Sept. 2010 St. Joseph of Cupertino St. Joseph of Cupertino Parish Cupertino, California Fl yer

An Interview with Janice LaMotte By Athena Serapio

“A purpose is having a coordinator for religious education of children. When Fr. Greg clear sense of what God became pastor of St. Joseph’s, she was named Pastoral has called you to be.” Associate. Maya Angelou Many of you may ask yourself , What is a Pastoral Associate?

I learned that the term itself actually varies from parish to It was a Tuesday parish, and it is difficult to define. For our parish, Fr. Greg afternoon when I went describes it this way: “A Pastoral Associate is the chief lay to the parish office to collaborator with the pastor and parochial vicars in overseeing meet with Janice the life of the parish.” This is a big job for one person, but LaMotte for an luckily, the parishioners at St. Joseph of Cupertino are vibrant interview. To my and the parish is “alive in the Spirit.” Just take a look at all the surprise, she was shy at different committees and ministries! first until I began to ask her questions about her As soon as Janice saw the pronounced unity as well as the grandson. As she started diversity of the parish, she knew that it was the right decision to feel more to take the job. Janice expressed that she absolutely loves her comfortable about being job (which she sees as a vocation). She says, “Finally I interviewed, I learned realized what I wanted to be when I grew up.” In addition, she where she was from, how she came to settle in California and loves that the parish has unity in its diversity. The one thing how she became St. Joseph of Cupertino’s Pastoral Associate. she also loves about her job is the opportunity to oversee different parts of the parish, which in turn gives her the Janice was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania by her opportunity to think creatively. “Each day is different. It’s parents, Tony and Mary Restifo. Her dedication to service never boring.” started early on. As a young girl, she felt the desire to help the “Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart” nuns by preparing Before I ended the interview, I wanted to know a little more materials for catechetical classes. Her duties evolved with about Janice’s personality. I asked her a few short questions, time, and she taught religious education for many years. In and I urge you to stop her after Mass to ask her more. college she studied to become a nurse and earned a B.S. in Nursing. Besides being an instructor and counselor in a How would you describe yourself? nursing school, she studied for her Master’s in Education plus “I love people. My children and expanded family and church counseling certification. are very important to me. I hope I am seen as warm and kind.” When she left Pennsylvania to come to California, it was to earn a certification in Family Systems Therapy. To her What do you like to do in your spare time? surprise, California is where she would settle down and raise a “I love to bake. My favorite dessert to make is a puzzle – an family. Here she lived with her husband Herbert and four Italian waffle cookie.” (And, for the most part, she does not children –Honora, Lucien, Stefan, and Geoffrey. They also follow recipes!) have two wonderful grandsons – Jameson, who is a year old and Armon Dashiell, who is six months old. Do you listen to music? In 1998, she received a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral “Yes. My favorite music genres are classical, country, light Ministries from Santa Clara University. In 2000, she was rock and children’s music.” approached to take the position of Director of Adult Faith Formation here at St. Joseph of Cupertino. She admits to being Do you have a nickname? a bit scared of the unknown. She didn’t know what the parish “My friends call me Jan.” was like and if venturing into something new was the right choice. Prior to coming to St. Joseph of Cupertino, she worked What cities have you lived in California? at Sacred Heart Church in Saratoga for 11 years as a “I have lived in Palo Alto, Fremont and Saratoga.”

September 2010 www.stjoscup.org Page 2

Ron Palma and the Rose Garden Envisioning our Future By Mike Hoffman By Ed Johnson

The rose garden in front of the Rectory was installed around 15 years Do you remember the “Needs Assessment” survey we all ago. By late 2006, it had become very run down. Ron Palma, a completed last fall? The strong response to the survey St. Joseph parishioner and avid gardener, saw what bad shape it was provided encouragement to begin a larger project called in and took it upon himself to do something about it. In early 2007, “Envisioneering.” Envisioneering is the process where Ron completely refurbished the garden. interested parishioners share their visions of what our parish In addition to lack of maintenance, there were a number of problems can become in a few years. From the collected visions, with the way the garden was set up. The roses were watered by action plans are made to bring ideas to life. Ultimately, the sprinklers, which is not good for them. The plastic fabric covering the steps we take can advance SJC in the directions we believe ground was also not the correct kind for a garden. Ron took out all of will benefit our parishioners and community best. the bark ground cover, the plastic fabric, and also removed a few rose SJC Envisioneering efforts directly support our Bishop’s bushes that were “on their last legs”; like people, they don’t last 2002 Pastoral Plan “Renewing the Church.” The effort has forever. He installed drip irrigation with new irrigation control panels. strong support from our Pastor, Rev. Greg Kimm, and from He installed a Japanese boxwood hedge, which is slow growing and a the leadership within our parish. Our Bishop’s plan states brighter green. that the parish is “ground-zero” for our efforts to renew our The redo was a huge effort. Ron planted 120 boxwood plants and had local Church. over 50 cubic yards of bark ground cover delivered. Cecil Dobbs The broad goals of Envisioneering are: to grow active (Holy Name Society member), Simon Mok, and Louis) assisted him participation in our parish and church; strongly support our installing the bark. People who had to do community service (e.g. youth and young adults in their own spiritual and life DUI offenders) also helped out. Ron paid all the costs of the redo growth; and strengthen our community and its social justice (and for all his other efforts) out of his own pocket. ministry. Ron has completed other projects including the fountain in front of The spark that became Envisioneering came from the the Rectory and continues to spend a lot of time on the garden. He leadership within our Communications Ministry, in describes roses as “high maintenance.” They need to be heavily particular, Marieann Shovlin and Mike Hoffman with the pruned and defoliated every winter, which takes at least 40 hours. strong support of others. Marieann facilitated the project’s Proper pruning or ‘deadheading’ is essential to produce the maximum sessions and shares these thoughts: number of flowers. They also need to be properly sprayed and fertilized several times per year. I see Envisioneering as a way to stimulate the Stewardship Ron has been unemployed from his IT career for over a year now, so mentality. Christ has called us to "follow Me," and as this he took on a few customers taking care of their roses. If you would statement from Peter's letter says, “As each one has received like to talk to Ron about taking care of your roses, call him at a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s 408-666-0311. varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10) We each have been given the command and the mission to share fully in the mission and We all owe Ron a debt of gratitude for making the rose garden so the ministries of the Church. In order to follow Christ, we beautiful and keeping it that way. need to get involved, in deeply personal ways, through our

