SUNDAY READINGS

SUNDAY REFLECTION

Reflection for March 12, 2023

In today's Gospel, we see the Samaritan woman coming to faith. The steps she takes are our steps, too. Though she needs Jesus' help, he approaches her first. He invites us to make the journey of faith long before we start, by putting us into a faithful family, giving us a curious heart that seeks the truth, sending us a friend or spouse whose example draws us to the Lord.

The next step is acknowledging our need and our sinfulness. Admitting our need for God, and especially for God's forgiveness, opens us to God's saving grace. Another step is drawing closer to God in prayer. Jesus tells the woman, and us, that the best worship is honest and from the Spirit. 

When we begin to share our faith with others, we take the step of living our faith. Like the woman who told her neighbors about Jesus, we find that the people we have touched begin to find the Lord on their own. Our catechumens are taking these steps now, thanks to those who have helped them experience Jesus' invitation to faith.

Tom Schmidt, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.

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

March 11 - 17, 2023

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

Saturday 5:00 Salvador Lipari †

Sunday 8:30 Deceased Members of I.C.F. †

Sunday 10:00 St. Martin of Tours Parishioners

Sunday 11:30 Mary & John Rossi †

Monday 8:00 Faithfully Departed

Tuesday 8:00 James & Vincee Viso †

Wednesday 8:00 Right to Life

Thursday 8:00 Faithfully Departed

Friday 8:00 St. Martin of Tours Parishioners

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE DECEASED:

Kitty McCarty, Jeanne Demers, Inez Cruz, Jerome McCarthy, Luzvimind Smith,

Marcelino Mendoza

 PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE SICK:

Richard Kabanek, Regina Gallo, Poppy Gounaas, Gabriele Murillo Torres, Don Peruski, Elizabeth Bulaclac, Reymond Navarra, Nina Carine, Sonia Azevedo, Michael Kelly, Bob Voisinet, Amalia Martinez,

Helena Knapen

March 10th

Stations of the Cross

in the church at 6:30PM

Please join us every Friday at 6:30PM for Stations of the Cross.

March11th

St. Patrick's Day Dinner (hosted by the scouts)

in the St. Martin of Tours gym from 6:00 - 9:00PM

See below for more information.

March12th

Daylight-Saving Time Begins

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead by 1 hour.

March 12th

Donut Sunday

in the community building after Mass

Please join us for coffee, donuts and conversation.

March 15th

Family Faith Night

in the church from 6:00 - 7:15PM

All are welcome!!! Please join us.

March 17th

Happy St. Patrick's Day

March 17th

Food Box Distribution

outside the church from 4:00 - 5:00PM

volunteers, please arrive at 3:00PM

March 17th

Stations of the Cross

in the gym at 6:00PM

March 18th

Lenten Recollection led by Fr. Joe O'Keefe

in the church from 10:00AM - 12:00PM

All are welcome!!! Please join us.

March 22nd

Parish Lenten Reconciliation Service

in the church at 6:30PM

Please join us.

March Speaker Series

How do we relate to the Last Days of Jesus? Please join us on Wednesday, March 15 at 6 PM to 7:15 PM in the church as we listen, discuss, and reflect on what the season of Lent calls us towards. Our facilitators are Blessie and Ernie LaScola, author and master catechists for the Diocese of San Jose.

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, March 17th ~ 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Food box packing (Volunteer)

Friday, March 17th ~ 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!!

ADA 2023

Supporting Our Mission Together

Our Parish Goal: $148,624

Thank you so much! As of March 6, 2023, we have received 202 pledges. The total amount pledged is $88,052. We need $60,572 more to meet our goal.

If you have not made your pledge, please prayerfully consider supporting our Diocese. Donations can be made by completing the pledge card mailed to your home, using the QR code provided here, or online at DSJ.org/ADA. Thank you, St. Martin of Tours Parishioners, for your continued generosity. The many ministries within our parish and greater community would not be possible without you!

CRS Rice Bowl

FROM FARMING TO FISHING

Raul and Rhodora were coconut farmers in their town in the Philippines, but it took a lot of work before they made money. They participated in a Catholic Relief Services program that helped them build their own fishpond to raise and sell fish. The fish provide nutritious food for their family and more accessible income, enabling Raul and Rhodora’s granddaughters to attend school. What changes have you made in your professional, personal or spiritual life that have benefited others? Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.

St. Vincent de Paul:

St. Martin of Tours Conference

We help people in need. One family we helped recently was a women and husband taking care of their niece and nephew. They were behind on utilities and needed food help. We were able to give them food, food cards, gas money, and toiletries; and will be able to help with utilities after our February collection. Please donate what you can.

We invite you to join us helping the poor.

