Mass every Wednesday during Lent at 12:00 Noon
Thursday Evening at 7:00pm
We must become holy not because we want to feel holy, but because Christ must be able to live His life fully in us.” - Mother Teresa. Holiness is a call from God! How do you react to this call? Do you say: “That’s impossible?” In a sense, that’s the right reaction, for none of us can ever as- pire to be as holy as God. God never says: “Be holy the way I am.” Instead, He tells us thus: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” This is your stand, your status in Christ. In other words, it declares your position as who you are in Christ, where you stand in Christ. The indicative is usually followed by an imperative, a command. Since this is who you are in Christ, act like one chosen.
Holiness is reflected in faithful obedience to God’s commands. Holiness means the affirmation of the new reality of seeing the world around us through God’s Word and living in the world through God’s perspective. Many of us are bound by too many desires, longings and interests. It is not wrong to have them, but when we are overwhelmed by our desires, we fail to see them in the light of God’s Word. And this gradually goads us on to love and hold on to material possessions. In the process, we fail to see the most merciful and tender heart of our Lord. A child of God should con- tinually seek
His will, to see through all his desires and longings, the way Jesus would want him or her to be. This attitude of leaning towards godliness will enable us to grow and evolve in God’s nature. This will lead us to a life of godliness, a beacon of light, which will guide us in our daily encounters with life. May we live in this experience of holiness and grow in it as we seek God all through these days of the holy season.
1.What more should I do to understand the holiness of God?
2. What are my traits which obstruct my journey towards holiness?
3. What steps should I take to become as holy as God and grow in all my ways?
Application I will reject all that comes between me and God and I will discipline my thoughts and attitude so that I become holy and find approval in the eyes of God. I will find time to read the Word of God and meditate on His Word. This will help me to acknowledge the presence of God in my life.
Prayer Dear God, help us in this Lenten season, to cleave more unto You, to live a life of holiness. In Jesus’ blessed name, I pray. Amen.
Join us for the annual Soup Supper on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
Admission is free and all are welcome.
This community event raises money that directly supports the St. Christopher Community Outreach Program, including the Food Pantry. The Food Pantry serves families in need who live within our Parish boundaries.
Now, more than ever, the Outreach Program needs our help. Please consider a $5 donation per family to help replace the funds lost from the Soup Supper fundraiser. Traveler strong together!
Chair: Christina Howard
Sacrament of Reconciliation
March 26, Tuesday at 7:00pm
The Liturgy: The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that is celebrated on Holy Thursday recalls the Last Supper. Three mysteries are commemorated in this liturgy: the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood, and Christ’s command of brotherly love. Tradition has instituted the washing of the of to the institution of the priesthood. Following Mass, a procession forms and the Blessed Sacrament is carried through the church to a place of reservation where the faithful may spend a “suitable period of time” during the night praying with Jesus. He who asked, “Will you not watch one hour with me?” awaits you in the night. The altar will be stripped and washed as a reminder of the burial preparation of Our Lord. From midnight onward, adoration ceases as the day of the Lord’s Passion has begun.
Holy Thursday
March 28 2024
No morning Mass
8:00pm – Mass of the Lord’s Supper
After Mass: Eucharist Adoration
In Healy Hall Until Midnight
The liturgy on Good Friday is the second ritual step on the Triduum journey. In the context of the one great liturgy, the death of Christ is not to be isolated from the fullness of the Paschal mystery. Good Friday is not a time of mourning, but rather, of remembering, of seeing once again the boundless love of God expressed in the self-offering of his own Son.
Though Jesus of Nazareth dies in shame on a cross, God’s love is so powerful that not even death can defeat it. The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion has three distinct parts: the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and the Communion Service. Death is not seen as defeat but rather as the passage of Christ into his glory. Today, the liturgy begins in silence. We do not provide opening music or a call to worship. The rites assume that this is simply the continuation of the liturgy of the previous evening.
Good Friday Service
March 29, 2024
Morning Prayer 9:00am Church
12:00 Noon – 1:00pm
Time for Reflection
1:00 pm Stations of the Cross
In Church
2:00pm Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ
7:00 pm Stations of the Cross
The Easter Vigil liturgy has its roots in the Old Testament and relives in ritual, the night the Israelites stayed awake waiting for the Lord to deliver them from their slavery in Egypt. Similarly, we wait with the disciples for the good news that Jesus indeed is risen! In its fullest expression this is a true vigil, a night watch.
