September 21, 2009   •   VOL. 47, NO. 16   •   Oakland, CA

Concert at Cathedral Artists Vocal Ensemble will perform the music of Mozart, Haydn, Mendelssohn and Schubert at the Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. in a musical trip to Old Vienna under the direction of Jonathan Dimmock. AVE will donate half of the admission price to the Order of Malta’s Medical Clinic and the Legal Justice Center, both located at the cathedral. $20 General Admission; $10 Students and Seniors. Tickets available at the door.

Friday, Sept. 25
Taize: An Evening of Prayer Around the Cross. 8 p.m. at St. Joseph Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St., Alameda. An ecumenical, candlelit service of prayer offered in simple chant, Scripture readings, silent worship and veneration of the Cross.

Tuesday, Sept. 29
Stations of the Cross. 7:30 – 8:30 p.m., Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, Motherhouse Chapel, 43326 Mission Blvd. (off Mission Tierra), Fremont.

Oct. 1 – 4
Men’s Cursillo Weekend. At Holy Redeemer Center, 8945 Golf Links Road, Oakland Information: www.oakdiocesecursillo.org or Dave Grubbs, (925) 484-0862, Carolyn Steele, (925) 648-4890.

Saturday, Oct. 3
Blessing of the Animals. 2 p.m. at San Damiano Retreat in Danville. The Franciscan Friars of the center will bless all your feathered, furry and four-legged friends. Free and open to the public.

Presentation Sisters Afternoon of Prayer. Join Sisters of the Presentation to explore what you want to do with your life. Reflect and pray on your personal gifts and whether God is calling you to married, single or religious life. Sr. Stephanie Still, (415) 422-5020 or sstill@pbvmsf.org. 1 – 4 p.m.

Blessing of the Animals. Church of St. Leo the Great, 176 Ridgeway Ave., Oakland, 10 a.m. All animals are welcome. Please have carrier or leash.

Sunday, Oct. 4
Taize Prayer Around the Cross. 7 p.m. at Resurrection Episcopal, 399 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. All are welcome to gather in prayer and in a spirit of ecumenism. Sponsored by four Pleasant Hill congregations (Christ the King Catholic Church, Hillcrest Congregational Church, Church of the Resurrection Episcopal, and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church).

First Tuesday of the month
Lectio Divina – Faith Sharing with Scripture. 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, Motherhouse Chapel, 43326 Mission Blvd. (off Mission Tierra), Fremont.

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Perpetual
Divine Mercy Center and Perpetual Adoration Chapel, 11152 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. (510) 412-4715, divinemercyjesus@aol.com, or www.DivineMercyWestCoast.org.

St. Agnes Parish, 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord.  To enter between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. requires an access code. Call (925) 689-0838 to schedule your hour.

Daily
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Most Holy Rosary Church, 1313 A St., Antioch. (925) 757-4020.

Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Mary’s House of Mercy, 1850 Church Lane, San Pablo.

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday in the convent), 2 – 9 p.m. (Wednesdays in the church) at St. Bede Parish, 26950 Patrick Ave., Hayward. (510) 782-2171.

Mondays, Wednesdays
12:45 – 6:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton.

Tuesdays
St. Jarlath Church, Mary’s Chapel, 2620 Pleasant St., Oakland. Rosary and Adoration, 6 p.m.; Benediction, 6:45 p.m. English and Spanish.

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays
7 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Thursdays. and Fridays), 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Saturdays) at St. Mary Church, 2039 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek.

Fridays
8 a.m. – 8:45 p.m. (Benediction at 8:45 p.m.), in the chapel at St. Michael Parish, 458 Maple St., Livermore. (925) 447-1585.

Fourth Tuesday of the month
7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, Motherhouse Chapel, 43326 Mission Blvd. (off Mission Tierra), Fremont.

