Thinking carefully
about what's involved...

Praying to God to help
you to do His will...

Allowing the Holy Spirit
to work within you
to guide you.

Reflections
by
Pastoral Council Members
 

Since joining the Pastoral Council last year, I have become more acutely aware
of the many ministries actively involved in the St. Julies community. 
I am impressed with the high level of volunteer involvement of the laity
in those ministries and the community’s willingness to reach out to anyone
who can benefit from being associated with such a vibrant parish community. 
The leadership processes are structured a little different than I was used to,
but that has only expanded my views and opened new avenues of participation.
 
I do believe I have made a contribution in carrying out the mission of the parish.
 

Mike
Baumann

Marjorie
Habenicht
 

Want to know more?
Feel free to call her...
(408) 227-6663
 

   
      I have felt privileged to be a part of the beginnings of the Pastoral Council at St. Julie's. 

Each meeting I learn something new about the workings of the Parish and the effort that goes on behind the scenes in the everyday work of the staff.  I am often in awe of all that gets accomplished and wonder who are all the wonderful people that make things happen on a daily basis.  At some meetings I can also get scared about the many facets there are to think about in maintaining the vitality at St. Julies and how finite our resources are. 

Being on the Council has forced me to get up in front of our parishioners and has made me much more conscious of how I am living our mission statement. How do I welcome people?  How do I listen to as many voices as I can?  What are the deeper issues?  How do we care for various sides of an issue? I have taken my membership seriously and therefore this ministry gets some of my attention weekly even though we meet as a whole only once a month.  It is a different experience to take time to THINK AND PRAY about issues, directions, fidelity to the mission statement, etc. rather than use time “getting things done”. I think as a group we still struggle with this.

It is rewarding to learn about the other council members and to see how each one of us has gifts to bring to the table.  I feel a special bond to all who have and do share this ministry with me.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or responses to this.

My number is 408-227-6663.  My e-mail address:  mhaben@earthlink.net
 

For years most of my adult life, I have gone to church and prayed, but never considered working in a church. My career and family obligations
kept me too busy, I thought. Plus...I didn't feel qualified.

In 1996, when I moved to South San Jose and found St. Julies, I fell in love with the atmosphere and energy!  I could see some very hard working people finding time to do so many things to make me and others feel welcome, appreciated and included in this parish.
When time came to form the first Pastoral Council, I listened to the announcements, went home and thought about it a lot, and prayed. Giving the choice to God made all the difference. When I stopped putting my thoughts and my very busy schedule first, He made me feel encouraged to go for it, and to trust that He would work it all out!

I knew I was being called to offer my passion and voice for issues of diversity. What I quickly learned, however, is "prayerful discernment" has nothing to do with the general election process or thinking. My voice would be been genuinely welcomed by the Pastoral Council. But clearly this is not the group for pushing any one person or group agenda.

 Consensus decision-making is about listening to one another and truly hearing what they are trying to get across before you act as a group. Many times we all stop and realize we've never considered this new view or perspective before. When we do, we all feel like we were including
all the voices and the best interests of all our parishioners.

Having a "voice" and using it on behalf of everyone is a
selfless and most fulfilling experience.
You really do become the eyes, ears and hands of Christ today,
helping His Church learn, grow and share The Spirit with one another.
 

Bob
Rucker

 

Want to know more?
Feel free to call him...

(408) 772-3655

or e-mail:

professorrucker
@yahoo.com
 

Lucy
Valencia

Since becoming a member of the Pastoral Council, I've been able to 
strengthen my knowledge regarding my Catholic Faith
and its teachings. 

Everyone on the council brings something special and we
all learn from each other. 

I now realize that it takes a great deal of work to run this parish.
There are many components to consider, some I never thought about.
I've learned that St. Julie's is truly blessed to have the dedicated staff and
laity to help complete GOD's daily work.

Many years ago I choose a way of life within the Catholic Church
as a full time staff person. Little did I know what the Holy Spirit had in store
for me on this journey. I have experienced community at its best and
often with its struggles. 

         It is a privilege to minister with such talented and devoted people as those who serve on the Pastoral Council. They have stretched me out
of my comfort zone and led me down a path of collaboration,
consensus and a deeper commitment to parish life. 

I believe that many more voices are being heard and taking action
as to the direction of our community, a direction that includes everyone
and shares the responsibilities with all. 
 

Jeanine
Jensen

 

Juanita
Velasco

       Around 1985-1987 our three children started their religious formation.
  I remember noticing something rather special here at St. Julie's. 
  Since then, St. Julie's parish has wonderfully evolved, and I ‘m thankful
  to be part of this extraordinary community.

       As a member of the Pastoral Council, I take pleasure in pondering
  about what it takes to be a church that allows the Spirit to manifest
  through God’s people.

      As a member of the Pastoral Council, I welcome the challenge of
  sharing the responsibility of discernment for God’s will for this parish.

     As a member of the Pastoral Council, I’m most thankful for the
  opportunities for growth in spirit and knowledge as we purposefully
  discern and pray over our vision and mission.

     As a member of the Pastoral Council, I will always cherish the
  privilege of sharing my life with such an awesome community.
 

The opportunity to be able to be in a discernment process is a
worthwhile experience. It gave a sense of being actually guided by
the Holy Spirit to something of spiritual Having said that, it allowed me 
feel the presence of the Holy spirit in me and I have to tell you, that
experience is worth having.

Carol
Bautista
 

Patrick
Farrant


 

I accepted the call to serve on the Pastoral Council
 because I thrive on the challenge of planning the future of St Julies.

We are a parish that readily embraces the spirit and vision of the
Second Vatican Council, and thus we have many active men and
women in visible and meaningful leadership positions in our parish.


Pastor Sermon - 2nd Sunday of Lent:
Our Parish Vision
 

Father
Jon Pedigo
Pastor