Two weeks ago, a video was shown at all Masses ushering the start of the Advanced Phase of the Endowment and Capital Campaign "Rooted in Faith, Embracing our Future" for the Catholic Foundation of Santa Clara County. This Campaign seeks to raise $100 Million to help ensure that the Catholic Church of Santa Clara County will continue to flourish in the new millennium and meet its growing needs. Among these needs are to increase the scholarship endowment, to endow or fund programs of Catholic Charities, to recruit and train lay leaders, youth ministers and young adult ministers; to stabilize funding for the creation of new parishes, for training of Clergy and for the retirement of priests who have generously given themselves during their active years in ministry.
Planning for this Campaign began more than two years ago after much prayer and consultation by Bishop Patrick McGrath. Phase One of the Campaign is the Bishop's Campaign. He has already raised more than $26 Million of his $40 Million goal. The remaining $ 60 Million is the responsibility of the 52 Parishes in our Diocese. Saint Lawrence the Martyr Parish is one of the 5 Pilot Parishes that began in July. Twelve Parishes began their Campaign in October and the remaining 34 Parishes will begin in January of 2007. Our Parish goal is $ 910,000.00. Thanks to the generosity of 55 parishioners, I am very happy to inform you that as of November 13, we have already raised $ 561,550.00 in gifts and pledges. This represents 62% of our goal. The names of parishioners who have given to the Campaign thus far can be found elsewhere in this bulletin. Again, I would like to extend a very sincere Thank You to all our Parishioners who have already made their gift. A number of Parishioners are still thinking and praying about their pledges and we hope to hear from them soon. If you are one of these parishioners, we hope to hear from you very soon. Through this Campaign, we will receive 8% of our goal, or approximately $ 73,000.00. If we exceed our goal, half of that money beyond goal stays in our Parish. Through the availability of these funds, it is our intention to earmark monies towards the payment of our outstanding debt from the construction of our parish families. Additional payments to the principal along with refinancing from the Diocese will allow us greater financial freedom. We believe this plan is the most feasible and economic way to improve our parish operations. We benefit from the legacy previous generations have passed on to us. Because of them we have come to know and love God and have the means to love and serve others. We have the responsibility to pass on a strong and vibrant Church to our children. Please keep your minds and hearts open to this endeavor and respond as you are able when you are called. As we continue on our Parish Campaign, we will be presented with numerous opportunities to become actively involved in the success of this extraordinary cause. This past three weeks, parishioners have volunteered their time and talent to act as representatives and help share the message of this campaign with their fellow parishioners. I ask that if you were contacted, you would generally set aside 30 minutes to meet with them (the volunteers) to review the details of the campaign and to prayerfully consider making a sacrificial gift in support of this historic endeavor. We are entering an exciting time in the life of our Church. Please keep the Campaign in your thoughts and prayers.- Fr. Andy C. Ligot, Pastor
ROOTED IN FAITH ~ EMBRACING OUR FUTURE is a historic fund-raising initiative of the Catholic Church in Santa Clara County involving all parishes. The Campaign, led by the Catholic Foundation of Santa Clara County, will address urgent and long-range needs of our people, churches and ministries.
What are the objectives of ROOTED IN FAITH ~ EMBRACING OUR FUTURE?
1. Increase our Catholic Education Scholarship Endowment by $8 million.2. Fulfill the Pastoral Plan Initiatives by establishing endowments for the Institute for Leadership in Ministry, Pastoral Ministry Training, Youth and Young Adult Ministries and Social Justice Education initiatives.
3. Strengthen parishes by providing funding for new parishes, establishing endowments for our Cathedral, for parish refurbishment and repair, for parish outreach programs and to assist local parish stewardship programs.
