Our parishioners Tino and Antoinette Ratliff would love to have your support for a fundraiser for their two children. Leonard Ratliff (2nd grade) & Annabelle Ratliff (Kindergarten) are participating in a Fun Run for St. Martin de Porres School, which will take place on May 10th. The goal is for their kids to have at least 10 sponsors each who are willing to sponsor $1 a lap. You can also donate any amount you wish. Please visit their donation website at www.stmartindeporresfunrun.com to participate. Please split your donations between Leonard and Annabelle respectively by typing their names in the website search. They can't reach their goal without you, Your support is appreciated and the family thank you for your generosity!

On Sunday, June 5th at the 10:00 AM Mass we will be having our special anniversary mass! Bishop Emeritus John Cummins will preside at this liturgy. We have invited all priests and nuns who have served in Sacred Heart to be present at the mass. When we receive positive responses from all of our invited guests we will let the parish know who will be in attendance. We are also trying to spread the word to all of our graduates of our school, both Sacred Heart and St. Martin de Porres, as well as parishioners who may have moved away. If you have any names and addresses to suggest please contact the parish office.

On Saturday, June 4th, our fundraising committee is sponsoring a multicultural food fest as part of our 140th anniversary. There will be a form on our website so that you can sign up to bring a dish to share from your culture or heritage. Please fill out the form with the type of food you would like to bring, how many people you plan to bring to this event and whether or not you wish to pay ahead of time or at the door. You can submit the form online. We thank you very much for your participation in this wonderful event!

In the Year of Mercy find out how you can become a Minister of Mercy at the Glenn Dyer Jail in Oakland. This is the 2016 enrollment period to join a group of women or men visiting inmates, bringing them the gospel message of God's mercy and love. All training is provided by the jail and Catholic Detention Ministry. No previous experience is needed. You must be 18 or older to participate. For more info please contact Richard Denoix, Catholic Detention Ministry Coordinator, at (925) 367-5833.

We have 18 young adults preparing for the sacrament of confirmation. We currently meet every 2nd and 4th Sundays after the 10:00 am Mass. We are hoping to have the bishop come for confirmation next spring. On the feast of Pentecost we will present these young adults to the parish community so that we can get to know them better. We ask for your prayers and your interest as these young adults continue on their confirmation journey.

In the generosity of your prayers, please remember Ana Lydon who recently departed this life. May her should and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Through the generosity of our Parish Family we have donated a total of $1269.19 to the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Fund this Lenten season!

The Diocese of Oakland is conducting a survey that will help inform the development of a communication strategy to better serve the East Bay Catholic community. The survey takes about 5 minutes to complete. Please take a few minutes to tell us what information regarding your Catholic faith and the church is most important to you. The survey is available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/DioOakland and is also located in the April 11th issue of the Catholic Voice.

From Monday April 18th to Friday April 22nd, the Oblates throughout the U.S. will be meeting in Belleville, IL for a convocation. That week, Fr. Jim Conlon will be presiding at the morning masses. During this convocation we ask that you remember all of the Oblates in your prayers.

This year the goal for our parish for the Bishop's appeal is $6501.82. To date we have pledged 80% of the goal: $5195.00. We are seeking a little more help to make our goal this year. If you have not yet made your pledge please consider doing so, so that we can help our Bishop with all the various diocesan ministries. Please remember that our school, St. Martin de Porres, is a recipient of diocesan funds. Many thanks to those who have already pledged, your generosity is much appreciated.

As a way of better managing our finances, we are asking that when you have a Mass for your family on any weekend, please consider donating an arrangement of flowers in memory of your loved ones. Please notify the parish office ahead of time so that the parish does not overspend for flowers. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

On the third weekend of the month we organize extra hospitality after the 10:00am mass. We are in need of additional helpers to organize this. If you would like to be apart of this very important ministry please contact the office and our secretary will reach out to you. Being hospitable to each other is a way we build community.