October 20, 2008   •   VOL. 46, NO. 18   •   Oakland, CA

Music and Light The Oakland East Bay Symphony, under the direction of Conductor Michael Morgan, will perform a concert on Nov. 2 at the Cathedral of Christ the Light, beginning at 7 p.m. The program will include “Locus iste” by Bruckner, “Serenade No. 2” by Brahms, and “Requiem” by Faure. Also performing are The Oakland Symphony Chorus and soloists Heidi Moss, soprano, and Zachary Gordin, baritone. The concert is free and open to the public.

Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4
Rosary and Prayer Group. 6:30 p.m. (1st Rosary), 7 p.m. (2nd Rosary) in the chapel next to the parish office at St. Jarlath Parish, 2634 Pleasant St., Oakland.

Oct. 22, 29, Nov. 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.

Oct. 23 – 26
The Next Men’s Cursillo Weekend. At Holy Redeemer Center, 8945 Golf Links Road, Oakland. Nita Volker, (925) 828-9442 or Carolyn Steele, (925) 648-4890.

Friday, Oct. 24
Pray for Peace: Taize. 8 p.m. at St. Joseph Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St., Alameda. Taize is an ecumenical, candlelit service of prayer offered in simple chant, Scripture readings, silent worship and veneration of the cross.

Sunday, Nov. 2
24th Alumni Mass and Brunch. 10 a.m. (Mass), 11 a.m. (brunch) at Dominican Sisters Motherhouse, 43326 Mission Blvd., in Fremont. A gathering of fellow alumni, friends and former Dominican teachers sponsored by the St. Elizabeth High School Alumni Association. Information/reservations: (510) 532-6473.

Taize Prayer Around the Cross. 7 p.m. at Christ the King Church, 199 Brandon St., Pleasant Hill. Each month five Christian Churches of Pleasant Hill sponsor an hour of devotional prayer in the spirit of Taize (the ecumenical community of France). The monthly prayer will be at CTK on Nov. 2.

Monday, Nov. 3
Mass of Remembrance. 7:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. All are invited, regardless of religious orientation, to attend this special liturgy celebrating the memories of loved ones who died. Steve, (925) 426-9414.

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

Friday, Nov. 2
Taize – Prayer Around the Cross1. 8 p.m. at Mother-house Chapel, Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, 43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont. Refresh your soul, join others in prayer and song around the cross. Maria Shao, (408) 839-2068 or maria49830@aol.com or Sister Beth Quire, O.P., (510) 449-7554 or beth@msjdominicans.com.

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Daily
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Most Holy Rosary Church, 1313 A St., Antioch. (925) 757-4020.

Sunday – Monday
24 Hours a Day. Divine Mercy Center and Perpetual Adoration Chapel, 11152 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. (510) 412-4715, divinemercyjesus@aol.com, or www.DivineMercyWestCoast.org.

Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Mary’s House of Mercy, 1850 Church Lane, El Cerrito.

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, Saturdays
7 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Thursdays. and Fridays), 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Saturdays) at St. Mary Church, 2039 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. (925) 891-8900.

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Oct. 31 – Nov. 2
Silent Contemplative Retreat with Centering Prayer. At San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville. Presented by Father Carl Arico. Explore the power of Matthew 6:6-8. This retreat will be a combination of quiet, rest, centering prayer and reflection. $215 private room/$185 per person shared room. (925) 837-9141, ext. 315; online registration: www.sandamiano.org.

Monday, Nov. 3
Widow’s Day of Recollection. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Vallombrosa Retreat Center, 250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park. Opportunity for prayer, support and encouragement with others who are widowed. Franciscan Father Gerald Barron will lead this prayer day. A Mass will conclude the day. $35 includes lunch and program materials. (650) 325-5614 or www.vallombrosa.org.

