Fr. Kevin Joyce

05/28/1949 – 03/01/2025

Passed on to God’s Eternal Care, in Palo Alto, on March 1, 2025, at 75 years of age, Reverend Kevin Patrick Joyce, dearly beloved son of the late Patrick and Margaret (Margie) Joyce; loving brother of the late Brian Joyce, preceded in death by all of his aunts and uncles and many cousins; survived by numerous cousins and many friends both locally and nationally.

Fr. Kevin was born on May 28, 1949, and was raised as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ at St. Philip Neri Parish in Alameda. He was a graduate of St. Joseph High School and St. Patrick College, Mountain View, and St. Patrick Seminary, Menlo Park. Fr. Kevin was ordained to the priesthood on April 12, 1980, for the Archdiocese of San Francisco by the late Most Reverend John R. Quinn. In 1981, when the new Diocese of San Jose was formed Fr. Kevin decided to serve in the new presbyterate. He served with distinction for almost 45 years in the following assignments, St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Morgan Hill (1980-1985), faculty of St. Joseph College, Mountain View, CA (1985-1988), director of the permanent diaconate (1985-1988); completed his doctoral dissertation in Catholic spirituality through Catholic University of America (1988-1991), parochial vicar at St. Maria Goretti Church, San Jose, CA (1991-1993) and then pastor (1993-2005), founder of SpiritSite Spirituality Center, under the auspices of the Diocese of San Jose (2004-2009), pastor of St. Lucy Church (2009-2015). Following retirement, Fr. Kevin served at Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Jose (2015-2018), full-time chaplain of Presentation Center, Los Gatos (2018-19). For the past 6 years, Fr. Kevin has served on the faculty of St. Patrick Seminary, Menlo Park, both as professor and spiritual director and serving at St. John Vianney Parish in San Jose.

Fr. Kevin recently published an autobiography about the first 30 years of his spiritual journey entitled, “Surprised by Grace.” He was greatly influenced by the spiritual masters of St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, and the Desert Fathers. He had great hopes that his journey would help people see the beauty and truth of the Christian faith in the modern day. Fr. Kevin was an accomplished pianist and organist and composer of sacred music.

Please join us in praying for the repose of Fr. Kevin’s soul and for his family during this time of loss. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

 

 

Funeral services

  • Viewing – Tuesday, March 18, 4 – 7 PM, Saint Lucy, Campbell
  • Vigil Service – Tuesday, March 18, 7 PM, Saint Lucy, Campbell
  • Funeral Mass – Wednesday, March 19, 10:30 AM, Saint Lucy, Campbell. Will be livestreamed as well.
  • Burial – Thursday, March 20, 11 AM, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Los Altos

Ash Wednesday Schedule

Ash Wednesday  | March 5, 2025

Ash Wednesday derives its name from this practice, in which the placement of ashes is accompanied by the words, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or the dictum “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The ashes are prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations.

The imposition of ashes is a solemn ritual that signals the beginning of the holy season of Lent. The ceremony is distinctive; there is no liturgical action like it throughout the entire church year. For the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday, the usual customary practice in the USA may be followed, i.e. tracing the sign of the cross with the ashes on the forehead while reciting the proper formula. Sensitivity should be given to parishioners seeking ashes who prefer that instead they be sprinkled on the head.

Those who wish to be sprinkled should bow their head when approaching the minister. Bishop Cantú leaves it to the discretion of the pastor whether or not to allow sprinkling at their parish.

Guidelines during Fasting Days

Age 14 & older
Abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent.
Age 18-59
Fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; one full meal per day, two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.

 

Let us  prepare ourselves during Lent  to grow deeper in our relationship with God in preparation for the celebration of the Paschal mystery of Christ – His passion, death and resurrection.  During these 40 days, beginning Ash Wednesday through the Saturday before Easter, we are given an opportunity to reflect and transform our connection with Christ. Click on the button for Lent Resources.

