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VOL. 57, NO. 19 DIOCESE OF OAKLAND NOVEMBER 11, 2019 www.catholicvoiceoakland.org Serving the East Bay Catholic Community since 1963 Copyright 2019 Seven little ones join the Body of Christ MICHELE JURICH/THE CATHOLIC VOICE MICHELE JURICH/THE CATHOLIC Richard Denoix, left, and Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ. Bringing the Word of God to sisters, brothers behind bars By Michele Jurich Staff writer While “When I was in prison, you visited me,” from Matthew 25:37 might be the one most cited on prison ministry, Richard Denoix, detention ministry coordinator for the Diocese of Oakland, offered, too, Mark 6:34: “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd he had compassion on them because they were like sheep with- out a shepherd, so he began teaching them many things ”. Denoix, who is in formation to be ordained a deacon of the Diocese of Oakland, said, “A sheep without a shepherd . That’s how we should look at our sisters and brothers in jail . They are so hungry for the Word . Like sheep without a shepherd, they’re lost . “We’re here to bring the Word of God, the message of the Gospel of love and mercy to all, without exception . That’s what we do ”. He looked out on a gathering of about 80 people who serve in detention ministry in the Diocese of Oakland in the Cathedral Parish Hall on Oct . 23 . Among them were Missionaries of Charity Sisters and Dominican, Franciscan and diocesan priests . These men and women are the ones who carry the good news to the incarcerated . In Alameda County, detention ministers serve at Santa Rita Jail and the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin and Juvenile Hall and Camp Sweeney in San Leandro . In Contra Costa County, they serve at John Davis Juvenile Hall and the Martinez Detention Facility in Martinez; the Marsh Creek Detention Facility in Clayton; the West County Detention Facility in Richmond; and the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility in Byron . The conference included presentations on suicide prevention and the effects of trauma . But it centered on meeting the spiritual needs of those they serve . Representatives of ministries at the correctional facilities spoke about the needs of each place . Not all who minister to the incarcerated do it in person . Javier Martinez, who attended the conference, said he and his wife Cristina are part of a ministry at Concord’s Queen of All Saints Parish that writes letters, in Spanish,

CHRISTINE SCHRECK/THE CATHOLIC VOICE CHRISTINE SCHRECK/THE CATHOLIC to inmates in California, Nevada and Texas . (Continued on Page 14.) Siena Dal Porto, in the arms of her mother, Vanessa Dal Porto, with her father AJ Dal Porto behind them, is baptized by Rev. Ronald Schmit, pastor of St. Anne Parish in Byron on Oct. 27. She was one of seven chil- dren, all members of the fifth generation of the Dal Porto family, to be baptized that morning during Mass. On our cover By Michele Jurich Dal Porto – were a visible sign of ranching roots . Dressed Jennifer and Jessica Dal Porto, age 3, await Staff writer in white lace dresses, the sisters — 3-year-old twins and their baptism, with their father, Gabe Dal Porto. Seven of the youngest members of a ranching family their 18-month-old sibling — wore cowgirl boots . Their mother, Stephanie Dal Porto, holds their with deep roots in Eastern Contra Costa County were The children, who range in age from just shy of her 18-month-old sister, Kaycie Dal Porto, behind baptized during the 10:30 a .m . Oct . 27 Mass at St . Anne first birthday to age 4, are the great-grandchildren of the them. The girls, fifth generation of a longtime Parish in Byron . late Robert Anthony Dal Porto Sr . They represented the ranching family, all wore boots with their white Baptisms during Mass are a way of life at the Byron fifth generation of the family . lace dresses. parish . Baptisms take place at a glass font at the entrance While water is the symbol of baptism, the day was not to the parish’s spacious Community Life Center . Seven Bishop’s Column ...... 5 without its share of wind and fire . children is the most Rev . Ronald Schmit, pastor for 24 Classified ...... 16. . Even a 5 a .m . call that day to evacuate the Dal Porto years, has baptized at one time . The parish baptizes CYO ...... 9. . . Livestock ranch in Oakley, because of a nearby fire, did about 50 infants and young children each year . Datelines ...... 17 . . not stop the baptism . With the herd repositioned farthest It’s important for those being baptized, as well as Forum ...... 18,. 19. away from the fire, one of the grandfathers, Dave Dal those in the congregation, to baptize at Mass . Seniors ...... 10-12 Porto, stayed back at the ranch, allowing others to get to “It reminds us we are all members of the Body of The Church ...... 2 the church on time . Christ,” Father Schmit said . Those being baptized are Travel ...... 6, 7 Three of the children – Jennifer, Jessica and Kaycie (Continued on Page 14.) 2 — THE CATHOLIC VOICE THE CHURCH NOVEMBER 11, 2019 OFFICIAL THE DIOCESE

Clergy assignments Cultural Center, effective Oct . 20 . Bishop Barber’s Schedule Bishop Michael C . Barber, SJ, made Rev . Oscar Rojas is appointed tempo- these appointments/assignments: rary, interim, parochial administrator donec Nov. 9-14: US bishops’ Order of Malta, bishop’s Rev . Joseph Tran is appointed chaplain aliter provideatur (until something else is General Meetings, Baltimore, residence, Oakland to John Muir Hospital, Concord and Contra provided for) at St . Bonaventure Parish in Maryland, including: Nov. 19: Office meetings, Costa Regional Medical Center, Martinez, Concord, effective Oct . 21 . Administrative Committee, Chancery, Oakland, including and will be in residence at St . Francis of Rev . Wayne Campbell is appointed Committee on Doctrine, College of Consultors Assisi Parish, Concord, effective Oct . 9 temporary, interim, parochial administrator Committee on Catholic Rev . Simon Jin is appointed parochial donec aliter provideatur (until something Education 5:30 p .m ,. blessing of New vicar at St . Leander Parish, San Leandro, else is provided for) at St . Anne Parish in Innovation Center, Nov. 15: Office meetings, and director of the Chinese Pastoral and Walnut Creek, effective Oct . 24 . Carondelet High School, Chancery, Oakland Concord Nov. 16: 10th Year celebration St . Nov. 20: Office meetings, Chancery, THE VATICAN Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Oakland Los Altos Hills Appreciation reception for Pope Church cannot Nov. 17: 11 a m. ,. Mass, procession in Francis Legal Clinic volunteer honor of the Vietnamese Martyrs, St . remain indifferent attorneys Anthony Parish, Oakland to cry of the poor Nov. 21: Office meetings, Chancery, Nov. 18: Office meetings, Chancery, Oakland, including Presbyteral Council VATICAN CITY — After listening to Oakland indigenous people and church leaders at Diocesan legal counsel holiday Auction reception in support of the Synod of Bishops on the Amazon, the dinner Catholic Church cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of the region’s people, Pope Francis said . “The cry of the poor, together with that of the earth, came to us from the Amazon,” Help for the pope said during his Sunday Angelus HARING CNS/PAUL seminarians address . “After these three weeks, we Marcivana Rodrigues Paiva, repre- cannot pretend that we have not heard it ”. senting the Satere-Mawe indigenous Pittsburg’s St. Mary The pope shared his thoughts about people in Brazil, carries a plant in the Margaret court 1450 of the synod Oct . 27 as he greeted pilgrims offertory procession as Pope Francis the Catholic Daughters in St . Peter’s Square; he had just finished celebrates the concluding Mass of the of the Americas, on celebrating the synod’s final Mass . Synod of Bishops for the Amazon at the behalf of all the The synod, he said, was a time of “a Vatican Oct. 27. Catholic Daughters in

COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY walking together,” engaging in sincere dia- the Oakland diocese, logue “without hiding difficulties and “expe- because there is no other viable route for presented a gift of $4,000 to Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, to aid seminarian riencing the beauty of going forward united ”. saving the region ”. education. Attending the presentation (Bishop Barber is in the center) from Pope Francis did not specifically men- The economies of the nine Amazonian left: Joan Tucker, Dorothy Burian (past Regent), Pat Fegan (past District tion the statues of the naked pregnant countries still depend heavily on revenues Deputy), Janice Kegler (Recording Secretary), Barbara Guadagni (Treasurer), woman that some people referred to from raw materials like oil, metals and Sylvia Soliz (Regent), Rosanne Ortland (Vice-Regent) and Bettye Allen (past as Our Lady of the Amazon, but which timber, as well as industrial farming and Regent). Vatican officials repeatedly described as ranching . an image signifying life . Others described Indigenous people who were observers it as “Pachamama” and condemned it as at the synod asked the church to back an idol . Some copies of the statue were them in their demand for legal recogni- thrown in the Tiber River, but recovered tion of their territories, to protect against Plan ahead by police . incursions by illegal loggers and miners or the concession of their lands to develop- Caring for home ment projects or extractive industries . The to get the most for The “unprecedented” environmental synod document specifically mentioned and social crisis in the Amazon calls for the importance of defending territories “a deep personal, social and structural inhabited by semi-nomadic people who your ad dollars conversion” that leads to new ways of shun contact with outsiders . caring for “our common home,” according in 2019-2020 to the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon . Women deacons In seeking new forms of development Most of the proposals of the Synod of that are just and promote solidarity, the Bishops for the Amazon, including the idea church must learn from the region’s of ordaining some married men, are delib- original peoples “in a dialogue of wisdom,” erately specific suggestions that would Mailed to 85,000 households synod members said in their final docu- apply only to the Amazon region, said ment, released Oct . 26 . Bishop Robert W . McElroy of San Diego . www.catholicvoiceoakland.org/advertise.htm “God has given us the earth as a gift However, he said, the proposal to con- Call the Advertising Dept., 510-419-1081 and as a task, to care for it and to answer tinue to study the possibility of opening for it; we do not own it,” the synod mem- the permanent diaconate to women — a bers wrote . proposal Pope Francis said he accepted Issue date Features for 2019 Ad deadline Caring for the earth requires an integral Oct . 26 — would have implications for the November 25 Gift of Giving/General News November 13 ecology that connects “the exercise of care church globally . December 16* Christmas Liturgies December 4 for nature with the exercise of justice for The bishop attended the synod Oct . the most impoverished and disadvantaged 6-27 as one of only two U .S . bishops par- Issue date Features for 2020 Ad deadline on earth,” they wrote . ticipating . The other was Cardinal Sean P . January 6 Senior Living & Resources December 16 Integral ecology, they said, is not O’Malley of Boston . just one path open, “it is the only path, — Catholic News Service January 20 Catholic Schools Week/Consecrated Life January 8 February 10 Weddings & Anniversaries /Bishop’s Appeal January 29 February 24 Pilgrimages & Retreats February 12

*The Catholic Voice — Publication theme subject to change. The Voice publishes only one issue in July, August and December. “Let the Catholic voice . . . be spread in every diocese, in every parish, in every association, in every family.” — Pope Paul VI Publisher: Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ Interim Director of Communication The Catholic Voice & Community Relations 2121 Harrison St., Oakland, CA 94612 CLEARANCE! Associate Publisher, The Catholic Voice: Phone 510-893-5339; Fax 510-893-4734 1 Helen Osman www.catholicvoiceoakland.org Now ⁄2 PRICE [email protected] Editor: Albert C. Pacciorini Email addresses Only $10.00 each for remaining [email protected]; 510-419-1073 Letters to the editor: [email protected] Address change: [email protected] DELUXE EDITIONS of the 2019 Advertising Manager: Camille Tompkins Subscription: [email protected] Oakland Diocesan Directory [email protected]; 510-419-1081 Datelines (calendar of events): [email protected] Information about administrative offices, Office/Circulation Manager: Sandi Gearhart Around the Diocese: [email protected] [email protected]; 510-893-5339 schools, service organizations and religious Photos: Graphics/Webmaster: Chris Patrick Morgan orders of men and women in the diocese, Submitted photos must be suitable for print [email protected]; 510-419-1076 plus an alphabetical telephone directory. publication. Please refer to our photo guidelines: Associate Editor/Staff writer: Michele Jurich www.catholicvoiceoakland.org/photos.htm [email protected]; 510-419-1075 $ $ Schedule 10.00 each ( 7.50 each for orders of five or more) Staff writer: Carrie McClish See our publication schedule and deadlines at: Price includes postage and handling [email protected]; 510-419-1074 www.catholicvoiceoakland.org/pubdates.htm Order from The Catholic Voice The Catholic Voice (ISSN 0279-0645) is published for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland twice monthly except in 2121 Harrison St., Oakland, CA 94612 July, August and December (when one issue is published) for $25 a year (outside the diocese, $30). Copyright 2019. Payment must accompany orders. Adjudged to be a newspaper of general circulation by the Superior Court of Alameda County, Court order No. 365394, dated Jan. 20, 1967. Periodical postage paid (USPS 094-640) at Oakland, California, and additional mailing offices. Please make check payable to The Catholic Voice. Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Catholic Voice, 2121 Harrison St., Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94612. NOVEMBER 11, 2019 THE CATHOLIC VOICE — 3 Father Vellankal was an example to us of holiness

By Most Rev. Michael C. Barber, SJ one parishioner wrote me, “re-emphasized Most priests leave in their file their the sacredness of the Mass ”. funeral plans . Some are brief, with the Father Mat was devoted to Our Lady . In name of their proposed celebrant and fact, he experienced a miraculous healing homilist . Some are more detailed and through her intercession . As he relates: include all their favorite hymns they want “[In Belgium] while playing volleyball, I sung . Father Mathew sprained my right knee badly . Since I didn’t Vellankal went one have insurance yet, I was not able to go to better: He left me a a doctor . The knee was swollen and I could 100-page autobiog- hardly walk . I decided to go to a nearby raphy . shrine of Our Lady of Banneux, burn a Father Mat was a candle and pray the rosary . I dragged my great example of the leg and walked the half-mile to the shrine . Missionary Disciple . As I entered the campus of the shrine, Knights of Columbus provide an honor guard. The third priority of our a great miracle occurred . My pain and Bishop Barber diocese is “Forming He did not get the oppor- swelling from the knee just disappeared! Missionary Disciples ”. tunity to give his mother his I was totally healed . What a powerful It used to be that Catholic developed First Priestly Blessing . Father intervention of our Blessed Mother! I was countries like Ireland, France and the USA Mat was baptized into the deeply moved; kept the promise praying sent missionaries to developing continents death of Jesus . the rosary and burning the candle . I am like Africa and India . Now Africa and India Then Father Mat was so very thankful to Mother Mary for this are sending missionaries to us, helping us ordained a priest in India in wonderful assistance in my life ”. re-evangelize our country . Father Mat is a 1987 in the Syro-Malabar It was never about him . good example . Rite, which ceremony was It was about Christ and Our Lady . He spent his first 20 years as a immediately followed by his As St . Paul says: We are earthen ves- Salesian priest working in India . When first Mass . “It was the happi- sels: The surpassing power is from Christ, came to Oakland in 2001 he said: “I felt est day of my life!” he said . not from us . it was time for me to move on to another Father Mat was baptized into There is lesson for us priests from the place where I can continue to be a mis- Jesus’ resurrection . life of Father Mathew . sionary serving the holy people of God ”. On becoming incardinated A bishop in Brazil who was a member What is it to be a priest? To be a into the Oakland diocese, of the Amazon synod said he believes a Christian? To be a missionary disciple? Father Mat said: “I am … major obstacle to increasing priestly voca- Paul’s Epistle to the Romans tells us the VOICE THE BLANKENHORN/SPECIAL TO CATHOLIC ALL: DAVID very much indebted to the tions in the region is a lack of personal answer: To be baptized into the Death Salesian congregation for holiness among the ordained, rather than Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, delivers the homily of Jesus . So we can what I am today . I am fully the discipline of celibacy . at Father Mathew Vellankal’s funeral on Oct. 21. be baptized into His aware of the fact that I would Instead of proclaiming Christ, priests Resurrection . For example: In 1985, when Mat was not have been what I am today without the often drive people away from Christ, he More on We all feel that sad- in the seminary, his mother was very sick care, love and support of the numerous said, or very easily are “proclaimers of page 13 . ness today, of Father and bedridden . Over school vacation he Salesian confreres . I will always remain ourselves ”. Bishop Wellington de Queiroz Mat “being baptized into visited her in the family home, which was ever grateful to Don Bosco and the Vieira said we priests and bishops should the death of Jesus,” like quite a distance from the seminary . His Salesian Congregation . ”. think about changing ourselves before we the disciples felt when Jesus died . It’s one mother said to him “I already see you as The spirituality of the Salesian order talk about changing the Church . thing to pass away in old age after a long a priest ”. When he left the house, he knew is built on Don Bosco’s devotion to the “We have an obligation to provide and fruitful life . But in the car accident Oct . it would be the last time he would see his Eucharist, and love for the Blessed Virgin examples of holiness ”. He described holi- 10, Father Mat was snatched from us in an mother alive . Mary . These rocks of Catholic Faith ness as: prayer, simplicity of life, openness instant, “in the twinkling of an eye” at age “Some weeks later I was informed of my became instrumental in his life as an to dialogue, respecting differences, unwav- 61 . This is much harder for us . mom’s death by telegram; it was so painful Oakland priest . ering proclamation of the Christian life, St . Paul is not only speaking of our for me to know that my mom was no more Father Mat started Eucharistic Adoration compassion for those who suffer, charity actual, physical death, but the “small and I wept bitterly . I was already back in at Holy Spirit Parish, which continues today . and accepting challenges . deaths,” the “crosses” we experience all the seminary and so it was not possible for He placed the tabernacle in the center of Father Mathew Vellankal was one such through our life . me to travel in time for the funeral ”. the sanctuary at St . Bonaventure’s, and, as holy priest . May he rest in peace .

