February 18, 2008   •   VOL. 46, NO. 4   •   Oakland, CA

A truly Catholic Biblical interpretation Gina Hens-Piazza, a professor of Biblical Studies at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, will present a lecture on March 5 in the Regents Theatre of the Valley Center for the Performing Arts at Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd. in Oakland. The lecture, titled “Many Voices – One Text: Toward a Truly Catholic Biblical Interpretation,” begins at 7:30 p.m. It is the second of the Bishop John Cummins Speaker Series. The first speaker was Charles Geschke, co-founder of Adobe, last fall.

LENTEN SPIRITUALITY

Feb. 18 – 21
Lenten Retreat. 7 – 9 p.m. at St. Lawrence O’Toole-St. Cyril, 3725 High St., Oakland. Father John Gillespie, pastor of the Catholic Student Center of the University of Florida, will engage, challenge and inspire participants to renew their spirituality. Each evening offers something new. All are invited to attend. Attendees are welcomed to a soup supper at 6 p.m. each day of the retreat. (510) 530-0761.

Feb. 19, 25, 29 March 11
Lenten Days of Renewal at San Damiano Retreat Center. At 710 Highland Dr., Danville. Feb. 19: Father Shaughnessy, presenter, Feb. 25: Emeritus Bishop John Cummins, presenter and homilist, for a Day of Renewal; Feb. 29: Rena Grant, MFT, presenter, on “Awaken to the Sacred Through Images and Healing”; March 11: Father Evan Howard, presenter, on “Betrayal at Gethseman.” The cost for each day, including lunch and Eucharist, is $20. Information/reservations: (925) 837-9141, x315 or www.sandamiano.org.

Feb. 20, 27, March 5
“With Mind and Heart Renewed” – Lenten Program at St. Stephen Parish. At 1101 Keaveny Court, Walnut Creek. Feb. 20: soup supper at 6:15 p.m., Scripture study at 7 p.m. (Bring a Bible); Feb. 27: soup supper at 6:15 p.m., Contemporary Stations of the Cross at 7:30 p.m.; March 5: soup supper at 6:15 p.m., Communal Reconciliation Service at 7:30 p.m. Annette Roux, (925) 939-3826, ext. 3.

Feb. 20, 27, March 5, 12
Soup Suppers and Reflections. 5:30 – 7:15 p.m. at St. Augustine Church Hall, 400 Alcatraz Ave., Oakland.

Lectio Divina – Scripture Faith Sharing. 7:30 – 9 p.m. in the Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, Main Parlor, 43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont. Information: Sister Beth Quire, O.P., (510) 657-2468 or beth@msjdominicans.org.

Young Adult Lenten Faith-Sharing Series. 7:30 p.m. in Christ the Light Modular, 707 Jefferson St., Oakland. Young adults are invited until Easter to discuss Catholic social teachings. Refreshments will be offered. YA Mass to be held March 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the parish chapel inside the church.

Feb. 20, 26, March 3
Jesus Alive – Lenten Speaker Series at St. Bonaventure Parish. 7:30 p.m. at 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. Explore new ways to integrate your Catholic faith and beliefs into everyday life. Feb. 20: “Jesus Alive in the Family,” by Maurine Behrend, director, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Charities of the East Bay; Feb. 26: “Jesus Alive in the Community,” John Fitzgerald, Department of Justice Education at St. Anthony’s Foundation in San Francisco; March 3: “Jesus Alive in the Parish,” Rich Fowler, director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Stockton. Information: Patti Collyer, (925) 672-5800.

Feb. 21, 28, March 6
Lenten Thursday Evening Series. 7 – 9 p.m. at San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville. Feb. 21 “Finding God in the Company of Our Life’s Best Friends,” Kathy Miranda; Feb. 28: “From Stillness to Freedom,” Bidi Millet; March 6: “We All Belong to God,” Nancy Burchett. Reservations are requested but walk-ins are welcome. $15 each evening.