 

Please click on the city to find a parish or your parish’s Ash Wednesday schedule:

Alviso | Campbell | Cupertino | Gilroy | Los Altos | Los Gatos | Milpitas | Morgan Hill | Mountain View | Palo Alto | San Jose | Santa Clara | Saratoga | Sunnyvale  | Catholic Cemetery  

 

Alviso

Schedule

Our Lady Star of the Sea
1385 Michigan Ave.
408.263.2121
https://www.olsalviso.org/es/bienvenidos/
Livestream Link: Facebook
  • 9:00 am Mass – Spanish/English
  • 12:00 pm Mass – Spanish/English
  • 4 pm – 8 pm Imposition of ashes every 1/2 hour
back to top  

Campbell

Schedule

St. Lucy
2350 Winchester Blvd.
408.378.2464
http://www.stlucy-campbell.org
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
back to top  

Cupertino

Schedule

St. Joseph of Cupertino
10110 N. DeAnza Blvd.
408.252.7653
http://www.stjoscupertino.org
Livestream Link: Website, YouTube
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
back to top  

Gilroy

Schedule

St. Mary
11 First St.
408.847.5151
http://smpgilroy.org/
Livestream Link: Facebook
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
back to top  

Los Altos

Schedule

St. Nicholas
473 Lincoln Ave.
650.948.2158
www.stnicholasandstwilliam.org
Livestream Link: YouTube
  • 8:00 am Mass, English – St. Nicholas Church
  • 12:10 pm Mass, English – St. Nicholas Church
  • 5:00 pm Mass, English – St. Nicholas Church
  • 8:00 am Mass, English – St. William Church
  • 12:10 pm Mass, English – St. William Church
  • 7:00 pm Mass, English – St. William Church
St. Simon
1860 Grant Ave.
650.967.8311
http://www.stsimon.org
Livestream Link:
Facebook YouTube
  • 6:30am Mass, English – Indoor
  • 8:30am Mass, English – Indoor & Livestream
  • 7:00pm Mass, English – Indoor
St. William
611 S. El Monte Ave.
650.559.2080
www.stnicholasandstwilliam.org
Livestream Link: YouTube
  • 8:00 am Mass, English – St. Nicholas Church
  • 12:10 pm Mass, English – St. Nicholas Church
  • 5:00 pm Mass, English – St. Nicholas Church
  • 8:00 am Mass, English – St. William Church
  • 12:10 pm Mass, English – St. William Church
  • 7:00 pm Mass, English – St. William Church
back to top  

Los Gatos

Schedule

St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
219 Bean Ave.
408.354.3726
http://www.stmaryslg.org/ 
Livestream Link: Parish Website
  • 8:30am – Mass in English + distribution of ashes. In person and live streamed
  • 12:00 noon – Mass in English + distribution of ashes
  • 7:00pm – Mass in English + distribution of ashes
back to top  

Milpitas

Schedule

St. Elizabeth
750 Sequoia Dr.
408.262.8100
www.stelizabethmilpitas.org
Livestream Link:
Facebook
  • 7:00AM Mass/ Vietnamese
  • 8:30AM Mass/ English
  • 12:00PM Service/ English
  • 4:00PM Mass/ English
  • 6:30PM Mass/ English/Spanish
  • 7:30 PM Mass/ Vietnamese
St. John the Baptist
279 S. Main St.
408.262.2546
http://www.sjbparish.org
Livestream Link: http://www.sjbparish.org
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
back to top  

Morgan Hill

Schedule

St. Catherine of Alexandria
17400 Peak Ave.
408.779.3959
http://www.stca.org
Livestream link: YouTube, Facebook
  • 8:15am Mass
  • 12:00pm Ash Service
  • 5:30pm Mass
  • 7:00pm Misa (En la Iglesia y Centro Parroquial)
back to top  

