News - May 2023

Applications have closed for the 2023 "Bill Ford" CYO Scholarships. Forty-nine applications were received. The CYO Scholarship Committee is reviewing each of the applications and will select six applicants to interview with the Committee via Zoom, projected to be scheduled in mid-to late June. Three will be awarded the scholarships. The Committee reported that all of the applications are outstanding, making the selection process even harder. Those selected to be interviewed will be contacted soon.

Each year, Catholics around the globe set aside a week for prayer and action towards care for God’s creation in the spirit of the encyclical Laudato Si’ on Care for our Common Home. Pope Francis invites Catholics to hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor in responding to the climate crisis. This year, Laudato Si' is May 21-28. Resources through the link.

The mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is “a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.” ​St. Vincent de Paul is calling for volunteers to work at the West Oakland Direct Service Campus. Join their mission to feed, clothe, house and heal our neighbors. Share your passion for making a difference. Contact information through the link.

Join the California Catholic Conference’s Novena for Migrants and Asylum Seekers at the U.S. Border to pray for the migrants and asylum-seekers at the border now that Title 42 has expired and tens of thousands are expected at the southern U.S. Border each day.

The Steering Committee of the DERC are blessed to announce these four (4) initiatives geared towards greater appreciation of the centrality of the Eucharist in our life of Faith, and the role that the Blessed Mother plays in bringing us closer to her Son. Read through the link for the initiatives and how you, your ministries and parishes can become involved in these events, culminating in the weekends of September 8/9 and 15/16, 2023. For more information email: [email protected].

Bishop Barber has announced Clergy Appointments effective through June and September, 2023. Read through the link for details.

June 11, 2023, issued by the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions

The document The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church was developed by the Committee on Doctrine of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was approved by the full body of the USCCB at its November 2021 General Meeting and has been authorized for publication. Learn more at https://www.usccb.org/resources/mystery-eucharist-life-church and read the document through the link.

Han pasado más de dos años desde que el Obispo de Oakland, Michael C. Barber, S.J., pidió se formara una comisión de trabajo para evaluar cómo enfrentar los desafíos de la disminución de la asistencia a misa y las instalaciones parroquiales subutilizadas en nuestra diócesis. Estos desafíos no son exclusivos de la Diócesis de Oakland. En los Estados Unidos, las diócesis se ven afectadas por desafíos similares. Lea el informe completo a través del enlace.

It has been more than two years since the Bishop of Oakland, Michael C. Barber, S.J., called for the formulation of a task force to assess how to meet the challenges of declining Mass attendance and underutilized parish facilities in our diocese. These challenges are not unique to the Diocese of Oakland. Dioceses throughout the United States are impacted with similar challenges. For background and recommendations, read the Report through the link.

Whether you are clergy or laity, if you think you are called by God to serve in this ministry, please fill out an inquiry request and we will reach out to you to provide more information and answer any questions you may have. https://oakdiocese.org/detention-ministry-volunteers or email Dn. Richard Denoix, coordinator of Detention Ministry for the Diocese at: [email protected]. 

Each evening from June 5 through June 9, come spend an hour with Jesus and with each other at regional Holy Hours joining in prayer. Locations include Our Lady of Good Counsel, San Leandro, Divine Mercy in Oakland, Saint Bonaventure in Clayton/Concord, Saint David of Wales in Richmond and and St. Joan of Arc in San Ramon. All events at 7:00pm except of Saint David of Wales in Richmond, which begins at 5:30. More details through the link.