January 7, 2008   •   VOL. 46, NO. 1   •   Oakland, CA

Faith-filled drama Due to popular demand, students at Bishop O’Dowd High School are mounting a return engagement of the Oakland school’s moving theatric production of “Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust,” based on the book by Immaculee Ilbagiza. Performances are set for Jan. 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 each. Three students, from left to right, Mckinsey Bishop, a freshman, Morgan Jade Booker, freshman, and Alexis Stuckey, sophomore, depict a scene from the play. The school is located at 9500 Stearns Ave. (510) 577-9100, ext. 302.

SPIRITUALITY

Jan. 9, 16, 23
Christ the King Bible Study and Charismatic Prayer Meeting. 7:30 p.m. at 6 Saint Lawrence Court, Pleasant Hill. Share in charismatic praise, singing and openness to the gifts of God’s Spirit. Sponsor: Charismatic Catholic Renewal. (800) 474-6644.

Thursdays, Jan. 10, 17, 24
Chaplet of Divine Mercy Devotion. 6:30 – 8 p.m. at St. Anthony Church, 971 O’Hara Ave., Oakley. Includes study of the Holy Scripture. All are welcome. (925) 625-2109.

Monday, Jan. 14
Healing Mass. 7:30 p.m. at St. Edward Church, 5788 Thornton Ave., Newark. Bert/Norma, Abba Father Prayer Group, (510) 793-1750. Every second Monday.

Friday, Jan. 18
Taize – Prayer Around the Cross. 8 p.m. at the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, Motherhouse Chapel, 43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont. Refresh your soul, listen to beautiful music, join others in prayer and song around the cross. Every third Friday of the month. Sister Beth Quire, O.P., (510) 657-2468 or beth@msjdominicans.org.

Sunday, Jan. 20
Celebration of Adult Confirmation. 3 p.m. at St. Isidore Parish, 440 La Gonda Way, Danville. The diocesan celebration is for baptized, catechized adults who have previously received the sacraments of baptism and Eucharist and are seeking Confirmation. For more information, Melissa Hyatt, (510) 267-8370.

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EUCHARIST ADORATION

Daily
6 a.m. – 8 p.m. at Mary’s House Chapel, 1850 Church Lane, San Pablo. (510) 236-0383.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Most Holy Rosary Church, 1313 A St., Antioch. (925) 757-4020.
24 hours a day, at Divine Mercy Center and Perpetual Adoration Chapel, 11152 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. (510) 412-4715.

Mondays, Wednesdays
12:45 – 6:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton.

Tuesdays
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. in Mary’s Chapel at St. Jarlath Church, 2620 Pleasant St., Oakland.

Thursdays, Fridays
7 a.m. – 9 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 2039 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek.

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RETREATS

Jan. 11 – 13
Franciscan Spirituality Retreat: Waking Up to the Holy: Mystics, Saints and Everyday Life. At San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville. Presenter: Sister Gabriele Uhlein, O.S.F. Using inspiring examples from the lives of the saints (especially Francis and Clare of Assisi) participants will discover how to live one’s life well, here and now. Discover prayer and spiritual practice in a wholly new (old) way. $205/$175. (925) 837-9141 or www.sandamiano.org.

Jan. 25 – 27
Silent Retreat for Women and Men: There are Larger Places. At San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville. Facilitator: Paula D’Arcy. Giving our hearts to God is only the beginning. Then the walk of faith begins, taking us to places we never anticipated, asking us to belong with great fidelity to something deep within. What are you being called to embrace? $220/$190. (925) 837-9141 or www.sandamiano.org.

Jan. 29 – 31
Mid-Life Workshop: The Terrible Blessing of the Journey. At San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville. Facilitators: Paula D’Arcy and Father Rusty Shaughnessy, O.F.M. Participants will explore issues that challenge them at mid-life. $220/$190. (925) 837-9141 or www.sandamiano.org.

