Dear Saint Joseph Family in Christ,
 
Welcome to Saint Joseph/Old Mission San Jose and our weekly communication newsletter.  I invite you to embrace and share these messages with your family and friends.

Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.   Psalm 80

Welcome to the Fourth Sunday of Advent.  We are approaching the celebration of Christmas. We have prepared ourselves during Advent for the birth of Jesus. The readings today anticipate His coming and speak of God’s promise of salvation.  Christmas is a joyful time of the year. It is a joy to celebrate the greatest story of love. God enters into human life by becoming a human person in Jesus. Please click here to read my personal Christmas letter to you.

This morning at 6:00 AM (yes, six o'clock in the morning!) The Filipino Community of Saint Joseph (TFCSJ) and guest priest, Father Martin Aris, celebrated our traditional Filipino Christmas, Simbang Gabi.  Many thanks to all for yet another wonderful cultural experience.

This month has been filled with buzzing activity and we're not done yet!  Many thanks to Sister Marcia, Adult Spirituality Coordinator, and Music Director, Ronald McKean, our staff, volunteers, organizers, presenters, performers and guests who attended the Advent Retreat and our beautiful Carols of Christmastide concert last Saturday.  The growth and unity of our community is exemplary and I am grateful to everyone for their dedication and support.  I look forward to celebrating with you the many Masses and Devotions still ahead which will lead us directly into the new year.

I want to extend a special thanks to Sister Bernadette and team, guest priests, parents and children for your hard work and dedication to our Family of Faith Ministry and the beautiful expression of reflection, prayer and repentance witnessed in our Advent Reconciliation last Saturday.  This is a vital and important step in the formation of our children and families.  Thank you for this wonderful example of love, forgiveness and recognition of Jesus in ourselves and in each other.

Many thanks to our Youth Director, Jimmy Garcia, and all those who attended our Young Adults meet and greet the past two weekends.  We look forward to knowing you better and building a wonderful and welcoming foundation.  Please help us grow.  Spread the word by extending this invitation to your friends and family.

Please continue to join us for virtual Las Posadas which began December 15 and runs through December 23.  Las Posadas is a ceremonial reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and has been celebrated annually at Old Mission San Jose in Fremont since 1982.  Please click here for program details.

On January 1, 2022, we begin our year-long commemoration of Mission San Jose’s 225th Anniversary.  In 2022 we pay special tribute to the people whose lives shaped our rich heritage starting with the Franciscan missionaries who sowed the seeds of Christian faith that has endured for nearly 225 years.  Please click here to bookmark and check our website for updates and information as the year progresses.

Please click here and help us help our Afghan brothers and sisters in need.
Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.   Matthew 25:37-40

2022 is right around the corner and resolutions for the New Year are being pondered by all.  Why wait?  Let's start right now.  Have you thought about joining our Lector Ministry?  Consider allowing God to borrow your voice, to speak through your heart and make His message known.  Our parish is filled with fantastic readers and speakers.  Please share your wonderful talents with us.  Perhaps you have considered being an usher for our people.  Ushers are the friendly face and smile of our community.  They welcome everyone into God's house.  Ushers are instrumental in providing assistance to those receiving Jesus at Communion.  They are your personal concierge at Saint Joseph Church!  These roles are vital and we have an immediate need for both lectors and ushers, particularly at this busy time of year.  Please click here for more information and how to join.

"Blankets of Hope" is an educational nonprofit organization that helps students practice empathy and kindness in an impactful service-learning experience.  Our very own Saint Joseph School, under the leadership of Mrs. Patricia Calton, has committed to this schoolwide Mission Service project.  Please click here for more details on how you can help our students achieve their goals.  Thank you for your support and generosity in the formation of our young people.  They are our future.

Our Christmas Eve/Day Mass schedule is as follows:

  • Vigil of Christmas – December 24
    • 5:00 PM – Main Church – Mass with Family of Faith
    • 7:00 PM – Main Church  – Mass with Youth, Confirmation, and Young Adults
    • 9:00 PM – Mission Church –  Adult Choir (Christmas Carols prelude at 8:30 PM)
  • Christmas Midnight Mass – Mission Church (Christmas Carols prelude at 11:30 PM)
  • Christmas Day – December 25
    • 8:00 AM – Mission Church
    • 10:00 AM – Main Church
    • 12:00 PM – Main Church – Mass with Family of Faith
    • 3:00 PM – Mass in Vietnamese – Main Church
    • 5:00 PM – Mass in Chinese – Main Church

Parish Office Hours:

  • Monday through Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon
  • Saturday - 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • CLOSED - 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
  • CLOSED Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
  • CLOSED Monday, December 27, 2021
  • CLOSED New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
  • Office Phone - (510) 656-2364

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT -  December 18 and 19, 2021 – Please click here for the online bulletin which contains the worship aid.

Please click here for THIS weekend's Mass schedule, December 18 and 19, 2021.

  • Saturday:
    • 5:30 PM – Vigil Mass in the Mission
  • Sunday
    • 8:00 AM – Mission
    • 10:00 AM – Main Church, livestream
    • 12:00 PM – Main Church – Mass with Family of Faith
    • 3:00 PM – Mass in Vietnamese, Main Church, livestream
    • 5:00 PM  – Mass in Chinese, Main Church, livestream.  Please visit our website.
    • 7:00 PM – Mission – Mass with Youth, Confirmation, and Young Adults

Please visit our ONLINE GIVING link.  We have streamlined the process to provide maximum security, convenience and efficiency.  We are grateful for your faithful support of our parish and facilities.  Thank you for your generosity.  

New job opportunities are available at Saint Joseph Parish, Mission and School.  Please click here for our list of openings.

Getting married?  Please click here for detailed information and to reserve your date in the Old Mission or the main Church.  Baptism?  Please click here for registration and detailed information.

Please click here for our entire Mass schedule.  

As a reminder, if you cannot attend Mass in-person, livestream continues at 10:00 AM Sunday in English, 3:00 PM Sunday in Vietnamese and 5:00 PM Sunday in Chinese. Please join us online on our Livestream YouTube Channel.

Monday-Saturday:
INDOORS, in the Mission (all days)

  • 7:30 AM – Holy Rosary / Confession
  • 8:00 AM – Holy Mass
    • First Friday of each month Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
    • First Saturday of each month Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary (hospitality following)
  • 8:30 AM – Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Thursday - Adoration and Benediction (IN THE MAIN CHURCH, morning Mass will remain in the MISSION)

  • 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Exposition and Adoration (directly following the 8:00 AM Mass)
  • 6:00 - 6:30 PM – Evening Prayer and Benediction
  • 7:00 PM – Mass in Vietnamese
  • 7:30 - 9:00 PM - Adoration and Benediction

Daily Adoration in the Eucharistic Chapel (Main Church)

  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Thursday - 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
  • Saturday - 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Closed during recording sessions
  • Closed during livestream sessions not offering public attendance

First Wednesday of each month:
Devotion to Saint Joseph

  • 7:00 PM - Mass in the Mission

Confession:

  • Daily 30 minutes before each Mass (including weekends) and by appointment

Saint Joseph Catholic School (TK through 8th Grade) - Principal, Patricia Calton
School website - Please click here or call the school office at 510-656-6525.
Please click here for the current school newsletter.
 
Please visit the following websites and links:

Yours in Christ,