From the Pastor’s Pen

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far to the Annual Diocesan Appeal.  I am thankful for the large number of families that have made pledges during the past month and am happy to report that we have met the financial assessment of the diocese.  Pledges given now will find their way to St. Victor's Parish instead of being destined to the central offices.

This week's bulletin includes an important letter from our bishop regarding the Freedom of Choice Act, a bill that languished in committee during the last Congress.  I strongly encourage you to read Bishop McGrath's letter.  Next week, postcards will be available in the church so that those who wish to notify their Representative and Senators will have an easy means to do so.  Through the intercession of Our Lady, may this Congress, which has so many important challenges to face, realize that proceeding with FOCA against the beliefs of tens of millions of pro-life Americans is a battle not worth fighting.                                                                                                          Father Michael Hendrickson

SECOND COLLECTION TODAY FOR THE CHURCHES IN EASTERN & CENTRAL EUROPE

Catholics in Central and Eastern Europe need your help to continue to revitalize the Church and to foster the Spirit of love in their parishes and communities, In 28 countries throughout Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, the collection funds vital pastoral and social projects and contributes to programs that promote Catholic life.  Please be generous in today’s collection, believe in the power of the Spirit of love.  Extra envelopes are available in the pews.

ANNUAL DIOCESAN APPEAL

Growing in Faith Together

 CongratulationS St. Victor’s Parishioners!

Give yourselves a pat on the back!  Out of the 49 parishes reporting so far, St. Victor’s was one of the leaders last week in the amount pledged to the Annual Diocesan Appeal.  THANKS to your generosity, all pledges now benefit St. Victor’s directly!  OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION to all those who have already pledged support to this year’s ADA Campaign.  If you have not yet made your pledge, please drop it in the collection basket or take it to the parish office.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for the ADA telephone committee to call our most active parishioners, who have not already given to ADA.  Please call Michelle at the Rectory Office  (251-7055) ASAP, if you are able to help.  If you need it, training will be provided.

R.C.I.A. SCRUTINIES

During the six weeks of Lent, the whole Church is trying to move closer to God by taking a look at the areas of life that need improvement.  In R.C.I.A., we do this in a simple ceremony at the 9:15 A.M. Mass on the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent (beginning next weekend).  We ask to be healed of anything weak, defective or sinful and strengthened in all that is good, strong and holy in our lives.  Please pray that our candidates may be protected from evil and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, so that they will be worthy to receive the Easter sacraments.

There will be evenings of recollection for our Vietnamese-speaking parishioners on March 12^th and 13^th beginning 7:00P.M. in the Church.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

MARCH 14-15, 2009

EXODUS 20:1-17

1 CORINTHIANS 1:22-25

JOHN 2:13-25

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

Collection results for the month of February:

2008          $61,017.00

2009          $57,495.00

PLANNED GIVING NOTES

Before You Sell

Think of selling appreciated assets like stocks, bonds, property or a vacation home?  You may be able to do so without paying taxes, while increasing your income and, at the same time, making a great gift to St. Victor’s Parish.

If you want to know more about this, the Diocese can provide free assistance.  Call Robert Serventi @ 983-0168, or write to him at: 900 Lafayette St., Suite 301, Santa Clara, CA 95050.

Come Back To Me With All Your Heart

Lent is a special time. We take time to look more closely at God and God looks at us.  How can we take even minor steps to get closer to God during these forty days?  There are three traditional practices that the Church puts before us to help us forget self and follow Christ more closely. These practices are: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

The most perfect prayer we have is the Mass. Join with others at the 6:30 or 8:00 A.M. Mass during the weekdays (Monday-Friday) of Lent.  And/or join us on Friday evenings for Stations of the Cross at 7:30 P.M. in the Church.

Fasting asks us to let go of habits that get in the way of our ability to love God and others.  The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence for everyone 14 years or older.  That means NO MEAT.  GOOD FRIDAY will be a day of fast and abstinence.  That means ONLY ONE FULL MEAL for those 18-59 and NO MEAT for anyone 14 years or older.  The faithful should not excuse themselves lightly from these observances.

Through almsgiving (ADA Appeal, Special Collections, Operation Rice Bowl – Catholic Relief Services, Eastside F.I.S.H., St. Vincent de Paul) we come to see others as God sees them, worthy of our love and sharing.

Lenten Reminders: All the faithful, after they have participated in First Communion, are obliged to share in Communion at least once a year during the Easter season (First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday).  The faithful who are old enough to understand that they have sinned are obligated to confess serious sins at least once a year.  It is recommended that venial sins also be confessed. 

$CRIP UPDATE!

For information or an application to St. Victor’s School, please call 251-1740 or visit www.school.stvictor.org .

Mass Intentions for the Week  

 
BULLETIN ARCHIVE