From the Pastor’s Pen

As you probably know, the California Bishops have taken official positions on three of the state propositions. Here are short summaries:

Yes on Proposition 4: Parental Notification Prior to a Minor's Abortion. Current California law not only refuses to acknowledge the right-to-life of the unborn but also gravely impacts the rights of parents, who in Catholic teaching are the primary guardians of their children, not the state. Prop 4 will require families to be involved in most cases when a minor considers abortion. It will also help reduce the large number of unreported statutory rapes that occur in this state, as reliable studies seem to indicate that a large percentage of teen pregnancies involve adult men.

No on Proposition 6: Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. "As bishops, we oppose Proposition 6 because it advances a retributive rather than a restorative justice model for dealing with crime. Proposition 6 would create multiple new crimes and additional penalties, some with potential for new life sentences. Proposition 6 could also curtail the participation of nonprofit organizations in community councils that determine county-level policy for juvenile justice. Although Proposition 6 was introduced in good faith by those with legitimate concerns about 'safe neighborhoods,' it offers more of the same criminal justice policies which have failed in the past and it will cost Californians billions of dollars without increasing public safety."

Yes on Proposition 8: Definition of Marriage. Pope Benedict XVI: "Only the rock of complete and irrevocable love between man and woman is capable of acting as a foundation for a society that can be home to all human beings." Four judges overturned Divine Revelation, thousands of years of human history, the four million California voters who passed the Knight Initiative eight years ago, and the plain meaning of every marriage statute in this state since it became part of the United States . This is our chance to correct their mistake. Fr. Michael Hendrickson

SECOND COLLECTION TODAY FOR ST. VICTOR ’S DEVELOPMENT FUND

Today’s second collection is for St. Victor’s Development Fund, which assists with the never-ending repairs and projects on the parish grounds. Thank you for you continued support.

All Veterans, Please Come To...

the 10:45 A.M. Mass next Sunday, November 9^th, the Scouts of St. Victor’s, along with Father Michael Hendrickson, will lead the Veterans into Mass. Come, be recognized by Father Michael, the Choir and Scouts for your sacrifices for our country. (See today’s bulletin insert for details.)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

NOVEMBER 8-9, 2008

EZEKIEL 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

1 CORINTHIANS 3:9-11,16-17

JOHN 2:13-22

PLANNED GIVING NOTES

Retirement Plans – Use ‘Em or Lose ‘Em

Did you know that retirement plan assets are part of your estate? They also have never been taxed as income. The IRS loves these plans, because they can get two bites instead of one! This can reduce their value to your heirs by up to 70%!

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 .

SAVE THE DATE – “All Saints” PARISH MISSION

Father Kevin Joyce of SpiritSite will conduct an “All Saints” Parish Mission (Prepare for the Coming of the Lord with the help of St. Francis of Assisi , St. Ignatius of Loyola and Mother Teresa of Calcutta ) in November here at St. Victor’s. Father will preach at all Masses this weekend, November 1^st & 2^nd. The Mission dates are as follows: Monday, November 3^rd, from 7:00-8:30 P.M., Wednesday, November 5^th, from 7:00-8:30 P.M. and Friday, November 7^th, from 7:00-9:00 P.M. (The Friday session will include First Friday Mass.) There is no fee for the mission, however, SpiritSite is financed by donations and will collect free-will offerings at the seminars to support its ongoing mission. Please plan on joining us for this very special event – tell your friends! (Today’s bulletin insert has more information.)

REMINDER: Please turn your All Souls Remembrances in to the Parish Office ASAP, or drop them into the collection basket TODAY.

First Friday Adoration and Mass - November 7th

The priest says at each Mass, “Behold the Lamb of God,” an echo of what John the Baptist said to two of his disciples as Jesus walked by. When the disciples began to follow Jesus, they asked Him, “Where do you live?” and He replied, ”Come and see.” (Jn 1:39NJB) This is an invitation to YOU today. Jesus is present Body and Soul, Blood and Divinity at every Catholic Mass and also in Tabernacles throughout the world.

We are privileged to have Jesus in the Holy Eucharist exposed in St. Victor’s Chapel every First Friday of the month from after the 8:00 A.M. Mass on Friday until the 8:00 A.M. Mass on Saturday. First Friday Mass will be included as part of the All Saints Parish Mission 7:00-9:00 P.M. in the Church.

$CRIP gift certificates will be available after Masses this weekend (except Sunday 7:00 and 8:00 A.M.). Time to start placing your special holiday shopping/dining orders!

SPECIAL MASSES SCHEDULED

On Saturday, November 8^th, at 11:00 A.M. the annual Memorial Mass for the Deceased Firefighters of Santa Clara County will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church (12^th & Jackson Sts.). Everyone is invited to attend.

The St. Thomas More Society (an organization of Catholic attorneys, judges and law students) invites you to its annual Red Mass on Thursday, November 20^th, at 6:00 P.M. at Stanford Memorial Church . Bishop Patrick J. McGrath will be the main celebrant. A dinner will follow at the Stanford Faculty club. For reservations or more info, please phone 450-3333.

