Ash Wednesday, February 10 Mass at 8:30am and 7:00pm

February 6-7, 2016
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
I picked up a copy of Pope Francis’ new book: The Name of God is Mercy (it’s actually an interview of
him). The Holy Father speaks to the Year of Mercy, which began on December 8. He reflects on his
motivation and inspiration for this holy year, as well as of people and moments that speak to him of God’s
mercy and compassion. It’s been a good while since a book touched my heart as this one does.
Lenten Homily Series: Let’s borrow a page from our Protestant sisters and brothers and have a common theme to a
series of Sunday homilies. (Our Protestant sisters and brothers might call it a sermon series.) For the six Sundays of Lent
(February 14 – March 20), I will borrow Pope Francis’ book title, The Name of God is Mercy, and speak of God’s love as it
faces human lives broken by poverty, sin, life’s unfortunate turns, or by whatever makes us less than the person God
intends us to be. I look forward to preparing and then speaking of God’s mercy and compassion on each Sunday of Lent.
And if you know of someone who might benefit from that message, invite them to join you for Mass during Lent.
I also invite you to read Pope Francis’ The Name of God is Mercy.
It’s a good book for Lent and for any time of the year.
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Come and spend some time in prayer before the Lord
every Friday after the 8:30am Mass from 9am to 10am.
WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS:
Sat.
Sun.
Sun.
Mon.
Tues.
Weds.
Weds.
Fri.
Sat.
Sun.
Sun.
2/06/16
2/07/16
2/07/16
2/08/16
2/09/16
2/10/16
2/10/16
2/12/16
2/13/16
2/14/16
2/14/16
5:15p:
9:00a:
11:00a:
8:30a:
8:30a:
8:30a:
7:00p:
9:00a:
5:15p:
9:00a
11:00a:
Joseph Harold La Scola 
PJ Francois 
Rene Buelna 
St. Thomas Community
Lourdes Villanueva 
Rene Buelna 
Ann Voisinet 
Souls in Purgatory 
Frank Epolite Jr. 
The Quilici Family
Rose Kurk 
Please Pray for … All Those Who Are Sick:
Gloria Austin, Joe Bratun, David Buerkle, Xuan (Anna) Bui,
Meg Bullock, Marguerite Fenstermaker, Enrique Garcia,
Esther Garcia, Olivia Gray, Eric Hogue, Cindy Klinesmith,
Jean Merryfield, Anita Montgomery, Dr. Robert Naughten,
Lucina Nicolas, Robert Quilici, Adean Reid, Priscilla Schleich,
Matilda Shaloub, Marge Shull, Beatrix Tann, Carol Vela
All Those Who Have Died:
René Buelna (brother to Elvia Troquato)
Kyle Le Blanc (grandson to Gayle & Romy Barbieri)
Gerald Ferber, Charles Lamm
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT Ministry: The support
group meets the first and third Tuesdays of every month
from 7pm to 8:30pm in church. All are welcome!
The next gathering will be Tuesday, February 16 at
7:00pm. For more information, contact Linda Delescale
at (408) 708-7766 or [email protected].
Homily Series: The Name of God is Mercy
Sundays of Lent: February 14 – March 20
Invite a friend to join you for Mass.
Ash Wednesday, February 10
Mass at 8:30am and 7:00pm
Special Collection for the Church
in Central and Eastern Europe.
Readings:
Joel 2:12-18, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
World Day for Consecrated Life:
Celebrate Vocations! This Sunday marks World Day for
Consecrated Life. The Church is invited to remember
with gratitude the women and men who have dedicated
their lives in service to the mission of Jesus. Let us pray
that others will hear the call to consecrated life and
respond generously.
Prayer for Vocations
Holy God, during this Year of faith,
With gratitude in our hearts,
we praise you for your love and your fidelity.
You have shown us the way to holiness
through Mary and Jesus and many faithful witnesses.
