The plenary indulgence has been a key feature of Holy Years for centuries within the Church. It is a remission of the temporal punishment due to sin, obtained by adhering to the norms established for a given Jubilee Year. In the Decree on the Granting of the Indulgence During the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025 issued by His Holiness Pope Francis.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families affected by the devastating plane crash near Washington, D.C. May they find strength and comfort during this unimaginable time. We ask that you join us in prayer for all those impacted.

Thank you to the individuals and the families in the communities we are privileged to serve. You are the face of Christ. Your courage, resilience, and trust in us as we walk alongside you on your journey of hope are truly inspiring.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the mission and ministries of our parish. For the month of DECEMBER, our average weekly collection was $34,225. You also generously donated to various essential causes in our DECEMBER second/special collections at $17,195 ($3,439/week). This brings our DECEMBER weekly average to $37,664.

Please keep praying for all those suffering in the wildfires sweeping through southern California. My heart goes out to our neighbors who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Let’s pray for them and let’s pray for our firefighters and first responders. May God keep all of our brothers and sisters safe and bring end to these fires! – Archbishop Gomez

Serving in the music ministry and combining my profession with my faith are blessings. Besides teaching piano and directing a children’s choir, I enjoy gardening, crafting, traveling, and hanging out with friends. I volunteered to help with the Christmas concert to cap off the year. With every performer’s effort and dedication, it was a success! Stepping into the position of music coordinator at this parish, I have met many wonderful parishioners who have offered their support and talent.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the mission and ministries of our parish. For the month of NOVEMBER, our average weekly collection was $22,572. You also generously donated to various essential causes in our NOVEMBER second/special collections at $5,392 ($1,348/week). This brings our NOVEMBER weekly average to $23,920. We budgeted our Sunday Offertory income (minus special collections) for JUL-NOV (21 weeks x $24,000) at $504,000 and received $474,000 (-$30,000).

“The Lord hears the cry of the poor” (Psalm 34:7), and we, the Catholic bishops of California, as shepherds of the flock of Christ, have seen and heard the growing distress among you, our migrant brothers and sisters. We want to assure you that we, and our mother, the Church, stand with you in these days of anxiety. You are not alone.

I am pleased to announce that we have hired Clare Lee to join our parish staff as our new Music Coordinator, effective Dec. 9, 2024. Clare will work part-time and report directly to Michael, our Director of Liturgy. Clare brings a wealth of experience and has some familiarity with many of our music ministers. She has served as a volunteer since October. Please give a warm welcome to Clare. We are very fortunate to have her on our team. Fr. Matt

Over the last fiscal year, the St. Vincent de Paul Society – St. Athanasius Conference distributed your financial gifts ($25,645) to support the following programs: Utilities ($7,134), Food ($1,743), Transportation ($20,587), and Housing Assistance ($37,418). Thank you for your generosity.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the mission and ministries of our parish. For the month of OCTOBER, our average weekly collection was $21,953. You also generously donated to various important causes in our OCTOBER second/special collections at $5,318 ($1,330/week). This brings our OCTOBER weekly average to $23,283. We budgeted our Sunday Offertory income (minus special collections) for JUL-OCT (17 weeks x $24,000) at $408,000 and received $378,000 (-$30,000).

To our Parish community, We write to share information regarding a recent incident in our parish that contradicted the Diocese’s Standard of Conduct policy. We realize that information like this can be and is surprising.

Bartimaeus today gives us stirring testimony. Like him, we must overcome interior hesitation, ignore the voices that would hold us back, and break free from what deters us from making the necessary changes so that we can follow more closely in the footsteps of the Lord.

We have completed the first quarter of the new fiscal year 2024-2025. Thank you for your ongoing support of the mission and ministries of our parish. For the month of SEPTEMBER, our average weekly collection was $23,325. You also generously donated to various important causes in our SEPTEMBER second/special collections at $7,928 ($1,586/week). This brings our SEPTEMBER weekly average to $24,911.

For over fifty years, I have recycled cans, bottles, and paper and I have composted food scraps. While I did not take up this ecological mission because of my faith, it is now sustained and driven by faith.

Our Director of Music, Mr. Gary Soals, is leaving Saint Nicholas and Saint William Parish. As of today, October 10, 2024, he is no longer an employee of the parish. Our music ministry will continue under the guidance of Michael Sternhagen, Director of Liturgy, who will ensure the continued excellence of our parish liturgical celebrations. We thank Gary for his many years of service to our parish and wish him well in his future endeavors.

On September 21, 2024, at Archbishop Mitty High School, nearly 200 young adults across the Diocese of San José came together for a transformative day of listening and reflection.

I think the point Jesus is trying to make, in a very graphic and dramatic way, is this: "Nothing, absolutely nothing, is more important than belonging to God’s kingdom, and anything that becomes an obstacle must be removed from our lives.”