March 22, 2010   •   VOL. 48, NO. 6   •   Oakland, CA

Master oganist Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin, an internationally acclaimed organist who is holds the position of co-titular of the Grand Orgue of Saint Sulpice Paris with Daniel Roth, will perform an organ recital at 8 p.m. on April 16 at the Cathedral of Christ the Light, 2121 Harrison St. in Oakland. Free-will donations accepted. www.ctlcathedral.org.

Saturday, April 24
Cathedral Concerts. At Cathedral of Christ the Light, 2121 Harrison St., Oakland. Pacific Boys Choir. Program will feature Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Vespers. (510) 849-8180. www.pacificboychoir.org. Check the cathedral website for updated information: www.ctlcathedral.org.

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Wednesday, March 24
Voices of Peace – Lenten Reflection Series. 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. in Stack Hall, at Our Lady of Grace Church, 3433 Somerset Ave., Castro Valley. The series concludes with Lorin Peters, member at St. Leander Parish in San Leandro and member of Pax Christi. (510) 733-9880.

March 24
Using Multi-Media to Enhance Our Prayer and Reflection. 5:45 p.m. A Lenten retreat with Missionaries of Faith Father Joy Kumarthusseril, pastor of the cluster parishes of St. Albert and St. Philip Neri, Alameda. Divine Mercy Chaplet at St. Albert Church, 1022 Holly St., Alameda. Evening includes prayer and food. (510) 373-5210, ext. 207.

March 27, 28, April 2
The Sacred Drama of The Passion of Our Lord. At the Church of the Good Shepherd, 3200 Harbor St., Pittsburg. For the 18th year, the youth of Good Shepherd Parish are presenting this inspirational project which involves the participation of over 75 youth and adult leaders. March 27: 5:30 p.m. liturgy; March 28 (Palm Sunday): 8, 10 a.m. and noon liturgies and 2 p.m. Spanish Mass; April 2 (Good Friday): 7:30 p.m. Debbie Lawson, (925) 439-1091.

Monday, March 29
Lenten Communal Reconciliation Service. 7 p.m. at St. Augustine Parish, 400 Alcatraz Ave. in Oakland. Parking and wheel chair access. (510) 653-8631.

April 1 – 4
Holy Week Retreat. At San Damiano Retreat in Danville. Presented by the Retreat Team. Participants will come together during Holy Week to contemplate Jesus’s life, death and celebrate with joy, His resurrection. Retreat begins with dinner at 7 p.m. on Holy Thursday and ends on Easter Sunday with brunch at 10 a.m. $195 shared room/$230 private room. (925) 837-9141, ext. 315, or register online: www.sandamiano.org.

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March 22, 29, April 5
Filipino Ministry at St. Clement Parish. 7:30 p.m. at the parish center, 750 Calhoun St., Hayward. Contact: Simon Medrano, chairman, (510) 303-2965.

March 23, 30, April 6
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.

Friday, March 26
Taize: An Evening of Prayer Around the Cross. 8 p.m. at St. Joseph Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St., Alameda. An ecumenical, candlelit service of prayer offered in simple chant, Scripture readings, silent worship and veneration of the Cross. All are welcome. Information: http://www.taizeontheisland.co.cc or taizeontheisland@yahoo.com.

Saturday, March 27
Charismatic Healing Mass. 7 p.m. (praise and worship), 7:30 p.m. (healing Mass) at Holy Rosary Church, 1313 A St., Antioch. Presider: Jesuit Father Robert Faricy. Bilingual: English/Spanish. Sponsor: Holy Rosary Church Charismatic Prayer Group. Ann Thomas, (925) 757-4397 or awedt@yahoo.com.

Sunday, April 4
Taize Prayer Around the Cross. 7 p.m. at Resurrection Episcopal, 399 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill. On every first Sunday four churches in Pleasant Hill (Hillcrest Congregational Church, Church of the Resurrection, Episcopal, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, and Christ the King) sponsor an hour of devotional prayer in the spirit and music of Taize (the ecumenical monastic community in southern France). The prayer time (one hour) includes song, Scripture, quiet time and the opportunity to touch or kneel by the cross with your intentions, worries and burdens.

