WELCOME ALL
Come, visit our diverse, friendly Catholic church located in the peaceful foothills of Almaden Valley. We welcome all—regardless of race, beliefs, marital status or sexual orientation. Here, you and your family can come to know Christ more deeply, more personally, through our joyful Masses, community outreach and faith development opportunities. Experience Christ's warmth and embrace in our smaller, family-like community, and build life-changing friendships. Come as you are. Come and see.
Weekend Mass is celebrated at 4:00 pm Saturday afternoon at our historic church in New Almaden, and 8:30 and 10:30 am Sunday morning at our main church on McKean Rd. Weekday Mass is Tuesday - Friday at 8:00 am, followed by the Holy Rosary. Mask wearing is encouraged, but not required. Sunday Mass is also LIVESTREAMED. Adoration is offered the first Friday of every month. We think you'll find our serene Almaden setting offers a sense of peace that helps bring you closer to Christ. *SEE MASS TIMES, LOCATIONS
Bishop Cantú's Easter Message 2022
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
As of the writing of this message, I was visiting my mother in Houston as she enters the final phases of her life. I spent two days with her, and although she was not able to respond to me verbally, I recalled with her the various phases of our life together, from her birthing and raising of my siblings and me to seeing us move out of the house and make our own lives, to the joy of spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to the decline of her health in her later years.
I then reflected with her on what heaven might be like. The exhilaration of seeing God’s glory. The presence of the angels and saints, of our loved ones – my father, who went to his heavenly reward 15 years ago, my grandparents, and her dear friends. My mother lay in her nursing home bed as I sat next to her beside the window. She likes to look out the window at the birds who visit and serenade her from the tree branches outside.
My memory went to another son and mother who sat by a window centuries ago, imagining what the wonders and joys of heaven might be like. St. Monica had prayed tirelessly that her son would find his way in life and discover God’s love and mercy; I wondered how many tears my mother shed for her children and grandchildren and how many prayers she offered for us!
As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in this Easter season, I wonder if we think about heaven. If we imagine what it might be like. If we make plans for it. In our modern culture, we plan many things in life. We plan for our children’s future, for the development of our careers, for vacations, and for efficient work on a busy day. Do we ever plan for heaven? Does it require planning?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states the following: “This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity - this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed - is called ‘heaven.’ Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness” (1024).
“Supreme, definitive happiness!” What a marvelous thought! The ancient philosopher, Aristotle, noted that happiness was the goal of every human life. We all ultimately desire and long for happiness. Jesus tells us that following him, and living in fellowship with God and neighbor, bring abiding joy and happiness. Yet, in this world, that joy and happiness will always be challenged by our own sins and the sins of the world. And so, as St. Paul says, “we walk by faith” in the journey of life, striving to love as God loves.
In heaven, faith and hope will no longer be necessary, as we will have achieved that which we believed and for which we hoped. Only love will perdure in heaven. Love for God, neighbor, and self. God’s love for us! We remember what St. John tells us: “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8). Let us start living that way now, in this Easter season: let us live in love. This is how we plan for heaven – by living the kingdom of heaven here on earth through faith, hope, and love.
As the Eucharist opens the window to us to eternal life, may we be fed by God’s love for us, by “the Bread that come down from heaven,” by the Word made flesh, and gain strength for the journey through life, and ultimately to heaven.
Happy Easter!
Most Reverend Oscar Cantú
Bishop of San José
For the people of our diocese that we may ever grow in admiration and devotion to Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mother of God that through her maternal guidance and love we may always be protected from every danger.
For our local Church of San Jose in the valley of Saint Clare that through the intercession and great example of Saint Joseph, our beloved patron and of the Universal Church we may always live in righteousness and trusting always to the will of God.
For every young man and woman of our time that they may come to know the love of Jesus early in their lives through the witness of their parents, family, and friends.
For a greater sense of awareness from men and women of their vocation as they respond to the call of the Good Shepherd in offering their lives for the people of God.
