Him better known.
Religious Life
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about religious life
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religious life
For hundreds of years Jesus has called people to live together, to pray together and to serve him in a unique way. Religious sisters, brothers, and priests are individuals who live out their Christian faith as members of a larger group known as a religious community. There are many different kinds of religious communities and each community lives according to a particular charism which inspires and identifies them and gives a focus to their prayer and work.
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religious communities
There are many religious communities in the Church. Some religious communities serve God through meditation, prayer and solitude. These groups are known as contemplative orders or "cloistered" orders. Women who belong to this type of a religious community are called nuns and the men are called monks. Other religious communities are known as "active" or Apostolic orders/congregations. These orders and congregations are active in the world, serving others in a variety of activities/apostolates. Women who belong to this type of a religious community are called sisters and the men are called brothers unless they are ordained priests.
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religious orders
Each religious order or congregation has its own special charism which forms its identity and mission. The charism envisioned by the founder or foundress is the motivating spirit that is the heart of the religious order or congregation. Some orders and congregations focus on serving the poor, such as the Franciscans. Others, such as the Dominicans, are preachers and teachers. Due to the variety of charisms, each religious order or congregation has a unique identity, mission, spirituality, and set of guidelines for living.
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process of becoming a religious
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taking vows
Those who join religious orders and congregations take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They vow to share all their goods in common, not to marry and to obey their religious Superior. Contrary to popular thought these vows are actually quite liberating. They allow the religious sister, brother or priest to remain free to love and serve God and the Church with an undivided heart by putting all of their energy into prayer and the ministry of their order or congregation.
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candidacy/postulancy
After acceptance an individual enters the first step, called candidacy or postulancy. This period gives the candidate/postulant a chance to get to know the community. There is no set length of time for this period. The next step is the novitiate, which lasts between one to two years. This period allows the novice to learn more about the charism of the community through instruction, by participating in community life and apostolic service. At the end of this period, the novice makes first/temporary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience which are renewed on a yearly basis. During the period of temporary vows, a religious sister or brother continues their education in preparation for future ministry within their order/congregation. After having determined, over a period of at least 3 years, that the religious community is a right fit for them, a religious sister or brother becomes a full-fledged member of their community by making final/permanent vows. The entire process can take between 7-10 years.
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Contact Religious Priests, Sisters, and Brothers
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Orders/Congregations of Religious Priests in the Diocese of Oakland
Augustinians
Fr. Tom Whelan, OSA, 415-387-3626
[email protected]
www.osa-west.orgCapuchin Franciscans
Fr. Peter Banks, OFM CAP., 805-686-4127
[email protected]
www.beafriar.comCongregation 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.orgDominicans
Fr. Steven Maekawa, OP, 510-658-8722
[email protected]
www.opwest.orgFranciscans
Fr. Alberto Villafan, OFM, 408-258-7057
[email protected]
www.sbfranciscans.orgHoly Cross Fathers
Fr. James Gallagher, CSC, 574-631-6385
[email protected]
www.holycrossvocations.orgJesuits
Fr. Christopher Nguyen, SJ, 714-469-2874
[email protected]
www.jesuitscalifornia.orgMaryknoll Fathers
Br. Tim Raible, MM, 510-896-8689 or 510-552-1846
[email protected]
www.maryknoll.orgMissionaries of Faith (MF)
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
Rev. Joy Kumarthusseril, MF, 510-315-7001
[email protected]
St. Philip Neri-St. Albert the Great Parish
Rev. Robert Kennady Chinnapan, MF, 510-373-5201
[email protected]Missionaries of the Precious Blood
Fr. Ken Schnipke, CPPS, 937-228-6224
[email protected]
www.cpps-preciousblood.orgMissionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
Fr. Martin Lukas, OSFS, 419-724-9851
[email protected]
www.oblates.usPaulist Fathers
Fr. David Farnum, CSP, 212-757-4260 or 800-235-3456
[email protected]
www.paulist.orgRedemptorists
Fr. Tat Hoang, CSSR, 718-321-1394
[email protected]
www.redemptorists-denver.orgSociety of Mary (Marists)
Mr. John Ridout, 510-845-3326 or 866-298-3715
[email protected]
www.maristsociety.org -
Orders/Congregations of Religious Brothers in the Diocese of Oakland
Augustinians
Fr. Tom Whelan, OSA, 415-387-3626
[email protected]
www.osa-west.orgCapuchin Franciscans
Fr. Peter Banks, OFM CAP., 805-686-4127
[email protected]
www.olacapuchins.orgCongregation 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
Vocation Director Fr. Paul Gawlowski, OFM CONV., 510-671-0537
[email protected]
www.franciscanfriars.orgDe La Salle Christian Brothers
Br. George Van Grieken, FSG, 707-252-3861
[email protected]
www.brothersvocation.orgDominicans
Fr. Steven Maekawa, OP, 510-658-8722
[email protected]
www.opwest.orgFranciscans
Fr. Alberto Villafan, OFM, 408-258-7057
[email protected]
www.sbfranciscans.orgJesuits
Fr. Christopher Nguyen, SJ 714-469-2874
[email protected]
www.jesuitscalifornia.orgMaryknoll Brothers
Br. Tim Raible, MM, 510-869-8689 or 510-552-1846
[email protected]
www.maryknoll.orgRedemptorists
Br. Larry Lujan, CSSR, 718-321-1394
[email protected]
www.redemptorists-denver.orgSociety of Mary (Marist)
Mr. John Ridout, 510-486-1232 or 866-298-3715
[email protected]
www.maristsociety.org
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Orders/Congregations of Religious Sisters in the Diocese of Oakland
Adrian Dominican Sisters
Sr. Mary Ellen Lecicjewski, OP
[email protected]
www.adriandominicans.orgCarmelite 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.comDiscalced Carmelite Nuns
Reverend Mother Prioress
Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph of Kensington, CA
68 Rincon Road
Kensington, CA 94707-1047
All contact is done via physical mail.Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose
Sister Dulce Aguilar, OP
209-406-8111
[email protected]
www.msjdominicans.orDominican Sisters of Oakford
Sr. Jodi Min, OP, 510-635-1480
[email protected]
www.oakforddominicans.orgDominican Sisters of San Rafael
Sr. Patricia Farrell, OP, 415-257-4939
[email protected]
www.sanrafaelop.orgMaryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic
Sr. Mary Boyce, MM, 925-689-7729
www.Maryknoll.orgQuiNhon Missionary Sisters of the Holy Cross
Sr. Maggalena Duong, LHC, 925-674-9639
http://mtgqn.org/index.php/about-us/congregationSisters 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.snddeneastwest.orgSisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity
Sr. Graciela Martinez, OSF, 510-534-4330
[email protected]
www.stfrancisprovince.orgSisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Sr. Jan Huang, CSJ, 310-889-2117
[email protected]
www.csjla.orgSisters of the Good Shepherd
Sr. Elizabeth Schille, RGS, 415-586-2822
[email protected]
SistersOfTheGoodShepherd.comSisters 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.orgSisters of the Holy Names of Jesus & Mary
Sr. Rosemary Everett, SNJM, 408-873-7858 or 408-656-1311
[email protected]
www.snjmca.orgSisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Stephanie Still, PVBM, 415-422-5020
[email protected]
www.presentationsisterssf.orgSisters of Social Service
Sr. Catherine Connell, SSS, 916-444-5590
[email protected]
www.sistersofsocialservice.comSociety of the Sacred Heart
Sister Mary Pat White, RSCJ, 510-525-5692
rscj.org/vocationsUnion of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Julie Hurtado, PVBM
[email protected]
www.pbvmunion.org
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