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Learn more by visiting us at cceb.org Follow us on 4 — THE CATHOLIC VOICE NOVEMBER 11, 2019 Appeal helps religious communities care for their aging members

Special to The Catholic Voice tion’s launch, The annual Retirement Fund for Help retired US Catholics Religious collection will be Dec . 7-8 in the have donated Diocese of Oakland . The parish-based religious $872 million appeal is coordinated by the National Second collection to the annual Religious Retirement Office . Proceeds Dec. 7-8 appeal . help hundreds of U .S . religious commu- Aids retired religious Despite nities to care for aging members . Some order priests, sisters this generos- 30,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers and brothers ity, many con- and religious order priests benefit . More information: gregations Last year, the Diocese of Oakland retiredreligious .org still struggle donated $234,183 .73 to the collection . In to provide for

PACCIORINI/THE CATHOLIC VOICE CATHOLIC PACCIORINI/THE 2019, the Conventual Franciscans and the aging mem- . Franciscan Friars received a combined bers . Most older religious served for low total of $304,315 14. in financial support wages that did not include retirement ben- made possible by the Retirement Fund efits . Today, numerous communities face for Religious . a critical shortage in retirement savings . ALL: ALBERT C ALBERT ALL: The 2018 appeal raised $27 .7 million, Moreover, retired religious now outnum- Revs. Jayson Landeza, left, presenter and CCHD committee member, and Louie and 360 religious congregations across ber wage-earning members, resulting in Vitale, OFM, at the awards luncheon where Father Vitale was honored for his the nation received funding . Distributions declining income and a rising cost of care . leadership and peace activism. are sent to each eligible congregation’s Proceeds from the annual collection central house . Communities combine this allow the NRRO to offer assessment assistance with their own income and tools, educational programming, services Father Vitale, Carol Johnson savings and apply it toward various retire- and resources that enable communities to ment expenses, such as medications and evaluate and prepare for long-term retire- nursing care . ment needs . The NRRO also coordinates both honored by CCHD “We are humbled and profoundly grate- an extensive network of volunteer consul- ful for the countless Catholics who honor tants, including experts in eldercare and By Carrie McClish the service and witness of senior religious financial planning, to help congregations Staff writer through their prayers and generosity,” said lower costs while enhancing care . Carol Johnson, former executive direc- Presentation Sister Stephanie Still, the “Donations to the Retirement Fund tor of St . Mary’s Center in Oakland, and NRRO’s executive director . for Religious enable our office to provide Rev . Louie Vitale, OFM, were honored Catholic bishops of the United States financial assistance for an array of direct with Lifetime Achievement Awards for initiated the Retirement Fund for Religious needs,” said Sister Still . “They also under- their community service in the East Bay in 1988 to help address the profound write education and resources that help by the local arm of the Catholic Campaign lack of retirement savings among US religious communities stretch retirement for Human Development . religious communities . Since the collec- dollars and plan for the future ”. At the same event, CCHD, the anti- Carol Johnson, left, accepts a plaque poverty arm of the U .S . Catholic bishops, from Mark McKimmey, coordinator distributed a total of $290,000 in grants of the local Catholic Campaign for to 11 East Bay organizations that help OLG celebrates Respect for Life Month Human Development. empower residents in low-income com- Special to The Catholic Voice which in turn open our students to the munities . The grants were announced you are carrying out the mission of Jesus October has been an eventful month at richness of life . during a luncheon Oct . 18 at St . Columba Christ to bring good news to the poor, Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Fremont . The last week of the month was Parish in Oakland . release to captives, sight to the blind, and The pupils began Respect for Life month designated as Red Ribbon Week, with Johnson was honored for her many let the oppressed go free,” the bishop said . with a Queen of the Holy Rosary Mass a focus on healthy life choices . The years of leadership, advocacy and service The grants are made possible through where they celebrated our Blessed Mother Student Council and its moderators led to build a more just community for low- the generosity of Catholics throughout who said “Yes” to giving birth to our Lord the students in a fun-filled week of learn- income elderly in Oakland . the US who give money each November and Savior . ing . Halloween is always special . After Father Vitale, a peace activist and for- to CCHD . “Since 1971, the CCHD has Other highlights included a Walk-a- a costume parade, the pupils spent the mer provincial of the Franciscan Province given over $6 million to East Bay groups Thon to benefit breast cancer survivors at day with their Faith Families in various of St . Barbara, was cited for his leadership like those receiving grants today,” Bishop which students raised more than $1,500 activities . The parents also participated and activism over the years to eliminate Barber said . “We are indeed blessed that for the HERS Breast Cancer Foundation . by decorating their car trunks for “Trunk nuclear weapons, injustice and poverty . we receive these grants ”. Mid-month OLG held its annual Harvest or Treat” and the eighth-graders did their “The 11 groups being honored today Seven organizations received a total Festival, celebrating all God’s goodness part by planning, designing and creating with Catholic Campaign for Human of $60,000 in local grants: Ashland within a fun day, planned and executed by a “Haunted House” in their classroom for Development grants do amazing work that Community Association, $10,000; Building amazing parent volunteers . the pupils and staff to experience . helps transform people’s lives and the lives Blocks for Kids (BBK), $10,000; Contra The Entertainment Committee sched- The month concluded with an All of the communities where we live,” said Costa Interfaith Housing (CCIH), $5,000; uled a full day of performances, many from Saints Day Mass, a day for celebrating Bishop Michael C . Barber, SJ, in remarks East Bay Sanctuary Covenant (EBSC), the OLG pupils . Everyone was treated to our calling to be holy . The seniors of the at the start of the luncheon . This work, he $10,000; Resources for Community a fabulous variety of food offerings and parish were invited to attend and receive added, is more important than ever “during Development (RCD), $5,000; Urban Peace fun games . The Fall Scholastic Book Fair a small gift from the fourth- and fifth- these times of sky-high housing costs and Movement, $10,000; and Youth Spirit resulted in enlivening the school library graders who planned and served at the homelessness in every direction, insuf- Artworks, $10,000 . and each classroom with more books, special Mass . ficient wages and economic disparity and Four organizations received a total of of growing racial tensions and attacks on $230,000 in national grants: Congregations the rights of immigrants and refugees ”. Organizing for Renewal, $25,000; Genesis “Your efforts empower our brothers and Interfaith Community Organizing, Inc ,. Save Now sisters who are struggling to take control $35,000; Northern California Land Trust of their lives and lift themselves out of pov- Inc . (NCLT), $75,000; and Prospera erty .Your work really is a ministry because Community Development, $60,000 . On Home Security Monitored by ADT ® the #1 home security company in the U.S.

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At one point, flames extinguishing each fire ”. homes ”. These grateful residents brought ing miles away, intermittent utility power were burning on both sides of the bridge After the morning liturgies, Father Rien trays of baked ziti, cookies, cases of water outages and a wind storm that buffeted with fires breaking out in Crockett and mov- changed into his chaplain uniform and and Gatorade, granola bars and more to many East Bay cities, communities within ing toward Hercules . headed to Oakley to Station 53 . “When let the firefighters know how much they the Diocese of Oakland have so far weath- “At the same time, our firefighters I arrived, all our crews, every firefighter were appreciated . ered through these natural and man-made with East Con Fire had been fighting two in the department was there, having just The fire chaplain, who stayed with the events . major fires, one on Bethel Island, which returned from fighting the two fires . Their firefighters until almost 9 p .m ., at one point Parishes that responded to a query came to be known as the Gateway Fire, eyes were red and blood-shot, their faces went out with one of the crews “to respond from The Catholic Voice reported having and a second blaze at the intersection blackened from the smoke and ashes, and to several medical incidents as well as not lost power and were able to celebrate of East Cypress and Knightsen Road ., they were exhausted, sleep-deprived, but return to the site of the Cypress Complex liturgies as usual over the weekend of which came to be known as the Cypress preparing for the next callout . Our chief Fire to extinguish a reignition ”. Oct . 26-27 . Complex Fire,” the priest wrote . and battalion chiefs were making deci- The experience left the Antioch pastor “Fortunately, at Holy Spirit/Newman Hall “The Summer Lakes development in sions about which firefighters would go to humbled and thankful to be able to accom- Parish in Berkeley we’ve been unaffected, which several of our parishioners live, had which station, doubling the normal crews pany these firefighters during such a busy though many of our parishioners have had been evacuated to the newly built Oakley so that they would be prepared for what and stress-filled afternoon . “The citizens their power cut,” wrote Amy LaGoy, the par- Recreation Center where the Red Cross would come next ”. of East Contra Costa are blessed to have ish’s administrative assistant . was assisting them in the early morning During the afternoon the priest wit- these amazing firefighters working for Meanwhile at Oakland’s St . Benedict hours of Sunday . They had been up since nessed what he described as “amazing them,” Father Rien wrote . “Please continue Parish, Rev . Jayson Landeza, pastor, before 3 a .m . responding to the fires and experiences” — a flood of people “coming to keep each one of them in your prayers wrote that many of his parishioners were fortunately, no buildings were lost nor were to the station, ringing the bell and then as we move through what we hope is the without electricity, “particularly those there any human losses, either civilians giving various items to offer support and end of this year’s fire season ”. above Interstate 580 in the Oakland Hills . Shingles from our church roof were Join Franciscan Fr. Mario DiCicco for the following flying across our parking JOB OPENING lot during Sunday’s 11 a m. . Choir Director cum Pianist Mass . On Monday morn- 2020 Pilgrimages & Trips ing we’ve been assessing St. Callistus Parish in El Sobrante is looking for a the damage done on our (In conjunction with Santours #2092780-40) Choir Director cum Pianist. We have 4 Masses for the properties ”. weekends, all in English. (One on Saturday evening and At least one high school, January 18-February 4: India Taj Mahal, Jaipur, and Southern India three on Sundays. There is NO Sunday evening Mass). Holy Names in the Oakland There are also two Masses on Holy Days of Obligation Hills, was closed Oct . 28 April 18-30: Greece – Following the Footsteps of St. Paul – one at 8:30 a.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m. The Choir and announced it would remain closed the follow- Director cum Pianist is a paid part-time position. May 23-June 9: Shrines of Blessed Mary in France, Spain and Portugal Someone who is available only on Sundays and Holy ing day, because of power Lourdes, Fatima, Montserrat, LaSalette, Our Lady of Pilar, Miraculous Medal with visits Days of Obligation will also be considered. outages . to Lisieux, Ars, Paray Le Monial, Mt. San Michel, Versailles, Chartres, and More While noting that his Qualified and interested parties: Please apply by parish never lost power, September 5-20: Holy Land With 4-Day Extension on in Egypt email or by postal mail with resume, and at least two Rev . Robert Rien, pastor Fr. Mario has been leading pilgrims to the Holy Land continuously for the at St . Ignatius of Antioch references. past 43 years Parish in Antioch, wrote that Fr. Jimmy Thottapally, Pastor after the Sunday liturgies at his parish he visited area October 8-22: Turkey – Following the Footsteps of St. Paul Email: [email protected] firefighters in his capacity and visiting the 7 Churches of the Book of Revelation in Asia Minor as the fire chaplain for East Mailing Address: Contra Costa County . Contact Fr. Mario for a brochure at: 312-888-1331 or St. Callistus Church Just before the 8 a m. . 3580 San Pablo Dam Road Mass Father Rien was Email: [email protected] El Sobrante, CA 94803 aware the fires that raged in Visit: Napa, Sonoma and Colusa FrMarioTours.weebly.com 6 — THE CATHOLIC VOICE NOVEMBER 11, 2019 Pilgrimage renews our relationship with God

By Rev. John Prochaska Special to The Catholic Voice I have now been ministering in the Prelature of Sicuani for 3 .5 years and it has been way too long since I have shared a bit of my experience of my missionary work . Quite often there are articles and advertisements for pilgrimages in The Catholic Voice . I have had the bless- ing and privilege to lead a number of pilgrimages during my priesthood: Holy Land; Footsteps of St . Paul (Greece and Turkey); Italy; Fatima, Lourdes and Spain; and one year ago to the home of Pope Francis (Buenos Aires), Lima and Cusco . Spiritual pilgrimages are a blessed opportunity to grow in our relationship with God; to be renewed mind, body and soul; to form a small faith com- munity (even if only for a short time); and to connect with peoples, cultures and histories of other places – those significant and not so significant . Here in the Andes, spiritual pil- grimages are also very important . The people don’t have the thousands of dollars to go to the Holy Land or Europe, but there are many local pil- grimages that they can make to popu- lar sanctuaries in the area: Señor de Huanca, Señor de Qoylloriti, La Virgen de Copacabana and La Virgen JOHN PROCHASKA/SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC VOICE THE CATHOLIC TO JOHN PROCHASKA/SPECIAL de Chapi . Thousands of people flock . to these sanctuaries for the annual fiestas, or one can visit them when Tents cover the hillsides as thousands of pilgrims attend the festival of Señor de there are very few people and it is Qoylloriti, which takes place in late May or early June, one week before the feast of REV ALL: much more peaceful to pray . I have Corpus Christi. done both . Father John Prochaska is on a 5-year There are no high-end hotels to in the Andes, most require hiking up Jesus went to the mountain to pray . Here mission to Peru. stay in . We camp or some people will just mountains . If you have had the blessing the mountains are a spiritual place as take their blanket and curl-up for the night of journeying to the top of Mount Sinai well . On the peaks of hills and mountains, Dance is another way the people here in the chapel . Sometimes it can get very during a Holy Land pilgrimage, you will people will form an “apacheta,” rocks piled offer their praise of thanksgiving to God cold . When I joined the 10,000 people on understand . on top of each other . This tradition has a during their pilgrimages . the pilgrimage to Qoylloriti a couple of Another commonality is the importance long history going back to the Incas as an At the Señor de Qoylloriti shrine, there years ago, the moisture from my respira- of mountaintops during pilgrimages . We offering and/or petition to God . are so many groups that want to dance tion froze in my one-man tent . know Moses encountered God on Mount On Good Friday in one of my parishes, during the fiesta that they have to adhere Walking is common in all pilgrimages . Sinai/Horeb and received the command- people carry rocks from the riverbed at the to a strict schedule . There are groups Holy Land and European pilgrimages ments there . Jesus was transfigured on base of the hill to its peak as a form of pen- require a fair amount of walking . Here Mount Tabor, and the Gospels tell us that ance as we pray the Stations of the Cross . (Continued on Page 7.)

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the chapel . We conclude the pilgrim- Pilgrimage . . . age with Mass and a procession in honor of Mary . (Continued from Page 6.) I think all pilgrimages have an element of sacrifice, whether it be dancing throughout the cold night at over the long travel, lots of walking, lack a dozen designated locations . This is of sleep or different foods . Of course, part of the popular religiosity that Pope sacrifice is an essential element in Francis frequently mentions that needs to our relationship with God, keeping be preserved . us humble in the spiritual journey of In the Prelature of Sicuani where I have life . In my experience, God surprises my ministry we have an annual two-day, us with multiple blessings when we one-night pilgrimage in September to the offer a bit of sacrifice . small community of Huampo, where there I hope that you will journey peri- is a sanctuary in honor of the Nativity of odically on a spiritual pilgrimage, Mary . getting away from our day-to-day People travel four to five hours in buses, activities to renew our relationship vans and in the back of pick-up trucks or with God . The people of the Peruvian medium-size cargo trucks to Livitaca, the mountains show us that we don’t town closest to the sanctuary site . Then need lots of money . Perhaps a jour- we walk for two to three hours up the ney to a cathedral or a retreat center mountain to the sanctuary, praying and or even a long walk in God’s creation singing along the route . will be the pilgrimage to which God Every year we have a different activity is calling you . on the first day: youth groups performing (In remembrance of my backpack- Gospel parables; watching a religious ing buddy, Father Mathew Vellankal, movie; and this year going door-to-door The annual September pilgrimage to our Blessed Mother of the Nativity takes place who led many pilgrimages during his inviting people to journey with us to the in Huampo Huampo, a mountain 14,000 feet tall. ministry.) sanctuary . We don’t get to bed until after midnight 13,000 feet has been the need to sleep On the second day after the rosary (Rev. John Prochaska, a priest of the and then we are up at 5 a m. . to pray the more than in the Bay Area . So the short procession and breakfast, there are small- Diocese of Oakland, is on a five-year rosary as we climb a hill above the sanc- night is my biggest sacrifice during the group vocational and catechetical talks, assignment with The Missionary Society tuary . (The only effect on me of living at pilgrimage .) confessions or people just pray silently in of St. James the Apostle in Peru.)

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Like Sister de Lourdes and Sister Florence Kruczek (right), 91, some 30,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have spent their lives doing the Lord’s work. Most served for little or no pay, and now their religious communities do not have enough retirement savings. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious offers vital support for necessities, such as medications and nursing care. Please be generous.

Roughly 94 percent of donations directly aid senior religious.

