During these 7 Weeks (post Pentecost) we will be looking at the Laudato Si Action Platform more closely as we ponder and contemplate how do we as individuals, families and parish “Care for our Common Home”. Response to the Cry of the Poor: The Response to the Cry of the Poor is a call to promote eco-justice, aware that we are called to defend human life from conception to death, and all forms of life on Earth. Actions could include projects to promote solidarity, with special attention given to vulnerable groups such as indigenous communities, refugees, migrants, and children at risk, analysis and improvement of social systems, and social service programms.

Usually on the final weekend of June, because it is near the feast of the Sacred Heart, we cancel all Masses and have one Mass on Sunday at 10:00 AM.  The night before we have our international food fest.  Again due to the virus we are cancelling our “International Food Fest” but we will be having one Unity Mass on Sunday, June 27th at 10:00 AM.  Please mark your calendars for that date.  It will be a chance for us to visit with each other after a long  time of social distancing.  More reminders in upcoming weeks.

With the arrival of the Hiroshima Tree (symbol) in the center of the Peace Garden@Sacred Heart, it is time to take the next step and that is a (sign), a “Peace Pole”. What is a Peace Pole? In the aftermath of the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan it became clear that if Peace was to happen, it would have to happen everywhere. These poles began to appear in Japan in the late 1950 and then in the 1980 in San Francisco and New York. At present there are at least 200,000 Peace Poles around the world. The message is clear: “May Peace Prevail on Earth” More news to come soon. For more info go to; peacepoles.com

Next Sunday, June 13, at the 10:00 am Mass, Sacred Heart will celebrate Philippine Heritage and Faith. We have invited Crystal Catalan to share her experience of culture and faith as a Filipina American. Crystal has served as a missioner for two years with the Cabrini Sisters in Baguio City and has spoken at various diocesan youth gatherings. So let together welcome Crystal to Sacred Heart and celebrate the blessings of the Filipino Community. This year we will not be serving food after the mass, yet simply gathering and sharing is another step towards a “new normal.”

We would like to form a St. Vincent de Paul society for our parish.  Its main purpose is to help the poor.   The diocesan level of the St. Vincent de Paul has said if we have some interested members in our parish they will send a small team to inform us about the structure, works and spirituality of this society.  If you are interested in this pastoral effort to help the poor, please tell Fr. Bill and we will take it from there.  At this point we are only asking a commitment to find out about this  society.  After that we will want to find out who is interested in going further.  Please pray about whether or not God is calling you to be part of this service of the poor.

Sacred Heart would like to clarify our policy for drive by communion. We will continue our drive by communion for the next four Sundays - May 30, June 6, 13, and 20, from 12:00 PM, to 12:30 PM. On Sunday there will be no drive by communion because we will have another outdoor Mass, celebrating Unity Sunday. Unity Sunday is that one weekend a year when we have only one Mass at 10:00 AM so that all of our members can get to see each other. Coming off this year of pandemic and social distancing, we hope this is a time when we come together and comfortably and safely converse with each other. As this date gets closer, there will be more info about it. Also since we are trying to get back to some sense of normalcy, we would like to restart taking communion to the homebound. If you or some member of your family would like to receive communion at home, please call the rectory (510 655 9209) and inform us. We will then be in contact to set up a visit with communion.

On the weekend of May 22-23 we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.  The 5:00 PM Saturday Mass and the 7:30 AM Sunday Mass will be as normal but the 7:30 AM Mass will be livestreamed via Zoom.  For the 10:00 AM Mass we will celebrate outside in the parking lot.  There will be some chairs to sit in (6 feet apart) or you can remain in your car.  This is an experiment to see if we will do it in the future for special events.  There will be no drive by communion for that Sunday.

Laudato Si’ Week 2021, to be held May 16-25, will be the crowning event of the Special Laudato Si’ Anniversary Year, and a celebration of the great progress the whole Church has made on its journey to ecological conversion. Laudato Si’ Week 2021 will also be a time to reflect on what the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us and prepare for the future with hope. For more information on Laudato Si week activities, visit the website: www.laudatosiweek.org

For the next three months, Bro. Solomon Gaja, OMI, and Bro. Moses Wafula Khisa, OMI, will be with us for an internship of ministry and community.  At the Masses this weekend the two seminarians will introduce themselves to us.  Let us give them a very warm Sacred Heart welcome.

Join us after each Sunday mass or communion in the parking lot.

Join us for mass on Zoom

On the weekend of March 14-15 our parish finance committee will give their annual report of the state of our finances.  This year it will  be done at the announcement time and the members of the Finance Committee will stay after Mass to answer any questions the members may have.  This is an important moment in the life of the parish because being informed about our income and our expenses is important and a responsibility of everyone in the parish.

After the Masses on the weekend of March 14-15, a representative of the diocese will be here to fingerprint the employees and volunteers of our parish. There is a signup sheet in the narthex of the church so that by signing up things could flow more smoothly Thank you very much for your cooperation.

This weekend we begin our parish mission. It will take place Feb. 29th to March 4th at 7:00 pm each evening and end promptly at 8:30 pm. The preacher will be Fr. John Mark Ettensohn, OMI. Please make every effort to attend and bring your family and friends.

Last week we announced and explained some of the details of this year's Bishop's appeal. I trust that each one read and prayed over the information in the brochure and list of expenditures. This week each will receive a commitment envelope for the Appeal. I ask that you take it home and pray about your contribution this year. Our goal is $9,100. Last year we went over our goal. Many thanks to those who gave. Next week please place your Bishop's Appeal envelope in the collection after which we will remit to the Diocese. In anticipation of your generosity, thank you very much.

On Sunday January 19th, 2020 the Knights of Columbus Oakland Council will be hosting a breakfast. More information will be made available in the coming days. Your stomachs will thank you later so please bring your appetite and support this fundraising effort by our local council.

On Wednesday January 1st, 2020 we celebrate the the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. It is a Holy Day of obligation. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am. On this day, we are reminded of the role that the Blessed Virgin played in the plan of our salvation. Christ's Birth was made possible by Mary's fiat: "Be it done unto me according to Thy word." Please join us for this special liturgy as a way to continue to be enriched this Christmas season!

On Thanksgiving Day, November 28th, we will celebrate Mass at 10:00a.m. The Mass on Friday, November 29th will be 8:00a.m. The Parish Office will be closed on Thursday and Friday November 28th & 29th Happy Thanksgiving!

The yoga class schedule for Thursday, November 28th is canceled. Yoga classes will resume on Thursday, December 5th, 6:30p.m.

Est. 1981 to promotes public awareness to all issues related to peace and non-violence. This Year’s Theme; “Climate Action For Peace”. https://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/index.shtml “Blessed are the Peacemakers” - Each of us can be a peace maker through our mindful/prayerful actions. "The world must be educated to love Peace, to build it up and defend it."