Friday, Nov. 7
Personal Growth Day with CE Units: “The Gifts of Grief, Moving Through Our Losses with Yoga.” 9 a.m. (registration) at San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville. This workshop explores the nature of grief using the documentary, “The Gifts of Grief,” as a teaching tool. No previous yoga experience necessary. 6 CE units for MFTs, LCSWs, and RNs. Cost: $95 for those receiving units, $75 for those not receiving units, includes lunch. (925) 837-9141, ext. 315; online registration: www.sandamiano.org.

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Tuesday, Oct. 21
First Annual Light on the Hill Benefit Dinner. 6 p.m. (reception), 7 p.m. (dinner) at Cathedral of Christ the Light Conference Center, 2121 Harrison St., Oakland. An evening of fine food, wine, music and celebration of faith featuring Tim Staples, renowned “Catholic Answers” apologist. $55 per person, $500 per table of 10.

Saturday, Oct. 25
Salesian High School Italian Club’s Fifth Annual Italian Dinner. 6 – 8 p.m. in the school cafeteria, 2851 Salesian Ave., Richmond. $12 adults, $5 children (12 years and under). Grand raffle prizes. Proceeds benefit the Italian Cultural Exchange and the Italian Club. Dinner held in conjunction with the drama department’s production of “As You Like It,” which begins at 7 p.m. in the school gymnasium. Tickets: $5 at the door. Lorrie Mandoriao, lorrie.mandoriao@ucop.edu or (510) 987-0063.

Sunday, Oct. 26
Our Lady of Guadalupe School’s Annual Harvest Festival. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 40374 Fremont Blvd., Fremont. Food court will be serving Filipino, Mexican, Vietnamese, Italian, Portuguese and Peruvian dishes. Local band, Speakeasy, plays at noon. Games and a clown show for the kids at 2 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 2
The 26th Annual Dinner of the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant. 5:30 p.m. at St. Johns Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave., Berkeley. Honorees: Lina Avidan, Sara Campos, and Brad Seligman. Begins with wine and cheese and silent auction, followed by dinner and a brief program for the honorees. RSVP by Oct. 26. A donation is requested for this event. Sister Maureen, (510) 540-5296.

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Tuesday, Oct. 21
Learning to Pray: An Evening with Rev. Dr. Michael Wyatt. 7 p.m. at St. Augustine Church, 400 Alcatraz Ave., Oakland. Rev. Wyatt, rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church in St. Cloud, Minn., will discuss “The Cloud of Unknowing,” a spiritual guidebook thought to have been written by an anonymous monk that has inspired generations of mystical searchers. Information: (510) 653-8631.

Wednesday, Oct. 22
JustFaith/JustMatters God’s Creation Cries for Justice Climate Change: Impact and Response. 7 p.m. in multipurpose room at St. Joan of Arc Parish, 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. Speaker: Rev. Charlotte W. Myers, state program director for Interfaith Power and Light. Information: Janet: (925) 901-0655.

Wednesdays, Oct. 22, 29, Nov. 5
Father Corapi DVD Catechism Series. 7 – 8 p.m. in Cauchi Hall, St. Agnes Parish, 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord. Father John Corapi, S.O.L.T. teaches The Catechism of the Catholic Church in this series. David Zarri, (925) 686-9277 or davidzarri@earthlink.net.

Oct. 22, 25, 29
Adult Faith Formation Month. At St. Stephen Parish, 1101 Keaveny Court, Walnut Creek. Oct. 22, 29: 6:15 p.m. potluck dinner in the hall, 7 p.m. (925) 939-3826, ext. 3.

Friday, Oct. 24
Two Evenings with St. Paul. 7:30 p.m. at Christ the King Church, 199 Brandon Road, Pleasant Hill. “The Spirituality of St. Paul” presented by Discalced Carmelite Father Michael Buckley from the Discalced Carmelite House of Prayer in Napa Valley. (925) 682-2486.