Mountain View

Schedule

St. Athanasius
160 N. Rengstorff Ave.
650.961.8600
http://stathanasiusparish.com/
Livestream Link: YouTube, Facebook
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
St. Joseph
582 Hope St.
650.967.3831
http://www.sjpmv.org
Livestream Link: YouTube
  • 7:30am Mass – English
  • 12:10pm Mass – English
  • 2:00pm Mass – English
  • 6:00pm Imposition of Ashes
  • 7:00pm Mass – Spanish
back to top  

Palo Alto

Schedule

Catholic Community at Stanford
Stanford Memorial Church
650.725.0080
https://web.stanfordcatholic.org/
Livestream Link: Website
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
Our Lady of the Rosary
3233 Cowper St.
https://paloaltocatholic.net/our-lady-of-the-rosary-church
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
St. Albert the Great
1095 Channing Ave.
https://paloaltocatholic.net/st-albert-the-great-church
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
St. Thomas Aquinas
751 Waverley St.
650.494.2496
http://www.paloaltocatholic.net/
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
back to top  

 

San Jose

Schedule

Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph
80 S. Market St. 408.283.8100
https://www.stjosephcathedral.org/
Livestream Link: Facebook
  • 9:00 am Bilingual Mass
  • 12:05 pm Mass – English | Bishop Cantu
  • 5:30 pm Mass – English
  • 7:00 pm Mass – Spanish
Christ the King
5284 Monterey Rd.
408.362.9958
http://ctksj.org/
  • 9am Mass, English/Spanish
  • 11am to 5pm, Spanish Service every 30 minutes.
  • 5pm to 6pm, English Service every 30 minutes
  • 6pm to 8pm, Spanish Service every 30 minutes.
Church of the Transfiguration
4325 Jarvis Ave.
408.264.3600
www.sanjosetransfig.com
Livestream Link: Facebook
  • 8:45am Mass, English
  • 12:00pm Mass, English
Five Wounds Portuguese National Church
1375 E. Santa Clara St.
408.292.2123
http://www.fivewoundschurch.org
Livestream Link: Facebook
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
Holy Cross
580 E. Jackson St.
408.294.2440
https://holycrosssj.com/
  • 7:30 AM Mass English
  • 12:00 NOON Service English
  • 6:00 PM Service Spanish
  • 7:30 PM Service Spanish
Holy Family
4848 Pearl Ave.
408.265.4040
https://holyfamilysanjose.org/
Livestream Link: Website
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
Holy Korean Martyrs
1523 McLaughlin Ave.
408.564.4947
http://www.sjkoreancatholic.org
Livestream Link: YouTube
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
Holy Spirit
1200 Redmond Ave.
408.997.5100
http://www.holyspiritchurch.org
Livestream Link: WebsiteYouTubeFacebook
  • 6:30am – Mass
  • 8:30am – Mass
  • 10:00am – Mass
  • 12:00pm – Liturgy of the Word
  • 7:00pm – Mass
Immaculate Heart of Mary Oratory
14418 Union Avenue, San José, CA 95124
https://institute-christ-king.org/sanjose-home
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
Most Holy Trinity
2940 Nassau Dr.
408.729.0101
http://www.mht-church.org
Livestream Link: YouTube
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
2020 E. San Antonio St.
408.258.7057
http://www.olgparishsj.org/
  • 8:00 am Mass, Spanish
  • 9:00 am Service, Spanish
  • 10:00 am Service, Spanish
  • 11:00 am Service, Spanish
  • 12:00 pm Service, Spanish/English
  • 1:00 pm Service, Spanish
  • 2:00 pm Service, Spanish
  • 3:00 pm Service, Spanish
  • 4:00 pm Service, Spanish
  • 5:30 pm Mass, English
  • 7:00 pm Service, Spanish/English
  • 8:00 pm Service, Spanish/English
  • 9:00 pm Service, Spanish/English
Our Lady of La Vang
389 E. Santa Clara St.
408.294.8120
https://dmlv.org/
  • Our Lady of La Vang Church:
    • Vietnamese Masses: 7:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM & Spanish Mass: 8:00 PM
    • Vietnamese Catholic Center: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM & 7:30 PM
