A NOTE FROM FR. MARK
Christmas 2024 marked the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Hope which the Church throughout the world will be celebrating through Epiphany 2026. Jubilee years are special and holy years which were given to ancient Israel in the Book of Leviticus (25:8-13). In the 1300s, the Church decided to start keeping Jubilee Years. Normally, Jubilee Years are held only once every 25 years - so we are not likely to celebrate another until 2050.
For this Jubilee Year, the Holy Father chose to focus on the much needed virtue of Hope. Given the challenges much of the world faces, as well as those in our own nation and lives, it is easy to understand why “hope” was chosen. The Jubilee year begins today because in the incarnation, Hope is Born!
In preparation for this unique year, Pope Francis has written, “For a Christian, to hope means the certainty of being on a journey with Christ toward the Father who awaits us. Hope is never still; hope is always journeying, and it makes us journey.” The very purpose of the incarnation is to bring hope into the lives of all people; the hope only knowing Emmanuel, that “God is with us”, can bring.
This Jubilee of Hope provides the perfect opportunity to reconnect with your faith, or deepen it. As we keep this year, the invitation is to be more deliberate about “being on a journey with Christ” and rediscover the hope He brings into our lives and the world. Please take a look at the information below and acquaint yourself with some of the many ways the Catholic Community of Pleasanton is here to help you journey with Christ.
Hope is born. Hope is here; for you.
Peacefully,
Fr. Mark
Christmas 2024 marked the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Hope which the Church throughout the world will be celebrating through Epiphany 2026. Jubilee years are special and holy years which were given to ancient Israel in the Book of Leviticus (25:8-13). In the 1300s, the Church decided to start keeping Jubilee Years. Normally, Jubilee Years are held only once every 25 years - so we are not likely to celebrate another until 2050.
For this Jubilee Year, the Holy Father chose to focus on the much needed virtue of Hope. Given the challenges much of the world faces, as well as those in our own nation and lives, it is easy to understand why “hope” was chosen. The Jubilee year begins today because in the incarnation, Hope is Born!
In preparation for this unique year, Pope Francis has written, “For a Christian, to hope means the certainty of being on a journey with Christ toward the Father who awaits us. Hope is never still; hope is always journeying, and it makes us journey.” The very purpose of the incarnation is to bring hope into the lives of all people; the hope only knowing Emmanuel, that “God is with us”, can bring.
This Jubilee of Hope provides the perfect opportunity to reconnect with your faith, or deepen it. As we keep this year, the invitation is to be more deliberate about “being on a journey with Christ” and rediscover the hope He brings into our lives and the world. Please take a look at the information below and acquaint yourself with some of the many ways the Catholic Community of Pleasanton is here to help you journey with Christ.
Hope is born. Hope is here; for you.
Peacefully,
Fr. Mark
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ARE YOU AN ADULT WHO HASN’T RECEIVED ALL OF THE SACRAMENTS?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a program to introduce the faith to those who wish to join our community through the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). This experience is meant to be life-changing, grounded in the personal love of God centered on and expressed through Jesus, who invites us to relationship. Our process utilizes an apprenticeship model where liturgy, prayer, outreach to those in need, and learning are central to what we do. Ultimately, this program is much more than a process that prepares a person for life in a Catholic community; it involves the entire parish and fuels our mission to be Christ to the world. Questions? Please contact Matt Gray at [email protected]. |
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HELPING THOSE IN NEED
The mission of our St. Vincent de Paul ministry is to provide help to people in the Pleasanton community who are in need. We help them overcome short-term and immediate needs by providing assistance, like rent, food, or utility payments so that families can maintain stability. We also provide homeless individuals with temporary shelter in motels and refer them to agencies that can give them long term solutions. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact [email protected]. Our Social Justice Committee works year-round to help people in need both locally, nationally and in the developing world. We sponsor and organize numerous projects that provide opportunities for parishioners to put their faith into action in service of Jesus. Our goal is to build community within our parish, in our neighborhoods and across the world as we work for Social Justice. If you would like to help change the world and bring hope in practical terms to those who need it most, then join us. Email [email protected]. |
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MUSIC MINISTRY
Our Music Ministry strives to lead and inspire our parish family to praise God with our instruments and voices at weekend liturgies and other parish services throughout the year. Please come and share your faith in song and prayer. Your parish needs you! We are always looking for cantors, adult choir, teen choir (9th - 12th grade) and children’s choir (3rd - 8th grade) members. If you are interested in joining or have questions, contact Ira Stein at [email protected]. |
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YOUTH SPORTS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON FAITH
Our CYO Ministry serves the entire Community of Pleasanton in providing youth athletic programs for boys & girls in elementary through middle school. Each year hundreds of children and their families participate in basketball, track and cross country. Please visit ccopcyo.org for more information. |
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SHARING YOUR FAITH IN SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES
Small Christian Communities (SCC) are groups of 6-12 parishioners who meet on a regular basis usually in one another’s homes. They read and discuss a variety of spiritual materials, relate them to their lives and often do community outreach together. Coming together in a SCC provides mutual support, builds relationships and empowers members to grow in faith as well as have a greater belonging to the parish. Questions? Please contact Gina Gourley at [email protected]. |
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HAVE YOU LOST A LOVED ONE?
