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September
19, 2005 
VOL.
43, NO. 16Oakland,
CA
St. Benedict Parish celebrates 75 years
Herman Harper, choir director, leads the congregation in soulful music at the 75th anniversary Mass.
Father James Matthews, pastor, leads the procession into St. Benedict Church, Sept. 4, for the parish’s 75th anniversary Mass. Joining him are Bishop Emeritus John Cummins, Deacon Ernest Jaramillo and Bishop Allen Vigneron.
The weekly liturgy reflects the spirituality of African American culture and the traditions of American Catholicism.
CHRIS DUFFEY PHOTOS
Parishioners raise their voices in prayer during the anniversary liturgy.
Marvin Millet receives Communion from Bishop Vigneron.
St. Benedict Church was built in 1952. When the parish began in 1930, Mass was said in the living room of a rented house. The early parishioners were Italian, Portuguese and Irish.
