Tag Archives: Roman Catholic

Muslim-Catholic Community Event of Support

Muslim-Catholic Community Event of Support and Friendship between Catholics and Muslims

Download a flyer: Catholic-Muslim Support Day

MCA, SBIA, WVMA, ICZ, Fatimiyya and SABA Imams and Boards request your presence at an interfaith event in solidarity with the Catholic community. Bishop McGrath, who leads over 50 Catholic churches in Santa Clara County, will join Imams from Bay Area Mosques and civic leaders on Martin Luther King Day to mark the start of this partnership. The event will include joint prayers, exchange of ideas for dialogue, understanding and unity between the two communities in serving humanity while seeking justice and fairness for all. This event will be the first of many events leading to increased collaboration and friendship between Muslims and Christians through engagements at various levels.

Speeches will begin at 1:00 pm, followed by lunch served at 2:30 pm.

Open House: Santa Teresa Parish

Have you ever wondered what Catholics believe and do? Santa Teresa Parish would like to welcome you to an Open House that will feature a talk about Catholicism and a chance to meet and talk with Catholics in our community

  • 7:00 pm – approximately 7:40: presentation about Catholicism
  • 7:40 pm: Q & A
  • 8:00 pm: one-on-one conversation with Catholics and others in attendance

St. Thomas of Canterbury Speaker Series

Please join us for a Fall Speaker Series at St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church.
Speaker: Fr. Dave Mercer, Pastor

The scheduled sessions are:

  • September 20 – Can a Catholic be a Democrat?  Can a Catholic be a Republican?
  • October 18 – Polarized Politics: How does one decide how to vote on November 8?
  • November 15 – Remaining Catholic when what we read about the Church seems only to be negative?
  • December 20 – Pope Francis and how he is influencing the Church

For further information, please contact Fr. Dave Mercer at frdave@stcsj.org or call 408-378-1595.

Orlando: Diocese of San Jose, ING

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Statement from Bishop Patrick J. McGrath, Diocese of San Jose
June 14, 2016

The tragic events of Orlando are a horrific reminder of the power of hatred and violence.  Unaware as we still are of the motives behind the murderous rampage, the targeting of members of the LGBT community is a wound on our society.

While our first reaction is to lash out with the same degree of hostility, we hear the words of the Lord, calling us to repay even hatred with love.  We cannot become the evil that we detest.

The call within our nation to consider as suspect entire populations of citizens, immigrants or visitors is contrary to what is best in the American people.  We cannot relive the prejudices of the past, nor conjure up new ones in this century. Violence will only beget more violence.  The cycle must be broken.

We join with all who are committed to the common good, rooted in the values of justice, love, peace and tolerance, as we pray for those who lost their lives or their loved ones and who live now in fear because of acts of violence.

ING and Affiliates Stand in Solidarity with LGBTQ Communities Against Hate

We as American Muslims express our deep shock and sorrow over the horrific attack in Orlando, mourn the loss of innocent lives, and extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones. Our prayers and thoughts go out to all those impacted by this senseless attack, in particular the LGBTQ communities which have been the most impacted by this brutal act. As Muslims, we know all too well what it is like to be members of a targeted community, and we appreciate the long and unwavering support the LGBTQ community has given us. We stand in solidarity with them and categorically reject homophobia and any form of bigotry, hatred, and violence against any individual or group on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, religion, familial status, sexual orientation, and national origin.

All human life is sacred, and all traditions forbid the wanton taking of it. Yet far too many lives continue to be lost due to hatred and bigotry which have no place in our country and our communities. While the motive behind this heinous act is yet to be determined, we will continue our efforts to bring people of all faiths and of no religious faith together to heal, to counter all voices of hate and violence, and to work for interreligious and intercultural understanding.

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched by American Muslims to support the families of the Orlando shooting victims. Click here to donate.

Radical Grace Film

“Radical Grace” is a documentary about U.S. nuns who were reprimanded by the Vatican for their “radical feminism.” Be captured by this story of three fearless nuns who risk their place in the Church to follow another higher calling: social justice.