Mass Intentions for the Week

Monday through Thursday November 03-06 8:00 A.M. All Souls

Friday November 07 8:00 A.M. All Souls

7:30 P.M. Soledad Jimenez McLane

Saturday November 08 8:00 A.M. All Souls

5:00 P.M. Tomasa Barreras

Sunday November 09 9:15 A.M. Manuel Ferreira

10:45 A.M. All Souls

5:00 P.M. Catherine Alves & Jose de Oliveira

Banns of Marriage

Jorge Becerra & Angelica Sare III

Altar Flowers

This week’s Sanctuary flowers were donated in Thanksgiving by Jerome and Pureza Estrada and their family.

If you would like to donate flowers for the altar in thanksgiving for blessings received, in memory of a loved one, or in celebration of a baptism, birthday, marriage or anniversary, please call the Parish Office @ 251-7055.

CAR WASH – All parishioners are invited to have their car washed this Sunday, November 2^nd, from 1:30-4:30 P.M. in the back parking lot. Our teens will be washing cars so that one child might have a smile. All donations will go to SMILE TRAIN, an organization providing free surgery to children born with cleft lip and palate in under-developed countries. Cost of this 45-minute surgery to repair this defect is $250.00. Let’s all help a child get a smile! Free will donations also accepted.

Catechetical Ministry Holiday Fund-Raisers

Delicious Cherrydale Fund Raising Candy, Gift and Gift Wrap order packets are available in the box in the vestibule or at the CM and Rectory Offices. This fund-raiser supports the religious education programs for all St. Victor’s school children. Deadline for orders is Wednesday, November 10^th. IMPORTANT – PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Orders must be picked-up on Thursday, December 11^th, from 2:30-8:00 P.M. in the parish hall.

Catechetical Ministry is offering you the opportunity to order fresh Christmas Wreaths ($34.95-$44:95). Order forms will be available in the vestibule the weekends of November 8^th& 9^th, and November 15^th & 16^th. Orders with accompanying payments must be received in the CM Office by Wednesday, November 19^th. (For details, please see today’s insert.)

St. Victor’s Christmas Boutique –

Saturday and Sunday, December 6th & 7^th, from 10:00 A.M.-8:00 P.M.

Come and see all the hand-crafted items, enjoy delicious food, meet Santa and take a photo, enter the raffle, create at the kid’s craft area, have fun and much more. Vendors of handmade goods are needed. Cost is $30.00 per booth space. For more information or an application, please call the Parish Office @ 251-7055.

SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES...

NEEDY FAMILY – Our St. Vincent de Paul Society volunteers are working with a family in our parish community in need of twin beds. If you are able to help, please call the Rectory Office @ 251-7055.

The ANNUAL LAYETTE SHOWER, co-sponsored by the Office of Women of the Diocese of San Jose and St. Victor’s Altar Society, Catechetical Ministry and School, will be held on Sunday, December 7^th, at St. Frances Cabrini ( 15333 Woodard Rd. ) beginning at 2:00 P.M. Please take the time to pick up a new infant item [newborn to 6 months only]. Santa Clara County social workers then distribute these layettes to those mother and infants most in need, as they leave the hospital throughout the year. {Please bring your layette items and drop them in the designated box in the vestibule beginning this weekend.} If you would like to make a monetary donation, please make checks payable to St. Victor’s Altar Society and on the memo write Layette. Your donation may be dropped into the collection basket C/O St. Victor’s Altar Society. Thank you for your generosity.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES PROGRAM – TaxEZ training begins this month for those who can volunteer 3-4 hours a week, January-April to assist low-income families file their tax returns and claim the credits due to them. Please call the Parish Office @ 251-7055.

Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate – On Saturday, November 8^th, at St.. Pius Church in Redwood City , Bishop William Justice of the Archdiocese of San Francisco will ordain 9 men to the Transitional Diaconate. Six of these men are seminarians studying for the Diocese of San Jose . Please pray for Roberto C. Gomez, Justin T. Le, Allen E. Navarro, Andrew V. Nguyen, Tan D. Nguyen and Ernesto M. Orci during these weeks prior to their ordination. For more information about vocations, please go to http://www.dsj.org/vocations .

The National Religious Vocation Conference sponsors monthly meetings for young adults inquiring into priesthood and religious life in each of the Bay Area Dioceses. In the San Jose Diocese, these sessions are held in Santa Clara by Sister Rosemary Everett, SNJM. The next session will be held on November 25^th from 7:30-9:00 P.M. For all the details, please call Sister Rosemary @ 873-7858.

The next meeting of the Catholic Professional and Business Club will be held this Thursday, November 6^th, at the Biltmore Hotel ( 2151 Laurelwood Rd. , Santa Clara ). Mass Time is 7:00 A.M. and the Breakfast Program begins at 7:30 A.M. Cost is $20.00 for members and $25.00 for non-members. Walk-ins are welcome. Please call Jessica King @ 491-9229 for more information.