SUNDAY READINGS

SUNDAY REFLECTION

Dear Saint Martin Community,

It is Ascension Sunday—the Risen Lord is now ascended to be with the Father in heaven. It is bittersweet day for the apostles because Jesus is no longer physically present on earth with them.

Although this feast celebrates the departure of Jesus to heaven, this feast also reminds us of Jesus’ new presence. He has spoken of this several times with his disciples. On the “night before he died,” Jesus said, “Now I am going to the one who sent me…” And this filled the heart of the disciples with grief. But several times Jesus has spoken of a new presence, “the Advocate will come to you.” He was speaking about the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Indeed, Jesus has ascended into heaven—to intercede for us at the right hand of the Father. But Jesus continues to be “here with us” in and through the Indwelling Spirit.

What does that mean?

Saint Luke wrote both the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. The Gospel tells us of the life and ministry of Jesus, and the Acts of the Apostles tells us about the life and ministry of the early Church. Both describe to us the ascension of Jesus to heaven, but both also narrate to us the constant presence of Jesus in the life and ministry of the early Church. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the early Church preached the Good News of Jesus to the ends of the earth.

The same Spirit is given to us through the grace of Baptism. The life and ministry of the early Church is ours too. We are now the ones called to bear witness to that constant presence of Jesus in this world. Though we have not ministered alongside Jesus as his original disciples did, we have encountered Jesus, and continue to do so in the Liturgy and the Sacraments, and in the presence of those around us.

Jesus has ascended but, in and through the Indwelling Spirit, he continues to be with us. Let us reflect: Am I cognizant of Jesus’ presence in the Liturgy and the Sacrament, and those around me? Do I realize that others may encounter Jesus in you and me?

Happy Ascension Sunday!

Fr. Gener 

Most Reverend Patrick J. McGrath

Funeral Services and obituary of Bishop Emeritus Patrick J. McGrath: Funeral Service information and Obituary is now available. Wednesday, May 17: Public Viewing and Mass of Thanksgiving; May 18: Public Viewing and Vigil Service, May 19: Mass of Christian Burial. Visit dsj.org for times and location. As seats are limited at the Vigil and Christian Burial Mass, everyone is encouraged to attend the livestream of the services at facebook/diocsesanjose and https://www.youtube.com/@DioceseofSanJoseCA/streams.

Donations in Bishop McGrath’s memory may be made to the Diocesan Priests’ Retirement Fund, the Lay Leadership Scholarship Fund or the Catholic School Tuition Assistance Fund online at https://www.givecentral.org/PJTribute.

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

Online Mass Links: Zoom | Facebook

May 20 - 26, 2023

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

Saturday 5:00PM

Benjamin Valle Arias †

Joseph Schiro †

Sunday 8:30 

Dario Zapanta †

Sunday 10:00

Antonio Amato †

Sunday 11:30

Salvador Lipari †

Edward Enos †

Monday 8:00 

Michael Magat †

Desmond Gunatilaka †

Souls in Purgatory

Tuesday 8:00

Violeta Versoza Tiongson †

Nolan Luu & Minh Hien Do

(25th Wedding Anniversary)

Wednesday 8:15

James & Vincee Viso †

Thursday 8:00

Mary Lou Lawrence

George Deluchi

Friday 8:00

St. Martin of Tours Parishioners

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE DECEASED:

Bishop M’Grath, Betsy Shultz, Violet Adao, Crisanta Tomista, Soledad Ortiz

 PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE SICK:

Carol Gomez, Rodger “OB” O’Brien, Sue Ferketich,

Carol Votano, Patricia Toschi, Vern Lopes, Helena Knapen

Friday, May 19, 2023

Food Box Distribution

Outside the church from 4-5PM

Volunteers, please arrive at 3:00PM

Friday, May 26, 2023

Prayer Shawl Group

in the Bailey House at 12:30 PM

All are welcome! If you love to knit, please join us.

Monday, May 29, 2023

Memorial Day

Parish Office closed in observance of Memorial Day. Please join us for Mass at 8:00 AM

Scout’s Flag Retirement Ceremony

in Mary’s Garden from 10:00 AM—12:00 PM

Please drop off your flags by May 28th

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Holy Hour (Adoration & Benediction) with Happy Hour

in the church at 7:00 PM

Please join us.

For a complete list of Parish events:

PARISH COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Food Drive for Watsonville

We would like to bring some food to our neighbors in Watsonville for their next Food Pantry. As you know the area was severely impacted by the floods. The amount of families that are food insecure has quadrupled. On June 9th we plan to deliver food from our Food drive to Watsonville. If you are interested in being a volunteer that day please email: tlehane@stmartin.org. Food barrels will be placed in the back of the Church for your convenience. If you can pick up any of the following on your next Grocery shop we would really appreciate it. THANK YOU!

 MASA FLOUR

DRY BEANS

WHITE RICE

VEGETABLE OIL

PAPER TOWELS

TOILET PAPER 

DIAPERS SIZE 5 OR 6

BABY WIPES

Get your Name Badges

If you have turned in your name badge request, your name badge is ready. Please pick them up after Mass or during the week in the parish office. If you have not had the opportunity to do so, we invite you to complete a request, which can be found in the church and the parish office. Thank you so much!!!