You continue to call men and women to dedicate their lives
through the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Give them courage to respond generously to your call with
“Here I am, send me!”
Blessed by your Spirit, may we always proclaim your love with
our lives. Amen.
Scripture to be Proclaimed next weekend:
February 13-14, 2016: First Sunday of Lent:
First: Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Second: Romans 10:8-13
Gospel: Luke 4:1-13
Memory Verse: When I called, you answered me; you
built up strength within me. Psalm 138:3
February 6-7, 2016
Please Pray for Kairos Weekends:
Starting on February 11th:
Kairos 10 Wildwood CC - AK
Starting on February 12th:
Kairos 17 FCI Talledega - AL, Kairos 6
Allenwood FCI - PA, Kairos 1 Salinas Valley - CA, and
Kairos 46 San Quentin - CA
Starting on February 18th:
Kairos 22 Alexander CI - NC
Children’s Choir: All children of
the parish ages 6 and up can
participate in the choir.
(must be able to read)
Upcoming rehearsals for Choir:
Tuesday, February 9
5:30-6:30pm in church
Date change! The children’s choir
will lead us in song on February 14 at the 9am Mass.
We need a volunteer to help set up chairs and
microphones for choir once per month and someone
to help with photocopying and organizing music for
the choir once per month. (about a 2-3 hour time
commitment each month). If you would like to
participate in the choir or if you can help, contact Sherry
Scott at [email protected]
Mothers of Preschoolers…….
Our next gathering will take place
Thursday, February 18. Breakfast
and free childcare provided! Come join us and see what
MOPS is all about! For more information, please
contact Christie Schauer, parishioner at (408) 340-0296
or [email protected] or visit us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/mops-of-st-thomas.
Upcoming Dates in Catechetical Ministry:
● Feb 16, no Tuesday classes – Winter Break
● Feb 26, 6-8pm (Friday): Family Night:
Soup Supper and Stations of the Cross
ALMSGIVING IDEAS for Lent:
MONTHLY FOOD & CLOTHING DRIVE: Make a
consorted effort to contribute to the Monthly Food and
Clothing Drive, especially during Lent. Every time you
visit the grocery store, pick up an item or two for a
family in need. See the insert in this week’s bulletin for
a list of suggested food items for the food drive. (This
list is guideline.)
TOILETRY DRIVE: Toothbrushes, shampoo, hand
soap, socks, razors, shaving cream, lotions, and women’s
loungewear are needed for our Lenten toiletry drive to
support the South Bay Coalition to End Human
Trafficking and to Next Door Solutions to Domestic
Violence.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Welcome Our Visiting Priests!
This weekend, we have Fr. Joe
Gordon (a friend of Fr. Dave) and
Fr. John Hurley (a Paulist Father
who’s a noted speaker on
evangelization). On Monday and Tuesday,
Msgr. Mike Mitchell (Fr. Dave’s pastor when he was
first a priest).
On Ash Wednesday, you’ll see Fr. John Martin (a Jesuit
and former pastor at Holy Family Church) and Fr. Tim
Lyons (a Legionaries of Christ chaplain at Canyon
Heights School).
A big Canterbury WELCOME to our priests who are
filling in for Fr. Dave!
Happy Birthday to…
Melusine Ariente, Robert Held, Steve Messer,
Gordon Hayes, Santiago Musgrove, David Silva,
William “Bud” Voisinet, Matt Calwell, Kevin Scott,
Susan Ferrari, Mark Lennon,
Vanessa Moore, Kishore Fernandes
Happy 13th to Sophia Scheid!
Happy 13th to Gabrielle Besio!
Anniversary Blessings to…
Dan & Joyce Archuleta, Mike & Diana Seixas
Book Talks with Fr. Dave: At Christmas, we gave
away copies of Rediscover Jesus, An Invitation
by Matthew Kelly. As a follow up, we invite you to our
monthly talks about the book. We hope you can join us!
3rd Monday of each month, 7:15 – 8:30 PM in church.
