Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 25, 2021
WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND ELDERLY

Dear Friends,

This weekend we celebrate the World Day for Grandparents and Elderly. This special day is intended to honor the bonds between youth and elders, grandparents and their grandchildren. In the words of Pope Francis, “the elderly remind us that old age is a gift, and that grandparents are the link between the different generations to pass on to the young the experience of Life.” Pope Francis’ fundamental belief in the precious contributions of the elderly and the importance of making certain that they are not overlooked or forgotten led him to institute this day on the fourth Sunday in July, close to the feasts of St. Anne and Joachim, grandparents of Jesus. 

Grandparents’ Day 2021 takes on even more significance as it follows a pandemic that forced separation and isolation. In a span of months, it became apparent that social interaction and the need for human touch, whether physical or emotional, are gifts beyond measure. They are gifts from which we all benefit greatly, but from which our grandparents and elderly, much like our children, acquire the reserves that allow them to thrive.

Pope Francis urged the elderly to dare to hope and encouraged them to dream. According to him “Grandparents dream when their grandchildren go forward, and grandchildren have that courage when they take their roots from their grandparents.” In addressing youth, he has said, “You cannot carry all the elderly on your shoulders, but you can carry their dreams.” Carry them forward with you that will do you much good.

This July 25, Sunday, I look forward to seeing grandparents with grandchildren, elderly family members with youngsters in the church. Let us celebrate the relationships! We will bless our Godparents and grandparents within the Mass.

Wish you all a blessed weekend,

Fr. Saju
World Day for Grandparents
and the Elderly

Pope Francis has decided to institute a Church-wide celebration of a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Starting this year, it will be held on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. Bring your grandparents to Mass this weekend!!

Message of the Holy Father for the First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly (25 July 2021), click HERE for message.
LITURGY
Anyone that feels sick, has tested COVID positive, or has been exposed to a person who is COVID positive should stay home and live-stream Mass.
MASS INTENTIONS
July 24 - July 30
To schedule a Mass intention, please email stmartinoftours@icloud.com.

Saturday 5:00pm - Ruby Louie
and Winnie Cheung

Sunday 8:30am - Adolph Quilici
and James & Vincee Viso

Sunday 10:00am - Greg McDonald †

Sunday 11:30am - Jeny Espiritu

Monday 8:00am - Souls in Purgatory

Tuesday 8:00am - Antonio Rosano †

Wednesday 8:00am - Robert Lawrence †

Thursday 8:00am - Tom † & Rosalia † Bommarito
and Joe Semorad †

Friday 8:00am - Vic Francisco †
PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE DECEASED:
Carolina Lara, Antoneta Barnachia, Bud Lohr, Bill McPeak, Ramona Corona, Margarita Nilda Ilumin, Editha Ramel, Hector Rodriguez
PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE SICK:
Paul McGuire, Antoinette Gray, Vincent Michael Loya Jr., Helena Knapen, Fonnie Rucker, Brian Johst, Flo Bey
Please pray with us for our parishioners, family and friends.
Prayer Angels Ministry
Prayer is one of the greatest gifts you can give another. If you or someone you know is in need of prayers (sick, deceased, birthday, anniversary...), please email Therese Lehane at tlehane@stmartin.org and let our Prayer Angels pray for you or someone you know.
NEWS & EVENTS
COMING EVENTS:
Sunday, August 1st
8:30am, 10:00am & 11:30am Masses
Celebrating Mass with Fr. Abe
Fr. Abraham Antony (Fr. Abe) is back in town and will be celebrating Mass with us on Sunday, August 1. He will preside and preach at all Masses that Sunday. Please pass this info to your friends and invite them to join as well. 
Thursday, August 5th at 7:00pm
Holy Hour
Join Us in the Church or via Zoom for Holy Hour
Sunday, August 15th
10:00am & 11:30am Masses
Celebrating Mass with Fr. Jack Krouse
Recently Ordained Fr. Jack Krouse, son of our Finance Manager, Lori Krouse, will be celebrating Mass with us on Sunday, August 15th at 10:00am & 11:30am. Please join us as he will preside and preach at these Masses. We are so excited to celebrate with Fr. Jack Krouse.
August 21st & 22nd
After all Masses
Join the Knights of Columbus
Following Mass there will be members of Fr. Joseph Geary Council #3523 at the Church entrance. Please take the time to speak with them, learn more about this wonderful organization, and become a member. Serve God by serving others.
ST. MARTIN YOUNG ADULT CAMPING TRIP

