Fr. Joe O’Keefe S.J. will be assisting Fr. Gener by celebrating Masses with our community. I am confident that everything will go smoothly as we have a committed parish staff, school staff, great councils, strong volunteers, and a calendar in place.

During the first three months of my sabbatical, I will be spending time in Rome attending refresher courses, visiting cathedrals, basilicas, necropolis, and so on. A week of this time, will be spent in Assisi on retreat, and another part of this program is a 10 day trip to the Holy Land. In the month of April, I will be in India for the blessing of a homeless shelter that was started by me in collaboration with the Daughters of Charity Sister. The blessing of the shelter, that can house 56 persons, will take place on April 15. My last six weeks on sabbatical will be spent in relaxation and putting together a few thoughts for a book.

I will be celebrating Mass with the community on Sunday morning, January 8, and then head to the airport that afternoon. It will be difficult to be away from the community I have grown so fond of, but look forward to my return on July 8th. Please keep me in your prayers as I embark on this adventure.

Blessings,

Fr. Saju

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 7-13, 2023

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

Saturday 5:00 Salvador Lipari †

Sunday 8:30 Jim Noether

Sunday 10:00 JW Knapen †

Sunday 11:30 Ben Patellaro †

Monday 8:00 Souls in Purgatory

Tuesday 8:00 David Drummond †

Wednesday 8:00 James & Vincee Viso †

Thursday 8:00 Rodger Mackin †

Friday 8:00 Estela Echivarre †

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE DECEASED:

Flo Bey, Martin Prolo, Anita Tomista, Robert Lencioni, Tony Jones, Robert Dimaunahan, Joseph Mazzei

 PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE SICK:

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

January 5th

Holy Hour with Happy Hour

(Evening Prayer, Adoration & Benediction)

in the Church at 7:00PM

Please join us tonight!!

January 16th

Scripture Study

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

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

January 16th

Parish Office Closed

Please join us for Mass at 8AM. The parish office is closed in observation of the New Year's 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)

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!!

Report as of 1/1/2023

Budgeted - Year to Date - $311,030

Year to Date Actual - $301,502

Shortfall year to date - $9,528

Weekly Report

Budgeted - $15,480 Actual - $20,887

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 (CCM) and First Eucharist

January 11

4:00 PM to 5:15 PM student sessions

Youth Confirmation

January 8

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 8

January 15

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 the parish office – session for young children

Epiphany Throughout the World

Each year the Pope leads an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and people around the globe take part in celebrations specific to their region. In Spanish-speaking countries, The Epiphany is called Día de los Reyes, meaning "Three Kings' Day," while in Pamplona, Spain celebrates with a Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos parade.

In Spain, children believe their Christmas presents are delivered by the Three Wise Men on January 6, while in Venice, children believe "La Befana," an imaginary old woman in Italian folklore, brings gifts to them on the Epiphany Day.

An old Catholic tradition is the Star Singers, which are groups of people who dress as the Wise Men and carry a wooden star who go door-to-door to sing and collect donations for the poor.

In Germany, if the Star Singers (Sternsinger) come to your door, they offer a blessing for your home. If you accept, they write 20 * C + M + B + 23 in chalk above your doorway. The numbers represent the year, and the letters represent the phrase Chrustus mansionem benedictat, meaning "God bless this house."

In Bulgaria it is traditional for an Eastern Orthodox priest to throw a cross in a river. It is believed whoever recovers the cross will be healthy through the rest of the year, as will any who join in a dance within the river's frigid waters.

 Five facts about the Feast of the Epiphany

1. The three Kings represent Europe, Arabia, and Africa

2. Hundreds of years ago, roast lamb was served at Epiphany to honor Christ and the Three Kings' visit

3. In some European countries, children leave their shoes out to be filled with gifts, while others leave straw for the three kings' horses

4. In Prague, a Three Kings swim commemorates Epiphany Day at the Vltava River

5. In New York, El Museo del Barrio has celebrated and promoted Three Kings' Day annual parades for over thirty years

Source: Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI

Bishop Cantu’s Statement on Pope Benedict XVI passing. “Today we grieve the loss of Pope Benedict XVI. One of the great theologians of the past two centuries, he left his mark on the Church. His writings, teachings, and homilies will remain a treasure to the Church. Yet it was his gentle soul that touched so many who were blessed to know him. He was humble, reserved, and yet inviting. He appointed me to serve as a bishop in 2008, so I feel a personal connection to and fondness for the late pontiff. My personal encounters with him were with that of kind, wise, and encouraging pastor. May he rest in peace.” +Oscar Cantu

About Pope Benedict XVI

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.

Revs vs Sems Basketball Game

Raffle at the Revs vs Sems Basketball game. Come cheer on your favorite priests and seminarians at the Revs vs Sems Basketball Challenge! Get a raffle ticket and support our Seminarians Formation. Prizes include an iPad Pro, AirPod Pro or an Amazon Gift Card. The game will be Sunday, January 8 7pm Tip-off . Doors open at 6pm at St. Francis High School. Click here for more info and raffle tickets.

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.