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.

Submissions of events in March, April and May 2024 are welcome. If there is a major event in 2024 -- a 50th or 100th anniversary celebration for your parish, for example -- please let us know so we may get it on our calendar. Submissions to mjurich@oakdiocese.org.

Join the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose for a benefit concert at the Dominican Center in Fremont in support of relief work in Maui after the devastating fire in Lahaina. Suggested $30 donation. RSVP required. Details through the link.

Details about fall 2023 festivals at the Catholic schools in our Diocese are available through the link. Check back as more schools get added to the calendar.

Have a parish festival coming up? Submit it to The Catholic Voice so we can help spread the word. Submission instructions available through the link.

Han pasado más de dos años desde que el Obispo de Oakland, Michael C. Barber, S.J., pidió se formara una comisión de trabajo para evaluar cómo enfrentar los desafíos de la disminución de la asistencia a misa y las instalaciones parroquiales subutilizadas en nuestra diócesis. Estos desafíos no son exclusivos de la Diócesis de Oakland. En los Estados Unidos, las diócesis se ven afectadas por desafíos similares. Lea el informe completo a través del enlace.

It has been more than two years since the Bishop of Oakland, Michael C. Barber, S.J., called for the formulation of a task force to assess how to meet the challenges of declining Mass attendance and underutilized parish facilities in our diocese. These challenges are not unique to the Diocese of Oakland. Dioceses throughout the United States are impacted with similar challenges. For background and recommendations, read the Report through the link.

The January, 2023 issue of The Catholic Voice is online. Submissions for the March, 2023 issue are due by December, 2022. Please send submissions to mjurich@oakdiocese.org. Follow The Catholic Voice Facebook page for news and photos.

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ will preside as celebrant at this year's kickoff of Simbang Gabi at 10:00 a.m. at All Saints Church in Hayward on Dec. 10. Come and experience the warmth of Christmas and the joy of growing in faith as we celebrate this time-honored tradition — the Filipino way! Full parish list of celebrations through the link.