The Valley Catholic December 11, 2018 | Page 2

2 IN THE DIOCESE December 11, 2018 | The Valley Catholic Christmas Message from Bishop McGrath and Bishop Cantú December 2018 Dear Brothers and Sisters, From Christ who was, who is and who is to come, grace light and peace be with you! The coming of the end of the year coincides with our annual observance of Advent and Christmas. As we look back to a year that in so many ways has been terribly sad and disappointing, still we are full of hope in view of what is yet to come. This hope is founded in Who is to come: our Lord Jesus Christ. The weeks leading to Christmas encourage us to be one with the prophets who foretold the Lord’s coming as they fervently hoped for an end to the bond- age and captivity that so often marked the life of the people of Israel. Even now, we live in this same hope as we so often sing “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.” We rejoice, for we are confi dent that, in spite of all things, God is with us. Advent also serves to help us prepare to celebrate the Lord’s Birth, surrounded by the love of Mary and Joseph, the song of angels and shepherds’ witness. We look fondly to that fi rst Christmas as the reason for our celebration so many years later. These weeks before Christmas challenge us to see and welcome the Lord who breaks into each of our lives as surely as He entered the life and history of humanity long ago in Bethlehem. Where do we recognize the Lord today? Do we allow ourselves to hear His voice speaking to us through the Scriptures? Do we encounter His loving care for us in the sacraments, most especially in the Eucharist? Do we know Him in one another and in the poor and needy who knock on the doors of our lives? Today, in December 2018, parents and young children, not so unlike the Holy Family, are seeking asylum from the violence that threatens them. They come to the borders of this nation in the hope that just as the Holy Family found safety in Egypt, so these families will fi nd the welcome that we might reserve for Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Looking forward to Christmas and the New Year, we cannot erase the mistakes and tragedies of the past, but we can surely recommit ourselves and our Church to a renewed faithfulness to the Lord Whose Birth we prepare to celebrate with joy and love. May this ancient prayer be on our lips and in our hearts: “Jesus, living in Mary, come and live in us.” With every best wish and kind regard, we remain, Sincerely yours, Appointments of Bishop Oscar Cantú DECEMBER 11 Tues, 9 a.m., Internal Offi ce Meeting, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose Tues, 11 a.m., Internal Offi ce Meeting, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose Tues, 7 p.m., Simbang Gabi Commissioning Mass, Saint John the Baptist Church, Milpitas 12 Wed, 6 a.m., Mass and Mañanitas, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, San Jose Wed, noon, Mass, Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration, Chancery Offi ces. 13 Thurs, 9 a.m., Internal Offi ce Meeting, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose Thurs, noon, CFSCC Christmas celebration, San Jose Thurs, 5:30 p.m., Bishop’s Circle of Excellence Christmas Open House, San Jose 14 Fri, 8 a.m., Mass Celebration MESST, San Jose Fri, 10:30 a.m., Priest Personnel Board Meeting, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose Fri, 1:30 pm., Internal Offi ce Meeting, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose 15 Sat, 5 pm., Simbang Gabi Mass, St. Lawrence the Great Church, Santa Clara 16 Sun, 11 a.m., Mass and Altar Consecration, St. Maria Goretti Parish, San Jose 20 Thurs, 8 a.m., Mass and Visit to Sacred Heart Parish & School, Saratoga Thurs, 1 p.m., Meeting of the Bishop’s Cabinet, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose Thurs, 7 p.m., Posada, Santa Teresa Church, San Jose 21 Fri, 10:30 a.m. Liturgical Commission Meeting, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose Fri, 1:30 p.m., Bishop’s Chancery Christmas Open House, San Jose Fri, 7 pm., Closing of Simbang Gabi Mass, Resurrection Church, Sunnyvale 22 Sat, 5:30 a.m., Simbang Gabi Mass, Holy Family Church, San Jose 23 Sun, 10 a.m., Advent Mass, St. Athanasius Parish, Mountain View Sun, 2 p.m. Annual Clergy Christmas Open House, San Jose 24 Mon, 4:30 p.m., Christmas Vigil Mass, St. Joseph Cathedral, San Jose 25 Tues, 12 a.m., Christmas Midnight Mass, St. Joseph Cathedral, San Jose JANUARY 2-8 Bishops’ Retreat, Mundelein College, Chicago, Illinois. 