Dear Family,

In May, I introduced the St. Joseph Leadership team to our community. Now, with joy, I introduce some new members of the St. Barnabas Pastoral Council. I’d also like to thank our outgoing members for their commitment to helping the parish of St. Barnabas: Femy Visperas (past Chair of the Council), Elaine Coleman, and Jon Murphy. Continuing to serve are Gretchen Bailey and Cath Sullivan. I’d like to also share a brief introduction of the new music director at St. Joseph, Cyril Deaconoff. Together, we all play a vital role in making our parishes a place of welcome for all people to encounter Jesus Christ!

With much love,
Fr. Mario
 
Nancy Hollister has been a parishioner for four years after moving to Alameda. She is very active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society and was drawn to our very busy conference. She loves the diversity of our parish.

Cindy Harless has been a St. Barnabas parishioner for the past 36 years. She has served on a prior Parish Council and the Art and Environment committee. She continues to serve as a St. Vincent de Paul member, lector, Eucharist Minister, and recently joined the Catechism team. Cindy writes, “I feel blessed to be a part of this loving community and have always thought of St. Barnabas as my home.”

Timothy Madsen was born and raised here at Saint Barnabas Parish where he was baptized, received First Communion, and was Confirmed. He graduated from Saint Barnabas grammar school and Saint Joseph's high school. He has served on the Saint Barnabas school board. This is his first time on the pastoral council at Saint Barnabas, while also serving as a Eucharistic minister and usher. Tim writes, “I feel that Saint Barnabas has a vibrant and loving community of parishioners, and I look forward to serving them on the pastoral council.”

We also welcome Lora Hernandez. Lora has been a parishioner of St. Barnabas for the last two years. She and her husband, Chris, are lectors, and lead the Hospitality Ministry, which provides refreshments after the Masses twice a month.

Cyril writes: I am truly excited to begin a new journey in my musical life at St. Joseph Basilica! I have been a liturgical musician for the last 23 years. For most of us keyboard players, studying piano is a good preparation for learning organ, and that is how it happened for me as well. When I moved to the Bay Area, I was consumed with studying and learning about the many incredible pipe organs in our area; playing the organ at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco was one of the most memorable experiences. Every organist knows the feeling when you play an organ that is inspiring - the Schoenstein at St. Joseph Basilica is truly inspiring! It is meant to glorify God, and it is my hope that I will be able to do that appropriately. After playing organ at the Legion of Honor, St. Marie Madeleine in Paris, St. Bavo in Haarlem, Netherlands, the biggest compliment I have ever received was from a parishioner at one of my pervious Bay Area churches who said, "Cyril, when you play that organ, I can feel that you believe that Jesus is real". I hope you will feel the same. Back in June, as I was exploring the call to be a music director at the Basilica, I remembered attending my first Mass at St. Joseph. I felt such warmth and openness in the liturgical celebration. It immediately felt like home, and I knew it would be the right  place for me.
 

Dear Family,

In addition to this being the month of the Rosary, October is also Respect Life Month in the Church, and perhaps this is not the result of chance, since the mysteries of the Rosary are meant to draw us into the life of Jesus Christ, who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (Jn 14:6). Only by following Him – which requires frequent meditation on His life - do we begin to experience what it means to be fully alive, for Jesus said, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). 
For Jesus’ followers, this abundant life is experienced when we love one another as He loved us (John 13:34), which is the foundation for Respect Life Month. Jesus, as we know, loved everyone, Jew and Greek, slave and free, man and woman. He dined with tax collectors and sought out sinners. He showed no partiality. He only asked that we follow him, imitating him, who said, “no one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

This is our mission. This is why we pray the Rosary together; men on Mondays, and women on Thursdays, so that by developing the habit of meditating on our Lord’s life we can truly imitate him. This is what Respect Life Month reminds us of, that we are called to offer the same radical, selfless love that Jesus did, a love that requires that we turn away from the sins of individualism and indifference, and the mindset that it is someone else’s responsibility to love the other. This month challenges us to see the other as God sees them, as beloved, no matter what differences separate us.

These beloved ones are the homeless and the poor, the migrant and the refugee, the widow and the orphan, the sick, the elderly and the handicapped. Ultimately, Respect Life Month calls our attention to the most vulnerable in our society, the unborn. Since the overturning of Roe Vs. Wade a couple of years ago, the abortion issue has lingered, and returns to the fore as the election approaches. Although some would prefer that I don’t mention this topic, I believe it’s important to remember, at least once a year, what our Church teaches. In the 1974 document called “Declaration on Procured Abortion,” we read:
The first right of the human person is his life. He has other goods, and some are more precious, but this one is fundamental - the condition of all the others. Hence it must be protected above all others. It does not belong to society, nor does it belong to public authority in any form to recognize this right for some and not for others: all discrimination is evil, whether it be founded on race, sex, color or religion. It is not recognition by another that constitutes this right. This right [to life] is antecedent to its recognition; it demands recognition, and it is strictly unjust to refuse it.