4. Integrate the 2007 Annual Diocesan Appeal which sustains many vital programs.
5. Assist Catholic Charities with a $10 million endowment & additional funds for capital & programming needs.
6. Establish endowments for seminarian education, diaconate training and support for our retired priests.
St. Lawrence the Martyr has raised $473,900 from just the first 47 pledges! This is 52% of our Goal. A special thanks to those who have been so generous. Joseph & Juliet Aboussleman; Noel & Pamela Allen; Romel & Evelyn Antonio; Gregg & Norma Antonio; James & Ann Balquist; Gregory & Lena Brand; John Chang; Russell & Anna Chitwood; Dory De Guzman; Jennie De La Cerda; John & Sue Dieckman; Guy & Elena Ferry; Deborah Ferry; Thierry Geris; Marcelle Ghabbour; Edward & Margaret Hansen; Manuel & Josie Hernandez; William Hewitt; Richard & Diane Horn; Michael & Corazon Kalt; Bart & Michele Ladd; Craig & Ida Larsen; Gilberto & Joyce Martinez; John & Elizabeth McGuire; Mary Ann Miller; Kenneth Morris; Peter & Nancy Nardini; Victor & Mary Ann Pawl; Lloyd & Tina Pearce; Michael & Marie Piccardo; Marilyn Sakamoto; Elizabeth Sanville; David & Maureen Scharberg; Fred & Dorothy Schwehr; Patrick Sisco; Richard & Rose Siudzinski; Stanley & Nadine Spence; John & Joan Stava; Bernice Taylor; Telesforo & Adelaida Trias; Nanette & Nancy Trias; Steve & Michelle Varnau; James & Victoria Wallace; Bette Welch; Barry & Judy Woo; David & Roseann Zimbauer.
What is next for ROOTED IN FAITH ~ EMBRACING OUR FUTURE?
In the coming weeks, every family will be invited to participate in this historic campaign. A group of dedicated parishioners serving on Fr. Andy's behalf will contact you regarding your participation. When that time comes, please approach the Campaign with an open heart and pray for our success as we move forward.FATHER FOUNDER DIES
The Reverend Victor L. Wilkiemeyer, retired priest of the Diocese of San Jose and founding pastor of St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish in Santa Clara, died in the peace of the Lord on Thursday, September 14, 2006, feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, in Sunnyvale, California at the age of 90.
Victor Lawrence Wilkiemeyer was born on May 20, 1916 in Muskogee, Oklahoma to the late Dr. Fred J. Wilkiemeyer and Mary Gertrude Bockwede. He is the third of four sons. His younger brother Philip Wilkiemeyer also became a priest.He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and, for high school, he went to St. Joseph's College Preparatory, both in Muskogee, OK. In 1934, he went to St. Mary's College in Moraga, California graduating with a major in philosophy and psychology in 1938.
He attended St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park and was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of San Francisco on March 20, 1943, at St. Mary's Cathedral by Archbishop John J. Mitty.
His first assignment as priest was associate pastor, from 1943 to 1944, at St. Mary's Church in Stockton, California where he founded a boxing club for underprivileged youths. Subsequently, he was appointed associate pastor, from 1944 to 1946, at the Church of the Annunciation, also in Stockton, which later became the cathedral when the diocese of Stockton was created. While at Annunciation, he also served as the chaplain of the Catholic Newman Club at the College of the Pacific and auxiliary chaplain of the Navy and Marine Corps students at the College.
In 1946 he was sent to Santa Clara County to serve as associate pastor at St. Leo's Church in San Jose. In 1947, he was sent to St. John the Baptist Parish in El Cerrito in the East Bay where he established a teen club that became a model teen club in the state of California. In 1955, he was assigned to the Church of the Epiphany in San Francisco where he stayed until 1958 when he was transferred to St. Kevin's Church, also in San Francisco. He stayed at St. Kevin's until he was assigned back to Santa Clara County in 1959.
In 1959, Archbishop Mitty appointed Fr. Wilkiemeyer to establish a new parish, which comprised the southern tip of the city of Sunnyvale and the northern part of the City of Santa Clara. Situated near Lawrence Expressway in Santa Clara, the parish was placed under the patronage of St. Lawrence the Martyr, a deacon who was one of the patrons of the city of Rome.
Shortly after the establishment of the parish, the school facilities were built in 1960 and Fr. Wilkiemeyer opened St. Lawrence Elementary School in September 1961. Five years later, he opened St. Lawrence Girls' High School in 1966. The school became a co-educational high school and was renamed St. Lawrence Academy in 1970. With the opening of the High School, the Olympic-sized swimming pool and children's pool also began operation. They were a great fascination, the site of many school and parish events and celebrations, and the beginnings of many fond memories for the parish family.
