Las Posadas, a ceremonial reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, has been celebrated annually at Old Mission San Jose in Fremont since 1982.  This year, due to COVID-19, we must enjoy this tradition from the comfort of our homes. Join us each night from December 15th to 23rd at 7:00 p.m., where we Read more about Las Posadas from the Comfort of Your Home[…]

We are now in the season of Advent; the world is waiting. We await many things, an end to this pandemic and lock down, the birth of Jesus, a return to some form of normalcy. Despite this situation we have many things to celebrate and give thanks, family, friends good health and hope. Today, November Read more about Presidents Message December 2020[…]

We began the Day of Reflection doing Lectio Divina, or Divine or Spiritual Reading of the story of the Good Samaritan.  We were asked to consider ourselves as each person in the story, the robbed man, the Levite, the priest, the Samaritan, the robber and the Inn Keeper.  Fr Ken asked us what it was Read more about Summary of our Day of Reflection (Retreat 2020)[…]

The meeting will start at 7PM and the first 30 minutes will be a fellowship discussion ; something we all sorely miss. Our presenter for the meeting will be Steve Conn, his presentation will be on the John Muir trail and will start at 7:30PM. The scenery is stunning and his adventure will keep you Read more about General Meeting Tuesday Dec.1st 2020[…]

Despite this difficult year with Covid 19, we should be proud that the club was able to achieve many notable achievements in different areas. Membership We welcomed four new members to our club. Eric Anderson Bob Hennessy Leon Kachulis Louis Lau Replenished our inventory of club shirts (blue polo style) Financial Despite not having any Read more about Summary of Men’s Club 2020 Achievements[…]

Halloween is behind us and we are into the home stretch to the end of 2020. November is a busy month; we celebrate all Saints day and remember our family members and friends who have gone back to the lord (all Souls day). The month winds down with Thanksgiving and of course the Men’s club Read more about President’s Message – November 2020[…]

Many of you have heard of the historic John Muir Trail from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney.  Join us in December to see how one of our members had both great fortune and bad luck on his life-long dream of completing the long-distance John Muir Trail through hike.  First by winning the lottery to score a Read more about December Presentation on the John Muir Trail[…]

November 3rd 2020 at 7PM Credentials are the same as last month, see you there! Speaker: Axel Brisken Topic: Discover Ireland – hidden gems  For over 20 years, Margaret and Axel Brisken have been traveling to Ireland to visit her family and to do a little touring on the side.  On November 3, Axel will Read more about November General Meeting log-in credentials and speaker details[…]

Register at https://stfrancisretreat.com/category/current-events/. for men and women of St. Joseph Parish hosted by the St Joseph’s Men’s Club Saturday, November 21, 2020 Since our usual in-person retreat cannot be held this year due to Covid-19, we are offering a single virtual day of reflection by Fr Ken Laverone, OFM, through St Francis Retreat in San Read more about Invitation to a Virtual Zoom Parish Day of Reflection-price reduction only $20 register quickly[…]

Old Mission San Jose needed a new booklet to tell its story. And the COVID-19 shelter-in-place provided the perfect opportunity for Lead Docent, Mindy Isham to partner with docent and volunteer, Gary Dorighi, to write this booklet now on sale in the Old Mission San Jose Gift Shop. While the physical Gift Shop is closed, Read more about The Story of Mission San Jose[…]

As many of you know, I am a physicist who likes science, philosophy and theology and have spent years building resources to show that they are compatible and go together. I am reading a wonderful new book called Faith, Science and Reason, which puts many of these things together, covering the Big Bang, evolution, and Read more about A Message from our Spiritual VP – October 2020[…]

Men’s Club Recognizes Parish High School Senior We are pleased to announce that Madeline Chew, Archbishop Mitty High School, has been awarded the Joseph Faria Memorial Scholarship for her exceptional leadership and service to the St. Joseph community during her high school years. Madeline is a “home grown” graduate from St. Joseph School and plans Read more about Men’s Club Recognizes Parish High School Senior[…]

Happy October to all, the month of fall, pumpkins, and Halloween. This month our General meeting will be on Tuesday October 6th at 7PM and our featured speaker is our very own Fr. Mark Ruiz (see details in another article in this newsletter). Our parish has started our outdoor weekend masses on Saturday at 5:30PM Read more about Presidents October Message[…]

Old Mission San Jose would like to invite all Parishioners to witness a unique and captivating illumination of the main altar near sunset on October 4th. A perfectly aligned shaft of light will enter from the rear window of the Mission Church and transverse the full length of the church, showering the gilded tabernacle in Read more about Autumnal Solar Illumination October 4th[…]

