ST. JOSEPH BASILICA E-NEWS 
Sept 13,  2018
I am sent not only to love God but to make Him loved.
It is not enough for me to love God,
if my neighbor does not love Him.
- St. Vincent de Paul

This Weekend.... Welcome Fr. Tom!

Don't miss the opportunity to listen Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil shares his inspiring story of courage, faith and forgiveness.  Fr. Tom will celebrate Mass at 9:30, 11:30 and 7:00pm, followed by a potluck reception and book signing at the  Notre Dame Hall. 
His autobiography By The Grace of God is s till available in the Rectory. 
There will also be a special collection in aid of the Salesian Missions and St. Teresa of Calcutta's  (Mother Teresa) Missionaries of Charity.  Envelopes will be at all entrances. Checks may be made payable to Salesian of Don Bosco or to St Joseph (in the memo line write "Salesian Missions"). Donations can be dropped in the basket with the regular collections or the special donation box set-up at the front altar. Thank yo for your generosity.

Note: Potluck Reception - for those contributing to the reception, please drop your dish Sunday, 9/16, starting at 9am in Notre Dame Hall.  Volunteers will be there to receive your food.

Tonight...

4:00 - 7:30pm: Vigil - Nardo David RIP  @ Basilica & Gathering Space

6:30pm - Grief Support Minist ry @ Damien Room, Parish Center

Including Those with Disabilities
Unfortunately, people with developmental or physical disabilities can often feel isolated or unwelcome. How can St. Joseph ensure that all are welcome and supported at Mass and parish events?  A new ministry is forming to address this.  If interested in helping, join us tonight at 6:30 to 7:30pm in the Rectory Dining Room (in the Parish Office).   For information contact Anne Marie at  afourre@sjbalameda.org or 510-995-9409.

Friday

Exposition of Blessed Sacrament starting after the 8am Mass.

11:00m - Funeral Mass, Nardo David RIP

Adoration will resume after the Funeral Mass

Holy Hour - Healing Prayer Service 7 to 8pm, ending with Benediction.
Please join us as we close our Novena to St. Joseph in prayer for healing for those affected and wounded by clergy sexual abuses and for our Church.

Saturday

8:45am - Legion of Mary  meets  every 1st & 3rd Saturdays, Reconciliation Room, Basilica.  New members are welcome!

10am - noon - Young Families Potluck Brunch, Doherty Park.  
Guest speaker Fr. George. 

6:30pm - Covenant of Love Date Night 

The Ministry is starting a new season with a relaxing evening at one of the member's back patio. Date Night helps couples enrich their marriage through fellowship, group discussions and couple's time. Childcare available with RSVP. For more details, contact Mariana Lopez at cascafu@gmail.com or 510-228-7535. 





Sunday
Catechetical Sunday.  Blessing of catechists at 9:30 and 11:30 Masses.
Parent meeting for first year Youth Ministry students, 10am in Parish Center
Reception and book signing with Fr. Tom at 12:30 in Notre Dame Hall.

Rectory Update - Wheel Chair Lift
The wheel chair lift at the Rectory is broken and is under repair. Please call the office (510) 522 0181 if you need any assistance. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Altar Server Training

An invitation is extended to all 3rd Graders through High School Seniors who have already received First Eucharist and who would like to deepen their presence during mass as an Altar Server.  There will be a choice of two training sessions:
Saturday Sept 15, 12:30 to 2:30 or  
Saturday Sept 22  2:30 to 4:00pm
Both sessions are in the Basilica.  For questions, email Tristan Flores at tflores777@gmail.com

Welcome Seminarian Patrick!

Patrick Klekas will be serving at St. Joseph on Sundays for the coming year.  He is a fourth-year theology student for the Diocese of Reno who is studying at St. Patrick's Seminary, and will be ordained a deacon later this year.  Patrick is bilingual (fluent in Spanish and English) and will be assisting where needed.
Patrick is also asking for help if anyone would like to donate a car to enable him to get around especially to classes.  Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to help.
Message from Faith Director