After a uniquely challenging year of social distancing, the St. Martin's Young Adult group participated in an outdoor weekend camping trip from July 16-18. Almost 30 young adults gathered at Mt. Madonna County park for a memorable experience of camping, hiking, prayer and worship. Special thanks to Toby who planned and coordinated our event this year (with support from the Core Team), Fr. Saju Joseph for saying Mass on Saturday, and DSJ seminarian Duy (and former Core Team member) who joined as well. After more than a year, our first big in-person event was a success and we were grateful to see some new faces as well as familiar ones!! Stay tuned for more events.
ICF PICNIC

The ICF gathered at St. Martin in July for the annual barbeque picnic, where over 60 members enjoyed a summer meal of hotdogs, beans, watermelon, biscotti and drinks. The picnic was hosted by the Lencioni family: Steve, Cathleen, and TJ. The members shared comraderie and conversation, blended with background music and the smell of roasting barbeque. It was great to finally sit down in-person after missing our members for so long during Covid. Hope we can see all of us together again soon.
FAITH & RACIAL HEALING SERIES

How can we promote racial healing in our community?
The St Thomas of Canterbury Faith and Social Healing Ministry, in conjunction with several local parishes, is offering two programs that address this very question. Both are a product of the JustFaith Ministries and explore the concept/construct of race through the lens of the Christian tradition.

<-- Click here to learn more about Faith and Racial Equity.

To learn more about Faith and Racial Healing, click here. -->
To register for either of these programs or if you have questions, contact: Kathy Mattingly at kat@kajon.com of (408) 378-2355
STEWARDSHIP & DEVELOPMENT
We thank you for your continued support during these challenging times! We ask that you continue to be generous during the summer months. If you would like to make a secure one-time donation and/or setup regular online donations, click here.
Parish Office Summer Hours
Monday -Thursday 10 AM to 2 PM

If you or a loved one is in need of Sacramental care, such as anointing of the sick, last rites, confession, Fr. Gener & Fr. Saju are available. Please contact them directly. Staff Directory
VOLUNTEERING
PEOPLE MINISTERING TO PEOPLE

Thank you to all those that have been able to continue ministering to others during these unique times. Many of you have reached out and are ready to provide your support and return to your ministries.

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

We are so excited that our community can continue doing what we do best -- “People Ministering to People.”
SIGN UPS FOR LECTORS, USHERS AND
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

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.
FAITH FORMATION & SPIRITUALITY
FAITH FORMATION REGISTRATION

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:
Children's Catechetical Ministry - September 16, 2021
First Eucharist - September 16, 2021
Youth Confirmation - October 1, 2021
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

Are You or Anyone You Know Interested in Becoming Catholic?

Life is a journey that continually searches for meaning. The human heart hungers for relationships that nurtures one’s maturity to love and to be loved. Often as one seeks to fulfill these human yearnings, the realization that something is missing from life is made. As one reflects upon this void, it is not unusual to discover that this something is God. This awakening may lead to a turning point in one’s life to commit to a relationship with God and seek out a worshipping community to guide one’s journey in faith. Many will ask the question: How can I become a Catholic? 

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the normal way for unbaptized persons (7 years and older) and those who have been baptized in another Christian tradition to become a Catholic. The RCIA process is also for baptized Catholics who have received no other faith formation and have not received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. 

For more information, please contact Lerma Simpson at the parish office. lerma.simpson@dsj.org; (408) 294-8953 ext. 321 
A Closer Look Inside The Church…..
Mary in Blue

As you look around inside our church, do you notice the statue of Mary on the left side wall as you face the Altar? You will see that Mary is dressed in a blue cloak. 

Over the centuries, certain colors came to have symbolism in general and related to the Blessed Virgin Mary specifically. 

We associate the color blue with Mary. Blue is the color of the heavens. Mary helps us come closer to God, so it makes sense that she would wear blue. In the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, a certain kind of blue was the most expensive and rare pigment an artist could buy. Painting Mary’s mantle with this substance was a sign of how special she was. 

