Church of the Resurrection

06/08/2026

Save the Date!

06/04/2026

05/24/2026

Breathe Again: Pentecost and the Fire of Faith
There is something powerful about watching a newborn baby take its very first breath. In those first few seconds, a child moves from the safety of the womb into the world, and suddenly the room fills with relief, joy, and emotion. That first breath means life.
Pentecost is also about breath. It is about life.
In the Gospel for Pentecost Sunday, the Risen Jesus appears to His frightened disciples and does something unusual: He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” In Scripture, breath is never just breath. It represents life, spirit, strength, and the very presence of God. Just as God breathed life into Adam in the Book of Genesis, Jesus now breathes new life into His apostles. That moment marks the birth of the Church.
The feast of Pentecost reminds us that Christianity is not meant to be lifeless, routine, or merely habitual. The Spirit came with wind and fire — signs of urgency, passion, and power. As our Psalm proclaims: “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth!”
Yet many of us who have been Catholic for most of our lives can slowly drift into a faith that feels more like an old shoe: comfortable, familiar, dependable — but not particularly exciting anymore. We still believe, but sometimes the fire is not as strong as it once was. We go through the motions, but the sense of wonder, joy, and enthusiasm can fade.
That is why Pentecost matters.
The Holy Spirit comes not simply to comfort us, but to awaken us. The Spirit breathes life back into tired hearts. The Spirit renews what has become cold. The Spirit gives courage to fearful disciples and turns ordinary people into bold witnesses of Christ.
Faith grows cold when separated from God and from the community of believers. Pentecost reminds us that we were never meant to live the Christian life alone. The Spirit keeps the Church alive, united, and burning with faith.
This Pentecost is especially meaningful in our parish as many of our young people receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Today, they are strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit and commissioned to live their faith with courage and conviction. Confirmation is not a graduation from the Church. It is a calling to deeper discipleship. The same Spirit who descended upon the apostles is being poured into their hearts today.
To our newly confirmed: the Church needs your faith, your energy, your voice, and your witness. Do not be afraid to live differently. Do not let your faith become something hidden or passive. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions, strengthen your character, and lead you closer to Christ. The world does not need more lukewarm Catholics. It needs joyful disciples set on fire by the Spirit of God.
Pentecost reminds all of us to pause and ask ourselves: Is the fire of faith still alive in me? Am I allowing the Spirit room to work in my heart? Or has my faith become comfortable but cold? So today, perhaps the simplest prayer we can make is this: “Lord, breathe on me again.” Take a deep breath. The Spirit of God is within you. And wherever the Holy Spirit is welcomed, new life begins.

Fr. Mark



Parish Closed on Memorial Day May 25th.

Seniors Activity Group. Tuesday May 26 at 12 noon in the Farana Center. All are welcome to come and socialize with fellow parishioners and share lunch. Look for the signup sheets at Church in the coming weeks or call Donna Beres 408-306-2215 for more information.


Women's Hiking Group
Thursday, May 28
Enjoy the outdoors and fellowship on Thursday, May 28 morning at Rancho San Antonio Preserve. Carpool from Resurrection parking lot by the Farana Center @ 9:15 am, or meet at 9:45 am by the restroom at Lot 6. Parking is free. Bring water; wearing hat, long pants & layers, hiking shoes are recommended. The full 5 mile loop takes about 2.5 hours. An earlier turnaround route loop that is less than a hour will be mentioned. Dogs are not permitted at the park. Click the button below to sign up or send an email to Harriet John at [email protected]


Diocesan Eucharistic Procession.
Join Bishop Cantú and Catholics from throughout the Diocese of San Jose for the Diocesan Eucharistic Procession on Sunday, May 31. Gather at Mission Santa Clara at 1:30 PM as we publicly witness our faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. The procession will begin at 2:00 PM and continue to St. Justin Parish in Santa Clara. All are encouraged to participate in this beautiful celebration of prayer, unity, and devotion to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. For more information: https://www.dsj.org/event/eucharistic-procession-from-mission-santa-clara-with-bishop-cantu/


