The Catholic Voice is on Facebook VOL. 57, NO. 7 DIOCESE OF OAKLAND APRIL 8, 2019 www.catholicvoiceoakland.org Serving the East Bay Catholic Community since 1963 Copyright 2019 Our Lord calls Father Jay home early By Carrie McClish Staff writer Very Rev. James V. Matthews II, who fully used the gifts of a joyous spirit and soothing voice to minister to generations of Catholics throughout the East Bay, died suddenly of an apparent heart attack March 30 in Oakland. He was 70. Father Matthews, affectionally known Funeral to many as “Father arrangements Jay,” had served as All at the Cathedral of the third rector of the Christ the Light Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland since Where: 2121 Harrison St., 2015. He was the first Oakland Black priest ordained Parking in the Kaiser Garage in Northern California and the Diocese of Viewing: Sunday, April 7, CHRIS SILVA/THE CATHOLIC VOICE CATHOLIC CHRIS SILVA/THE Oakland. He would 4-6 p.m. have celebrated the Vigil: Sunday, April 7, 6 45th anniversary of p.m., followed by reception his ordination to the Five good reasons I like being Catholic: priesthood on May 3. Mass of Christian Burial: “Father Matthews’ Monday, April 8, 7 p.m., 5. The Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ, infectious love for his followed by reception not by a human being, an ex-priest or a king or a man Easter approaches faith, his parishioners claiming to be a prophet. For 1,500 years, if you wanted Interment: Tuesday, The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter and his community to be a Christian, you were Catholic. April 9, 11 a.m., St. Joseph Triduum — from the evening of Holy Thursday to was a joy and inspi- 4. The Catholic Church is the largest relief and Cemetery, San Pablo the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chrono- ration for me,” said charitable organization in the world. logically three days, they are liturgically one day Bishop Michael C. 3. The Catholic Church is the No. 1 defender of unfolding for us the unity of Christ’s Paschal Barber, SJ, in a statement. “He human rights in the world. Mystery. truly lived what St. John Vianney, 2. We have the Eucharist. We have the body and The single celebration of the Triduum marks the patron saint of parish blood of Christ. We have the Sacrament of Confession. the end of the Lenten season and leads to the priests, described the priest- We have priests who forgive sins. Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the (Continued on Page 12.) 1. You don’t say no to God when he invites you. Easter Vigil. More about Holy Week and Easter Liturgies, (From Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ’s, homily to soon Pages 7-10. to be Catholics at the Rite of Election, March 16 and Very Rev. James Matthews 17, 2019.) delivers the homily on Palm Sunday 2016. ALBERT C. PACCIORINI THE CATHOLIC VOICE Everyone dances at annual SPRED gala By Michele Jurich Staff writer SPRED the Word When SPRED celebrates, its hard to contain the joy. For the Special Religious Education Department, What: Dinner-dance fundraiser SPRED the Word is the major fundraiser of the year. For When: May 4 the adult Friends that SPRED serves, 4 p.m. Liturgy it’s prom night, class reunion and 5:15 p.m. Registration and social birthdays rolled into one. 6 p.m. Dinner Everyone dances. Followed by dancing until 8:30 p.m. For the SPRED families, catechists and supporters, it’s a night to take Where: Church of the Transfiguration On our cover stock of a year well lived for the min- 4000 E. Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley The death of Our Lord as seen at the Lake County istry dedicated to welcoming people Tickets: $35 for adults, $12 for kids Outdoor Passion Play, celebrating its 39th year. with intellectual disabilities into the life More information on Page 10. of their parish and their church. Register by April 26 at www.oakdiocese.org/ Martinez-Kilty The ministry involves people from spredtherword or 510-635-7252 Bishop’s Column . 3 more than half of the diocese – some as catechists and Classified. .12 No tickets will be sold at the door some as friends, as the participants are aptly known. Datelines . 13 Friends are from 44 different parishes; catechists from Easter Liturgies . 7-10 40 parishes. centers host more than one community. Forum . 14, 15 In all, 52 parishes are touched by either providing There are SPRED communities for friends ages 6 to Seniors . .11 volunteer catechists or SPRED Friends. 10; 11 to 16; 17 to 21; and 22 and older. The Church. 2 At SPRED centers at 20 parishes in the Diocese of Each friend is paired with a catechist. For many, it’s a Travel . 