But Mary wears other colors, too. She might wear white as a symbol of purity or black in scenes of the Crucifixion. She might wear red, symbolizing her human nature, or, in some cultures, indicating her nobility in God’s kingdom. It is important to remember that when artists paint Mary wearing certain designs or colors, they are not trying to show us what a poor woman in first-century Galilee wore. They are trying to tell us, through color and design, who she is: that she is pure of heart, full of grace, close to God, and nobler than any earthly queen. 
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July 25,2021 17th Sunday in Ordinary 

Time 2 Kings 4:42-44 • Ephesians 4:1-6 • John 6:1-15 
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?” —John 6:9 

Summer is a great time for picnics! Imagine that you and your family pack a basket with enough food and snacks for a nice lunch and you head out to a picnic grove that has a pool. When you arrive, you find that it is crowded. It is not long before the long lines to get into the pool changing room and to use the rest rooms become a problem. You are very glad that you brought lunch because the concession stands ran out of food. Before long, people are getting irritable as they get more hungry, hot, and tired. Would you give away the food you brought, knowing that it could hardly make a difference with so many people in need? This must have been a little like the scenario in our Gospel today. Still, a little boy gave up his meager lunch and Jesus performed a miracle that fed thousands with lots left over. The next time you assume that the little you could give wouldn’t make a dent in the problem, remember that God can perform miracles! 

Prayer: Keep me open to sharing whatever I have, Lord. I know that you will do the rest. 

Reflection: Is there a local food pantry or clothing resale store to which you can donate something today? 
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY BULLETIN & ACTIVITIES
Web Link for this week - Children's Sunday Bulletin & Activities:
Have you thought about becoming a catechist? 

A catechist is often seen as a volunteer who once a week "teaches" a catechetical "class." But being a catechist is much more than that. 

In his letter to the International Catechetical Symposium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2017, Pope Francis said that catechesis is “not a job." Christian life itself is about catechesis or about announcing Christ and his Gospel to the world. Catechesis literally means "echoing the word." Being a catechist, says the Pope's message, is a “vocation to the service of the Church, [the faith that] has been received as a gift from the Lord, must in time be transmitted.” 

A catechist, Pope Francis continues, “walks from and with Christ,” and she or he cannot be a person who starts from her or his own ideas and tastes, but from Jesus. 

The word "catechesis" comes from two Greek words ‘kata’, meaning ‘back’, and ‘echo’, meaning ‘echo’. Catechesis means echoing back. Catechists are called to take what they have learned and have it echo in the young people. 

As of Dec. 31, 2015, there were 3.1 million catechists in the world, a surge from merely 173,000 catechists globally in 1978. 

Currently, St. Martin of Tours needs catechists for CCM on Thursday evenings at 4 pm to 5:15 pm and youth Confirmation catechists on Sunday afternoons at 4 pm to 5:15 pm. You do not need to be a theologian. All you need is faith and the love for Jesus! If the Holy Spirit leads you to this ministry, please contact Lerma Simpson at lerma.simpson@ dsj.org or at (408) 294-8953 ext. 321 
AROUND THE DIOCESE & COMMUNITY
UPCOMING EVENTS:
July 11th - August 25th (Weekly)
Joseph--How to live extraordinary in the ordinary
This eight week series from Real Life Catholic features speakers such as Chris Stefanick, Dr. Scott Hanh, Chris Evert and more! Register first at https://coaching.reallifecatholic.com/reallifejoseph . Starting July 11 until August 25, log in at https://coaching.reallifecatholic.com/reallifejoseph on either Sunday evenings at 7pm or Wednesday mornings at 11am to pray, reflect and discuss.
July 14 & August 18th
from 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Grief Events
This is a welcoming space to explore your grief and gain a better understanding of the emotions you are going through and how you might grow with a foundation of knowledge and prayer.
July 31st at 2pm
Most Holy Trinity Parish St. Ignatius of Loyola Feast Day Celebration
July is the month of fun and July 31st is the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. We'll host the event to celebrate the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola at the Jesuit parish, Most Holy Trinity. We would be grateful if you could come and join us. This year is also a special Ignatian year, in which we are remembering 500 years since St. Ignatius’ conversion when he was wounded by a cannonball during the Battle of Pamplona. RSVP email: margarita.hua@dsj.org 
RENTAL ASSISTANCE & RESOURCES

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. 
DSJ YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH

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 
RESOURCES & ASSISTANCE

Questions?
Please email the Parish Office.