Feb 15: Chapters 9-16 (Sherry Scott will be facilitating!)
March 21: Chapters 17-24
April 18: Chapters 25-32
May 16: Chapters 33-40
For more information, contact Fr. Dave at
[email protected], or, facebook.com/frdavemercer.
Follow-up to Christmas Book:
Many picked up an extra copy of the book
given out at Christmas (Matthew Kelly’s
Rediscover Jesus) to give to a friend or
relative. A month later, perhaps they’ve
begun to read the book and their curiosity
about faith and Jesus has taken a step or two.
We ask you to contact him or her, ask what they think of
the book, and invite them to join you for Sunday Mass.
If they join you, be sure to introduce them to Fr. Dave,
and mention to him they are reading the book.
4: Twelve Youth Ministry:
Save the date!
Youth Lenten Prayer Service & Youth
Night: Friday, March 4 at 6:30pm
February 6-7, 2016
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING:
If you can't feed a hundred people, feed just one. -Blessed Mother Teresa
SOCIAL MINISTRIES CORE TEAM: In just a little over a year, our Social Ministries Core Team has found ways to
encourage and promote numerous activities both within and outside our parish. What is a social minister? Very likely,
you are, although you may not yet think of yourself in those terms. A social minister is one who practices the works of
mercy.
Corporal Works of Mercy: Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the
sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead.
Spiritual Works of Mercy: Counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted, forgive
offenses, bear wrongs patiently, and pray for the living and the dead.
Our next meeting is February 8 at 7:00pm in the Canterbury Room. All are invited to come and receive or offer support
to the many social ministries of our parish. Contacts are the liaisons for social ministry from St. Thomas of Canterbury to
the Diocese of San Jose;
Anthony Ordona, (408) 807-7254, [email protected] and Kathy Mattingly (669) 222-9418 [email protected].
HOMELESS SUPPORT: Our new Homeless Support group is fully engaged in the task of providing meals and
additional support to the ongoing effort to provide shelter to the homeless in our local community. Eight parishes of the
Diocese of San Jose along with a wide variety of faith based communities are spearheading this important mission. If you
want to help out and join this important ministry, please contact Delores Delaney (408) 866-0791,
[email protected], Al Smith (408) 374-4339, [email protected], and Majella Pinto,
[email protected].
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES RICE BOWL: CRS Rice Bowl is a Catholic Relief Service Lenten program for
families and faith communities who want to put their faith into action by supporting programs that prevent hunger and
poverty around the world. This program also serves our local community. In 2015, the CRS Rice Bowl awarded $84,000
in grants to parishes and school here in our diocese, using 25% of CRS Rice Bowl funds that were received from previous
collections. St Thomas received a grant of $2500 for outreach and partnership with other organizations serving the poor in
our area. Anderson School was the recipient of our funds, which were used for books that students can take home. It also
stimulated gifts of books and shoe vouchers from members of our parish. CRS Rice Bowl is a great way of extending our
mercy and compassion to those here at home and abroad. Thank you for your generosity! Please take out the Rice Bowl
box attached in this week's bulletin and participate!
HOLY LAND RECYCLING DRIVE: The next recycling drive will be the weekend of March 19-20 after every Mass
in front of Becket Hall. Once again, the focus will be on the tragic situation in Syria. The funds that our parish raise from
that weekend will be donated to the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) and their work in providing badly
needed emergency aid to the Syrians who have been sadly displaced as a result of the civil war and with no end in sight,
this aid is essential. CNEWA is the papal agency responsible for the maintenance of the Church in Eastern Europe,
Middle East and parts of Asia. Visit www.cnewa.org to learn more about the vital work this agency does.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:
Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence Facts:
● 5,544 cases of Human Trafficking reported, top industries for Human Trafficking include domestic work, agriculture,
traveling sales crews, food service and health/beauty services.
