VOL 59, NO. 5 DIOCESE OF OAKLAND MAY 17, 2021 www.catholicvoiceoakland.org Serving the East Bay Catholic Community since 1963 Copyright 2021 Begin with a prayer to end gun violence By Most Rev. Michael C. Barber, SJ opinion with a fellow employee or a store vigils are ecumenical and not political. This I encourage all parishes to lead public Gun violence and homicide have risen clerk. Instead of resolving these issues by month’s prayer vigil is May 23, 5-6 pm. For recitation of the rosary — at the time and at alarming rates this peaceful, civil actions, guns reduce us to more information, including a reminder manner the pastors deem fit — to pray for year in Oakland. a “wild West” mentality of every individual when the location is set, email terrimcwil- an end of the worldwide pandemic. We know we are for himself. The result is so often death [email protected]. Also, on May 14 at people We give thanks that the recovery brought into this and a terrible disrespect for the dignity of planned to gather at St. Benedict Catholic seems to be going well in our part of the world to love: Our human life. Church, the corner of 82nd and Bancroft world, but other countries, such as India, Catholic faith teaches In the last year, the city of Oakland has avenues in Oakland, to participate in a are in a dire situation. of a God who is all- seen reports of gunshots rise by 137% − Night Walk for peace. In leading the Rosary on May 1 in St. loving, merciful and that is more than double in just 12 months! Without our hearts and minds focused Peter’s Basilica to launch the month-long intent on bringing And the city is averaging 10 deaths a on God’s loving guidance, any work we praying of the Rosary, the Holy Father each of us to our month due to homicide. do toward peace and justice will fail. Let’s prayed: Bishop Barber salvation. There are many solutions being offered start this movement by standing together, “Most loving Mother, grant that the Sadly, our human to this crisis, but I believe we will only be in prayer. sense of belonging to one great family, in nature is not always true to God’s intent for successful if we begin from a place of the awareness of the bond that unites us us. Violence is due to sin, and it seems to prayer and reliance on God. Pray the rosary daily in May all, might grow in the world; so that, with a be escalating again in Oakland, fueled by Violence begins in the heart. It can I also would like to emphasize the Holy spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we might a proliferation of guns in our homes and also end when hearts are reconciled with Father’s request for a “Marathon of Prayer” come to the aid of the many people who on our streets. Christ. to Our Lady in the month of May (“Mary’s are poor and the many situations of misery. Issues quickly escalate when a gun is I hope you can join our pastors, myself Month”) by praying the rosary daily. Encourage firmness in faith, perseverance part of the situation: when another driver’s and other people of faith and good will on The rosary is a powerful prayer, a in service, constancy in prayer.” behavior angers a gun-carrying individual, the fourth Sunday of each month to pray favorite of Catholics, and has never gone We in Oakland diocese join our hearts when there’s a perceived insult at a bar or for an end to gun violence in our neigh- out of style. The Holy Father prays three in prayer to Our Lady with the Holy in the street, when there is a difference of borhoods and communities. The prayer rosaries a day. Father’s intention. New superintendent BENJAMIN COLACCHIO/THE CATHOLIC VOICE BENJAMIN COLACCHIO/THE CATHOLIC BOWERBIRD PHOTOGRAPHY The first meeting of the Mission Alignment Commission took place in the Cathedral Event Center. Dr. Andrew Currier will become superintendent of the schools of the Diocese of Oakland, Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ announced. Currently president of Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, he will take on his post on July 1. See the story on Page 3. Mission Alignment Process Commission begins its work By Michele Jurich ishes, ages, geography and experience. Ordination set for May 22 Staff writer The members bring their gifts and By Michele Jurich Huong Dinh entered study for the The first meeting of the Diocese of talents to the table, which, at the meet- Staff writer priesthood at the age of 14 in Vietnam, and Oakland Mission Alignment Process ing that followed the Mass, included On May 22, Bishop Michael C. Barber, lived for time in a religious community. At Commission began with Mass. socially distanced seating at several SJ will ordain two men – Deacons the age of 23, he immigrated to the United Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, cel- tables placed around the Cathedral Huong Dinh States, where his ebrated Mass in the Cathedral of Christ Event Center. and Candelario parents had settled. the Light on April 16. On the left side of Commission members introduced Jimenez — to the Encouraged to pur- the chapel, about half of the committee themselves. Prior to the meeting, they priesthood in the sue his vocation, members, in white vestments, concel- had completed surveys to evaluate their Cathedral of Christ he discerned with ebrated. strengths. the Light. a religious order The commission, composed of clergy During the session, they were intro- Both came to and the diocese. He and laity, represents a diversity of par- continued on p. 9 the priesthood from chose Oakland. beyond our bor- The two were ders, after having ordained at the discerned with reli- Deacon Candelario Deacon Huong Prayer Garden of On our cover gious orders and Jimenez Dinh the Church of the dioceses. Good Shepherd in The Mission Alignment Process committee members at the Cathedral of Christ Each man has an extended family in Pittsburg last August, the beginning of the Light, after their first meeting. Front row: Paul Bongiovanni (ex-officio); Mary the Bay Area supporting him in his journey. an anything-but-ordinary diaconate year. Fair; Father Mark Ruiz; Rick Medeiros (co-chair) and Bishop Michael C. Barber, Candelario Jimenez came to the East Read the stories on pages 6 and 7 to SJ. Second Row: Cristina Torres; Jocelyn Pierre-Antoine; Amanda Wehrman. Bay from Mexico at the age of 17 with his learn more about the soon-to-be priests. Third row: Eric Hom; Father Jimmy Macalinao; Steve Wilcox (ex-officio); Father family. He returned to Mexico to enter the There are listings for their Masses of Lawrence D’Anjou (co-chair). Top row: Father Anthony Huong Le; Father Brandon seminary of a religious order, studied in Thanksgiving as well as their first priestly Macadaeg; Father Leo Edgerly, Father Jayson Landeza. France, where he learned to bake bread for assignments. his religious community. After a period of dis- The ordination will be live-streamed Around the Diocese . .10 Ordination . 6-7 cernment, he entered a diocesan seminary on the Cathedral of Christ the Light’s Bishop’s column . 1 School news . 3 in Mexico but as his ordination approached, YouTube channel. The Mass will begin at Forum . 11 Senior Living and Resources . 10 the opportunity developed to enter the semi- 10 a.m. All seating in the cathedral has Obituaries . 8 The Church. .2 nary for the Diocese of Oakland. been reserved. 2 — THE CATHOLIC VOICE THE CHURCH MAY 17, 2021 OFFICIAL Bishop’s Schedule May 18: Office meetings – Rosary Parish, Union City Chancery Offices, Oakland, June 4: Institute on the including Catechism USCCB Meeting 10:30 a.m. College of Consultors June 5: 4:30 p.m. Mass and celebration of the Sacrament May 19: Dinner with Fr. Carillo Fr. Cortez Rev. Mr. Dinh Rev. Mr. Jimenez of Confirmation, St. Rose of Ordinandi\ Lima Parish, Crockett May 20: Meeting with Visitor General of 7 p.m. Mass and celebration Franciscan Friars of the of the Sacrament of Santa Barbara Province Confirmation, St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Martinez Benedict XVI Board Meeting, June 6: 11 a.m. Corpus Christi Mass, Archdiocese of San Francisco Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland May 21: 7 p.m. Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Anne 5 p.m. Mass and celebration of the Fr. Macalinao Fr. Marrujo Fr. Moran Fr. Murray Parish, Union City Sacrament of Confirmation, Our Lady Queen of the World Parish, Bay Point May 22: 10 a.m. Ordination to the Priesthood, Cathedral of Christ the June 10: Office meetings, Chancery Light, Oakland Offices, Oakland, including 10 a.m. Priest Personnel Board 5 p.m. Celebration of the Sacrament 1 p.m. Presbyteral Council of Confirmation for Adults, Cathedral June 11: Day of Recollection with of Christ the Light, Oakland the Seminarians of the Diocese of May 23: 11 a.m. Pentecost Sunday Oakland, San Damiano, Danville Mass, Cathedral of Christ the Light, Fr. Naguit Fr. Nobrega Fr. Noga Fr. Parekkatt June 12: 10 a.m. Celebration of the Oakland Sacrament of Confirmation (Group #1) Catholic Community of Pleasanton 4 p.m. Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation for Adults, Cathedral 1 p.m. Celebration of the Sacrament of Christ the Light, Oakland of Confirmation (Group #2) Catholic May 24: 7 a.m. Mass, Carmel of Community of Pleasanton Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Kensington 5 p.m.