The first right of the human person is his life. He has other goods, and some are more precious, but this one is fundamental - the condition of all the others. Hence it must be protected above all others. It does not belong to society, nor does it belong to public authority in any form to recognize this right for some and not for others: all discrimination is evil, whether it be founded on race, sex, color or religion. It is not recognition by another that constitutes this right. This right [to life] is antecedent to its recognition; it demands recognition, and it is strictly unjust to refuse it.

As Catholics, we are called to be defenders of life, from the child in the womb, to the elderly on their deathbed, even the convict on death row. This means that defending life requires not only defending life itself, but also reaching out to those who have committed violations against the lives of others to show them that the Lord is merciful. The vision for our parishes is that we invite all people into our spiritual home to encounter Jesus Christ; a big task, yes, but one we are not called to carry out alone. As we pray the Rosary during October, the month dedicated to this most special and powerful prayer, let us turn to St. Joseph, who defended the life of our Lord and His Mother; let us turn also to Mary, our Lady of the Rosary, and Mother of Mercy and entrust to their loving care our lives and the lives of all people.

With much love,
Fr. Mario
 
P.S. I want to give us all more chances to experience God’s mercy; for this reason, I would like to follow through with what I mentioned a few weeks ago and offer another chance to go to Confession on each First Friday of the month from 5:30-6:30pm.
 
 

Dear Family,
As you know, Monday evenings are when the men of our parishes gather to pray the Rosary. We call this time together the “Power Hour,” because we pray from 6:00 to 6:30, and then have an optional reading (“lectio”) on the life of a saint and discussion until 7:00, usually followed by Cornhole in the Gathering Space. All the men of our parishes (young and old) are invited to join. You can see their photos on the side of aisle of the church. The women meet on Thursdays at 6:00 pm. All are welcome!
This past Monday we read about the life of St. Cyprian, whose feast day was that day. In that reading, composed by Pope Benedict XVI, we heard about Cyprian’s conversion:

After a dissipated youth, he converted to Christianity at the age of 35. He himself often told of his spiritual journey, "When I was still lying in darkness and gloomy night…I used to regard it as extremely difficult and demanding to do what God's mercy was suggesting to me. I myself was held in bonds by the innumerable errors of my previous life, from which I did not believe I could possibly be delivered, so I was disposed to acquiesce in my clinging vices and to indulge my sins...." But after that, by the help of the water of new birth, the stain of my former life was washed away, and a light from above, serene and pure, was infused into my reconciled heart... a second birth restored me to a new man. Then, in a wondrous manner every doubt began to fade.... I clearly understood that what had first lived within me, enslaved by the vices of the flesh, was earthly and that what, instead, the Holy Spirit had wrought within me was divine and heavenly" (Ad Donatum, 3-4). 

This powerful witness of St. Cyprian inspired one member of our group, Diosdado (Dado) Hernandez, to share a personal story about his experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I’ve often written and preached about the beauty of Confession. Our group was so moved by his story that I asked if he would be willing to share it with the rest of our faith family. Enjoy!
With much love,
Fr. Mario

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In last night's lectio, Father Mario requested that I write down my personal testimony of the sacramental impact of the Men'sRosary Power Hour on my family and my spiritual journey as a humble child of God.

I began attending the Men's Rosary Power Hour in April of this year. Since then, my wife and I started praying the Rosary in our home every day again. I mentioned to her that lately at the Rosary, the life and works of St. Augustine were the topic during the lectio portion. She also noticed lately that I was reading the book of St. Augustine's Confessions religiously. I told her I had not gone to confession for two years. Recently, I had been talking to her about going to confession and discussing how to prepare for it. By the grace of God and the power of praying the Rosary every day, I began preparing myself to go to confession. On September 3, I started examining my conscience by writing in my journal the commandments of our Lord and prayerfully asking if I had been faithful to His commandments for the past two years.

On the Feast Day of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, September 5, at 11:30 a.m., I was the first in line at the confession door of the Cathedral of Christ the Light. I entered the door of reconciliation with the Lord my God, after departing from Him for two years; then I broke down and cried for mercy and forgiveness from Him.
"Hold your head high," said the priest who heard my cries and saw my tears for mercy and forgiveness, "for you are now walking in His Light, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen!" as the priest said his blessing over me.
I went home and discussed my wonderful feelings and experiences with my wife. She saw the joyful tears in my eyes, then hugged and kissed me. She told me that she had not gone to confession for almost 30 years. She said she might go to confession the following week if her 86-year-old mom, who was suffering from knee pain lately, would be okay. The following week on the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, September 12, my wife went to confession at the Cathedral of Christ the Light.

