The Catholic Voice is on Facebook VOL. 57, NO. 15 DIOCESE OF OAKLAND SEPTEMBER 2, 2019 www.catholicvoiceoakland.org Serving the East Bay Catholic Community since 1963 Copyright 2019 Youth involvement in parish life central to growing Church By Christine Schreck Special to the Catholic Voice With an emphasis on youth evangelization and sustain- ing vibrant parish communities, the Diocese of Oakland Catechetical Congress 2019 convened at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland on Aug. 10 with 700 catechists and staff members from parishes around the diocese in attendance. The day-long event featured workshops in English, Spanish and Vietnamese as well as keynote speeches in English and Spanish. Coordinator of Faith Formation for Children and Youth Patti Collyer told participants the goal for the day was for them to leave “enriched, inspired, overflowing with enthusiasm and ready to tackle the school year.” Rev. Carl Arcosa, pastor at St. Michael Parish in Livermore, gave a workshop on ways to revive struggling parishes focused on Catholic identity, spirituality and community building. Father Arcosa’s prescription for parish revitalization relies heavily on priests being present to their congrega- tions and offering spiritually nourishing worship. Father Arcosa has what he calls a “talk in the streets” every Tuesday to ensure he is meeting the needs of his parish. Father Arcosa encouraged the assembled catechists to cultivate a culture of hospitality by being welcoming VOICE THE STEELE/SPECIAL TO CATHOLIC CAROLYN to newcomers — greeting people at Mass, ensuring a At the annual luncheon for the retired priests of the Diocese of Oakland, from left, Revs. Michael Lacey, Basil positive experience at their first point of contact with the De Pinto, José Leon, Brian Timoney, Ricardo Chávez, James Schexnayder and James Pickett. There are 49 parish and issuing personal invitations to events. retired priests in the diocese. Youth involvement in parish life is central to sustain- ing the health of any parish. Father Arcosa said: “In a (Continued on Page 3.) For diocesan priests, service doesn’t stop at retirement By Michele Jurich Staff writer Collection for Retired Priests Retirement looks like this for priests of the Diocese of Oakland: Those who are able are serving wherever they of the Diocese of Oakland are called. Those who are less able are serving in place. When: Sept. 7-8 Although responsibilities as a pastor may go away – What: Give at your parish the roof leaking is someone’s else’s business these days Or send check made out to Diocese of Oakland. – the retired priests of the diocese continue to serve the Put Priest’s Retirement Fund in the memo line and people of God. mail to 2121 Harrison, Suite 100, Oakland 94612 In parishes throughout the diocese, the weekend of Sept. 7-8, a second collection will be taken up to support Related Stories the Priests’ Retirement Fund. There are 49 retired priests in the diocese. Supporting the collection is a way to thank Clergy care manager advocates for priests, Page 5 them and honor them for their service. In retirement, a life of service, study and creative It’s quite possible it might be a “retired” priest celebrat- endeavors, Page 5 ing Mass. Their readiness to serve has been witnessed time and again in the Diocese of Oakland this past year. Two pastors of “We do a lot of relief work, giving a break to our fel- large, vibrant parishes died; three pastors or parochial admin- low priests who are still in the trenches,” he said. “It’s just istrators have been placed on temporary administrative leave. what you do.” “We don’t retire from the priesthood, that’s for sure,” When Rev. Paul Minnihan, the 52-year-old pastor of CHRISTINE SCHRECK/SPECIAL TO THE CATHOLIC VOICE CHRISTINE THE SCHRECK/SPECIAL TO CATHOLIC said Rev. Paul Vassar, who celebrates four to five Masses the Catholic Community of Pleasanton, died unexpectedly Rev. Carl Arcosa gave a workshop on ways to revive a weekend. Feb. 24, Father Vassar called the parochial vicar, Rev. B. struggling parishes focused on Catholic identity, In addition to filling in where someone is lost, the retired Kwame Assenyoh, to ask if he needed help. spirituality and community building. priests also keep an eye out for their active counterparts. (Continued on Page 5.) Martinez parish embraces Divine Renovation, literally On our cover By Albert C. Pacciorini More than 700 catechists and staff members from Staff writer St. Catherine of Siena parishes around the diocese came to learn about Parishes throughout the Diocese of Oakland are evangelization and sustaining vibrant parishes. embarking on ambitious “Divine Renovation” plans to 606 Mellus St., Martinez Story above. re-energize themselves and grow. 925-228-2230 ATD . 16 Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, established three priori- https://stcmtz.org Bishop’s Column . .3 . ties to revitalize and evangelize the Church: improving https://m.facebook.comOfficialStCatherine the Sunday Mass experience, emphasizing the Corporal Classified. 