ST. JOSEPH BASILICA E-NEWS 
July 11, 2019

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday Readings here


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Sunday Gospel Reflection:  The Good Samaritan

This week we are going to look at one of the most familiar-and most challenging-stories in the Gospels: the good Samaritan. It begins with the "Law" of the Jewish people. At the time, the law consisted of many specific commands. The thought of following and remembering 613 different laws is intimidating by anyone's standards. But this was what the Jewish people in the time of Jesus were called to do, according to the Old Testament. In Jesus' time, most good rabbis had what they would call their "yoke." By this, they meant a summary statement of the entire Old Testament law-all 613 of them! One rabbi was famously challenged to recite the law while standing on one foot. He said "Do to others what you would have done to you. This is the whole law, everything else is just commentary." Jesus is doing something similar in the Gospel reading for this Sunday. He asks a would-be follower to tell him what is in the law. The man responds, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." Elsewhere, Jesus summarizes the law this way as well. In the parable that follows, Jesus seeks to explain what this law means. After a man asks him; "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus proceeds to tell one of his most famous parables-the story of the good Samaritan. It offers a difficult lesson, one in which our "neighbor" might turn out to be the person we most dislike. Through this story, Jesus redefines holiness-the goal of all those Old Testament laws-as mercy. Leader 


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(Picture: Patty and her daughter)

Congratulations Patty Reynoso and Esther Cate!

Thank you Martha Bertelsen for donating two of your beautiful handmade quilts for the fundraising!  Total proceeds of $1360 collected will be donated to Oakland Catholic Workers (OCW). Thank you Martha for your time, talent and treasure and all who supported the fundraising. God bless!

(Check will be presented to Deacon Bob LaSalle Klein of OCW at the 9:30 am Mass this Sunday)


Recommended summer viewing on FORMED  - "City of Saints"

Watch episodes of City of Saints  where stories of miracles, healing and hope are shared.  Watch here for one of the episode.  Haven't register. Register for free here to view other episodes:




Parish Family are encouraged to volunteer for our Baptism, Wedding and Funeral  Ministries. Contact  Fr. George: galengadan@sjbalameda.org and Susan Gahan: sgahan@sjbalameda.org, if you are interested.

Please consider volunteering your time and talent for the important ministries. God bless.


Stewardship
Parish Collection: July 6/7
Weekly Goal: $13,500
Cash/ check : $8,949
Faith Direct: $3,123
Total Giving: $12,072
Shortfall: ($1,428)

Thank you for your giving.  Please help the Parish to meet the weekly goal. God bless.



A Special First Communion

Every First Communion is special, but for individuals with special needs the hustle and bustle of a traditional First Eucharist Mass can be overwhelming.  For Tyler, the answer was to receive the Blessed Sacrament for the first time during the 5pm Mass on the Feast of Corpus Christi, after preparing through a combination of Children's Faith Formation classes and home study.  Congratulations and God bless him and his family and catechists! 
St. Joseph is fortunate to have a "Special Needs Inclusion Ministry" which works to help our parish be more welcoming and accommodating for those with developmental differences.  If you are interested in helping with this ministry or want more information please contact Jenny at jdowcooper@gmail.com or the Parish Office at 510-522-0181.  



Feast of St. Mary Madgalene
Prayer Service, Monday, July 22, 7:00 pm, Basilica

All are invite by our Grief Support Ministry who organized the event to celebrate St. Mary Magdalene, "Apostle to the Apostles" at a prayer service in honor of her feast day. Refreshments and conversation will follow.  Invite your family and friends.


Save the date!  Basilica & Grounds Summer Cleaning
Saturday, August 17, 2019,  8:45 am - 12 noon. 

This Weekend's and Upcoming events at a glance:

July Wedding Anniversary blessing at all Masses

July 11: Grief Support Ministry Meeting: 6:30 pm, Damien Room
July 12: Catechists Appreciation Event, 6:30 pm 
July 13: Knights of Columbus Appreciation and Centennial Celebration Presentation after 5:00pm Mass 
July 14: Sacristans and Liturgy Committee Appreciation and Centennial Celebration Presentation after 11:30 am Mass
July 17: Young Adults Bi-Monthly Meeting, 7:30 - 9:00pm, Damien Room
July 18: Special Needs Inclusion Ministry Monthly Meeting, 6:30 pm, Mother Teresa Room
July 22: Prayer Service, 7:00pm, Basilica

Details and more events  here

Catholic Young Adults Group events and  weekly newsletter available  here .
Young Families Summer newsletter available here; monthly version will resume in Fall.

View last week's bulletin   here 

Tickler File

Children's Faith Formation - Registration Open. Classes for children age 4 through Junior High on Sunday mornings after 9:30 am Mass, starting September 8. For details here. Or email Anne Marie, afourre@sjbalameda.org

Enrich your spiritual life through FORMED; register at www.sjbalameda.formed.org.   
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Interested in becoming Catholic and/or preparing for sacraments? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adult (RCIA) is available year-round.  Click here for information.

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