Renewing our Faith – Each year at Easter, Catholics from around the world have an opportunity to renew their baptismal faith.  We will affirm our belief in God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and even in the catholic Church.  So this renewal is not just saying we believe in God, but we’re also renewing our belief, our belonging to Christ’s Church, the Church Christ founded, entrusted to Peter and the other apostles, to continue His work of teaching the faith and building God’s Kingdom on earth to succeeding generations.  But what does it mean to belong to a Church?  What are some expectations of an adult Christian?  Albert Winseman, in his research with the Gallup Poll, found that most churches never discussed this with their people.  It was just assumed that everyone knew.  Their research found that churches that were successful, had several things in common, which included a clear membership covenant, so that members knew what the life of a mature adult Christian should look like.  St. Brendan Parish Advisory Board discussed this question and came up with a draft that we would like to invite you to consider, discuss and offer feedback.  Below is our DRAFT:

Membership Covenant

As a member of St. Brendan I will strive to be an intentional disciple of Christ by:

Being open to growth and learning, such as:

reading and praying with the Bible to help me come to know the mind and heart of God

reading spiritual books to nourish the soul

attending retreats and workshops to help me grow in the faith

Being open to ongoing conversion (making regular and frequent use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation).

Praying daily

Talking to God about my life and listening to what He has to say to me.

Developing a relationship with God.

Praying for my church and fellow members regularly

Being faithful to God in little things.

Beginning with the basics such as observing the 10 commandments

Being present in worship on a regular basis

Supporting my church with my spiritual and financial gifts

Finding an area of ministry through which I can serve Christ and others

But the Church in turn also makes a covenant with her members.  The Advisory Board proposed the following DRAFT:

Church Covenant

As your Church family, we will strive to:

Provide opportunities for you to live your faith in service to others

Provide faith-building opportunities for you to grow as a Christian

Provide opportunities for you to develop deep and lasting friendships in community with others

Provide opportunities for lifelong learning as you deepen your understanding of the Bible and the Christian faith

Be good stewards of your financial contributions to your church

As you renew your faith in God and in His Church this Easter, what do you think of our proposal?  Let us know.  You can email me at frdan@stbrendanparish.org.  Happy Easter!

Fr. Dan

Our High Holy Days – The Church’s High Holy Days is not the election of a new Pope, although we’re happy to have Pope Francis I.  But it starts at the conclusion of the Season of Lent and before the Season of Easter.  It is the Triduum that means a period of 3 days of prayer.  Holy Thursday (4/17) is the 1^st of the 3 days.  On that day at 7pm in Church, we celebrate the Last Supper that Jesus had with his disciples.  The Presider, imitating Christ, will wash the feet of 6 parishioners.  They in turn, are then asked to wash the feet of others.  Each person who will have their foot washed is invited to stay and wash someone else’s foot.  So everyone is given the opportunity to do for others, what Jesus Himself did for His disciples.  We invite you to join us in that celebration, and to wear appropriate footwear, if you’d like to participate in the foot washing ceremony.  But the celebration does not end there.  After celebrating the Last Supper, as Jesus went into Gethsemane garden to pray, we will also empty the tabernacle and take the Blessed Sacrament into our Church Hall to pray with Him.  Jesus, at the garden, invited His disciples to stay with Him, even for just an hour, to watch and pray.  If your schedule allows you, we invite you to spend some quiet time with the Lord.  The Blessed Sacrament will be left out for adoration until 10pm in the Church Hall.

The prayer then continues on Good Friday (4/18) at noon.  We will not begin with the Stations of the Cross, so if you’d like to pray that privately, prayer books will be available before or after our liturgies.  We will begin instead with a meditation on “The Last 7 Words of Christ,” offered by Verbum Dei Missionary, Sr. Alyssa Meis.  At about 1:30pm, we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Veneration of the Cross.  From 3-4pm, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) will be available.  The Via Matris – The Journey of Our Lady of Sorrows are offered at night at 7pm to remember and accompany Our Blessed Mother through her sorrows.  As we remember the death of Christ on Good Friday, there will be no mass the following day until the Easter Vigil at 8pm on Saturday night.  (Note, the regular Saturday vigil mass at 5pm will be at 8pm).  However, on Saturday morning at 8:00am, we will do Morning Prayer followed with decorating the Church in preparation for Easter.  If you have time to join us, I would be most grateful for your assistance.