On our way home from church I could see the overwhelming joy in my wife’s face, and I told her that we are so blessed to have a supportive community at St. Joseph Basilica like the Men's Rosary Power Hour for stirring our hearts to pray the Rosary and to receive the holy Sacrament of reconciliation.

As I said last night during the Power Hour, I want to thank my brothers in Christ, Mary, and Joseph, for giving me the opportunity to share my journey with all of you!

God bless,
 Dado

Dear Family,
A blessed September to you all. This month in the Church is dedicated to Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows. This is because the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows is on the 15^th, the day after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. The celebration of the Exaltation of the Cross commemorates the finding of the tomb of Christ by St. Helena - the mother of the 4^th century Emperor, Constantine - as well as what is thought to be the true cross of Christ. While on pilgrimage in the Holy Land, Helena worked to excavate many holy sites, including the steps of the praetorium where Christ had his trial. St. Helena brought the steps (called, the santa scala, “holy stairs”), back to Rome. To this day, pilgrims ascend and descend them, oftentimes on their knees.

The date of the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is in honor of the dedication of the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, which Constantine built on top of Christ’s tomb in Jerusalem. If you’re looking to draw closer to Christ, this would be a great month to do so, by honoring our Blessed Mother and praying the Rosary (or the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows), either on your own, or at our Monday Men’s Rosary (6:00 to 6:30pm) or Thursday Women’s Rosary (also 6:00 to 6:30pm) in the Basilica.

This may sound nonsensical, but it is a comfort to mediate on the Sorrowful Mysteries of Christ and Mary in the Rosary (on Tuesdays and Fridays), for they teach us that during the sorrowful moments of our own lives, we are not cut off from God. Rather, during these sorrowful times, Jesus calls us to Himself and to His Mother, for the two of them suffered as well. On the Cross, there was much sorrow, but Mary and Jesus chose to make that experience one of great love, and in doing so, the Cross was changed, suffering, and sorrow were changed forever. Now, when we suffer, when we carry our crosses, we are imitating God, which is why St. John Vianney said, if you carry your cross courageously, it will carry you, for God is present there.

As I mentioned, praying the Rosary in faith, with a desire to be led by Mary to imitate Jesus, is such an indispensable tool for disciples; the Rosary, after all, is a Christ-centered prayer. Pope Saint John Paul II said the central moment of the Rosary is two-fold, the “Glory be…” and the name of Jesus. When we say the name of Jesus, we call upon Him, our Savior who suffered for us and ask that our lives be conformed to His.

I also mentioned the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, promulgated by the Order of the Servants of Mary in the 13^th century. This is an adaptation of the Rosary with seven sets of seven beads (rather than the traditional five sets of 10 beads). The seven sets represent the “seven sorrows” of Mary as recounted in the Gospels: (1) The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35), (2) The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15), (3) Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50), (4) Mary meets Jesus on His way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17), (5) Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30), (6) The body of Jesus taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37), and (7) The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47).

St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote in his book, “The Glories of Mary”, of four blessings our Lord would grant to those who prayed to Our Lady of Sorrows: (1) “That those who invoke the divine mother by her sorrows, before death will merit to obtain true repentance of all their sins.” (2) “That He will protect such in their tribulations, especially at the hour of death.” (3) “That He will impress upon them the memory of His passion, and that they shall have their reward for it in heaven.” (4) “That He will commit such devout servants to the hands of Mary, that she may dispose of them according to her pleasure, and obtain for them all the graces she desires.”

Whether or not you pray this “Rosary of the Seven Sorrows,” the important point is this, the presence of sorrows in our life is not a punishment but an opportunity for great grace. If we look to our crucified Lord (do you have a Crucifix in your house?) we see that this is the case. He was not being punished, but chose that sorrowful end for our good, which is why we should not run from sorrows in our own lives or in the lives of others, but we should say like Jesus and Mary, “how can I help? How can I suffer with you, for you?” This is true compassion, true love, and where there is love, even in sorrow, there is exaltation.

With much love,
Fr. Mario

Dear Family,

I am writing this from the middle of my annual retreat. This year, Bishop Barber asked the priests of our diocese who have been ordained 12 years or less to attend a retreat together. I would like to share a little bit of what has taken place so far.
Father Dennis McManus, a priest of the Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama, currently serving on the faculty at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, is leading the retreat. Each day, Father gives us two talks on the theme, “The Conversations of Jesus.” So far, we have looked at the conversation between Jesus and the woman caught in adultery, and Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, all beginning with a look at Mary and Joseph and the conversations they had with the angel at the Annunciation.