Saturday, Oct. 25
Fight the Noise of Culture with Teresa Tomeo. 9 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of the World Church, 3155 Winterbrook Dr., Bay Point. Is there too much NOISE in your family? Are TV, cell phones, MP3 devices, the Internet ripping your family apart? Fight the culture of noise with the help of a media expert. Tomeo is an author, syndicated Catholic talk show host (on 1260 AM, 8 – 9 a.m.), and motivational speaker. Information: Peggy Murray, (925) 778-0734.

Tuesday, Oct. 28
St. Monica’s Women’s Faithsharing. 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at 1001 Camino Pablo, Moraga. Linda Thaxter, a professional clown who received her training at the Pacific School of Religion at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU), will talk about aging and facing life’s challenges with grace and humor. Thaxter relies on her own physical challenges and aging to inform her presentation. The group will also create scarves for the One Warm Coat Project. Please bring scissors and a friend.

Nov. 1, 7, 8, 9, 15
School for Pastoral Ministry, Information Sessions. Nov. 1: 1 – 2 p.m. at St. Anne Parish, classroom building room 106, Union City; Nov. 7: 6 – 6:30 p.m. at Santa Maria Parish, 40 Santa Maria Way, conference room, in Orinda; Nov. 8: 12 – 1 p.m. at Santa Maria Parish, 40 Santa Maria Way, conference room, Orinda; Nov. 9: 1 – 2 p.m. in St. Peter Martyr Parish, Centro Juan Diego Building next to school at 425 W. 4th St., in Pittsburg; Nov. 15: 12 – 1 p.m. at Holy Names University, Heafey Hall, 655, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Gain insight about this once-a-month, three-year diocesan school where students learn more about their faith, discern their gifts as laity, and complete a certificate in pastoral theology studies. Dennis Purificacion, dpurificacion@oakdiocese.org or (510) 267-8386. Applications now being accepted for January 2009. Deadline: Dec. 10.

Tuesday, Nov. 4
Kindergarten Open House. 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace School, 3433 Somerset Ave., Castro Valley. During the morning hours visitors will have an opportunity to visit the classroom in action. During both times visitors will meet with Principal Wahl and Mrs. Fischer, kindergarten teacher and learn about the kindergarten curriculum, the mission of the school, and more. (510) 581-3155 or www.olgschool.org.

Friday, Nov. 7
Can Unarmed Civilians Break the Siege of Gaza? 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St., Berkeley. The Father Bill O’Donnell Social Justice Committee welcomes Paul Larudee of the Free Gaza Movement who will tell the story of how 45 unarmed civilians from 17 countries and five faiths embarked from Cyprus in two small boats last August to become the first international visitors to arrive by sea in Gaza in 41 years. Free (donations accepted). (510) 499-0537. Co-sponsors include The Free Gaza Movement (www.freegaza.org), Jewish Voice for Peace and Pace e Bene.

Tuesdays, Nov. 11, 18, 25
Preparing for Advent with the Gospel of Mark. 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Corpus Christi Parish, 322 St. James Dr., Piedmont. Passionists Father Tom Bonacci will be sharing insights into the Gospel of Mark as Catholics prepare for the Advent season. Raph Martin, (510) 530-4343, ext. 16.

Friday, Nov. 21
Coping With Loss During the Holidays. 7 – 8:30 p.m. in the Pope John Conference Room at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 1315 Lomitas Ave., Livermore. Dr. Nancy Oehrle, a managing partner at the Del Valle Clinic in Livermore, will talk about and share thoughts and ideas for coping with the loss and absence of loved ones during the holiday season. (925) 455-0944.

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Saturday, Oct. 25
San Francisco East Bay Silicon Chapter. 1 – 3 p.m. in the California Room at Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. The first meeting of 2008-2009; annual fundraising events, such as selling See’s Candy to raise funds for two families at St. Mary’s Center, and donations to the Next Step Learning Center, both in Oakland, will be discussed. Information: Betty Hopkins, chapter president, or Anne Fleming, annenote@comcast.net.