16 ofSienaChurch and Spiritual Works of Mercy and forming the people into College Information Guide . 8-9 Missionary Disciples. Datelines . .17 . At St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Martinez, said “We had to question, what has gone wrong,” Father Fall Festivals . 10-12. Rev. Anthony Huong Van Le, parochial administrator, Le said. Forum . 18-19. that involved “taking an assessment of where we were.” “We are a strong, committed group of Catholics,” he News in Brief . 4 Church records indicate in 1962, 2,000 people said, “we have to challenge the culture we are living in. Respect Life . .7 . attended Sunday Mass. There were no Spanish- language “What could we do to make a bold statement of faith,” Seniors . .15 . Masses and Martinez’s population was 8,000. Now, he asked. The Church. 2 450-500 people attend weekend Masses, while the city “Our church is still amazing and beautiful after 80 Travel . 6 population has grown to 40,000. (Continued on Page 13.) 2 — THE CATHOLIC VOICE THE CHURCH SEPTEMBER 2, 2019 OFFICIAL THE DIOCESE Bishop Barber’s Schedule Sept. 5: Mass, Anointing of Sept. 8-11: US bishops’ the Sick, Sisters of the Holy conference committee Names, Marie Rose Center meetings, Washington, D.C., Chapel, Campbell including Administrative Committee, Committee on 6:30 p.m., Capital Religious Liberty, Committee Campaign launch, St. on Doctrine James the Apostle, Fremont Sept. 12: Office meetings, Chancery, Oakland, including Sept. 6: Office meetings, Priest Personnel Board Chancery, Oakland Sept. 13: California Catholic Conference 6 p.m., Mass, celebration of St. Committee on Education Teresa of Calcutta feast day, St. Mark Parish, Richmond Sept. 14: Ordination to the Diaconate for the Dominican Friars, St. Albert’s Priory, Sept. 7: 10 a.m., Mass, Reclaiming Oakland Christ’s Mission Together Donor Appreciation, Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland THE VATICAN Vatican pharmacy automates The Vatican pharmacy, which serves about 2,000 customers a day, has started using a pharmacy robot to more efficiently manage its VOICE MICHELE JURICH/THE CATHOLIC stock, automatically Music to Our Lady retrieve medications and deliver them quickly to Organist John Renke acknowledges applause from the afternoon concert- the sales floor. MEDIA/CNS VATICAN goers at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland on Aug. 14. Renke, who serves as director of cathedral of operations, presented a recital for the Eve of the Feast of the Assumption. He closed with Alexandre Guilmant’s “Induant justitiam,”postlude for the Feast of the Assumption. The postlude Nuclear-free world No guarantees was heard again Aug. 15. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a With the anniversary of the atomic A life marked by humility, faith and Holy Day of Obligation. For other cathedral events, see www.ctlcathedral.org. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki love determines whether Christians in August 1945, the bishops of Japan enter heaven, not who they know, Pope renewed calls and prayers to build peace Francis said. Before praying the Angelus Every registered Catholic household by abolishing nuclear weapons worldwide prayer with pilgrims gathered in St. Voice collection Oct. 6 is entitled to receive The Voice as part of and promoting integral human develop- Peter’s Square Aug. 25, the pope said Parishes will accept donations for the belonging to a parish. It is the bishop’s ment. They also expressed hope that the Lord will recognize those worthy of annual collection to support the publication primary method of communicating with the Pope Francis’ visit in November and his experiencing eternal joy if they have lived of The Catholic Voice, El Heraldo Católico, people, and the primary method people of expected calls for peace will strengthen “a life of faith that translates into deeds” the annual Diocesan Directory and affili- the diocese know about each other and people’s desire and boost efforts to bring and not whether they have attended ated websites and social media. their Catholic faith. The newspaper is also about a nuclear weapon-free world. conferences or rubbed shoulders with Collection envelopes are usually dis- available online at www.catholicvoiceo- church leaders. tributed in October. The official weekend akland.org as is an online subscription. Action on rainforest for this second collection was set by the Breaking news is on facebook.com/ Describing the Amazon rainforest as ‘Spiritual tourism’ destroys diocese as Oct. 5-6, though individual TheCatholicVoice. “vital for our planet,” Pope Francis joined Christians who focus more on being parishes can change the date. If you are not receiving The Catholic the regions bishops in praying for action superficially close to the church rather The money donated in each collection Voice and would like to, please contact to extinguish the massive fires burning than care for their fellow brothers and sis- remains in each parish to offset the par- your parish or The Voice at 510-893-5339 there.