Feb. 25 – 27
St. Charles Borromeo Parish Lenten Retreat. 7:30 – 9 p.m. at 1315 Lomitas Ave., Livermore. Experience the tools of media, music, story telling, and prayer to help put a sparkle into your souls. The handyman for the retreat, called Restoration Heartware: “Honoring Our Souls,” is Vince Nims, St. Charles’ youth minister. The Restoration schedule is Feb. 25: The Condition; Feb. 26: The Work; Feb. 27: The Result. The evening sessions for those who are 11-99 years young. The Restoration schedule for faith formation and youth is Feb. 27: 3:30 – 5 p.m. Information: Julie, (925) 447-4549, ext. 114, or upcatholic@aol.com.

Tuesday, Feb. 26
Lenten Series: “Embracing Hope Through Creative Expression.” 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at St. Monica Church, 1001 Camino Pablo, Moraga. All are welcome to this free event featuring Chiara’s Lantern from San Damiano Retreat Center. Babysitting available for a small fee. Kimberly, (925) 631-0792.

March 2 – 9
Parish Lenten Mission. 7:30 – 9 p.m. at St. Edward Parish, 5788 Thornton Ave., Newark. Michael Dubruiel, author of “How-to Book of the Mass” and other popular Catholic books, presents “Embracing the Cross of Christ.” (510) 797-0241.

SPIRITUALITY

Feb. 20, 27, March 5
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.

Feb. 21, 28, March 6
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.

Sunday, Feb. 24
The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Contemplative Rosary. 2 p.m. at St. Jarlath Church, 2620 Pleasant St., Oakland. This sung version of the Rosary, composed by Bob Hurd, will be presented by the Fremont-based Deo Gloria Choir, directed by Sharon Xavier de Sousa, accompanied by Marilyn Ramos, joined by members of the St. Jarlath Choir. While the Rosary is being sung, religious icons by Alaskan iconographer and deacon, Charles Rohrbacher, depicting the Sorrowful Mysteries, will be projected on a screen. A free will offering (suggested donation $10), to benefit the St. Jarlath’s Building Fund. (510) 532-2068.

March 2 – 6
St. Rose of Lima Parish, Crockett – Parish Renewal Experience. At 555 Third Ave., Crockett. The principal instruction of the Renewal will take place each evening in the parish church at 7 p.m. Mass each morning with homily, March 3-6, at 9 a.m., followed by refreshments in the church hall with question and answer session. Preacher: Father William Mason, O.M.I. All are invited to attend. (510) 787-2052.

Wednesday, March 5
A Mass of Hope and Gratitude. 7:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Chapel, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. Father Padraig Greene, parochial administrator, at Catholic Community of Pleasanton, will preside at this Mass for breast cancer survivors, their family members and friends. Refreshments follow. Mary Merucci, (925) 846-8436 or Helen Wirtenson, (925) 462-3798.

Monday, March 10
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.

Thursday, March 13
Diocesan Chrism Mass. 7 p.m. at St. Felicitas Church, 1662 Manor Blvd., San Leandro.

Friday, March 21
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.

March 6 – 9
Women’s Cursillo Weekend. At Holy Redeemer Center, 8945 Golf Links Road, Oakland. Nita Volker, (925) 828-9442 or Carolyn Steele, (925) 648-4890.

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RETREATS

March 7 – 9
Retreat for Men. At San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville. Presenter: Father Tom Scirghi, S.J., professor of liturgy at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, “Living a Sacramental Spirituality in a Secular World.” Information: http://www.stbonaventure.net/msnretreat.shtml or call Matt Remington, (925) 672-4006 or Peter Nixon, (925) 363-5884. Sponsor: The Men’s Spiritual Network of St. Bonaventure Parish in Concord.

April 4 – 6
Married Couples Retreat. At San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville. This retreat is for good marriages and those couples who want a better marriage, especially one which is connected to the call of God. Facilitators: Father Rusty Shaughnessy, O.F.M., with Richard and Carla Obernesser. (925) 837-9141, ext 315 or www.sandamiano.org.

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LECTURES

Wednesday, Feb. 20
Peace in Palestine? 7 p.m. at Montclair Presbyterian Church, 5701 Thornhill Dr., Oakland. Speaker: Naim Ateek, an Anglican priest and outspoken advocate for peaceful resistance to the occupation of Palestine. (510) 339-1131.

Monday, Feb. 25
Byzantine (Greek) Catholicism Information Session. 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. at the Crossroads Coffeeshop, Encinal and High St. in Alameda. Father Randall Ackley, pastor at St. Philip the Apostle Byzantine Catholic Church in Sacramento, will answer questions about the Byzantine or Greek Catholicism. If you can’t make either session, call (510) 748-0303.