● If you have a friend, relative or neighbor who is being abused, listen without judging. Don't rush into providing
solutions. Make sure they know that they are not alone. Let them know help is available and that it is confidential
TOILETRY DRIVE: St. Thomas is sponsoring a toiletries drive in support of the South Bay Coalition to End Human
Trafficking and also Next Door Solutions (Domestic Violence). Items needed are: Toothbrushes, shampoo, hand soap,
socks, razors, shaving cream, women's loungewear and lotions. Items can be placed in the plastic bins near all the doors
or at the parish office during the week. For more information on these organizations, visit
www.southbayendtrafficking.org and www.nextdoorsolutions.org. Contact Anthony Ordona and Jeanne Glad
(209) 247-7030, [email protected] for more information.
February 6-7, 2016
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 10: Mass at 8:30am (Fr. John Martin SJ, guest presider)
7:00pm (Fr. Timothy Lyons, LC, guest presider)
Ash Wednesday Collection: Wednesday, February 10, we take up the Collection for the Church in Central and
Eastern Europe. This collection supports Catholic organizations that provide affordable shelter and train seminarians in a
region that still struggles from the effects of Soviet rule. By providing pastoral care, catechesis, and funding for building
renovations, your donations help to restore the Church and build the future in the region. Please give generously to this
collection. Visit www.usccb.org (search “Church in Central and Eastern Europe”) to learn more.
On Wednesdays from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, the doors of St. Thomas of Canterbury are open and
the Light is on For You! Bring a family member or friend, come in, and discover God’s heart
of mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation or come in to spend some quiet time in reflection
and prayer. Jesus Christ desires to lift your burdens off your heart which you may have been carrying for a short time or
years. Visit www.dsj.org/light
Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Any Catholic Church in Santa Clara County
Wednesdays of Lent · 6pm – 8pm
February 17, February 24,
March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23
St. Thomas of Canterbury
Year of Mercy
2016 Schedule for Lent
Wednesday, February 10: 11:30am potluck Lunch followed by prayer at 12:30pm with distribution of ashes
Friday, February 12: 6pm Soup Supper followed by movie at 7pm, The Human Experience
Friday, February 19: 6pm Soup Supper followed by prayer service at 7pm, A Call to Conversion
Friday, February 26: 6pm Soup Supper followed by Stations of the Cross at 7pm (led by youth)
Wednesday, March 2: 1pm prayer service, A Call to Conversion
Friday, March 4: 6pm Soup Supper followed by prayer and Adoration at 7pm
Saturday, March 5: 9am to 12pm Day of Service at Sacred Heart Community Services, Pilgrimage to Door of Mercy
Friday, March 11: 6pm Soup Supper followed by Scriptural Rosary at 7pm
Friday, March 18: 6pm Soup Supper followed by Taizé prayer at 7pm
CRS Rice Bowl App: “The app is a great way to keep
BEST LENT EVER: Have you ever
Lent close at hand…It has the full collection of our
had a life-changing Lent?
videos, stories and reflections plus some built-in social
Sign up for Dynamic Catholic’s email
media functions and an easy way to set a goal for your
program Best Lent Ever. Each day
Lenten sacrifice and track it.”
you’ll receive an email with a short
Follow CRS Rice Bowl on Twitter– @CRSRiceBowl
video featuring Matthew Kelly and a
And #4Lent4Life – and like CRS Rice Bowl
member of the Dynamic Catholic
on Facebook. To donate and learn more about CRS
Team. Using Matthew’s new bestseller Rediscover
Rice Bowl, visit crsricebowl.org or download the app
Jesus as their guide, they will take you on a 40-day
from the iTunes or Google Play stores.
spiritual journey to encounter Jesus-and yourself- in a
deeply personal way. The program is free! All you have
NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice
to do is sign up at DynamicCatholic.com/Lent
Lobby:
Download their Lenten Calendar and sign up to receive
weekly email reflections at www.networklobby.org/Lent
February 6-7, 2016
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
SENIOR LUNCH BUNCH:
Thanks to all we came out to our
February gathering last Wednesday!