5, 6 Oakland, these small faith communities gather. Many (Continued on Page 11.) The Catholic Voice invites you to come to a Q & A informational meeting to find out more about upcoming Diocese of Oakland pilgrimages with Fr. Richard Mangini Sunday, May 5, 2019 • St. Bonaventure Parish Hall 5562 Clayton Road, Concord Marian Shrines Pilgrimage: September 23-October 2, 2019 • Q & A Meeting time: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Holy Land Pilgrimage: February 10-19, 2020 • Q & A Meeting time: 2:30-3:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. [email protected] or 510-419-1081 • Light refreshments served 2 — THE CATHOLIC VOICE THE CHURCH APRIL 8, 2019 OFFICIAL Bishop Barber’s Schedule April 8: 7 p.m., Mass of April 18: 7 p.m., Mass In Christian Burial, Very Rev. Coena Domini (feast of the James Matthews, Cathedral of Last Supper), Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland Christ the Light, Oakland April 9: Office meetings, April 19: Noon, ecumenical Chancery, Oakland Good Friday service, Oakland City Hall Plaza April 11: Office meetings, Chancery, Oakland, including 3 p.m., liturgy of the Passion MICHELE JURICH/THE CATHOLIC VOICE MICHELE JURICH/THE CATHOLIC Priest Personnel Board of the Lord, Cathedral of Part of the crowd at last year’s Good Friday event at Frank Ogawa Plaza in front Christ the Light, Oakland 3 p.m., gathering of the priests of the of Oakland City Hall. diocese: Holy Hour, talk and dinner, April 20: 8:30 p.m., Easter Vigil, Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland 6:30 p.m., Chrism Mass, Cathedral April 21: 10 a.m., Easter Sunday Mass, Bishop joins Good Friday event of Christ the Light, Oakland Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland Seven pastors from Oakland — includ- pastors will proclaim and reflect on the April 12: 9:30 a.m., Office meetings, April 27: 10:30 a.m., Young Ladies’ ing Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, of the last seven words spoken by Jesus on the including Call to Orders of transitional Institute, Golden Burse, St. Patrick Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland — will cross. The event is scheduled to end at deacons to be ordained to the priesthood Parish, Rodeo bring Good Friday to the public square 2:30 p.m. again this year. Last year, Bishop Barber spoke at April 13: 5:30 p.m., Sentinels of Freedom April 28: 10:30 a.m., Divine Mercy Mass, The service — entitled “What’s So the event. He was accompanied then by gala dinner, Blackhawk Museum, Danville Divine Mercy Parish (St. Lawrence Good About Good Friday?” — will begin the Very Rev. James Matthews, rector of O’Toole site), Oakland April 14: 10 a.m., Palm Sunday Mass, at noon April 19 at Frank Ogawa Plaza the Cathedral of Christ the Light. Father Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland 5 p.m., Confirmation, Saint Mary’s in front of Oakland City Hall. The seven Matthews died March 30. College, Moraga April 16: Mass, pastoral visit, Missionary Sisters of Charity, St. Mark’s Parish, THE VATICAN Richmond Do not fear difference, but division Appointments Rev. Kwame Assenyoh is appointed Rev. David Mendoza Vela has been Catholic News Service temporary parochial administrator of placed on administrative leave from No one should be afraid that God has Catholic Community of Pleasanton. active ministry. allowed there to be different religions in the world, Pope Francis said. Rev. Bich Nguyen is appointed temporary Rev. Van Dinh has had his faculties “But we should be frightened if we are parochial administrator of the Cathedral removed and is suspended from priestly not doing the work of fraternity, of walking of Christ the Light and Our Lady of ministry. together in life” as brothers and sisters of Lourdes parishes. one human family, he said. Deacon Alfonso Perez is appointed As is customary, at his general audi- temporary parochial administrator of ence April 3, the first after his March 30-31 HARING/CNS PAUL Corpus Christi Parish, Fremont. trip to Morocco, Pope Francis reviewed Pope Francis greets a baby during his his visit. general audience in St. Peter’s Square “People might ask themselves, ‘Why at the Vatican April 3. is it the pope visits Muslims and not just Catholics?’” the pope said. Some theologians say it is part of God’s THE DIOCESE Catholics and Muslims are both “permissive will,” allowing “this reality of “descendants of the same father, many religions. Some emerge from the cul- Abraham,” he said, and the trip was ture, but they always look toward heaven Honor our volunteers Good Friday collection another step on a journey of “dialogue and God,” the pope said. The Catholic Voice May 13 issue will Every year on Good Friday, a collection and encounter with (our) Muslim brothers “What God wants is fraternity among recognize some of the diocese’s hard- is taken up in Catholic Churches to sup- and sisters.” us,” he said, which is why “we must not be working men and women volunteers.