Jul 22, 2024
Spanish
]“The joy of love experienced by families is also the joy of the Church,” proclaims Pope Francis.
Thus, in celebration of the love found in marriage and family, we, the Catholic bishops of California, are overjoyed to introduce ‘Radiate Love’ – a new initiative to encourage and inspire marriage. We are embarking on this journey over the next year to celebrate and support marriage and family life among the flock God has entrusted to us.
The institution of marriage is held dear by God. A marriage between a woman and a man is simultaneously a unique expression of the natural human longing for unfailing love, the source of new life and social health, and a key means by which God provides vital information about Himself and human nature. This is because marriage offers a penetrating glimpse into God’s identity as a communion of Persons and a model for how He loves us and how we are to love Him and every neighbor.
Today, however, many despair of marriage. Marriage rates are declining. It is increasingly seen as an unattainable luxury by poorer and marginalized Americans. And the ties between marriage and children are breaking, with unfortunate consequences.
Observing these losses and offering to help is not a work of nostalgia or an attempt of religion to lecture politics and society. Nor is it an opinion that everyone should marry. Instead, it is a proposal to advance human happiness and freedom, especially among vulnerable groups. It is also a proposal that harmonizes faith and natural reason, and it arises from the same charitable impulses by which Catholic schools educate children, our social services care for the poor, and our healthcare ministries nurse the sick.
Virtually every culture in every age has greatly supported stable relations between men and women and the children they bear. That is marriage. And today, we have overwhelming empirical evidence across the ideological spectrum justifying this preoccupation. Marriage undergirds human happiness, stability, and prosperity. It is the ideal setting to nurture children to a healthy adulthood. Family instability and absent or uninvolved parents – especially absentee fathers – are linked to poverty, crime, inadequate education and employment, and a whole host of other social ills. The decline of marriage is a leading factor in adult loneliness and the growing income and opportunity gaps between racial and socioeconomic groups.
In short, contemporary evidence soundly rejects decades of baseless claims that marriage constrains freedom and happiness, or that decoupling sex, marriage, and childbearing boosts romantic happiness. Most troubling, the uncritical acceptance of these claims often leads to unforeseen disastrous consequences for children.
Scripture strengthens the evidence from natural reason. In the beginning, the Creator pronounces that “it is not good for the man to be alone” (Gn 2:18). Jesus reaffirms the importance of lifelong marital unity (Mt 19:6). Saint Paul teaches that marriage offers a privileged entry into the mystery of God’s love for His people (Eph 5:32). The Gospel reports Jesus’ admonition that God’s way of loving – faithfully, sacrificially, fruitfully – must also be the measure of human love of neighbor (John 13:34 and 15:8-17).
Saint John Paul II called the family a “school of love.” It is where a man and a woman learn to give and receive the complementary gifts with which they are endowed. It is where family members first learn to love those very near “neighbors” strewn on their path – Good Samaritan-style – patiently, enduringly, mercifully, and even in the face of vast differences. It is how we are enabled to share this love with those outside the family and society.
In the words of Pope Francis, the complementarity in marriage and family life is “a great treasure… a thing of beauty.” It answers human longing for enduring love, is a boon to vulnerable children, the bedrock of a healthy society, a driver of freedom and social equality, and one of God’s most precious gifts to the human race.
With all of this in mind, the Catholic Church in California pledges to redouble its efforts to encourage, celebrate, and accompany dating and married couples through our Radiate Love initiative. We invite Catholic couples in all seasons of their lives to engage in their parishes and visit the website frequently in the year ahead. There you will find resources and suggestions to help bring the joy of the Lord’s grace into your relationship and family life, just as Jesus brought fine wine at the Wedding of Cana. Please accept this initiative as our gift of hope for marriage and family life.