  • Holy Family: 5:00 PM (Vietnamese)
  • St. John the Baptist in Milpitas: 5:00 PM (Vietnamese)
  • St. Victor Church: 5:30 PM (Vietnamese)
  • St. Frances Cabrini Church: 7:00 PM (Vietnamese)
Our Lady of Refuge
2165 Lucretia Ave.
408.715.2278
http://ourladyofrefugesj.org/
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
Queen of Apostles
4911 Moorpark Ave.
408.253.7560
http://www.qofa.org
Livestream Link: Youtube
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
325 Willow St.
408.292.0146
www.sacredheartsanjose.org
Livestream Link: Facebook
All Events are in Person, inside the Church
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
St. Anthony
20101 McKean Rd. Little Church –
21800 Bertram Rd.
408.997.4800
http://www.churchstanthony.com
Livestream Link: Facebook
  • 6:30 PM Mass, English – Big Church on McKean Road
St. Brother Albert Chmielowski Polish Mission
10250 Clayton Rd.
408.251.8490
http://www.saintalbert.us/
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
St. Christopher
1576 Curtner Ave.
408.269.2226
http://www.saintchris.com
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
St. Frances Cabrini
15333 Woodard Rd.
408.879.1120
http://www.sfcabrini.org
Livestream Link: Website , Facebook
  • 6.30am- Mass (English)
  • 8.30am- Mass (English)
  • 10.30am- Mass (school)
  • 12.00pm (Ashes only)
  • 5.00pm- Mass (English)
  • 7.00pm- Mass (Vietnamese)
St. Francis of Assisi
5111 San Felipe Rd.
408.223.1562
http://www.sfoasj.com/
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
St. John Vianney
4600 Hyland Ave.
408.258.7832
https://sjvnews.net/
Livestream Link: Facebook
  • 8AM Mass English
  • 12PM Mass Bilingual
  • 530PM English
  • 730PM Spanish
St. Julie Billiart
366 St. Julie Dr.
408.629.3030
http://www.stjulies.org
Livestream Link: Facebook
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
St. Leo the Great
88 Race St.
408.293.3503
www.stleochurchsj.org
Livestream Link: FacebookYouTube
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
St. Maria Goretti
2980 Senter Rd. 408.363.2300
www.smgsj.org
Livestream Link: Facebook
  • 7:00 AM – English – Adoration Chapel – Mass and Ashes
  • 7:00 AM – Vietnamese – church – Mass and Ashes
  • 8:30 AM – English – church – Mass and Ashes
  • 8:30 AM – Español – patio – Misa y Cenizas
  • 10:00 AM – Vietnamese – church – Mass and Ashes
  • 11:30 AM – Vietnamese – church – Mass and Ashes
  • 1:00 PM – Español – templo – Misa y Cenizas
  • 2:30 PM – Español – templo – Misa y Cenizas
  • 4:30 PM – Vietnamese – Mass and Ashes
  • 6:00 PM – Vietnamese – Mass and Ashes
  • 7:30 PM – English – Adoration Chapel – Mass and Ashes
  • 7:30 PM – Español – templo – MIsa y Cenizas .
St. Martin of Tours
200 O’Connor Dr.
408.294.8953
http://www.stmartin.org
Livestream Link: Facebook , YouTube,   Zoom,
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
St. Mary of The Assumption Croatian Mission
901 Lincoln Ave.
408.279.0279
https://www.facebook.com/CroatianCatholicChurch
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
St. Thomas of Canterbury
1522 McCoy Ave.
408.378.1595
StThomasSJ.org
Livestream Link: Facebook ,  YouTube
  • 8:30am Mass, English
  • 6:30pm Mass, English
St. Victor
3108 Sierra Rd.
408.251.7055
http://www.parish.stvictor.org/
Livestream Link: Zoom link : https://dsj.zoom.us/j/488989641
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/stvictorcatholicchurch/
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
Santa Teresa
794 Calero Ave.
408.629.7777
http://SantaTeresaChurch.com
Livestream Link: YouTube
  • 8:30 am Mass – English
  • Noon Mass – English – Livestreamed
  • 5:30 pm Liturgy of the Word – English
  • 7:00 pm Mass – English
back to top  

