February 4, 2008   •   VOL. 46, NO. 3   •   Oakland, CA

Parish overflows with
seven weekend Masses in Spanish
 

Parishioners sing during one of the Spanish Masses held in the parish hall. JOSE LUIS AGUIRRE PHOTO

By José Luis Aguirre
El Heraldo Católico

St. Peter Martyr Parish in Pittsburg has a unique distinction among churches in the Oakland Diocese – seven weekend Masses in Spanish and only one in English. But what is most unusual is that for two of the Masses — 10 a.m. and noon – the liturgy is celebrated simultaneously in the church and the parish hall because of the large number of parishioners in attendance.

Every Sunday around 3,000 people attend Mass, said Father Ricardo Chavez, pastor. He and Father Salvador Quiroz, who both speak Spanish, minister to this community, while Father William Johnson, who also lives in the parish, is in charge of the English Mass.

Father Chavez, 70, said several factors contribute to the high attendance at the Spanish Masses. “We speak the same language, we celebrate the religious traditions of different countries, and we give participation to all groups in the parish.”

The priest, author of the books “From Ashes to Fire” and “A City by Any Other Name” in which he narrates the history of the parish and Pittsburg, writes that the church has gone through various stages in its 94-year history. In the 1960s, nearly 3,200 people attended Sunday Mass; in the1970s only 700 people arrived.

ABOVE: Ushers take up the collection at the Sunday Mass in Spanish celebrated in the parish hall. BELOW: Father Ricardo Chavez, pastor, celebrates Sunday Mass in Spanish at St. Peter Martyr Church. JOSE LUIS AGUIRRE PHOTOS

Father Chavez explained that Pittsburg was an important city with a port through which thousands of soldiers passed during the two World Wars and the Korean War. It became a much smaller city after fishing was prohibited, the military camp and the factories were closed, and the old houses were knocked down.

“It was for that reason that the parish almost died”, the priest said “but it has arisen with the Hispanic parishioners.”

There was one Mass in Spanish between 1990 to 1995. Two more were added between 1995 and 1997 when Father Chavez arrived at the parish. He saw the necessity to add more Masses until reaching the seven celebrated today.

Father Salvador Quiroz, a Colombian priest who arrived at St. Peter Martyr last February, said the parish’s success is because of the participation that the pastor gives to the different ministries, including three youth groups, two groups for young adults, charismatics, Verbum Dei, small Christian communities, among others. “All of them feel like an integral part of the community, that they are worthwhile and can do something good for others,” Father Quiroz said.

Father Ricardo Chavez greets young parishioners after Mass. JOSE LUIS AGUIRRE PHOTO

Father Quiroz, who came from a parish in Ecuador, is surprised to see a parish in the United States with so many Masses in Spanish. “The different nationalities and the cultural elements of each family who comes to Mass make this parish rich,” he said.

Parishioner Gloria Lopez said that she likes to go to the parish because she feels welcomed and can participate in different activities. “The priests are very open to the people,” she said. “They like to help others and to take care of all the parishioners who request their aid. They really like to work with the community.”

Many other people have participated in the parish’s growth, in particular Carolyn Krantz, who was pastoral associate for 11 years before retiring in August. “She was my right hand,” remembers Father Chavez. “She has a lot of experience with ethnic groups and got really involved with the Hispanic community.”

Krantz organized liturgies, developed lay leadership, and was an effective advocate for social justice. Most recently, she spoke out against the tactics of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) which were dividing families and instilling fear throughout the Latino community.

Deacon Antonio Ambriz preaches at all the Spanish Masses once a month, makes hospital visits, blesses homes and businesses, and works with his wife Eloisa in RCIA. He also helps with the 400 baptisms, 40 marriages and 60 quinceañeras that take place in the parish each year.

Eloisa Ambriz noted that “It is not easy to celebrate two Masses at the same time; it is necessary to find out ministers and the choir for each celebration.” At least 15 people are needed for each Mass to serve as readers, Eucharistic ministers and ushers. There is a different choir for each of the Masses.

Every Sunday one of the parish’s groups is in charge of food sales. “It is to help the parish and the groups,” Father Chavez said. “This activity creates a family atmosphere in the parish and allows people to become more familiar with each other.”

Although Father Chavez has reached retirement age and will observe the 45th anniversary of his ordination on Feb. 23, he said he plans to continue in active ministry.

“God has treated me very well bringing me to this parish,” he said with joy, remembering that it was in this same church where his parents married and where he received all his sacraments: Baptism, first Communion, Confirmation and priesthood.

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