January 5, 2009   •   VOL. 47, NO. 1   •   Oakland, CA

A Night of Jazz Acclaimed trombonist Steve Turre, a graduate of Acalanes High School in Lafayette, will headline a concert on Jan. 14 in the Soda Center at St. Mary’s College, 1928 St. Mary’s Road in Moraga. Curtain time is 8 p.m. Turre 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 (click on “Arts”).

Jan. 6, 13, 20
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.

Jan. 7, 14, 21
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.

Wednesday, Jan. 14
Interfaith Prayer Service – Unity for the Sake of Change. 7 p.m. at St. Paul AME Church, 2024 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. People of all faith are invited to join the Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action (BOCA) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson for this service where participants can pause and offer thoughts of prayer, praise and hope for change to come to our communities, our country and our world. (510) 665-5821.

Friday, 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.

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.

Sunday, Feb. 1
Chinese New Year Celebration (The Year of the Ox). 3 p.m. at St. Leo Church, 176 Ridgeway, Oakland. Bishop Allen Vigneron will preside at the Chinese New Year Thanksgiving Mass. Information: Deacon Danny Wong, (925) 754-6068 or wongd@comcast.net.

Rosary for Life. 3 p.m. at St. Michael Church, 458 Maple St., Livermore. Bev, (925) 846-0319.

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Thursday, Jan. 8
Evening Eucharistic Retreat. 7 – 9 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 1315 Lomitas Ave., Livermore. Franciscan Father Ed Shea, a story teller and singer, will be looking at what or who is the light in our darkness and how we can open ourselves up to let that light shine in and through us. All are welcome. $5 free will donation is suggested. Julie, upcatholic@aol.com or (925) 447-4549, ext. 114.

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.

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. A weekend of healing and renewal in Santa Rosa. This weekend offers a safe and supportive environment where women and men can begin the process of renewal and healing after abortion. Information: www.rachelsvineyard.org or phone 1-888-HOPE. All inquiries are confidential.

Jan. 16 – 18
St. Patrick’s Seminary Annual Discernment Retreat. An excellent opportunity for men ages 21 and older to explore the possibility of a priestly vocation. Meet seminarians and seminary faculty, pray and have fun! If interested, contact your parish priest for his recommendation. Information about the discernment retreat can be obtained by contacting the Oakland Diocese Vocations Office, (510) 267-8356 or St. Patrick’s Seminary, (650) 325-5621.

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.

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Saturday, Jan. 10
Chili Bowl Bingo. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at St. Columba Church Hall, 6401 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. Homemade chili and desserts. $10 donation includes a pack of 10 bingo cards. Prizes. (510) 527-0232 or (510) 654-7600. Sponsor: The St. Columba Women’s Group.

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. (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.

St. Francis of Assisi Crab Feed. At 860 Oak Grove Road, Concord. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with appetizers and no-host bar, dinner at 7:30 p.m. $40 per person. Advance ticket purchase required. Chuck Spink, (925) 381-9793.

Saturday, Jan. 24
St. Elizabeth High School’s 21st Auction and Crab Feed. At the Colombo Club, 5321 Claremont Ave., Oakland. 5:30 p.m. social hour and silent auction, 7:30 p.m. crab feed, 8:30 p.m. live auction and raffle. $45 per person. Benefits the St. Elizabeth Tuition Assistance Fund. (510) 532-6473 or sguthrie@stliz-hs.org.

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.

Saturday, Feb. 7
St. Leander Church’s Valentine Crab Feed. 5:30 p.m., no-host bar, 6:30 p.m. dinner at 474 W. Estudillo Ave., San Leandro. $35 ticket price is the same as last year.

Sunday, Feb. 22
Sacred Heart Parish’s 25th Annual Mardi Gras Dinner and Dance. 3 p.m. at the Colombo Club, 5321 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Former parishioners, students, family and friends are invited to this major fundraiser and social event. Tickets/information: Gilda Costa, (510) 652-2855 or Kim Mikus, (510) 653-4392.

Saturday, Feb. 28
Barbeque Salmon Dinner. At St. Peter Martyr of Verona Church Hall, 740 Black Diamond St., Pittsburg. Appetizers served at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. Information/tickets: Joe Torres, (925) 432-2265.

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Wednesdays, Jan. 7, 14, 21
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.

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.

Excellent Sex: Virtues for a Christian Sexual Ethics. 7:30 – 9 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 1315 Lomitas Ave., Livermore. Presenter: Lisa Fullam, assistant professor of moral theology at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. The focus of the evening will be on sexuality and how we live our sexual lives, which are central aspects of human identity and relationship. All are welcome. $5 free will donation is suggested to offset speaker fees. Julie, upcatholic@aol.com or (925) 447-4549, ext. 114.

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.

Jan. 17 – 18
Feil Method Validation Training. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Mercy Retirement and Care Center, 3431 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. The training sessions are designed for individuals who are committed to learn effective ways to communicate with the elderly who have dementia. Participants must register for all five sessions scheduled on selected weekends. Registration fee is $1,250 and a payment schedule can be set up upon request. Information: (510) 534-8540 or www.mercyretirementcenter.org.

Sunday, 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.

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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.

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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.

Thursday, Jan. 15
Catholic Divorced Widowed and Separated of Contra Costa. 7 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 2039 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. Free. All are welcome. Information/directions: Joan S. (925) 939-1007.

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Jan. 5 – Feb. 23
St. Michael/St. Charles Monday Night Bible Study Group. 7:30 – 9:15 p.m. in Pope John XXIII Room at St. Charles Parish, 1315 Lomitas Ave., Livermore. This study will consist of viewing several of the National Geographic Channel’s videos on such topics as “Jesus the Preacher” and “Jesus the Healer.” The evening will be broken down into discussions of what was seen, how it affects us, and what it means to our lives. Open to all. Julie, upcatholic@aol.com or (925) 447-4549, ext. 114.

Saturdays, Jan. 10, 17, 31
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.

Jan. 16 and 30
Friday Evening Bible Study. 7 p.m. inside the Cathedral entrance, Cathedral of Christ the Light, 2121 Harrison St., Oakland. Sponsor: Cathedral Young Adult Ministry (ages 20s and 30s, single or married). To sign up or learn more about the YA Ministry, contact Mary Perez, (650) 387-6564 or mtperez0316@gmail.com.

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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: Sherry Larsen-Beville, 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 and 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.

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St. Patrick/St. Martin de Porres School Alumni. All alumni for the Oakland-based schools are being sought to join in the celebration of 130 years of St. Patrick Parish. Mary Loggins, (510) 532-5003 or St. Martin de Porres School, (510) 832-1757.

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