Deanery 5: Social Justice Enrichment Series

Stopping the Death Penalty

When: Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Time: Doors open at 7 p.m.
Place: St. Frances Cabrini Church
Speaker: Terry McCaffery

What’s wrong with the death penalty? Isn’t it fair? A life for a life? How many of us believe that the death penalty is: a) a deterrent to murder, b) brings closure to the victim’s family, c) a reasonable punishment? Do you believe that the murderer is irredeemable?

Come and hear Terry McCaffery present the Church’s stance on the death penalty and arguments against capital punishment. Join in the discussion about why we should ban the death penalty.

Reconciliation Services during Lent

If you are unable to attend the Reconciliation Service in your parish, there are still many opportunities to celebrate the sacrament in nearby parishes. Here is the schedule of services during Lent in our Deanery:

• Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 p.m. at Queen of Apostles Church in San Jose
• Tuesday, April 5, 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church in Los Gatos
• Thursday, April 7, 7:00 p.m. at St. Frances Cabrini in San Jose
• Thursday, April 7, 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Saratoga
• Friday, April 8, 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Cupertino
• Monday, April 11, 7:00 p.m. at St. Martin's Church in San Jose
• Thursday, April 14, 9:30 a.m. at Ascension Church in Saratoga
  
• Friday, April 15, 7:00 p.m. at St. Thomas of Canterbury in Campbell
• Monday, April 18, 7:00 p.m. at St. Lucy's Church in Campbell
• Tuesday, April 19, 9:30 a.m. at Ascension Church in Saratoga
• Thursday, April 21, 9:30 a.m. at Ascension Church in Saratoga

For directions, click on each church.

Deanery Meeting

When: Tuesday, March 15th
Time: 1:30 -3:00 p.m.
Place: St. Martin of Tours Parish, San Jose

All parish staff members in the deanery are encouraged to attend. We will have a presentation and discussion on the following items.

• The Permanent Diaconate
  
• Reta Trust Health and Wellness Program
  
• Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities (Please review before meeting.)
  
• Dates of Lenten Reconciliation Services in our Deanery
  

Please note: Our next Deanery Meeting will be on Wednesday, June 15th from 1-3 p.m. at St. Joseph's.

Deanery 5: Social Justice Enrichment Series

Protecting Our Elders

When: Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Time: 7:00 PM
(program starts at 7:15 PM)
Place: St Martin of Tours Parish
Speakers: Lucy Asfour & Susan Lewis

Elder abuse is a serious problem in our area. As we age we become more vulnerable to economic predators and domestic violence to our elders. You are invited to learn more about elder abuse and neglect and what we can do as concerned Catholic Christians to alleviate this problem. Our third program of the 2011 series presents Susan Lewis and Lucie Alfour, of Interfaith Response to Elder Abuse and Neglect, who will enlighten us on the problem of Elder Abuse and the mission and services of Interfaith Response.

There will be a post-presentation question and answer period and a time for discussion of this problem in light of Catholic social teaching.

Deanery 5: Social Justice Enrichment Series

Birthright: The Essence of Our Service Is Love

When: Thursday, February 17, 2011

Time: 7:00 PM (program starts at 7:15 PM)
Place: St Thomas of Canterbury Parish
Speakers: David and Norma Hammons

Are you aware that there are loving caregivers who can help women with untimely pregnancies find positive alternatives? Birthright is such an organization. You are invited to learn more about Birthright and its services to women involved in untimely pregnancies.

Join us as Norma and her husband, Dr. David Hammons, Director and Co-Director of Birthright, tell us about this positive alternative for women in crisis. There will be a post-presentation question and answer period and a time for discussion of this problem in light of Catholic social teaching and how we, as Catholics, can help give unborn children their right to life.

This will be the second presentation in our Deanery's 2011 series on the Catholic Social Teaching theme of “The Life and Dignity of the Human Person.”

Deanery 5: Social Justice Enrichment Series

Topic: Human Trafficking

When: Monday, January 24, 2011
Time: Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Place: St. Joseph's Church in Cupertino
Speakers: Sr. Rosemary Everett, SNJM and Officer Jennifer Dotzler

Deanery Five's Justice Series for 2011 will focus on the Catholic Social Teaching theme of “The Life and Dignity of the Human Person”. Our 2011 inaugural program will address the degradation of human trafficking and its impact on our community.

