May 8, 2025
Spanish
With grateful hearts, the Church proclaims Habemus Papam! — We have a pope.
I join Catholics throughout the Diocese of San José in welcoming Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, OSA. A son of Chicago who answered the Lord’s call as an Augustinian missionary, he spent much of his priestly and episcopal ministry in Peru—eventually becoming a citizen of Peru—before serving the universal Church in Rome.
By choosing the name Leo, our Holy Father nods to Pope Leo XIII, author of Rerum Novarum (1891), the landmark encyclical that placed the dignity of workers and the demands of justice at the heart of Catholic social teaching. Pope Leo XIV’s first words from the loggia — a call to “build bridges, not divide” — signal a pastoral desire to span the distance between divisions. Our new Holy Father embodies the richness of the Church’s global family: he understands the rhythms of North America while carrying within him the lived faith of the global South. Having shepherded the Augustinian Order and most recently advised the universal Church on episcopal appointments, he brings both administrative wisdom and a missionary’s heart for evangelization in the 21st century.
Let us entrust our new pontiff to the Holy Spirit, asking that his ministry as Bishop of Rome and Successor of Peter be marked by humility, courage, and tenderness toward all. May he inspire us to be a people who listen, accompany, and proclaim the Gospel with joy.
To unite our prayers, I will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Election of Pope Leo XIV on Monday, May 19, at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph at 7:00 p.m.. I invite every parish and school to remember the Holy Father in their liturgies and devotions in the days ahead.
Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for Pope Leo XIV and for us, that together we may “keep our arms open” in welcome and walk faithfully in the love of Christ.
+ Oscar Cantú
Bishop of San José
May 8, 2025
English
Con un corazón agradecido, la Iglesia proclama ¡Habemus Papam! —Tenemos un Papa.
Me uno a los católicos de la Diócesis de San José para dar la bienvenida al Papa León XIV, cuyo verdadero nombre es Robert Francis Prevost, OSA. Oriundo de Chicago, Illinois, y quien respondió al llamado del Señor como misionero agustino. Pasó gran parte de su ministerio sacerdotal y episcopal en Perú, donde finalmente se nacionalizó peruano, antes de servir a la Iglesia universal en Roma.
Al elegir el nombre de León, nuestro Santo Padre rinde homenaje al Papa León XIII, autor de Rerum Novarum (1891), la encíclica histórica que situó la dignidad de los trabajadores y las exigencias de la justicia en el centro de la doctrina social católica. Las primeras palabras del Papa León XIV desde la logia —un llamado a «construir puentes, no dividir»— indican un deseo pastoral de salvar las distancias entre las divisiones. Nuestro nuevo Santo Padre encarna la riqueza de la familia global de la Iglesia: comprende los ritmos de Norteamérica y lleva en sí la fe viva del Sur global. Habiendo pastoreado la Orden Agustina y recientemente asesorado a la Iglesia universal en nombramientos episcopales, aporta sabiduría administrativa y un corazón misionero para la evangelización del siglo XXI.
Encomendemos a nuestro nuevo pontífice al Espíritu Santo, pidiendo que su ministerio como Obispo de Roma y Sucesor de Pedro se caracterice por la humildad, la valentía y la ternura hacia todos. Que nos inspire a ser un pueblo que escucha, acompaña y proclama el Evangelio con alegría.
Para unir nuestras oraciones a la Iglesia Universal, celebraré una Misa de Acción de Gracias por la Elección del Papa León XIV el lunes, 19 de mayo en la catedral de San Jose a la 7:00 pm. Invito a todas las parroquias y escuelas a recordar al Santo Padre en sus liturgias y devociones en los próximos días.
Santa María, Madre de la Iglesia, intercede por el Papa León XIV y por nosotros, para que juntos abramos los brazos y caminemos fielmente en el amor de Cristo.
Monseñor Oscar Cantú
Obispo de San José
May 5, 2025
The AI-generated image of President Trump dressed in papal vestments, first shared on his personal Truth Social account and later reposted by the official White House X account, was inappropriate and offensive. Catholics, and many others, are still mourning Pope Francis, while the College of Cardinals prepares for the conclave that will choose his successor. Turning this solemn pause into a sight gag cheapens a sacred office and insults the faithful.
