March 5, 2007VOL. 45, NO. 5Oakland, CA

Music for the soul Father Stan Fortuna, CFE, the popular priest-musician will bring his ministry of music and powerful preaching to St. Catherine Parish, at the corner of Mellus and Estudillo streets in Martinez, March 19-20, from 7 - 9:00 p.m. both nights. In addition to sharing the testimony of his journey from a jazz musician to a life of service to Christ, he will preside at a Mass. Suggested donation: $5 to benefit Father Stan’s work with the poor. Information: Julie or Raymond Figueroa, (925) 370-2092.

lenten spirituality

March 5 – 8
Parish Mission Conference. 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Holy Spirit Parish, 37588 Fremont Blvd., Fremont. Father Patrick Foley will speak on the theme, “The Lenten Journey – Christ’s and Yours.” All are welcome to attend. (510) 797-1660 or www.holyspiritfremont.org.

Mondays, March 5, 12, 19, 26
Simple Soup and Prayer. 6 p.m. in O’Brien Hall, St. Philip Neri Parish, 3108 Van Buren St., Alameda. (510) 522-2299.

March 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22
Soup for the Soul. Adult enrichment program sponsored by the Alameda Deanery’s “School of Faith.” Tuesday sessions, noon, at St. Albert the Great Parish, 1022 Holly St., Alameda: March 6 – “To Pray as Jesus Taught: The Lord’s Prayer” with Father Fernando Cortez; March 13 – “Nurturing Hope in Times of Crises” with Sister Kathleen McCabe, OSF; March 20 – “Can, Anyone? Discovering the Healing Stories of Scripture” with Father Tony Herrera. Soup served at noon followed by presentation from 12:15-1:15 p.m. Thursday sessions, 7 p.m. in Sablan Room at St. Joseph Basilica Parish, 1109 Chestnut St.,: March 8 – “To Pray as Jesus Taught…” with Father Cortez; March 15 – “Can, Anyone…” with Father Herrera; March 22 – “12 Steps and 12 Traditions for Better Relationships” with Father Vince Cotter. Information: Anne Marie, (510) 749-7158.

March 7, 14, 21, 28
Lenten Soup Meals With Speakers. 6 p.m. at St. Agnes Church, 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord. March 7: Pamela Thomas on “Mary at the Foot of the Cross”; March 14: Bruce Lescher on “Contemplative Prayer”; March 21: Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi on “The Eucharist and the Defense for the Gospel of Life”; March 28: Participants in the Mexico Work Camp project on “Serving the World Community.” (925) 689-0838.

March 8, 15, 22
Thursday Evening Lenten Series. 7 – 9 p.m. at San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville. A Pilgrim’s Journey of Conversion with Chiara’s Lantern. Series of six evenings. Participants may attend as many evening as they wish, but there is a special cost for attending all the evenings. Pre-registration requested; walk-ins welcome. Check-in at 6:30 p.m. (925) 837-9141 or www.sandamiano.org.

March 9 – 11
Lenten Retreat for Vietnamese Young Adults. At the Youth Retreat Center, 1977 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette. Sister Rosaline L. Nguyen, (510) 628-2153 or Rnguyen@oakdiocese.org.

Lenten Retreat for Men and Women. At San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville. Father Rusty Shaughnessy and Rena Grant present Our Lenten Journey: Following in the Footsteps of Jesus. $190 private room; $160 shared room. (925) 837-9141 or www.sandamiano.org.

Saturday, March 10
Lenten Retreat. Noon to 3:30 p.m. in parish center at St. Stephen Church, 1101 Keaveny Court, Walnut Creek. The focus will be on the Last Seven Words of Christ and how they apply to people’s lives today. A light lunch will be provided. Annette Roux, (925) 939-3826 ext. 44 or gizzymo3@sbcglobal.net.
Wednesday, March 14

Contemporary Stations of the Cross. 7:30 p.m. at St. Stephen Church, 1101 Keaveny Court, Walnut Creek. Annette Roux, (925) 939-3826 ext. 44 or gizzymo3@sbcglobal.net..

Saturday, March 17
A Lenten Retreat: Journey Through the Desert. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Assembly Hall at Holy Redeemer Center, 8945 Golf Links Road, Oakland. Presenter: Father Jose Arong, O.M.I. $25 per person, lunch bag included. Reservations suggested: Gid Eugenio, (510) 684-9051 or email 4gid@yahoo.com; Cora Pediglorio, (925) 997-3158 or 1823@sbcglobal.net.