The XXIX Paul Wattson Lecture. 7:30 p.m. at McLaren Building, Main Campus, Room 252, University of San Francisco, 2800 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco. “The Quest for Christian Unity: A Vibrant Past With a Bright Future For All Christians,” by the V. Rev. Dr. James R. Puglisi, S.A., minister general of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, director of the Centro Pro Unione, Rome, Italy. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Feb. 26
Workshop: Planning a Loved One’s Catholic Funeral. 7 – 8:30 p.m. at St. Ambrose Parish Hall, 1145 Gilman St., Berkeley. Father Joseph Matthew will present an overview on the Catholic Rite and answer questions. Representatives from Holy Angels Funeral and Cremation Services and St. Joseph Cemetery in San Pablo will also speak. RSVP: Eduardo De Loa, (510) 223-1265 or eduardod@catholiccemeteries.org.

March 4 and April 22
Lecture Series on Catholic Identity. 8 – 8 p.m. at DeLaSalle Theater, Carondelet High School, 1133 Winton Dr., Concord. Presenter: Jerome Baggett, assistant professor of religion and society at Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. (925) 686-5353, ext. 311.

March 14 – 16
Divine Mercy Annual Congress 2008. At the Oakland Convention Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakland. Participants include: Oakland Bishop Allen Vigneron, San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Wang, and Father Mark Wiesner, pastor, St. Augustine Parish in Oakland. (510) 412-4715, DivineMercyJesus@aol.com or www.divinemercywestcoast.org.

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SOCIALS

Thursday, Feb. 21
St. Mary’s College Guild Game Day and Luncheon. 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s College Soda Center, Moraga. Join friends for a day of bridge and bunco, morning coffee, great raffle prizes and luncheon. Gen Smith, (925) 376-9656.

Friday, Feb. 22
17th Annual Children’s Choice Annual Awards Dinner. At Scott’s Seafood Restaurant, Jack London Square, Oakland. Cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. St. Vincent’s Day Home in Oakland honors three longtime friends: Kimberly Briggs, fundraiser and member of the Day Home’s board of directors; Lois Haight Herrington, Day Home donor; and Mary MacPherson, speech pathologist at the Day Home. Master of ceremonies: Brian Copeland, comedian and KGO radio talk show host. Tickets: $100. Proceeds will support the day home. (510) 832-8324.

Friday, Feb. 29
St. John the Baptist Church Annual Lenten Fish Fry. 4 – 9 p.m. at 11150 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Catfish or red snapper dinners with green beans, potato salad, bread and cake. $15 each. Beverages (sodas, water and wine) to be sold. Barbarella Magloire, (510) 669-0177.

Saturday, March 1
Fourth Annual St. Joseph Car Raffle. At St. Joseph School, 1961 Plum St., Pinole. Win a new 2008 Toyota Corolla or apply the value towards a vehicle of your choice at the Toyota Vallejo dealership. $25 each. Winner need not be present to win. (510) 724-0242.

Friday, March 7
St. Rose Church Annual Fish Fry. 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the St. Rose Parish Hall, on Starr Street between 3rd and 4th avenues, in Crockett. Adults: $15, children (six to 12): $7. Beverages available at a no-host refreshment bar. (510) 787-2052.

Saturday, March 8
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. 6 p.m. (social hour), 7 p.m. (dinner), at St. Philip Neri Parish Hall, High Street and Van Buren, Alameda. Corned beef and cabbage plus entertainment. Dave Rose, (510) 522-6004 or Jean McElroy, (510) 523-9086.

Sunday, March 9
St. Patrick’s Day Party. At St. Lawrence O’Toole Gym, 3725 High St., Oakland. No-host cocktails at 3 p.m.; dinner (corned beef and cabbage with all the trimmings) at 5 p.m. $30 per person, $11 children under 12. Deadline: March 4. Entertainment includes Irish music, traditional Irish step dancers and dancing to live music. Sponsor: American Council #8, Young Men’s Institute (Y.M.I.) Stu MacIntyre, (510) 451-2712.

Friday, March 14
St. Callistus Church Annual Salad Bar Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the church hall at 3580 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante. All are invited. $8 each (at the door). Raffle and door prizes.