The talks have been deep and insightful, and although you might like to read a summary of them, what I am able to do, and what I want to do is simply highlight the essential point that I have gleaned thus far, which is that Jesus wants to have conversations with us, because it’s through these conversations, through His questioning us, that we come to realize not only our need for healing, but also Jesus’ desire to heal and the prescribed way He will heal.

We see this in both stories of the women, which leads us to question, “where can we have these same healing conversations with the Lord?” Firstly, in prayer. On this retreat, I started reading Bishop Robert Barron’s small book, An Introduction to Prayer, in which he quotes St. Therese of Lisieux who said, “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God.” Continuing, Barron says, “A basic Christian conviction is that this reaching for God meets an even more passionate divine reaching for us. Perhaps we would put it best by saying that the mystical coming together of these two longings – our longing for God and God’s longing for us – is prayer” (3-4). In prayer, we communicate with God who longs for us, longs to speak to us, and so heal us. We cannot neglect prayer. But there is another place in which these conversations can be had, which was the topic of our discussion on Tuesday night (the night I am writing this). Where else can we encounter the Lord, speak to him, and receive His healing words? In Confession.

What has been your experience of going to Confession? This is what we discussed on Tuesday. Fr. McManus spoke about years passed, in which going to Confession was a frightening reality, an experience of judgment. Maybe that has been your experience. Having worked on the east coast for many years as a professor at Georgetown University and as the secretary to Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, he noted that he rarely had a good experience going to confession; priests seemed agitated by the work, impatient, even dismissive. He argues that this is because he believes so few priests go to Confession themselves.

Dear Family,

For the past several weeks at Sunday Mass we have been making our way through the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel, referred to as “the Bread of Life Discourse.” In this section of the Gospel, Jesus taught the Church about His real presence in the Eucharist. As we finish this section this Sunday, with Peter’s proclamation of faith, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” I would like to share a reflection from one of the members of our faith family, Dr. Terecita Dean. Dr. Dean wrote for us back in the fifth week of Lent, when our theme was “Revived by the Eucharist in the Wilderness.” May her reflection remind us that we can all have a profound encounter with the Lord Jesus in the Eucharist.

With much love,
Fr. Mario

The Eucharist: Boundless Charity
Dr. Terecita Dean, DDS

As I step into church at St. Joseph, I try to focus on the Lamb of God mosaic on the new altar. It is breathtaking because He is looking at me. Jesus, the Lamb, nourishes my soul at Mass. That is when the Holy Spirit speaks to my heart…to give from my heart. As I meditate on the Eucharist, I feel a deep urgency to be sensitive to the needs of others and those spiritually deprived. I know that from the great treasure of the Holy Eucharist flows living water to transform our hearts. I am forever grateful for His gifts of wisdom, fortitude, and joy. I rest in His faithfulness.

During Lent we are invited to love more deeply. It is a great time to share our wealth and blessings with those in need - our God-given brothers and sisters - to help them make the necessary changes in their lives. I am deeply thankful for your heartfelt generosity this past Lent, for the parishioners who donated clothes to our Legion of Mary clothing drive which benefitted the Alameda Point Collaborative and the Salvation Army. It is truly a blessing to offer our treasure with good intentions, and not to neglect the less fortunate, but to be mindful of those who are marginalized and those who feel unwanted by society. God calls us through the Eucharist to be sensitive to their needs and to respond with loving compassion. Without works, our faith is dead. The dignity of human life and the flourishing of each person should be precious to us.

The Holy Spirit, which is poured upon us, gives us assurances that He lives in us, that we can be spiritually fruitful, giving glory to God the Father, our Abba. The more we stay in communion with Christ in the Eucharist and give ourselves fully to Him, the more we will feel that urgency to do His will and produce fruit for the Kingdom of God, which is love. We are blessed because of the Eucharist. Only when our eyes and hearts are focused on the Eucharist will true charity, which is deeply rooted in our social fabric, be manifest. As a church family, let’s build a better St. Joseph and St. Barnabas community, sharing our time, talent, and treasure with others.  

Our parishioners possess manifold gifts, and everyone has a contribution that can make a difference to benefit the family of God. God desires to bring about unity, peace, and mutual love. God is the source of each gift in us, and when we function together like the organs of the body, great achievements are accomplished. Let us, as the St. Joseph and St. Barnabas family, have an attitude of giving as we journey forward to establish the Kingdom of God in our community.