Santa Clara

Schedule

Mission Santa Clara de Asis
500 El Camino Real
408.554.4023
https://www.scu.edu/missionchurch/
Livestream Link: Website
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
Our Lady of Peace
2800 Mission College Blvd.
408.988.4585
https://www.olop-shrine.org/
Livestream Link: Facebook,  YouTube
  • 6:30am Mass, English
  • 8am Mass, English
  • 10am Ash Service, English
  • Noon Mass, English
  • 4pm Ash Service for CCD families, English
  • 5:15pm Mass, English
  • 6:30pm Mass, Spanish
  • 8pm Mass, English
St. Clare
941 Lexington St.
408.248.7786
http://www.stclareparish.org/
Livestream Link: YouTube
  • 8:00 am Mass English
  • 10:45 am Mass with School (English ~ All are welcome
  • 12:10 pm Mass Bilingual (English/Spanish
  • 6:00 pm Mass English
  • 7:30 pm MAss Spanish
St. Justin
2655 Homestead Rd.
408.296.1193
http://www.st-justin.org
Livestream Link: YouTube
  • Mass, 8:30am, English
  • Mass, 12:15pm, English
  • Mass, 7:00pm, English
St. Lawrence the Martyr
1971 St. Lawrence Dr.
408.296.3000
http://www.saintlawrence.org
Livestream Link:Facebook
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
San Jose Chinese Catholic Mission
941 Lexington St. (at St. Clare Parish)
Parish web address :
https://sjccm.com/
Voice Message: 408-758-8917
Livestream Link: Zoom ID: 732-732-7732
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
back to top  

Saratoga

Schedule

Church of the Ascension
12033 Miller Ave.
408.725.3939
https://www.ascensionsaratoga.org/
Livestream Link:
Facebook
  • Please contact the Parish for their Ash Wednesday Schedule.
Sacred Heart
13716 Saratoga Ave.
408.867.3634
http://www.sacredheartsaratoga.org  
Livestream Link: Youtube
  • 7:30am Mass, English
  • 8:30am Mass, English (School Mass), open to the public
  • 7:30pm Mass, English (Will be live-streamed)
back to top  

Sunnyvale

Schedule

Church of the Resurrection
725 Cascade Dr.
408.245.5554
www.resurrection-church.org  
Livestream Link: Website (Click on Livestream)
  • 8:15am Mass, English-Indoor
  • 12noon Ash Service, English-Indoor
  • 5:30pm Mass, English,-Indoor
St. Cyprian
195 Leota Ave.
408.739.8506
http://www.saintcyprian.org
Livestream Link: Facebook
  • 12:10pm Mass, English
  • 5:00pm Mass, English
  • 7:00pm Mass, Spanish
St. Martin
593 Central Ave.
408.736.3725
http://smsdsj.org/
  • 7:30 am – English
  • 12:00 pm – Bilingual – English/Spanish (Service Only)
  • 5:00 pm – English
  • 6:00 pm – Spanish
  • 7:30 pm – Vietnamese
    All masses will be in the main church.
back to top  

Catholic Cemetery

Schedule

Gate of Heaven Cemetery
22555 Cristo Rey Drive,Los Altos, CA 94024
650.948.2158
https://www.cfcssanjose.org/location/gate-of-heaven-catholic-cemetery/
  • March 5 2025, 12:30pm
back to top  

Testigo de Misericordia: La Labor Esencial de Catholic Relief Services

English | Vietnamese

Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas:

