The Diocese of Oakland is blessed with the presence of many Religious priests, monks, and professed brothers and sisters. They minister in schools and universities, hospitals, parishes, and various charities. The different orders are organized according to their own structures and are under the authority of their own leaders. However, the minister in the diocese under the oversight of Bishop Barber. Rev. Robert Herbst, OFM Conv., himself an "order" priest (Conventual Franciscan), is the bishop's representative to the religious communities.
You can learn more about our religious communities in our Diocese by scrolling down the page and visiting our vocations page.
Augustinians
Fr. Tom Whelan, OSA, 415-387-3626
[email protected]
www.osa-west.org
Capuchin Franciscans
Fr. Peter Banks, OFM CAP., 805-686-4127
[email protected]
www.olacapuchins.org
Conventual Franciscans
Vocation Director Fr. Paul Gawlowski, OFM CONV., 510-671-0537
[email protected]
www.franciscanfriars.org
De La Salle Christian Brothers
Br. George Van Grieken, FSG, 707-252-3861
[email protected]
www.brothersvocation.org
Dominicans
Fr. Steven Maekawa, OP, 510-658-8722
[email protected]
www.opwest.org
Franciscans
Fr. Alberto Villafan, OFM, 408-258-7057
[email protected]
www.sbfranciscans.org
Jesuits
Fr. Christopher Nguyen, SJ 714-469-2874
[email protected]
www.jesuitscalifornia.org
Maryknoll Brothers
Br. Tim Raible, MM, 510-869-8689 or 510-552-1846
[email protected]
www.maryknoll.org
Redemptorists
Br. Larry Lujan, CSSR, 718-321-1394
[email protected]
www.redemptorists-denver.org
Society of Mary (Marist)
Mr. John Ridout, 510-486-1232 or
866-298-3715
[email protected]
www.maristsociety.org
Augustinians
Fr. Tom Whelan, OSA, 415-387-3626
[email protected]
www.osa-west.org
Capuchin Franciscans
Fr. Peter Banks, OFM CAP., 805-686-4127
[email protected]
www.beafriar.com
Congregation of the Sacred Hearts
Fr. Dedi Riberu. SS.CC. 808-321-9776
[email protected]
Fr. Brian Guerrini, SS.CC. 575-495-9331
[email protected]
Conventual Franciscans
Fr. Paul Gawlowski OFM Conv, 510-671-0537
[email protected]
www.franciscanfriars.org
Dominicans
Fr. Steven Maekawa, OP, 510-658-8722
[email protected]
www.opwest.org
Franciscans
Fr. Alberto Villafan, OFM, 408-258-7057
[email protected]
www.sbfranciscans.org
Holy Cross Fathers
Fr. James Gallagher, CSC, 574-631-6385
[email protected]
www.holycrossvocations.org
Jesuits
Fr. Christopher Nguyen, SJ, 714-469-2874
[email protected]
www.jesuitscalifornia.org
Maryknoll Fathers
Br. Tim Raible, MM, 510-896-8689 or 510-552-1846
[email protected]
www.maryknoll.org
Missionaries of the Precious Blood
Fr. Ken Schnipke, CPPS, 937-228-6224
[email protected]
www.cpps-preciousblood.org
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
www.omiusa.org
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
Fr. Martin Lukas, OSFS, 419-724-9851
[email protected]
www.oblates.us
Paulist Fathers
Fr. David Farnum, CSP, 212-757-4260 or 800-235-3456
[email protected]
www.paulist.org
Redemptorists
Fr. Tat Hoang, CSSR, 718-321-1394
[email protected]
www.redemptorists-denver.org
Society of Mary (Marists)
Mr. John Ridout, 510-845-3326 or 866-298-3715
[email protected]
www.maristsociety.org
Adrian Dominican Sisters
Sr. Mary Ellen Lecicjewski, OP
[email protected]
www.adriandominicans.org
Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirmed
Sister Maria Therese, O. Carm.
-518-537-5000
www.carmelitesisters.com
[email protected]
Congregation of Mother of Carmel
Sr. Celine Pathiaparambill, CMC, 510-724-4178
[email protected]
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
Sr. Trang Truong, DC,
650-949-8890
www.daughtersofcharity.com
Discalced Carmelite Nuns
Reverend Mother Prioress
Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph of Kensington, CA
68 Rincon Road
Kensington, CA 94707-1047
[email protected]
www.carmelofkensington.org
Sister Dulce Aguilar, OP
209-406-8111
[email protected]
www.msjdominicans.org
Dominican Sisters of San Rafael
Sr. Patricia Farrell, OP,
415-257-4939
[email protected]
www.sanrafaelop.org
Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic
Sr. Mary Boyce, MM,
925-689-7729
www.Maryknoll.org
QuiNhon Missionary Sisters of the Holy Cross
Sr. Maggalena Duong, LHC,
925-674-9639
http://mtgqn.org/index.php/about-us/congregation
Sisters of Mercy of Ireland
Sr. Angela O'Donoghue, RSM, 510-233-6769
[email protected]
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Sr. Maria Campos, RSM,
650-340-7434
[email protected]
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Sr. Jacinta Martinez, SNDdeN, 650-722-1040
[email protected]
www.snddenca.org
Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity
Sr. Graciela Martinez, OSF,
510-534-4330
[email protected]
www.stfrancisprovince.org
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Sr. Jan Huang, CSJ,
310-889-2117
[email protected]
www.csjla.org
Sisters of the Good Shepherd
Sr. Elizabeth Schille, RGS,
415-586-2822
[email protected]
SistersOfTheGoodShepherd.com
Sisters of the Holy Family
Sr. Gladys Guenther, SHF,
510-624-4500
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/pages/Fremont-CA/Sisters-of-the-Holy-Family/19423411523
www.holyfamilysisters.wordpress.com
www.holyfamilysisters.org
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus & Mary
Sr. Rosemary Everett, SNJM, 408-873-7858 or 408-656-1311
[email protected]
www.snjmca.org
Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Stephanie Still, PVBM,
415-422-5020
[email protected]
www.presentationsisterssf.org
Sisters of Social Service
Sr. Catherine Connell, SSS,
916-444-5590
[email protected]
www.sistersofsocialservice.com
Society of the Sacred Heart
Sister Mary Pat White, RSCJ,
510-525-5692
rscj.org/vocations
Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Julie Hurtado, PVBM
[email protected]
www.pbvmunion.org
The Discalced Carmelite Sisters came to the Diocese in July of 2012 and the Catholic Voice wrote an ariticle about their arrival and about the welcoming celebration at St. Monica Church in Moraga.
In October of 2013, Bishop Barber visited the Carmel for the celebration of the Jubilee of Mother Sylvia-Gemma.
The Sisters have Mass daily; priests from throughout the Diocese are offering mainly the Novus Ordo Mass for them.
In January of 2014, a very generous benefactor made possible the return of the Carmelites to the monastery in Kensington. The buildings, however, were in a sad state of disrepair and need significant work before the nuns will be able to move in. The Catholic Voice reported on this.
In addition to the physical repairs to the buildings that must be done, because they are moving from the very small quarters in Canyon to a much larger complex in Kensington, the Sisters have many specific needs. Donations can be made through our diocesan donation form online.
As of November 22, 2014, the Sisters have moved into their new home in Kensington. They offer prayers and many thanks for all those donors who have made this possible.
For those who may be celebrating sacraments at the Carmel other than their regular Masses, the current "guidelines" for this can be found in this document. The daily Mass Schedule at the Monastery can be found here.