Enlisting Witnesses for Jesus Christ 

Catechesis is a distinct and special ministry in the Church... This ministry of teaching in the name of the Church has a profound dignity, which is why catechists are formally commissioned by the Church. It is only fitting that we set aside a day to highlight this ministry and invite the entire church community to think about our responsibility to share our faith with others. (From the USCCB website) Throughout the U.S., those who formally share the faith with others are commissioned on the third Sunday of September, Catechetical Sunday. This year's theme is "Enlisting Witnesses for Jesus Christ." Not only to BE a witness for Jesus, living in such a way that your life tells people about God's love and forgiveness, but to enlist others to do the same. Pretty strong marching orders! But that is the challenge these men and women have accepted. They teach in Catholic schools, Faith Formation or Youth Ministry. They explain the Sunday readings to children through Children's Liturgy of the Word. They prepare couples for marriage, lead baptism classes for parents, journey with adults through RCIA and work with those with special needs through SPRED. The goal for each is to instill in those they serve an appropriate understanding of our faith so they can live it joyfully and be visible witnesses of the love of Christ. In my work here I am privileged to be in the midst of this daily. Last week was the first day of Children's Faith Formation. During the opening ceremony I watched the assembly of catechists, parents and children, and thought of the youngsters who have moved through this in the past 16 years. Young people in high school, college and beyond who are advocating for social justice, serving in ministry and witnessing to Christ by their lives. Through our dedicated RCIA team, we're available year-round for adults interested in becoming Catholic. I see hearts and lives change, and when their time in RCIA is over, they continue their journey raising families, engaging in ministries, even becoming catechists themselves. 
I watch parishioners with special needs participating at Mass, carrying the gifts and serving as greeters. I hear the three-year old successfully make his way through the Lord's Prayer with his mother's prompting. Today let each of us reflect on the role that we all play to be a witness to the  Gospel.

Anne Marie Fourré 

Sunday Readings  here
 Thank you First Responders!

St. Joseph Notre Dame High School, together with the Elementary School honored the victims and first responders of 9/11 with a special gathering and prayer at the High School's Quad, followed by a breakfast reception.  Thank you to our very own Alameda Police Department, Alameda Fire Department, BART Police Department and all of the incredible first responders who serve our Alameda community.
For more pictures, courtesy of the High School, click here

 Bible Studies for Parents

Strengthen your relationship with the Lord as you seek to understand more fully the Catholic Faith and your role as a Catholic mother or father. Groups meet weekly and use resources on FORMED (register at www.sjbalameda.formed.org).  Bible Studies are open to mothers and fathers of all generations. Please come share your wisdom and friendship with us!
Mothers:  "Lectio - Prayer: Finding Intimacy with God"
Tuesdays at 10am beginning September 18 at the Parish Center, 1119 Lafayette St.
Children are welcome to join. Contact Claire at claireteresetoner@gmail.com
Fathers: "True Reformers: Saints of the Catholic Reformation"
Wednesdays at 8:15pm beginning September 19 at each others' homes. Contact James at james.toner@gmail.com
Stewardship...

Car Donations
Our Seminarian Patrick has requested help if any one would like to donate a second-hand car to help him get around especially to classes.

Fr. Sunil Orathel is a Salesian missionary serving in Sudan who is at St Joseph temporarily while pursuing his Masters in Education at St. Mary's College, Moraga.   He is also in need of of a second-hand car to enable him to be more mobile.

Please call the Parish Office  510-522-0181 if you would like to help.  

Office Volunteers Needed!

The Parish Office needs  volunteers in the front office with reception and light admin duties on a regular basis on Wednesdays 9:00am to noon,  and   Mondays through Thursdays 1:00 to 5:00 pm.  If you can contribute your time and talent on a regular basis,  please contact  Sherley Lim (510) 995-9420 or email:   secretary@sjbalameda.org .  


Parish Collection: Sept 8/9

Weekly Goal: $13,500
Cash/ check :$9,264
Faith Direct: $2,792
Total Giving: $12,056
Shortfall:   ($1,444)

Maintenance: $3,552 
Your contribution to the maintenance collection help defer the cost of maintaining the parish buildings and grounds.  Thank you for your generous support

School News...

St Joseph Notre Dame High School invites everyone to a screening of a new movie about Archbishop  Oscar Romero, 6pm September 18 in Notre Dame Hall.
The producer of the file, Gianni Bereta will be in attendance for Q&A session afterwards.

Read the September 7 issue of St Joseph Elementary School newsletter here.


Upcoming Events
September 15: Young Families Potluck Brunch
September 15: Covenant for Love Date Night resumes
September 16: Catechetical Sunday
September 16: 9:30 and 11:30 am Mass celebrated by Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil
September 16: Reception and book signing by Fr. Tom at Notre Dame Hall
September 16:  Youth Ministry Parent Meeting (1st year students)
September 18: Bible Studies for Moms. Call Claire (408) 621-2900 for details
September 19: Bible Studies for Dads. Contact James (470) 217-1167 for details
September 23: Legion of Mary - Auxiliary Reunion
September 23: Livescan. Contact Anne Marie at afourre@sjbalameda.org.
September 28: Taize at 8:00pm
September 30: Family Mass at 9:30
September 30: Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz Reception - after the 11:30 am Mass
Details and more events here.

View last week bulletin  here
Tickler File

Enrich your spiritual life through FORMED; register at www.sjbalameda.formed.org.   
Downloading the app?  Use Access Code 79QKNH.  

All parish volunteers must renew their Safe Environment training.  If you have not yet trained through VIRTUS, train online at  www.virtus.org .  
The St. Joseph Basilica E-News is published weekly and as needed. Have information that should be included?  Submit material for consideration to   secretary@sjbalameda.org
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