We just recently celebrated the 100th birthday of Pope Saint John Paul ll, who was obviously a great saint.  A passage from one of the Night Prayer Psalms says “10,000 people fell on my right and 1,000 fell on my left, but you have kept me safe O God”.  These words can certainly be said Read more about Message from Spiritual VP – September 2020[…]

A new anti-racism committee is forming at St. Joseph.  Our church teaches us to treat everyone with dignity and respect.  Our society is wrestling with the realities of systemic racism and government failures to live up to our ideals of equality and justice.  Fr. Mark will participate in the committee which we hope will reflect Read more about New Social Justice Ministry at St. Joseph Parish- Anti Racism[…]

Four months to the end of 2020; it is going fast and what a year it has been. Many will undoubtedly be glad to have this year behind us; Covid 19, the California Wildfires and the near evacuation for many of us was certainly very scary. The air quality continues to be challenging in many Read more about Presidents Message September 2020[…]

Log in Details Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/7236517968?pwd=Nm9ySHJLWlJTVzdsZVUxUEVBK1dRQT09 Meeting ID: 723 651 7968Passcode: 708108One tap mobile+16699006833,7236517968# US (San Jose) First 30 minutes (7-7:30 PM) fellowship dialog on your favorite drink (at least for the evening) ; come regal your friends with your drink of choice. Presentation speaker:Dennis Dubro Topic: US Space Exploration Additional topic for discussion- our Read more about Remote General Meeting Tuesday 9/1/20 at 7:00 PM with Zoom[…]

Men’s Club Annual retreat The St Francis Retreat house has been overwhelmed with issues related to Covid-19.  They have not heard what requirements there might be from the governor for holding in-person retreats in November.  What they have done, so far, is offer a couple of Zoom retreats for September.  It is something we might Read more about Retreat for November 2020 discussion at September (9/1/20) General Meeting[…]

Aug.15th, 2020     In these socially distanced times, the Men’s Club was asked to provide canopies to shade the Right of Christian Initiation of Adults celebration on Saturday, August 15th.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the ceremony was held outdoors in St. Joseph’s school parking lot on what was possibly the hottest day of the Read more about RCIA (service project)- Steve Radigan[…]

Bea Taus August 24,10 am Chapel of the Angles service Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83709646620pwd=TkxGS0ZvbEVMZWNOL1hRWG52S000dz09 Bea’s obtituary can be viewed at:  https://www.bergepappassmith.com/obits/beatrice-mary-taus/ To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation for the continued care of Bea’s German Shepherd Bruno at   https://www.gofundme.com/f/new-home-for-brunoor to Catholic Charities of the Read more about Update Bea Taus Remote (zoom) Service Information[…]

SJMC Friends of Bea Taus, Bea Taus passed on July 26, 2020. Below is the Berge Pappas Smith Chapel of the Angels website to view her obituary. Please note that there will not be a public service, funeral, or mass due to Covid restrictions. Even though the web page shows a selection of flowers, the Taus Read more about Obituary for Bea Taus[…]

St Junipero Serra, OFMOur culture is facing a great upheaval in these months. Besides the legitimate civil protests, there are riots, violence … AND … the toppling of statues – a curious phenomenon. The most common reason claimed is to demean and dishonor previous historical figures who carried out some dishonorable activities – predominantly the Read more about A Message from our VP of Spirituality – August 2020[…]

September 1st – The current US Space program, return to the moon and exploration of Mars (speaker: Dennis Dubro) October 6th – Fr. Mark Ruiz’s journey to priesthood- (Speaker Fr. Mark Ruiz) November 3rd – A presentation of Ireland – (Speaker: Axel Brisken) December 1st – Election of new board and initial planning for 2021 Read more about Save the Date- Future presentations for General Meetings[…]

Our long-time friend and spouse of Herb Taus, the lovely Bea has been called home to Jesus on Sunday 26th of July 2020. She will be laid to rest with Herb at the Mausoleum in the Cathedral of Christ the light. Please keep her and the family in your prayers.

