December 15, 2008   •   VOL. 46, NO. 21   •   Oakland, CA

Wednesday, Dec. 17
Advent Lectio Divina. 7:30 – 9 p.m. in Main Parlor, at Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, 43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont. Take time for the real meaning of the season. Join the Sisters for prayer. Sister Beth Quire, O.P., (510) 657-2468 or beth@msjdominicans.org.

Advent Vespers. 7:30 p.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Church, 100 Diamond St., San Francisco. Retired Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of Detroit, Michigan, the founding president of Pax Christi USA, will deliver the reflection. Open to the public. (415) 863-6259 or www.mhr.org.

Friday, Dec. 19
Concert of Advent and Christmas Music. 7:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. Our Music Ministry of over 130 adults, teens, children, even harp and cello, invites you to experience an incredible musical journey from Advent to Christmas! Bring family and friends (children welcome!) The concert is free (free-will offering gratefully accepted). Directions: Catholicsofpleasanton.org.

Annual Christmas Concert. 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Transfiguration, 4000 East Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley. Please join our soloists and choirs, accompanied by a chamber orchestra, in celebration of the Christmas Season! A free-will donation will be requested. (510) 538-7941, ext. 302.

Saturday, Dec. 20
Advent Music Concert. 8 p.m. at St. Albert Priory Chapel, 6172 Chabot Road, Oakland. The Schola Cantorum of St. Albert Priory and the Women’s Antique Vocal Ensemble (WAVE) present their annual Christmas concert entitled “Shepherds Arise!” The combined ensembles will perform Gregorian chant from the 9th century and music by Power, Monteverdi, Costeley, Hassler, Menotti, Ramirez, Niles and Rutter, as well as traditional Christmas carols. General admission: $15, students/seniors: $10. All tickets will be sold at the door. Father Chris Renz, (510) 596-1800.

Sunday, Dec. 21
Pre-Christmas Concert-In-The-Hills Featuring the Slavyanka Male Russian Chorus. 3 p.m. at Santa Maria Church, 40 Santa Maria Way, Orinda. Formed in 1979 by several former members of the Yale Russian Chorus, the Slavyanka Male Russian Chorus presents a cappella concerts with a repertoire drawn mostly from Russian sources: Orthodox liturgical, Russian and other Slavic folk and composed music. Slavyanka is the name that the early Russian settlers in California gave to the river that is today known as the Russian River. Tickets available at the door.

Messiah (Part One) Sing Along. At St. David Church, 5641 Esmond Ave., Richmond. 6 p.m. vespers, 6:30 p.m. Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah with Orchestra. Soloists, Festival Choir. Free (suggested donation: $10/person, $20/family).

backto top

Dec. 16, 23, 30
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.

Dec. 17, 24, 31
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.

Monday, Jan. 12
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. 23
First Annual Interfaith Respect Life East Bay Prayer Service. 7:30 p.m. at Shiloh Christian Fellowship, 3295 School St. in Oakland. Speakers include Bishop Allen Vigneron and Senior Pastor Dion Evans. Information: Colleen Knutsen, (510) 267-8394 or cknutsen@oakdiocese.org.

Fridays, Dec. 19, Jan. 16
Taize – Prayer Around the Cross. 8 p.m. at Motherhouse Chapel, Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, 43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont. Join others in prayer and song around the cross. Every Third Friday. Maria Shao, (408) 839-2068 or maria49830@aol.com or Dominican Sister Beth Quire, (510) 449-7554 or beth@msjdominicans.com.

Wednesday, Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve, Time of Prayer. 8 p.m. at the Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, 43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont. Welcome the New Year with the Dominican Sisters for a reflective evening that will include prayer, Scripture sharing, and liturgy Mass at 11:30 p.m. followed by a potluck celebration. Come for any part or all of the evening. For more information or to RSVP contact Dominican Sister Beth Quire, (510) 449-7554 or beth@msjdominicans.org.

backto top

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

St. Agnes Parish, 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord. To enter between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. requires an access code. Call (925) 689-0838 to schedule your hour.
Daily

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

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.

backto top

Dec. 30 – Jan. 1
New Year’s Retreat, “Standing on the Threshold.” At San Damiano Retreat, Danville. Presented by Paula Jenkins and Franciscan Father Rusty Shaughnessy. Bring in the New Year in the peace and beauty of San Damiano. Highlights of the retreat include midnight Mass on New Year’s Eve followed by a social and New Year’s Day Brunch. (925) 837-9141, ext. 315 or register online: www.sandamiano.org.