prayer, our personal witness, our day-to-day activities in Parish Feast Day living that mission, our parish participation – here, at St. Joseph of Cupertino. By Steve Hill No one is excluded from the command from Christ to Each year Saint Joseph of Cupertino parish holds a feast day "Follow Me"; no one is excused from active participation in celebration for our , Saint Joseph of Copertino (Italian the work of building up the Church. There are no second- spelling). The celebration, including a Mass and potluck luncheon, class citizens among us and no spectators. We are all will be held on September 19, near his September 18 feast day. responsible. If we truly believe in and live our Faith, we must participate in this work. The benefits of the annual celebration include fostering parish spirit and the opportunity for parishioners to meet new acquaintances One thing I have found that typically happens in this kind of outside of their regular Mass. While the 11:00 Mass on the feast day work (and it is work), – I always get back more than I give. weekend honors St. Joseph in a particular way, all of the weekend By late August, the Envisioneering teams have drafted Masses are linked to the celebration through special prayers and a several action plans. These plans will receive the attention of discussion about our patron saint during the homilies. the Parish Advisory Council and our Pastor as they move The celebration recognizes and celebrates the ethnic diversity of Saint toward implementation. Joseph of Cupertino parish. Like Santa Clara County, our parish has a All interested parishioners are invited to participate in the diverse population. While many of us trace our roots from different Envisioneering efforts as they develop. countries and continents, we are linked by our Catholic faith.

September 2010 St. Joseph of Cupertino Parish Page 3

“Just Call Me Vange” Signs and Symbols of St. Joseph of Cupertino Church By Mabel Hoffman By Jim Schaaf