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Sept. 25 – 27
Recovery Retreat. At San Damiano Retreat in Danville. Presenter: Jesuit Father Tom Weston. “A Simple and Practical Life: Living in the World of Recovery.” All members of 12-step recovery programs are welcome. $195 shared room/$220 private room. Kateri, (925) 837-9141, ext. 315, or online registration: www.sandamiano.org.

Oct. 2 – 4
Renew Broken Hearts Retreat. Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat, Santa Rosa. A confidential retreat, sponsored by the Diocese of Oakland, will offer a loving and supportive environment where women and men can reconcile painful post-abortive emotions and begin the process of renewal and healing. For confidential inquiries: (707) 967-1101 or rachelsvineyard@gmail.com.

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Friday, Sept. 25
Bingo. All Saints Church auditorium, 22824 2nd St., Hayward, 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome for games, raffle, door prizes. Ten games, $1 per card. Pot split 50/50. Sponsored by All Saints YLI. Funds for charitable causes. Bette, (510) 538-5447.

Saturday, Sept. 26
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County – Walk for the Poor. Walk with friends and family around Moreau Catholic High School athletic field in Hayward. Funds raised can be directed at your local SVdP Parish Conference or the SVdP District Council. 9 a.m. registration. Information/registration: www.svdpfriendsofthepoorwalk.org or call Brian, (510) 636-4253.

Sunday, Sept. 27
Casa Vincentia Annual Gold Key Fundraiser Drawing. Benefits our mission to provide a home for homeless pregnant women. Tickets: $50 for chance to win $1,000 grand prize, $250 second prize, or $100 Nordstrom gift certificate third prize. Drawing at Casa Vincentia, 3210 62nd Ave., Oakland, 2 – 4 p.m. Need not be present to win. For tickets, email name and mailing address to casavincentia@yahoo.com. (510) 729-0316.

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Sept. 25 – 26
St. Catherine of Siena South of the Border Festival. Kick-Off Mexican Dinner, 6 – 9 p.m. in the Parish Hall, (enter on Henrietta Street), Martinez. Adults: $10; children 10 years and under: $4. Sept. 26: Festival fun, games and food, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the church yard. Closing Tri-Tip Dinner after festival in Parish Hall, 6 – 9 p.m. Adults: $15; children 10 years and under: $7.50. Tickets on sale now, (925) 325-2285.

Assumption School Festival and Carnival. Sept. 25: 6 – 10 p.m.; Sept. 26: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., at 1851 136th Ave., San Leandro. Food, games for all ages, raffles, live entertainment. Pancake breakfast, Sept. 27, 8:30 a.m. – noon.

Saturday, Sept. 26
Oktoberfest 2009 for Knights of Columbus Council #13179. Traditional Oktoberfest meal and entertainment by Polka Dots band. St. Francis of Assisi Family Center (gym), 860 Oak Grove Rd., Concord. No-host bar 6:30 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets: $25 per adult, $5 children 12 and younger, or $75 per family. Menu: bratwurst, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes or potato salad, dessert. Norbert Sterzinger, (925) 890-0665 or Julian Monsarrat (925) 200-4244.

Sept. 26 – 27
Our Lady of Grace Parish Hawaiian Festival. Live entertainment, games for all ages, food and drink, shopping and more. Our Lady of Grace Church, 3433 Somerset Ave., Castro Valley. Sept. 26: Noon – 10 p.m.; Sept. 27: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Pancake breakfast, 8:30 – 11 a.m.; pasta dinner 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 27
St. Jerome Church Festival and Street Fair. Noon – 5 p.m., corner of Carmel and Curry streets, El Cerrito. Entertainment, food and drinks, games, arts and crafts, wine tasting, silent auction, baked goods, raffles and roulette wheel.

Sept. 27 – 28
St. Clement Parish/School Festival. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., 750 Calhoun St., Hayward. Celebrate St. Clement School’s 50th year with live entertainment, music, dancing, food, games and a $1,000 raffle. Raffle tickets, (510) 582-7282.

Sunday, Oct. 4
St. James the Apostle Parish International Food Festival. After 11 a.m. Mass at 34700 Fremont Blvd. at Ferry Lane, Fremont. Everyone welcome for food and dances from all ethnic groups.