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LECTURES

Tuesday, Jan. 8
Mission Forum: Holistic Healing Practices in Tanzania, Africa. At the Maryknoll Center, 16300 Foothill Blvd., San Leandro. Costansia Mbogoma, an Maryknoll Affiliate from Mwanza, Tanzania, will talk about Capacitar, a holistic healing practice that involves the body, mind and spirit. She teaches these practices to different groups, including street children, orphans, people living with HIV/AIDS, caregivers and health workers, as well as other religious groups, school children and their teachers and different social groups. These practices have shown a positive response in the healing of trauma, promoting transformation, living in wellness, empowerment and solidarity. (510) 276-5021 or sanfrancisco@maryknoll.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 15
The Spirituality of Sexuality. 7:30 – 9 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 1315 Lomitas Ave., Livermore. Dr. Rachel Bundang, a professor in the religious education department at Santa Clara University, will present an evening that will focus on how to arrive at a better understanding of how to live as both a spiritual and a sexual being. $5 free will donation requested to offset speaker fees. This is part of the parish’s 2007-2008 L.I.F.E. (Lessons in Faith Experiences) adult education series. Julie, upcatholic@aol.com or (925) 447-4549.

Jan. 22 – 24
Pacific School of Religion Earl Lectures. At First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. The theme of the 107th annual event is “O For World: Faith, Community and Sustainability.” Speakers will address religion, environment, and social justice including Chandra Muzaffar a social activist, academic, and president of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST), an international NGO based in Malaysia. Lectures are free and open to the public, as are three worship services. Twenty-eight pastoral conference workshops will be offered to help communities of faith explore ways they can work for justice and help sustain lives savaged by hunger and fear. For more information: visit PSR’s website at www.psr.edu or call (510) 847-8218. Registration fee for the workshops: $125.

Wednesday, Jan. 23
Sixth Annual Lay Ecclesial Ministers Convocation. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Parish, 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. Keynote speaker: Sister Amy Hoey, RSM, s taff to USCCB Subcommittee on Lay Ministry, which published “Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord.” Followed by discussion, regional sessions and lunch. Sponsor: Lay Ecclesial Ministers Council, Diocese of Oakland.

Focus the Nation: Global Warming Solutions for America. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Soda Center, St. Mary’s College, 1928 Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga. The event, which includes a daylong Eco-Fair and evening symposium, is part of a national teach-in on climate change that involves more than 1,000 colleges, schools, civic groups and faith organizations. The Eco-Fair (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) will feature green vendors, advocacy groups and nonprofit organizations working for a sustainable future while the symposium (7 p.m.) will feature experts discussing the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change. Speakers include Stephen Schneider, an internationally known expert in global warming who is co-director of the Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources at Stanford University. Information: Stephen Woolpert, (925) 631-4609 or http://stmarys-ca.edu/news-and-events/focus-the-nation.

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SOCIALS

Saturday, Jan 12
Baked Potato Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. social hour, noon luncheon, at St. Paschal Baylon Parish, 3700 Dorisa Ave., Oakland. $12 per person. Reservations: Brenda McKinley, (510) 527-6284.

Saturday, Jan. 19
Salad Bar Luncheon and Bingo! Noon at All Saints Church Gym, 22824 2nd St., Hayward. $15 donation includes lunch and two bingo cards. Sponsor: All Saints Y.L.I. #166. Proceeds raised for charities. Reservations: Bette, (510) 538-5447.

Polenta-Chicken Dinner. 6 p.m. (cocktails), 7 p.m. (dinner) at St. Philip Neri Parish Hall, Alameda. $17 for adults, $8 children under 12. Joanne, (510) 523-9472 or Terry, (510) 521-0175.

Saturday, Jan. 26
New Orleans-Style Mardi Gras. 6 – 11 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Parish Hall, 1219 Excelsior Ave., Oakland. Live music by the BluesBox Bayou Band, Gourmet New Orleans-Style Buffet catered by PJMac, live and silent auctions. Ticket deadline: Jan. 16. Proceeds go to complete the renovation of the 75-year-old tower of St. Margaret Mary Church. Ticket information: Lilly Mullen, (925) 827-1946 or lilypad@sysmatrix.net.

Hospice Boutique Thrift Shoppe Fashion Show. 11:30 a.m. at St. Anne Parish, 1600 Rossmoor Parkway, Walnut Creek. Sponsor: St. Anne’s Society at the parish.

Sunday, Jan. 27
Sacred Heart Parish’s Annual Mardi Gras Dinner Dance. At Colombo Club, 5321 Claremont Ave., in Oakland. No host cocktail at 3 p.m., dinner at 4 p.m., dance after 6 p.m. $30 for dinner and dance. Gilda Costa, (510) 652-2855.

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SUPPORT GROUPS

Jan. 10 and 24
Healing for Those Who Are Grieving. 7:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. The reality of death leave many in a state of shock, confusion and sadness. Everyone is welcome, regardless of religious affiliation to join this bi-monthly group. Joan, (925) 828-6864.

