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All parishes and members of the Diocese are invited to celebrate the annual Chrism Mass on Thursday, April 2 at 6:30 pm. Join with us as the chief shepherd of our Diocese, Bishop Michael Barber, S.J., blesses the Oil of the Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick and consecrates the Sacred Chrism, all of which are taken back to the parishes for the celebration of the sacraments. This year's celebration begins with the musical prelude at 6:30 pm. Parishes are asked to send one lay person to serve as the oil bearer and parish representative. Please submit this information no later than March 25.

After consulting with the Presbyteral Council I would like to invite you and your parishioners to learn more about and take part in the work that Faith in Action East Bay is doing. I also thank the 20 parishes that are currently participating at different levels.

As we approach the season of Lent, Bishop Barber would like to share with all Catholics the 2020 Guidelines for Lent for your use. The Guidelines can be used to help plan, pray, and participate in Lent with prayerful piety and heartfelt devotion in this season of renewal. Pastors are encouraged to distribute this to your liturgical ministers, musicians, catechists, and other who may find it helpful.

He is not able to present himself in public as a priest, which includes he cannot celebrate a public Mass or other sacraments, until the investigation is completed and a report provided to Bishop Michael Barber, SJ.

The Rice Bowl Collection is a Lenten program run in schools and parishes. CRS Rice Bowl provides funding for Catholic Relief Services’ food security projects which support agriculture, nutrition, education, and self-sufficiency in communities around the world. Click on the link above for resources to promote this in your school, parish and other communities.

Please promote this devotional initiated by Pope Francis and being observed in many parishes in our diocese. All are welcome!

The State of California mandated anti-harassment training for both supervisory and non-supervisory employees hired before Jan. 1, 2020 should now be completed. Training is every two years, beginning with 2019. Pastors and principals are responsible for notifying the diocesan Safe Environment office of new hires for ongoing assignments; new employees must train in anti-harassment within six months of hire. If you would like a progress report for your parish or school, please contact Diana Bitz, dbitz@oakdiocese.org. Click on the link above for more information.

Please click on the link for more information on the 2020 Bishop's Appeal.

This year marks the 42nd year since the inception of Family Aid-Catholic Education, which has grown tremendously since 1978! FACE remains firm in its unwavering mission to break the cycle of poverty in the East Bay, one family at a time, by helping providing access to quality education. Annual FACE Gala 2020 Dinner and hosted bar Silent and Live Auction Named Scholarship Opportunities Student speakers Live Music

Please help promote these four openings in our Chancery and parishes!

Please use the announcements below to promote the collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, which is scheduled for Dec. 7-8 in our diocese. More resources are available at https://retiredreligious.org/materials/.

All personnel at diocesan parishes, schools and other entities are required to have completed their anti-harassment training by Dec. 15. If you have questions, please contact Diana Bitz at 510-267-8315 or dbitz@oakdiocese.org.