10 Thurs, 9:30 a.m., Council of Priests Meeting, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose Thurs, 1 p.m., Meeting of the Bishop’s Cabinet, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose 11 Fri, 10 a.m., Internal Offi ce Meeting, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose Fri, 2 p.m., Internal Offi ce Meeting, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose 13 Sun, 9 a.m., Mass, Church of the Ascension, Saratoga 14 Mon, 10:30 a.m., Internal Offi ce Meeting, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose Mon, 3 p.m., Internal Offi ce Meeting, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose 15 Tues, 9 a.m., Internal Offi ce Meeting, Diocesan Offi ces, San Jose 17 Thurs, 5 p.m., Mass and gathering with Jesuits Priests, Santa Clara University 18 Friday, 1 p.m., Deans Luncheon Meeting, San Jose 19 Sat, 12 noon, Filipino Celebration, Feast of Santo Niño, St. Joseph Cathedral On the cover On the cover, the winner of Bishop McGrath’s Christmas card contest was designed by Audrey S., fourth grader at Saint Lucy School, Campbell. Offi cial Bishop Patrick J. McGrath has dispensed the faithful of the Diocese of San Jose from the obligation to participate in Mass on January 1, 2019, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. All are encouraged, however, to share the Eucharist that day, which is also the annual World Day of Prayer for Peace. Bishop McGrath has appointed Father Severino Kuuopo as Parochial Vicar, pro tem, of Saint Joseph of Cupertino Parish in Cupertino, eff ective December 20, 2018 – April 21, 2019. Bishop Patrick J. McGrath The Valley Catholic Publisher Bishop Patrick J. McGrath Executive Editor and Communications Director Liz Sullivan [email protected] Production Manager Yesenia Cabrera Hall [email protected] Business Manager Rosie Zepeda [email protected] 1150 N. First Street, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95112-4966 [phone] PHONE | [phone] FAX [email protected] | tvc.dsj.org Bishop Oscar Cantú The Valley Catholic (ISSN 8750-6238) is published for the Diocese of San José, 19 times a year: twice monthly except in August, December, and January (when one issue is published). The Valley Catholic is not published in July. Periodical postage paid at San Jose, CA and additional mailing offi ces. The Valley Catholic is dated and mailed to all registered households in the Diocese of San Jose. Subscriptions: $25 per year within Santa Clara County; $35 per year outside Santa Clara County Postmaster: Send address changes to: Diocese of San José, 1150 North First Street, Suite 100, San Jose, CA 95112-4966 Opinions, quotes, and views appearing in The Valley Catholic do not necessarily refl ect those of The Valley Catholic and do not represent an endorsement by The Valley Catholic. Acceptance of advertising for publication in The Valley Catholic does not constitute approval or endorsement by The Valley Catholic. Address all letters, news releases, advertising inquiries, circulation, and/or subscription requests to The Valley Catholic at the address listed above, or e-mail at [email protected]. Bishop McGrath has appointed Father Reynaldo Sarmiento as Parochial Ad- ministrator, pro tem, of Queen of Apostles Parish in San Jose, eff ective January 21 – May 20, 2019. Deadline for the January 22, 2019 edition of The Valley Catholic is Tuesday, December 18, noon. Please submit to: [email protected]. ADDRESS CORRECTIONS To make corrections to your subscription, email us at: [email protected] Or cut out and mail to: The Valley Catholic 1150 N. First Street, Suite 100 San Jose, CA 95112 Questions? Call [phone] Please correct my name Please correct my address We are receiving two copies. Please cancel this subscription. Please cancel this subscription.