How would you describe the Church’s presence in the greater San José area?

The Catholic Church in San José embodies a beautiful paradox — we are both historic and new. Our Catholic roots trace back to the founding of Mission Santa Clara in 1777, yet we are also the youngest diocese in California, established in 1981. This unique blend gives us a deep sense of legacy — and a fresh urgency to evangelize in the present moment.

We serve nearly 525,000 Catholics in the heart of Silicon Valley, where innovation is constant, but roots are rare. Many residents weren’t born here and don’t plan to stay permanently. In this transient, fast-paced environment, the Church offers something deeply needed: roots — a place to belong, to believe, and to pause in the presence of God amid the relentless pace of innovation.

Every Sunday, Mass is celebrated in more than 15 languages, a vivid sign of our incredibly diverse population and of the beauty of the universal Church made visible in one county. We serve a community marked by extremes — from startup founders with extraordinary wealth to families struggling to make rent, from tech executives to newly arrived farm workers, from the deeply devout to those questioning God’s existence altogether.

Within this complexity, the Church remains a steady, merciful presence. We don’t simply exist here; we actively walk alongside people, helping them encounter Christ in the Eucharist and live out His love in a fast-moving, often overwhelming world. Through the stories we share and the connections we foster, we create space for authentic belonging that transcends the temporary nature of Silicon Valley’s culture.

What are the challenges of serving a community where language is such a crucial consideration?

It’s one thing to translate a message; it’s another to build trust through language. In our diocese, English, Spanish, and Vietnamese are our core languages, but translation is merely the beginning of authentic communication. We’ve learned the critical importance of checking and rechecking translations — not only for technical accuracy but for tonal and pastoral resonance.

We involve native speakers who understand both the cultural nuances and the specific language of the Church, ensuring our message carries the same heart across all communities.

We pay equally close attention to visual representation. Whether on our website, in our bi-monthly magazine, The Valley Catholic, or across social media, we carefully review images to reflect a diverse range of ages, cultures, and experiences. If we want people to truly know they are welcome and belong in the Church, we need to show them — not just tell them — through the stories and faces we feature.

Translation isn’t simply a technical task — it’s a ministry of connection. Like all ministry, it requires deep listening, genuine humility, and the willingness to invest time and resources to do it well. The stories we tell must resonate authentically in each language, carrying not just information but also meaning and invitation. We’re still learning every day, but that’s our guiding purpose — to ensure every person can hear the Gospel in their heart language and see themselves reflected in the life of our diocese.

Language and culture are related, but ultimately they’re two different things.

Can you give examples of ways in which you must adapt to or accommodate the cultural differences in the diocese?

Culture extends far beyond language. We strive to build communications that genuinely reflect the diverse people we serve and minister alongside. This means being intentional about storytelling, scheduling, and cultural context — not just for accuracy but for authentic connection.

Our editorial calendar includes culturally significant days and celebrations, like Santo Niño, Tết, Simbang Gabi, and Our Lady of Guadalupe. But our approach goes deeper than marking events — we aim to tell personal stories that reveal the lived faith of our communities. Jesus didn’t begin with programs — he told stories that revealed who God is. That’s our model and inspiration.

In The Valley Catholic, on our website, and through our Invited podcast, we focus on real people living their faith: a teacher living her vocation, a young adult returning to church, a family strengthened through the sacraments. These stories form hearts in ways no bullet point or brochure ever could, creating bridges of understanding across cultures.

We constantly ask: Are we seeing the whole Body of Christ? Who’s missing from our platforms right now? Whose story will inspire others to connect with Jesus in a new way? This ongoing discernment shapes our communications ministry as we strive to create spaces where every cultural experience is honored and valued.

Bishop Cantú created a pastoral plan in 2023 that builds toward 2031 and the 50th Jubilee of the Diocese, and simultaneously, the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s appearance and message to St. Juan Diego.

How do you implement such a sweeping plan among such a diverse community of Catholics?

