Bishop Barber, whose career includes teaching, recently shared with our Catholic school teachers his perspective on their influence in the lives and faith of their students.

Follow Vatican News' daily coverage of the second session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod, taking place in the Vatican to explore Synodality: “Communion, Participation, and Mission.”

Chautauqua made a joyful return to the Diocese of Oakland for the first time in six years. The celebration took place at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland on Aug. 31. Chautauqua, or “the gathering of peoples,” was born of the desire to celebrate the rich diversity of cultures among the ethnic groups who call the Diocese of Oakland home. Learn more about the history of this Mass and details from this year's event through the link.

From the September 2024 Issue of The Catholic Voice: "In July, I had one of the most moving spiritual experiences of my life." Read more of Bishop Barber's reflections on his experience at the National Eucharistic Congress held this past July in Indianapolis, IN.

September is almost here. If your school or parish is hosting a festival in September or October, the time to let The Catholic Voice know is now. Please send information on date, time, name of festival, location (parish and/or school), what to expect (concerts? art? the best BBQ ever?), contact email or website to Christine Schreck at cschreck@oakdiocese.org by July 11. If you have a flier, it most likely will not appear in print ... but there's always social media!

Thank you to everyone who helps keep The Catholic Voice mailing list up to date. Although we usually update the mailing list monthly, we were unable to do so for the June issue. Look for those changes this summer.

After 117 years of service to the University of California, Berkeley (Go Bears!) the Paulist Fathers have decided they are no longer able to serve the parish. As they prepare to leave, perhaps you have a Newman memory to share? Or know someone who does? Please send to: mjurich@oakdiocese.org. Hoping to gather these quickly and share in print and online.

The Catholic Voice deadlines now require a longer lead time for submissions. Share your events and announcements and make sure your stories and events are included. The publication schedule for the July through December 2024 issues are through the link.

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has provided the following statement regarding the announcement by the Paulist Fathers that they will be ceasing their ministry at Holy Spirit-Newman Hall Parish in Berkeley this June. “It is with great sadness that I accept this decision by the Paulists, knowing it is determined by the reality of fewer active members in their order,” Bishop Barber said. Read the announcement through the link.

Bishop Barber shares the following pastoral assignments and appointments.

Bishop Barber invites the faithful to join in Peaceful, Prayerful 40 Days of Life Vigil from February 14 to March 24 in locations in Concord, El Cerrito, and Walnut Creek. Invitation through the link.

Citing an unsustainable decline in enrollment and diminishing reserve funds, Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Fremont will be closing after the last day of school on June 6, 2024. The announcement was made by Father Joy Kumarthusseril, MF, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe School and Parish, in a letter issued Jan. 10, 2024.

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, of the Diocese of Oakland, has issued a statement regarding the war in Israel and Gaza and its impact on the Diocese of Oakland, which is Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Simbang Gabi (Filipino for “Night Masses”) is traditionally a pre-dawn novena of Masses, approximately from December 16-24, culminating at Christmas midnight Mass. Bishop Barber will join the Simbang Gabi kickoff Mass at Church of the Good Shepherd (Pittsburg) Saturday, December 9, 10:00am. Parish Novena schedule through the link.

Updates to The Catholic Voice mailing list are made monthly. Thank you to the parishes that keep us up to date. Any changes received this week will be made for the December issue. After that, they will be made for the January 2O24 issue. Please send mailing list additions, subtractions and changes to mjurich@oakdiocese.org.