Religious Education, NOVA, and OASIS have all started, but there is still time to register if you haven't already!
K-5th grade students meet Tuesdays from 4:00 pm to 5:15 pm. NOVA (6th-8th grade students) meets every other Wednesday from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. OASIS (9th-12th grade students) meets every Sunday 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Don't miss this opportunity to plug into our faith formation and youth ministry programs! LEARN MORE
Our OASIS students enjoy a Friendsgiving Feast together.
For those needing assistance with everyday essentials, St. Vincent de Paul provides critical support to those in need. Some of the services provided include help with rent, utilities, food, gas, clothing, furniture etc. If you or someone you know is looking for help, please call the main help line at 408-249-2853. St. Vincent de Paul will direct you to the facility closest to where you live
Are you or someone you know struggling with emotional challenges like isolation, anxiety over health, grief due to some kind of loss, tension from work, juggling childcare, school, financial strain or job loss, uncertainty about the future or any other unexpected life challenges? If so, you don’t have to face it alone.
Stephen Ministers provide high-quality, one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people in the congregation and the community experiencing life difficulties. Ministers are ready to listen, care, encourage and provide emotional and spiritual support.
A Stephen Minister will meet with you privately--by phone, by video chat or if possible, in person--to offer care and support. The service is free and completely confidential. For more information contact Claranne at 408-782-1413.
You are never alone. We are always here to receive your personal prayer request, celebrate Mass in memory of a loved one, or arrange a home communion visit. Add your prayer intentions at our online Prayer Chapel too. LEARN MORE
Though it was created for the youth of Madagascar and Africa, LectioYouth.Net guides anyone who is interested in reading, reflecting on, and responding to the Word of God. New material based on the Sunday readings is provided each week. Consider visiting the site in preparation for attending Mass each weekend or as a follow-up to deepen your understanding and commitment to living the Word. FIND OUT MORE
As you might know, the Office of Vocations in the Diocese of San Jose has begun a new initiative where different parishes “adopt” and pray for a specific seminarian; and in kind, the seminarian prays for that specific community. We are pleased to announce that our adopted seminarian is Robert Lamorena. Although we are not able to meet Robert in person right now, due to the pandemic, he has kindly written two letters to our parish. Read Robert's letters: INTRODUCTION | HELLO. If you would like to help support Robert and his seven brother seminarians as they journey through their formation, you can do so here.
I would like to congratulate our community member, Jess Votaw, who has been accepted to the Diaconate Formation Program. Please, congratulate and pray for him as he embarks on becoming a deacon who will one day serve our community
Fr. Tad
There has been confusion resulting from statements made by some U.S. bishops about the moral acceptability of certain vaccines. Those statements can be confusing for “good-Catholics.” To clarify the situation the California Catholic Conference, made up of bishops in California including our Bishop Cantú, have authored an article, “Catholic Moral Teaching and Tradition on Covid-19 Vaccines.” The article expresses the position that it is not only morally acceptable to be vaccinated, but also an act of Christian charity to do so. Knowing that Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI received the vaccination may also help you to navigate this “Catholic confusion." READ ARTICLE
If you have yet to get a vaccine, we strongly encourage you to do so. The Diocese has a webpage summarizing the Catholic Teachings on vaccinations and the COVID vaccine that you can review HERE. Together, we can put this pandemic behind us. Our top priority remains the health and safety of our employees, clergy, and volunteers and those we serve and minister to in our diocese.
VISIT OUR ePRAYER CHAPEL
Use our new Prayer Chapel (bottom section of Prayer & Care page) to add an intention and incorporate others' intentions into your prayers. GO TO PRAYER CHAPEL
HOW TO RECEIVE SERVICES
County residents 12+ can now be vaccinated at any site in the County, regardless of their health care provider.
COVID VACCINES | COVID TESTING | FLU VACCINES
For the latest parish news see our weekly bulletin and email newsletter found online in our NEWS section. BULLETIN