SPIRITUALITY

March 7, 14, 21, 28
Christ the King Bible Study and Charismatic Prayer Meeting. 7:30 p.m. at 6 St. Lawrence Ct., Pleasant Hill. Share in charismatic praise, singing and openness to the gifts of God’s Spirit. Sponsor: Charismatic Catholic Renewal. (800) 474-6644.

Saturday, March 10
Day of Prayer. 8:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 860 Oak Grove Road, Concord. Includes Eucharist, reflections, sharing, breakfast and lunch. $15. Carmen, (925) 944-5970 or cascholl@astound.net.

Monday, March 12
Healing Mass. 7:30 p.m. at St. Edward Church, 5788 Thornton Ave., Newark. Second Monday of the month. For more information contact members of the Abba, Father Charismatic Prayer Group: Bert/Norma T., (510) 793-1750 or Susanna K., (510) 796-5787.

Friday, March 23
Taize: An Evening of Prayer Around the Cross. 8 p.m. at St. Joseph Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St., Alameda. Taize is an ecumenical, candlelight service consisting of song, readings, meditation and silence. All are welcome. E-mail: taize_on_the_island@yahoo.com or www.geocities.com/taize_on_the_island/index.html.

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EUCHARIST ADORATION

Daily
6 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Mary’s House Chapel, 1850 Church Lane, San Pablo.
24 hours a day, at Divine Mercy Center and Perpetual Adoration Chapel, 11152 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. (510) 412-PERPETUAL.

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
7 a.m. – 9 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 2039 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek

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bible study

Wednesdays, March 7, 14, 21
Men’s Bible Study. 6:30 – 7:30 a.m. at St. Isidore Parish, 440 LaGonda Way, Danville. John Duncan, mensbible@yahoo.com.

Thursdays, March 8, 15, 22
Thursday Morning Bible Study at St. Ignatius Parish. 9:30 – 11 a.m. at 3351 Contra Loma Blvd., Antioch. Rose, (925) 754-3425.

RETREATS

March 16-18
Silent Contemplative Retreat. At San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville. “The Inner Shape of Christian Life” with Father Bruno Barnhart, OSB, Cam. Examine how Jesus and his work is chronicled in the four gospels and trace the “inner form of Christian life from human realism to luminous depth.” $190 private room/$160 shared room. (925) 837-9141 or www.sandamiano.org.

March 23-25
Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat. In the Sonoma Wine Country. For women, men, couples and family members touched by abortion. Retreat includes sharing of stories, Scripture-based spiritual exercises, sacraments and a memorial service. $150 per person, $200 per couple. Financial assistance available. For a complete information packet: (510) 267-8335 or mrodman@oakdiocese.org. Inquiries and participation are strictly confidential.

Marriage Encounter Weekend. For more information or a brochure, contact Ray and Roberta Montes at (925) 961-0110 after 6 p.m.

Youth 2000. At Our Lady Queen of the World Parish, 3155 Winterbrook Dr., Bay Point. Eucharistic-centered retreat for young people ages 15-30. Presented by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Limited space. $40. (925) 778-0734 or jpmurray88@sbcglobal.net.

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LECTURES

Monday, March 5
What Works for Parish Pastoral Councils. 7 – 8:30 p.m. at St. John Vianney Parish, Mullen Commons, 1650 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. An evening for pastors and pastoral councilors. Refreshments available. (510) 267-8358 or csiebenand@oakdiocese.org.

March 8, 9
Medicine and Culture: Chinese-Western Exchange (1640-ca. 1950). At University of San Francisco, Lone Mountain Campus, 2800 Turk St., San Francisco. March 8: 5:45-7 p.m. keynote public lecture in Del Santo Reading Room. Keynote: Marta Hanson, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, on Jesuits and Medicine in China at the Qing Imperial Court. Free and open to the public; March 9: 8:30 a.m. -5 p.m. symposium in LM 100. $15 conference only, $25 conference including boxed lunch. (415) 422-6401 or www.ricci.usfca.edu.

Saturday, March 17
Introduction to Christian Meditation. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at St. John Vianney Church, 1650 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. Presenter: Sister Barbara Hazzard, founder and director of Hesed Community, an urban monastery. Participants will learn about meditation, its history, the teaching and the experience. Refreshments provided. No registration necessary. A free-will offering will be accepted. Nora Petersen, (925) 939-7911, ext 107.

