Through extraordinary parishioner generosity, the 2023 Bishop’s Ministries Appeal – I Am With You Always – has raised 73% of the $3 million goal! With everyone’s help, we can not only reach our goal, we can surpass it! Please help your parish towards its goal – funds raised over and above your parish’s goal are returned to the parish for its own needs. Appeal ends December 31 – please donate today at https://oakdiocese.org/bishops-appeal-donation-page.

Updates to The Catholic Voice mailing list are made monthly. Thank you to the parishes that keep us up to date. Any changes received this week will be made for the December issue. After that, they will be made for the January 2O24 issue. Please send mailing list additions, subtractions and changes to mjurich@oakdiocese.org.

Submissions of events in March, April and May 2024 are welcome. If there is a major event in 2024 -- a 50th or 100th anniversary celebration for your parish, for example -- please let us know so we may get it on our calendar. Submissions to mjurich@oakdiocese.org.

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 for the entire year. (*Note: Accuracy of information included here is entirely the responsibility of those submitting it.)

Read through the link for clergy assignments and appointments to the College of Consultors and 2023 Presbyteral Council.

Click through the link for Black Saint Feast Days in the month of October.

Read through the link for recent appointments effective in August and September, 2023

On September 14,  the Holy See shared prayers inviting the faithful from around the world to prayerfully participate in the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops that will open in the Vatican on October 4.

To prepare for Jubilee 2025, Pope Francis asked us to reflect on the four Constitutions of Vatican II. This series will revisit these documents and see how we have implemented them and how they challenge us to grow even more. The series runs from September 20, 2023 through October 11, 2023 and is led by Dr. Michael Galvan. Dr. Galvan received his Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Details and registration through the link.

Thrive in your faith at St. Benedict's with events throughout the month of October. Schedule through the link.

We are at the final stage of planning and preparing for the Diocesan Eucharistic Revival Congress coming up in a few weeks at the Cathedral of Christ the Light.  Please find a few updates to be shared through the link. Updates available in English and Spanish.

Bishop Barber invites all those who coordinate RCIA, RCIC and Youth and Adult Confirmations in the Diocese of Oakland to a 1-Hour Meeting where he will provide updates on Confirmation Policies for Adults, Youth, and Children. At least on representative per parish is required. ​​​​​​​Please note: Participation in these meetings will be required in order for your parish confirmation dates to be secured. Info and registration through the link.

Dear Parish Music Directors, The Catholic Voice would to publish a list of Advent and Christmas concerts in the December issue. Please consider sending your concert information by Oct. 10, 2023 to Michele Jurich, editor, at mjurich@oakdiocese.org. (Yes, I know that's so early.) Photos welcome!

Click through the link for Black Saint Feast Days in the month of September.

The Diocesan Eucharistic Revival Congress committee shares the following important updates to share about the merging of the Spanish Youth session with the English youth session, temporary online registration opening and closing dates, and Diocesan Adoration Wave signups. Details through the link.

Bishop Barber has issued the following invitation to participate in the Diocesan Eucharistic Revival Congress.