Sr. Rosemary Everett, SNJM and Officer Jennifer Dotzler of the San Jose Police Human Trafficking Task Force will describe the extent of this problem both locally and internationally and what we can do about this inhumane attack on the life and dignity of unfortunate individuals. There will be a post-presentation question and answer period and time for discussion of this problem, along with information about available resources.

Reconciliation Services during Advent

If you are unable to attend the Communal Reconciliation Service in your parish, there are still many opportunities to celebrate the sacrament in nearby parishes. Here is the schedule of Reconciliation Services during Advent in our Deanery:

• Thursday, December 2, 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Church in Cupertino
• Thursday, December 9, 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Saratoga
• Saturday, December 11, 9:30 a.m. at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church in Campbell
• Monday, December 13, 7:00 p.m. at St. Martin of Tours Church in San José
• Tuesday, December 14, 7:00 p.m. at Queen of Apostles in San José
• Tuesday, December 14, 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary' s Church in Los Gatos
• Wednesday, December 15, 7:00 p.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Church in San Jose
• Monday, December 20, 7:00 p.m. at St. Lucy's Church in Campbell

Deanery 5: Environmental Justice Series

Do you know where your food comes from and how is processed? Find out what you are eating and decide for yourself whether it good, or not, for you and our environment. Come to the screening of FOOD, Inc. and participate in the post-viewing discussion.

Join us on Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 7:00 PM. at St Mary Parish in Los Gatos.

FOOD, Inc. is a documentary about the food industry. The film's first segment examines the industrial production of meat (chicken, beef, and pork), calling it inhumane and economically and environmentally unsustainable. The second segment looks at the industrial production of grains and vegetables (primarily corn and soy beans), again labeling this economically and environmentally unsustainable. The film's third and final segment is about the economic and legal power of the major food companies, such as food libel laws, whose livelihoods are based on supplying cheap but contaminated food, the heavy use of petroleum-based chemicals (largely pesticides and fertilizers), and the promotion of unhealthy food consumption habits by the American public.

There is no charge for this event except the giving of your time and the opening of your heart and mind. The post-viewing discussion will be moderated by Patrick Archie of the faculty of Santa Clara University’s Environmental Studies Department.

Important Deanery Meeting

When: Monday, November 15th
Time: 1:00 -3:00 p.m. (Lunch will be provided.)
Place: St. Joseph's Church in Cupertino

We will focus on the presentation of the Renew The Liturgy Initiative. Next March, we will be celebrating the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Diocese of San Jose and in November, 2011 we will begin using the newly revised Roman Missal. These occasions give us a special opportunity to begin a renewal of the liturgy in all of the parishes, missions, religious houses, schools and institutions of the Diocese.

The agenda for this meeting will include:

• The New Roman Missal – Diana Macalintal
• Liturgical Renewal in the Diocese - Fr. Brendan McGuire
• Facilitated Sessions to dream about the future of our liturgy

This Renew the Liturgy Initiative is one of the largest undertakings of our Diocese since the Pastoral Plan. The Bishop sees this as a major initiative through which we continue to implement the Pastoral Plan and the Bishop has requested that this meeting be mandatory for all clergy in the deanery. All parish liturgists, musicians, catechists and parish leaders – paid staff as well as non-paid leaders – are invited to attend this meeting.

Deanery 5: Environmental Justice Series

"Addicted to Plastic: The Rise & Demise of a Modern Miracle"

Tuesday, October 26, 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Parish in Saratoga.

Did you know that all of the plastic ever manufactured is still somewhere in our environment – much of it in our oceans! Find out what’s out there and how you can help reduce plastic waste. Come to the screening of ADDICTED TO PLASTIC and participate in the post-viewing discussion moderated by Lenora Carey of the Keisai Project that monitors and chronicles the Pacific plastic gyre.

ADDICTED TO PLASTIC is a documentary about solutions to plastic pollution. Encompassing over three years of filming in 12 countries on 5 continents, including two trips to the middle of the Pacific Ocean where plastic debris accumulates. The film details plastic's path over the last 100 years and provides a wealth of expert interviews on practical and cutting edge solutions to recycling, toxicity and biodegradability. These solutions - which include plastic made from plants - will provide viewers with a awareness of our future with plastic.

Sponsored by Deanery 5 Social Justice Speakers Committee.