Saturday, March 15
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance. At St. John’s Community Center, 264 East Lewelling Blvd., San Lorenzo. Doors open at 6 p.m. Menu includes corned beef or chicken, cabbage, carrots, potato. Music provided by DJ Clyde Ortiz. $15. Reservations: The Spores, (510) 278-4316 or Bill Katen, (510) 276-6138.

Sunday, March 16
Turning the Tables – A Volunteer Event at St. Mary’s Center. 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Center, 925 Brockhurst St., Oakland. The non-profit organization, which serves the needs of seniors and children in Oakland, will honor over three decades of volunteers at its new home. Limited seating. RSVP to Julie Merrill, (510) 923-9600, ext. 222, or Sister Marilyn Medau, ext. 220.

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SUPPORT GROUPS

Thursday, Feb. 21
Catholic Divorced Widowed and Separated of Contra Costa. 7 – 9:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 2039 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. For anyone struggling from a loss due to separation, divorce or death. Meetings are free. Joan S., (925) 939-1007.

Thursday, Feb. 28
Grief Support Group. 7:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. Joan Bell, (925) 828-6864.

Saturday, March 1
No More Secrets – Monthly Support Group for Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Holy Names University, Brennan Hall, Room 75, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Facilitated by a licensed psychotherapist. Survivors and their families are welcome. Claire Jeanette, (510) 843-6971.

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Art/Music

Saturday, March 8
Concert for BOCA. 7 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave., Berkeley. A benefit concert for the Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action (BOCA) will feature Bruce Barthol, a resident songwriter for the Tony Award winning San Francisco Mime Troupe and original bass player with Country Joe and the Fish, and singer-songwriter and activist Francisco Herrera of Trabajo Cultural Caminante. Suggested donation: $25, with a reception at 5:30 p.m. (wine $4, food bar $5) Limited seating. (510) 665-5821.

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CRAB FEEDS

Saturday, Feb. 23
East Bay District Council of the Italian Catholic Federation Annual Crab Feed. 6 p.m., no-host cocktails, 7 p.m., dinner, at St. Philip Neri Church, 3108 Van Buren St., Alameda. $35. Tickets: Nello, (510) 531-5490.

St. Paul Church Confirmation Class of 2008 Crab Feed. At the Moose Lodge No. 550, 13233 San Pablo Ave., San Pablo. No-host bar at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Dancing from 9 – 11 p.m. $40. “All proceeds will be donated to help the children of our community.” (510) 233-3080, ext. 10 or lmerriott@csdo.org.

Saturday, March 8
Annual Crab Feed Fundraiser for Golden Gate Choir and Bellringers. 5:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church, Lawton and Broadway, Oakland. $40 adults. Hot dog dinner, $15, for those 12 and under. Reservation deadline: Feb. 27. (510) 887-4311, ggbcbr@aol.com or www.ggbc.org.

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Schools

Friday, Feb. 22
Boys Can Sing. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at All Saints School, 22824 Second St., Hayward. A workshop for any boy who would like to sing. Sponsor: Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers, an organization committed to the tradition of boy choir training. (510) 887-4311, ggbcbr@aol.com or www.ggbc.org.

Feb. 22, 23, 29, March 1
De La Salle Company Presents: “Applause.” 8 p.m. at De La Salle Theater at De La Salle High School, 1130 Winton Dr., Concord. Tickets: $10/adults, $5/students 18 and under. (925) 686-3310, ext. 8143, or (925) 685-2716.

Tuesday, Feb. 26
Annual Blood Drive. 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. in gymnasium at St. Mary’s High School, 1294 Albina, Berkeley. Schedule an appointment online at www.BEADONOR.com and use code “SMCHS.” Carla Harkness, (510) 559-6247.

March 7 – 16
Godspell. At St. Joan of Arc Church, 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. High school youth from every high school in the San Ramon area will perform the hit Broadway music, marking the fifth year of the LIGHT Youth Ministry musical series. March 7, 8: 8 p.m.; March 9: 3 and 7 p.m.; March 14: 8 p.m.; March 15: 2 and 8 p.m.; March 16: 3 and 7 p.m. Admission: $15. (925) 830-0600 or www.sjasr.org.

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