Jan. 9 – 11
Franciscan Retreat, “Franciscan Rule of Life and Gospel.” At San Damiano Retreat, Danville. Presented by Franciscan Father Michael Blastic. Participants will reflect on the Franciscan call and responses to the goodness of God and all creation and the dignity of the human person as we consider the call to Franciscan life. (925) 837-9141, ext. 315, or register online: www.sandamiano.org.

Youth 2000, a Eucharistic Centered Retreat for, of, and by Young People. At Our Lady Queen of the World Church, 3155 Winterbook Dr., Bay Point. Led by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, the retreat will include dynamic speakers, music, and Eucharistic Adoration. Bishop Allen Vigneron will celebrate Mass on Jan. 10 and Father George Mockel, diocesan vicar general, will preside at the closing Mass on Jan. 11. $40 per person. Information/registration: Peggy Murray, (925) 778-0734 or visit olqwyouth.blogspot.com. Registration deadline: Dec. 20
.
Jan. 23 – 25
Silent Centering Prayer Retreat. At San Damiano Retreat, Danville. Presented by the Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault. Participants will explore how centering prayer has the potential to transform Christian life. (925) 837-9141, ext. 315, or register online: www.sandamiano.org.

Saturday, Jan. 24
Sacred Healing: The Body as a Healthy Temple. 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Vallombrosa Center, 250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park. Presented by Dominican Sister Joan Prohaska. This day will focus on honoring our human body as a wonderful instrument of healing. The retreat will include the use of our senses, movements, yoga, breathing and intuition. (650) 325-5614 or www.vallombrosa.org.

Saturday, Jan. 31
Caring Caregivers: A Retreat Day for Caregivers. 9:30 A.M. – 4 P.M. at Vallombrosa Center, 250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park. As advanced medical technologies stretch out lifespans, more and more family members, especially people in their 40s, 50s and 60s, are finding themselves caring for fragile, elderly relatives. This retreat will allow participants some time to recharge emotionally and spiritually, to reflect, and to receive support. Facilitator: Carol Kaplan, MFT. (650) 325-5614 or www.vallombrosa.org.

backto top

Saturday, Jan. 3
Electronic Waste Collection Event for Queen of All Saints School. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Concord High School Parking Lot at 4200 Concord Blvd., Concord. Computer monitors, TVs, cell phones, lap tops, flat screens, and ink jet cartridges will be accepted free. Other items such as DVD players, printers, fax machines and CPUs will have a $5 fee for each item. This event takes place rain or shine. Proceeds benefit Queen of All Saints, Class of 2009 junior high fund. All items will be recycled in accordance with California state law. For more information contact C&T Recycling, Terry Cotteleer, (925) 549-1776 or Josefa Bandayrel (QAS rep), (510) 304-3311.

Jan. 16, 17
Salesian High School’s 44th Annual All You Can Eat Crab Feed. At 2851 Salesian Ave., Richmond. Jan. 16: 7 p.m. cocktail hour, 8 p.m. dinner; Jan. 17: 6 p.m. cocktail hour, 7 p.m. dinner. Music and dancing following dinner. Information/tickets: (510) 234-4433, ext. 1126.

Saturday, Jan. 17
Salad Bar Luncheon and Bingo! Noon at All Saints Church Gym, 22824 2nd St., Hayward. $15 donation includes lunch and two Bingo cards. Sponsored by All Saints Young Ladies Institute, #166. Proceeds being raised for charities. Reservations: RoseMarie, (510) 582-6493.

Saturday, Jan. 31
Carondelet High School Crab Feed. Doors open, 6 p.m. in Silvio E. Garaventa Sr., Center, Carondelet High School, 1133 Winton Dr., Concord. $45 per person. Includes no-host bar, dinner, dessert, dancing, raffle prizes. Followed by dancing to live music. Robert and Lynn Velazquez, (925) 706-7636.