Beginning of January
Post-abortion Healing and Bible Study Groups. In collaboration with the Diocese of Oakland, First Resort is offering an eight-week group located in Redwood City on Thursday evenings. Oakland and San Francisco groups will begin the first week of March. For more information call (510) 891-9998 or e-mail christinew@firstresort.net; or Colleen Knutsen at the diocese, (510) 267-8394.

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Art/Music

Sunday Afternoon Recitals. 3:30 p.m. at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco. Jan. 20: Jonathan Dimmock, organist; Jan. 27: Bonnie Rasmusen, violin, and Jeanette Wilkin Tietze, piano. Brahms Violin Sonata. (415) 567-2020, ext. 213.

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Bible Study

Monday, Jan. 14
Put Your Faith to Work With the St. Charles/St. Michael’s Bible Study Group. 7:30 p.m. in the Pope John XXIII room at St. Charles Church, 1315 Lomitas Ave., Livermore. Do you struggle with inner conflicts? Do you fight to become a person of integrity and peace? Do you strive to live a more Christian life? The Letter of James invites readers to examine one’s values and points the way towards the ideals of Christian living. Explore the Letter of James for eight weeks beginning Jan. 14. A $10/session donation is appreciated. Call now to reserve a place and materials. Julie at upcatholic@aol.com or (925) 447-4549, ext. 114.

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Crab feeds

Jan. 18 and 19
Salesian High School’s 43rd Annual Crab Feed. At 2851 Salesian Ave., Richmond. Feb. 18: 7 p.m. cocktail hour, 8 p.m., dinner; Jan. 19: 6 p.m. cocktail hour, 7 p.m. dinner, music and dancing following dinner. $40 per person. Reservation deadline: Jan. 18. Tickets and information: (510) 234-4433, ext. 1405.

Saturday, Jan. 19
St. Joseph Notre Dame High School’s 27th Annual Island Crab Feed and Auction. At SJND Gymnasium, 1011 Chestnut St., Alameda. 5 p.m.: no-host cocktails and silent auction; 6 p.m.: dinner. Live auction and silent auctions, music, dancing, raffle, student performances, bar. Tickets: $55. Proceeds go to tuition assistance. Jennifer Costa, (510) 814-7152.

St. Alphonsus Liguori Parish. At 16290 Foothill Blvd., San Leandro. No-host cocktails at 6 p.m. followed by dinner. Tickets: $30 adults, $15 children under 12. Reservations required. Nancy Faltisek, (510) 276-7363 or Ginger Harkins, (510) 614-8130.

Saturday, Jan. 26
Moreau High School Booster Club 39th Annual Crab Feed and Auction. 6 – 11 p.m. at 27170 Mission Blvd., Hayward. Tickets: $36. Diana Straggas DeFrance, (510) 881-4330 or ddefrance@moreaucatholic.org.

Knights of Columbus Council, # 7683 13th Annual Crab Feed. In the new St. Monica’s Peace Room, 1001 Camino Pablo in Moraga. 6 p.m.: appetizers and no-host cocktails; 7:30 p.m.: dinner which will include salad, pasta, French bread, fresh cracked crab from Eureka and dessert. Chicken is available when ordered in advance. Raffle immediately follows dinner. Tickets: $45 and must be reserved and paid for in advance. Round tables of eight available for $350. Contact: Karl Anderson, (925) 283-3679.

Saturday, Feb. 9
St. Leander Parish. At 575 W. Estudillo Ave., San Leandro. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with no-host bar, dinner at 6:30 p.m. Crab, salad, pasta, ice cream. Dessert auction, 50-50 raffle, and silent auction of sports memorabilia. $45 per person, $40 after Feb. 3. (510) 895-5631.

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Schools

Wednesday, Jan. 9
Information Night. 6:30 p.m. at Queen of All Saints School, 2391 Grant St., Concord. (925) 685-8700 or www.qasconcord.org.

Sunday, Jan. 27
Open House. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Woodrose College Preparatory, 1092 Alberta Way, Concord. (925) 671-9447 or woodroseprep@comcast.net.

Saturday, Feb. 2
Campus Visit Day. 8:30 a.m. at Valley Center for Performing Arts, Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. In addition to a campus tour, prospective students can meet HNC students and faculty and talk to faculty members about their major. Information or RSVP: (510) 430-1351 or admissions@hhnu.edu.

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