Diocese marks milestone since founding in 1962

By Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone

This new year which we have just entered, 2012, marks a milestone for Catholics throughout the world, and all the more so for us here in the East Bay: we celebrate 50 years since the opening of the Second Vatican Council, and 50 years since the founding of the Diocese of Oakland — in effect, a double Jubilee.

A golden anniversary is always a time to reflect back toward the past with gratitude, and look forward to the future with hope. This year, then, is a time for us to learn from the past so that, with the grace of God, we may serve Him even better in the future.

We will have a number of special ceremonies and events this year to observe this milestone of our Diocese with proper celebration and thanksgiving, beginning with the special ceremony to open this year of Jubilee at the parish Masses throughout the Diocese on Jan. 8, the Sunday before the actual day of the anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Jan. 13 and the feast day of our Cathedral, Epiphany Sunday.

We will also have opportunities to hear about the history of the Church here in the East Bay, to celebrate the rich cultural diversity with which we are blessed, and to celebrate a special Jubilee Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the Light on our diocesan patronal feast day of Mary, Queen of the World, on Aug. 22. In addition, the special Jubilee Prayer is one that can be used on many different occasions all throughout the year.

Beginning with our founding bishop, the Most Rev. Floyd L. Begin, down to the present day, we rightfully give thanks to God for all of the very many priests, religious, deacons and lay faithful who have ministered in our parishes, schools, Catholic Charities services and all of the other institutions and ministries in our diocese that have passed on the faith of the “one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” Most especially, we thank and celebrate the countless parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, other family members and friends of each generation who have taught and shown the succeeding generation what it means to be a praying, believing, practicing Catholic.

As we look to the future, we will continue to discuss, deliberate and determine what we can do to sustain the ministries of our parishes and better coordinate our efforts all throughout our diocesan family so that we may carry this legacy into the future. While the challenges are great, so is the potential, for we have 50 years of vibrant ministries and spiritual energy to harness. May we all pray and work together in a spirit of communion and solidarity, so that, with the help of God, we may effectively accomplish the mission He has entrusted to us of knowing His Son Jesus Christ better and making him better known.

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