May almighty God bless you and keep you always,
The Catholic Bishops of California
Jul 15, 2024
“We pray for the recovery of former President Trump, for the the death of Corey Comperatore, and for those injured in the shooting incident at the political rally in Pennsylvania. Let us pray earnestly for peaceful and civil discourse in this fraught election cycle.”
U.S. Bishops’ President Condemns Political Violence and Calls for Prayers for Peace
Following the news of the shooting at a political rally involving former President Donald Trump today, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Bishops (USCCB) offered the following statement.
WASHINGTON – Following the news of the shooting at a political rally involving former President Donald Trump today, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Bishops (USCCB) offered the following statement:
“Together with my brother bishops, we condemn political violence, and we offer our prayers for President Trump, and those who were killed or injured. We also pray for our country and for an end to political violence, which is never a solution to political disagreements. We ask all people of goodwill to join us in praying for peace in our country. Mary, Mother of God and Patroness of the Americas, pray for us.”
Earlier this summer, the USCCB issued a statement on political violence, urging all Christians and people of good will to abstain from political violence, and instead, ‘pursue what leads to peace and building up one another’ through dialogue, seeking justice.
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https://www.usccb.org/news/2024/us-bishops-president-condemns-political-violence-and-calls-prayers-peace
Jul 8, 2024
The Diocese of San José is delighted to announce that The Valley Catholic, now only in its second year, has been honored with two distinguished national awards from the Catholic Media Association for 2024. The Valley Catholic received an Honorable Mention in the Diocesan Catholic Magazine of the Year category and secured Third Place in the Special Issue category for the memorial issue “In Memory of Bishop Emeritus Patrick J. McGrath.”
What the judges had to say:
“I loved the fact that this entry had all of the articles published in three languages. Very impressive.”
“This special issue is a touching and beautiful tribute. Its articles are designed with care and dedication to the theme of the issue. Each piece is meaningful and professionally written and formatted.”
We enthusiastically invite the faithful of the Diocese of San José to read The Valley Catholic’s award-winning local coverage, available in both print and online! We also encourage you to share the magazine and its compelling local stories near and far. With new monthly features and web-exclusive content, The Valley Catholic is a powerful tool that may help unify and grow our Catholic community, while also reaching those who may be distant from the Church. This aligns with the first objective under Outreach priority in our Pastoral Plan: to share the Good News by encountering and listening to those currently not engaged in practicing the Faith.
Consider striking up a conversation with someone about one of our stories by visiting: www.TheValleyCatholic.com
Your participation is essential! We welcome story submission requirements and ideas, which can be submitted at https://www.dsj.org/storysubmission/
Join us in spirit as we celebrate this national recognition. Thank you for allowing us to tell the story of the Diocese of San José!
The Valley Catholic Editor and Communications Staff
May 28, 2024
Congratulations to the three men who were ordained to the order of presbyterate on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph.
To serve the people of God and following consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Oscar Cantú has appointed the newly ordained priests to the following assignments, effective July 1, 2024.
Rev. Robert Lamorena to be a parochial vicar at Holy Spirit in San Jose
Rev. Ryan Mau to be a parochial vicar at Saint Lawrence the Martyr in Santa Clara
Rev. Duy Nguyen to be a parochial vicar at Saint Martin in Sunnyvale
Please pray for them, their first parish assignments, their first pastors, and for their own fruitful priestly ministry
Apr 22, 2024
To serve the people of God and following extensive consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board over the last few months, Bishop Oscar Cantú has made the following new clergy assignments effective July 1, 2024, unless otherwise indicated.