Multicultural Festival at St. Anthony Parish in Oakland. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 1535-16th Ave. Enjoy Mexican, Filipino and Vietnamese delicacies, along with game booths, live entertainment, community services and raffle. Free entry; refreshments and games for purchase. Benefits church ministry and community services.

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Friday, Sept. 25
5th Annual golf tournament. St. Anne Church (Byron), presented by The Knights of Columbus St. Anne Council. Shadow Lakes Golf Course, 401 W. Country Club Dr., Brentwood. Plenty of prizes. Check-in at 11a.m., shotgun start at 1p.m. Golf package, $125 per person; awards banquet/dinner only, $30. Proceeds benefit local ministries and services. Register/information: Larry Green, (925) 516-9525 or greenlk@sbcglobal.net.

Saturday, Oct. 3
Holy Spirit Golf Tournament and Silent Auction. Sunol Valley Golf Club. Shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. Registration is $140, including awards luncheon, contests and spirits. Sponsorship opportunities available. All proceeds benefit Holy Spirit School. Renee Baca, (510) 797-9268 or www.holyspiritfmt.com.

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Tuesday, Sept. 22
Catholics in the Public Square: A Short Course. Journalist Peter Nixon, a frequent contributor to U.S. Catholic Magazine, will lead discussion on “A Spirituality of Politics.” All are welcome. St. Bonaventure Church, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord, 7 – 9 p.m. Pre-registration not required, but preferred. (925) 672-5800, ext. 2205, www.stbonaventure.net/parish-ministries/community/social-justice-ministry.

“Catholicism, Buddhism and Hinduism.” 10 a.m. at St. Monica Parish Center Peace Room, 1001 Camino Pablo, Moraga. Presenter: Salesian Father George Alengaden.

Evolution. 7 – 8:45 p.m. at St. Augustine Church, 400 Alcatraz Ave., Oakland. Holy Names Sister Nancy Teskey, associate academic dean at Oakland’s Holy Names University, will present “Evolution: Questions of Science, Questions of Faith.” $8 donation accepted at the door.

Wednesday, Sept. 23
Father Corapi DVD Catechism Series. 7 – 8 p.m. in Cauchi Hall, St. Agnes Parish, 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord.

Lecture, “The Coup in Honduras: What it means for Latin America.” Lisa Sullivan, coordinator for the School of the Americas, will speak about the changes taking place in Latin America, including the recent coup in Honduras. 7:30 p.m., St. Stephen’s Church, 1101 Keaveny Ct. at San Luis Rd., Walnut Creek. Music and refreshments.

Sept. 24 & Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22
Journey into God, 7:30 p.m. at the counseling office in the rectory of St. Bonaventure’s Church, 5562 Clayton Rd., Concord. Subject is “The Soul’s Journey into God,” with study and contemplative practice. Seating is limited. Phil Rohrer, MFT, philiprohrer@gmail.com. (925) 686-2328, ext. 3.

Friday, Oct. 2
“Celebrating Fr. Damien: A Reading by Mary O’Donnell.” O’Donnell will read from her manuscript, “The Exiles,” a historical novel on the life of Fr. Damien of Molokai, on the eve of his canonization. 7 p.m., St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St., Berkeley. Free.

Oct. 5, 6, 7
Parish Mission. At St. Theresa Parish, 30 Mandalay Road, Oakland. Jesuit Fr. Tom Allender presents “Life’s Journey” Week 2 parish mission talks, “From Anger to Forgiveness.” 9:30 a.m., following the 8:30 a.m. Mass and hospitality. Daily talks repeated at 7 p.m. All are welcome. No pre-registration required. Father Allender will be available after each session for book signing of “God Loves an Unmade Bed.” (510) 547-2777, ext. 20, www.sttheresaoakland.org.

Oct. 7 – Dec. 16
Divorced and separated workshop. Wednesday evenings, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Chapel at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. Come and join others who have lost a marriage and begin to build your new life again. Pre-registration is required. Lisa at (925) 600-1765. No fee.

