News - HOME

The Most Reverend Bishop of Oakland invites each of us to meditate and raise awareness about vocations during the month of November. Watch his video message through the link and share with your Parish.

East Bay community members, including public officials and local faith leaders, joined together in the courtyard at Oakland’s Temple Beth Abraham to stand against antisemitism. Bishop Barber was honored to join the event.

On the fourth anniversary of Laudato Si', the California Bishops have issued a pastoral statement to renew and reengage our commitment to caring for our common home. Resources will be available for the Nov. 14 statewide parish Laudato Si Action Platform Plan. Learn more on our Environmental Justice page.

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has appointed Father Jimmy Macalinao as the diocesan point of contact for Synod 2021- 2023, a universal synod called by Pope Francis which opened on Oct. 10, 60 years after Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council.

Ceasefire Walks: Actively preventing homicides and gun violence through Ceasefire, a partnership with the City of Oakland and other community partners that includes  weekly night walks and call-ins. Details for October, November and December Ceasefire Walks available through the link.

The Annual Bishop’s Appeal is now at $2,346,670 or 78% of the goal. Thank you to all those parishes who made a second announcement and mentioned the appeal in your bulletins. Additional details through the link.

The MAP Commission is seeking input from parishioners, parochial administrators, and clergy in the Diocese of Oakland. Learn more in this video from MAP Co-Chairs and take the survey October 14 - November 22.

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has made several clergy appointments that take effect on Nov. 1, 2021.

Justice for Immigrants has shared an urgent Call to Action to Congress to provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of essential workers and their families, Dreamers, farm workers and TPS holders in the upcoming reconciliation package. More information through the link.

The California Catholic Conference has issued a statement with regard to the World Day of Refugees and Migrants, Sept. 26. Follow the link to read the statement and learn more.

"Don’t Slander St. Junípero Serra", published Sept. 12, 2021 in The Wall Street Journal, by the leaders of the Archdioceses of San Francisco and Los Angeles. Spanish version also available through the link.

The weekend of Sept. 11 & 12 is a second collection weekend in support of the Priest Retirement Fund. There are currently 50 retired priests in our Diocese who continue to serve our faith community. We are grateful for your support.

Bishop Barber has authorized a second collection to be taken up to support our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Please hold this collection on September 4th and 5th or at your first opportunity. Detailed information available through the link.

El Obispo Michael Barber, SJ, afirma que las exenciones religiosas no son posibles debido a que que el Vaticano ha declarado que es moralmente permisible que los católicos reciban la vacuna contra el COVID-19. Reconociendo que los católicos deben seguir sus conciencia, el Obispo establece una distinción entre objeciones por motivos religiosos y objeciones por razones de conciencia.

Bishop Michael Barber, SJ, states that religious exemptions are not possible since the Vatican has declared it is morally permissible for Catholics to receive the vaccine against COVID-19. Acknowledging that Catholics must follow their consciences, he draws a distinction between religious objections and conscientious objections.

Pope Francis has joined with Bishops & Archbishops across North and South America to urge people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Read more and watch the recorded public service announcement through the link.

New order updates the previous August 2, 2021 order regarding masks indoors. New exceptions for necessary participation in religious activities. Read through the link.

Follow the link for Bishop Barber's letter to parishes supporting the life-affirming work of RealOptions clinics.

This Order requires all individuals within the County of Alameda to wear face coverings when indoors in workplaces and public settings, with limited exemptions, and recommends that businesses make face coverings available to individuals entering the business.

This Order of the Health Officer requires all persons to wear face coverings while inside indoor public settings located in Contra Costa County (“County”), regardless of whether they have been fully vaccinated against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”), unless specifically exempted from the face covering requirement.