“ Live with good humor and just do the Lord’s work,” says Franciscan Sister To donate: de Lourdes Okoniewski (left), 87. Diocese of Oakland Offi ce for Mission Advancement 2121 Harrison Street, Suite 100 Oakland CA 94612 Retirement Fund Make check payable to Diocese of Oakland/RFR. for Religious Or give at your local parish December 7–8. Please give to those who have given a lifetime. retiredreligious.org

©2019 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photo: Jim Judkis 8 — THE CATHOLIC VOICE NOVEMBER 11, 2019 Holiday Guide Bees, baking and belief Dominican Sisters preparing for annual holiday boutique

By Michele Jurich out of five hives,” Sister Barbara said . “We Staff writer started the season with one hive ”. The Annual Holiday Boutique present- She cited the environmental stresses ed by the Dominican Sisters of Mission on the bees, including smoke from fires San Jose is part shopping spree, part last year as well as the use of chemicals . homecoming . During the summer, Sister Barbara From 10 a .m .to 4 p .m .Nov . 23 and collected swarms, leading to a community 24, the Sisters open their motherhouse of nine hives . Neighbors bring them, she to a shopper’s paradise of goods from said, and “I caught four myself ”. their land, such as the olive oil from the One of them was near the School mission-era trees and honey from the of the Madeleine in Berkeley, which the hives in the meadow; from their kitchen, Dominican Sisters have served since its such as fruitcake they say is like none founding in 1937 . (One Sister is a kinder- you’ve ever tasted; and cookies made garten aide this year .)

by Sisters who moved from Germany Alert gardeners call the Alameda PHOTO COURTESY to spend their lives with their Sisters in County Beekeepers Association (510-898- Sister Rebecca Shinas shares her art studio with two other Sisters who are artists. Fremont; to art prints by the multi-talented 6696) for help to relocate swarms of bees . Sisters; to handmade baby clothes, When the Sisters built their new house, bourbon balls need time to cure . pairs of baby booties, along with sweaters, afghans, scarves and hats to keep loved they filled the nearby meadow with bee- Sister Lynn Marie Gillanders, OP, is scarves, ponchos and animals . ones warm through winter . friendly flowers . the crew leader . She said the goal is 300 Sisters crochet afghans for the bou- The Sisters put their considerable tal- “The life of the bee is amazing,” Sister dozen; by the end of October, 78 dozen tique . Among the other homemade gifts ents to work in art studios and kitchens; Barbara said . “The more you learn, the had been pre-ordered online . are table runners, placemats, pillows and at sewing machines and wherever those more you’re in awe ”. Her crew includes Sister Glenn Ann pet blankets . who knit and crochet can find a comfort- Bees offer, she said, “a beautiful McPhee, OP, and Sister Mary Louis Seal, Sister Elizabeth Jane’s artistic talents able place . example of community ”. OP . developed early in her life . She took a For the boutique, Sister Barbara Hagel, A staple of the boutique has been oil The Sisters use a recipe that Sister sewing class from Singer . OP, expects to have 30 gallons of Holy pressed from the harvest of olives from Lynn Marie has tweaked over the years . When she was in the novitiate 25 years Honey, packaged in 8-ounce containers, the 200 mission-era trees on the property . Vanilla wafers, chocolate chips — melted ago, she began crocheting baby quilts for available this year, her second in her role There was not a sufficient crop for press- in a double boiler, not a microwave — and the newborns at St . Rose Hospital . From as beekeeper . She is the community’s ing in 2018 . A limited number of bottles bourbon are involved, as is the use of a there, she began making some for the coordinator for care of creation . of Dominican Olive Oil will be available . KitchenAid stand mixer . boutique, and hasn’t stopped . Beekeeping is a talent well in tune Sciabica Olive Oil will be available for The bourbon balls are rolled by hand in “I’m starting on next year’s,” she said . with the Sisters’ call to care of creation . purchase . sugar, not confectioner’s sugar . Multi-talented Sister Rebecca Shinas, It’s also a renewal of the Sisters’ tradi- From the kitchen, the Dominican fruit- “We found weather has a lot to do with OP, will be at the arts booth at the boutique tion of beekeeping on their Mission San cakes — the Sister’s secret recipe — were how gooey they are,” Sister Lynn Marie with “Be the Joy,” the CD she recorded in Jose grounds, a tradition that dates to baked over the summer and are waiting in said . The windier the day, the harder the 2018 of songs she wrote in 2017, as well the 1930s . the cooler to be placed on 1,500 holiday bourbon ball . as prints of her original art . For Sister Barbara, it has been an tables . Sister Lynn Marie, a teacher for 50 She is working on a painting depicting introduction to a generous community of A trio of Sisters have been busy over years, taught at St . Joseph School in Jesus and Mary Magdalen, which will beekeepers in Alameda County . the past month, spending 90 minutes Fremont as well as in schools in San not be available as a print this year . But The journey to 30 gallons of raw honey every morning making 200 dozen bourbon Francisco, Los Angeles and Portland . there are several new prints, as well as was not without its perils . “We lost four balls . They started in mid-October, as the “I still substitute,” she said, at Our Lady those from previous years . Some prints of Guadalupe School in Fremont and St . are 16-by-24-inch canvas prints; others Edward School in Newark . are 10-by-11-inch prints that are matted But when it comes to boutique season, to 11-by-14 inches . she said, “They leave me alone ”. Sister Rebecca’s vibrant art is created Holiday concerts For some Sisters, preparation for the bou- in a studio she shares at the motherhouse tique is a year-round activity . Sister with two other Sisters who are artists . Elizabeth Jane Wilson, OP, is a talented Among the joys of shopping with the sharing the gift of music and prolific craftswoman whose knitted Sisters is the opportunity to spend time scarves and hats, and baby quilts, booties with the Sisters — to tell stories, share and sweaters are treasures to give and memories and learn more about the Staff report ately following by Chef Joan Gallagher, receive . Sisters’ other year-round activities, such as Among the gifts of the season is music . Nourish You Catering . Additional informa- She’ll be staffing the baby booth and the Center for Education and Spirituality, These events, unless otherwise noted, tion: 510-654-7600 . the knitted goods booth at the boutique . which offers lectures, workshops and days take place at the Cathedral of Christ the Dec. 15 She has made 30 baby quilts and 24 of reflection . Light, 2121 Harrison St ., Oakland: Harmonies of the Season. 6 p .m . Dec. 1 The Pacific Boychoir Academy, choir-in- Advent Procession with Lessons & residence at the Cathedral of Christ the Carols. 5:30 p .m . Come and celebrate the Light, will sing traditional holiday favorites A One Night FAMILY CHRISTMAS CONCERT beginning of the new liturgical year with the with music of Veljo Tormis, Arvo Pärt, with Michael Russell O’Brien Advent Procession with Lessons & Carols . Urmas Sisask, among others . Audience Join the Very Rev . Brandon Macadaeg, carols will be accompanied on the cathe- Friday, December 13, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. rector of the cathedral, and the Cathedral dral’s magnificent Conroy Memorial Organ . Camerata in a service of readings, choral Dec. 17 St. Felicitas Catholic Church music and hymns . Messiaen’s “La Nativité.” 7:30 p .m . 1662 Manor Blvd. San Leandro, CA 94579 Dec. 13 Concert organist Jonathan Dimmock Family Christmas Concert with returns to the cathedral to perform Olivier Advance Tickets: $10/ $12 at the Door Michael Russell O’Brien. 7 p .m .at St . Messiaen’s “La Nativité du Seigneur,” nine Sponsored by Catholic Daughters #2400 Felicitas Church, 1662 Manor Blvd ., meditations for organ inspired by the birth Contact: Kim Oliver 510-940-5949 San Leandro . Sponsored by Catholic of Christ . or [email protected] Daughters #2400 . Tickets: $10 in advance, Dec. 21 $12 at the door . Contact: Kim Oliver, 510- A Chanticleer Christmas. 8:15 p .m . 940-5949 or kimmyoliver@gmail .com . Join the popular Chanticleer in its annual The Catholic Community of Christmas concert . Gregorian chant and Pleasanton Annual Christmas Concert. Biebl are never far away, but this year they 7:30 p .m .at St . Elizabeth Seton Church, turn also to carols in half-a-dozen differ- 4001 Stoneridge Drive, Pleasanton . ent languages, American hymns, Spanish “Gaudete” — Come join us for our annual villancicos and “I Wonder as I Wander ” . Christmas Concert, featur- ing all of our choirs, as we celebrate Advent and 2019 Holiday Boutique Christmas with a beautiful Fun Family Event! and lively night of music . Reception to follow at the JP II Activity Center . St. Columba Catholic Church Presents Many Sounds of Christmas Concert. 7-9 p .m at. St . Columba Church, 6401 Handmade gifts, fruitcakes, art, local raw honey, San Pablo Ave ., Oakland . baked goods, entertainment, face painting and much more! 5200 Mowry Avenue #M, Fremont, CA 94538 Featuring classical, gos- SATURDAY & SUNDAY • November 23 & 24 pel, hip hop and spiri- FEATURING: tual music . Invited artists 10am-4pm include Miranda Wilson of Fine Dining • Banquets • Catering Services • Weddings • Holiday Parties KBLX, emcee, and Sidney Our staff can customize events for you using our banquet facilities or at your own venue. Ragland, music director . 43326 Mission Circle (entrance o Mission Tierra) Fremont, CA 94539 Let us create the perfect party for you. We work within your budget and taste. Tickets are $25 in advance, (510) 933-6334 for rae tickets & more information $35 at the door . Free www.msjdominicans.org Contact for holiday parties is Tracy Salvato at catered reception immedi- facebook.com/DominicanSistersofMSJ 510-792-2000 ext. 19 or [email protected] NOVEMBER 11, 2019 THE CATHOLIC VOICE — 9 ANTHONY DELOS SANTOS/SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC VOICE ANTHONY THE DELOS TO CATHOLIC SANTOS/SPECIAL At the CYO Cross Country Diocesan Championship Meet at Crown Beach, from left with final place in the 3-5th Grade boys’ race: Gino Macaluso of St. John Vianney (4th place in championship); Shaun Matthew of Holy Spirit (6th place in championship); Isaac Ovall of Our Lady of Grace (5th place in championship); Noah Lloyd of St. Michael (7th place in championship); Joshua Seganish of Assumption (8th place in championship). 800 runners compete in CYO cross country championship

By Bill Ford Hayward . Special to the Catholic Voice The Diocesan Championship On Friday afternoons in late September Meet was the final event in the and early October, hundreds of young CYO Cross Country season CYO runners hit the trails in a variety of and was open to all who parks in the East Bay for the annual CYO ran in a previous meet . The Cross Country season in the Oakland Championship Meet began with diocese . More than 800 runners competed a prayer and a blessing, led by this year in four weeks of preliminary Rev . Michael Nufable from St . meets before gathering for the fifth and Patrick Parish, Rodeo . final meet of the season, the annual CYO The five championship races Cross Country Championship Meet at began, featuring skilled, fast Crown Beach in Alameda . runners along with those run- The runners were Kindergarteners ning recreationally, but all were through Eighth Graders, both girls and congratulated by excited fami- boys, who began each meet by lining up at lies and friends after finishing . the starting lines and then praying together The changing fall weather and before running their races . Then they late afternoon wind chill at the ran a mile circuit (Kindergarten through beach was a reminder that CYO Second Grade ran ½-mile) through tree- Cross Country is an outdoor lined meadows, sometimes steep trails sport and the weather can be and along a sandy beach, all for the joy of as challenging as the course running as well as being with their friends itself . However, all were excited and families who cheered them on . At each to run, to finish the race and The start of the 6-8th Grade boys’ race. meet, there were five grade group races, then have a post-meet snack followed by a “fun run” for small children . or a pizza party . of accomplishment by running a mile in a 3:14 .4; second, Azariah Smith, St . Divine Teams at the meets represented 37 The attraction for young runners to nice park with the excitement of running Mercy, 3:38 .1; third, Keira Hancock, parishes and Catholic schools in the CYO Cross Country is not only competitive with 100 or more other runners in the race . Corpus Christi, Fremont 3:39 .0 diocese . Meets were held at Crown races, but the fun of running with friends, For those who missed the CYO Cross K–2nd Grade Boys: first, Luke Beach, Alameda; Joaquin Miller Park, support by caring coaches and encourage- Country season, the “companion sport,” Dulgarian, Corpus Christi, Fremont, Oakland; Oak Hill Park, Danville; Shadow ment by family members . Whether runners CYO Track and Field will be in the spring . 3:16 .9; second, Cooper Snow, St Joan Cliffs Park, Pleasanton; and Garin Park, are fast or not-as-fast, there is the sense of Arc, 3:23 .0; third Nate Rocheford, Individual winners Assumption, 3:24 .4 Times over 1-mile course 3rd–5th Grade Girls: first, Team awards Isabella Rogers, St . Joseph, Points are awarded with one point Alameda, 6:46 .9; second, for the first place runner, two points for Jordynn Hughes, St . Felicitas, the second place runner, etc . Teams are 6:47 .0; third Jade Estimo, St . scored with the number of points given for Raymond, 7:00 .8 their first three runners . As in golf, the low 3rd–5th Grade Boys: first, score wins . No team awards are presented Gabriel Heule, St . Michael, for the K-2 race . The top three teams in 5:59 .3; second, Connor Buscho, each division with points were: Immaculate Heart of Mary, 3rd–5th Grade Girls: first, St . Joan of 6:13 .3; third, Caden Stine, St . Arc (31); second, St . Theresa (44); third, Joan of Arc, 6:20 .6 Corpus Christi, Fremont (47) 6th–8th Grade Girls: first, 3rd–5th Grade Boys: first, St Michael Mia Rueb, St . Joan of Arc, (23); second, Our Lady of Grace (30); third, 5:44 .3; second, Janna Barron, St . Joan of Arc (31) St . Michael, 5:47 .4; third, Evelyn 6th–8th Grade Girls: first, St . Michael Ruckmann-Barnes, St . Michael (11); second, St . Patrick, Rodeo (24); third, 6:02 .1 St . Joan of Arc (35) 6th–8th Grade Boys first, 6th–8th Grade Boys: first, St . Michael Alek Schade, St . Michael, (13); second, St . Bonaventure (17); third, 5:22 .8; second, Horatio Bucio, St . Joan of Arc (37) St . Leo the Great, 5:37 .7; third, For complete meet results or for more Daniel Messer, St . Bonaventure, information on CYO Cross Country, 5:38 .4 visit the Cross Country page of the CYO Website: www .oaklandcyo .org . ANTHONY DELOS SANTOS/SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC VOICE ANTHONY THE DELOS TO CATHOLIC SANTOS/SPECIAL K-2 winners At the end of the 3-5th Grade girls’ race, on the left is Jordynn Hughes from St. Felicitas, Times over ½-mile course (Bill Ford is the director of the Catholic with Isabella Rogers from St. Joseph, Alameda. They finished one and two in the race, K–2nd Grade Girls: first, Youth Organization in the Diocese of with Isabella finishing first by .1 second. at 6:46.9. Jordynn finished 6:47.0. Lucia Johnson, St . Theresa, Oakland.) 10 — THE CATHOLIC VOICE NOVEMBER 11, 2019 Senior Living & Resources Social activism no mere second act for many seniors By David Scholz Special to The Catholic Voice While some seniors’ retirement is marked by travel and hobbies, for others, social activism is filling their days . Social scientists, in research published on Popularresistance .org, dubbed the increased interest of seniors in social issues and community causes a “silver revolution ”. This passion among local seniors to work for social causes and back political issues does not represent new hobby-like endeavors to fill idle time in their lives . Rather, social activism was instilled early on by their parents, and it remained an important priority . “They taught us to have a Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other to reflect on the Gospel message with what was happening in the world,” said Oakland resident Meg Bowerman, 69, recalling her parents’ encouragement . One of her eight siblings had special needs, so her parents were big advocates for mental health . That issue became a VOICE THE SCHOLZ/SPECIAL TO CATHOLIC DAVID special interest to the family . Christ the King Parish members Gwen Watson and Anne Daniele listen as Diego Salazar Galvias, far right, of the Jesuit “We were always civic minded,” said School of Theology in Berkeley and a member of the Oakland Catholic Worker staff, prepares to translate for Luis, a Bowerman, a member of St . Columba Honduran immigrant who is starting a new life with his family in Oakland. The Pleasant Hill parish is involved in a new Church in Oakland, who worked as program with the Catholic Worker that assists refugees who are starting new lives in the United States. a neonatal nurse practitioner, most recently at UCSF Benioff Children’s dinator role with Just Faith, that works service-only model . instilled a philosophy in her . and UCSF . on issues like migration, poverty, rac- “I am drawn to advocacy through “They acknowledged the help of others In retirement Bowerman hasn’t ism, prison reform and legislative visits because I am and taught us to do the same . As they were slowed down, giving time to a vari- those tied to Catholic good at it,” she said proudly, helped so should we likewise help others,” ety of causes, including educating social teaching, and citing recent encounters with said Daniele . voters on legislative issues and encourages involve- the staffs of Rep . Barbara Lee, Daniele’s history in activism spans registering voters for the League ment by other parish- D-Oakland, and Sen . Dianne more than half a century . The 1960s saw of Women Voters . With Next Step es . The group’s efforts Feinstein, D-Calif ., and the opposition to the Vietnam War and march- Learning Center, she tutors sci- to counteract hunger difference those communica- ing alongside Cesar Chavez and Dolores ence for those pursuing their high happens through its tions are making to change Huerta for the minimum wage rights of school diploma via a GED . partnership with Bread policy . farm workers . “The students tutor me Anne Daniele for the World . Meg Bowerman Anne Daniele, 83, of Antioch, The 1980s saw the focus on home- about life on the margins,” said Advocacy has tak- who attends Christ the King lessness and opposition to the Reagan Bowerman . en on particular significance in her life as Church in Pleasant Hill and occasionally Administration’s policies . By the 2000s Along with ministries like Faith in she works to encourage others to use their Most Holy Rosary Church in Antioch, said it was protests against Immigration and Action, she serves in a volunteer coor- strengths and passions to break from the her parents were immigrants and they (Continued on Page 11.) How to maximize Social Security survivor’s benefits By Jeffrey Hall ing survivor’s benefits longer than your 70 and compare that to your survivor’s to survivor’s benefits, but remarriage after Special to The Catholic Voice full retirement age will not increase the benefit . If your retirement benefit at age 70 age 60 does not affect benefits . Social Security survivor’s benefits pro- benefit . If you delay taking retirement will be larger than your survivor’s benefit, In the case of remarriage, you may vide a safety net to widows and widowers . benefits past your full retirement age, it may make sense to claim your survivor’s need to factor in the new spouse’s spousal But to get the most out of the benefit, you depending on when you were born your benefit at your full retirement age .You can benefit when figuring out the best way to need to know the right time to claim . benefit will increase by 6 percent to 8 then let your retirement benefit continue to maximize benefits . While you can claim survivor’s benefits percent for every year that you delay grow and switch to the retirement benefit The calculations are very complicated as early as age 60, if you claim ben- up to age 70, in addition to any cost of at age 70 . and there are literally thousands of possi- efits before your full living increases . Here’s an example: A widow has the ble strategies if one considers that for each Telegraph Media NAME OFretirement ADVERTISER: age, your You cannot take both retirementAccOuNT ben EXEc-: poptionROOF DATE of : takingARTIST: full retirement benefits of month between ages 62 and 70, either PROOF SHEET the Pointbenefits at will rockridge be per- efits and survivor’s benefits atel the same 10$2,000/10/19 a monthaJ or survivor’s benefits of spouse could file a claim for retirement puBLIcATION: ISSuE(s):manently reduced . If time . WhenAD SIZE: deciding which onecLASSIFI to ctake,ATION / Sp$2,100/monthEcIAL pOSITION: . She can take the survivor’s benefits, resulting in a different cumulative you claim benefits at you need to compare the two benefits to benefits and let her retirement benefits benefit amount for each strategy . oakland & alameda mags noV 2019 1/3sQ your full retirement see which is higher . In some cases, the continue to grow . When she reaches It is usually not possible to know what age, you will receive decision is easy — one benefit is clearly age 70, her retirement benefit will be claiming strategy is most advantageous 100 percent of your much higher than the other . In other situ- approximately $2,480 a month, and she without the aid of benefit claiming soft- spouse’s benefit or, ations, the decision can be a little more can switch to her retirement benefits . ware . To find out the strategy that would Hall if your spouse died complicated and you may want to take Depending on the widow’s life expectancy, work best for you, I suggest you access a before collecting ben- your survivor’s benefit before switching to this strategy may make sense even if the software program like Maximize my Social efits, 100 percent of what your spouse’s your retirement benefit . survivor’s benefit is smaller than the retire- Security or Social Security Timing . benefit would have been at full retirement To determine the best strategy, you will ment benefit to begin with . age . need to look at your retirement benefit at Keep in mind that divorced spouses are (Jeffrey Hall is an elder law and estate Unlike with retirement benefits, delay- your full retirement age as well as at age also entitled to survivor’s benefits if they planning attorney. See his website at www. were married for at least 10 years . If you HallLawGroup.com or call him at 925-230- remarry before age 60, you are not entitled 9002.)