(There were about 60 in attendance!)
We hoped you enjoyed the meal and had
fun! Our next gathering is the first in March…
Wednesday, March 2 at 11:30am. We’ll have hearty
soups and more! Hope to see you there. Invite a friend
or two! Sign up next to the sacristy.
All are welcome to attend Senior Lunch Bunch (no age
limit). Your $5 donation (per person) at the door is
greatly appreciated.
LAYETTE (KNITTING) MINISTRY:
Our Layette Ministry will start up again on
Friday, February 12 at 1:00pm in the
Canterbury room. We will gather once a
month! Bring your yarn, needles and
hooks as we lovingly knit and crochet
items for baby layettes. For more information on this
ministry, contact Julie Defayette (408) 243-4746 or
[email protected]
Annual Diocesan Appeal: Thank you to the 35
families that have given to the 2016 Annual Diocesan
Appeal on behalf of our parish. We have reached 38%
($19, 973) of our goal of $52, 391. Your generosity is
gratefully accepted and respectfully used. If you have
not yet made a gift or pledge, please prayerfully consider
what you can do to help. Every gift makes a difference.
You can make a one-time gift, or you can pledge an
amount that is payable over ten months. We want and
need your participation and support. Additional pledge
forms are available on all the table in church or on the
table in the main gathering space.
For HOSPITALITY
after Mass
February 7
9 & 11a
Geigy and friends
February 13
5:15p
Wrights & Militantes
February 14
9 & 11a
OPEN
February 20-21 5:15p, 9 & 11a Knights of Columbus
Interested in hosting? Sign up in Becket Hall and contact
Al Smith, (408) 374-4339 [email protected].
Parish Finance Council: Open Positions
We look for several new members for
our finance council, which meets
quarterly as advisors to the pastor.
If you have a background or skills in
accounting, budgets, finance, or
organizational management, Fr. Dave would like to hear
from you: (408) 378-1595, or, [email protected]
OUR WEEKLY OFFERING
1/31/16
Year to Date
NEEDED:
$ 4,595.00
$ 142,445.00
COLLECTED: $ 3,216.25
$ 138,335.25
VARIANCE: $ - 1,378.75
$ - 4,109.75
THANK YOU for your generosity!
PARISH MAINTENANCE FUND: THIS weekend,
February 6-7 is the collection for the Parish
Maintenance Fund. This fund helps support the ongoing maintenance needs of our parish. Thank you for
your continued support and generosity!
GET YOUR SCRIP!!! Gift cards for grocery stores,
retail stores and restaurants can be purchased right here
at St. Thomas (at the SCRIP table) after every Mass on
the weekends. It costs you nothing extra! St. Thomas
purchases gift cards at discounted prices and then sells
them at face value. Our parish benefits from each and
every purchase (with a percentage back).
WELCOME TO St. Thomas of Canterbury Parish!
We wish to extend a warm welcome to all new parishioners. Please fill out this form and either place it in the collection
basket or mail to the parish office. Forms available on all tables in church or on-line at www.stcsj.org.
Have a change of information? Registered parishioners can update information here.
NAME:___________________________________________PHONE:_____________________________________
ADDRESS:____________________________________________________________________________________
CITY: ________________________________________________________ZIP:_____________________________
EMAIL: _____________________________________________________________________________________
[ ] New Parishioner [ ] New Address [ ] New Phone [ ] Information on becoming a Catholic
[ ] Information about volunteer opportunities with St. Thomas of Canterbury parish
[ ] Moving/remove from mailing list [ ] Sign up for Parish Pay [ ] Sign up for offering envelopes
February 6-7, 2016
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
40 DAYS FOR LIFE Spring Campaign: Daily Prayers Vigils begin February
10 through March 20 from 7:00am to 8:00pm at Planned Parenthood, 1691 The
Alameda in San Jose.
