(408)206-4383
c.ourladyofpeace@servidoras.org
Community Maria Luisa Josefa del Santísimo Sacramento
2800 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Santa Clara, California
Our foundation began on August 28, 2004. Our community assists the IVE priests with the Parish ministry at Shrine of Our Lady of Peace, in Santa Clara, Diocese of San Jose, California.
Apostolates
OUR LADY OF PEACE SHRINE
Fatima Processions from May to October
These are held every 13th day of the month to honor the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 and to fulfill her call to repentance and the praying of the Rosary for peace in the world. See a short video about the processions called “Fatima Pilgrimage at Our Lady of Peace Shrine and Catholic Church” from Our Lady of Peace Shrine and Catholic Church YouTube Channel.
Catechism Program
Each year there are approximately 650 catechism students. All of the sisters teach at least one class during the week, and two sisters work in the catechism office. Throughout the year we also collaborate in special events such as the Christmas Play, Confirmation retreats, First Holy Communion Masses, and Masses in which the sacrament of Confirmation is bestowed. Our program depends on the dedicated volunteer catechists.
Adult Religious Education
Each year there are many adults who inquire about the Catholic Church. The 32-foot statue of Our Lady seen from Rte 101 seems to be a magnet for many souls who are looking for peace and direction in their lives. Like a true Mother, Our Lady brings each soul into contact with Her Son. One of our Sisters coordinates the Rite of Christian Initiation and Adult Sacramental Preparation program for the parish. She is assisted by a team of catechists and volunteers.
Family Formation Nights
Each Friday, our Priests and Sisters help organize Family Formation Nights. We gather to pray the Holy Rosary and then break into different age groups for a small faith lesson, games, crafts and a snack. We have nearly 200 people each Friday of the week!
Summer Oratory
The entire community is involved in our Summer Oratory, which is a three week long Bible camp in July. We count on the presence of IVE seminarians and a team of our sisters in formation. The 450 children who attend are divided into age groups by their grade, and then are assigned to teams within their age groups. Their daily activities include: Bible study, Holy Mass, Rosary, sports, games, arts and crafts, silent Bible reading, and scriptural memory verses. Modeled after the method of Saint John Bosco, the children earn points for their team when they practice virtues and show good sportsmanship.
Sacristy
One sister coordinates and oversees the work done in the sacristy of the Shrine. She prepares for our four – six daily Masses and ten Sunday Masses each weekend, and also takes care of the altar cloths by washing, ironing, and repairing them.
Other Parish Apostolates:
A foundational character and mission of Our Lady of Peace is perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Our Lord has been adored here perpetually since 1973. The Sisters work closely with the individuals who organize and promote this grace-filled apostolate of the parish.
The Consecration Group is a Third Order lay movement of the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word. This group seeks to spread and prepare souls for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary by means of the teachings of St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort. Each year several thousand either renew their consecration or consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary for the first time.
There are many parish groups who seek the council and assistance of our Sisters such as the many Presidium groups of the Legion of Mary, the diverse cultural groups and ministries, etc.
SAINT JOSEPH ACADEMY (http://stjosephcoop.wordpress.com)
In 2008 we began Saint Joseph Academy, a homeschooling cooperative, with a few Third Order families of the Religious Family of the Incarnate Word. Presently, we have 24 families participating in the co-op, Tuesday and Thursday mornings each week. During this time, the children attend classes with tutors (the Sisters, parents and/or volunteers) who explain the most important concepts and assign the tasks to be performed for independent study the rest of the weekdays in their respective homes.
Our Patroness | Ven. Mother Maria Luisa Joséfa of the Most Blessed Sacrament (1866-1937)
Maria Luisa de la Peña was born on June 21, 1866, the third child of fourteen in Atotonilco el Alto, Jalisco, Mexico. After a marriage of 14 years, Maria Luisa was widowed at age 29 and immediately made a vow of chastity and began to search for a convent to enter. She had formed a group of young women who dedicated themselves to Christ in the service of the sick and poor. Upon recommendation of the Archbishop on February 2, 1921 the group was called The Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred Heart. On June 24, 1927, Mother Luisa and two other sisters sought refuge in Los Angeles from the fierce religious persecutions in Mexico at that time. This arrival led to the establishment of twelve Carmels in the United States with a novitiate and eventually to the establishment of The Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, a sister-congregation to the foundation in Mexico. After two years in the United States, Mother Maria Luisa Josefa returned to Guadalajara. On February 11, 1937, she entered into eternal life.
