Diocese of Oakland

Today begins #NationalMarriageWeek! Find local marriage enrichment resources by visiting our website: www.oakdiocese.org/marriage-family-life

Today is the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Find the readings for today: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020622.cfm

On this #WorldDayoftheSick, we share a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes in pictures: https://tinyurl.com/5ert4933. Bishop Barber attended this pilgrimage with the Western Association of the Order of Malta back in the fall. Here Bishop is pictured during the Anointing of the Sick at the St. Bernadette Chapel. Today we pray: Ever Immaculate Virgin Mother of Mercy, Health of the sick, refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; look with mercy on me.

Today, and every Thursday, the Order of Malta Clinic is offering flu & COVID vaccines. No appointment or registration is required. Find more information at orderofmaltaclinic.com

Join Pope Francis in prayer this month praying for religious sisters and consecrated men. www.popesprayerusa.net

Bishop Barber invites all who are sick or ill, as well as family members, caregivers and healthcare providers, to observe the World Day of the Sick with Mass at the Cathedral of the Christ the Light. #WorldDayoftheSick

In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord. -Psalm 138:1c

Lewis is the first African American and Native American sculptor to achieve international recognition through works that reflected her Catholic faith and the dignity of people. The U.S. Postal Service’s Black Heritage series features her on a new stamp. #BlackHistoryMonth

Today is the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, and the annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. Through prayer, we not only reflect on the experiences of those that have suffered through this affront to human dignity but also comfort, strengthen, and help empower survivors. Learn more about St. Bakhita and how you can raise awareness about human trafficking: www.oakdiocese.org//international-day-of-prayer-for-victim. The United States will be participatin...g in the global Marathon of Prayer and Awareness service from 8-9pm PST. The prayer service will be livestreamed on YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/5d7ep778). St. Josephine Bakhita, Pray for us!

Did you know that 99.1% of all Catholic high school students graduate in the US? Learn about the #CatholicSchools in our diocese by visiting: csdo.org #CatholicSchoolsWeek #CSW22

Today begins #NationalMarriageWeek! Find local marriage enrichment resources by visiting our website: www.oakdiocese.org/marriage-family-life

Today is the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Find the readings for today: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020622.cfm

We are so happy to see our Lumen Christi Academies students back in the classroom! Students from Queen Of All Saints School returned to campus for in-person learning last week - and are following rigorous safety protocols (including mandatory masks, social distancing, sanitation, and rotating cohort on-campus days). Our Lumen Christi Community is relieved to be back learning in-person, seeing each other on the playground (distanced), and raising real hands at real desks, in our newly renovated classrooms.

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, was happy to welcome the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center mammography van to the Diocese of Oakland and the Order of Malta Clinic. The mission of the Order of Malta Clinic is to provide free medical care to those in need. The van will be traveling around the East Bay, providing early detection services to the community.

Join with Fr. Carl Arcosa in cultivating Vocations within the Diocese of Oakland during Vocations Awareness Month. Read Fr. Arcosa's special piece in The Catholic Voice about the importance of Vocations: https://oakdiocese.org//join-with-fr-carl-arcosa-in-cultiv

The Catholic Community of the East Bay is throwing a free Community Health Day this coming Saturday and you are invited! The day will offer free COVID testing, free flu shots, drive-through and walk-up food giveaways, free masks, and free hand sanitizer. Join us on Saturday November 7, 2020 from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM at the West County Health Center 13601 San Pablo Ave, San Pablo, CA. Community Health Day is organized in partnership with the Food Bank Of Contra Costa & Solano, Catholic Charities East Bay, and St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County.

Parishes in Contra Costa County to return to lower occupancy as of Nov. 6 Due to a marked increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Contra Costa County has modified the occupancy level for indoor gathers. Effective Friday, Nov. 6, parishes may only allow indoor attendance at Masses to be at 25% occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewerthe same as Alameda County. We must all continue to be attentive to published precautions and protocols, Bishop Michael C. Barber,... SJ, said. Health officials caution that it is now more important than ever to follow the state health guidance for physical distancing and use of face coverings, to keep everyone safe and healthy during the upcoming holiday season." Learn more at: https://oakdiocese.org//nov-4-parishes-in-contra-costa-cou

On this Election Day, we pray for discernment so that we may choose leaders who hear God's Word, live His love, and keep in the ways of His truth. Pray the full prayer from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops here: https://bit.ly/3kVB7E2

Our live-streaming All Souls’ Day Mass from The Cathedral of Christ the Light is live right now! Chanted in gorgeous Latin by our choir in the mausoleum beneath the Cathedral, this is a powerful and beautiful service to join us for on this warm November night. Watch live on the Cathedral YouTube at: https://youtu.be/XwVYuwSkQH4

Join us in celebrating National Vocation Awareness Month this November! This month is dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education - and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. To learn more about our Diocese of Oakland Vocations Ministry, please visit: https://oakdiocese.org/vocations

Join Bishop Michael C. Barber, S.J. for the Solemn Mass of the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed tonight, November 2, at 7:00PM on Cathedral of Christ the Light's YouTube: https://youtu.be/XwVYuwSkQH4

Umoja Health is providing free COVID testing tomorrow (10/31) in Oakland at Acts Full Gospel C.O.G.I.C - for walk-up and drive through testing. Using free tests alongside everyday safety measures like wearing masks and social distancing, we can help keep everyone safe! Register for free at: https://unitedinhealthoakland.org/en/eastoakland

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, participated in an ecumenical Operation Ceasefire Walk Against Gun Violence last Friday, with faith leaders, community leaders, and city leaders coming together for a grassroots community effort to stop violence. The walk was based at St. Benedict Parish in East Oakland. Rev. Jayson Landeza, pastor, and Fans of St. Benedict Church Oakland, CA. took part, as did Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.

2020 problems require 2020 solutions! Our parishes are using ingenuity and adaptation - alongside a strong foundation of faith - to make visiting and attending Mass as safe as possible for parishioners. At St Catherine of Siena in Martinez, a hand sanitizer dispenser has been deputized to safely dispense Holy Water directly inside the church for blessing, while a dispenser outside provides regular hand sanitizer for visitors.

Alameda County, alongside Contra Costa County, has approved limited indoor worship (with restrictions). Following our Diocesan Safety Protocols (masks required, social distancing, sanitization, limited capacity), parishes across our entire Diocese will now be opening for indoor Mass, with limited attendance - just as chilly weather starts arriving. Parishes that are able to do so are encouraged to continue outdoor Masses as long as possible, even if indoor services are permit...ted. Please keep in mind that the obligation to attend Mass remains suspended until further notice. Livestreamed Masses should still be provided when possible for those unable to attend in person. Pre-registration may be required to attend Mass in some places. Please check our Prayers and Masses page to find an open parish near you: https://oakdiocese.org/prayer-and-masses