We gather as family to re-tell the wondrous stories of our salvation and draw strength as we remember. We wait together in joyful hope for the good news of Christ’s victory over death. In the process, we discover for ourselves the glory of the Cross.
The liturgy this night has four parts: the Light Service, the Liturgy of the Word, the Rites of Initiation, and the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Each part is imbedded with powerful symbols: light and darkness, fire, word, water, oil, touch, and a meal shared as friends.
Easter at St. Christopher
Holy Saturday
March 30, 2024
Morning prayer 9:00am
In Kindergarten Courtyard
8:00pm Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday Masses
March 31, 2024
6:30am Church
8:00am Church and Healy Hall
9:30am Church and Healy Hall
11:00am Church and Healy Hall
12:30pm Church
“Why do you search for the Living One among the dead? He is not here.
He has been raised up" (Luke 24:5-6).”
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The resurrection story can be told throughout the year, for it is always imbued with a deeper meaning. This story forms the essence of our faith; we know that, in Christ, death can be defeated and give way to everlasting life. By remembering this throughout the year, we can find relief from the burden of sin as well as greater joy in the blessings of everyday life. Christ's resurrection gives us a reason to live not only for today, but to sustain hope in our future, no matter how difficult the circumstances we currently face.
When Jesus died on the Cross-, to all outward appearances, it seemed as if the Scribes and Pharisees had finally succeeded in His destruction. Little did they know that this was not the end of Christ and His teachings. For on the third day, as He had foretold, Jesus rose from the dead. He appeared to His beloved Mother, the Virgin Mary, to the holy women, who had remained faithful to Him, even to the foot of the Cross-, and finally, to His Apostles. During the forty days that followed, Jesus frequently appeared to His Apostles and disciples to confirm their faith. Thus, it is that we have the greatest certitude that indeed Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
As we celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and death, as we rise to new life in Him this Easter, we are struck by the utter and enthusiastic emptying of Himself for each one. "Yes, Christ loves us, and He loves us forever! He loves us even when we disappoint Him, when we fail to meet His expectations for us. He never fails to embrace us in mercy. Let us tap into this enthusiasm of Christ for our salvation, let us each one, draw strength and inspiration from the Risen Saviour so that we will leave no stone unturned. We will go that further mile; we will spend that last drop of energy in furthering the Mission of Christ that is that all may come to Him and through Him to the Father.
Many are those, in this confused and frenetic age, who fail to receive this message of love and hope which comes from the Risen Christ. Is it because we have become mediocre, complacent, or downright laid back in our concern for the Mission He has given us? The only way we can go that further mile, the only way we can be credible Christians in a sometimes-hostile world, the only way we can engage in pastoral initiatives which will take us across boundaries never crossed, is by remaining intimately united to Christ Himself, for without Him we can do nothing. Our relationship with Christ can only be revitalized and strengthened through a personal life connected to Christ.
Let us pray the Lord to awaken us to the great challenges and possibilities facing us in this new Paschal season and let us not be afraid to do the unthinkable because He indeed did the unthinkable for us - He died and rose again. May we rise with him to New Life. In this spirit of faith and hope, and on behalf of Fr. Paolo, Deacon Richard, and the parish staff, I wish you and your families a most holy and blessed Easter Season!
May the winds of Grace blow gentle upon you, and Blessings fall softly upon your days.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Chris
ST. CHRISTOPHER PARISH
2278 Booksin Ave.
San Jose, CA 95125
408-269-2226
FAX 408-269-2784
Office Hours
PARISH RESTORATION UPDATE
Dear Parishioners,
I want to thank you all for your generous donations to the Parish Restoration Fund. Due to your generosity, we will be able to move forward with phase 1 of the project. We are presently ready to start the renovations but unfortunately, we are still waiting for the permits from the City of San Jose. We hope to receive the permits soon, but at this point in time, we will wait until after Christmas to being, construction .
Please keep us in your prayers as we undertake the restoration of our beloved Church. I will do my best to keep you informed about when it will begin and how we will proceed.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Chris