One sister takes on Church patriarchy, another finds hope in the former prisoners she counsels, and the third launches a cross-country Nuns on the Bus tour, leveraging her newfound fame to spotlight social needs. These sisters “bring humor and down-to-earth grit to an epic battle for justice, equality and the dignity of women” (Gene Siskel Film Center).

Following their struggles through the election of Pope Francis, Radical Grace captures a period of dramatic transformation as the Catholic Church grapples with the modern word.

SJSU students, faculty and community members will be inspired and challenged by the message of these brave nuns that question authority, seek equality, while illustrating that social justice and spirituality are inseparably linked.

Discussion will follow. All are welcome!

The Pope, the Poor, and the Planet: Overcoming Insularity in an Integral Ecology

Given the ecological risks that face us and the uneven distribution of responsibilities, how can we overcome a sense of fragmentation and insularity? Reflecting on how Pope Francis’ call for an integral ecology resonates with those of us who live in more vulnerable parts of the world, we can discern pathways of hope, inspiring us all to care for our common home.

Jose Ramon “Jett” Villarin S.J. is the President of Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines. He received his doctorate in Atmospheric Sciences from Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, Georgia) and his master’s degree in Physics from Marquette University (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). He is currently the chairperson of the Manila Observatory, a scientific research institute, and a member of the National Panel of Technical Experts of the Philippine government’s Climate Change Commission. His other responsibilities include being chair of Synergeia, an NGO engaged in public education reform and the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, which recognizes “greatness of spirit” in exemplary persons and institutions involved in social transformation in Asia. He was a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which received a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. In 2000, he was declared National Outstanding Young Scientist and in 2002, his book Disturbing Climate was given an Outstanding Book Award by the National Academy of Science and Technology of the Philippines. He also writes a column (“God’s Word Today”) with other Jesuits for a major newspaper and has written a book of homilies entitled Startle.

Register for this event.

A Church Of Missionary Disciples

Pope Francis and the 21st century parish: A Church Of Missionary Disciples

All are welcome to this free presentation by JustFaith founder, Jack Jezreel

Come and hear speaker Jack Jezreel. He will address the vision of Pope Francis, the gospel call to Compassion, and how churches can be effectively Renewed and reinvigorated.

Jack Jezreel, M.Div.,(University of Notre Dame) is the Founder of JustFaith Ministries, an organization dedicated to creating and supporting formation processes that inspire commitment to social ministry. He is a popular and well-traveled speaker and teacher, sometimes introduced as the “Johnny Appleseed” of the U.S. Church’s social mission. In 2006, he received the prestigious Harry A. Fagan Award for his unique contribution to the Church’s social mission. Jack previously spent 6 years in a Catholic Worker Community and 12 years in parish ministry. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, Maggie. They have three adult daughters.

A Call to Live Mercy in Our Common Home

Praise Be! A Call to Live Mercy in Our Common Home

Deanery 2 of the Diocese of San José presents
A Day of Reflection on Social Justice: Faith, Justice, Action!

Keynote Speaker: Fumi Tosu, M.Div., San Jose Catholic Worker

Six workshops to choose from. Topics include Care for God’s Creation, Dignity of Life, Peace and Justice, and Pope Francis’ call to “Care for Our Common Home.”  All participants will be able to take two workshops.

Information and displays from many justice groups will be available: Catholic Charities, Pax Christi, Sacred Heart Community Services, Global Solidarity, Catholic Green Initiative and more!

Registration:   $15 (received by February 18) – $20 at the door

Workshops:

Session One:

  • Pursuing Peace Through Education and Interreligious Engagement – Deacon Steve Herrera, Presenter
  • Human Dignity and Life: Restoring Harmony – Christine Vincent, Presenter
  • Integral Ecology: The Call of Pope Francis -Tony Strawa, Catholic Green Initiative (CGI), Presenter

Session Two:

  1. Care for our Common Home – A Practical Guide to Implementation for Home and Parish -Laura Barker & Katia Reeves (CGI), Stew Plock (350SV.org), and Suds Jain (CCL), Presenters
  2. Advocates for Peace in a World of Chaos – Joaquin Sanchez, Presenter
  3. Laudato Si: Francis Needs Us! Mother Earth Needs Us! – Stan Fitzgerald, Presenter