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Tuesday, Sept. 22
Violence and the Sacred. Join St. Leo’s Brews & Views, formerly Theology on Tap, for happy hour and discussion with Fr. Francisco Nahoe, OFM Conv., on differences between archaic religion and religion of the Biblical revelation. Everyone is invited. Park Avenue Bar & Grill, 4184 Piedmont Ave., Oakland (between 41st and Linda Ave.). Happy hour at 7 p.m., speaker at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26
St. James the Apostle dinner and dance to celebrate the “Year of the Priest.” Enjoy spaghetti, salad, rolls, dessert and coffee. Tickets: $10 per adult; children 8 and under free. 7 p.m. at the church, 34700 Fremont Blvd. (at Ferry Ln.), Fremont. Tickets: Jerry, (510) 219-5095; Shirley, (510) 386-9331.

Wednesday, Sept. 30
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County – Guest Chef Event. 2nd Anniversary Dinner Featuring Executive Chef Matt Colgan of A Cote. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the St. Vincent de Paul Free Dining Room, 675-23rd St., Oakland. Chef Colgan will prepare this special dinner with the Kitchen of Champions Culinary program students. Dinner price includes wine: $71 per person, $125 for two people, $475 for eight people (one table). (510) 636-4261.

Saturday, Oct. 3
St. John’s English Tea. St. John the Baptist Church, 11150 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, courtyard between the church and school auditorium, 1:30 p.m. Homemade traditional tea sandwiches, scones and assorted sweets. Prize for best hat. Donations: $20 adults, $10 children 12 and under. Roberta, (510) 237-5293 or rjm2343@sbcglobal.net. Ticket reservation deadline: Sept. 30. Money goes to St. John’s parish and its sister parish in Haiti.

Saturday, Oct. 10
Old School Dance. Sponsored by the African American committee of St. Columba Parish, Oakland. Music by Hillside Productions. Food, fun, door prizes. St. Columba Church hall, 6401 San Pablo Ave. at Alcatraz, 7 p.m – 11 p.m. Tickets in advance: $15. At door, $20. Call (510) 654-7600.

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Saturday, Oct. 3
No More Secrets – Monthly Support Group for Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Elementary School, faculty room, 1516 – 33rd Ave., Oakland. Street parking is available. Facilitated by a licensed psychotherapist. Survivors and their families are welcome. Sponsor: Diocese of Oakland. Claire Jeanette, (510) 843-6971.

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Saturday, Sept. 26
GGBC 20th Anniversary Performance and CD Release Event. 9 – 11 a.m. at C’era Una Volta, 1332 Park St., Alameda. Members of the Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers (GGBC) who made the CD will be present to meet the guests and to perform live at intervals throughout the morning. Reservations: (510) 887-4311 or tickets at the door, first come, first served.

An Evening with G.K. Chesterton. St. Anthony of Padua Institute is hosting a dinner and performance by renowned Chesterton impersonator Dr. Chuck Chalberg at St. Margaret Mary Church, Oakland, 6 p.m. Dinner catered by Bay Area chef Erik Keilholtz. Register at www.stanthonypaduainstitute.org or call (888) 619-7882.

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Saturday, Sept. 26
St. Mary’s High School Alumni Homecoming Event. At Brady Park, 1294 Albina Ave., Berkeley. School alumni are invited to attend St. Mary’s 2009 Homecoming game against long-time rival Salesian High School. A $20-per-person Homecoming package includes entry to the junior varsity and varsity games, a noon barbeque, and a “fifth quarter” social on campus. $8 for children 12 and under. Reservations online at www.saintmaryschs.org/index/alumni-home. Deadline: Sept. 24.

Saturday, Oct. 3
School of the Madeleine, Berkeley. Class of 1967 Reunion. 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall, 2005 Berryman St., Berkeley. Sheila Marie Larkin, oaklandshe@yahoo.com.

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