Wednesday, March 28
Creative Writing Reading Series. 7:30 p.m. in the Soda Center at St. Mary’s College, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. Instructor: Tom Barbash, author of the best-selling nonfiction book, “On Top of the World – Cantor Fitzgerald, Howard Lutnick, and 9/11: A Story of Loss and Renewal,” and the award-winning novel, “The Good Chance.” Former Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University is serving as the MFA Program’s writer-in-residence for the spring semester. (925) 631-4088.

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sOCIALS

Saturday, March 10
St. Michael’s Annual Auction Fundraiser. 5:30 p.m. at the Robert Livermore Community Center. Theme: “Lights! Camera! Auction!,” a salute to classic Hollywood including dinner (at 7 p.m.), dancing, live music, live and silent auctions and the annual parish raffle. Andre or Melinda Miron, (925) 456-7516.

Sunday, March 11
Young Ladies Institute (YLI) Noel Institute 113 Annual Spring Luncheon. Noon at Assumption School Hall, 1851-136th St., San Leandro. $10 donation. Spring Buffet and raffle prizes offered. Reservations: Eleanor Gallagher, (510) 352-3984.

Friday, March 16
St. Patrick’s Day Salad Bar. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in parish hall at St. Callistus Church, 3580 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante. $8 per person. Raffle included. Sue Brown, (510) 223-5217; Carole Freeman, (510) 223-4917 or carosteve@comcast.net.

Saturday, March 17
Oakland Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Fashion Show/Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. at San Ramon Royal Vista Golf Club, 9430 Fircrest Lane, San Ramon. $30 per person, prepaid. Kay Horsell, (925) 829-0940.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. 5:30 p.m. in Ryan O’Connell Hall, 575 W. Estudillo Ave., San Leandro. Social hour followed by catered buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. Menu: corned beef or chicken, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, roll, dessert, coffee. $17 adults, $8.50 children 12 and under. Tickets available by calling (510) 895-5631. Deadline: March 11. No tickets sold at the door. Sponsor: St. Leander Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Proceeds to support the St. Leander Conference in providing assistance to the poor and homeless.

Roasting Brother Mel. 6 p.m. Mass in College Chapel, 7 p.m. roast in Soda Center, at St. Mary’s College, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. Friends and colleagues will roast Christian Brother Mel Anderson, former president of St. Mary’s College. Proceeds benefit the Brother Mel Anderson Endowed Scholarship Fund. Information: Lisa Moore, (925) 631-4328.

The Irish-American Culture Club’s 7th Annual Dinner Dance. 6 p.m. at Crow Canyon Country Club, Danville. No-host cocktail, followed by Irish buffet dinner at 7 p.m., dance music: 8 – 11 p.m. Formal or party attire. Members: $50 per person, non-members: $55 per person. Betty, (925) 939-5285.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. 6 p.m. at St. Philip Neri Parish Hall, High and Van Buren, in Alameda. Social hour, then dinner at 7 p.m. $25 adults, $12 children 12 years and under. Reservations by March 11. Dave Rose, (510) 522-6004.
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. 6:30 p.m. in the parish center, St. Stephen Parish, 1101 Keaveny Court, Walnut Creek. Traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner. Entertainment: Irish music, dancing and sing-a-long. $15 per person. Gloria, (925) 944-5239.

Saturday, March 31
FACE (Family Aid-Catholic Education) Auction and Dinner. 5:30 p.m. at Greek Orthodox Community Center in Oakland. Join Bishop Allen Vigneron for this evening fundraiser. Cocktails and silent auction followed by dinner and live auction at 7:30 p.m. NBC11 news anchor Diane Dwyer will MC. $150 per person. $10,000 cash drawing, $75 suggested donation (need not be present to win). (510) 628-2155.

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support groups

Monday, March 5
Friends for Life: A Breast Cancer Support Group. 7 – 9 p.m. in Walnut Creek-Pleasant Hill area. A Christ-centered support group that is open to all faiths. Meets first Monday of each month. Gale, (925) 685-0842 or Joy, (925) 939-0122.

Thursday, March 8
Grief Support Ministry. 7 p.m. at St. Michael Convent, 458 Maple St., Livermore. Meets second Thursday of each month. Margaret Johnson, (925) 447-2282.