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Please Proof carefully and check all details including Phone numbers and websites if you have any questions, please contact us immediately at 510.879.3700 or email [email protected] ATTENTION: Due to printing factors that are out of our control, published ad may show some variation in colors, photo and/or screen quality PROOF APPROVAL: The advertiser, in emailing approval, warrants that any copy material or display advertisement which he/she may furnish to Publisher is his property to which the copyright or the privilege to copyright has not been granted to any other person or company. In respect to such warrants, the advertiser agrees that he/she will indemnify and hold harmless Publisher from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, damages, causes of action or liabilities and will pay all reasonable expenses incurred in the defense thereof, which may result if the certification is incorrect or false, or if the advertiser fails to give prompt notice of change or withdrawal of authorization from the use of said trade mark, trade name, copy material or display advertisement in the magazine representation herein requested. PLEASE EMAIL APPROVAL OR CHANGES by RESPONdING TO THE EMAIL TO wHICH THIS PROOF wAS ATTACHEd NOVEMBER 11, 2019 THE CATHOLIC VOICE — 11

The descriptions of senior services in this St. Mary’s emergency shelter to open early section were provided by the service agen- cies, which are responsible for the accuracy Carrie McClish soap, lotion, shampoo), new socks, underwear, tissues and of the content . — The Catholic Voice Staff writer large print books . For more information contact the center at St . Mary’s Center Emergency Winter Shelter, the East Bay’s 510-923-9600, ext . 223 . Faith, compassion only homeless shelter exclusively for seniors 55 years of age The St . Vincent de Paul Shelter offers 100 beds — 35 for and over, will open Nov . 18, two weeks early, to address the women, and 65 for men — at 2272 San Pablo Ave ., Oakland . at Mercy Center urgent needs of unsheltered older people in the community . The collaboration of St . Vincent de Paul of Alameda County Established in 1872, Mercy Retirement & In anticipation of the opening a special “Shelter Work Day” and the city of Oakland to keep the shelter open year-around Care Center was founded on a deep sense of will take place Nov . 14 in which volunteers, including seniors began a year ago . Those who require shelter may dial 510- faith, dignity and compassion . who have used shelter services, will prepare the shelter at 638-7600 for more information . They are welcome to be at Today, this tradition continues through its Brockhurst Street and San Pablo Avenue in Oakland . the shelter by 6 p .m . to see if space is available . dedication to caring for every aspect of physi- Last year St . Mary’s Center, which has a reputation for Blase Bova, executive director of St . Vincent de Paul of cal, emotional and spiritual wellness of the securing housing for its participants, served 119 seniors . Alameda County, said the shelter was operating at 90 percent older adults we serve . Situated on a lush cam- “We helped find permanent homes for 20, as well as of capacity on Nov . 5 . Service animals are allowed at the shel- pus in Oakland, Mercy provides a continuum transitional housing for 17, and shelters for 13,” said Sharon ter, but there is no room for pets . There is a storage area for of services to meet a variety of health care Cornu, SMC’s executive director . the guests’ belongings, Bova said . The shelter is open seven needs, including assisted living, memory care Through its comprehensive program St . Mary’s also offers days a week, from 6 p .m .to 8 a .m .Guests receive dinner and a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center . individuals who are homeless clean clothes, wellness classes, and breakfast, and are welcome to return for lunch, Tuesday Come in to experience the Mercy differ- case management and housing navigation that leads to through Saturday, in the Free Dining Room . ence . Please visit www .eldercarealliance .org permanent housing . Volunteers are needed to help prepare dinner and set up for more information or dial 510-534-8540 to In addition to volunteer assistance, St . Mary’s Center is cots, Bova said . Two Oakland parish-based SVdP conferences schedule a complimentary lunch and per- accepting donations of toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, volunteer to offer movie nights and game nights for the guests . sonalized visit . The Point at Rockridge Be prepared for natural disasters to strike The Point at Rockridge senior community; independent, assisted-living and memory care . By Joanne Devereaux quick-moving fires has made us rethink what we can do . Consistent 5-star reviews, hard-sought reader’s Special to The Catholic Voice Things you can collect and do to prepare: choice awards — Oakland Magazine 2019 Best If you are in California there is plenty to worry about . Our • Keep flashlights close by, with batteries and keep cell of and 2019 Best by The J . Testimonials tout routines have been greatly impacted by fires phones charged; keep medications stocked; stock food that care, compassionate staff and residents who I had asked my husband what would he take if we needed can be eaten uncooked . are “engaged, kind, bright ”. to run out the door because of a fire . He said, “Ringo (our • Freeze water and have a cooler on hand; have enough Care is not only about the physical body but dog) and Jack and Jill (our cats) ”. We both thought we’d take cash available; keep in touch with family and friends . equally social and emotional well-being . Robust our computers and cell phones . For the most part, we would • Keep car fully charged, if electric, or filled with gas; have activities calendar that follows core compo- run (in sensible shoes) and leave everything else behind . an evacuation plan; keep a supply of drinking water . nents: be inspired, be well, be challenged, be If you are a senior this can be a scary time . PG&E is • Keep important documents in a safe place or photograph family, be social, be connected . The Elevate accessible with information via the internet . If you don’t use for safekeeping; a portable cell phone charger is a good Dining Program garners internal reviews for a computer you can ask family or friends to help find out if investment; get an air purifier and air respirator . deliciousness, variety and depth . And it all your power will be turned off . (Joanne Devereaux operates Mindful Transitions, which pro- happens in a comfortable, sophisticated, clean We have recently taken photos of all our insurance documents . vides management for senior residential moves. Reach her environment . Weekly Catholic Communion . Watching the news and listening to stories of people running from at 510-757-7340 or mtransitions.com.) Social activism no mere . . . (Continued from Page 10.) in both a top performing school and one Customs Enforcement and the Contra with lower graduating rates, is inspired Costa County Sheriff’s Office, and annual to serve today by those students from appearances at Lawrence Livermore long ago . National Laboratory each Good Friday Both women’s involvement with Faith and Aug . 6 to mark the anni- in Action is putting their focus versaries of the dropping of squarely on the plight of immi- atomic bombs on Hiroshima and grants who are seeking a fresh Nagasaki to urge the elimination start in the Bay Area . of nuclear weapons . The Accompaniment Daniele, an educator for 50 Program is a joint effort years before retiring in 2015, between Christ the King par- focused on students with special ish and the Oakland Catholic

needs and requiring remedial Worker to assist immigrants PHOTO COURTESY academic help . Starting in Taft, and undocumented families Gwen Watson Meeting at Catholic Relief Services in the Diocese of Oakland to support fund- she eventually moved north and with various needs such as ing for global nutrition and support of migrants, from left: Michael Wharton, St. continued her work around the schooling, medical appoint- Patrick Parish, Oakland; Meg Bowerman, St. Columba Parish, Oakland; Adam Mount Diablo Unified School District as ments, court appearances and finding Mehis, staff member for Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.; Marc McKimmey, Catholic well as on the Pittsburg School Unified jobs and legal assistance . Relief Services coordinator; and Chiquita Tuttle, St. Benedict Parish, Oakland. District’s Student Attendance/Behavior “We all Review Board . have gifts Like Daniele, Lafayette resident Gwen to give to Experienced Watson’s professional life was balanced each other . Trusts & Estates Attorney with social activism . As long as The Christ the King parishioner also you are had the opportunity to learn from one of given gifts, Jeffrey Hall MBA, CPA, Esq. the best, Sister Simone Campbell, one you need to • Revocable Trusts of the Nuns on the Bus that travel the share them,” • Wills and Probates country as advocates for justice . Today, said Daniele . • Trust Administration Watson stands shoulder-to-shoulder with “I will share Daniele voicing her thoughts on issues what I can, For a free 30 minute consultation making headlines today . no matter, Watson, who worked in education for how small, 925-230-9002 20 years throughout Contra Costa County with others ”. www.HallLawGroup.com The care REVERSE MORTGAGE If you are 62 or older and own your house, you need a Reverse Mortgage may benefit you! at a moment’s notice. • Turn Home Equity into Cash Serving the • Pay off Bills & Credit Cards Bay Area • Zero Mortgage Payments Senior Helpers stands • FHA Program Designed for Seniors ready to serve your Call for a free information package family’s needs with personalized in-home care, and expertly trained, professional caregivers. Let us ease your mind with a complimentary Serving the Bay Area “I pledge to provide excellent High Quality Home in-home care initial appointment. customer service with the highest Care Since 1996 Call today to learn more. standard of ethics.” 510-524-6700 David C. Chee Senior Helpers Berkley Certified Public Accountant 712 El Cerrito Plaza NMLS ID# 263222 1-800-967-3575 Attendant CNA Respite Care El Cerrito, CA 94530 *Borrower to remain current on their property taxes and homeowners 415-759-0520 | www.irishhelpathome.com www.seniorhelpers.com insurance and HOA fees, occupy home as primary residence and maintain the property. HCO License #384700001 High Tech Lending, Inc., Licensed by the Department of Business Bonded and insured. Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. Senior Helpers locations are independently owned and operated. ©2016 SH Franchising, LLC. NMLS #7147. NMLS Consumer Access: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. IrishHelpAtHome 12 — THE CATHOLIC VOICE NOVEMBER 11, 2019 Senior Living & Resources Doctor urges elders to be proactive as they age

Special to The Catholic Voice Aronson wrote her book based on her Redefining aging, transforming medi- experiences as a practicing physician cine, reimagining life … those tasks sound and her subsequent concerns about how pretty daunting, but they are the subtitle of the medical community mistakenly views a recent book titled “Elderhood” written by aging . The result is too often an ineffective Dr . Louise Aronson, a practicing geriatri- response that can do more harm than cian and a professor at the University of good because responses to and needs for California San Francisco . medical treatment vary by age . Aronson discussed “Reimagining Your What works for a 30-year-old may not Best Elderhood,” on Oct . 8 at St . Charles be effective for a 70-year-old . To iden- Borromeo Church in Livermore . tify these different needs, she believes it Based on her 25 years as a physician imperative for health providers to recog- and educator, Aronson shared her vision nize life as having three distinct stages: of how the medical childhood, adult- community and we, hood and elder- as individuals, can Next program hood, each with its make growing older own distinct char- Life Transitions for Aging Adults’ a time of promise acteristics . She

next program, by Father Jeff Finley, PHOTO COURTESY and fulfillment . defines elderhood the Palliative Care coordinator at Those interest- as 60 and older and Dr. Louise Aronson discusses aging at a meeting of St. Charles Borromeo Parish’s Washington Hospital in Fremont, will ed in bettering the notes that, unlike LTAA ministry. be at 1 p .m . Nov . 19 at St . Charles well-being of older the recent past, Borromeo Parish, 1315 Lomitas adults are invited 60-year-olds likely experiences that may not even have been fall . Effective prevention measures can Ave, Livermore . Information: Molly to attend free talks have another 25 or possible when younger . often prohibit the need for costly medical Fisher, 925-449-8849 or fisher . that are part of more years to live . Aronson notes in her book that ensur- responses . molly@comcast net. . Life Transitions for Associated with ing a good later life not only requires Aronson is passionate as well as practi- Aging Adults, a the longer life span age-appropriate responses from medical cal in her approach to improving medical ministry St . Charles and its different providers but also mandates proactivity to care for the older population . Her discus- has presented for the past two years . needs comes the need for those years prevent or forestall complications of aging . sion is in the vocabulary of the layperson, LTAA is in its third year of helping older to be as productive and comfortable as As an example, she cites programs, so all can grasp the need for applying her adults by presenting programs on the possible . This cannot be accomplished if such as fall prevention education as being wisdom . She speaks with the authority physical, emotional, social and spiritual growing older is regarded as a downward more effective than dealing with the sur- of a scientist and the fervent care of a issues of aging . spiral rather than a time rich in satisfying geries and rehabilitation required after a human being .