The Easter Vigil mass begins in darkness, because of the death of our Lord on Good Friday (that’s why we begin it so late at 8pm).  As we begin in total darkness, the Easter candle is lit and blessed, and the fire from the Easter candle is used to light the tapers that everyone is holding.  During the Vigil, as we await the resurrection of our Lord, 5 selections from the stories of our salvation are read, from Genesis, to Exodus to the New Testament, and finally to the Resurrection of our Lord.  Beverly Bloodworth, Ping Ping He, Lucia Marques, Susan Miller and Yano Rhee who have been preparing during Lent to become Catholic, will be baptized that evening.  For our children, there will be an Easter Egg hunt following the Easter Sunday 9:30am mass.  In the meanwhile, we wish you all a Blessed Holy Week.  It is our High Holy Days.

Fr. Dan

News Around the Parish

Youth Ministry – Last Sunday, the Jr. High Ministry served at the 9:30am mass by being Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers and gift bearers.  Afterwards, about 20 of them gathered to make more than 400 sandwiches for St. Vincent de Paul’s Sandwich Sunday.  At that event, we also introduced the teens to Ryan & Katrina Dilag, candidates for the High School Youth Ministry position.  This young married couple has a heart for Youth Ministry and applied separately to the position.  But no matter who the parish hires, they said they’ll be working with each other together, which is quite a blessing for the parish.  The youth activity after the sandwich making, led by Ryan and Katrina, was enjoyed very much by the teens and they all gave them 2 thumbs up.  So the parish has offered Ryan the position of High School Youth Minister.  He’s looking forward to getting to know the teens and develop something with them in the near future.  Welcome aboard, Ryan (and Katrina) Dilag!

Faith Sharing Book Club – So far, we’re read about half of Pope Francis’ “The Joy of the Gospel.”  Fr. Theo and I laughed that because the Pope has so many gems in the book, that we’ve underline almost half the book.  The past week, we read Chapters 2 & 3.  In Chapter 2, the Pope spoke about the challenges and difficulties of evangelization in our age.  In Chapter 3, the Pope spent over half the chapter, addressing, encouraging and even guiding priests in how to prepare good homilies.  As he puts it, “a preacher who does not prepare is not ‘spiritual’; he is dishonest and irresponsible with the gifts he has received” (#145).  But he also reminds us, that the proclamation of the Gospel is the responsibility of the entire People of God.  As he puts it:

There is a kind of preaching which falls to each of us as a daily responsibility.  It has to do with bringing the Gospel to the people we meet… this is informal preaching which takes place in the middle of a conversation… (#127).

Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring the love of Jesus to others and this can happen unexpectedly in any place:  on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey (#127).

In this preaching, which is always respectful and gentle, the first step is personal dialogue, when the other person speaks and shares his or her joys, hopes, and concerns for loved ones… only afterwards is it possible to bring up God’s word, perhaps by reading a Bible verse or relating a story… keeping in mind the fundamental message:  the personal love of God… this fraternal and missionary encounter could end with a brief prayer.  In this way they will have an experience of being listened to and understood; they will know that their particular situation has been placed before God, and that God’s word really speaks to their lives (#128).

What have you read that caught your eye?  Let me know and we might post your comments along with others.  You can write to me at frdan@stbrendanparish.org.

Blessings,

Fr. Dan

News Around the Parish

Faith Sharing Book Club – As Pope Francis celebrated the 1^st anniversary of his papacy on March 13, we’ve been reading his book “The Joy of the Gospel.”  It’s been refreshing and delightful.  So far, from the Introduction and Chapter 1, there have been already many gems that have surfaced.  Here are 10 that we have enjoyed:

-- #2.  Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor.  God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.

-- #3.  God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking His mercy.

-- #4.  Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.

-- #9.  Goodness always tends to spread… if we wish to lead a dignified and fulfilling life, we have to reach out to others and seek their good.

-- #10.  An evangelizer must never look like someone who has just come back from a funeral!  Let us recover and deepen our enthusiasm…

-- #24.  The Lord gets involved and He involves His own, as He kneels to wash their feet…  Evangelizers thus take on the “smell of the sheep” and the sheep are willing to hear their voice.

-- #27.  All renewal in the Church must have mission as its goal, if it is not to fall prey to a kind of ecclesial introversion.

-- #38.  In preaching the Gospel a fitting sense of proportion has to be maintained…  imbalance results… when we speak more about law than about grace, more about the Church than about Christ, more about the Pope than about God’s word.

-- #44.  I want to remind priests that the confessional must not be a torture chamber but rather an encounter with the Lord’s mercy which spurs us on to do our best.

-- #49.  I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security...  If something should rightly disturb us and trouble our consciences, it is the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ, without a community of faith to support them, without meaning and a goal in life.

