Dear Parishioners,

In the Acts of the Apostles, we read:

"God raised up Jesus on the third day.... He commissioned us to preach to the people and to bear witness that he is the one set apart by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets testify, saying that everyone who believes in him has forgiveness of sins through his name."

This is the mission of the church--to preach the Good News of salvation. There are times, however, when the sins and failures of individuals who make up the church have resulted in the message of Christ being obscured and even set aside. This has certainly been the case with the scandal of priests who have committed criminal acts against children and the manner in which those in authority in the Church have responded to these actions.

Again, the Church is called to reform itself so that it can more faithfully share the message of Jesus Christ with our world and be a true instrument of peace and justice. We must pray that the bishops of the Church will listen to the Spirit of God as spoken by the members of the Church and the signs of the times. The need for structural changes within the governance of the Church, for open discussion on issues of sexuality (from contraception to celibacy) and the need for a new spirituality are only a few of the issues that call for discussion.

At this time, we need to begin ourselves. This Easter, I pray that our parish can be a sign to the world of Christ’s redemptive love. As a parish, we need to make sure we are fulfilling the mission that Christ has given to us to preach the Good News especially to the young and to those who do not know Christ. As individuals, we need to make sure that our words and actions do not hinder people from coming to Christ.

As a Catholic priest, I am embarrassed and I am angry at what has happened. I know that I, myself, have not always been an instrument of Christ and I apologize to those I have hurt. I also know that I do not have all the answers to how the church can make the changes necessary. However, I do know that I will be a part of the problem if I do not strive to become a better priest, a better pastor, a better Catholic.

This Easter Season, may the peace of Christ be with you.

"Resurrection’s Gift"

A few weeks ago, almost 60 candidates for Confirmation spent a good chunk of a Saturday on retreat over at St. Peter’s Church in Pacifica. All of these candidates are young men and women—teenagers—in high school. These young men and women, I think, are smart, sophisticated people asking some of the most blunt and challenging questions to the Church and Christians: What difference do we make? How are we and our faith in Christ relevant?

This Easter Sunday, we renew our baptismal vows. We reject the glamour of evil and refuse to be mastered by sin. We profess our belief in the Three-Personed God and the People of God, the Church. And maybe we ask ourselves in the midst of these vows, "What difference do they make?"

St. Paul says, "If Christ has not been raised, then empty is our preaching; empty, too, your faith." (1 Cor 15:14) Many of the questions of faith boil down to this mystery we celebrate today, the mystery of the Resurrection of Christ. When we are found lacking in faith in the Resurrection, we struggle with so many other aspects of our religion. When we have the gift of belief in the Resurrection, then we are also given a most powerful gift of hope. The great fruit of the Resurrection is the gift of enduring hope even in the worst circumstances.

As a Parish Community, we Pray...

Many questions have been raised about the priest sexual scandals that have become public during the past weeks. We have all been hurt by what has happened. If you would like to discuss these issues and others that are related to it, please join Father Ring in Hennessy Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 4th.

We pray for the ill: Sharon Aiello, Marilyn Arancibia, Ilaria Belluomini, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Guido Botelho, Marcia Bourne, Ann Burns, Joseph Calleja, Arthur Candia, Josie Clarke, Nan Connolly, Ana Cosgaya, Imelda Daly, Walton & June Dickhoff, Sandra & William Dill, Carl Edwards, Adela Florez, Henry Fosson, Jim Halpin, Denise Hawald, Joanne Johnson, George Jones, Koret Koelman, Muriel Krause, Josephine Lavoie, Marky, Daniel McHale, Rosemary McHale, Jeanne McHugh, Rose McGuinn, Terry McLeod, Sal Milizio, Bunny Moniz, Catherine Okulove, Pauline Speranza, Jim and Kim Olmo, Kari Stellino, Bernadine Trenchard and Don Vickery.

We are scheduled for the 2nd Wednesday of each month. If you can prepare a favorite cookie, snack or lunch items for 10 to 12 people, please drop it off at the Children’s Chapel, in the back of Church, by 9:00 am on April 10th.

