Dear Brothers & Sisters:
Sadly enough, forty-eight years ago today, one of the most basic human rights was taken away with the legalization of abortion with the Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade. While heralded as a break-through for women, many women are now dealing with the psychological, emotional, and physical effects of this choice in their life.
This psychological effect was clearly evident at a dinner I had with a young couple a few years ago. We were having an amazing conversation about the faith, and I saw an opportune moment to invite them to a weekend retreat.
The wife, with her head hung low said, “I’m sorry Father, we can’t go on the retreat, because my husband and I were big sinners before we were married”. I encouragingly said, “Yes, we are all sinners, that’s why Jesus came to save us”. With tears welling up in her eyes she continued, “You don’t understand, before I was married, I had an abortion with my ex-boyfriend and my husband, he paid for the abortion for his ex-girlfriend. For this reason, we can’t go on this retreat!”
I won’t go into the long spiritual counseling session, but she was expressing intense feelings of remorse, grief, guilt, anger, depression, and despair as she cried out, “If I had the opportunity to do it all over again, I would much rather have chosen giving birth to my baby, with all the possible consequences and hardships rather than to suffer the rest of my life knowing the devastating choice I made.”
At the end, she made an amazing confession along with her husband as they received the healing grace of God’s forgiveness. Their tears of grief were replaced with tears of joy as they heard the consoling prayer of absolution.
I share this story to let you know that we are here for you, and to encourage you to never be afraid of encountering Jesus’ loving and healing embrace through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
As a Christian family, let us unite with our fellow brothers and sisters throughout the world praying for a return to the respect and dignity of the human person, never forgetting that the most basic human right is the right to life itself. And because we believe that all human life is sacred, it must be protected for all persons, from conception to natural death.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John L. Poncini
Masses for This Weekend ~ Outdoors
Reservations are recommended (click here to reserve).
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- Saturday @ 4:00 PM at St. William (Tent behind Hall)
- Sunday @ 8:00 AM at St. Nicholas (Courtyard)
- Sunday @ 10:00 AM at St. William (Tent behind Hall)
- Sunday @ 12:00 PM at St. William (Tent behind Hall)
- Sunday @ 4:00 PM at St. William (Tent behind Hall)
- Sunday @ 4:00 PM (French-speaking) at St. Nicholas (Courtyard)
We will continue to Livestream Sunday Mass at 11:00am for those at home.
Please check our homepage often for future updates.
ADA 2021: Journeying Together in Hope
A letter and brochure regarding this year’s Annual Diocesan Appeal (ADA) was mailed to all registered parishioners this week. By taking part in this year’s “Journeying Together in Hope” ADA Campaign, you are supporting the ministries and services of our diocese and local parishes.
Please give this appeal your prayerful consideration, and help us reach our parish goal of $370,000. All donations above this amount, will be returned to our parish.
Please contact Lidia at the parish office with any questions: Lidia.fiandeiro@dsj.org
Make your ADA gift online or print and mail your pledge card.
Or use TEXT to make a gift:
Text ADA to 408.317.0990 and f0llow the prompts.
Drive-Thru Confessions
Every Saturday in St. William Parking Lot: 2:30PM – 3:30PM
Help Us Continue Our Mission
Now you can give online, by check, or send a text!
- Use your phone and TEXT the word GIVE to 650-200-2585 and follow the prompts.
- Donate ONLINE ~ make a one-time donation or setup a recurring gift
- Hand deliver or mail your CHECK to St. Nicholas & St. William at 473 Lincoln. Ave., Los Altos, CA 94022
Virtual Walk for Life Novena
January 21-29 from 7:00- 8:30 PM each evening
Speaker: Bishop Oscar Cantu on January 22nd
The Office of Life, Justice and Peace in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting for the 9 Days Novena for Life. Sessions will be in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
St. Nicholas School Virtual Open House
Sunday, January 31st
- 11:00am – Intro to St. Nicholas
- 11:30am – TK & Kindergarten
- 12:00pm – 1st – 5th Session 1
- 12:30pm – 1st – 5th Session 2
- 1:00pm – Jr. High (6th-8th)
- 2:00pm – Parent & Student Panel
Please contact Cheryl Caligaris at 650-941-4056 Ext 202 or ccaligaris@stnicholaslah.com for more information about St. Nicholas School.
Upcoming Event: Angst
Virtual screening of this documentary will be on February 8th at 5:30pm.
Register for FREE and learn more today.
Save the Date: The WatchParty
St. Nicholas School Virtual Auction will be held on April 24th, 2021. Save the date!