Holy Names High School’s 19th Annual Crab Feed and Auction. At 4660 Harbord Dr., Oakland.6 p.m. social hour and silent auction, 7 p.m. crab dinner (roasted chicken available for non-crab lovers). $40 per person, table sponsorships available. RSVP: Jan. 16. RSVP: (510) 450-1110, ext. 112. Reservations held at the door.

backto top

Sunday, Jan. 18
Multicultural New Year Celebration 2009. 3 – 6 p.m. at Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road, Concord. All are invited to this celebration of the Year of the Ox. Includes Dragon Lion Dancing, fashion show, cultural gourmet lunch. Free to all seniors. Sponsors: Catholic Charities of the East Bay and the Concord Senior Center. Contact: Bau D. Ta, (510) 768-3159 or bta@cceb.org.

backto top

Thursday, Dec. 18
Catholic Divorced Widowed and Separated of Contra Costa. 7 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 2039 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. The meetings are free and all are welcome. Information/directions: Joan S. (925) 939-1007.

Saturday, Jan. 3
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.

Jan. 8, 22
Grief Support Group. At St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. The death of a loved one is unlike any other loss. Let others accompany you on your healing journey. Meetings will be on the second and fourth Thursdays. All are welcome regardless of religious affiliation. Mary, (925) 846-5377.

backto top

Dec. 21, 28, Jan. 4
Sunday Afternoon Recitals. 3:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco. Dec. 21: Christoph Tietze, organist; Dec. 28: David Hatt, organist; Jan. 4: Epiphany Lessons and Carols by Cathedral Choir of Boys and Girls, Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers. Freewill offering will be requested at the door.

Wednesday, Jan. 14
Night of Jazz with Steve Turre. 8 p.m. in the Soda Center at St. Mary’s College, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. Acclaimed trombonist Steve Turre, a graduate of Acalanes High School in Lafayette, will perform. He will be joined by Dino Parson on drums, Kito Gamble on piano, and David Ewell on bass. $25 general; $20 seniors (65+), $12 SMC faculty, staff and non-SMC students, $2 SMC students. (925) 631-4381 or www.stmarys-ca.edu/arts.

backto top

Dec. 20, 27, Jan. 3
Revelation Bible Study Group. At St. Margaret Mary Church, 1219 Excelsior Ave., Oakland. Exploration of the Catechism, the Bible, and the Gospel of St. Mark; Church teaching on “the last days.” Meets Saturdays in Advent and January 2009. Rebecca O’Hare, latin4all@sbcglobal.net.

backto top

Saturday, Jan. 10
Celebration of the Life of Father Bill O’Donnell. In Marian Hall at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St., Berkeley. 5:30 – 6:45 p.m.: Salvadoran Buffet dinner by CRECE, 6:45 – 8:30 p.m.: program. An evening of words, music and remembrance for the late activist priest (1930-2003). Includes presentation of the Father Bill Legacy Award by Dolores Huerta. Suggested donation: $10 – $20. Reservations by Jan. 1: Sherry Larsen-Beville, 1511 Jefferson St., TH 5, Oakland, CA 94612. (510) 922-8797 or slb1942@yahoo.com.

Saturday, Jan. 24
Walk For Life West Coast 2009. 11 a.m. at Justin Herman Plaza on Market Street in San Francisco. Join thousands of pro-life women, men, families and friends for the 5th Annual Walk for Life in San Francisco marchers proclaim the message that “Abortion hurts women” and “Women deserve better than abortion.” Preceded by 8 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough St., also in San Francisco. Information: www.walkforlifewc.com.

backto top

Wednesdays, Dec. 24, 31
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 davidlzarri@earthlink.net.

Jan. 4, Feb. 1
Discernment Group for Religious Life in the East Bay. 7 – 9 p.m. at an East Bay location. The Northern California region of the National Religious Vocations Conference sponsors a discernment group for men and women interested in a vocation to the religious life. The discernment group provides a relaxed setting to ask any and all questions about becoming a religious Sister, Brother or priest. There are different themes and topics each month. Prospective participants are encouraged to contact Dominican Sister Beth Quire at (510) 449-7554 or sbquire@hotmail.com for more information.

Jan. 16 – 18
Discernment Weekend. At St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park. Have you ever thought about becoming a priest? Explore that thought during this weekend of discernment, prayer, discussion, presentations about the priesthood, group interaction, and following the daily routine of a seminarian. Attendance does not imply further commitment or obligation. There is no cost to attend this discernment weekend. Contact Mary Verducci, (650) 325-5621, ext. 211, or mary.verducci@stpatrickseminary.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 13
Information Nights. 7 p.m. at St. Philip Neri School, 1335 High St., Alameda. Discover St. Philip Neri’s commitment to excellence in education. Childcare will be provided. (510) 521-0787.

home