The creche at St. Joseph Parish is always the highlight of our Christmas decorations. Many of you have helped assemble and teardown the structure during Advent. Over the years the structure, bolts and canopy began to show its age. The original unit was also difficult to set up and needed many guys to transport and Read more about Parish Creche redesign- Eagle Scout project by Nathan Laus[…]

Zoom General Meeting information We will use the logon meeting credentials listed below for August through December 2020. Please make a note of it and attend, meetings will start at 7PM on each first Tuesday of every month. Logo-on credentials General Meeting August Speaker: Ashley Weerpass Topic: The birth of Silicon Valley and the history Read more about August-December General Meeting Zoom Login[…]

Welcome to August, famous for the dog days of summer, National Watermelon day (Aug 3rd) and National Smile Week (Aug.5th -Aug11th). It became famous for “dog days” because in Roman times in August the Star Sirius (dog star) rose at sunrise; Ok so much for trivia. Our Zoom general meeting this month is on Aug Read more about Presidents Message- August[…]

Invitation to Serve by Steve Radigan Early in May, prompted by Skip Phair’s suggestion, I sent the club membership an email highlighting Stan Peter’s long-standing weekly food distribution to the homeless.  This is a follow up to that email. I’d like to thank Don Kaefer, Cliff Johnson, and Dennis Dubro for responding with willingness to Read more about A Message from our VP of Service – July 2020[…]

It seems the whole world has heard of George Floyd, who was recently murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis.  He was martyred to the ills of a fallen civilization.  It was mystifying to hear him call out to his mother, who was already several years dead, in his last conscious moments.  With a spiritual Read more about Message from our VP of Spirituality – July 2020[…]

By Dennis Dubro I would like to acknowledge what a wonderful Communion service celebration we had for the feast of Corpus Christi. After the live-streamed Mass at St Joseph’s, a whole team turned out to provide holy Communion in the church for two hours after the Mass.  It was a masterful effort coordinated by Margaret Read more about Men’s Club Corpus Christi[…]

We are deep into Summer 2020 and enjoying the warm weather, albeit in our backyards and in our neighborhoods. This year we will all celebrate the 4th in many unique ways, I would love to hear from you how you spent it at our next General Meeting on July 7th. At our June general meeting Read more about Presidents Message July 2020[…]

Speaker: Gary Dorighi Topic: Experience Indochina a National Geographic Zoom Expedition This is a topic you won’t want to miss, tell your friends to attend. Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/82630532375?pwd=NzFUa0NTczBxMG1Sdk1IMzdsNmhlUT09 Meeting ID: 826 3053 2375Password: 782296One tap mobile+16699006833,,82630532375# US (San Jose) Dial by your location        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)Meeting ID: 826 3053 2375Find your Read more about General Meeting July 7th at 7:00 – 8:30 PM[…]

Because we do have one of the biggest porches in town, Old Mission San Jose entered the first ever Fremont 4th of July Porch Parade, representing the MSJ Chamber of Commerce. You may read about it here. Basically, this new idea emerged from the disappointment that Fremont will not have a Parade this year due Read more about 4th of July Porch Parade Mission Entry[…]

General Meeting Presentation July 7th at 7:00 PM- speaker: Gary Dorighi Encounter the French Colonial cities of Vietnam as they prepare for Tet and ride bicycles through the rural villages and rice fields outside the old capitol city of Hue. Board a traditional-style wooden junk and depart for scenic Ha Lang Bay. Kayak among the Read more about Experience Indochina a National Geographic ZOOM Expedition[…]

I want to remind members to check our parish website frequently for latest resources, reflections,and current news during this Covid 19 epidemic. The web site is updated often with new information and links for our weekly stream HOME

From the Diocese of Oakland website (posted in its entity) https://oakdiocese.org/news/reopening-of-religious-services-in-our-diocese-may-2020 I join my  brother bishops of California in writing, “As we enter into the major solemnities of the liturgical calendar in the weeks ahead, we pray these days and our first steps to celebrating our faith in our churches will be a time of blessing, strength Read more about REOPENING OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN OUR DIOCESE – A STATEMENT FROM BISHOP MICHAEL C. BARBER, SJ MAY 28TH[…]

With the Covid-19 crisis, I think we have all had the chance to consider what is important in life and where we are going.  I trust that with our Faith, we have found the right answers.  Let us pray for those who don’t have Faith.  The story has been in the news about the wife Read more about Message from our VP of Spirituality[…]

St, Joseph’s very own “La Mision del Gloriosisimo Patriarca San Jose” was founded on June 11, 1797, the 14th of 21 California Missions established by the Spanish from 1769 to 1823. And while an anniversary Mass and Reception is the norm, our shelter-in-place orders call for a more creative celebration of this important occasion. On Read more about June Celebrates the 223rd Anniversary of Old Mission San Jose[…]

Call for Volunteers – Service Opportunity to Help feed the homeless As many of you know Stan Peters, our friend and club member, has a Ministry to help the Homeless. Stan and his son have provided commercially prepared meals to the homeless every Wednesday at the Centerville train station and on Friday’s he delivers bags Read more about Call for Volunteers- Stan Peters Homeless Ministry[…]