join us and stay healthy and fit . Led by Dionne the Fremont Retirement Community; Eucharistic Just for Seniors Cola . 510-632-1847 . Ministers visit those who are sick and homebound . Events, activities and opportunities for seniors in the Oakland diocese. Events are The ministry, which has 50 members, has been in subject to change. Please contact parishes or organizations to verify. Fridays place for over 45 years Line Dancing. 1 to 3 p .m . in the hall, St . Benedict Life Transitions for Aging Adults. Meetings: Church, 2245 82nd Ave ., Oakland .Want to learn Games Party in the parish hall at 1100 Keaveny Tuesdays, 1 to 2:30 p .m ., at St . Charles Borromeo new line dances? It’s free, however we do request u Court, Walnut Creek . Beginning at noon on the third Church, 1315 Lomitas Ave, Borromeo Hall, SPIRITUALITY donations for St . Vincent de Paul Society at St . Tuesday monthly, parishioners and friends meet to Livermore . Supporting the physical, emotional, Benedict Parish . Dec. 6, Jan. 3, 2020 play bridge, Rummikub, dominoes, etc . Bring your social and spiritual lives of older adults . Information: First Friday Healing Mass. 8 a m. . at Sacred Heart own lunches; beverages and snacks are provided . contact, Molly Fisher, 925-449-8849 . Church, 4025 Martin Luther King Jr . Way, Oakland . Questions? Contact Walter Lang, 925-939-2430 . Anointing and prayers for all in need of healing . u SUPPORT 510-655-9209 . Third Tuesdays u VOLUNTEERS St. Isidore Church’s Young at Hearts Group. GROUPS Dec. 7, Jan 4, 2020 This gathering, an extension of the parish’s Legion Fourth Wednesdays NEEDED Senior Anointing Mass. 11 a m. . at Divine Mercy of Mary ministry, begins at 11:30 a .m .at 440 La Drivers for Survivors (DFS). Drivers for at St . Church, 3725 High St ,. Oakland . All seniors, their Gonda Way, Danville . $3 donation . Information: Family Caregiver Support Ministry Survivors provides free transportation service Isidore Parish . 7 p .m . in Rooms 214 and 215 in caregivers or anyone seriously ill or anticipating 925-837-2122 . and supportive companionship for ambula- the Ministry Center, 440 La Gonda Way, Danville . surgery are invited to attend this Mass and sacra- tory cancer patients, from suspicious findings Family caregivers are invited to attend our ment of the Anointing of the Sick . 510-530-0761 . Thursdays through completion of treatments . Now in its monthly meetings which include prayer, handouts St. Jerome Church Coffee Group. Meets from 9 Anointing of the Sick Mass at Holy Spirit Church . on caregiving and discussion related to coping seventh year DFS has provided more than Starts at 11 a .m . at 37588 Fremont Blvd ,. Fremont . to 10 a .m . Thursdays in Rohan Hall at 308 Carmel 18,600 rides to more than 500 clients . Since Ave ., El Cerrito, after morning Mass . Information: when caring for loved ones . Information: Dave For seniors, those who are seriously ill or those Clare, 925-314-5784 . July 2019 DFS expanded its services to three anticipating surgery . A complimentary luncheon 510-525-0876 . East Alameda County cities: Dublin, Livermore follows the Mass . 510-797-1660 . Parish Ministry to Seniors and Pleasanton . For more information visit www . Fourth Thursdays driversforsurvivors .org, info@survivorsforvisitors . Holy Spirit Parish in Fremont takes care of the Golden Friends at St. Jarlath Church. This is free org or 510-579-0535 . spiritual needs of the senior community in many u SOCIALS/ and open to seniors who want to come together How does your parish celebrate, support and and pray, eat, sing and have a good time with one ways . These include: Nursing Home Ministry in minister to seniors in your community? Which another . This is a bilingual gathering that includes which one of the priests along with the nursing older parishioners nurture and inspire you? Share LUNCHEONS 11 a .m . Mass in the parish hall, 12 p .m . luncheon home ministry members visit six different nursing and send your story ideas and contributions to Thursday, Dec. 8 and 1 p .m .social activity . Access the parish hall homes each month . The visits are scheduled for from Pleasant Street (wheelchair ramp) . The Mondays and second and third Thursdays through- Senior Stories, The Catholic Voice, 2121 Harrison Senior Luncheon and Social at St . Mary parish is located at 2620 Pleasant St ., Oakland . out the year; Communion Services conducted by St ., Oakland, CA 94612 Next. issue: Jan . 6 . Magdalen Parish . Noon at 2005 Berryman St ., Information: 510-532-2068 . Deacon Steve Lewellyn on Sunday mornings in Deadline: Dec . 16 . Berkeley . People bring the food and enjoy one another’s company . “It’s mainly social — once in First Fridays a while we will have a presentation,” said Mary Hurd, who organizes the quarterly gatherings . For 60 Plus or Minus Club at Church of the additional information and dates contact the parish Transfiguration . Following the 9:30 a .m .Mass at NEED HELP 4000 E . Castro Valley Blvd ., Castro Valley . 510- office at 510-526-4811 . 538-7941 . ON THE STAIRS? Third Mondays Second Fridays St. Anthony Parish Senior Ministry. 11:30 a .m . Early Timers at St . Joan of Arc Parish . 5:30 to 8 An Acorn Stairlift is the in the hall, St . Anthony Church, 971 O’Hara Ave ., p .m . in the multipurpose room at 2601 San Ramon Oakley . The luncheons are sponsored by various perfect solution to use the Valley Road, San Ramon . Contact: Rosemary parish organizations like the Knights of Columbus, Weigel, rosemaryweigel@comcast .net or 925- stairs if you suffer from: Guadalupana Society, Am-Fil Community as well 831-9557 . as private individuals . In addition to lunch, the ü Arthritis or COPD gatherings may include speakers, games like Bingo and live entertainment . Information: 925-625-2048 . Third Fridays ü Joint pain in your feet, St. Isidore Church’s “Classic Club.” Meets at knees or back Tuesdays 5:45p .m . third Fridays (except in July and August .) in the St . Isidore Room at St . Isidore Church, 440 St. John the Baptist Parish Senior Lunch and ü Mobility issues when La Gonda Way, Danville, for a potluck dinner and using the stairs Speaker. Meets Tuesdays, 11:30 a .m to. 12:30 social . 925-837-2122 . p .m ., at El Cerrito Royale, 6500 Gladys St ., corner of Lexington, El Cerrito . Information: 510-232-5659; ACCREDITED A+ Last Fridays BUSINESS Rating www .stjohnelcerrito .org . ® Golden Friends at St . Louis Bertrand Church, Oakland . 11 a .m in. the rectory at 1410-100th Second Tuesdays Ave ., Oakland . The gathering, is open to everyone SPECIAL OFFER Senior Adult Ministry at St . Joan of Arc Parish . interested in consuming good food (potluck) and The Senior Adults of St . Joan in San Ramon meet extended conversations that are often as humorous CALL NOW TO RECEIVE for lunch and conversation from 11:30 a .m .to 1 and as bountiful as the food, according to longtime p .m . at 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd ., San Ramon . participant Rosemary Brennan . Be prepared to .00* We bring our own bag lunch plus snacks to share . take home both . The bilingual get-togethers may This is a “lively” group gaining wisdom and insight $250 also include the playing of board games, singing from sharing of our spiritual journeys . For more songs and sending cards to friends like Golden TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF information send an email to phyllis9@comcast .net . Friends founder Gloria Manning Taylor, who are no A NEW ACORN STAIRLIFT! longer able to attend due to changes in mobility or Second Tuesdays residence . 510-568-1080 . St. Francis of Assisi Parish Senior Luncheon . Meets every second Tuesday at 860 Oak Grove 1-855-996-9979 Road, Concord . Information: 925-682-5447, ext . u FITNESS *Not valid on previous purchases. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. Not valid on refurbished models. 2 . Free . Only valid towards purchase of a NEW Acorn Stairlift directly from the manufacturer. $250 discount will be Mondays-Wednesdays applied to new orders. Please mention this ad when calling. AZ ROC 278722, CA 942619, MN LC670698, OK 50110, OR CCB 198506, RI 88, WA ACORNSI894OB, WV WV049654, MA HIC169936, NJ 13VH07752300, PA Third Tuesdays Wellness Class. 6 to 7 p .m . in the hall, St . Benedict PA101967, CT ELV 0425003-R5, AK 134057. St. Stephen Parish hosts a monthly Card & Church, 2245 82nd Ave ., Oakland . Come out and NOVEMBER 11, 2019 THE CATHOLIC VOICE — 13 Father Mat’s ‘110% devotion’ models a call for ‘changing ourselves’ By David Scholz Special to The Catholic Voice Father Matthew Vellankal has taken his final hike, and now he is home . A faithful and humble servant with a spring in his step to the end, his Oct . 21 funeral Mass was punctuated with a rous- ing applause as his casket was rolled from the sanctuary of St . Bonaventure Church in Concord . “Well done Mat, you little magician, you have been a faithful servant,” said his friend, Rev . Robert Rien, pastor of St . Ignatius of Antioch . Rien fought back tears as he broke a magic wand above his head — a tradition when a magician has performed his last trick and died . Father Vellankal, 61, died Oct . 10 in a car accident in Colusa County . The acci- dent also left Rev . Joseph Parekkatt of St . Anne Parish in Walnut Creek with injuries . A friend traveling with them, Archbishop SPIRIT PARISH PHOTO/HOLY COURTESY Dominic Jala of the Shillong archdiocese Holy Spirit Parish in Fremont was the location for Father Mathew Vellankal’s rosary vigil on Oct. 20. Father Vellankal in India also was killed . worked there from 2006-2017. All priests are required to have on file with the chancery their wishes upon their devotion to the Church,” said who cited the priest’s authenticity and the death, and Bishop Michael C . Barber, SJ, the bishop, lauding the priest’s positivity he exuded . mused that Father Vellankal certainly had discipleship . “He wasn’t a ‘go through the motions’ that covered with a 100-page autobiog- “Wherever he went, the type of person,” said Mrs . Calimlim, raphy . attendance went up,” he con- whether it was high fives he gave to the Such thoroughness defined the “mis- tinued, “and collections too ”. children or the dime store plastic crosses sionary zeal” Father Vellankal brought to Jacob Perry, director of Youth that he would give as gifts . whatever task when he served in local Ministry at St . Bonaventure “He just glowed with something . He parishes, including Queen of All Saints Church, cited four values that wasn’t being sappy or syrupy, his way was Concord, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Holy defined the departed leader: genuine . It might sound like a gimmick Spirit in Fremont . hospitality, excellence, compas- but it wasn’t,” she continued of Father Whereas priests of a different time sion and joy . Mat making everyone feel like they were spoke of the adventures traveling to the “He was a visionary,” said special . likes of Africa or India to pursue their Perry . “He saw the potential in The Calimlims recalled the priest’s vocations, Bishop Barber noted how people and helped us to see efforts to go incognito – collarless – and Father Vellankal recognized the mission- the way ”. buy a meal for one of Concord’s downtrod- ary need here . VOICE THE BLANKENHORN/SPECIAL TO CATHOLIC DAVID Perry also noted how den . It kind of fell flat . Just when he was “Europe and America are struggling,” Rev. Richard Mangini, longtime pastor at St. Father Vellankal couldn’t help about to extend the offer after making the he said . “(Priests are) coming from India Bonaventure Parish who was followed as pastor but lavish praise, always seem- initial contacts at Todos Santos Plaza, to help us ”. by Rev. Mathew Vellankal, greets Rev. Robert Rien. ingly saying “good job, good either the person was not interested or his The depth of his spirituality made itself job, good job” to those around would-be guest had disappeared when he known when he wept upon learning of however, only seemed to propel him for- him, Perry included, even when he admit- turned away for a moment . his mother’s passing in a telegram . Two ward and deepen his faith . Seeing a doc- tedly was not deserving of it . Hardly disappointed, they said Father years shy of his ordination in 1987, Father tor was out of the question as he had no Joy for Father Vellankal was as close Mat just went with it because he acknowl- Vellankal had stayed at his mother’s bed- insurance, he trekked with a swollen knee as a dinner with friends, or a good walk, edged sometimes it may not work when side as long as he could . to the Shrine of Our Lady of Banneux, and which he documented with pins that cov- you want to help out . His message: make “I already see you as a priest,” she told miraculously his injury was healed . ered a world map in his office to reflect all the effort . her son in those waning days of her life . Citing the likes of St . John Bosco and the places he had hiked during his lifetime . “It wasn’t just a shtick,” said Mrs . Indeed when he became a priest, St . John Vianney, Bishop Barber described “Father Mat you are awesome,” said Calimlim, “he really loved people; he Father Vellankal said, “it was the happiest how Father Vellankal sought to live that Perry, revisiting the priest’s familiar catch cared ”. day of my life ”. kind of commitment to community through phrase that he used to begin all his The funeral Mass concluded outside the Prior to arriving to the United States, his efforts as a diocesan and a Salesian Masses, “we love you, we will miss you church with many of the approximately 100 Bishop Barber chronicled when Father priest . and we will see you again ”. priests in attendance, gathering around the Vellankal severely sprained his knee while Father Vellankal, whose Silver Jubilee Long-time St . Bonaventure parishioners hearse and singing the traditional farewell playing volleyball in Belgium . The setback, year was 2012, embodied a “110 percent Lito and Darlene Calimlim, echoed others to a colleague, Salve Regina . Friends make life better all around By Rev. Paulson Mundanmani and his response was, “No, you do it . I Special to The Catholic Voice will concelebrate ”. There was no protocol . I was in Fatima, Portugal, when ter- He was a priest among priests . In an age rible things happened to two of my best of clericalism, he was my hero because friends — Archbishop Dominic Jala and he lived servant leadership to its fullest . Father Mathew Vellankal . With the grace He has joined me in hiking, backpacking and strength from our blessed Mother, I and many other leisurely activities here was able to receive the worst news in my in the US . life and entrust back to God the two best Father Mathew was a colleague who he had entrusted to my life . shared his life and ministry with me over

Archbishop Dominic and I share a the past 20 years here in the United States . PHOTO COURTESY friendship that goes back 30-plus years, We had no secrets, rather we built A trio of priests from the Oakland diocese accompanied Father Mathew when he was my Liturgy professor and our relationship over our successes and Vellankal’s body to his home parish. friend . And then we worked together for hardships, our plans and strategies for many years in a technical school where he the future . I have always been inspired by was the director; and I served as general Mathew’s positive energy and unrestrained Father Vellankal laid to rest in India manager or administrator . enthusiasm for ministry Those were years I want you to know I have not lost hope . Three priests of the Oakland diocese were able to attend funeral services for when we cement- As a priest, I have accompanied so many Father Mathew Vellankal in India . Rev . Paulson Mundanmani, pastor at Christ the ed our friendship of you in your own losses, and you have King in Pleasant Hill, provided this account: and learned to love taught me in more ways than you know Vincent Pala, member of Parliament from Shillong, India, came to San Francisco and respect each how to cope with death especially of a and personally accompanied the body of Archbishop Dominic Jala to Shillong . other even more . loved one . It brings up our own mortality . After presiding over the vigil service in Fremont for Father Mathew Vellankal, Rev . Archbishop Dominic When someone close to you dies it is a Johnson Abraham, pastor at St . Agnes in Concord, and I flew to Shillong to take never drove a car, and reminder that we will die and, who knows, part in the funeral services of the archbishop . Rev . George Alengadan joined us in so always depended it could be soon or it could be later . I have the services for Father Vellankal on Oct . 26 at Father Vellankal’s home parish of St . Rev. on others to drive him always said to myself that God has blessed Michael, Randaar, Kerala . Mundanmani around . During those me with good health, success and friends More than 100,000 people came to the celebration of life for Archbishop Jala, years, there wasn’t a for 55 years, and I consider every day as four archbishops and 12 bishops and more than 500 priests were present during the single day when I did not drive him some- a gift . concelebrated requiem Mass . I was honored to speak on behalf of Bishop Michael where or another . His mother and siblings Someone said, “Friends aren’t just icing C . Barber, SJ, offering them our prayers and condolences . lived five miles away from the school, and on the cake of life — they’re the cake . They Afterward, we attended funeral services for Father Vellankal in his home parish, we would visit his mom almost every 3-4 make life more fun, more fulfilling, and, where he was baptized, confirmed and ordained as a priest . In his homily Bishop days, sit around the fire in the kitchen and well, just better all around ”. George Madathikandathil described Father Mathew as a saintly priest filled with the eat and drink . I knew all his siblings and This means we don’t have to be perfect Holy Spirit whom God anointed with extraordinary gifts reserved only to a few . He nephews and nieces . with one another . Sometimes we are at our was buried on Oct . 26 in the cemetery next to his parish church . When I came to the United States, the best, and other times we’re at our worst . archbishop made it a priority to visit me In a good friendship there is mutuality . Our almost every year and spend time with friends are the people we let in . They’re fellow priests . I want you to rest with Me . I am resting, so the community I was serving . In fact, from the people who can get under our skin, A co-worker of God is one who is bound you have to rest with Me ”. Fremont to Pleasant Hill, most communi- for better or for worse, and they’re the together with God . When God works, he And that is how I would like to accept ties of faith remember Archbishop Jala ones in whom we choose to invest . I have works . When God walks, he walks . this loss, and I would like to thank you for as a humble man who had no pretenses . invested everything in these two people When God stops, he stops .You may be your goodness to me . Last year, while visiting Christ the King, the over the years . I am grateful Father Joseph a diligent person who wants to do more archbishop showed up at the sacristy and Parekkatt is alive, and I promised him that work for God, but God may say, “I do not (Rev. Paulson Mundanmani is pastor at Father Vince Cotter asked him to preside, he can come to CTK to recuperate among want you to do more work for Me right now; Christ the King Parish, Pleasant Hill.) 14 — THE CATHOLIC VOICE NOVEMBER 11, 2019 Finding faith and healing at Queen of Heaven Cemetery By Norma Montenegro Flynn who may be caught up in their daily work Special to The Catholic Voice and family lives and so the spiritual experi- The cemetery’s evening darkness ence of a funeral is an interruption of all holds a time of spiritual joy as Joseph that and often an uncomfortable one, but Witherspoon, coordinator of Landings and it is also a very important time for people director of Queen of Heaven Cemetery to re-evaluate their lives ”. and Funeral Center in Lafayette, leads Witherspoon sees the importance of distanced Catholics in Landings, a Paulist reaching out to them at such vulnerable small-group ministry for Catholics who times . “To be there, to show our Landings want to return to their faith . flyers and reach out to people who may be Held in the cemetery chapel, the living feeling loss, to be able to remind them of find healing and reconciliation as they the spiritual wealth that is not lost within pray, tell their spiritual stories and discuss them could be a wonderful gift for them,” Catholic teachings . he said . “I had a really positive experience with The death of a loved one is often- Landings,” said Allison, a returnee who times the reason that people turn to their prefers to share only her first name . She faith, and Landings offers a safe harbor . VOICE THE TO CATHOLIC YASUHARA/SPECIAL ALL: BARBARA said that although she never abandoned Freddie Mae Poole, Landings coordinator the Catholic at St . Joseph Catholic Church in Largo, Week faith, she Maryland, has helped others dealing with of renewal More information: needed the losses and recalls how her ministry helped Oakland’s St. Benedict landingsintl .org spiritual con- a young man who distanced himself from Parish completed a nection and God and the Church after his wife died . “Homecoming Week” of information Poole recounted, “He felt hurt; he said renewal Oct. 20 with the that the program offered her to put her he couldn’t face God . I told him that I renaming and dedication faith as a priority in her life . felt his pain ” . She continued, “We’re so of the parish hall in hon- “Landings is a spiritual journey, this is proud to see him now, believing in God or of the late Rev. James not just about seeking out spirituality but and thanking God . Every Sunday his wife V. Matthews, who had also education,” Allison added . gives me a hug and thanks me because been St. Benedict’s pastor Joe, himself a returned Catholic and she says he is a different man now that he from 1989-2015. Father former Landings leader at Our Lady has come back in God’s grace . That’s what Matthews, who was rec- of Angels in Burlingame, commented, gives me the inspiration to continue doing tor of the Cathedral of “Queen of Heaven is a small paradise it, because sometimes we look at people Christ the Light since tucked into the foothills of a beautiful and don’t know what’s wrong ”. 2015, was taken suddenly nature preserve that helps people find Landings has helped Poole’s parish by a heart attack on March 30. The week of celebration featured liturgy, comfort as they experience loss . So, when and others provide a safe, non-judgmental music and wellness. In the photos, the St. Benedict choir with music direc- you ask me what moved me ­— it really space where people can express the rea- tor Leonard D. Pete, second row, center; and with a New Orleans style band was a voice from the Holy Spirit, but also sons that led them to drift away from the playing, people enter the renamed hall. More photos and a video at facebook. from Mary who has a large presence at Church and to clarify their questions about com/TheCatholicVoice. the cemetery here ”. the faith . Welcomers and returnees meet As Witherspoon explained, “For many two hours for eight to ten weeks during visitors, a cemetery is a deep, powerful the program . “Queen of Heaven cemetery offers a The lay-led program landingsintl .org is experience that can also be an opportunity This is the first time that the ministry unique setting for the Landings program, 40 years old and international in scope, to reflect . We see many Catholics who program is offered at a cemetery, said providing returning Catholics a safe and found in parishes, centers and campus haven’t been to church in a long time, who Paulist Father Thomas A . Kane, executive contemplative space to ponder coming ministries in the United States, Canada, possibly haven’t prayed in many years, director of Landings International . home to the Church ”. Southeast Asia and the United Kingdom .