Sunday, April 11
Feast of Divine Mercy. At St. Leander Church, 550 W. Estudillo Ave., San Leandro. 2:30 p.m.: exposition of Blessed Sacrament; 3 p.m.: recitation of Chaplet of Divine Mercy, prayer and silent adoration; 5 p.m.: closing with Benediction and blessing of religious articles at end of devotion; 7 p.m.: Mass for Intention of Divine Mercy. Parish office: (510) 895-5631.

Monday, April 12
Mass for the Sick. 7:30 p.m. at St. Edward Church, 5788 Thornton Ave., Newark. Bert/Norma, Abba Father Prayer Group, (510) 793-1750. Every second Monday.

April 16 – 18
Widowed, Separated and Divorced Weekend. At Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park. Sponsored by the San Jose Beginning Experience, a peer ministry for Widowed, Separated and Divorced Catholics, with Father Albert Grosskopf as its spiritual counselor. For information and a brochure contact Cathy, (408) 263-3718, Helen, (415) 388-9651, or Jean Ann, (925) 918-2201; e-mail: SJBeginExp@aol.com. website: http://www.beginningexperience.org.

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Perpetual
Divine Mercy Center and Perpetual Adoration Chapel, 11152 San Pablo Ave. (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, San Pablo.

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday in the convent), 2 – 9 p.m. (Wednesdays in the church) at St. Bede Parish, 26950 Patrick Ave., Hayward. (510) 782-2171.

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.

Every fourth Tuesday
7:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, Motherhouse Chapel, 43326 Mission Blvd. (off Mission Tierra), Fremont. Contact blessings@msjdominicans.org or call (510) 449-7554.

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.

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Thursdays), 9 a.m. – midnight (Fridays), midnight (Fridays) to 8 a.m. (Saturdays) at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 500 Fairview Ave., Brentwood. (925) 634-4154.

Fridays
8 a.m. – 8:45 p.m. (Benediction at 8:45 p.m.), in the chapel at St. Michael Parish, 458 Maple St., Livermore. (925) 447-1585.

First Fridays
7:30 – 8:45 p.m. at Transfiguration Church, 4000 E. Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley. Charles, (510) 566-9267.

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Saturday, April 10
Young Adult Retreat. 9 a.m. (registration), 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at San Damiano Retreat in Danville. Presented by the Young Adult Leadership Team. Theme: “Connect, Present and Grateful.” $50 cost includes lunch. (925) 837-9141, ext. 315, or register online: www.sandamiano.org.

April 16 – 18
Recovery Retreat. At San Damiano Retreat in Danville. Presented by Jesuit Father Tom Weston. An opportunity to spend a weekend with women and men in recovery from alcoholism and addiction. Registration on April 16 from 4 – 6:30 p.m.; retreat ends on April 18 with lunch at noon. $195 shared room/$220 private room. (925) 837-9141, ext. 315, or register online: www.sandamiano.org.

An Experience of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. At St. Joseph Community Parish Center, Alameda. “A Call to Compassion and Consolation: Experiencing Death and Resurrection with Jesus.” Participate in a retreat experience without the need to pack a suitcase. April 16: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.; April 17: 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (followed by optional Mass and dinner); April 18: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Suggested donation: $75; advance registration required by April 7. Register at www.st-joseph-community.org or contact Anne Marie, (510) 995-9409 or afourre@st-joseph-community.org.

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Friday, March 26
St. Rose Church 25th Annual Fish Fry. 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the St. Rose Parish Hall, on Starr Street between 3rd and 4th in Crocket. $15 for adult dinner tickets; $7 for children. Beverages available at a no-host refreshment bar. Home delivery is available only for Crockett, Tormey and Port Costa. Takeout dinners are available anytime during serving hours. Call (510) 787-2052 before Fish Fry Day for ticket, to place an order for home delivery or more information.

Friday Night Fish Fry. In parish hall at St. Philip Neri Church, 3108 Van Buren St., Alameda. Dinner at 6 p.m., after 5:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross in the church. Menu: fried calamari-fish filets, salad, meatless pasta and rolls. $10 for adults, $5 children. No reservations required. Sponsor: I.C.F. Branch 10, Alameda.