Hace algunos años, era presidente del Comité de los Obispos para la Justicia y la Paz Internacional. En esa función, viajaba cada año a partes del mundo que enfrentaban las dificultades más graves en Oriente Medio, Asia, África y América Latina. El propósito de estos viajes pastorales era, en primer lugar, expresar la solidaridad en nombre de la Iglesia en los Estados Unidos con quienes sufrían dificultades. En segundo lugar, era observar la situación local y escuchar una variedad de voces (de laicos y clérigos de la Iglesia, de la sociedad civil, diplomáticos, gubernamentales, etc.) para comprender profundamente la dinámica de los conflictos, sus necesidades humanitarias y espirituales, así como sus ideas sobre posibles soluciones a tales conflictos. Luego regresaba a los Estados Unidos y abogaba en nombre de los obispos estadounidenses ante el Congreso y el Departamento de Estado por políticas que ayudarían a esas situaciones particulares.

Después de establecer los primeros contactos con los líderes de la iglesia local, siempre me ponía en contacto con Catholic Relief Services (CRS) que presta servicios en esos lugares en particular. CRS es el brazo humanitario global de la iglesia en los Estados Unidos. Hasta ahora, CRS ha ofrecido ayuda humanitaria a personas en más de 100 países de todo el mundo. Fui testigo del tremendo y estratégico trabajo de CRS, ya que se adapta a las necesidades de las circunstancias locales. Cuando ISIS masacró a yazidíes, musulmanes y cristianos en los Altos de Nínive, los sobrevivientes huyeron a las regiones del norte de Irak. Me reconfortó encontrar a CRS presente en Duhok, en el norte de Irak, no solo proporcionando suministros humanitarios para familias y apoyo emocional para niños traumatizados; también negociaron con los propietarios de casas inacabadas, ofreciendo impermeabilizar las casas a cambio de permitir que las familias que habían huido de Nínive permanecieran en sus hogares durante los meses de invierno glaciales. Este es solo un ejemplo del tipo de ayuda humanitaria estratégica que CRS proporciona en todo el mundo.

Lamentablemente, el mundo no escasea cuando se trata de crisis humanitarias. Afortunadamente, CRS siempre está presente para brindar asistencia sin importar raza, religión o etnia.

CRS se financia con donaciones privadas y contratos gubernamentales (USAID). El presupuesto total de USAID, aunque considerable, representa menos del 1% del presupuesto federal total. Se han planteado inquietudes sobre el uso indebido de los fondos de USAID. Esas inquietudes deberían investigarse y, de ser así, interrumpirse las asignaciones. Sin embargo, como dice el refrán, ¡no tiremos al bebé junto con el agua de la bañera! Los programas deberían examinarse e investigarse, y interrumpirse cuando se asignen de manera inapropiada.

Aunque la tradición judeocristiana influyó mucho en la fundación de los Estados Unidos, nuestro amado país es pluralista. Sin embargo, creo que todas las religiones principales, así como los humanistas seculares, estarían de acuerdo en que ayudar a los seres humanos que se encuentran en extrema necesidad es esencial para la humanidad. En nuestra tradición cristiana, pienso en la parábola de Jesús sobre Lázaro y el hombre rico, que enseña que el cuidado de los pobres es esencial para la vida humana y cristiana (Lc 16:19-31). Estados Unidos es el país más rico del mundo y ha sido un faro de esperanza en muchos casos en todo el mundo. Rezo para que sigamos siéndolo. Con menos del 1% de nuestro presupuesto, creo que podemos permitírnoslo.