Beware of Phishing Scams Using Priests’ Names
We would like to remind all parishioners to please be cautious of phishing scams and fraudulent messages that may appear to come from our priests or parish staff. Recently, some parishioners have received text messages or emails pretending to be from a priest, asking for gift cards, money, favors, or personal information.
Please be aware:
• Our priests will never ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or financial assistance through text or email.
• Do not respond to suspicious messages or click on unknown links.
• Scammers often create email addresses or phone numbers that appear legitimate.
If you ever receive a suspicious message claiming to be from a priest or parish staff member, please always contact the parish office directly to verify before responding. Thank you for your vigilance and for helping protect our parish community.

05/18/2026

Renewed at the Table of the Lord
Liturgical Renewal Phase 1 – Introductory Rites: Welcoming & Participation

Becoming One Body: How the Mass Begins
The Mass does not begin when the priest reaches the altar. It starts at the moment we walk through the church doors and even before, as we prepare our hearts at home. The entrance procession gathers us into one body and prepares us to hear God's word and receive His Body and Blood. Those who process in, the altar servers, the deacons, and finally the priest in persona Christi, do so on behalf of the whole assembly, because the liturgy is always the action of the whole Church.
The entrance procession is rich with meaning. The crucifix, the cross bearing the body of Christ, leads the way, inviting all to follow him to the altar of sacrifice and resurrection. Two candle bearers follow, and their flames symbolize the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. Most significantly, the Book of the Gospel is carried with dignity and reverence, held high for all to see. This is not just any book. Every word IS Christ. As John 1:1 states: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." When the deacon or lector carries the Book of the Gospel in procession, they carry Christ Himself.
As the procession moves through the church, we sing the gathering song. This is the first time in the Mass where the assembly joins as one voice. It is the sound of all people gathered by the Lord from different parts of the community, with all their joys and burdens, united in one act of worship. Even if you think you cannot sing, your voice matters. Saint Paul reminds us that every part of the Body is important (1 Cor. 12). The Church needs to hear you praising God.
At the end of the procession, the priest reverences the altar with a kiss. This ancient gesture shows honor to the sacrifice of Christ so that we may have eternal life. These opening moments—the procession, the reverence, the gathering song—transform us from a group of individuals into the Body of Christ, united in worship.
This week, pay attention to how the Mass begins. Notice the crucifix, the candles, and the Book of the Gospel. Join in the entrance song with full voice. Feel yourself becoming part of something much larger than yourself—the family of God, gathered at the table of the Lord.

05/11/2026

Renewed at the Table of the Lord
Liturgical Renewal Phase 1 – Introductory Rites: Welcoming & Participation
We Are Not Spectators: Your Vital Role at Mass

Have you ever thought of yourself as having a ministry at Mass? If you answered no, think again. Every person who gathers for the Eucharist has a vital role to play. The Second Vatican Council called this the ministry of the assembly—and you are part of it!
When we come to Mass, we are not simply individuals attending a private devotion. God invites us to gather together to worship as one family. This is why our participation matters so much. When you stand, you stand with your brothers and sisters. When you respond, your voice joins the voice of the whole Church. When you sing, you are not performing: you are praying.
Full, conscious, and active participation does not mean everyone must be a lector or choir member. But it means something deeper than simply going through the motions on the outside. Think of two people at Mass: one sings every song, knows every response, and greets everyone warmly. Another sits quietly, head bowed, perhaps unable to sing that day — because something in the readings has quietly broken them open. Which one is participating more fully? We cannot tell from the outside. What the Church is asking of us is not a performance but an interior offering. It means coming to Mass as we truly are tired, grateful, broken, searching, and hopeful before the Lord. The more humbly and authentically we bring ourselves to the Eucharist, the more we are transformed by it.
Preparation, then, is less about arriving ready to do everything right and more about arriving willing to be honest before God. A few simple actions can help. First, arrive at least five minutes before Mass starts to quiet your heart, set aside the noise of the week. Second, join in the responses and songs. Your voice matters, even if you think you cannot sing well. Third, when we move together, those shared postures are not mere formality; they are a sign of our unity as one Body in Christ.
This week, reflect on how you participate at Mass: Are you fully present? Do you respond and sing? Do you let the Mass shape your week? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you discover the beauty of being an active member of the assembly—the Body of Christ.

