One of the most profound experiences of my life was my 30-day silent retreat which I went on over 10 years ago. I found the silence enriching and it settled my soul to a new level that I had never experienced before. I had always taken an annual retreat of one week in silence, and…
As I write this eBulletin I am at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Retreat Property for the annual San Jose Diocesan Youth Retreat (DYR). It is a beautiful place but what is even more beautiful is the experience that happens here with the youth. They experience the love of Christ in ways that they never have before!…
Last Saturday we celebrated the graduation of our eighth-grade students from St. Simon Parish School. It was a wonderful occasion for all of us. They chose the scripture passage for their Graduation Mass about Christ being the light for the world and how we are called to be the light of the world. I…
As we celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ this Sunday, we reflect more deeply on the profound mystery and gift of the Eucharist. It is the cornerstone of our Catholic faith, and we believe that it is the “font and summit of our shared faith.” As the Church celebrate this gift…
This weekend, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we are invited to reflect deeply on the central mystery of our faith: the loving relationship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The doctrine of the Trinity is not just a theological concept but a revelation of God as a…
As I write this bulletin article, I am just returning from our annual Clergy Study Week in San Juan Bautista. It has been quite a busy week – exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. It is always good to get away with the other priests and spend some time in fraternity while studying together…
This Sunday, we gather to celebrate a pivotal moment in our faith: the Ascension of the Lord. This event marks not just a physical ascent but a profound transformation within the early Church. The days from the Resurrection to the Ascension were charged with awe, as the disciples experienced the joy of Christ’s presence anew.…
When we feel loved for who we are, and not what we do or what we have or what we look like, it changes us inside. When someone loves us deeply and we feel it inside, it changes our whole world! We gain a self-security that changes us forever. We stand taller, we talk more…
It’s an exciting day at St. Simon! Later today, Bishop Oscar Cantú will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with the teens of St. Simon Parish. It will be a wonderful moment of grace in their lives. I am deeply grateful to the hundreds of you that took the time to write a personal note to…
This weekend as we gather to celebrate and reflect, we are called to focus on the beautiful imagery of Christ as our Good Shepherd. The Gospel of John reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep intimately and calls us each by name. In a world brimming with distractions, His voice…