In July Bishop Barber blessed the expanded Order of Malta Clinic, which provides free medical care. You can read more about this in the August issue of The Catholic Voice. Click through this link to find pdfs that can be used in parish bulletins and digital channels to promote this important service.

CURSILLO FALL WEEKENDS: Men's, Women's and a combined weekend event at St. Elizabeth Seton in Pleasanton. Details and application information through the link.

Are you passionate about social justice and dedicated to working with people? Are you bilingual and enthusiastic about bridging the service gap for the Latino community in Contra Costa County? The Society of St. Vincent de Paul may have the perfect opportunity for you if you are interested plaese contact Stephen Krank at s.krank@svdp-cc.org. See full description through the link.

For the Diocese faithful attending the National Eucharistic Congress July 17-21 in Indianapolis, we have t-shirt sets (five t-shirts - one specific to each day of the trip) and a luncheon opportunity with Bishop Barber. You can purchase these add-ons via the Eucharistic Revival page through the link. Deadline: June 23.

September is almost here. If your school or parish is hosting a festival in September or October, the time to let The Catholic Voice know is now. Please send information on date, time, name of festival, location (parish and/or school), what to expect (concerts? art? the best BBQ ever?), contact email or website to Christine Schreck at cschreck@oakdiocese.org by July 11. If you have a flier, it most likely will not appear in print ... but there's always social media!

The African American Pastoral Center shares a dialogue from Georgetown University’s Racial Justice Institute and Center on Faith and Justice. Watch the video through the link.

The death of a loved one is unlike any other loss.  Although there is no right or wrong path, these are the stepping stones that are part of each grief journey, and we will explore them in our bi-monthly meetings. Details including meeting dates in June, July, and August, available through the link.

The Bishops of California have been working with the California Catholic Conference staff and our own diocesan staff to launch RADIATE LOVE, an initiative to promote marriage and family life to support our people and curb the divorce and plummeting birth rates in California. It will begin July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025, and include a summit to see how clergy and marriage and family life ministry leaders can further this initiative. Details and resources through the link.

The African American Pastoral Center invites you to celebrate the rich unity and harmony of the People of God in the diversity of our origins and traditions! We are sharing this month's Saints and we enthusiastically encourage and invite a representative of EACH of the communities to submit the name and year of death information for saints of their ethnic group.

Newsletter alert! Checkout our new Life & Social Justice Ministry newsletter through the link. Be sure to signup!

Save the date: July 26-28, 2024 for the National Black Sisters' Conference gathering in Louisville Kentucky. Black Catholic women are called, blessed and sent! Registration and room reservation information through the link.

For a zoom or phone meeting with the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr. Carl Arcosa, visit https://calendly.com/carlarcosa/vocations. Live url through the link.

Open Enrollment for medical benefits for schools and parishes began May 17, 2024 and will end on June 3,2024. If you are not making any changes to your plans, no action is required. For more information, contact your site administrator.

The Serra Catechetical Institute (SCI) is a one-year formation process for parish and Catholic school catechists, parents, and all adults who want to know their Catholic faith better and be able to hand it on more effectively. Participants will receive a solid introduction to the Catholic faith in 60 hours of basic catechetical formation. Additional Information and registration through the link.

Ignatian Companions, a ministry of the Jesuits West Province, is a unique program that invites mature adults to deepen their relationship with God through prayer and service. The program starts with a one-day retreat on Saturday, August 24. Monthly gatherings at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley are held from September through June. For more information, visit our website, ignatiancompanions.org or contact Marco Matute at marco@ignatiancompanions.org or 415-297-7954.

Read through the link for Resources for the Feast Day of St. Dymphna, Patroness of Mental Health & Protection from Domestic Abuse.

Celebrating Our First Communicants, An Invitation from Bishop Barber for a June 2, 2024 Mass and Eucharistic Procession at the Cathedral of Christ the Light.

The Office of Life and Social Justice is committed to supporting our Diocese youth and continuing to build opportunities for them to fully live our Catholic values. Read the story of our Carondelet High School Pro Life Club through the link.