Humor has its place in civic life. So does reverence. When the nation’s highest office circulates an image that mocks what more than a billion people around the world consider sacred, trust and mutual respect are undermined.
I invite the people of the Diocese of San José—and all who value civil discourse—to recommit to words and actions, online and off, that ennoble rather than diminish. Let us pray for a renewed respect for religion. We also pray for the cardinals at the Vatican, that the Holy Spirit guide them in electing the next Successor of Peter.
+ Oscar Cantú
Bishop of San José
Apr 30, 2025
Monsignor Stephen Perata, died peacefully early morning, April 29, 2025, at the age of 92.
Monsignor Stephen F. Perata passed away peacefully on April 29, 2025, at the age of 92 years. Ordained on June 14, 1958, Msgr. Perata served the People of God for 67 years in both the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of San José. His ministry touched many parishes, including St. Simon, Los Altos, St. Finn Barr, San Francisco, St. Cecilia, San Francisco, St. Robert, San Bruno, St. Albert the Great, Palo Alto, and St. Victor, San José
He also served at Chaplain to the Catholic Graduates Club of the Peninsula, sat on the Archdiocesan Board of Education and Diocesan Building Committee. Pope Benedict XVI honored him with the title of Monsignor in 2011. Msgr. Perata was also proud that he achieved being an Eagle Scout.
He is survived by his sister Mary Gibbons and the late John J. Gibbons. He is survived by several nieces and nephews Mary Lou, Jeannine, Peter, Matthew, Stephanie, Andrea and their loving families. He was predeceased by his parents Steven and Mary Perata, his sister Louise and husband Robert Galgani. Msgr. Steve is also survived by his dear friend, Sr. Noreen Driscoll, CSJ
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 St. Victor’s Catholic Church 3108 Sierra Rd. San Jose, Ca.
Visitation 10am to 7:00pm
Vigil Service commencing at 7:00pm
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 1:00pm
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on at St. Victor’s Church with reception to follow.
Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 11:00am
Interment Services will be held on at the Italian Cemetery 540 F. Street Colma, Ca.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.
Apr 22, 2025
Sister Marie-Eloise died suddenly at home at the age of 81 on April 14. She was born in Boise, ID in 1944 and grew up in Whittier, CA, the eldest daughter of six children of Ned and Mary Louise Crum Rosenblatt. She was student body president at St. Paul’s High School where she came to know the Sisters of Mercy. Following graduation from Santa Clara University and an MA in literature from USC, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1967 and pro- fessed her vows in 1970.
Following nine years of teaching high school she pursued a doctorate in Christian Spirituality at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley which she completed in 1987. Her extensive studies at the Ecole Biblique included time in Israel, Egypt and Germany where she fully immersed herself in each locality.
Eloise remained very connected with those she knew and was an expert at circulating the room at a gathering and having a personal conversation with all those she knew. She was known for her culinary skills and was very generous with her time, talents and resources.
Eloise taught at Santa Clara University, the Catholic Theological Union, the GTU, St. Mary’s College, and was director of the diaconate in San Francisco. In addition to many other publications, she wrote regular Scripture Reflections for San Francisco Catholic and gave numerous talks in parishes. She developed a feminist consciousness and strong sense of justice. She graduated from Lincoln Law School of San Jose 2003 and passed the bar. Since that time, she practiced and taught law, often serving people in need and as an advocate for women.
She is survived by her sisters, Suzanne Buhai, Carolyn Rosenblatt, brothers Robert and Ted Rosenblatt, many nieces, nephews and cousins in the Rosenblatt, Crum and Overturf families and her loving community of the Sisters of Mercy.
She was a co-founder of Mercy Association in Scripture and Theology (MAST) in 1987 and she continued to edit the Mast Journal until her death.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday April 24 at 10:30 a.m. in the main Mercy Convent Chapel, 2300 Adeline Drive. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010.