The death of a loved one is unlike any other loss. We are here to help you through this difficult time. You don’t have to grieve alone! Join us bi-monthly and let us accompany you on your healing journey. Please visit https://www.catholicsofpleasanton.org/grief-ministry.html for more information. |
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DO YOU HAVE A LOVED ONE WHO IS HOMEBOUND OR HOSPITALIZED?
Our Ministry to the Sick brings Holy Communion to those in hospitals, senior facilities or homebound that cannot go to Mass on a regular basis. Receiving Holy Communion, sharing Scripture and prayer, can be very comforting to somebody who is sick. If you or a family member would like to be visited, or if you would like more information, please contact Dave Frankenberger at [email protected]. |
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FIND BROTHERHOOD WITH MEN OF FAITH
The Knights of Columbus was established in 1882 to help families whose fathers died on the job or could work no longer. Today, or Knights of Columbus serve the community through acts of charity, fraternity & unity aligned with the mission defined by our Pastor, Fr. Mark. You will have a broader faith and become a better Catholic, father, husband & person. Please visit our website at kofc6043.org for more information about becoming a Knight! |
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CAN’T ATTEND MASS?
If you are homebound or cannot attend Mass, we webcast daily Mass at 12:10 PM on weekdays and on Sundays at 10:00 AM. To watch, please visit: https://youtube.com/@ccopleasanton. |
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HAVEN’T BEEN TO CONFESSION IN A WHILE?
A great place to find hope is in the sacrament of Reconciliation. Whether it has been months, years or decades...even if you don’t know what to do, don’t worry. Our priests will be there to guide you through this most important and hopeful sacrament. Join us any Saturday in the church between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM to celebrate God’s love and forgiveness for you. Fr. Mark made a video about the Sacrament of Reconciliation where he discusses the importance and beauty of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the role the priest plays in Confession and the generosity of God's forgiveness for us. You can watch the video as well as see printable guides for an Examination of Conscience as well as a Step By Step Guide To Going To Confession by visiting: https://www.catholicsofpleasanton.org/confession.html |
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ELEMENTARY FAITH FORMATION & FIRST EUCHARIST
The Elementary Faith Formation Program is for children first through fifth grades. Children learn about their Catholic faith and its traditions through studying the Bible, discussions, arts and crafts and playing games. The youngest of our Parish come to understand not only how much Jesus loves them, but how they are called to be His hands and feet to others. Questions? Please contact Alexia Fierro at [email protected]. |
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MIDDLE SCHOOL MINISTRY
Middle School Ministry is our parish’s weekly faith formation program for sixth, seventh and eighth grade children. Our goal is to grow the faith of our students, instill a sense of ownership of their faith, and provide a safe platform for students to examine and evaluate their beliefs. They meet Jesus through scripture, faith sharing, and prayer through participation in youth group, social events and service projects. Questions? Contact Ed Quindipan at [email protected]. |
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HIGH SCHOOL FAITH FORMATION & CONFIRMATION
High School Faith Formation meets on a regular basis to explore the Catholic faith. They also do retreats, socials and service projects. Our goal in the high school program is to help teens discover their already existing relationship with God, and help them to grow closer to Him with their like-minded peers. We offer both Confirmation preparation and a youth group! Questions? Contact us as [email protected]. |
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HAVE YOUR CHILDREN BEEN BAPTIZED?
We celebrate the Rite of Baptism for Children welcoming little ones into the family of the Church through this joyous sacrament. The Catholic Community of Pleasanton (CCOP) celebrates the baptism of infants and small children in groups once a month, with family, godparents, and guests present. We invite parents interested in celebrating this sacrament for their children to contact Deacon Joe Gourley at [email protected]. |
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DO YOU WANT A SACRAMENTAL MARRIAGE?
If you are engaged to be married, or if you’re Catholic but were married outside the church, our priests would be happy to meet with you and prepare you to receive the Sacrament of Marriage. Your wedding is holy and we look forward to celebrating the love God has blessed you with as it is consecrated and sealed in the Rites of the Church. Please email [email protected] for more information or to make an appointment. |
THE JUBILEE PRAYER
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen