Third Sunday of Lent
March 3, 2024
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A Call to Purify Our Own Hearts
The Gospel proclaimed on the Third Sunday of Lent, bring us in Our Lord’s company from the splendor and vastness of the Temple of Jerusalem to the deepest interior of the human heart. The Gospel ends with these words “He could tell what a man had in him”. We are led to see a connection between the dramatic episode of the cleansing of the temple from all the uproar and disorder of traders and money lenders to the Lenten call to purify our own hearts from everything which does not serve and worship God.
It is important to note that it isn’t trade, or indeed any honest human work, which does not serve God. Nor is it that we are not called to pray in the midst of our busy lives. Rather the Gospel teaches that we are called to keep our hearts free and unencumbered in order that we may encounter the living God in prayer. As a bishop of the 6th Century commented, we must desire that our souls are as clean and ordered as we would wish to find our churches.
Saint John Henry Newman was struck by the silent attentiveness he found in the poorest backstreet chapels, where he saw the faithful focused not on themselves but on Emmanuel – ‘God with us’ – in the Mystery of the Eucharist. Today Pope Francis often speaks of our churches as places in which all humanity is called to this encounter. Yet, even in a Catholic church where Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist is its living heart, we can experience the distracting noise of chatter which takes away the quietness that allows us to be attentive to the Lord and diverts us from entering conversation with Him.
This can be true in our own hearts if we allow the vital place of prayer and union with Him to be invaded by the uproar of noise or disordered things. The 40 days of Lent invite us to seek such a purification of heart. The means are always the same: receiving the grace of the Sacrament of Penance by sincere confession of our sins; giving greater time to prayer; and the self-denial and generosity which enables us to put aside all those things which encumber us. We journey to Easter so that “The light of Christ rising in glory (may) dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds” (Liturgy of the Easter Vigil).
Rt. Rev. Mark Davies
Bishop of Shrewsbury
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March 3 - March 8, 2024
To schedule a Mass intention, please stop by the parish office.
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Saturday 5:00 PM
Tom & Stanley Hara †
Sunday 8:30 AM
Lucia Palmaras Alemania †
Sunday 10:00 AM
Justin Ross †, Karen Hall †
Sunday 11:30 AM
Arturo, Mario, Luigi †
Monday 8:30 AM
Girlie & Miguel Borjal †
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Tuesday 8:00 AM
Mario Ilumin †
Wednesday 8:10 AM
Erique Latoza †
Maura Gravador Palmaras †
Thursday 9:00 AM
Nilda Ilumin †
Friday 8:00 AM
Rusty & Julie Gotico
Yvonne & Eva Reyes
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PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE DECEASED:
Msgr. John Coleman, Sr. Sharon Skain, Florence Virginia Brocato, Julia Gason
PRAYER REQUESTS FOR THE SICK:
Annamary Keethaponkalan, Joey Segui, Erna Prasetyo, Esther Wald, Jerry Enos, Spike Standifer, Louise Vento, Egualberto Abaya, Katie Hernandez, Amy Gastelum, Greg Rhodes, Paul Krill, Megan Favoli, Bekah Dominguez, Emma Firpo, Jimmy Verna, Kathleen Lupo, Roberta Williams, Connor Vierra, Frances Pizzo, Tom Rodenfils, Marie Flemate, Rodger “OB” O’Brien, Sr.
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Please pray with us for our parishioners, family and friends. | |
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ADA 2024
Supporting Our Mission Together
Our Parish Goal: $150,560
We are brought together from all walks of life through various ministries and services to do God's work of justice, mercy, outreach, and formation. Supporting Our Mission Together, the Annual Diocesan Appeal for the Diocese of San Jose, provides the financial support of these ministries and services for all Catholics in our community.
Please prayerfully consider pledging your support to our Diocese. Once our Parish reaches its goal, the additional funds will be returned to the Parish. Donations can be made by completing the pledge card mailed to your home, using the QR code provided here, or online at DSJ.org/ADA. Additional pledge cards are located in the back of the Church and in the Parish Office. Thank you, St. Martin of Tours Parishioners, for your great generosity.
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| Week | # Pledges | $ Pledge | Parish Goal
$150,560 | | 4 | 151 | $83,301 | $67,259 to go! | | |
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To make your pledge, please scan the QR code or click on the ADA link to help us reach our Parish goal as we all participate in
Supporting Our Mission Together.
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AOFFERINGS AND ONLINE GIVING
Sunday Offering 2/18/2024 Fiscal Year to Date
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| Budget | $8,930 | $397,580 | | Actual | $6,361 | $407,309 | | Difference | ($2,569) | $9,729 | | |
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If you would like to donate online, please use the
QR Code provided.
Thank you for your generosity!
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St. Martin of Tours Lenten Calendar
2024
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KIDS CORNER
Dear parents and children, kindly click on the link below to download and print out catechetical activity for children for this weekend. This link is updated every week with activities that corresponds to the readings and Sunday celebrations.
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AROUND THE DIOCESE & COMMUNITY | |
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Diocese of San Jose Impact Report 2022-2023
Learn about the impact of the Diocese of San José ministries over the past year that serve more than 528,000 Catholics in Santa Clara County, including 54 parishes, missions and pastoral centers, and 34 Catholic schools. Click here to read the full report.
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Stay up to date with Diocesan wide news, events, and stories as well as news from the USCCB and the Vatican. Read the Bishop’s messages, see what our children are doing in school, and learn about upcoming community events. Follow the Diocese of San Jose on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Vimeo. Social Media Posts: Facebook | Instagram
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