 

Obispo Oscar Cantú
Diócesis de San José

Chứng Nhân Lòng Chúa Thương Xót: Công Việc Quan Trọng của Tổ Chức Dịch Vụ Cứu Trợ Công Giáo

English | Spanish

Kính gửi quý anh chị em,

Vài năm trước, tôi đảm nhận vị trí chủ tịch Ủy Ban Công Lý và Hòa Bình Quốc Tế trực thuộc hội đồng giám mục. Trong vai trò đó, hàng năm tôi đã đi đến nhiều nơi trên thế giới đang phải đối mặt với một số vấn đề khó khăn nghiêm trọng nhất ở Trung Đông, Châu Á, Châu Phi và Châu Mỹ La-tinh. Những chuyến đi mục vụ này trước hết nhằm thể hiện tinh thần liên đới của giáo hội Hoa Kỳ với những cộng đoàn đang chịu đựng khó khăn gian khổ. Đồng thời, tôi sẽ quan sát tình hình địa phương và lắng nghe nhiều tiếng nói khác nhau (giáo dân và giáo sĩ, xã hội dân sự, giới ngoại giao, chính phủ, v.v.) để hiểu sâu hơn nguyên nhân của các cuộc xung đột, nhu cầu nhân đạo và tâm linh của họ, cũng như suy nghĩ của họ về các giải pháp khả thi cho những cuộc xung đột này. Sau đó, tôi sẽ trở về Hoa Kỳ và thay mặt hội đồng giám mục Hoa Kỳ vận động Quốc Hội và Bộ Ngoại Giao nhằm thúc đẩy những chính sách có thể hỗ trợ cho những tình huống cụ thể đó.

Sau khi liên lạc lần đầu với các nhà lãnh đạo giáo hội địa phương, tôi luôn kết nối với tổ chức Dịch Vụ Cứu Trợ Công Giáo (CRS) phục vụ tại những địa điểm cụ thể đó. CRS là chi nhánh nhân đạo toàn cầu của giáo hội Hoa Kỳ. Cho đến nay, CRS đã thực hiện cứu trợ nhân đạo cho người dân tại hơn 100 quốc gia trên thế giới. Tôi đã chứng kiến nỗ lực to lớn và mang tính chiến lược của CRS khi tổ chức này thích ứng với nhu cầu thực tế của từng địa phương. Khi ISIS thảm sát người Yazidi, người Hồi Giáo và người Ki-tô giáo trên cao nguyên Nineveh, những người sống sót đã chạy trốn đến các khu vực phía bắc Iraq. Tôi cảm thấy ấm lòng khi chứng kiến CRS có mặt tại Duhok, miền bắc Iraq, không chỉ cung cấp nhu yếu phẩm nhân đạo cho các gia đình và hỗ trợ tinh thần cho trẻ em bị sang chấn; họ còn đàm phán với chủ sở hữu của những ngôi nhà chưa hoàn thiện, đề nghị chống chịu thời tiết cho những ngôi nhà này để đổi lấy việc cho phép những gia đình đã chạy trốn khỏi Nineveh được trú ngụ trong những tháng mùa đông giá lạnh. Đây chỉ là một ví dụ về cách CRS thực hiện cứu trợ nhân đạo mang tính chiến lược trên thế giới.

Thật không may, thế giới đầy rẫy những cuộc khủng hoảng nhân đạo. May mắn là CRS đã có mặt để hỗ trợ mà không phân biệt chủng tộc, tôn giáo hoặc dân tộc.

CRS được tài trợ từ cả các khoản đóng góp tư nhân và hợp đồng chính phủ (Cơ Quan Phát Triển Quốc Tế Hoa Kỳ [USAID]). Tổng ngân sách của USAID mặc dù khá lớn nhưng chỉ chiếm chưa đến 1% tổng ngân sách liên bang. Đã có nhiều quan ngại về việc sử dụng sai mục đích quỹ USAID. Các mối quan ngại này nên được điều tra và ngừng việc phân bổ nếu đúng như vậy. Tuy nhiên, chúng ta hãy thận trọng để tránh sai lầm! Các chương trình nên được xem xét, điều tra và ngừng lại khi được phân bổ không phù hợp.