Who is spunky and perky, This article continues a description of the some of the signs and speaks her mind, has a large hat symbols present in the church. collection, likes the color pink, is The Chapel – Relics gifted in arts, crafts, and gardening, and has a baptismal The following description was name which includes “Marie written in 2004 by Father Nathan Antoinette”? You’ll recognize Mamo, former Parochial Vicar in her as Vange (Mercury). the parish. Vange is proud to be an “The reliquary of Saints & American; she is as proud of her Martyrs of the Society of Sicilian roots. Her mom was 3 Jesus is located next to the years old when her maternal statue of St. Anthony of grandparents migrated from Padua. This reliquary Poggioreale, Sicily to St. Louis, probably became an item of MO. Her dad was born in Augusta, Sicily, migrated to St. Louis devotion while the Jesuit at 24, then followed her mom’s family to Riverside. Her parents Fathers and Brothers used the got married in Riverside and Vange was born there on Dec. 27, Cupertino site as a retreat villa 1925. for the Santa Clara Mission During the Depression years, Vange’s parents worked in and University community. canneries and fields, from San Francisco to Modesto. From age The letter previously 6, she looked after her sister, Lydia, who was then just 1½, while described from the Secretary of the Archbishop of San her parents worked. (“I was born bossy.”) During her teen years, Francisco makes reference to the relics of ‘ … the Saints of Vange made sure she was part of every play in church. She your venerable Society.’ That letter of October 20, 1913 is wanted to be an actress like Ginger Rogers. Why? Because she addressed to ‘Rev. H. A. Gabriel, S.J., Santa Clara, was wild about the fancy, fabulous dresses worn by actresses. California.” Her major work life was in San Francisco at ABC Radio/TV, “This reliquary is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity where she programmed music for shows, and cleared dated in on February 12, 1899, and signed by Camillus commercials for broadcasting. Then in Corte Madera, she was Geccali, S.J., Vice-Postulator General of the president twice of the Marin Quilt and Needlework Club. She on a certificate from the office of Torquatus Armellini, S.J., painted, sewed, quilted, needleworked and did “anything to do Postulator General of the Society. with fabric” (her passion). “The roster of Jesuits whose relics this reliquary contains are: Her next life chapter was moving to a Sunnyvale house, which is Ignatius Loyola Anthony Baldrinuci still her home. (“I hated that awful wind in Corte Madera!”). After extensively shopping for a church, she heard Dan Morris Francis Jerome sing at the 11:00am Mass at St. Joseph of Cupertino and, liking Stanislaus Koskia its homey feeling, decided that SJC was the church for her. That Francis Regis Andrea Bobolae was 16 years ago. She is a faithful presence at SJC with the John de Britto Francis Borgia Ber nardino Bealini Hospitality Ministry, helps the church cleaning crew every fifth Monday, and is “just always there to help even without being The Japanese Martyrs of Nagasaki” assigned.” A relic of St. Joseph of Cupertino is in the frame to the right of Vange has a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother (“I probably the altar (photo). drove her nuts with a barrage of prayers for protection for my son “Next to the statue of Mary, this relic is ‘from the arm in Vietnam”). She had a "vision" of the Blessed Mother waving a (Ex. Bracc.)’ of St. Joseph’s remains; precisely what it is has rope in the air. When she found out that her son’s wartime job not been described (skin? bone? thread?). The corroded was rappelling down a rope in rescue missions, she knew the reliquary’s red wax seal is intact. The document of Blessed Mother had been warding away bullets from her son. authenticity is signed by Fr. Dominic Renter, the Minister Vange also has a strong devotion to the Sacred Heart. (Vange can General of the Conventual Franciscans, December 1907. share more stories with you while she serves coffee and donuts “Accompanying the reliquary and certificate of authenticity is the on the first Sunday of the month, her Hospitality Ministry work). letter written by the Secretary of Archbishop Patrick Riordan of Her close-knit family includes two children, Diana and Dan, four San Francisco, John J. Cantwell, who a decade later was the grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Vange sums up her Archbishop of Los Angeles, California. The envelope in which full and interesting life: “God has been very good to me, and I try this letter was mailed is preserved on the reverse side of the to be good to others.” framed reliquary. It is postmarked in San Francisco on October 20, 1913.”

September 2010 www.stjoscup.org Page 4

Ethnic Food Scramble By Lorinda Rodrigues

We will enjoy many types of food during the Parish Feast Day Celebration. Enjoy this game to unscramble the ethnicity and then match it to a food dish. The answer is on the parish website, www.stjoscup.org.

atlaini Beef Satay xanimec Chow Mein gtepurseuo Lamb Stew bacaebnri Pho Soup sihri Hamburgers nniiad Lumpia emvesitnea Fried Plantains stibhir Spaghetti ipliionfo Tamales scheien Tandoori Chicken desninnioa Kielbasa cminarea Shepherd’s Pie hoslpi Massa Sovada

Parish Calendar Parish Pay St. Joseph of Cupertino Feast Day Celebration. Mass No more forgotten envelopes. Sept. 19 11:00 am Church & Hall and pot luck reception following in the Hall. No more check writing. Meet our new Parochial Vicar, Fr. Vincent. Sign up for automated giving. Oct. 1 – 3 Fri night; Sat & Sun Parish Cupertino Carnival www.parishpay.com After 8:00, 9:30, Oct 10 Comm. Center Hospitality 11:00 Nov. 7 11:00 am Church & C.C. Welcome Newcomers – Mass and reception St. Joseph of Cupertino Flyer Oct. 12 7:00 pm Church Taize Prayer Published Quarterly by St. Joseph of Cupertino Parish, Nov. 21 – 22 Hall Prepare Thanksgiving baskets Communications Ministry Dec. 10 7:00 pm Church Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass [email protected] Dec. 17 – 19 7:00 pm Church Simbang Gabi – Advent Novena Pastor: Rev. Gregory Kimm Saturdays 6:30 pm Hall Bingo Contributors: Sundays 10:30 – 11:00 am Front of church Video Lending Library Steve Hill Lorinda Rodrigues Jim Schaaf Mabel Hoffman Mondays 6:30 pm Hall Bingo Ed Johnson Athena Serapio Tuesdays 9:00 – 11:00 am Various Mommy & Me Playgroup, [email protected] Mike Hoffman

Wednesdays 7:00 pm Comm. Center RCIA

Thursdays Noon Comm. Center Prayer Group The Flyer, with color photos, is 2nd Wed. 10:00 – 11:00 am Local parks Mom’s Group, Carol Ruiz, 777-2966 posted on the parish web site. 1st Sunday Morning Masses Comm. Center Hospitality after Mass – Coffee and Donuts 1st Sunday 3:00 – 4:30 pm Rectory Grief Support Group 2nd Sunday 12:15 pm Rectory Scripture Sharing Group