In our discussions, we reflected also upon how each of us, can better reflect the good news of the gospel in our lives.  If you have time, come and join us.  Call the parish office for dates and times (681-4225) or pick up a book and read on your own.  Extra copies are available at the parish.

Fr. Dan

News Around the Parish

Locals get Elected – Although this may sound like one of two of our parishioners were elected into public office, however, the term “Elected” is used by the Church to mean a person has been chosen by God.  It is also a status of a person preparing for initiation into the Church.  Because God has given us free will, we can choose to be in relationship with God or not.  Adults who are interested in the Church, begin in the first stage called the Inquiry stage, where they ask about what we teach and believe.  As they choose to continue in the journey of faith, we welcome them and they enter a 2^nd stage called the Catechumenate stage.  A catechumen then is one who is receiving instruction (being catechized) about the faith.  If they choose to continue in this journey of faith, they go from being students to disciples.  In this 3^rd stage, they are called to prepare themselves more deeply and spiritually for the sacraments of initiation.  Just as they have chosen to continue on, in this 3^rd stage, God is also choosing them, thus they become the Elect of God, chosen by God.  At last Sunday’s 11:30am mass, their sponsors spoke about their readiness, and we prayed for them, and sent them forth to the Cathedral to meet with the Archbishop.  With catechumen from 52 parishes, the cathedral was full.  There were easily, over a thousand people at the Cathedral for the Rite of Election.  They inscribed their names in the book of Elect, which was then presented and acknowledged by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone.  Our catechumens are now officially recognized as the Elect.  Not only have they chosen to be disciples of Christ, but it is Christ Himself who also chooses and Elects them to be His own.  Our Elect are:  Beverly Bloodworth, Ping Ping He, Lucia Marques, Susan Miller and Yano Rhee.  Please pray for them during this time of Lent, as they deepen their preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation & Eucharist) to be received at the Easter Vigil.

Bake Sale, Irish Celebration, Pancake Breakfast & Pinewood Derby – it was a fun full weekend at the parish last weekend, as the Mother’s Club began Saturday morning with a bake sale.  It was a great time to begin, because after each sports game over at the gym, players and their families would come by and support the bake sale.  This lasted into the evening.  At the evening mass, a few of the Irish dancers participated by leading the community in the prayers of the faithful and in the presentation of the gifts.  They naturally led the community down to the hall for an Irish celebration.  There was an Irish Soda Bread competition judged by our very own Irish Pastor, Fr. O’Danny Boy Nascimento.  And many of our local Irish Dancers performed to the delight of the crowd.  7^th grader Fiona Van Zandt emceed behind the scenes and the dancers were 2^nd graders Caroline & James McFadden, 4^th graders Kathleen Ferry & Brianna O’Connor, 6^th graders Shannon Ferry, Luke Kelly and Grace McFadden, 7^th grader Jessica Tobin and 8^th grader Paige McNamara-Pittler.  We had also a bag piper, 7^th grader Mitchell Ambre, who filled us with a spirit of Ireland.  Not to be outdone, the following morning, the Men’s Club put on a Pancake breakfast to the delight of the parishioners following the 9:30am mass.  Smoke and flavors of the sausages being cooked filled the church during mass and great fun was had by all.  And if this was not enough for one weekend, the Boys Scouts also had a Pinewood Derby on Sunday afternoon.  It was truly a full and fun weekend at the parish.  I want to thank all the coordinators, the participants and their parents, as well as all the parishioners who supported these events that made them joyful and successful.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Fr. Dan

News Around the Parish

SAVE THE DATE – There are 2 wonderful events for married couples.  The Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Oakland invited a nationally known couple, Greg and Julie Alexander to come to the Bay Area and do faith centered workshops for married couples.  Greg and Julie share how faith saved their marriage from the brink of divorce.  Turning to God in prayer, they said to God if He can save their marriage, they’ll devote their lives in His service.  And this is what they have discovered to be the ministry that God has called them to and they’re excited to share what they’ve discovered with other married couples.  Do something for your marriage this Lenten Season.  There will be a mini-retreat in our parish and a full day retreat in 2 nearby locations.  The dates and times are below:

Mini-Retreat

Location:  St. Brendan Church Hall

When: Thursday, March 27, from 7-9pm

Full Day Retreat (register online - $65/couple @ www.marriageonfire.info)

Location: St. Bartholomew Parish, 300 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo

When: Sat., March 29, from 8:30am – 3:30pm

Location: St. Raymond Parish, 11555 Shannon Ave., Dublin,Ca

When: Sat., April 5, from 8:30am – 3:30pm

NEW CHURCH ROOF – Thanks to your generosity and kindness, the Church now has a new roof.  Roofers began working on it, Tuesday, January 21 (after President’s day), and completed their work on Thursday, February 27.  It really was time to put a new roof on as the layer underneath the tiles, the membrane, was brittle.  With the rectory roof completed last year, the 2 other remaining roofs are the Convent and School.  Work will begin on them after school lets out, and this will complete the 5 year Capital Campaign improvement projects.  Thanks again for your ongoing support and generosity.