The baptized Seven ... are Hunter, 4, The seven chil- (Continued from Page 1.) and Sloane, 1, dren to be bap- welcomed into the Body of Christ, he said . children of Matt tized share the And being part of the Body leads, eventu- and Alice Sansoe; front row with ally, to the Eucharist . Colton, 1, son of their parents, “Baptism calls us to the table,” he said . Mike and Ashley godparents, sib- In the rite, the priest asks the commu- Sansoe; Jennifer, lings, family and nity if it is ready to help the parents raise 3, Jessica, 3, and friends. The sac- their child in the faith . Kaycie, 18 months, rament of bap- “We recognize Christ in one another,” daughters of Gabe tism is received he said . and Stephanie Dal during Mass at

The family members processed into Porto; and Siena VOICE CHRISTINE SCHRECK/THE CATHOLIC St. Anne Parish. Mass with the presider, and took seats in Dal Porto, almost a row near the altar . After the homily, they 1, daughter of AJ and Vanessa Dal Porto . baptism for seven . Five of the eight parents The parish’s grand piano belonged to the walked to the back of the church, to the The fathers are all first cousins . are graduates of De La Salle or Carondelet little ones’ great-grandmother . Siena Dal font for the completion of the rite, including “The family is very, very close,” said high schools . One of the grandfathers, Bob Porto, the youngest to be baptized, wore the dip into the baptismal water . Vanessa Dal Porto, who coordinated the Sansoe, taught at De La Salle . a baptismal garment fashioned from her The families live in close proxim- maternal grandmother’s wedding gown . ity; some in Walnut Creek and some in Siena was the lone one to not shy away Brentwood . They gathered to celebrate from the font . When it was her turn, she after the baptism . eagerly tried to dip her fingers into the Two other lovely touches of the day: holy water .

very hungry and very ready to receive Bringing ... the Good News of the forgiveness of sins that’s available in the Catholic Church and (Continued from Page 1.) the love in our hearts that’s poured out for “You are not alone . God is here . Pray Jesus Christ,” he said . to change your life . See what you can do The bishop said that when he visits after you leave detention,” are some of the the jails for reconciliation, he — and the messages Martinez said the letters convey . inmates — are appreciative for the prepa- The letter writers use a pseudonym, and ration the detention ministers provide . the return address is that of the church . “You treat them as a child of God,” he The inmates need the correspondence, said . “They’re so appreciative ”. he said, because sometimes they are The bishop told the detention ministers estranged from their families . of two guides who inspired him in deten- The ministry of about 10 people tion ministry, which he was involved in as meets once a month; Javier Martinez a Jesuit priest . corresponds with two people; his wife He first mentioned Father Jack O’Neill, with four . They hope, he said, that their who was Catholic chaplain for many correspondence will help the recipient years at San Quentin State Prison . “He

COURTESY PHOTO COURTESY develop spiritually . was legendary,” he said . “He not only Bishop Michael C . Barber, SJ, took care of the inmates, but the guards Fight against trafficking honored expressed his appreciation to all the and everybody else on the staff . There Members of the Stop Slavery Coalition: Northern California Catholic Sisters ministers . was no ‘us’ and ‘them ’. Everybody was a Against Human Trafficking were recently honored by Alameda County District “I thank you very much for helping child of God ”. Attorney Nancy O’Malley — earning her Nancy’s Hero Award. Pictured are Christ take care of His brothers and sisters The second was his brother, Rev . Sister Judy McDonnell, OP; Sharmin Bock, Alameda County assistant district who are incarcerated,” Bishop Barber told Stephen Barber, SJ, who later served as attorney; District Attorney O’Malley; Lyn Kirkconnell; Sister John Paul Chao, them . “This is one of the ministries that Catholic chaplain at San Quentin . “He took SMSM; and Betty Ma, one of the many volunteers. The coalition includes reli- Christ himself mentioned in Scripture, me in with him, taught me the ropes, took gious sisters and associates who are representatives from 10 Congregations: when he said, ‘When I was in prison you me around, especially Death Row, where Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose and Dominican Sisters of San Rafael; visited me ’ . You know you’re on the right we would have Mass in a little cage,” the Marist Missionary Sisters; Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Sisters of track when you are doing something that bishop said . the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas; Sisters is still as valid today 2,000 years after our Bishop Barber blessed burses — small of Notre Dame de Namur; Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Lord said it ”. pouches in which people who serve in Mary; Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity; and Sisters The bishop is no stranger to prison detention ministry can carry the Eucharist of St. Joseph of Orange. ministry . into jails — which were distributed to the “People in prison are usually spiritually detention ministers . NOVEMBER 11, 2019 THE CATHOLIC VOICE — 15 PACCIORINI/THE CATHOLIC VOICE CATHOLIC PACCIORINI/THE . ALL: ALBERT C ALBERT ALL: Choir processes into the cathedral as Mass begins. Feast of All Saints Look for them to intercede By Michele Jurich In his homily, Bishop Barber spoke his Staff writer recent trip to Rome, where he was one “Pray to our saints in heaven to ask God of 100 bishops concelebrating Mass with to help us and they will,” Bishop Michel Pope Francis at the canonization of five C . Barber, SJ, told noon Mass attendees saints, including John Henry Newman, at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in the 19th-century English Anglican priest Oakland on Nov . 1, on the Solemnity of who later became a Roman Catholic priest All Saints . and cardinal . In the 1990s, Bishop Barber was researching the theology of Cardinal Newman, with access to manuscripts, in England . He also gave talks about Newman’s life and “handed out holy cards with a prayer” to laypeople, encouraging them to pray for then then-Venerable John Henry Newman’s intercession . Bringing up the gifts. “If you’re sick in the hospital, pray for John Henry Newman’s interces- bishop said . could have ended her life and that of sion,” he said he would tell people . The bishop said both of the miracles her unborn child . She, too, prayed for “If you get a miracle, let us know ”. accepted for Newman’s canonization Newman’s intercession . Two miracles, which must be occurred in the United States . One At the canonization Mass, she carried medically verified, are required involved the curing of excruciating back the gifts to the altar . She also carried her for canonization . Reporting those pain in Boston . The other involved a preg- baby and was accompanied by family Bishop distributes Communion. miracles is the role of the laity, the nant woman in Chicago, whose bleeding members, the bishop said . All Souls: Pray for people to get into heaven

All Souls Day, Nov . 2, is a day the living we can go, explained Bishop Michael C . pray for the faithful departed to move from Barber, SJ, in his homily at the Cathedral purgatory into heaven . of Christ the Light . When we die, there are different places Saints go to heaven . Hell is an option . God forces no one to go to heaven against their will . But for most of us, there’s a place called purgatory, where we await the purifica- tion of our sins . On All Souls Day, we pray to help those people in After the Mass, Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, prayed before the crypt of Oakland’s purgatory move into first bishop, Floyd Begin. heaven . For the Mass, the Afterward, a procession left the cathe- Center hosted by Catholic Funeral and Cathedral Choir of Men dral into the Mausoleum, for additional Cemetery Services . & Boys sang David prayer, followed by a reception in the Event — Albert C . Pacciorini Briggs’ Requiem for choir, organ and orches- tra under the direction of Rudy de Vos, the cathe- dral’s director of music . The boy choris- ters are members of the Pacific Boychoir Academy, whose artis- tic director is Andrew Brown . Briggs’ Requiem had its West Coast premiere in 2017 at the Cathedral PACCIORINI/THE CATHOLIC VOICE CATHOLIC PACCIORINI/THE . of Christ the Light . Briggs is the artist in residence at the Cathedral of St . John the Divine in New York . ALL: ALBERT C ALBERT ALL: The Mass was sung After Mass, a procession moved from the Cathedral of in Latin, a tradition dating At the end of Mass and the prayer service, visitors were invited to a reception Christ the Light, down the Pilgrims’ Path around to back hundreds of years, hosted by Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services. See more photos at facebook. Harrison Street, then to the Mausoleum. but not common today . com/TheCatholicVoice. 16 — THE CATHOLIC VOICE NOVEMBER 11, 2019 St. Catherine of Siena School Opera at St. Peter Martyr School celebrates 70 years By Jessica Griswold Special to The Catholic Voice This year marks the 70th anniversary of St . Catherine of Siena School . Since 1949, we have been striving to grow the children of Martinez not just into academically strong students, but socially conscious citizens . We are forever grateful to the Dominican sisters and the Sisters of St . Joseph of Carondelet who built this school for what it is today, to bring Christ’s love to others . The order of the Dominicans PHOTO COURTESY is rooted on four beliefs: community, Hundreds turned out to celebrate St.

prayer, service and study . Today, the St . Catherine of Siena’s 70th anniversary PHOTO COURTESY Catherine of Siena School Community is on Oct. 5. Through the generosity of the San Francisco Opera Guild, St. Peter Martyr rooted in our faith, our academics, serv- School in Pittsburg pupils were joined by San Francisco Opera singers ing others and being beacons of Christ love and support we have received so far and the fabulous talent of pianist, Baker Peeples, for a joint performance light to others . this year . This special community comes of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance.” “I am so grateful for our On Oct . 5 the community came togeth- together to support one another, work with students to have this opportunity,” said Marilyn Brouette, St. Peter Martyr er to show its love and support at the each other and celebrate together . The School music teacher. In the photo, all from left, first row: Madden Arroyo- school’s 70th Anniversary Celebration, families, pupils and faculty are the heart of Belleci, Mateo Rodriguez and Reign Sanchez; second row: Jennifer Ashworth, that included the annual Car Show on this school and it is so wonderful to know Jaslin Dominguez, Samantha Ledesma, Mariah Biles, Valeria Felix, Jasmine the Plaza and Sock Hop dinner . It was a we have a whole community of supporters Saavedra and Jacob Geronimo; and third row: Michael Belle, Madison truly heartwarming show of Viking Pride behind us . Buchanan and Jason Saarten. with more than 300 attendees represent- A special thank you goes out to: The ing not just students and parishioners, Knights of Columbus for cooking the deli- but alumni, friends, neighbors and local cious meal; the Young Ladies Institute, Dean families for their inspiring enthusi- — we thank you for your patient effort to businesses . guidance to our event chairs; the Seventh asm for the school; all of the downtown turn this event into a success . As principal, I am honored to be part of Grade parents for tending bar, and their businesses that donated items; and to all We hope to see you all at the auction this banner year, and I wanted to thank the students for serving and busing; the Telfer, of the St . Catherine families who took time in February as we continue to celebrate community for the overwhelming show of Liberty, Ochoa, McLaughlin, Palmer and to help set-up and clean-up for this event our 70 years with you . SIMKC turns 100 Moreau Catholic celebrates Law Day Special to The Catholic Voice One hundred years ago — Nov . 19, Staff report 1919 — 12 women gathered in the chapel The Fourth Annual Law Day at of San Damiano outside of Assisi, Italy, to Moreau Catholic High School celebrated make their first profession as Missionaries the Hayward school’s Mock Trial team of the Kingship of Christ . Germinating and recognized alumni and alumni par- from an idea of the Venerable Armida ents for their achievements in law, law Barelli and Franciscan Friar Agostino enforcement, education and coaching Gemelli, these women made their profes- and support for mock trial . sion of the vows of chastity, and promises The Oct . 12 event’s master of cer- of poverty, and obedience, a profession to emonies, Alameda County Superior what would become a new vocation in the Court Judge Paul Delucci, is a 1987 Church — the state of lay consecration . graduate of Moreau Catholic . Over the course of the next three The Maravilla family accepted the decades, after many meetings, letters Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) and appeals to the bishops, cardinals and Award presented posthumously to Fe pope, the effort culminated in the issuing Villamonte Maravilla, Class of 1978, and of a law on Feb . 2, 1947, Provida Mater to her husband Elco and their children Ecclesia by Pope Pius XII, in which this

Emerald Maravilla ’05, Erin Maravilla ’07 PHOTO COURTESY new state of lay consecration became and Elizar Maravilla . A team photo of the mock trial teams. part of canon law . The family has been longtime sup- Present in more than 20 countries, porters of the Mock Trial program and Angela C . Backers ’76, the retired senior deputy district attor- approximately 3,000 women live lay Catholic education . The Maravilla family established the Fe ney of Alameda County; Greg Stewart ’73, retired police chief lives but have dedicated themselves to Maravilla Memorial Mock Trial Scholarship in her memory . of Union City; and Doug Uchikura ’71, retired deputy general the promotion of the Kingship of Christ The Excellence in Teaching and Coaching award was pre- director, onshore Europe, for Chevron . through their prayer and actions . sented to Peter Borruso ’03, deputy public defender in Yolo The Moreau Catholic Mock Trial program has expanded to Current members are located in many County, who spent six seasons as the attorney coach of the team . having two teams — Gold and Green — to offer as many stu- dioceses across the country . For more The Lifetime Achievement in Law award was presented to dents as possible this experience . information: simkc .org . Classified Advertisements • 510-419-1081 The Catholic Voice next edition: November 25 • Deadline: November 13

PRAYERS COUNSELING

PRAYER TO THE Thank you St. Jude for O Holy Mary, Mother of NADIA ALI LOEWE, M.S. GALE M. HAUX, M.S. HOLY SPIRIT prayers answered. Licensed Marriage and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Holy Spirit thou who D.P. Christ, thank you for your Family Therapist Specializing in ... make me see everything patience and answering my Adult, Adolescent, Child, and show me the way to Couple & Family Therapy. • Anxiety & Depression • Grief & Loss reach my ideal. You who Thank you St. Theresa for prayer. Affordable sliding scale. • Marriage & Family Relationships give me the divine gift to answering my prayers. Located in Pleasanton. • Stress & Anger Management • Conflict Resolution forgive and forget the F.A.N. M.T.D. Affordable & Effective Therapy wrong that is done to me 925-226-6011 and who are in all [email protected] Please Call: 925-210-6012 instances of my life with License #48738 License #48380 me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank Publish a Novena The Catholic Voice reserves you for everything and REAL ESTATE HOME SERVICES/ CONTRACTING the right to accept or reject confirm once more that I Cost $25 any advertisement never want to be separated Pre-payment required submitted for publication; from you, no matter how RAINBOW FUNDING Check or money order REAL ESTATE C & H CONSTRUCTION however, The Catholic great the material desires Voice does not attempt to may be. I want to be with If you wish to publish a Novena Dick Modzeleski •Painting •Plumbing investigate or verify claims you and my loved ones in in The Catholic Voice 00865422 bre •Kitchen/Bath Remodeling made in advertisements. your perpetual glory. •Tiles •Doors •Windows The appearance of Select One Prayer: • Home Listing AMEN. (A person must • Help Buy Home General Contractor advertising in The Catholic pray this for three q St. Jude Novena q Prayer to the Voice in no way implies • Pre-Qualification Se Habla Español consecutive days without to Sacred Heart Blessed Virgin endorsement or approval stating his wish. After the • Refinance Loans 510-236-3240 of any advertising claims q Thank You St. Jude q Personal Prayer 3rd day, the wish will be • Purchase Loans or of the advertiser, its for Prayers answered (50 words or less) License #825802 granted no matter how Philippians 4:6 product or services. The Catholic Voice disclaims difficult it may be. Please return form with check or money order for $25 Serving the entire Bay Area any liability whatsoever Promised to publish this Made Payable to: The Catholic Voice 510-551-7770 The Catholic as soon as your favor has Voice is on in connection with been granted. 2121 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94612 [email protected] advertising appearing in its E.O. [email protected] www.rainbowfunding.com Facebook publication. NOVEMBER 11, 2019 DATELINES THE CATHOLIC VOICE — 17

