The Valley Catholic April 2, 2019 | Page 10

10 COMMUNITY April 2, 2019 | The Valley Catholic Ignatian Companions Accepting New Members Here is a way for a person to expand one’s faith commitment and deepen spiritual life. The Companions in Igna- tian Spirituality & Service (CISS) pro- gram is celebrating its eleventh year and is accepting new members. Companions join together on the first Friday morning of the month in prayer and reflection, celebrating the opportunity of serving others. Since its humble beginning in 2008 with six members, it has flour- ished to over 160 Companions and has expanded from its South Bay origin to include programs in San Francisco and the East Bay. Companions is an enriching expe- rience that engages men and women Ignatian Companions Help with Handicapables event. who are eager to deepen their spiritual journey. South Bay Companions meet at Santa Clara University for liturgy, prayer and reflection rooted in Ignatian Spirituality. Participants continue their current outreach ministries, or add new service components. Companions are in direct service to the poor and marginalized and accompany others on their journeys. Among the myriad of ministries are food pantries, hospitals and hospice care, prison ministry, men- toring, anti-trafficking and immigration advocacy. Join us for an Information Night. We have scheduled two sessions, May 6 and May 20 at 7 p.m. The ses- sions will be conducted at 890 Benson Street in Santa Clara. For additional information contact Marcos Herrera at [email protected] or [phone] or Cathy Parent at [email protected] or [phone]. Living Well, Leaving Well By Bishop Oscar Cantú Diocese of San Jose The story of the Good Samaritan is one of Jesus’ most beloved parables. The story is compelling because Jesus uses the parable in response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” After telling the story, Jesus turns the question back to the one who had asked him, and his answer is, “…the one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus responds, “Go and do likewise.” Over these past several months, I have visited many parishes through- out Santa Clara County. I have been astounded by the diversity in the Dio- cese – not only in terms of culture, race, or country of origin, but by the socio- economic difference between those who live in spacious houses and manicured gardens and those who live in crowded apartments and garages. While we be- long to the same Church and are invited to share at the One Table, it is clear to me that not everyone is traveling along the same “road” to get to the Table. I have met scores of “good Samari- tans” in the Diocese. There are dozens of food banks and vibrant outreach ministries to those in need. I have met with the parishes who host vulner- able homeless persons and community leaders who provide scholarships and mentoring to first generation college stu- dents. I also spent time touring our own Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County programs and sites. I was impressed by the breadth and reach of their program- ming: literacy and nutrition programs, support for the elderly in skilled nursing facilities, support to those who are incar- cerated, and immigration legal services. I am encouraged to see so much be- ing done, yet, I know that the need is in- creasing. While we will work to ensure that those who travel these roads are safe, we cannot be afraid to raise issues about why those roads got to be the way they are and how might we as Church begin to address those issues. Return- ing to the parable, the Good Samaritan makes a commitment to the wounded traveler by paying the innkeeper to continue care for the man’s recovery. The commitment of the Good Samari- tan must also be our commitment. We need to commit our resources to those who travel down difficult roads and this commitment must be a generational commitment. Catholic Charities is our Catholic collective effort not only to help those who travel difficult roads, but to make the roads safer and even to provide the inn keeping services. We are the Good Samaritans who, as in the parable, say, “take care of this person.” With your faith as your legacy, I ask that you consider a legacy gift to Catholic Chari- ties. A bequest in a trust will help our collective effort to care for those who fall victim to lack of housing, food, and adequate income, as well as our efforts to improve educational opportunities and healthcare, and to help build better roads for tomorrow. Bishop Oscar Cantú will present on the subject of leaving behind a better road at “Living Well, Leaving Well,” a morn- ing of conversation and learning about planning your legacy on April 25 from 9 a.m.- noon, at Saint Francis of Assisi, 5111 San Felipe Road, San Jose, Ca 95135. You are invited to join us at this free and informative event. Learn more by visiting: www.catholiccharitiesscc.org/decisions. Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County invites you to a special presentation: LIVING WELL, LEAVING WELL Coadjutor Bishop Oscar Cantú will share his thoughts about providing for and stewarding our community now and into the future. A panel of professionals will discuss key insights on planning for today’s families, and guests will be able to “ask-the-experts” at an end-of-life professionals fair. Thursday, April 25, 2019 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. St. Francis of Assisi, San Jose Most Reverend Oscar Cantú Call: David Russo 408-325-5248 or Visit: www.CatholicCharitiesSCC.org/Decisions