Office of Pastor
- Rev. Christopher Bransfield – from pastor of Saint Justin in Santa Clara to pastor of Church of the Transfiguration in San Jose
- Rev. Tito Jesus Cartagenas – from pastor of Church of the Transfiguration in San Jose to pastor of Saint Julie in San Jose
- Rev. Angelo David – from pastor of Saint Julie in San Jose to pastor of Saint Mary of Immaculate Conception in Los Gatos
- Rev. Generoso Geronimo – from parochial vicar of Saint Martin of Tours in San Jose to pastor of Saint Justin in Santa Clara
- Rev. Roberto Gomez – from pastor of Saint Martin in Sunnyvale to pastor of Our Lady of Refuge in San Jose
- Rev. Bartholomew Hutcherson, O.P. – from serving outside the diocese to pastor of Catholic Community at Stanford
- Rev. Robain Lamba – from parochial vicar of Saint Francis of Assisi to pastor of Saint Cyprian in Sunnyvale
- Rev. Gerardo Menchaca – from pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe in San Jose to pastor of Saint Catherine of Alexandria in Morgan Hill
- Rev. Prosper Molengi – from parochial vicar of Saint Lucy in Campbell to pastor of Saint Martin in Sunnyvale
- Rev. Vincent Pineda – from pastor of Saint Cyprian in Sunnyvale to pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi in San Jose
- Rev. Hugo Rojas – from pastor of Our Lady of Refuge in San Jose to pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe in San Jose
- Rev. Celso Singson – from parochial vicar of Queen of Apostles in San Jose to pastor of Saint Martin of Tours in San Jose
- Rev. Anthony Uytingco – from parochial vicar of Saint Lawrence the Martyr in Santa Clara to pastor of Queen of Apostles in San Jose
Office of Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Msgr. Francisco Rios – from parochial vicar at Saint Catherine of Alexandria in Morgan Hill to parochial vicar at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in San Jose
- Rev. Robert Brocato – from in-residence at Our Lady of Guadalupe in San Jose to in-residence at Saint Catherine of Alexandria in Morgan Hill
- Rev. Tony Famave – from parochial vicar at Holy Family in San Jose to parochial vicar at Saint Martin of Tours in San Jose
- Rev. Jeff Fernandez – from pastor at Queen of Apostles in San Jose to in-residence at Queen of Apostles in San Jose
- Rev. Andrey Garcia – from parochial vicar at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in San Jose to parochial vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe in San Jose
- Rev. Thuc Si Ho – from parochial vicar at Saint Simon in Los Altos to parochial vicar at Saint Elizabeth in Milpitas
- Rev. John Hoang – from parochial vicar at Holy Spirit in San Jose to parochial vicar at Holy Family in San Jose
- Rev. Dat Luong – from parochial vicar at Our Lady of La Vang in San Jose to parochial vicar at Saint Simon in Los Altos
- Rev. Anthony Tan Nguyen – from parochial vicar at Christ the King in San Jose to parochial vicar at Our Lady of La Vang in San Jose
- Rev. Duong T. Nguyen – from parochial vicar at Saint Elizabeth in Milpitas to parochial vicar at Our Lady of Refuge in San Jose
- Rev. Eddie Obero – from parochial vicar at Saint Joseph in Mountain View to parochial vicar at Saint Francis of Assisi in San Jose
- Rev. Jon Pedigo – from sabbatical to parochial vicar at Saint Lucy in Campbell
- Rev. Peter Luc Phan – from parochial vicar at Saint Martin in Sunnyvale to parochial vicar at Christ the King in San Jose
- Rev. Noel Sanvicente – from special assignment as Judicial Vicar to parochial vicar at Saint Joseph in Mountain View
- Rev. Reynaldo Sarmiento – from pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi in San Jose to parochial vicar at Saint Francis Cabrini in San Jose
Special Assignments
- Rev. Jeff Fernandez has been appointed director, Office of Worship.
- Rev. Saju Joseph, JCL, has been appointed Judicial Vicar and director, Tribunal.
- Rev. Sergio Ovando will minister outside the Diocese of San José as Professor of Sacred Scripture at St. John’s Seminary of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
- Rev. Joseph Tran – departing as parochial vicar of Saint Francis Cabrini to study Canon Law at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
Retirement
Departures
- Rev. Xavier Lavagetto, O.P.
- Rev. John Tran, OFM
