News - February 2023

The Knights of St. Peter Claver, Fr. Jay Matthews Council #336, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Oakland, CA will award a Scholarship in the amount of $2000.00 to a Male of Color who attends or will attend an Alameda County Catholic High School in the Fall Semester of 2023. Details and application through the link.

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ offers the following condolences on the death of Bishop David O'Connell, who passed away Feb. 18, 2023. Read through the link.

The Office of Mission Advancement invites all Pastors, Parochial Administrators, Office Managers, Colleagues and Friends to attend. Giles Miller, Diocesan Director of Major Gifts & Campaigns encourages all those who have a role in parish management and oversite to attend one of the training sessions. Chancellor Rick Medeiros will begin each session with an opening prayer and his thanks for your past and future support. Dates, times and rsvp through the link.

Information on the recent revisions of the text and pastoral considerations.

Interviewing for School and Parish Positions, including Teachers, Staff, Ministry Leaders and Volunteers. The event will include time for Fellowship, Prayerful discernment, Testimonials from school and parish staff, Networking and Screening Interviews. "Make a difference in the heart and mind of a child".  Please share this event with your parishioners. 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a time to grow spiritually through penitential practices, especially those of self-denial, almsgiving, and through works of kindness and compassion. The Diocesan Office of Worship shares the 2023 Guidelines for Lent. Also through the link, read The Liturgical Preparation Aid from the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions.

On February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated large areas of southern Turkey and northwest Syria. Since then, several earthquakes and aftershocks have been confirmed in the same region—including a 5.6 magnitude quake on February 27. At least 8.8 million people are affected across both countries, with the death toll surpassing 50,000 and continuing to rise. The earthquakes led to the total destruction of homes and infrastructure, and left millions of people without food, water and shelter. Read more through the link.

The life changing Workforce Development Program is holding introductory sessions on six different dates and times from February 22, 2023 and March 3, 2023. The program pairs paid internships with one on one mentoring to support people who have faced barriers to employment. Applicants required to attend both parts 1 and 2 of the introductory sessions. RSVP and Application information through the link.

The Chancery Communications Office is asking for input on how our parishes use social media. Please take the social media survey. The Survey will be open until February 15, 2023. Read below for the survey link and updates to the Diocesan Directory program.