Saturday, March 27
St. Anne’s Institute #78 Spaghetti Dinner. 5 – 7 p.m. in auditorium at St. Joseph School, 1961 Plum St. in Pinole. All-you-can-eat spaghetti meal includes Caesar salad, garlic bread, coffee and the famous Y.L.I. cookies and cakes. Tickets: $10 per adult pre-sold, $12 at the door; $6 per child, aged 4 – 10 years; age three and under free. Dinner will be served buffet style. Drawing for door and raffle prizes. Lynn Jansen, (510) 223-0848.

The 2010 St. Agnes “Viva Las Vegas” Auction. 5:30 p.m. – midnight in the Silvio E. Garaventa Center, Carondelet High School, 1133 Winton Drive in Concord. The evening will begin with a silent auction followed by dinner and a live auction. Program includes casino style gaming and dancing. Tickets: $35 per person. Information: Sandra Bellafronte: (925) 687-2917 or Laurie Mercurio (925) 671-7577.

Thursday, April 8
Spring Salad Bar Luncheon. Noon in Rohan Hall at St. Jerome Parish, 308 Carmel Ave., El Cerrito. Proceeds will benefit the students of St. Jerome and St. John schools. Tickets: $12 per person. Reservations are necessary and may be obtained by calling Annette Bishop, (510) 526-9742 or June Felker, (510) 524-9827. Deadline: April 5. No tickets will be sold at the door. Sponsor: Mother of Perpetual Help Institute #159, Y.L.I.

Saturday, April 10
50th Anniversary Celebration, Richmond Branch 154 of the Italian Catholic Federation. At the Galileo Club, 471 South 23rd St., Richmond. All are invited to 3 p.m. Mass; no-host cocktails, pasta and roast beef dinner ($20) to follow. Reservation deadline: April 5. Walter Costa, (925) 370-3737.

Casino Grande Fundraiser. 6 – 11 p.m. at Blackhawk Museum in Danville. A night of casino fun, raffles and three-course dinner among classic cars. $75 per person. Proceeds benefit the Bay Area Crisis Nursery. Advance reservations required. (925) 685-6633 or www.bacn.info for more information and tickets.

Thursday, April 15
Italian Catholic Federation Branch #215 Salad Lunch and Bingo. Noon at Corpus Christi Church Hall, 37891 – 2nd St., Fremont. $10 donation includes two bingo card. Reservations by April 10. Men are welcome. Raffle prices and door prizes available. Tickets: Joan and Adrian, (510) 657-9487 or Norma, (510) 651-1641. Bring non-perishable food for S.V.D.P. and receive free bingo card.

Saturday, April 17
De La Salle High School, Concord, Spring Auction Gala “All That Jazz.” 5:30 – 11 p.m. at Blackhawk Auto Museum, 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville. Jazz-era fun in fabulous venue with sit-down dining and entertainment, silent and live auctions, to benefit student life. $125 per person. RSVP deadline: March 26. Cathy McFann, (925) 288-8181 or online: auction@dlshs.org. Full information: www.dlshs.org.

14th Annual Sister Gonzaga Tea. At the parish hall, St. Joseph Church, 43148 Mission Blvd., Fremont. Theme: “Musicali Tea?” The tea promises a menu that hosts more than 200 attendees seated at impressively decorated tables. The event includes a silent auction. Bidders will be able to place bids online before and silently at the Tea. There will also be a cash drawing, a raffle and entertainment by the talented students at St. Joseph School. Proceeds will benefit the St. Joseph Tuition Assistance Program and the Dominican Sister’s “Vision of Hope” program for inner-city schools. Jackie Scott, (510) 396-5686 or Mary Carlton, (510) 440-1320.

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Wednesday, March 24
St. Catherine of Siena Continuing Formation Series. 6 – 7 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 604 Mellus St., Martinez. The first in a series of monthly talks hosted by the parish. Father John Murray, a retired priest of the Redemptorist Congregation and an expert in Scripture Studies, will present, “The Spirituality of the Paschal Triduum.” Light refreshments will follow in the parish hall. Goodwill donations are welcome. Pauline Porter, (925) 228-2230, ext. 7, or drestcath@yahoo.com.

Wednesdays, March 24, 31
Dr. Scott Hahn’s video series, “Letter and Spirit.” 7 – 7:30 p.m. in the ministry center, St. Agnes Parish, 3966 Chestnut Ave., Concord. Learn how to more fully understand Sacred Scripture in the Mass. David Zarri, (925) 686-9277 or davidlzarri@earthlink.net.