God is so gracious, brilliant, and lovely to us. I truly want all people to feel this beauty, His fathomless ocean of love, in the deep recesses of our being, so that, from the heart, we would desire to live holy lives and achieve God’s will, to live unselfishly, to be light for others, so that all can experience the living flame of His love.

As I focus on Christ Jesus in the Eucharist, I find my resting place, a place to cry out to the Lord for the humility to do His will. St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “In loving and serving we prove that we have been created in the likeness of God, for God is Love and when we love we are like God.” The Eucharist is God’s love for us; it allows us to love Him in return. Let us be receptive to God’s love, and let us love Him with our whole heart and our neighbor as ourselves.
 
 

Dear Family,
 
The Vision Statement for our parishes says that we invite all people into our spiritual home so that they can encounter Jesus Christ through an authentically Catholic experience of worship, learning, gathering, and service. This past month, both parishes were active in serving others.

First, on July 28^th, the Western Service Workers Association (WSWA), hosted their 49^th annual fundraising dinner in Selhorst Hall at St. Barnabas. From their website, the WSWA

"is a free and voluntary private membership association built by and for our membership of low-income service, domestic, in-home care, part-time and temporary workers since 1973. WSWA is entirely volunteer run, without a dime of government or other “strings attached” funds. WSWA seeks to eradicate the poverty status of this majority segment of the workforce and achieve a means to determine our own collective destiny. Through the combined efforts of WSWA members and volunteers…fight for living wages and long-term solutions to the problems of poverty we face as low-income workers.”

I was approached by the WSWA early in the year, as they were looking for a place to host their fundraiser. After speaking to them and learning about their mission and vision statement, which is “Here until poverty isn’t,” our leadership decided to rent the Hall to them for $1, which they filled. After the successful evening, WSWA approached me about future opportunitiesImage Captions to collaborate with the St. Barnabas community. We plan to open the Hall again in October for a

 “Safe and Sane Halloween,” where kids and families can enjoy the holiday in a safe location. We’d also like to offer a chaperoned trick-or-treat campaign for canned food here in Alameda. WSWA is always looking for volunteers, especially medical professionals, to assist members in taking back control of their lives.

Another service organization was on our St. Joseph Campus last week. I asked our Director of Religious Education, Anne Marie, who facilitated the use of Notre Dame Hall to write about the experience.
 
“Living the Corporal Works of Mercy”
Recently St. Joseph Basilica hosted a simple but special dinner stop for families returning home from a trip to San Quentin prison. Last November we responded to an invitation to work with "Get on the Bus," a project sponsored by the Center for Restorative Justice Works that assists children and families surmount barriers separating them from loved ones in prison. Get On the Bus often uses parishes as a bus stop so families have a safe and secure space to wait for pick up, or as a dinner stop for the long ride home. We hosted dinner on August 8.

The participants’ journey had started around 11pm the previous night when their chartered bus left the Los Angeles area. Additional riders were picked up along the way before arriving at San Quentin at 8am. There, families were finally able to reunite for a few hours, before departing for the trip home at 2pm.  The bus was met at Notre Dame Hall by our Knights of Columbus and other parishioners, providing hospitality, soap bubbles for the children, and a meal before their long ride home.  Chatting with them over dinner provided insight into how difficult it is to maintain strong relationships when family members can be incarcerated hundreds of miles away. It had been 8 years since one child had seen his father in person; the video calls they rely on are a poor substitute.  

 To feed the hungry is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy. To visit those in prison – or to help others to do so – is another one. Thank you, people of St. Joseph! 

CRJW restores relationships and creates public awareness to bring about radical transformation of the criminal justice system. Each year they seek assistance from local communities to assist with “Get on the Bus.” To learn more or support their work visit https://crjw.org/get-on-the-bus/ - Anne Marie
            
Last, but certainly not least, we must recognize our own St. Vincent de Paul Society who collected the school supplies that many of you donated. Last week, volunteers, including many of our young parishioners, helped assemble the backpacks for distribution. Thank you for donating to this incredible cause, and thank you to our Vincentians for all you do at both St. Joseph and St. Barnabas, showing us the way to serve.

With much love,
Fr. Mario

Dear Family,

As we approach the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday, a “holy day of obligation,” I would like to take a moment to discuss again, as I did in early July, the word “obligation.” I don’t mean to belabor this topic; it’s just so important.