$88 registration and lunch . Information/registration: u NEW EVENTS 650-340-7474 or www .mercy-center .org . Tuesday, Nov. 12 Celebrate Advent Information Table for Life. 2 to 7 p .m . at Sunvalley u TAIZÉ Mall, Concord, upper level by the escalators . Rev. John Erick Villa, parochial vicar, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, (An ecumenical, candlelit service of prayer in Education is a critical part of the pro-life effort . simple chant, Scripture readings, silent worship Come help the California Right to Life Educational Brentwood, will offer a morning of and veneration of the cross.) Fund share the message of life with visitors to our praise, prayer and inspiration as we table by reserving your chair for an hour or more prepare for the birth of our Lord from Friday, Nov. 15 by contacting our office at info@calright2life .org or call 925-944-5351 . 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the 8 p .m . at St. Joseph Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St ,. Crowne Plaza, 45 John Glenn Drive, Alameda . Every fourth Friday, (every third Friday Concord. It is the regular gathering in November and December) . www .facebook .com/ Thursday, Nov. 14 TaizeOnTheIsland . Black Lives Do Matter: What Prophetic Voice of Magnificat SOTI, a Ministry for Does the Black Catholic Experience in this Catholic Women. Men are welcome Friday, Nov. 15 Country Have to Offer Christianity and US too. Tickets: $33, $40 after Nov. 8 p .m in. the chapel, Dominican Sisters of Culture at this Time? 5 to 7 p .m . at Lone Mountain 30. Information: https://magnificat- Main – LM 270 – Del Santo Reading Room, Mission San Jose, 43326 Mission Circle (off University of San Francisco, Lane Center, 2130 ministry.net/ca-walnut-creek; reserva- Mission Tierra), Fremont . Third Fridays . www . Fulton St ., San Francisco . Presenter: Shawnee tions [email protected] msjdominicans .org or 510-933-6360 . Daniels-Sykes . Information: 415-422-4822, lane- (email); or questions: Kim Sullivan, center@usfca .edu or visit https://myusf .usfca .edu/ 925-683-8220. Sunday, Nov. 17 lane-center/black-lives . 6 p .m .at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Hill . Ecumenical services are held on Friday, Nov. 15 the Third Sunday at a participating area church . Bilingual Mass for Blessed Miguel Pro, Martyred Nov. 12, 26 Friday, Nov. 15 Saturday, Dec. 14 Cristero Priest. 7 p .m . at St . Edward Church, 5788 Fil/Am ministry. 7:30 p .m second. and fourth Day of Gratitude. 10 a .m to. 3 p .m at. Mercy 8 p .m at. St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Thornton Ave ., Newark .Liturgy will be followed Tuesdays, St . Clement Parish Center, 750 Calhoun Center, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame . Don’t we Berryman St ,. Berkeley . by presentation by Maria De La Luz Pro, Blessed St ,. Hayward . Simon Medrano, 510-303-2965 . all deserve peace in our hearts and world? There Miguel Pro’s niece . Sponsor: Knights of Columbus, will be opportunities for enjoying art or creating Council 11790 . Information: 510-304-9454 . Nov. 13, 20, 27 it, walking the labyrinth or taking an “art walk” u Perpetual Help Devotion Baclaran format. along the hallowed halls of Mercy Center . Cost: SUPPORT Sunday, Nov. 17 8:15 a .m .Wednesdays after last morning Mass, $30 . Bring a bag lunch . Walk-ins are welcome . Sunday Afternoon Talk. 2 to 4 p .m . in McCollum Our Lady Queen of the World Church, 3155 Information/registration: 650-340-7474 or www . GROUPS Hall, at St . Clement Parish, 750 Calhoun, Hayward . Winterbrook Drive, Bay Point, 925-550-0679 . mercy-center .org . Rev . Jim Sullivan will discuss, “The Life of the World Through Nov. 12 to Come ”. Light refreshments provided . Nov. 17, Jan. 19, 2020 Nov. 15 to 17 Fall Grief Workshop. Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p .m . at St . Joan of Arc Parish, 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd ., San Pasta Dinner at San Damiano. 4:30 p .m . at 710 Masses in Tagalog. Every third Sunday (except Women’s Retreat — Finding the Divine in Ramon . For information or to register contact Susan Highland Drive, Danville . Cost: $20 for adults, in September and December) at 3:30 p .m .at St . the Feminine. At San Damiano Retreat, 710 at 925-830-1737 or sunshine_suzy@perrytool com. . $10 for kids 12 and under . Reservations at www . Michael Church, 458 Maple St ., Livermore . A pot- Highland Drive, Danville . Presented by Rev . Rusty sandamiano .org or 925-837-9141, x315 . luck reception follows the Mass in the parish hall Shaughnessy, OFM, and Karla Obernesser . God at 326 Maple St ., Livermore . Information: www . is beyond gender, yet Genesis says that both male Second and Fourth Mondays Saturday, Nov. 23 stmichaellivermore .com/Filipino or 925-447-1585 . and female are included in the “image of God” St. John Vianney Grief Ministry. 7:30 p .m in. St. Leander’s Meridians 35th Annual Sports (1:27) . This weekend we will connect with the Mullins Common, 1650 Ygnacio Valley Road, Collectors Show. 9 a m. to. 3 p .m at. Ryan Sunday, Nov. 24 Divine in us and around us . Cost: $245 for private Walnut Creek . Facilitator: Jerry Mellin . Information: room, $215 per person for double occupancy . Eileen Matthews, 925-939-8199 or etmatthews@ O’Connor Hall, St . Leander Church, 550 W . Family Rosary Program. 3 p .m .at St . Edward Information/registration: visit www .sandamiano . sbcglobal .com . Estudillo Ave ., San Leandro . A variety of vintage Church, 5788 Thornton Ave ., Newark .A rosary org or 925-837-9141 . sports memorabilia items (1880s-2010s) will be prayer service hosted by Knights of Columbus available for sale . Free verbal appraisals are avail- Council 11790 . Held on the last Sunday of the I’m Hurting. Does Jesus Care? Silent Retreat Tuesdays able (for pre 1975 items ONLY) . Door prizes will be month . Information: Mike, 510-912-0442 . for Women and Men . At the Jesuit Retreat Center, Divorce Support Workshops. 7 p .m at. St . given away all day . Admission: $4, and $2 for those 300 Manresa Way in Los Altos . Retreat leader: Rev . Joan of Arc Parish, 2601 San Ramon Valley who are under five years old or over 65 . Proceeds Mondays Andrew Rodriguez, SJ . We will explore how our Blvd ., San Ramon This. is a video series by benefit St . Leander Parish as well as local charities . relationship with Jesus can help us deal with our DivorceCare . Questions/registration, email Rosary in Spanish. 7:30 p .m ., St . Joseph Parish Information: call Mark at 510-538-6245 . hurts . Cost: $310 single per person . Information: Rosemarie McKenney, RMcKenney@sjasr .org . Center, 2100 Pear St ., Pinole . 510-741-4900 . A Liturgy of Memory and Repentance for 650-917-4000 . Victims of Nuclear Attacks and Accidents. Wednesdays Fourth Wednesdays 7 p .m at. Sacred Heart Church, 4025 Martin Nov. 22 to 24 Family Caregiver Support Ministry. 7 p .m in. Meditation of the next Sunday Gospel and Luther King Jr . Way, Oakland . Presider: Rev . Jack Grief Retreat presented by Sandy Heinisch. rooms 214 and 215 in the Ministry Center at St . Coronilla in Spanish. 7:30 p .m at. St . Joseph Lau, OMI . This Catholic Mass of remembrance At San Damiano Retreat, 710 Highland Drive, Isidore Church, 440 La Gonda Way, Danville . Parish Center, 2100 Pear St ., Pinole . 510-741- will commemorate nuclear victims and invite the Danville . The loss of someone you love changes Family caregivers are invited to our monthly meet- 4900 . community to be in solidarity with Pope Francis as you forever . This retreat will help you understand ings which include prayer, handouts on caregiving he visits Tokyo, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Nov . 23 better the journey . Cost: $245 for private room/$215 and discussion related to coping when caring for to 26 . At that time the Holy Father is expected to First Wednesdays per person for double occupancy . Information/regis- loved ones . Dave Clare, 925-314-5784 . deliver a message calling for the urgent and com- Catholic Men’s Night. 7 p .m .at St . Mary of the tration: visit www .sandamiano .org or 925-837-9141 . plete abolition of nuclear weapons . Following the Immaculate Conception Parish, 2039 Mt . Diablo Thursdays Blvd ., Walnut Creek .Adoration, Confession and liturgical service, Pax Christi Northern California Sunday, Nov. 24 Widows/widowers grief support group. 5 p .m . rosary for men . Food and drink follow . Contact: will host a reception and discussion on how local Art is Prayer. 9:15 a .m . to 3:30 p .m . at Vallombrosa at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 500 Fairview michaelgallagher1025@outlook .com . groups and individuals can undertake a program Center, 250 Oak Grove Ave ., Menlo Park . A one- Ave ., Brentwood .Sandy Heinisch, 925-513-3412 of prayer-study-action for the abolition of nuclear day retreat designed to allow us “To find God in all or sandynca@sbcglobal .net . weapons . Information: call Tom Webb, 707-280- Thursdays things ”. Cost: $45 . Information: visit vallombrosa . Parents Who Have Lost a Child Grief Support 2537, or Pierre Thompson, 510-309-7218, or visit Holy Hour for Vocations. 7 p .m . at Corpus Christi org or 650-325-5614 . Group. At Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 500 https://paxchristinorcal .org/ . Parish, 37891 Second St ., Fremont . 510-790-3207 . Fairview Ave ., Brentwood .Sandy Heinisch, 925- WINGS — Women in God’s Spirit. 9:30 to 11:30 Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 513-3412 or sandynca@sbcglobal .net . u a .m .at St . Charles Borromeo Church, Borromeo Attitude of Gratitude as Thanksgiving with ADVENT/ Hall, 1315 Lomitas Ave ., Livermore . Theme: Pass It Thomas Gorham and Sabrina Bolus of Options Third Thursdays On . A different speaker each week with a spiritual Recovery. San Damiano Retreat, 710 Highland Military Peer Support Group. 7 to 8 p .m . in the or humanitarian message, followed by discus- CHRISTMAS Drive, Danville . Cost: $245 (private room) or $215 rectory at St . Augustine Church, 3999 Bernal Ave ., sion and small group sharing . Information: www . (shared room) . Information/reservation: visit www . Pleasanton . Veterans share life challenges and stcharleslivermore .org/WINGS .asp . EVENTS sandamiano .org or 925-837-9141, ext . 315 . opportunities . Contact: Dom Pietro at 925-462- Thursday, Nov. 14 Dec. 6 to 8 4665 or pie411@comcast .net . Grief and the Holidays. 7:30 p .m . at St . Elizabeth u EVANGELIZATION Silent Retreat for Men and Women. At St . Clare’s Second Saturdays Seton Church, 4001 Stoneridge Drive, Pleasanton . The Berkeley Chapter of St. Paul Street Retreat House, 2381 Lauren Glen Road, Soquel . St. John Vianney Loss of Child Grief Ministry. Gather with others for support as the holidays Evangelization is a grass-roots organization that Conducted by the Daughters of Carmel Nuns . $225 10 a m. . in the Lower Mullins Common Library, 1650 approach . All are welcome regardless of religious take seriously the Christian mission to spread per person (single occupancy/private bathroom); Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek . Facilitator: affiliation . Information: 925-484-5020 . the good news . We do it in a non-confrontational $200 per person (single occupancy/shared bath- Jerry Mellin . Information: Eileen Matthews, 925- approach out on the streets . Planning and train- room); $185 per person (double occupancy/shared 939-8199 or etmatthews@sbcglobal com. . Nov. 26 to Dec. 17 ing meetings are held at 7:15 p .m on. the last room) . Registration will close on Nov . 25 . Register Four Week Advent Series – The Women Saints Wednesday of the month in the back portable at at tinyurl .com/retreatsilent2019 . Information: 650- of Advent. Tuesdays from 9:30 a m. to. 2 p .m . St . Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St ., 329-8518 or daughtersofcarmel@gmail .com . u REUNIONS at San Damiano Retreat, 710 Highland Drive, Berkeley . Contact: David Brandt, dave .brandt456@ Men’s Recovery Retreat — Non-Silent Retreat Saint Mary’s College High School, Berkeley. Danville . We invite you to come and hear about gmail .com or 510-384-7215 . At Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos, 300 for Men. Class of 2008, late November . Class of 2009, our sister saints – St . Margaret of Scotland (Nov . Manresa Way, Los Altos . Facilitator: Peter McGoey . Dec . 21 . For reunion details and homecoming 26), St . Cecilia (Dec . 3), St . Lucy (Dec . 10) and Let’s reflect on our shared pilgrimage towards free- information, contact Azure’D Nunley ’00, director of St . Adelaide (Dec . 17) – whose feast days are u dom and serenity . With Ignatius of Loyola and Bill W . EVENTS philanthropy and alumni engagement at anunley@ celebrated during the Advent Season . Presenter: as our companions and guides, we come together stmchs .org or 510-559-6206 . Jan Stegner . $35 per session (lunch included) or Saturday, Nov. 16 to share companionship and gratitude for the gifts of $140 for entire series . Information/reservations: Catholic Daughters of the Americas Memorial sobriety, acceptance and service that we have found phone 925-837-9141 or www .sandamiano .org . Mass. 10:30 a .m . at St . Ignatius of Antioch Church, in our lives . Costs: $240 commuter; $310 single 3351 Contra Loma Blvd ., Antioch .Presider: Rev . per person; $310 double per person . Information/ u ART/MUSIC Sunday, Dec. 8 Robert Rien . Please join us in remembrance and in registration: 650-917-4000 or www .jrclosaltos .org . Display of Christmas Nativity Scenes from recognition of our beloved Catholic Daughters who Friday, Nov. 15 Around the World. 9 a .m . to 8 p .m . at St . Elizabeth served our communities with love and dedication for Saturday, Dec. 7 Healing in the Psyche. 3 to 5 p .m . in the Cushing Seton Chapel, 4001 Stoneridge Drive, Pleasanton . the Body of Christ . For information, contact Sylvia When We’re Triggered We Have Spiritual Library Glass Lounge, Holy Names University, Sponsor: Italian Catholic Federation . Information: Soliz, 925-250-1236 or sylviasoliz1@comcast .net . Resources — A Workshop with David Richo. 3500 Mountain Blvd ., Oakland . Join artist Kini Lang Nancy Navarini, 925-640-6334 or na .navarini@ 10 a .m .to 3 p .m .at Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline as she opens her exhibit, Healing in the Psyche . gmail .com . Second Wednesdays Drive, Burlingame . Join us for a new workshop Information: 510-436-1000 . Bingo. 6 p .m . in the Stack Center at Our Lady of based on his upcoming book, “Triggers: How We Friday, Dec. 13 Grace Parish, 3433 Somerset Ave ., Castro Valley . Can Stop Reacting and Start Healing ”. Registration: Nov. 16, 23 Evening of Christmas Hymns and Humorous Sponsor: St . Maximilian Kolbe Council 16770 $75 . Bring a bag lunch . Information/registration: Passion, Joy and Beauty: Britten, Poulenc and Stories with singer Michael Russell O’Brien. Knights of Columbus . 650-340-7474 or www .mercy-center .org . Faure. Nov . 16: 7:30 p .m .at St . Perpetua Church, 7 p .m . at St . Felicitas Church, 1662 San Leandro 3454 Hamlin Road, Lafayette; Nov . 23: St . Paul’s Blvd ., San Leandro . Tickets are $10 in advance . Jan. 9 to 13, 2020 Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave ., Oakland . Contact: Laura Vacca, 510-418-6841 . u RETREATS Discernment Retreat. At El Paso, Texas (U .S .- Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble presents an ambitious Mexico border) . Come and discern if you are called to program of 20th century music for women’s voices international mission . This retreat includes moments and organ, under the direction of Guest Conductor Nov. 14 to 17 Robert Wells . Voci will be joined for these concerts by u SPIRITUALITY Retreat weekend with Rev. Ron Rolheiser, OMI. of service, experiences in community with other seek- ers, opportunities for prayer and time for personal internationally acclaimed organist Jonathan Dimmock At Santa Sabina Retreat, 25 Magnolia Ave ., San and the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Concert Choir . Nov. 11, 18, 25 Rafael . Father Rolheiser, Catholic Voice colum- reflection with Maryknoll Sisters and Maryknoll Lay Missioners . Cost: $160 (financial assistance avail- More information and tickets: visit https://vocisings . Weekly meditation groups in the John Main, nist and theologian, will bring John’s Gospel and org/events .php . OSB, tradition. 5:30 and 7:30 p .m .Mondays in Christian discipleship into focus in this contempla- able) . Information/registration: email retreats@mklm . the Keeley Center, St . Charles Borromeo Church, tive retreat titled, “Listening for the Heartbeat of org or 914-467-8857 . Apply by Nov . 15 . 1315 Lomitas Ave ., Livermore . Claire La Scola, God: Discipleship in John’s Gospel ”. Fee: $450 for 925-447-9800 or clairelascola@gmail com. . three nights lodging and meals; $300 commuter fee, Sunday, Jan. 19 Next Voice: Nov. 25. Submis­ sions­ by $150 registration deposit . Information/registration: Catherine of Siena: Mystic and Prophet — A Nov . 13 to Carrie McClish, 2121 Harri­ 415-457-7727 or visit www .santasabinacenter .org . Workshop with Brother Don Bisson, FMS. 9:30 Nov. 12, 19, 26 son St ., Suite 100, Oakland, CA 94612; Men of St. Joseph meeting. 7 to 8 a .m . Tuesdays Rev. Tom Weston four-day retreat. At Villa Maria a .m .to 3:30 p .m .at Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline in St . Anthony room at St . Mary of the Immaculate del Mar Retreat, 21918 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz . Drive, Burlingame . Workshop theme: The deeply Datelines@oakvoice .org (text/photos); Conception Church, 2039 Mt . Diablo Blvd ., Walnut Father Thomas C . Weston, SJ, has been involved touching, intimate bond between Mother and Child, phone 510-419-1074; or by fax at 510- Creek . Information: michaelgallagher1025@ in AA 12-Step Programs since 1976 . Information: became the metaphor for Catherine’s life of pro- 893-4734 . outlook .com . 831-475-1236 . phetic prayer . Cost: $75 nonrefundable registration; 18 — THE CATHOLIC VOICE FORUM NOVEMBER 11, 2019 VANTAGE POINTS Can a 7-year-old child have a sense of gender? By Rev. Gerald D. Coleman, PSS him he is a girl when he was 3 years old . raises serious ethical concerns regarding usually leads to distressing and uncom- Born in Austin, Texas, James Younger She testified in court that she began the rights of parents and the best interests fortable feelings, known as dysphoria . and his twin brother Jude are now 7 years to believe he was a girl because he liked of their children . A child should not be While its origins are varied and strongly old, both biological males . Their par- McDonald’s toys meant for girls, toys in victimized due to parental desires . This is debated, gender incongruence is not a ents, Jeffrey and Anne general designed for girls, for example, dolls, especially true when the child is 7 years mental illness . (Georgulas), went and showed affinity for the Disney movie old and incapable of understanding or Gender dysphoric persons have a through a contentious “Frozen” and its female character leads . making a life-alerting decision . strong and persistent desire to live in accord divorce, leaving both James’ pediatric records indicate that Kenneth Zucker, the Canadian child with their gender identity rather than their children vulnerable and Anne wanted to enroll him in the Genecis psychologist who had a leading role in birth sex . While some gender dysphoric struggling to adapt to Clinic in Dallas, a gender affirming care helping devise diagnostic and treatment persons decide to live with their incongru- their new situation . program for youth . This program offers guidelines for gender dysphoric and trans- ence, others seek cosmetic, hormonal and Anne is a pediatri- hormone and puberty suppression thera- gender individuals has pointed out that surgical treatments to make their bodies cian and was given pies along with mental health and social research indicates that the vast majority align with their perceived gender . Bruce legal custody of the services . The clinic does not perform (as high as 84 percent) of gender dys- Jenner, for example, suffered from gender Rev. Colman children even though gender affirming surgery (also called sex phoric kids end up identifying with their dysphoria and through hormonal, cosmetic she is not the biologi- or gender reassignment surgery) . Anne biological or birth sex . and trans surgery, changed his appearance cal or gestational mother of her twin boys . states her desire to begin puberty block- Parents should not over-react or interpret as a man into a woman . She employed in vitro fertilization by using ers and cross-hormone regimen for James observations such as preference for toys The deep sense of discomfort and the an egg donor who gestated the children . when he is 9 years old . She further intends usually associated with the opposite sex, pursuit of these types of alterations demand Due to a court battle over Anne’s strong to have James undergo a complete sex gender variance such as a tomboy, or cross- adult discernment and judgment and intent to identify James as transgender, a transition (called MtF: male to female) at dressing, a boy, for example, who dons the should never be imposed on a child (con- Texas judge ruled that both parents have the appropriate time . Genecis stated that clothes of his sister . These types of behavior sult “Sexuality and Gender: Findings from “joint managing conservatorship,” meaning it would not begin these processes without need careful discernment and analysis and the Biological, Psychological, and Social that they have equal decision-making in James’ father’s consent . must avoid at all cost child abuse, that is, Sciences,” The New Atlantis 50, Fall 2016) . their children’s medical, dental and psy- James’ father Jeffrey claims that his emotional injury to a child that results in an I believe that James’ mother’s intentions chological/psychiatric treatments . son’s “female persona” is the product of observable impairment of the child’s growth, amount to child abuse on her son who at Since Kindergarten, Anne has enrolled his ex-wife’s delusion . He contends that development or physiological functioning . 7 years old could not have a true sense of James in school as a girl under the name James behaves as a boy in his presence Once identified as “gender disorder,” gender dysphoria . Such parental behavior “Luna,” insisting that “she” use the girls’ and wants to be treated as one when not in gender incongruence is now understood amounts to exploitation and cruelty to a child . bathroom to affirm his female identity . She his mother’s presence . He may be striving as a condition where a person experiences addresses him as Luna and demands that all to satisfy and please her considering the discomfort or distress because there is a (Father Gerald D. Coleman, PSS, is an authority figures at school do the same . She trauma caused by the acrimonious divorce . disconnect between his or her biological adjunct professor, Graduate Department of clothes James in dresses and began telling This case is not an isolated one and sex and gender identity . This incongruence Pastoral Ministries, Santa Clara University.) Aging: gift that takes us to a deeper place, whether we want to or not By Rev. Ron Rolheiser, OMI tried to stay young too in soul, staying on For most of my life, I’ve been able to top of what was shaping youth culture, think of myself as young . Because I was its movies, its popular songs, its lingo . born late in the year, October, I was always During my years in seminary and for a younger than most good number of years after ordination, I of my classmates, was involved in youth ministry, helping give graduated from high youth retreats in various high schools and school at age 17, colleges . At that time, I could name all the entered the seminary popular songs, movies and trends, speak at that tender age, was youth’s language, and I prided myself in ordained to the priest- being young . hood at age 25, did But nature offers no exemptions . an advanced degree Nobody stays young forever . Moreover, within the next year, Rolheiser aging doesn’t normally announce its and was teaching arrival .You’re mostly blind to it until one graduate theology at age 26, the youngest day you see yourself in a mirror, see a member on the faculty . I was proud of that, recent photo of yourself or get a diagnosis achieving those things so early . from your doctor and suddenly you’re hit And so I always thought of myself as on the head with the unwelcome realiza- young, even as the years piled up and my tion that you’re no longer a young person . body began to betray my conception of But that day comes ‘round for everyone myself as young . CNS/RODI SAID, REUTERS SAID, CNS/RODI Moreover, for most of those years, I (Continued on Page 19.) A woman is assisted at the site of a car bomb blast outside the Syriac Orthodox Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Qamishli, Syria, on July 11. Christianity is disappearing from towns and cities in parts of the Middle East, warns a new report from the papal foundation Aid to the Church in Need. NO MORE GUTTER CLEANING, OR YOUR MONEY BACK – GUARANTEED Syrian Christian minorities face textbook genocide

