Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 5, 2021
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On Overcoming Prejudices
St. James addresses a major issue of his time in the second reading, namely how they showed partiality to the rich and looked with prejudice to the poor. Hopefully, no one is treating wealthy members better than poor ones in our community and families. Sadly, prejudice is a sin that is just as prevalent today as it was 2000 years ago. Today we have laws for business and government to prevent prejudice. But the subtler forms of judging people by their race, clothing, speech, religion, sexual orientation, etc. sometimes hide behind patriotism, faith, or the desire to protect our families. So how can we stop it?
One reason for prejudice is ignorance. Some people will believe anything they hear or read, especially if they see it on the internet. The only way to fight ignorance is with the truth. Encounters with open hearts will help us to overcome prejudices. Jesus himself said the truth will set you free. (Jn 8:32) He ignored the laws/traditions that said you cannot associate with unclean people, Gentiles, or sinners. He told us that God loves all people, even sinners, so what right do we have to judge someone just because they are different?
A second reason for prejudice is fear. We are told that certain neighborhoods are dangerous. Or an older adult sees three teenage boys walking down the street and because of his/her fear, she thinks they could be gang members. Sometimes fear stops us from helping the needy. But remember how many times Jesus tells us in the gospels, “Do not be afraid.”
If we can learn to see Christ in all peoples, regardless of their race or lifestyle, we are beginning to leave prejudice behind. If we teach our children to respect the poor, the disabled, the homeless, we can help them to understand what James meant about God choosing the “poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom.” (Jas 2:5)
Tom Schmidt, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
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MASS SCHEDULE
WEEKDAYS
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM
INDOOR & Live-Streamed
WEEKENDS
Sunday Vigil - Saturday 5:00 PM
INDOOR & Live-Streamed
Sunday 8:30 AM
OUTDOORS & IN-CAR
Sunday 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM
INDOOR
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LIVE-STREAM LINKS
(Click Buttons Below)
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Anyone that feels sick, has tested COVID positive, or has been exposed to a person who is COVID positive should stay home and attend the live-stream Mass.
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MASS INTENTIONS
September 4 - September 10
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Saturday 5:00pm - Barry Furtado †
Sunday 8:30am - James & Vincee Viso †
Sunday 10:00am - Dennis Ward †
Sunday 11:30am - Mary Oliver †
and ICF Deceased Members †
Monday 8:00am - Recently Deceased
Tuesday 8:00am - St. Martin of Tours Parishioners
Wednesday 8:00am - Souls in Purgatory
Thursday 8:00am - St. Martin of Tours Parishioners
Friday 8:00am - St. Martin of Tours School
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PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE DECEASED:
Carolina De Los Santos, Mark Corpuz, Betty Newnan
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PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE SICK:
Molly Clark, Gilbert Lai, Robert Saavedra, Ester Tan, Caitlin Phung, Ayaat Rabi, Patricia Puentes, Monica Kresb-Bach, Michael Cheers, Helena Knapen, Flo Bey
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Please pray with us for our parishioners, family and friends. |
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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. |
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Wishing you and your family a restful and safe Labor Day!!!
Please join us for Mass on Labor Day, September 6th at 8:00am.
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
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HOLY HOUR
PLEASE JOIN US ON
Thursday, September 2nd at 7:00pm
In the Church or via Zoom for Holy Hour
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BAPTISMS
Please welcome the following children who were baptized in our parish community in the month of August:
Ayomi Duenow
(child of Wesley Duenow and Chrystal Silva)
Caleb Ratto Lee
(child of David James Lee and Diane Marie Ratto)
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Prayers for Concerns in the World |
Earthquake in Haiti
Almighty God, merciful Father, Your thoughts are not our thoughts. Your ways are not our ways. In Your wisdom, You have permitted this disastrous earthquake to befall the people of Haiti. We implore You, let not the hearts of Your people despair nor their faith in You fail, but sustain and comfort them. Direct the efforts to attend to the injured, console the bereaved, and protect the helpless. Bring hope and healing that the people may find relief and restoration. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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Hurricane Ida and Fires in California
Almighty God and source of life, we cry to you in our distress and beg you to show your kindness to those who are suffering from the destruction of Hurricane Ida and fires in California.
We pray for those who have died, that they may be at peace with you forever; and for their loved ones who are grieving, that they may be comforted in their loss by your presence in those who care for them.
We pray for those who have suffered injury, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and ask you to heal them. We pray for those who have lost their homes, whose families are separated and scattered, that you may shelter them.
We ask you to strengthen us in our own time of need and to give us the courage to reach out to help others who are also in need. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who calmed the stormy sea. Amen.