Let’s remember what the word “obligation” refers to. It refers to our duty to obey the commandment to worship God, which for Catholics means to attend certain Masses throughout the year. These include every Sunday Mass and certain feast days, unless for a serious reason we are unable to. Some serious reasons include being sick or caring for someone who is (even if only minor symptoms exist), having health risk factors that require avoiding public spaces, being homebound or caring for someone who is, emergencies like a flat tire, or not having access to Mass due to travel. If we are on vacation, we need to make a reasonable effort to locate and attend these obligatory Masses.

For some of us, this is no problem; Mass is the highlight of our week. For others, attending Mass is a real struggle, and hearing the word “obligation,” doesn’t make Mass sound any more appealing. But think about it this way, husbands and wives are obligated to love each other, and although it can be a challenge at times, the obligation is not an imposition, but something they choose willingly, because it’s beautiful and fulfilling to do that. The same can be said for attending Mass. Yes, it’s an obligation - a rule, a law - but it’s not a burden to choose to go to Mass. I once saw a meme that said, “Mass should be your excuse for missing everything else.” Too often, it’s the other way around.

So, how can we understand better the beauty of our obligation. First, by understanding that Sunday is not our day to do what we like; it is the “Lord’s Day,” since it is the day of the week that He rose from the tomb. Think of it this way, the Resurrection is the most significant event in human history, and if we make the effort to celebrate our own anniversaries, how much more ought we celebrate this one. The beautiful thing about our faith is that we don’t just celebrate it once a year, on Easter, but weekly. Any why? Not because God needs anything from us, but because we need something from God. The Lord’s Day is the fulfillment of the last day of creation, from the Book of Genesis; the sabbath, the day of rest, which, for our Jewish brothers and sisters takes place on Saturday. For Christians, the sabbath is Sunday, the day of the Resurrection from the dead, when Jesus brought forth a “new creation.” As Psalm 118 says, “this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Jesus said, “the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath” (Mk 2:27), which means, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, to rest with God and let Him “recreate” us in holiness is for our benefit.

We need this sabbath rest, which is not the rest we take after an intense workout. The rest God desires to give us is not physical but spiritual, because just as our bodies depend on rest to recover and grow, so do our spirits. Our Catechism says that we are obligated to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day because these are the days we are “confirmed” in the practice of our Christian lives. Confirmed means to be made strong. At Mass, we are made strong, namely by the hearing of the Word of God and reception of the Eucharist, as well as by being in the presence of one another, as the Catechism says, “participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God's holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit” (#2182). This is why St. John Chrysostom said, “You cannot pray at home as at church, where there is a great multitude, where exclamations are cried out to God as from one great heart, and where there is something more: the union of minds, the accord of souls, the bond of charity, the prayers of the priests” (cf. #2179). This helps us understand the importance of the “gathering” aspect of our Vision Statement.

In the end, God makes attending Sunday Mass and special feast days an obligation because He loves us and wants us to grow into the people we were made to be, saints. To do that, we need to rest and rejoice with the Lord and with each other. Thus, to deliberately fail in this obligation (e.g., to skip Mass to go to a sporting event) is to commit a grave sin, since to intentionally skip Mass is to say to God and to one another, “I can find my strength, my joy, my rest, somewhere else.” This is a sin against charity that must be reconciled in Confession.

Therefore, as we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our mother, we also remember the responsibility we have of reminding our fellow Catholics, especially those who have fallen away from the practice of their faith, of our obligation to gather on this day, not because we are forced to, but because being with God and one another is a beautiful thing.

With much love,
Fr. Mario

To my dear community of St. Joseph Basilica and St. Barnabas, 

My name is Deacon Álvaro Santamaría. I was born and raised in El Salvador. I graduated as a civil engineer from the University of El Salvador in 2011, and after working for some years building houses and concrete roads, I joined the seminary in El Salvador in 2016. I moved to the USA and joined the Diocese of Oakland in 2018. In the Fall of 2019, I entered St. Patrick's Seminary and University in Menlo Park. I graduated this past May with a Master of Divinity and was ordained as a transitional deacon on June 29th, 2024, on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul at Mission San Jose in Fremont. Bishop Barber appointed me full-time to the faculty of St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda, and I will be serving at our two churches as a deacon and future priest.  
I believe my vocation was born from an intimate and deep relationship with God. Since I was a child, I have felt God’s presence in my life, guiding me and taking care of me. I was involved in different groups in my home parish back in El Salvador, but I never thought that the priesthood would be my path, or that I would end up entering the seminary. I was so focused on working as a civil engineer. I was trying to be “successful.” However, I was feeling that something was lacking. My heart was yearning for a deeper consecration to God. He was requesting my whole life, and my whole being.