Thursday, March 25
Eyewitness in Haiti. 7 p.m. at Sagrada Sacred Arts, 4926 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Barbara Wander, a Bay Area teacher and volunteer who was in Haiti at the time of the January earthquake, will share her story and speak of the courage of the people of Haiti. (510) 653-7196.

Friday, April 2
Good Friday at Livermore Nuclear Weapons Laboratory. 6:45 a.m. gather at Vasco and Patterson Pass Roads in Livermore, 6:45 a.m., opening music; 7 a.m. worship followed by procession to the gate and acts of witness. 10 a.m. – noon, community gathering and sharing. Conversation by Pierre Labossiere and Barbara Rhine on “Why Are Haitians So Poor? Nuclear Weapons, U.S. Empire, Haiti.” Sponsor: Ecumenical Peace Institute/CALC and Livermore Conversion Project. (510) 655-1162 or (510) 654-4983. Web: www.epicalc.org.

April 6, 20, May 18
East Bay Brews and Views. 7 p.m. (happy hour), 7:30 p.m. (speakers) at the Park Avenue Bar and Grill, 4184 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. April 6: “Make Love Not War: A Catholic Perspective on Gender Difference,” presented by Hope Gillis; April 20: “Do Doubt? No Way!” Paul Vu, S.J.; May 18: “Miracles Can Happen,” Christine Watkins. Everyone is invited to join this speaker series formerly known as Theology on Tap. Sponsor: St. Leo Parish in Oakland and Park Avenue Bar and Grill. Information: www.churchofstleothegreat.org.

Saturday, April 10
Manhatten Forum Lecture Series. 3 p.m. in Father Kozina Hall at St. Margaret Mary Church, 1219 Excelsior Ave., Oakland. John Medaille, a business professional and lecturer at the University of Dallas, will speak on “The Laity and the Evangelization of Business.” This free monthly program is designed to introduce the Bay Area to the Manhattan Declaration on the sanctity of human life, traditional marriage, and religious freedom. Lecture will be followed by Mass at 5 p.m. and reception at 6 p.m. Sponsor: St. Anthony of Padua Institute. Information: www.sapi.org.

Tuesday, April 13
Who Speaks for Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think. 7 – 8:30 p.m. at St. Augustine Church, 400 Alcatraz Ave., Oakland. A video presentation and discussion will explore the many questions that Americans have about the Muslim culture. Lisa Aliferis. A parishioner and independent television producer will moderate the nationally broadcast television program that she produced. Ray Suarez hosts the video program which explores Islam in an age when Muslim extremists are laying claim to the religion. Goodwill offerings accepted. Walt Sears, (925) 963-9341.

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April 15 – June 3
Stepping Stones On Your Grief Journey. 7:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. Join others who are struggling with the reality of the death of a loved one. Meetings are open to all, regardless of religious orientation. Pre-registration is required; space is limited. A one-time donation of $15 is requested. Mary, (925) 846-5377.

Thursday, April 15
Catholics Divorced Widowed and Separated of Contra Costa. 7 – 9 p.m. at St. Mary Church, 2039 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek. All who are struggling from a loss due to separation, divorce, death of a loved one or loneliness and depression are encouraged to participate. Joan S., (925) 939-1007.

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March 19, 20, 21, 26, 27
Fame – The Musical at St. Joseph Notre Dame High School (SJND). 7:30 p.m. on March 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and on March 21 at 2 p.m. in the theatre of St. Joseph Elementary School Learning Center, 1910 San Antonio Ave., Alameda. The story of a group of students at the High School for the Performing Arts in New York City. Tickets: $12 adults; $9 students and seniors; $5 children. (510) 995-9551 or stop by SJND’s main office for tickets.

March 25, 26, 27, 28
Godspell – The Musical at St. Mary’s High School. 7:30 p.m. on March 25, 26 and 27; 6:30 p.m. on March 28 (special Palm Sunday performance) at 1294 Albina Ave. in Berkeley. Under the direction of Antone Olivier, students in he high school’s performing arts department will perform the classic 70’s musical which is based on a series of parables from the Gospels of Saints Matthew and Luke. Tickets: $10 general admission, $8 for students and seniors. Visit the school web site: www.saintmaryschs.org.

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