When the Diocese of San Jose was created in March 1981, Fr. Wilkiemeyer remained in his parish and became an incardinated priest of the newly created diocese. He retired as pastor of St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish on September 1, 1985.
Fr. Wilkiemeyer has asked that, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Fr. Wilkiemeyer Endowment Fund at St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish.
He was survived by his niece, Diana Wilkiemeyer of San Francisco, and two nephews, Philip Wilkiemeyer of Crockett, California, and Mark Wilkiemeyer of Atlanta, Georgia.
The Vigil Service & Rosary took place at the Parish Church on the evening of September 19, 2006. Father John Coleman, a retired priest of the Diocese of San Jose and a dear friend of Fr. Wilkiemeyer presided. Music was provided by the Parish Choir. Bishop Patrick J. McGrath presided at the Funeral Mass attended by more than fifty priests of the Diocese of San Jose and the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The Elementary, Middle School and the Academy Choirs provided music under the direction of Mr. Ray Crisologo, the Parish's Music Director. Especially touching was the vocal duet of Ms. Mary Carrol and Mrs. Merideth Somavia, teachers of the Academy and the Middle School respectively. The Rite of Committal is still in the planning stage.
The family community of St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish, the Elementary and Middle School, and the Academy, give thanks and praise to God for the hopes, dreams and vision of Father Wilkiemeyer, and his work to make these become a reality for God's people in Santa Clara and throughout the greater Church of San José. We pray for his soul and that he may rest in peace now with God.
On behalf of the Parish and Education Center of St. Lawrence the Martyr, Fr. Andres C. Ligot, Pastor, thanks all who have come to celebrate with our community the life of one dedicated to the service of God and God's holy people.
A. CATECHETICAL MINISTRY NEWS
When we share those stories with each other
we process our experiences in a new way.
We start to see our connection with God and with others.
But one thing I see missing is the language
we need to speak about the spiritual.
Ritual and Scripture can provide that language.'
(Kathleen Casey: Catechist's Connection. August/September 2004)
Two years ago I used the above quotation and I believe it is as valid today as it was then. We need to give our young people the values, the tools and the language they need to live as Catholic Christians in our world today. Our secular society especially the media permeates their world with secular values and language. One way to acquire the language, tools and values they need as Catholics is to actively participate in Sunday Liturgy and in Religious Education. One of the programs offered here at St. Lawrence is 'Share the Joy'. What is 'Share the Joy'? For many years we called this program C.C.D. Today this program has a variety of names depending on the practice of the local church. 'Share the Joy', is a Religious Education program for the children in our parish Grades K-6 who are attending public and non-Catholic private schools where there is no Religious Education offered. The goal of this program is to ensure that the younger members of our community are given the opportunity to grow in their knowledge and love of God, participate in sacramental preparation, become familiar with our Catholic traditions, actively participate in Sunday Liturgy, acquire the tools they need for the formation of their consciences. How can they pray if we do not give them the words? While we recognize that there are many forms of prayer we believe that children need to learn and pray the traditional prayers that have stood the test of time in our Catholic tradition. They are given the opportunity to participate in other forms of prayer such as Liturgical prayer, prayers of petition and prayers of thanksgiving to name a few. Classes are offered on most Sundays after the 10:00 a.m. Liturgy and conclude at 11:55 a.m. All classes open with a prayer. The Catechist presents the religious material in a variety of age appropriate activities, which empowers the children to understand and participate in the class at their level. The children usually receive a written summary of the lesson intended for use as a family. If you have any questions please call me at 296-0208 or email me at (khanley@saintlawrence.org) - Sr. Kathleen Hanley RSM
B. ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
C. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
When: Saturday, October 21, 2006
Where: St. Lawrence the Martyr Community Center
1971 St. Lawrence Dr. Santa Clara, CA
Time: 6pm to 8pm
Price: Adults $10.00, Children (12 & under) $5.00
Enjoy a delicious dinner with pasta, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Coffee and tea are included. Live music will be provided by the Bee’s Knees Tables for 6 and 8 are available All proceeds support our charitable works For more information and for tickets, please contact either: Fred Clegg @ 408-748-1266 or Guy Ferry @ 408-739-7317
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