Parish Communications Workshop Series

Communication is a critical issue sited in the 2002 Renewing the Church, Pastoral Plan for the Diocese of San Jose. The following workshop series is one step in addressing this need.
On May 2 and May 9, from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Cupertino, you are invited to attend two three-hour workshop sessions to learn practical tips and techniques for executing a basic set of parish communications vehicles, as well as having professional communicators review best practice examples from around the country. This will be a very interactive series for those who are parish and school staff responsible for planning or executing any of the communications vehicles including: weekly bulletins, kiosks, reception areas, parish packets, websites, print and email communications, seasonal communications and stewardship communication. All are welcome who are responsible for the entire communication function in a parish including pastors, staff, parish committees and pastoral council members. The presenters will review your existing parish materials with individual critiques as requested and time allows. Please register by April 26th with Terrie Iacino by calling (408) 983-0122. We need to know who you are, which parish you are representing and why you want to take this workshop series.

Level Standards Consultations

The Diocese of San Jose has been engaged in a three-year project to write level standards for learners in catechetical ministry. A committee made up of catechetical leaders drafted level standards/core competencies for ages 6-14 that identify the basic things that need to be learned, taught and celebrated regarding Catholic religious education. They asked themselves what is basic to people's faith? It is now time to consult with the leaders in catechetical ministry who can share their wisdom with the committee to gather feedback on the draft of level standards.

These level standards will guide the catechetical leaders and catechists in selecting the content that will foster growth in discipleship to Christ. We hope these standards will help parents be involved in their children's learning. It is the partnership between the family and parish that makes learning happen. The learning happens throughout the life of the learner. We also hope that the standards will help parents be motivated to learn for themselves as adult learners and well as for their children. Clearly stated compentencies will help all parish staff support catechetical ministry and promote whole community catechesis.

Silver Jubilee of the Diocese of San Jose

Members of the Chinese Catholic Community Jessica Wang, Therese Merrill, Margarita Hua with Mayor Ron Gonzales

Our First Twenty-Five Years as the Diocese of San Jose were celebrated on March 18, 2006 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph. Bishop Patrick J. McGrath presided at the celebration of the Eucharist in the Presence of His Eminence Roger Cardinal Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles and Bishops of California and visiting Bishops from the United State. Representatives from each parish and the diocesan central services who work closely with the five areas of the diocesan Pastoral Plan were recognized, blessed and commissioned to continue their work to renew the Church in the areas of Lay Leadership, Youth, Young Adults, Social Justice and Administration.

Children's Bible Online in 20 Languages

Children's Bible Online in 20 LanguagesKOENIGSTEIN, Germany, MARCH 23, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The text of the children's Bible "God Speaks to His Children" is now available online, including in Arabic, Turkish and Chinese. This children's Bible, produced for youngsters worldwide, is the most ambitious project of the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. The Fides news agency reported that the text of this Bible is now available to Internet surfers in 20 languages, thanks to the collaboration of the German Catholic Liturgical Institute. To read it, click on www.kirche-in-not.de/kinderbibel. With the latest translations, the book will now be published in 152 languages. About 43 million copies of the children's Bible have already been printed. "We want children all over the world to have access to the Bible, to be able to read and print Christian Scripture," said Maria Zurowski, family office director of Aid to the Church in Need. "It was important for us to elaborate an instrument most suitable for a child." "All functions are explained by symbols," Zurowski added. "The corresponding language is to be picked on a world map." The first edition of the children's Bible was launched in 1979. ZE06032321

Help Children Get On The Bus

Get On the Bus will take more than 500 children from cities throughout the state to visit women's prisons in Chowchilla, Ventura and Corona on the Friday before Mother's Day. The event not only provides free transportation for children and their caregivers, it also generates a media campaign to raise awareness of the plight of more than 2 million children in our country who experience the pain of a parent in prison. Please give some prayerful thought as to how you, your parish comunity and families can support Get On The Bus through donations or volunteer service. If you would like more information about this owrthy cause or wish to learn ways you can support this effort, please contact Sr. Claire Marie Williams or Sr. Suzanne Steffen at 925-335-9314 or email cmwilliamscsj@earthlink.net