We need:

·      Phone monitors to scan calls

·      Spanish translators

·      Volunteers for home visits

·      Computer help with spread sheets and data entry

·      Webpage builder and a manager.

To volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul to assist local families in need, please phone (408) 439-0342.

Mary Kay Tocce, Secretary

Dates to Remember...

Children’s Catechetical Ministry and First Eucharist

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

March 22 – 4:00 PM to 5:15 PM children’s sessions

Youth Confirmation

March 11 – 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Reconciliation service & Sacrament of Reconciliation in the church

Adult Confirmation

March 12

March 19

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

Order of Christian Initiation (formerly RCIA)  

March 12

March 19

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM session

Adults – parish office

Youth – Bailey House 

March 12- 10 AM Mass First Scrutiny Rite

March 19 – 10 AM Mass Second Scrutiny Rite

March 12

March 19

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

The Rite of Election

On Sunday, February 26, Bishop Cantu declared our 5 catechumens to be called “the Elect” during the Rite of Election at the cathedral.  The Elect will be participating in the Scrutiny Rites during these next three Sundays of Lent. Let us continue to support and keep the Elect in our prayers as they draw nearer to receiving the Easter sacraments at the Easter Vigil.  

If you would like to write a letter or a card to the Elect, please submit them to Lerma Simpson in the parish office.

The Elect are:

(Children) Chiara Baker, Annalise Bustamante, Alden Casanave III

(Adults) Carole Fisher, Long Vo

Family Reflection

March 12, 2023, 3rd Sunday in Lent

Exodus 17:3-7 • Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 • John 4:5-42

 “Jesus answered and said to her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” -John 4:10

We know that water is important in the Bible - it is used to cleanse, to baptize, to give life, and to promote growth. What Jesus was saying to the Samaritan woman, and to us, is that HE can cleanse us, HE baptizes us and removes our sin, HE gives life through his name, and that HE carries us through our growth in the sacraments and our love for him. Jesus is the living water that is poured into our hearts and reaches every corner of our being!

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank you for this living water that you offer so freely to us. May it bring us into a deeper love for you.

FAMILY REFLECTION: What are some of the ways water is used in our Church’s rituals?

Catholic IQ - Lent

A self-assessment for your fun and enlightenment.

1. What is the Church celebration that catechumens (those who are 7 years old and older who are preparing to receive their sacraments of initiation into the Church) and their sponsors take part in at the beginning of Lent?

a) Pentecost

b) Rite of Election

c) Rite of Transformation

2. What are the catechumens called after the Rite of Election?

a) The chosen

b) The elect

c) The popes

3.  What do the catechumens do during Lent that is like the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

a) They sit in the back of the church. 

b) They celebrate the Rites of the Scrutiny

c) They light candles.

4. What is the last week of Lent called?

a) Holy Week

b) The Passion of Christ

c) Week of Salvation

5. How is the Gospel different on Palm Sunday?

a) A Gospel is not read. 

b) The Passion of Jesus is read. 

c) The entire Gospel of Mark is read.

 Click HERE for answers.

Discernment Weekend

Women's Discernment Weekend (Bilingual), Mar 10-12: What does it mean to have a vocation and discern it? How do you know when you are called to marriage or consecrated life? We know you have these questions, and we want to help you find some answers! The Diocese of San Jose Vocations Office invites young adult women aged 18-35 to a free retreat weekend! Visit www.dsj.org/retreats or contact vocations@dsj.org. Register here.

Fr. Charles Irvin Memorial Writing Scholarship

for High School Seniors

High School seniors are invited to submit entries to the Fr. Charles Irvin Memorial Writing Scholarship for the chance to win $1500 and publication in Content Evangelist magazine. The 2023 writing prompt is: Tell Us About The Person in Whom you Most See the Face of Christ. Further submission guidelines can be accessed at faithsyndicated.org. 

Please submit all entries to valleycatholic@dsj.org by March 17, 2023. 

CLICK HERE for FLYER

Catholic School Career Fair

March 18th from 10AM—12PM

St. Martin of Tours Gym

Looking for a career that brings faith, meaning and joy to your life and those of others? Consider a vocation as a Catholic school educator! Join us at the Diocese of San José’s Catholic School Career Fair: 10am-12pm on March 18th at St. Martin of Tours School gym. On hand will be school leaders, who’ll share information about job openings for teachers and instructional assistants, as well as representatives from Santa Clara University, who’ll explain the credentialing and instructional supports they provide to new Catholic school teachers. RSVP today by using the QR code below or going to: https://bit.ly/cscf2023.

Annual Diocesan Youth Retreat

DYR SAVE THE DATE: Mark your calendar, June 12-16, 2023, for the annual Diocesan Youth Retreat, DYR, at Zephyr Point, Lake Tahoe. Watch for registration details at www.dsj.org/youth. 

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.