05/07/2026

most of us, if not all of us, would say that we try to follow God’s commandments—and that is a good thing. As Christians, we are called to live that way. But why do we obey? Is it because we are afraid of hell? Or because we want to get into heaven?
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a very clear answer: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Notice what He does not say. He does not say, “If you want heaven, obey.” He does not say, “If you fear punishment, obey.” He says: “If you love me…” That changes everything. Because now obedience is no longer about fear or reward—it is about relationship. It is about love.
And this is where Mother’s Day helps us understand the Gospel in a very real and human way. A good mother does not raise her children through fear alone. She forms them through love. Yes, there are rules. Yes, there are corrections. But deep down, a child learns to listen—not just because “Mom said so,” but because they trust her, because they know she loves them.
And often, as children, we don’t fully understand that. We resist. We question. We think we know better. But later in life, something shifts—we begin to see that those rules, those corrections, those sacrifices… were all expressions of love.
The same is true in our relationship with God. Jesus is not looking for people who simply follow rules. He is looking for people who love Him. And loving Jesus is not just emotional. It is not just saying the right words or feeling something during prayer. Loving Jesus means allowing Him to change us.
It means working on our attitudes, our habits, our choices. It means learning to think the way He thinks, to act the way He acts, to love the way He loves. It means letting go of what pulls us away from Him. It means choosing what is right, even when it is difficult. It means forming our minds—not with the noise and distractions of the world—but with His truth.
We do this by staying close to Him: through Scripture, through prayer, through the life of the Church. But here is the good news. Jesus does not leave us to figure this out on our own. He promises us an Advocate—the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not just there to help us avoid sin. The Holy Spirit is there to teach us how to love. Because when love is real, obedience follows.
On this Mother’s Day, we give thanks for the women who have loved us into who we are—through sacrifice, patience, and guidance. Their love, imperfect as it may be, gives us a glimpse of something greater. It points us to the love of God.
And so today, we ask for the grace not just to follow God’s commandments—but to love Him deeply enough that obedience becomes natural. Because at the end of the day, no matter what we face—no matter what struggles or uncertainties lie ahead—we have reason for hope.
Because what matters most is this: That we have loved… and that we are loved. And that changes everything.
Fr. Mark

Grief Ministry: If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, consider joining our Grief Support Group and experience healing through the consolation of Christ and the listening ear of others. Our next meeting will be on May 12 at 10 am in the Farana Center’s Youth Room. For more information, contact Deacon Mike.

Tijuana Ministry bake sale fundraiser
The Tijuana Ministry will host a bake sale after all Masses next weekend to support this summer’s trip. Donations of baked goods are welcome—please bring them before Mass. Stop by to purchase treats or make a donation. Details in the bulletin.

Laudato Si’: Our Easter Journey:
Join us on Sunday, May 17, after donuts following the 10:00 AM Mass, in front of the church, to learn more about Laudato Si’. As Laudato Si’ Week begins, this is a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on how we can care for God’s creation—thinking globally, but acting locally, right here in our parish community.

Introducing a new resource for our parish: Introducing a new resource for our parish through our diocese’s partnership with FreeWill: a free, secure estate planning tool to help you create a will or trust at no cost to you. Many of you may have already received an email about this in the past few days. Please check your inbox for more information. Additional details are also available in the bulletin.

05/05/2026

Our Seniors had a grand time, eating, crafting & playing games!

05/04/2026

We honored, prayed the Holy Rosary as a parish family, had a procession, crowned the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary with flowers and presented red roses during 10:00 Mass yesterday. Thank you, Fr. Mark, Fr. Louis, to the Fil-Am Group, Legion of Mary, Religious Education Program and families, and everyone who joined us for this beautiful May Crowning ceremony!