Please pack the items in a non-returnable container. Frozen items can be donated.

I want to thank all of our St. Vincent de Paul volunteers that helped deliver SIXTY Easter Baskets and $1,000.00 worth of Lunardi scrip last week. Thanks goes to : Carlo and Maria Noce; Bill and Nancy Curtis; Sandy Mangold; Janet Aldinger; Nancy McMahon; Bill Root; Sophia Chester and Pat Mooney. Twenty homes were reached before noon as many "hands" make fast work!

A Catholic Site for Seekers: A new internet ministry from the Franciscans (sponsors of St. Anthony Messenger Press) seeks to help inactive Catholics reconnect with a local Catholic faith community. This site, www.oncecatholic.org, offers a special place where inactive Catholics can ask questions, interact with on-line companions, find resources and reconnect with a local parish. This website may also be beneficial for those of you are practicing Catholics.

While out out town you can check for nationwide Mass times and locations at (1-800-627-7846) or Internet at www.Masstimes.org

HUMAN CLONING-Some people want to use cloning to produce live-born children who are "copies" of living or deceased people. Others would use it to mass-produce human embryos to be destroyed in medical research. The Human Cloning Prohibition Act (S. 1899, H.R. 2505) will ban human cloning for either of these purposes. The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed H.R. 2505. That measure or its Senate companion, S. 1899, awaits a Senate vote. President Bush says he will sign the Act into law. Please write to Senator Feinstein and Boxer to support this legislation. For more information, consult: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on cloning: www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic.

Adults to receive Holy Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist takes place this weekend at our Easter Vigil. Our elect and candidates will receive the Sacraments of Initiation, becoming full members of the Catholic Church.

We ask for your continued prayers for our RCIA members as they celebrate the Easter season as fully initiated members of the Catholic Church.

Not everything that is technically possible is morally acceptable. Scientific work aimed at securing a quality of life more in keeping with human dignity is admirable, but it must never be forgotten that human life is a gift, and that it remains precious even when marked by suffering and limitations. Life is a gift to be accepted and to be loved at all times, received without pay and to be placed at the service of others.

Monday, April 1st
1:30 - 3 pm, Cheerleading Practice.....Hall

Tuesday, April 2nd
6:30 - 8 pm, Legion of Mary.....Library

Wednesday, April 3rd
7:30 - 9 pm, Bible Study.....Convent Chapel

Thursday, April 4th
7 - 9 pm, RCIA.....Convent Chapel
7:30 - 9 pm, Parish Planning Committee.....Library
7:30 - 9 pm, Youth.....Hall

Friday, April 5th
3:30 - 4:45 pm, Cheerleading Practice.....Hall
6 - 11 pm, InBetweeners.....Hall

Saturday, April 6th
9 - 10 am, Eucharistic Adoration.....Church

We are in first place for February!!!!

We welcome you into our parish!

Gerramine & Anna Manuguid and family

Beauty: Ever Ancient - April 5-7
Retreat for Men/Women
Fr. Thomas Lucas, S.J.

The Challenge and the Gift of Single Life - April 5-7
Retreat for Single Adults
Judy Zolezzi and Fr. James Hanley, S.J.

Finding God in the Rat Race - April 13
Day of Recollection for Men/Women
Fr. Jerry McCourt, S.J.

VALLOMBROSA CENTER
250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park, Ca 94025-3218
650-325-5614

Inheriting Paradise - April 27
(A gardening retreat)
Carol Kaplan

The Call of Divine Love - May 3-5
(A contemplative prayer weekend)
Carol Fowler

Crossing the Catholic Moral Minefield: Tiptoeing Wisely - May 5
Part of a series,
"The church of the Future: A New Look At...MORALITY

Retreat day for Single Parents - May 25
Carol Kaplan

SAN DAMIANO RETREAT CENTER
P.O. Box 767, Danville, Ca 94526
(925) 837-9141