Flag Retirement

B.S.A Troops 390 and 2390 are honored to provide a flag retirement service for the St. Martin’s Community. The retirement ceremony will be held on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023, in Mary’s Garden at St. Martin of Tours from 10:00 AM to Noon.

A flag which is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display may be retired. Please place the flag in the box adjacent to the main church entrance by May 28, 2023. You may attach a note to the flag with any history you would like to share. (Family name, when and where the flag has been displayed etc.) The note will be read aloud as part of the retirement ceremony. United States flags only, please.

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 TODAY button below. Thank you again!!

ADA 2023

Supporting Our Mission Together

Our Parish Goal: $148,624

Thank you so much! As of May 5, 2023, we have received 300 pledges. The total amount pledged is $121,962. The Parish is about $26,000 short of its goal.

Thank you to all who have generously pledged already and if you haven't yet pledged, please consider making your pledge today by scanning the QR code, visiting the ADA website: DSJ.org/ADA

2nd Collection for Catholic Charities

Our second collection this weekend, May 20th and 21st, is for Catholic Charities. We invite you to view the informational video by clicking HERE. Thank you for your continued support of these important ministries.

What’s an Extraordinary Minister (EM)

of Holy Communion?

“Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion” is the formal title of laypeople who distribute the Eucharist during Mass. As the title implies, there are also “ordinary ministers” – those who are literally “ordained” to the ministry namely bishops, priests, and deacons. These ministers are usually the first in order to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ.

To serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, persons must:

· Be practicing Catholics, distinguished in their Christian life, faith, and morals.

· Have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

· Demonstrate a deep reverence for and devotion to the Eucharist.

· Be an active registered member of our parish.

· Willing to be trained and undergo formation.

If you are interested, please call the parish office to register to become one.

Training will be announced soon.

Dates to Remember...

June 10 – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Mystagogy Retreat in the Bailey House for the newly baptized and confirmed adults of our parish

Family Reflection

May 28, 2023 Pentecost Sunday

Acts 2:1-11 • 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 • John 20:19-23

Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. —John 20:19-20

Have you ever been in a scary situation? Imagine what you might feel if the biggest bully at school decided you would be a great target and began running after you. Just the thought of it might make your heart begin racing. In today’s Gospel, we see that Jesus’ followers were very scared. The bullies who killed Jesus were powerful and could easily target them as they did Jesus. Now picture how you would feel if, just before the school bully caught up with you, your parents pulled up to your school, got out of the car, and came by your side. What a relief that would be! That’s how Jesus’ followers felt when Jesus appeared to them on Pentecost. They saw that the bullies had not won the battle because Jesus was alive, and Jesus promised that his Spirit would be with them to protect them in the job he was giving them to do. What relief they must have felt!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to remember that, with you by my side, there is nothing I cannot face. Send your Holy Spirit to comfort me when I am afraid.

FAMILY REFLECTION: How can you help others when they are fearful? Was there a time when Jesus rescued you from harm? Be sure to share that experience with others.

Knowing Our Faith

(excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church)

What does the name “Jesus” mean, and why is Jesus called “Christ”?

“Jesus means in Hebrew: ‘God saves’. At the annunciation, the angel Gabriel gave him the name Jesus as his proper name, which expresses both his identity and his mission. The word ‘Christ’ comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew Messiah, which means ‘anointed’. It became the name proper to Jesus only because he accomplished perfectly the diving mission that ‘Christ’ signifies.” (CCC 430, 436)

From the Bishop's Office

Pastoral Planning Update: Since February, Bishop, the steering committee and commission have discerned and analyzed the results from January’s Diocesan Synod Assembly. As a result, in order to properly consult and engage key stakeholders in feedback on these key priorities, it would be prudent to defer the announcement of the Pastoral Plan from June to December to allow for the broad discernment and dialogue throughout the process as the Bishop desires. The new timeline with the key phases of the planning process over the next nine months can be found on the diocese’s website at: www.dsj.org/pastoral-planning. 

Novena for Migrants: Starting May 21, the diocese will pray a Novena for the migrants at the border being affected by the end of Title 42. Join together in solidarity with Catholic Bishops throughout the US, to pray for a merciful and humane resolution for all migrants. Pray with the daily Novena guide linked at www.dsj.org/migrants beginning May 21 and going through May 30.

Ordination to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate of Seminarians Robert Richard Lamorena, Duy Duc Nguyen and Ryan Michael Chew Kong Mau through the laying on of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit by Bishop Cantú on May 20, 9:30am at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph.

DYR Youth Retreat in Tahoe - DEADLINE Approaching: There is still room but numbers are increasing quickly! Registration will be extended but sign-up soon. There is time for fundraising and payment schedules can be extended to allow for last minute payments. We are very excited about this life changing retreat and the opportunities for our youth to encounter Christ. Register at www.dsj.org/youth. Gather your parish groups and bring your friends!

Diocesan Mental Health Information and Events: 

May - Mental Health Awareness: This month of May, join the national movement aimed at raising awareness about mental health to work toward erasing the stigma surrounding it. Check out this Mental Health May Calendar and discover 31 small things you can do to improve your mental health this month! Mental Health Toolkit also available at www.mhanational.org

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. 

Questions?

Please email the Parish Office.