May 1st is another reason to celebrate Year 2021: it is the feast day of Saint Joseph the Worker! Within the 830AM Mass that day here in Church, we will have the consecration to Saint Joseph as this year is dedicated to his patronage as the pillar of the family and the protector of the Universal Church.

Concurrently this weekend, we have the Pan de Vida Confirmation retreats for Teens from April 30 to May 2, and for Parents and Sponsors on May 1. Offsite, at San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, the Band of Brothers will sponsor a men’s retreat. What a blessed weekend, indeed!

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I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the upcoming Youth Conference that Saint Raymond’s is hosting on June 11 and 12. Other than Bishop Michael Barber, Very Reverend Lawrence D’Anjou, Father Jimmy Macalinao, the priests, deacons and seminarians serving at the liturgy, we are excited to have Paul J Kim joining us to share his powerful testimonies (and his gift in music – beatboxing specifically!) to all those attending this in-person gathering designed with our youth and their families in mind.

Click the following YouTube link and watch one of the many videos of this amazing guy and how his giftedness is shared and allowed to grow in the lives of the young people touched by his Spirit-inspired words! What makes his presence at our June conference here at Saint Raymond’s is the fact that amidst the pandemic, he manages to be all over the United States and Canada for various events, and this is his only event here in California this year! (Check out his crazy schedule here!)

We will have members of our Youth Conference Steering Committee ready to answer your questions and take up registrations this weekend after the Masses. You may also sign-up online. Invite your families and friends to this free event! I promise, you will be blown away by the weekend experience!!! 

Finally, we will likewise take photos this weekend of families and individual parishioners who would like to be included in the coffee table book we are putting together for our 60th Founding Anniversary. If you have not submitted your photos yet, this weekend is the time to have yours taken at the plaza after the Masses.

Once again, thank you for your collaboration, generosity and prayers. Our community is indeed #BLESSED!

Sono semipro grate,
Father Erick

(For the 5th Sunday of Easter)