At the beginning, I got scared, but then, I realized that it was God’s voice calling me to the priesthood. I can still hear those words resounding in my heart: “Come and follow me.” My first reaction was, “what are you talking about, God? I don’t want to become a priest.” I came to realize that I have been created with one purpose: to love, to serve, and to praise the Lord, our God. I have tasted the goodness of the Lord, and I cannot live without Him. My life is no longer about me, but about Him. I fell in love with God, and there is a fire burning in my heart. There is a longing for God’s presence and a desire within me to behold the face of God in Heaven. As the prophet Jeremiah says: “You seduced me, LORD, and I let myself be seduced; you were too strong for me, and you prevailed … I say I will not mention him, I will no longer speak in his name. But then it is as if fire is burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding back, I cannot.” (Jer 20:7-9)

After some time of discernment, I responded openly and generously to God with a “yes.” This answer continues until now and is even stronger and with more determination. Someone may ask: why do you still want to be a priest with all the things happening in our Church? My response would be that we are called to make a difference. It is possible to be Holy. My vision and my goal is clear: Heaven. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.  

My dear community, let us aspire for the things of Heaven. Let us grow and become holy together. I am so excited to serve you first as a deacon, and then as a priest of Jesus Christ in the near future. Trust that you are in my prayers, and I thank you for your support and prayers as well. And one day, at the gates of Heaven, Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph will welcome us saying: “Well done faithful servants, come and enjoy the fullness of my love for all eternity.”

Warmest blessings,
Dcn. Álvaro Santamaría  

Dear Family,

As we leave July, the month dedicated to the Precious Blood, we enter August, the month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the old Church calendar, the feast of the Immaculate Heart used to be August 22, eight days after the celebration of the Assumption of Mary (Aug. 15), making it the Octave Day (we only celebrate two Octave Days now, after Christmas and Easter). Now, the feast of the Immaculate Heart follows the day after the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is always the Friday after Corpus Christi.

Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary goes back centuries, but it took on new fervor in the 20^th century after the apparitions of Our Lady in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. During those apparitions, which took place on the 13^th of the month from May to October to the three shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, Our Lady revealed to the children her desire that we pray the Rosary daily and strengthen our devotion to her Immaculate Heart. What’s more, she gave specific instructions that we foster this devotion on the first Saturday of each month to make reparation to the offenses that take place against Mary, which she listed as fivefold: offenses, against the Immaculate Conception of Mary; against Mary’s Virginity; against Mary’s Divine Maternity and her Motherhood of all mankind; turning children against Mary as their heavenly Mother; offenses against Mary’s Sacred Images. 

Our Lady also promised that if we pray in common on five consecutive Saturdays, Russia would be converted, and the world would enjoy a period of peace. Unfortunately, it does not seem like the world heeded her messaged, as we entered another World War, followed by the Cold War, and our world continues to struggle. Lastly, Our Lady promised that the souls who make this devotion would be saved at the end of their life. Speaking to Lucia in 1925, Mary said, “I promise to assist at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for salvation all those who on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, go to Confession and receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary and keep me company for a quarter of an hour while meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me.”

These are the requirements of the First Five Saturday devotion, which, thanks be to God, our community has. You may have seen this image in the bulletin. This group meets each first Saturday at St. Joseph before Mass at 7:15am to satisfy the requests of Our Lady. Perhaps you would like to join them; the group is open to everyone.

Although devotions like this are not necessary for salvation, they are worthy aids, for, if prayed with the proper attitude of faith, hope, and love, we will grow in union with Jesus Christ, our Savior. That is why one of my expectations for all the parishioners at St. Joseph and St. Barnabas is to have some devotion to Mary. Here they are again:
At St. Joseph and St. Barnabas, people can expect to find Catholics who…

1. celebrate the Mass with joyful reverence. We prepare for Mass by reading the Mass readings during the week, we wear special clothes to Mass to remind us of the dignity of the Liturgy, we arrive to Mass early to pray to God, and we participate at Mass by singing and saying all the responses with conviction, because we know God is with us.
2. are nourished by Sacred Scripture. Scripture is the living Word of God, which means God speaks to us through the Bible. We say with Jesus, “one does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4).
3. adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Receiving Jesus in Holy Communion at Mass is the greatest gift of God, for in receiving Him we become like Him. This process of transformation is elevated to new heights the more time we spend with our Lord in prayer in the church.
4. love Mary. Mary was, and is, the perfect follower of Jesus. Jesus loved His mom and gave her to the Church because she was an expert at connecting people to Him. It is His expectation that we love her as He does.
5. give generously to their community. Our churches are here to help us grow in faith, but they also need our contributions, our gifts of time, talent, and treasure. This means we must sacrifice, but if we lose our lives for Christ and His Church, we will find them.