Mặc dù truyền thống Do Thái giáo – Ki-tô giáo ảnh hưởng rất lớn đến nền tảng của Hoa Kỳ nhưng đất nước thân yêu của chúng ta là một đất nước theo chủ nghĩa đa nguyên. Tuy nhiên, tôi tin rằng tất cả các tôn giáo lớn, cũng như những người theo chủ nghĩa nhân văn thế tục, đều đồng ý rằng việc giúp đỡ những người đồng loại đang trong cơn hoạn nạn là điều cần thiết đối với nhân loại. Trong truyền thống Ki-tô giáo của chúng ta, tôi nghĩ đến dụ ngôn của Chúa Giê-su về Lazarô và người phú hộ giàu có, dạy rằng việc quan tâm người nghèo là yếu tố cốt lõi của đời sống con người và đời sống Ki-tô hữu (Lk 16:19-31). Hoa Kỳ là quốc gia giàu có nhất thế giới và đã trở thành ngọn hải đăng hy vọng cho nhiều hoàn cảnh hoạn nạn trên toàn thế giới. Tôi cầu nguyện rằng chúng ta sẽ tiếp tục giữ vững sứ mệnh đó. Với mức chi tiêu chưa đến 1% ngân sách, tôi tin rằng chúng ta hoàn toàn có khả năng thực hiện điều đó.

Giám Mục Oscar Cantú
Giáo Phận San Jose

Witness to Mercy: The Vital Work of Catholic Relief Services

Spanish | Vietnamese

Dear brothers and sisters,

Some years ago, I served as the chairman of the bishops’ Committee for International Justice and Peace. In that capacity, I traveled each year to parts of the world facing some of the gravest hardships in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The purpose of these pastoral trips was, first of all, to express solidarity on behalf of the church in the United States with those suffering hardship. Secondly, I would observe the local situation and listen to a variety of voices (church lay and clergy, civil society, diplomatic, governmental, etc.) in order to understand deeply the dynamics of the conflicts, their humanitarian and spiritual needs, as well as their thoughts on possible solutions to such conflicts. I would then return to the U.S. and advocate on behalf of the U.S. bishops to Congress and the State Department for policy that would help those particular situations.

After making first contacts with local church leaders, I always connected with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) serving in those particular locations. CRS is the global humanitarian arm of the church in the United States. Up until now CRS has offered humanitarian relief to people in over 100 countries across the globe. I was a witness to the tremendous and strategic work of CRS, as it adapted to the needs of the local circumstances. When ISIS had massacred Yazidis, Muslims, and Christians on the Nineveh heights, survivors fled to the northern regions of Iraq. I was heartened to find CRS present in Duhok, in northern Iraq, not only providing humanitarian supplies for families and emotional support for traumatized children; they also negotiated with the owners of unfinished houses, offering to weatherize the houses in exchange for allowing the families who had fled Nineveh to stay in their homes during the bitterly cold winter months. This is just one example of the kind of strategic humanitarian aid that CRS provides around the globe.

Unfortunately, the world is not scarce when it comes to humanitarian crises. Thankfully, CRS has been present to provide assistance without regard to race, religion, or ethnicity.

CRS is funded by both private donations and government contracts (USAID). The total budget of USAID, while sizable, represents less than 1% of the total federal budget. Concerns have been raised that USAID funds have been misused. Those concerns should be investigated and the allocations discontinued, if true. However, let us not throw out the proverbial baby with the bath water! Programs should be scrutinized and investigated, and discontinued when inappropriately allocated.

While the Judeo-Christian tradition heavily influenced the foundation of the United States, our beloved country is a pluralistic one. Yet, I believe that all major religions, as well as secular humanists, would agree that helping fellow human beings in dire need is essential to humanity. In our Christian tradition, I think of Jesus’ parable about Lazarus and the rich man, teaching that care for the poor is essential to human and Christian living (Lk 16:19-31). The United States is the wealthiest country in the world, and one that has been a beacon of hope in many instances across the world. I pray that we will continue to be so. At less than 1% of our budget, I believe we can afford it.

Bishop Oscar Cantú
Diocese of San Jose