Upcoming Events - Through February 2006

Thursday, December 8
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friday, December 9
Vespers, Our Lady of Guadalupe, 7:00 - 9:30 pm, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 2020 E. San Antonio St., San Jose. Come early to get a seat at this beautiful, traditional celebration.

Saturday, December 10
International Human Rights Day
Death of Thomas Merton, 1968

Third Annual Hunger Banquet, 6:00 pm, Office of Human Relations, 1880 Pruneridge Ave., Santa Clara. The event celebrates United Nations Human Rights Day. Supervisor Blanca Alvarado and community activist, Roz Dean will receive the James P. McEntee Community Award. Attendees randomly choose the name of a person from around the world and play that role during the evening. $25 + donation requested or $10 for students. No one turned away for lack of funds. Call 408-460-2999 for more information.

Monday, December 12
The following are some of the community events being planned on the eve of the scheduled execution of Stanley "Tookie" Williams at 12:01am on December 13, 2005. As of this writing, the appeal for clemency to the governor is still pending. For updated information, contact the event organizers. For a full list of statewide activities, see Death Penalty Focus.

March and Vigil - March from Santa Clara Mission Church, Santa Clara University, to Cathedral and Government Office Buildings, 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Vigil at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 S. Market St., San Jose, 5:00 - 6:00 pm. For updates on the schedule or more information, contact Fr. Mike Carson at 408-269-2226 or revmcarson@aol.com or Terry McCaffrey at 408-257-4611 or murkidi@igc.org.

"Abolish the Death Penalty" Vigil, 4:00 pm, Embarcadero & El Camino, Palo Alto. Bring candles and warm clothing. Car pool will be arranged for those going to San Quentin in the evening. Sponsored by the California People of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty, Mid-Peninsula Chapter. For more information, contact Helen Baumann at hbbaumann@aol.com.

Vigil Prayer Service, 7:00 pm, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 751 Waverly St., Palo Alto. Sponsored by the Human Concerns Committee of the Palo Alto Catholic Community.

Monday, December 12
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patronal Day of the Americas

Tuesday, December 13
Christmas Around the World Celebration, 5:30 pm Mass, 6:30 pm Dinner, 7:30 Program, Maryknoll Mission Center (at St. Alphonsus Parish), 16300 Foothill Blvd., San Leandro. Come for all or part of the evening. Screening of the Orbis film, An African Christmas. RSVP to Juanita at 510-276-5021. Email at sanfrancisco@maryknoll.org.

Friday, December 16
The Advent Novena, Las Posadas, Begins

Sunday, December 25
Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord

Friday, December 30
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Monday, December 26 - Monday, January 2
Diocesan Offices Closed

Sunday, January 1
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
World Day of Prayer for Peace

Sunday, January 8
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Vocations Awareness Week Begins

Wednesday, January 11
Parish Social Justice Liaison Breakfast Meeting, 7:30 - 9:00 am, Diocese of San Jose, St. Joseph Conference Room, 900 Lafayette St, San Jose.

Monday, January 16
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Diocesan Offices Closed

Wednesday, January 18
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Begins

Monday, January 23
Day of Prayer and Remembrance of Life - Anniversary of Roe versus Wade

Monday, January 30
2006 Justice Speakers' Forum: The Social Justice Legacy of John Paul II, 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Church of the Ascension, 12033 Miller Avenue, Saratoga. The topic of this discussion will be: The Death Penalty presented by Father Mike Carson and Amnesty International. The first of a series of six evenings of discussion based on the justice writings of Pope John Paul II. Subsequent evenings will be on February 27, March 20, April 24, May 22, June 12. $10 per session or free will donation. For additional information, contact Sister Elizabeth Avalos, BVM at ec_avalos@yahoo.com.

Friday, February 10 - Sunday, February 12

Rachel's Vineyard Retreat. A healing and reconciliation retreat in a supportive, confidential, and non-judgmental environment for those suffering the effects of abortion. For more information, contact Sister Mary Peter McCusker at 408-426-7343 or 1-888-HOPE-790.

Friday, February 10 - Wednesday, February 15

2006 Social Ministry Gathering, "Bringing Good News to a Broken World," Washington, DC. The annual coming together of social justice ministry leadership from national Catholic organizations and offices, dioceses, and parishes throughout the nation. Includes briefings on priority peace and justice issues and lobbying of legislators. See www.usccb.org/sdwp for more information and registration.

Saturday, February 11

Mass for World Day of the Sick, 11:00 am, Santa Teresa Church, 794 Calero Ave., San Jose. A special eucharistic celebration with anointing of the sick and blessing with Lourdes water. Organized by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Mass to be celebrated by Bishop Patrick J. McGrath.

Monday, February 20

Presidents' Day , USA. Diocesan Offices Closed

Friday, February 24

Presentation by Sister Helen Prejean on Death Penalty, 7:00 pm, Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco. No reservations required, open seating. Suggested donation $15. For more information, call 415-243-0143. Sponsored by California People of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty, Death Penalty Focus, Amnesty International USA and Grace Cathedral. With support of American Friends Service Committee.

Monday, February 27

2006 Justice Speakers' Forum: The Social Justice Legacy of John Paul II, 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Church of the Ascension, 12033 Miller Avenue, Saratoga. The topic of this discussion will be Justice and the Environment presented by Father Paul Fitzgerald, S.J. The second of a series of five evenings of discussion based on the justice writings of Pope John Paul II. Subsequent evenings will be on March 20, April 24, May 22, June 12. $10 per session or free will donation. For additional information, contact Sister Elizabeth Avalos, BVM at ec_avalos@yahoo.com.

"MARK YOUR CALENDAR" - A Few Upcoming Events

Saturday, March 18

Jubilee Year Mass, 10:00 am, St. Joseph Cathedral. The mass will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Diocese

Saturday, June 24

Justice Symposium II, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm, Santa Clara University, Benson Center. Co-Sponsored by the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education. Keynotes, exhibits, informative workshops. Come and be inspired, meet with others working for justice throughout the diocese and local community.