Pastor's letter and Mass Times

SAINT ANTHONY

PARISH

Dear Parishioners,

Today is a great feast. It is one of the solemnities – a feast day of the highest ranking – of the Church year. This is the Feast of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. It is a joyous celebration, with special colors and music. We give praise and sing, Come, Holy Spirit, Come!, as we recall the story of Pentecost and the power of the Holy Spirit in our Church and world.

As recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit descends on the Apostles appearing as tongues of fire and with the sound of a driving wind. The Spirit empowers the Twelve to speak the native languages of all those gathered. It says later in this same chapter that about 3000 people are baptized and given new life in the Spirit that day (2:41), and from here the community grows. We celebrate this as the beginning of the Church, borne by the Spirit into the world.

The Spirit has a history of giving life. The Spirit is the mighty wind that swept over the waters at creation. It is the breath of God that gave life to Adam. The Spirit anointed Israel’s kings and spoke through the prophets. By the power of the Spirit, Jesus was born of Mary. The Spirit descends on Jesus at his baptism and remains with him throughout his ministry.

The Spirit not only gives life but renews life. Consider the disciples in today’s Gospel: hiding out, fearing for their lives, feeling the sorrow and guilt of not only losing Jesus but having abandoned and betrayed him. Locked up in their own misery, Jesus comes to them. He does not condemn or accuse them; rather, he offers them peace. He does not dismiss or deny what happened; rather he shows them his hands and side. He comes in love to be reconciled with his beloved disciples. He breathes the Holy Spirit onto them, speaks words of forgiveness, and sends them forth, just as his Father sent him.

The disciples are renewed. They are relieved of their sorrow and guilt. They are reconciled to Jesus, to themselves, and to one another. Their relationships are restored, and the community is healed. With the comfort and reassurance of the Spirit, they overcome their fear and return to their ministry. The Holy Spirit supports and sustains them, empowering them with gifts for the good of the Church.

The Holy Spirit has given us life and given life to the Church. But we are not perfect; like the disciples we will always be in need of healing and comfort. Thus, the Spirit continues to be poured out upon us, to heal our wounds and give us strength anew. With every intercession the Spirit makes on our behalf, with every word of Jesus the Spirit reminds us of, and with every sacrament in which we participate, we are renewed. With new life in the Spirit, we are able to go forth to love and serve the Lord.

Blessings,

Fr. Tad

This week the second collection is for CATHOLIC CHARITIES.

Catholic Charities 2024 Annual Appeal is May 18-19. Please join us in this time of giving. We hope you will prayerfully consider what you will contribute to this important work in our communities. Gifts of all sizes from individuals and families make a real impact to help our neighbors in our Diocese. With your support and parish partnerships, we are changing lives for good – one family at a time. Thank you for your generosity!

For information please visit CCSCC.org/annualappeal or call (408) 325-5250.

PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

Holy Spirit, fan into flame the gifts

I received in my Baptism and Confirmation.

I want to receive the fire of Your love

as Your disciples did at Pentecost.

Come with wonder and awe,

with wisdom, understanding, and counsel,

with courage and faith in You.

Holy Spirit, may my actions witness

to Your presence in my life.

Help me to see the ways my strengths

can serve others in their weakness.

In all my interactions, I want to radiate

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Breathe new life into the world through me.

Amen.

MASS ETIQUETTE

Remember to silence, turn off, and put away your cell phones, tablets, and gaming devices prior the start of Mass.

Remember not to chew a gum in the church, especially during Mass.

Keep in mind the Communion fast – we are to fast from food and drink (water and medicine excluded) one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Let us prepare our body and soul to worthily receive our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

When we are in the church (specifically in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament), we should keep our volume to a reverential whisper, if conversation is necessary. This is to promote prayer to prepare our hearts and minds for Mass. Thank you for your mindfulness.

FIRST FRIDAY ADORATION

June 7, 2024

"This is the wonderful truth, my dear friends: the Word, which became flesh two thousand years ago, is present today in the Eucharist," - Pope John Paul II

It is a tremendous gift of faith to know Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. While our human eyes see unleavened bread, our faith allows us to see Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He always waits for us. May we come to Him.

