Speaker Bios and Topics 
 
March 13   
Dr. Pamela Bjorklund
Dr. Pamela Bjorklund is a licensed clinical psychologist and spiritual director in private practice in San Jose. In addition to being a retreat leader, she has many years of experience teaching in the ILM and Deacon Formation programs. She is a former adjunct professor of spirituality in the Pastoral Ministries Program of Santa Clara University and is an active member of the St. John Vianney parish community. 

 
Friendship with Jesus? Deeping and Growing in Relationship with Jesus During Lent
 
Many of us aspire to sincerely be able to name Jesus as our “Lord”, “Savior”, or “Teacher”. But “Friend?”  Come spend an evening with us enjoying good company and good soup and receive some tools that will help your relationship with Jesus to grow and deepen.
 
March 20: Fr. Kevin Leidich, S.J. – Reflections on Luke: "So that you may realize with certainty the teachings you have received."  (Luke 1.4) 
For our prayer and reading during the season of Lent and the remainder of Cycle C (readings for this liturgical year), Fr. Kevin offers some personal and pastoral reflections on some major themes and applications of the Gospel of Luke. Fr. Kevin's reflections will highlight several Gospel stories that are unique to Luke—and how these stories provide lessons for us today.
 
Fr. Kevin has been a member of the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos pastoral staff since August 2014. He is an experienced director of eight-day retreats and a beloved spiritual director of many. He also directs individuals in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.  

 
March 27: Fr. Joe Kraemer, SJ - Praying with the Psalms 
 
Fr. Joe Kraemer, SJ currently serves as regional promoter for Northern California of the USA Jesuit West Province.  He received his MPhil from the University of London and completed his theology studies at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. Fr. Joe ordained to the priesthood in June of 2022.  He has worked at Julliard School of Music and taught dramatic writing at Barnard College in NY.  He also worked for Martin and Charlie Sheen as Creative Director of Estevez Sheen Productions at Warner Bros. in Los Angeles
 
The Psalms are a collection of a 150 songs and poems found in the Hebrew Bible. They capture the full range of human experience and emotion, from wonder and awe to anguish and gratitude. We will explore some of the specific Psalms that we hear during Holy Week as a vehicle for exploring the practice of prayer.  Please join us as we enter into the practice of praying with the help of the ancient songs of longing, comfort, wisdom and blessing.
 

 
April 3: Fr. Paul Soukup, SJ
Paul Soukup, S.J.is a professor at Santa Clara University where he teaches courses in technology and communication and does research on religious communication. He has authored or edited a number of books and works with both the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the American Bible Society on communication issues.
 
 
Standing at the Cross
What can we learn from witnessing the death of Jesus?  While most of the disciples ran away, or hid after the arrest of Jesus, some stayed and accompanied him…his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary of Magdala, an unnamed disciple (the disciple Jesus loved) and others.  What can we learn from them?
 
April 10:   Holy Spirit Music Ministry
An Evening of Prayer, Music, and Reflection
Please join Music Director, Tim Mascarinas, and our Holy Spirit Music Ministers for this beautiful way to center ourselves as we enter Holy Week beginning Palm Sunday, April 13. Join us as we reflect on this season of sacrifice, renewal, and grace in anticipation of the Lord’s Resurrection.
What to expect: Uplifting music to worship and energize your soul, powerful prayers and scripture passages to deepen our relationship with God, inspirational messages to guide your Lenten journey to Easter, and an intimate environment to express love and appreciation to God by way of music-making and growing in faith together.
All are welcome! Bring a friend and invite your loved ones as we come together in God’s presence!