Commit to ONE sacrificial hour per week during Lent. Sign up at www.40daysforlife.com/sanjose. Sign up to pray for
an hour or two from February 9 from 8:00am to 8:00am February 10 at the 24 Hour Adoration for Life. For more
information, email Pat at [email protected].
Procession for Life on February 10 at 9:00am (after the 8:00am Ash Wednesday Mass) at St. Leo Church, 99 Race St. in
San Jose.
World Day of the Sick: In 1992, Pope John Paul II introduced the celebration of the World
Day of the Sick on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This annual celebration gives people a
chance to pray for and deepen their solidarity with the sick and injured among us.
Each year, on a weekend close to the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11th), the
Knights of Malta host World Day of the Sick.
This year, Rev. Christopher Bennett (Chaplain to the Order of the Knights of Malta) will
preside at the special Diocese of San Jose Celebration of the World Day of the Sick on
February 13 at 11am at St. Christopher Church, 1576 Curtner Ave in San Jose 95125.
There will be special seating for the sick and mobility impaired including those in wheelchairs,
with walkers, with braces, canes and service animals. Anyone who is in need of the anointing
of the sick, their caregivers and families are welcome to attend. All in attendance will receive
a special prayer card and holy water from Lourdes.
10th Annual Revs vs Sems Basketball Challenge:
Come cheer on the priests and seminarians in the 10th Annual Revs vs Sems Basketball Challenge. The game will be
Friday, February 20 at 7:00pm at the Leavy Center at Santa Clara University. All K-12 youth groups, basketball teams
and Scouts have free admission if they wear their jerseys. A special halftime show for youth will include a dodgeball
game against the priests. Tickets are $10 general, $5 student, $40 family (6 tickets). The Fr. Mark M. Catalana Council
of the Knights of Columbus will be selling tickets at St. Thomas after every Mass this weekend.
All proceeds will benefit seminarian summer formation. Details and online tickets are available at www.dsj.org/basketball
ALPHA is coming to Holy Family Parish:
A is for: Anyone is accepted and welcome.
L is for: Learning the lessons of Life with laughter based on the teachings of our dear Lord!
P is for: Pasta – food – a simple meal is served at each session. P also stands for Process – a journey in and to faith; and
Prayer on this journey.
H is for: Holy Spirit, who is our teacher and guide in showing us how to help one another.
A is for: Ask anything! No question is too simple or too hostile. A is also for Amazing Grace, which we rely on
throughout this course.
Join us March 30, 2016 at 6:30pm at Holy Family Hall, 4848 Pearl Ave, San Jose for an introductory complimentary
dinner. RSVP to Alicia Gonzalez Morales at (408) 857-0523 or [email protected].
SPIRIT-SEEKERS SEMINARS 2016 presented by Fr. Kevin Joyce, Ph.D.: The seminars will focus on the “The
Illuminative Way”, profound teachings and practices that can lead us to deeper intimacy with Jesus Christ and to union
with God as found in the writings of the seven great Doctors of the Church. Based on Ralph Martin’s book,
The Fulfillment of All Desire, there are a series of five seminars from 1:30pm to 3:30pm:
-February 21: Ch. 9 “A Certain Stability”
-March 20: Ch. 10 “Growing in Freedom”
-April 24: Ch. 11& 12 “Growing in Love” & “Growing in Prayer”
-May 22: Ch. 13 & 14 “Help from Heaven” & “A Deeper Purification”
Presentation Center, 19480 Bear Creek Rd. Los Gatos, (408) 354-2346. (Free-will offering.)
http://www.dsj.org/event/spirit-seekers-seminars/
FYI PARISH BLOOD DRIVE: Our annual February Parish Blood Drive has been postponed. Currently the Stanford
Blood Bank is not able to be here on Sundays (as is when we normally have been scheduled.) Hopefully we will be able
to get something scheduled in the summer. We’ll keep you posted!