It is amazing to think that the year is half over, and what a year it has been. Today we enter the tenth week of “shelter in place “ and the restrictions it brings; a gleam of good news – today the governor has approved religious institutions starting to reopen with a plan for safe Read more about Presidents Message June 2020[…]

SJMC June General Meeting ( start time at 7:00PM) Meeting Logistics: Speaker: Skip Phair Topic: Member vacation – Panama Canal Cruise Date: 06/02/2020 Time: 7:00PM- 9:00PM Please do the following prior to the meeting: Read the word document – How to guide using zoom (first time) Download the zoom application for your computer, tablet or Read more about SJMC June Remote General Meeting 6/2/2020 at 7:00 PM[…]

Dear Men’s Club Members,  The virus has made all around life and planning more complicated – our club is no exception.  While Steve Conn is still working hard to fit the Chuck-wagon into this year, from a financial point of view I am not counting on it.  This is a major blow to our ability Read more about June Treasurer’s Message[…]

By Most. Rev. Michael C. Barber, SJ People are asking me, “Bishop, when are you going to reopen our churches for public Mass?” I have received many beautiful and respectful emails and letters from our parishioners expressing great longing to go to Mass and receive Our Lord in Holy Communion. One lady approached me in Read more about Message From Bishop Michael C .Barber[…]

We would like to welcome Bob Hennessy to the St. Joseph Men’s Club. Bob comes to us after many years of doing volunteer work for the Old Mission. Some may remember him volunteering his truck and helping to unload 2 tons of ornamental rock to spruce up the Old Mission garden! His wife, Gerrie, is Read more about Welcome New Member – Bob Hennessy[…]

Those of you who have helped assemble and tear down the Nativity Crèche at our church will understand that the current setup is difficult and requires at least four guys to adequately set it up. Furthermore, several bolts are bent and some of the timber needs sanding and planning. Last year, we were fortunate that Read more about Eagle Scout Service Project – Nativity Creche[…]

We held our first-ever remote General Meeting on April 7th at 7:30 PM using the Zoom platform. The meeting was attended by about fifteen members and our theme was fellowship during this “shut-in” period. We decided to make it a fun meeting and play a trivia game. Dennis Dubro created an interesting Trivia game on Read more about Recap April Member Meeting – 50 State Trivia[…]

Leon Kachulis Leon joined our group earlier this year at our February general meeting, he is one of the five new members we have welcomed since the new year began. Leon lives in Sunnyvale with his wife Monique and his hobbies include gardening, model building, and automobiles. He was drawn to our group because of Read more about Welcome New Member – Leon Kachulis[…]

It has been about six weeks that the Bay Area and most of the nation is in a state of social distancing and most businesses are closed. This week the governor and local officials have started to roll out plans to gradually reopen some businesses and activities. I believe it would still be some months Read more about May President’s Message[…]

Meeting Logistics: Speaker: Dennis Dubro Topic: History of our Diocese Date: 05/05/20 Time: 7:30PM- 9:00PM Please  do the following prior to the meeting: Read the word document – How to guide using zoom (first time) Download the zoom application for your computer, tablet or phone After doing the above, you should only need to click Read more about Member Meeting May 5th @ 7:30 via Zoom[…]

Each year we host a Parish-wide banquet & fundraiser.  The past few years the theme has been a Chuckwagon BBQ.  This year we have been forced to postpone the event which was originally scheduled for March.  The Board has chosen October 10th as our preferred new date.  We are working with the office to secure Read more about Chuckwagon BBQ to be Rescheduled (tentatively 10/10) – Updated 4/23[…]

The Men’s Club supports Catholic education and St. Joseph School. Each year, they offer a $250 tuition grant to a Parishioner’s 6th Grade child entering Grade 7 in the fall. The idea is to reinforce at this critical junior high phase of a Catholic education our founding values of Spirituality, Service, and Fellowship. Grade 6 Read more about Grade 6 Scholarship Award[…]

The Saint Joseph Men’s Club encourages high school senior men and women to apply for the $500 Joseph Faria Memorial Scholarship awarded annually for service to the Saint Joseph Parish/Mission San Jose community. The idea is to reinforce students continuing to make contributions to the Parish and/or community while “away” at High School. The application Read more about Joe Faria Scholarship Award[…]

In March of 2020, we launched a new website.  We hope this site can be a one-stop-shop for both our current and potential members to find all the information they need.  We would love to have your feedback on what can be improved or what is missing.  Please send comments to our “webmaster”, Steve Conn, Read more about Feedback Requested on Website[…]