FRIDAY’s LENTEN DEVOTION – After some discussion, the regular Friday Stations of the Cross has been changed to 7:30pm to allow time for people to come home from work and have dinner before starting the devotions.  Following the Stations, participants are invited to stay for Adoration until 8:30pm.  On the first Friday, the Divine Mercy prayer will accompany Adoration.  And each of the Fridays of Lent will have something special during Adoration.  Taize prayer around the cross will be the special devotion on Friday, April 11 and on Good Friday, there will be a special prayer, accompanying Mary in her sorrows.  All are welcome.

Fr. Dan

News Around the Parish

Congratulations to our Jr. High Youth Ministry Program – In the March 2014 issue of “Today’s Catholic Teacher,” St. Brendan’s Jr. High Youth Ministry Program received recognition for their work and won an award in the category of Innovative Project Promoting Catholic Identity.  Each year, this magazine honors 12 Catholic elementary and secondary schools throughout the nation that have led the way by implementing exemplary, innovative programs to improve the teaching and learning of their students, faculty and staffs.  The judging committee of the University of Dayton credited our former pastoral associate, Sr. Necy Guan, and our principal, Mrs. Carol Grewal, in making the idea of Fr. Parenti become a reality.  Fr. Parenti wanted to encourage school children to become more involved with the parish.  But because many after school and weekend activities prevented the students from participating, Sr. Necy and Carol decided to incorporate a Jr. High program within the school curriculum. 

Our adult volunteers, Stacey Simpson and Gus Del Puerto would meet with the students once a month to help them explore ways in which God is a part of their everyday lives.  The article reported that “Student-designed group activities focus on prayer, stewardship, leadership and more.  Activities have included composing Thanksgiving prayers for a prayer book, creating game shows with religious themes, and creating holiday decorations.  Designing Christmas cards for hospital patients, filling Christmas stockings for homeless shelter residents, and making sandwiches for the St. Vincent de Paul Society are among the service activities.”  It further credits the Youth Ministry program as helping our students in their overall score in the National Religious Education Assessment.  Our 8^th graders score an average of 20% higher than the average National Catholic Education Association’s (NCEA) Assessment of Catechesis/Religious Education (ACRE) test score.  Congratulations Mrs. Grewal, Mrs. Stacey Simpson, Mr. Gus Del Puerto and our Junior High Teachers for a job well done!

Upcoming Lenten Events – These are a few of our upcoming Lenten activities:

Wed., March 5 is Ash Wednesday.  In addition to the regular weekday masses at 6:30am & 7:30am, this day, you’re also invited to join our students for mass at 8:30am.  Or later in the day, there will also be a mass at 12pm & 6pm.

This year, beginning on Wed., 3/12, after the Wednesday night soup supper @ 6pm, we’ll have Fr.

Robert Barron’s excellent video on “The 7 Deadly Sins and the 7 Lively Virtues.”  This reflection will be given within the context of Exposition & Benediction.

On the Fridays of Lent at 7pm, we’ll have the Stations of the Cross followed immediately with a Taize meditation and veneration of the Cross.  Come and join our musicians in this rich and prayerful worship.

Faith Sharing Book Club, reflecting on Pope Francis’ “Joy of the Gospel.”  Sign-up this weekend after masses, or pick up a book and read it on your own.  A free copy can also be downloaded from the Vatican website.

Lenten Retreats for married couples: Thurs., 3/27, from 7-9pm – a mini-retreat for couples led by Greg & Julie Alexander, whose marriage nearly ended with divorce, except by the grace of God. 

      Now they share their success and God’s blessing with others.  Cost is free will. Sat., 3/29 from  8:30 – 3:30pm @ St. Bartholomew in San Mateo or Sat., 4/5 @ St. Raymond in Dublin.  A full day retreat by the same couple.  You can register on-line at www.marriageonfire.info.  Cost is $65.

Parish Lenten retreat:  Sat., 3/29, 9-2pm by Archbishop Emeritus George Niederauer on Pope Francis’“Joy of the Gospel”

Fr. Dan