Tuesday, Oct. 28
East Bay Chapter Meeting of Maryknoll Affiliates. 7 – 9 p.m. at Maryknoll Mission Center, 16300 Foothill Blvd., San Leandro. Monthly potluck and meeting.

Wednesday, Oct. 29
Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action (BOCA) Candidate Forum. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Rosa Parks Elementary School, 920 Allston Way, Berkeley. Learn where the City of Berkeley’s candidates for mayor, city council and the school board stand on BOCA’s issues of safety, education, health care and youth.

Saturday, Nov. 1
JustFaith Graduate Gathering. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. in parish hall at St. Mary Magdalen Parish, 2005 Berryman St., Berkeley. Guest speaker: Rich Fowler, executive director, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Stockton. Information: Meg Bowerman, (510) 684-7139 or lmjtbowe@pacbell.net.

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Saturday, Nov. 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.

Thursday, Nov. 20
Catholic Divorced Widowed and Separated of Contra Costa. 7 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 2039 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. Meetings are free and all are welcome. Joan S., (925) 939-1007.

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Saturday, Oct. 25
Creative Music in Catholic Liturgy Workshop. 9:30 a.m. – noon at Church of the Assumption, 1100 Fulton Ave., San Leandro. Organist Stacy Piontek, the music director/organist at the Church of the Assumption, will share creative ideas that will help bring new life to old hymns and add a spark to new contemporary music. Free. RSVP to Berdie@jarvismusic.com or call (877) 734-3440. Sponsor: Jarvis Music Associates, a Division of Continuing Education, in Pleasanton.

Sunday, Nov. 9
One Voice. 4 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 4025 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Oakland. A choral concert presented by the Choir of Sacred Heart Church to benefit the Alameda County St. Vincent de Paul Food Locker. Admission: donation of canned goods for the food locker.

Through Dec. 14
The Second Golden Age of Dutch Art. At the Hearst Art Gallery, St. Mary’s College, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. Gallery hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. This exhibition features over 60 19th century Dutch masterpieces from the collection of Jan and Mary Ann Beekhuis which features a range of different artists and styles such as Impressionism, Realism, Romantics and the Hague School. $3 suggested donation. Free parking. (925) 631-4379.

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Saturday, Nov. 29
St. Joseph Notre Dame High School Alumni Homecoming Celebration. 8 p.m. on the SJND Quad, 1011 Chestnut St., Alameda. The celebration follows the alumni basketball games. There will be music from the DJs “DJ-DK,” some locally brewed beers, local wines, snacks and more. RSVP at (510) 814-7152 or visit www.sjnd.org.

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Saturday, Oct. 25
Oktoberfest. At St. Stephen Hall, 1101 Keaveny Court, Walnut Creek. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:45 p.m. Highlights: German food, cold beer and other beverages, live German band, door prizes, 50/50 raffle. $35 per person. Under 16: free. Annette: (925) 939-3826, ext. 3.

Oct. 31 – Nov. 2
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church’s Holiday Boutique. At 500 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood. Oct. 31: 1 – 5 p.m.; Nov. 1: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Nov. 2: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Handmade gift items; American Doll clothing; baby items, decorative items; gifts; and baked goods. Drawing for a quilt and an American Girl doll. (925) 513-1468.

Saturday, Nov. 8
Harvest Tea. 12 – 3 p.m. at St. Bonaventure Hall, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. An afternoon filled with entertainment and prizes. $18. Marie Lentseh, (925) 798-2948. Sponsor: Catholic Daughters of the Americas, St. John the Baptist Court 1934.

The 5th Annual St. Perpetua Wine Festival. 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. at Veteran’s Hall in Lafayette. Meet up with friends and taste some hard-to-find wines provided by Wine Thieves wine shop in Lafayette. Tickets: $55, includes wine tasting, food and entertainment. Tickets can be purchased online at www.stperpetua.org. Information: (925) 284-1640.

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