Join us Friday, June 7, at 6:30 PM for Mass. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will begin immediately afterward and last until 7:00 AM the following morning. All are invited to return to the church for the breakfast that will be served after the 7:00 AM Benediction.

Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, June 1 – Registration is now Open to the Public.

Eucharist Congress theme is, “The Road to Emmaus,” underscores the transformative encounter we have with Jesus in the Eucharist. We will reflect on our journey with Him through prayer and scripture and our subsequent mission to spread His word through love and discipleship beyond our church walls. Attending the Congress is free. An optional box lunch is available for $15 donation.

To register visit www.dsj.org/ eucharisticcongress.

IMPORTANT: SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING RENEWAL

By June 1^st we are required by the Diocese to complete or renew our Virtus Safe Environment Certification. Safe Environment Training is mandatory for diocesan clergy, employees and active volunteers working with youth or vulnerable adults. Safe Environment Training must be completed during the employee onboarding process or prior to volunteer participation. Training must be renewed every three (3) years.

VIRTUS Safe Environment Training is accessible from the VIRTUS website at www.virtusonline.org. Online training is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean languages.

Please contact the Parish Office if you have any questions.

Join Archbishop Cordileone and the perpetual Eucharistic pilgrims for the launch of the western route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage to Indianapolis, Indiana! The “Serra Route” will begin with Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption at 11:00am on May 19, followed by a Eucharistic procession through the city of San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge. On Monday, the pilgrimage continues through Marin County. The procession will stop at the Marina Green for a water stop and rest. Please bring your own lunch.

Note: This is also the same day as Bay to Breakers Race in San Francisco. Shared or public transportation is highly encouraged. Learn more: sfarch.org/eucharistic-revival.

Have you ever tried to “Sing the Hours”?

The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or Breviary, is the daily prayer of the universal church, with prayers dispersed at intervals throughout the day to sanctify time and work. The Office is organized around the Psalms, which train our voices speak and sing along with the voice of Christ.

Now, there is a new and easy way to learn the Liturgy of the Hours, by listening to the twice-daily podcast “Sing the Hours” with Paul Rose. Visit SingTheHours.org to get started! After a few weeks of listening and praying and singing along, you will find the timeless prayers of Jesus and His Church becoming your own prayers as well!

Religious Education Classes at Saint Anthony Parish begin in September. Forms are available in the parish office. The cost is $80 per child. Please sign up your child asap.

Any questions, please call Katrina Votaw at (408) 927- 8224.

Dear friends at St. Anthony Parish,

In my second year of seminary, the Office of Vocations implemented the “Adopt-A-Seminarian” program through which I was matched with you. It was a providential pairing as my confirmation saint is St. Anthony of Padua. Over the years, I’ve come and visited and prayed with you. You have supported me through prayers and by coming to events like Revs vs. Sems and my ordination to the diaconate last year. This year, on May 25, 2024 at 9:30AM, I will be ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Oscar Cantú. Please come and join me if you are able to share in this joyful occasion. I will also have my first mass at my home parish at Saint Martin of Tours in San Jose, that same day, Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 5:00PM followed by a reception in the parish gym. Please come and enjoy the celebration.

Finally, thank you. Thank you for your prayers and your generous support over the years. God has provided me this opportunity to love and serve Him through you, the Church. Please know of my prayers for you. God bless.

Deacon Robert

CELEBRATING OUR WONDERFUL MOMS!

Pictures from Saint Anthony Seniors Annual Mother’s Day Bake Sale

Cursillo Movement at Saint Anthony

Pauline Golitz, Rosie MacFarlane and Stephanie Procker made their Cursillo May 2-5. They will share information about their experience at Mass this coming Sunday.

Doug Jackson - an amazing volunteer in our parish. Thank you for everything you do for us!

DONATIONS INFO

It is easier now more than ever to make your stewardship and second collection contributions online. A "Donate" button has been added to the upper right corner of the parish website home page and an "Online Giving" button to the end of each week's parish email. Clicking these buttons will take you directly to our online giving app.