We approach the pastoral plan as a journey of spiritual renewal, not a mechanical checklist of programs. At the heart of “Renewed in Christ, Together in Mission” is a beautiful vision: a Church fully alive, overflowing with the love of Jesus Christ, where all people are welcomed, encounter His real presence in the Eucharist, and are empowered to go forth to bring His healing love to a broken world.

Bishop Cantú, deeply inspired by the witness of Our Lady of Guadalupe, reminds us that true evangelization begins with meeting people where they are at — honoring the sacred dignity of each person we serve. Our Lady’s approach wasn’t one of institutional power — it was personal, loving, culturally relevant, and rooted in genuine presence. She succeeded in sharing Christ’s message where the friars had struggled because she spoke to Juan Diego’s heart in ways he could understand and embrace. We’ve tried to follow that same path, especially through our General, Young Adult, and Youth Assemblies and parish engagement efforts.

Implementation is about empowering laypeople to lead in partnership with their pastors and building a shared sense of ownership. Some parishes are just beginning the journey, while others are boldly moving forward with innovative approaches. In communications, our job is to keep the pastoral plan vision alive by helping people understand it through stories they can relate to — stories grounded in personal testimony that illustrate how diverse expressions of faith contribute to our shared mission. Our consistent message is:

This path to spiritual renewal includes you and your unique experience and gifts.

The pastoral plan, “Renewed in Christ, Together in Mission,” reads like a corporate strategic plan. It’s a wonderful, working document that offers parishioners concrete goals and expectations and really seems to demonstrate that the Bishop wants to see measurable growth during these years. How is the implementation of the plan working?

We’re seeing encouraging signs across our diverse communities. Parishes are creatively adapting the plan to their context. Priests are opening up new conversations with their staff and leaders around the pastoral plan objectives. Laypeople from various backgrounds feel invited to participate in the pastoral plan implementation and step into roles with renewed purpose.

Bishop Cantú has been intentional in his leadership, prioritizing listening at every step and encouraging us all to listen to understand, not merely to respond. That posture helps us to understand the breadth and depth of the Catholic experience in Silicon Valley. Like in all families, there are many different people, but we share a common faith.

To keep momentum going, our office produces monthly PPI (Pastoral Plan Implementation) updates, where we highlight progress, share practical tools, and highlight stories, quotes, and testimonials from participants across our diocese. These narratives help parishioners see themselves in the larger story of our diocese’s renewal.

Ultimately, discipleship isn’t measured in data points — it’s seen in transformed lives and strengthened communities. The plan provides us with structure and direction, but the Holy Spirit gives it power as people’s hearts are opened by sharing authentic experiences. We’re creating a culture where everyone’s faith journey contributes to our collective witness to Jesus Christ.

What wisdom can you share with other communications professionals as their bishops undertake similar efforts across the country?

I see our communications ministry as a form of spiritual hospitality. We’re not just delivering information — we’re sharing stories that move hearts across cultural boundaries. We’re not simply sharing announcements — we’re preparing a space where people from all backgrounds can encounter Christ and be called to a deeper relationship with Him and one another.

In The Valley Catholic, through our Invited podcast, and across social media, we focus on stories of transformation — not just events or ministries, but people who’ve experienced God’s grace in real ways. We’re always asking, Who is not represented in our storytelling? How can this story help someone encounter Christ? We measure success not just by reach or clicks but by feedback that says, “This reminded me I belong here,” or “This made me proud of or inspired me in my faith.”

To my fellow communicators, I’d say: be intentional, be transparent, and be deeply human. Start by listening. Show what belonging looks like in the Catholic Church. Representation matters. Calendaring matters. And storytelling? It’s not just communication — it’s formation. It helps people imagine what it means to follow Jesus today in their specific circumstances and communities.

When we share stories of love, struggle, healing, and joy from various cultural perspectives, we’re not just building the Church’s brand — we’re building up the Body of Christ in all its beautiful diversity. In a fragmented world, this work of connecting hearts through authentic storytelling may be our most important contribution to the new evangelization.