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FAITH FORMATION DATES TO REMEMBER
RCIA:
September 12 (11:30 AM to 1:00 PM) – Session in the parish office
September 19 (11:30 AM to 1:00 PM) – Session in the parish office
September 26 (11:30 AM to 1:00 PM) – Session in the parish office
CCM and First Eucharist Preparation:
September 16 – deadline to register for CCM and First Eucharist Preparation
September 23 – Parent Orientation in the church
- CCM – 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- First Eucharist (includes those in the CCM program) – 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Confirmation:
October 1 – deadline to register
October 24 – Parent and Student Orientation in the church
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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
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PARISH COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Web Link for the Parish Community Calendar:
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STEWARDSHIP & DEVELOPMENT |
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Parish Office Hours
Monday -Thursday 10 AM to 5 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
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We thank you for your continued support during these challenging times! Please be as generous as you can as we reach to meet our budget. If you would like to make a secure one-time donation and/or setup regular online donations, please use the GIVE NOW button. Thank you again!! |
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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 Request Form 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.”
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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. |
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FAITH FORMATION & SPIRITUALITY |
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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 on Sundays. Anyone who is thinking about becoming Catholic, or if you would like to complete your sacraments of initiation, you are welcome to join us.
For more information, please contact Lerma Simpson at the parish office. lerma.simpson@dsj.org; (408) 294-8953 ext. 321
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A Closer Look Inside A Catholic Home….. |
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Madonna and Child
Pictures of Mary holding the baby Jesus have dominated Christian art for centuries. We call Mary the Madonna from Italian words that mean “my lady”, and so these pictures are called “Madonna and Child” images.
When artists create these images, they fill them with all kinds of symbols that are interesting to explore. Do they wear royal-looking clothes, and are they sitting on a throne? This tells us that Jesus is Lord and that Mary, his mother, is worthy of honor too. Or are they dressed more humbly in ordinary surroundings? This tells us that Jesus was fully human, born of a woman. Are they looking at each other out of love, or are they looking at us, inviting us into their communion? Is Mary pointing to Jesus? Is she nursing him? What else do we see in the picture? A goldfinch represents Resurrection; a lamb reminds us of the Passion. A lily signifies Mary’s purity; a violet, her humility.
All these intriguing symbols invite us to enter more deeply the mystery and grace of God’s love come to earth – to every part of the earth, every culture at every point in time. That’s why people from all regions and cultures have depicted Mary and Jesus in their own time period, in their own skin: love born among us – all of us – seen in a mother and child.
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September 5, 2021 • 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 35:4-7a • James 2:1-5 • Mark 7:31-37
“They were exceedingly astonished and they said, ‘He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak’.” —Mark 7:37
In today’s Gospel, we read about a fantastic miracle Jesus performed. He restored a man’s hearing and speech. Imagine someone you know who is sick or hurt right now. How excited would you be if Jesus healed that person right before your eyes? It would be hard not to shout your excitement to let everyone know the good news! But Jesus still performs miracles every day, and often we don’t even notice. Place your hand on your wrist and feel your blood pumping through your body. Or stare at a black and white image for about 30 seconds; then close your eyes and see how the image is now reversed. It’s pretty amazing that God created our bodies to work the way they do. Take notice today and see how many astonishing things God has done and is still doing!
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be attentive to your greatness and be grateful for the miracles you perform all around us.
Reflection: What are some miraculous things God has done for our family?
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CHILDREN'S SUNDAY BULLETIN & ACTIVITIES
Web Link for this week - Children's Sunday Bulletin & Activities:
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AROUND THE DIOCESE & COMMUNITY |
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September 10th at 11:30am
Rosary & Faith Talk
Presented by: Guadalupe Hope Society
Rev. Matthias Lambrecht, O.C.D. of Mount Saint Joseph Carmelite Monastery, will lead us in a rosary for the unborn and share a faith talk on The Brown Scapular. This event will be In-Person and virtual on Zoom.
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Saturday, September 18th 9:00am - 2:00pm (Initial Gathering)
Faith & Racial Healing Series
Location: St. Thomas of Canterbury
Seeking a safe space to ask about race?
Several parishes within the Diocese of San José have come together to offer a program that provides such a space. A product of JustFaith Ministries, this program explores the concept/construct of race through the lens of the Christian tradition.
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Sunday, September 26th at 11:00AM
World Day of Migrants & Refugee Mass
Location: Holy Cross Church
Bishop Cantú will be celebrating Mass for Migrants and Refugees. Please share the flyer with friends and colleagues.
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Stay up to date with Diocesan wide news, events, and stories as well as news from the USCCB and the Vatican. Read the Bishop’s messages, see what our children are doing in school, and learn about upcoming community events. Follow the Diocese of San Jose on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Vimeo. Social Media Posts: Facebook | Instagram
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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.
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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
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