May 7, 2007VOL. 45, NO. 9Oakland, CA

New Knights of Peter Claver
San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer and Oakland Bishop Allen Vigneron became third and fourth degree Knights of Peter Claver during an exemplification ceremony April 26 at the S.F. archdiocese pastoral center. Seated with them is Supreme Knight Gene A. Phillips. Back row, from left, are Wesley Arceneaux, Rufus Fisher, Martin Blont and James Ned. The Western States District of the Knights and the Ladies Auxiliary held their 54th conference April 26-29 in South San Francisco. More than 300 members from California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Nevada attended.

Kids to visit jailed moms

A group of children who have mothers in prison will get three precious hours with their moms through Get On The Bus, an annual event held the Friday before Mother’s Day.

The program, which has support from parishes and Catholic organizations throughout the state, offers transportation for the children and their caregivers, provides travel bags for the children and comfort care bags for the caregivers, and all meals for the day – all at no cost to the child’s family. Each child will also receive a photo with his or her mother.

On the bus ride home each child is given a teddy bear with a letter from their mother. Post-event counseling and support is also offered.
This year’s Get On The Bus event takes place on May 11,

Without this program, most of these children would never see their mothers because distance or expense prohibits caregivers from making the drive to the prisons.

Organizers are seeking funds to cover all the expenses. For more information, contact Sister Claire Williams, 1125 Ferry St., Martinez, CA 94553; (925) 335-9314; or cmwilliamscsj@aol.com.

Saint posted on YouTube

“Founder’s Week” at St. Mary’s College in Moraga had a new and funky beat thanks to three students who have created and posted a music video on YouTube. Based on lyrics written by seniors Jason Harris and Jon Bertain, and freshman Nick Carmone, the music video celebrates the life and ministry of St. John de la Salle who founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools in 1680.

In an article posted on the campus’ website, www.stmarys-ca.edu, Harris, who performs the Lasallian-inspired rap called “Mind Cultivation” in the video, reported that viewers liked the chorus: “Broaden the game/expand the brain/do what you can/and plan to make change.”

Around the Parishes

St. Stephen Parish in Walnut Creek hosted the 14th Annual Interfaith Choral Fest on May 6. Other parishes and churches participating in the event included St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Concord, Korean United Methodist Church in Concord, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Clayton Valley, Concord United Methodist Church, and First Presbyterian Church of Concord. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Contra Costa Food Bank.

back to top

Around the Schools

Students at St. David School in Richmond have been doing many good works. The school’s rosary guild and several classes made over 200 Rosaries and sent them to Kenya and Tanzania; the 4th grade class participates in the St. Jude Marathon and, raised $463.50 for the hospital; the 7th and 8th grade students have volunteered at the Souper Center in Richmond once a month throughout this school year.

At All Saints School in Hayward students are helping the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club, a group of volunteers that meets weekly in the school gym to prepare a healthy meal for homeless people who gather at nearby Portuguese Park. Each week students in a different class each prepare one extra lunch. Then a small group of 7th and 8th graders, accompanied by a teacher or Principal Linda Knox, walk to the park where they lead about 80 people in prayer, hand out the lunches, and help serve a hot breakfast to everyone in line.

The Seventh Grade Recycling Team at St. Joseph School in Pinole has been studying the effects of waste and pollution on the environment and decided to do something about it. The team, also known as Mission Possible 08, went to each classroom to teach about the various ways students could conserve water and energy. They talked about turning off lights and electronic devices when they are not using them and not letting the water run while brushing one’s teeth. The team also raised $150 from a can and bottle recycling contest and the class decided to use the money to plant a California Live Oak tree during a special assembly on April 27.

Much applause to five incoming freshmen at St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda who were named presidential scholars and honored at a dinner on April 18: Cesar San Miguel, St. Lawrence O’Toole School, Oakland; Elizabeth Medrano, St. Leander School, San Leandro; Keyonna Smith, St. Leander School, San Leandro; Cassandra Macalino, St. Barnabas School, Alameda; and Robert Hollis, St. Joseph Elementary School, Alameda.

Speaking of SJND, Chris Aria, a junior, won his second straight Bay Shore Athletic League (BASL) men’s tennis singles championship on April 25. Aria has not lost a set in conference play all year. Earlier this season he beat a player ranked in the nation’s top 20 – losing just one set in that match.

The baseball teams of Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd High School and Concord’s De La Salle High School are among several local teams scheduled to participate in the 1st Annual Dave Stewart/Oakland A’s High School Baseball Showdown at the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland on May 5. Hosted by De La Salle High, proceeds from the event will go to the Oakland A’s Community Fund, which will be distributed to Oakland inner-city youth baseball.

back to top

Among the Religious

Bishop Allen Vigneron recently appointed Father Daniel Cardelli as vicar for retired clergy. The priest, who retired in 2005, will visit retired clergy, make their needs known to the bishop, and provide hospitality and support.

back to top

home