The Catholic Register displaced and many thousands more Syrian Christians have been neglected, killed amid a disheartening international forgotten and cast aside like “the scum of silence . the world,” charged the patriarch of the For generations, Christians, Kurds and Syriac Catholic Church . Yazidis symbolized religious tolerance in He was angry, and who could blame an intolerant part of the world . Now they him after Islamist forces, emboldened by are fleeing for their lives, refugees, their a U .S . about-face and backed by Turkey, homes bombed and their towns cleared to AND! attacked an area of northeast Syria create what Turkey gallingly calls a “safe % % OFF ENTIRE® mainly populated by Christians, Kurds and zone” for displaced Muslim refugees . FINANCING* LEAFFILTER 0 15 PURCHASE** Yazidis . Some 150,000 civilians, includ- This so-called “safe zone” is more like a ing 70,000 children, have been driven death trap, according to aid workers . The PLUS AN ADDITIONAL from their homes, the latest indignity in latest violence demonstrates why optimism SENIOR OR MILITARY DISCOUNT! what amounts to a pogrom threatening to for the survival of Christianity in the Middle We offer Senior & Military discounts eradicate Christianity in the Middle East . East is fading . ON TOP of the 15% off & 0% financing! “We Christians of the East are On one side are powerful interests neglected and abandoned by this world, determined to cleanse the region of which searches for its immediate material Christians . On the other is an international  CALL US TODAY interests,” said Syriac Catholic Patriarch community that has perfected sympathy Ignace Joseph III Younan . but never finds the outrage required to For A FREE Estimate! It’s an appalling situation that should get involved . outrage decent people, yet, as the patri- The methodical cleansing of the 1-877-232-1144 arch said when people began to flee, “the region’s once-robust Christian population world around them, especially the power- and other religious minorities is a textbook Promo Number: 285 ful, does not think of them ”. case of genocide . The world should be Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm “Our Christian people find no solution crying out for justice . Sun: 2pm-8pm EST other than to leave their land and that of Instead, to its shame, it is mostly silent . CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 their fathers and grandfathers ”. License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 License# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License# 2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ Li- In barely 15 years the Christian popu- (This is an unsigned editorial that cense# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# lation of Syria and Iraq has plunged from appeared Oct. 24 on the website of The 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905 Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registra- tion# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 about 2 .5 million to less than 500,000 . Catholic Register, the national Catholic Registration# PA069383 Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H *Contact us for additonal details Some 2 million Christians have been Canadian newspaper.) NOVEMBER 11, 2019 FORUM THE CATHOLIC VOICE — 19 LETTERS

ments to net zero carbon emissions being Angels Letters to the editor provide a forum made to law . The campaign features a num- The late Rev . Stanislaus Poon lived Want to write? for readers to engage in an open ber of academics and industry figures with three houses away from St . Michael Parish exchange of opinions and concerns ties to climate change denial groups, as well Contributions to Reader’s Forum in a climate of respect and civil dis- in Livermore . should be limit­ ­ed to 250 words . as members from oil and gas companies . At 92, with failing eyesight and using course. The opinions expressed are “In late Sept . 2019, the group produced Let­ters must be signed and must those of the writers, and not neces- a walker, he managed to cross the busy in­clude the writer’s­ address­ and an open-letter which stated that there was intersection of Maple and Fourth streets sarily of the Catholic Voice or the no climate emergency and repeated a num- phone number for verification Diocese of Oakland. While a full daily . He attended Mass and heard con- purposes . All letters are subject ber of claims that were inconsistent with fessions . spectrum of opinions will sometimes the scientific evidence on climate . A fact to editing . Writers are generally include those which dissent from This should reaffirm your belief in check performed by climate scientists for limited to four letters in any Church teaching or contradict the Guardian Angels . 12-month period . natural moral law, it is hoped that Climate Feedback gave the letter an overall Mary McMahon this forum will help our readers to scientific credibility of ‘very low,’ and tagged Livermore Mail your letter to: The Catholic Voice, understand better others’ thinking it as ‘Biased, Cherry-picking, Inaccurate, Pro-life issue 2121 Harrison St ., Suite 100, Oakland, on critical issues facing the Church. Misleading ’ . The analysis also added that, CA 94612 . Fax: 510-893-4734 . out of the roughly 500 signatories, only 10 I am an active, practicing Catholic and self-identified as climate scientists ”. was devastated to see accolades given Our e-mail address is: I hope The Voice’s commitment to open to Donald Trump for being a staunch sup- Forum@oakvoice .org ly/31ZUBx6 . exchange of information in the future will porter of anti-abortion legislation (Forum, Ninety-seven percent of scientists NOT extend to providing a platform for Sept . 16) . believe that burning of fossil fuels is the discredited misinformation on a critically The abortion issue is a pro-life issue . church . To be ordained is an esteemed culprit in our global warming . Those are important subject . Our brothers and sisters are being inhu- and exulted position and should not be great odds . I’d like to take them to Las Claire Broome, MD manely held captive at our nation’s border . taken lightly . Vegas . Assistant Surgeon General, This in NOT pro-life . The priest is married to our Lord, to the The following website lists many criti- US Public Health Service (retired) The Washington Post reported Feb . 25, Church of our Lord . Our Lord is an unmar- cisms of CLINTEL’s letter to the European Berkeley “From October 2017 through August 2018, ried man . Also, our Lord is a male and not Union and UN organizations . https://bit . ICE detained 1,655 pregnant women, a female . This role is most certainly not for ly/2WlzGmC . Surprised according to the most recent data the women . The true church founded by our And by the way — of the 500, only Although I generally welcome views agency made available . Over that same Lord Jesus should never compromise her about 10 are really climate scientists . from another side, based on its length period, 18 women may have experienced beliefs or traditions to cater to a fallen, CLINTEL concludes that there is no significantly surpassing your stated limit a miscarriage just before or while in ICE modern day, pagan society . To compro- global warming emergency, and if it really of 250 words, I was surprised to see your custody ”. This is NOT a pro-life president . mise is to hold up a white flag and give happens in the future, then the future gen- publishing “Another Side” (Forum, Oct 21) . My love for the Church is being tried up in order to fit in . This is the ultimate fall erations will have to deal with it . I find this It is no challenge encountering deniers again and tried again . I continue to pray from grace . abhorrent . of reality, a look to the Oval Office suffices; because I feel alienated by our Church’s Denise Escobar Many other climate change deniers and there are no shortage of deniers of patriarchal hierarchy, and its support of Oakland exist . To see a summary of their objec- the Holocaust or that Barack Obama was a conservative agenda that is in no way tions and rebuttals, go to https:// born in the US . The author disingenuously representative of my Jesus and the love Stick with the pope SkepticalScience .com/argument .php . prides that 500 scientists, engineers and he has for us . In response to my letter “Bishops’ So I’ll still go with the pope . “other” professionals in the world signed Teresa Bolla Silence” (Forum, Oct . 7), Catherine Norman Robert Zanker a document denying the importance of Martinez responded (Forum, Oct . 21) with a 500- Concord climate change . word description of the “Climate Intelligence The fact is that there are hundreds of No compromise Foundation,” a climate change denier group No other side thousands, likely millions, of scientists This Amazon Synod and the proposed that is currently pressuring the European I was astonished to see publication of worldwide who have and would confirm changes discussed were disturbing and Union and UN organizations to halt efforts the letter from Catherine Norman (Forum, the reality of this existential threat to unacceptable . The Catholic Church to combat global warming, with a net-zero Oct . 21) . As more than 95 percent of God’s creation and the lives of billions should not change its traditions or beliefs carbon-dioxide policy by 2050 . climate scientists agree, there is NOT of people . to conform to a pagan society . Although The founder, Guus Berkhout, is a “another side” in the scientific community The author includes with signature, her this is a small, isolated population and Dutch engineer and physicist who used regarding the reality and urgency of the title of a MS degree in Geology, something some may think these changes will end to work for Royal Dutch Shell, and later climate crisis . The Church’s efforts to that I have never seen with letters to the there, it has reopened a discussion for did work for other oil and gas companies . Care for Creation are needed now more Forum . Apologies if I sound cynical, but the changes in the church as a whole, Since reducing fossil fuel use will obvi- than ever . that title suggests to me that the writer and worldwide . ously reduce oil/gas companies’ income, Norman puts forth the position of the the content of her essay, not to mention Some misguided souls believe that CLINTEL’s objectivity is suspicious . Climate Intelligence Foundation as the the 500 signees, might have a connection married men and women should be CLINTEL says nothing about all the source for her statements . to the fossil fuels industry . ordained as priests . This should not be evidence implicating humans in global As Wikipedia states in an article on Jim Prchlik up for debate . Married men should never warming . The evidence is solid — many Guus Berkhout (founder of the Climate Oakland become priests . correlations of fossil fuel byproducts with Intelligence Foundation) The priest is close to Jesus, as close global temperatures — e .g chemical. “the Netherlands-based as one can get, and acting in his role . He analysis of atmospheric CO2 . To further organization Climate selflessly gives his whole devotion to our understand the evidence that humans Intelligence Foundation … How can we help? Lord . A wife and family would take away are responsible for our current global (is) organizing a campaign Let us know. his priorities and attention from our Lord’s warming, go to this website: https://bit . against political commit- (510) 267-8334

the aging of the body plays the key role in this . Every other month: (facilitated) survivor Aging . . . The aging process is designed by God and nature to support group meetings held at: force the soul, whether it wants to or not, to delve ever (Continued from Page 18.) Santa Maria Parish Library (upper tier) deeper into the mystery of life, of community, of God and 40 Santa Maria Way, Orinda when you’re surprised, stunned, that what you are see- of itself . Our souls don’t age, like a wine, they mature and 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ing in the mirror is so different from how you have been so we can always be young in spirit . Our zest, our fire, imagining yourself and you ask yourself: “Is this really our eagerness, our wit, our brightness and our humor, The first Saturday of December me? Am I this old person? Is this what I look like?” are not meant to dim with age . Indeed, they’re meant to Moreover you begin to notice that young people are be the very color of a mature soul . forming their circles away from you, that they’re more So, in the end, aging is a gift, even if unwanted . Aging Arthur J. Gallagher interested in their own kind, which doesn’t include you, takes us to a deeper place, whether we want to go or not . Risk Management Services and you look silly and out of place when you try to dress, Like most everyone else, I still haven’t made my full Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. act and speak like they do . There comes a day when you peace with this and would still like to think of myself as Insurance Brokers of California, Inc. have to accept that you’re no longer young in the world’s young . However I was particularly happy to celebrate my eyes — nor in your own . 70th birthday two years ago, not because I was happy Pooling our insurance and risk Gravity doesn’t just affect your body, pulling things to be that age, but because, after two serious bouts with management talent for the downward, so too for the soul . It’s pulled downward along cancer in recent years, I was very happy just to be alive benefit of the Church. with the body, though aging means something very differ- and wise enough now to be a little grateful for what aging James F. Buckley ent here . The soul doesn’t age, it matures .You can stay and a cancer diagnosis has taught me . Dennis H. O’Hara Kenneth Banks young in soul long after the body betrays you . Indeed There are certain secrets hidden from health, writes John 1255One Market,Battery St.,Spear Suite Tower, 450 Suite 200 we’re meant to be always young in spirit . Updike . True . And aging uncovers a lot of them because, as San Francisco, CACA 94111 94105 Souls carry life differently than do bodies because Swedish proverb puts it, “afternoon knows what the morning Ph: 800-877-9300 800-877-9300 bodies are built to eventually die . Inside of every living never suspected ”. CA License #0726293#0726293 body the life-principle has an exit strategy . It has no such strategy inside a soul, only a strategy to deepen, grow (Oblate Father Ron richer and more textured . Rolheiser, theologian, Aging forces us, mostly against our will, to listen to teacher and author, is Full Service Printing and Publications our soul more deeply and more honestly so as to draw president of the Oblate from its deeper wells and begin to make peace with its School of Theology in San Business Cards • Postcards • Flyers • Banners • Presentation Folders • Magazines complexity, its shadow and its deepest proclivities — and Antonio, Texas.) Catalogs • Newspapers • Programs • Invitations • Envelopes • Memory Books Color and Black & White Copies and More.

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The evening’s special honoree was

ALL: MICHELE JURICH/THE CATHOLIC VOICE CATHOLIC JURICH/THE MICHELE ALL: the Most Rev. John S. Cummins, emeritus Students from St. Elizabeth Elementary School in Oakland greet arrivals to the FACE Gala, at which Family Aid to Catholic Educationbishop ofcelebrated Oakland, underits 40th whose anniversary. leadership Among those at the event was Sister Rose Marie Hennessy, OP, who served as principal ofShe the recalledschool, andthat, asshe, superintendent too, had come of theFACE diocese’s has blossomed.Department After of Catholic the gathering Schools. - • Advanced Health • Personal Injury • Housing • Estate to a FACE event as a student. sang “Happy Birthday,” in honor of his 90th This year, 29 pupils at St. Elizabeth birthday in March, Bishop Cummins shared Elementary are among the 489 students his recollections of FACE and his apprecia who are receiving FACE grants to help tion for the FACE founders, “who represent them attend Catholic school in the Oakland the best of our diocese in so many ways.” FACEBy Michele Jurichat 40: Gratitude, and lookingHe forward recalled Barbara Morrill and Sister Staff writer diocese. In the high schools, 348 students- are receiving grants. Sebastian Adza, CSC, told him they Care Directives • Employment • Divorce • Probate More than 4,000 students who have wanted to help inner-city schools by taking Even before they got through the doors - applied for FACE grants, and have quali up a second collection in all the parishes. at the annual gala that supports Family Aid “My immediate reaction was: You won’t fied for them, are on the waiting list. Catholic Education, the benefactors came Ethan Flores The annual spring gala, FACE’s larg get enough money.” face to face with FACE. FACE found other ways over the years, est fundraising event each year, packed Greeters, from Grades Two through Noemi Ruvalcaba (Continued on Page 12.) the event center at the Greek Orthodox including grants from local foundations, Eight, dressed in their St. Elizabeth • Worker’s Comp. • Immigration • Criminal • Real Property Disputes Vanessa Cordova is in her first year of Cathedral in Oakland on April 21. The Elementary School uniforms — plaid skirts gala honored the founders of Family Aid or dark pants, and blue sweaters — shook teaching at St. Elizabeth elementary. Her Catholic Education and those who have hands, looked their guests in the eye, family was assisted by FACE during her nurtured it through the decades. smiled and welcomed them. years at St. Elizabeth Elementary and High A pair of greeters nimbly retrieved schools. She graduated from Holy Names ParishStaff changes report University and her first teaching position is nametags for the guests. Two religious orders that have Keeping a watchful eye over the eager at the school she entered in Fifth Grade. provided leadership for parishes in young group was the kindergarten teacher the Oakland diocese will be leaving at St. Elizabeth School. She, too, was a face of FACE. the parishes. After 154 years, the Dominican - Fathers are withdrawing from Most 21093 Forbes Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545 Two join leadership team Holy Rosary Parish, Antioch, effec Call 510-893-4711 to make an appointment Open: Tuesday & Thursday On our cover tive June 30, and after 39 years, More than 100 delegates from the the Precious Blood Fathers are Catholic schools withdrawing from St. Edward’s Diocese of Oakland joined with for CatholicStaff report schools about 1,000 others at the regional changing Parish, Newark, also effective meeting of V Encuentro, an effort to June 30. - Two veteran Catholic educators, • New high school leadership— Page 10 Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, bring together the Church and the Jocelyn Pierre-Antoine and Ken Willers, • Lumen Christi Academies launching Latino Catholic community. appointed new clergy to both Phone 510-887-5656 • www.folgergraphics.com will become associate superintendents More on Pages 3 and 11. parishes, and announced oth for the Diocese of Oakland Department er staff changes. See Page 2 or online at www.oakdiocese.org 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m...... 12 of Catholic Schools on July 1. ATD Both have received awards from the for details. Bishop’s Column ...... 3 13 Pierre-Antoine, the principal of St. Bede 15 School in Hayward, is the new associate National Catholic Educational Association. Classified...... 14 Pierre-Antoine helped develop a K-8 Datelines ...... superintendent: Leadership for Mission - ...... Christian Outreach(Continued Program onthat Page received 10.) Forum ...... 4 14 and Professional Learning. Ken Willers, News in Brief ...... 11, 12 principal of the School of the Madeleine Obituaries in Berkeley, is the new associate super Seniors ...... 2 6, 7 intendent: Leadership for Innovation and The Church 8, 9 Growth...... Travel Volunteer Tribute ...... The CatholicMay 19,Voice 2018 & Unitours, at St. Bonaventure Inc. Q & A Informational– Classroom B1 Meeting St. Bonaventure • 5562 Clayton Road, Concord Holy Land meeting: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. St. Paul Pilgrimage: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. RSVP: [email protected] refreshments served or 510-419-1081 Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services

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