New Pastoral Care Ministry Volunteers!

We were blessed with a number of new adults, children and families who were inspired to volunteer for pastoral care ministries ranging from Birthday Angels (birthday visits to nursing home residents), Communion ministers to the sick and homebound, Befrienders and Food Box volunteers. Thanks to all who signed up! You will be hearing from ministry coordinators soon. The need for volunteers continues! For more information, call the Pastoral Services office at 289-9617.

Mind, Body, Spirit

Our group had a wonderful gathering on Thursday, October 25. We talked about our favorite saints, the saints we were named for and named the living saints we've encountered in our lives. This was followed by refreshments and socializing.

Our next gathering is Thursday, November 15 from 2:00-3:30. We'll focus on Thanksgiving and all the people and events of our lives for which we are grateful.

Seniors and friends are welcome to join us! Please call the pastoral services office to RSVP: 289-9617.

Support for Laundry Workers

Members of the St. Martin of Tours Peace and Justice Commission under the leadership of William and Donna O'Connell recently spearheaded a support effort for 25 laundry workers who are on strike at Prudential Laundry in Milpitas. These workers have been on strike for several weeks and their resources have been exhausted. William and Donna have been visiting the workers and hearing their stories. Twenty-five food boxes including grocery certificates were packed and delivered to these workers in conjunction with the Food Box Ministry. Please keep these workers and all of the working poor in your prayers.

Mind, Body, Spirit

Mind, Body, Spirit is a support group for frail seniors. Pastoral care ministers provide transportation to the Community Building at St. Martin's and participate in a variety of activities including health education, a spiritual component, food and socializing. The sessions are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 2:00-3:30. If you would like to participate or know of someone who would benefit from this gathering, please call the Pastoral Services Office at 289-9617.

Anti-Poverty Pledge

Stand up and Speak Out
Anti-Poverty Pledge
October 17, 2007

We stand here proudly as members of St. Martin of Tours, which supports the Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty and the Millennium Development Goals.

We cannot stay seated when a child born in a poor country today will die thirty years earlier than a child born into a wealthy one – when tens of thousands of people die unnecessarily every day.

And we stand up not because we are asking for charity, but for justice. We know that in our names, world leaders have made mighty promises to bring this to an end. They are called the Millennium Development Goals.

What is needed is the political will to achieve and exceed these goals – so we are on our feet to say:

All:
To the leaders of wealthy countries: Be great. Fight to keep your promises – debt cancellation, more and better aid, and trade rules that help fight poverty. You know what needs to be done. Do it.

We also stand before the leaders of poorer counties to say: Be great. Make it your first responsibility to save the lives of your poorest citizens. We ask you to achieve real transparency and accountability in how your money is spent, to tackle inequality, to root out corruption. You know what needs to be done. Do it.

We wish to set a record for the number of people standing up to demand action on poverty – but the record we really want to break is the world’s record of breaking promises and just ignoring the poor every year for the rest of our lives.

We are six billion voices. We want justice now. No more excuses. We will not stand for them.

For more information, visit Catholic Relief Services at www.crs.org and the U.S. Bishop's Anti-Poverty Campaign at www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa.

Grief Support - Day of Healing

“Those whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before.
They are now wherever we are.” St. John Chrysostom

If you are grieving the loss of someone dear to you, you are invited to participate in a day of healing facilitated by Sr. Jane Garrison, chaplain with Hospice of the Valley.

Sr. Jane has helped many people deal with hurts and losses in their lives. This day will also help you to prepare for the upcoming holidays, which can be especially difficult.

Saturday, November 3, 2007
9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
Bailey House, St. Martin of Tours
RSVP or Questions: 289-9617
Please Join Us!

Food Box Ministry

St. Martin's has a long tradition of serving the poor. One of the ways we serve includes collecting, sorting, packing and delivering food boxes to those in need. You are invited to bring non-perishable foods to Mass each weekend and place them in the entry-way bins. The third week of each month, the food is inventoried and prepared for packing.

On the third Friday, people of all ages are invited to join us in the gym from 6:00-8:00 p.m. to pack the boxes. As you can see from the pictures, this is a fun and lively event for all who participate!