Thursday, March 8, 22
Ongoing Bereavement Support Group. 2 – 3:30 p.m. in the Castro Valley room at Eden Hospital, 20103 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley. Meets second and fourth Thursdays. Barbara Gordon, (510) 450-8867.

Bereavement Support Group. 7:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. Kim, (925) 735-3741.

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art/music

March 11, 18, 25
Sunday Afternoon Recitals. 3:30 p.m. at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco. March 11: Arthur Johnson (Reno, NV), organist; March 18: Garrett Collins, organist; March 25: Kimo Smith (Los Angeles, CA), organist. All recitals are open to the public. A free-will offering will be requested at the door. (415) 567-2020, ext. 213.

Friday, March 16
Seldom Seen Performance/St. Vincent de Paul Tour. 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul’s Downtown Services Center, 2272 San Pablo Ave., Oakland. Learn about St. Vincent de Paul’s work to create hope and solutions to poverty. Attend this free one-hour event featuring the Seldom Seen Acting Company, a group of homeless actors who share their life stories through theatre. Site tours will be offered following the performance. Christine Comella, (510) 636-4255 or ccomella@svdp-alameda.org.

March 24-April 29
Paper-based arts. Hearst Art Galley at St. Mary’s College, 1928 St. Mary’s Road, Moraga. Visit the Hearst Art Gallery to see how 25 contemporary artists have transformed paper through a wide array of techniques, including casting, collage, quilling and papier-mache to create intricately woven baskets, large-scale sculpture, handmade stationary and even dazzlingly intricate mosaics. Gallery hours: Wed. – Sun., 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (925) 631-4379 or http://gallery.stmarys-ca.edu.

fish fries

March 9, 23
Holy Spirit Parish Center. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at 37588 Fremont Blvd., Fremont. Menu: fried or baked fish with potato puffs or pasta with meatless sauce, green beans, salad, and coleslaw. $6 adults, $3.50 children under 10 Sponsor: Knights of Columbus, Geo. A. Coit Council 2692. (510) 797-1660.

March 9, 16, 23, 30
St. Philip Neri Parish Hall. 5:45 p.m. at 3108 Van Buren St., Alameda. Menu: fried calamari or cod filets, meatless pasta, salad, coleslaw, bread and dessert. $10 adults, $5 children under 12. Sponsor: Italian Catholic Federation Branch 10. Tickets: (510) 522-2299.

St. Raymond Parish. 5 – 7 p.m. in Moran Hall, 11555 Shannon Ave., Dublin. Menu: deep-fried battered fish or seasoned baked fish, French fries, garden salad, coleslaw, and dinner rolls. Dessert available for an additional charge. Grilled-cheese sandwiches are also served. No-host bar. $7 adults, $5 children under 12. Sponsor: Knights of Columbus Council 7987. (925) 828-2460.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Annual Fish Fry. 4:30 – 6:45 p.m. at 500 Fairview Ave., Brentwood. Menu: fish, coleslaw, fries, and one soft drink or water. Eat-in or take-out. $10 per person. Sponsor: Knights of Columbus Council 7467. (925) 634-4154.

March 9, 16, 23, 30, April 13
St. Michael Parish Hall. 5 – 7 p.m. corner of Third and Maple, Livermore. Menu: deep-fried fish (fresh frozen Pollock), coleslaw, baby greens salad, French fried shoestring potatoes, fresh-made onion rings; grilled cheese sandwiches as fish-free alternative. $8 per person. Sponsor: Knights of Columbus Council 4588. (925) 373-6351 or wiley2001@netzero.com.

Friday, March 16
St. Patrick Parish. In Father Howard Community Center, 1640 Tenth St., Oakland.11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (lunch if pre-ordered by March 14). Dinner served: 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. Menu: catfish or red snapper, green beans, potato salad, beans, and dessert. $12 adults, $6.50 children 10 and under. To pre-order lunch call (510) 444-1081 (1-5 p.m.), (510) 532-5003 (daytime).

Friday, March 30
St. Rose Parish Hall. 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Starr Street between 3rd and 4th streets, Crockett. Menu: Alaskan cod, corn, coleslaw, French fries, dessert. No-host bar. $15 adults, $7 children ages 6-12. Eat-in, take-out, home deliveries limited to Crockett, Tormey and Port Costa until 6 p.m. (510) 787-1199 for home delivery on Fish Fry Day; (510) 787-2052 before Fish Fry Day for tickets or more information.

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