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President's Message - March 2022
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It appears like the COVID mask requirements may be lifted in the near future. Finally, we will be able to have more personable gatherings. To celebrate, we have reserved the large, east room at Bronco Billy’s Pizza, (Grimmer and Blacow location) for our March meeting on Tuesday the 1st. Social half-hour starts at 6:30, and the meeting starts at 7:00.
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Being Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras masks are completely optional, but you still may have to don a face mask to enter the building. Pizza will be provided along with some entertainment to challenge your historical knowledge with regard to Lent and its origins. Feel free to invite a fellow parishioner for backup support.
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Planning is still in process regarding the Mission 225 barbecue dinner in various configurations. Our new approach to our events relies less on tribal knowledge so that anyone can join in and add to the success of the event. Also remember to keep open Sunday, June 12th for the Pancake Breakfast on the Mission commemoration weekend.
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Most important, pray for world peace.
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I’ll see you at the meeting
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March Message from VP for Spirituality
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We are coming upon the season of Lent. Bishop Barron has taught recently that if our heart is not completely invested in the Eternal Godhead, we will never be fully happy, holy and free. The Gospels tell us that Jesus went into the desert for 40 days to prepare for His mission. Lent is a time for us to take stock of ourselves and prepare for the next year of our mission on earth – which is to know, love and serve God and get ready to spend eternity with Him. Our lives change from year to year as our circumstances change. Maybe we have added or lost a spouse, added children or they have moved out as “launched”, maybe we have different friends or jobs. As we struggle to live the circumstances of our lives, we can get attached to the means that we need to survive. Lent is a time to detach ourselves of the many pleasures of our lives, repent, and prepare. If we think we don’t need Lent, we need to remember the classic phrase reminded to us by Fr Ken on our retreat – “If you are walking along the road and you see the Buddha, kill it”. This is a figurative way of expressing the truth that as soon as we think we understand the state of our life and soul, we have lost it. These things are only for our God to know. We must struggle on with a sense of darkness but with Faith.
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The Gospels also tell us of John the Baptist who wandered in the desert eating locusts and wild honey. One thing I like to suggest as a Lenten exercise is to go out some day and spend some time walking the salt flats at Coyote Hills or the John Edwards Seashore. Take along a meager lunch of cheese and crackers, or something, with some water, tea or even coffee, and contemplate the life of John. You can take a short walk, going out for a mile or two and come back, or you can do a whole circuit of six miles. As you head out from the hills, there are no upright landmarks in the flats. You lose the perspective of distance and very little grows in the salty brine, although you see birds flying overhead.
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Please remember our members who are sick. In keeping with my usual practice, please pray for our clergy at St. Joseph’s and a couple of seminarians. This month, pray for Juan Carlos Ponce and John Paul Rabago. Ramon Urbina, who was ordained a deacon last year is slated to be ordained a priest soon.
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Mission 225th News
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February’s talk, “Mission San Jose: Then and Now,” by Patricia Schaffarczyk from Washington Township Museum of Local History captured the attention of over 70 attendees. Wonderful photos from their museum archives combined with stories about the many immigrant families arriving after the Gold Rush were the hallmark of this presentation.
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Our Speaker Series pauses in March to allow for our Lenten Retreat. However, we come back Saturday, April 9 at 9:30 AM for “Mission San Jose's Musical Memories.” You won’t want to miss Dr. Harmony Rose Murphy explain, show, and demonstrate the world of music that placed Mission San Jose’ at the musical center of the California Missions. Go to https://mission225.org/speaker-series for details and tickets for this sure-to-be-popular presentation.
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FINALLY: Join the Team. We need volunteers. And we especially need a Merchandise Lead. Sign up at mission225.org.
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Service activity
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Mission225 Banners Adorn St. Joseph School and Church Grounds
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Both parishioners and school goers will notice the Mission225 banners displayed around the parking lots and playground that were put up prior to SuperBowl weekend by members of the Men’s Club.
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What may go unnoticed is that each has a unique welcome message in the languages that represent the cultures that contributed to the history and growth of the Mission from its beginning through to the present day. They also give a nod to the diversity that makes up St. Joseph Mission San Jose parish.
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There is even “Welcome” in the Native Indian language. See if you can find yours!
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March 1st. 2022 General Meeting
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All Men: Come Celebrate Fat Tuesday!
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Throw away that Covid mask and don a proper Mardi Gras mask to celebrate Fat Tuesday. The St. Joseph Men’s Club invites all men of the parish to our March 1st Mardi Gras Meeting in a room reserved just for us at Bronco Billy’s Pizza at 41200 Blacow Rd in Fremont (near Irvington High School). We have a trivia competition lined up to find out just how much you know about this very Catholic feast with its roots dating back to Roman Times. Join us at 6:30PM at Bronco Billy’s for tasty pizza and a beverage of your choice…free for prospective members. Contact Gary Dorighi at gdorighi@comcast.net or call (510) 378-6331 for additional info.
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Year at a Glance
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Here is a link to our "Year at a Glance" calendar:
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