Be on the lookout for a prayer service at St. Joseph in the evening on the 13^th of each month between May and October. May the month of August, which also involves the return to school, be a blessed time for you. May Mary, the spouse of Joseph and Queen of Apostles, guide us closer to her Son.

With much love,
Fr. Mario
 
 

Dear Family,

From July 1 to July 10, I had the tremendous opportunity of going to Italy and Sicily with my priest support group, which I joined in 2022. This group is based off the model (called Iesus Cartias) proposed by Saint Charles de Foucald, a French priest who lived a life of solitude in northern Africa, and was killed in 1909. Before I joined the group (comprised of five other priests; two in their 70s, one in his 60s, one in his 50s, and one in his 40s), the other members had taken a trip to central Italy and wanted to do another. Last year we were going to go to Portugal, but my Achilles injury prevented that. So, we postponed, and decided to go to southern Italy and Sicily.
The time away was a blessing, not because it was a vacation but a pilgrimage. We visited religious sites almost exclusively and prayed extensively. I was praying for you throughout the trip, in cathedrals, basilicas, chapels, and even the car. We had Mass together daily, did a daily holy hour and Rosary, sometimes from the car, which became like our chapel as we traversed from Naples on the west coast of Italy to Foggia on the east; and from Catania on the east coast of Sicily to Palermo on the west.
Some of the highlights included visiting the convent and chapel where St. Padre Pio lived, seeing his body, but especially his confessional.

Celebrating Mass in San Domenico in Naples, where St. Thomas Aquinas spent the final months of his life. We were able to go to his cell (bedroom) where there is an icon of Christ that spoke to him. “Thomas, you have written well of me,” said Christ, “what would you have in return?” To which Thomas replied, “nothing but you, oh Lord.”

 Visiting the place in Syracuse, Sicily where St. Lucy (Santa Lucia) was martyred, as well as her original burial place. That was especially powerful since she was so young, only about 20 years old.

What struck me during this trip, while visiting the places where these saints lived and died, is how delighted God must be that His saints are praised, and how He must not feel disrespected when we venerate them, even though our veneration may appear excessive. When we venerate the saints, even to the point of becoming a little awe-struck, if we focus our attention rightly, we are praising God. This is because the witness of the saints is only possible because of divine grace, which God poured out upon them so generously. Do we believe He does the same for us? There is no reason why we should ever doubt that we could be a saint too. We just need to do what the saints did, love God and our neighbor. Pray daily, stay close to the Sacraments, serve others. If we remain faithful to our Catholic faith, we will become the saints we were made to be. It is possible!

With much love,
Fr. Mario

P.S. I was sorry to miss the 4^th of July parade. I was so proud of everyone who joined in witnessing to our faith in such a fun and beautiful way! Special thanks to Ray Natac and Felix Marquez for making it happen.

Dear Family,

As we settle into the month of July, I want to call your attention to the devotion dedicated to this month. We remember that our Church dedicates each month to someone or something special, e.g., March is dedicated to St. Joseph; May to Mary; June to the Sacred Heart, and July to the Precious Blood of Jesus. The devotion is an ancient one, but formally goes back to 1849 when Pope Pius IX declared that the first Sunday of July should be in honor of the Precious Blood of Jesus. With the new liturgical calendar of 1968, the feast day was no longer recognized, but the monthly devotion still is.

During this month, therefore, the Leadership Team and I have decided to honor the request made by many parishioners and reinstate the chalice at Mass so that you may receive the Precious Blood. First, however, an explanatory note is necessary. Although the ministers of Holy Communion say independently, “the Body of Christ” and “the Blood of Christ,” it is not correct to say that if we only receive the Body, we only receive a portion of Christ. No, when you receive Jesus in the Host alone, you are receiving Him entirely. This is what the Catechism says, “The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts” (#1377). In this passage, “species” is another way of saying “appearance,” which refers to the bread and wine that have been consecrated and changed into the Real Presence of Christ. He is present under the appearance of both the bread and the wine. So, if you decide to receive the Precious Blood, it is not as if you are receiving more.

To accomplish the reinstating of the Precious Blood efficiently, I would like to extend an invitation to Catholics in good standing to consider becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. I am currently away taking some vacation, but upon my return, we will do a training for old and new ministers at both parishes.

Speaking of ministers of Holy Communion, on Saturday, June 29, Deacon Alvaro Santamaria was ordained a Transitional Deacon, meaning, he will not remain as a Permanent Deacon but will move on to Priesthood in a year’s time. Deacon Alvaro will be living in the rectory at St. Joseph and helping at the high school primarily, while also assisting in the parishes. During Mass, it is the deacon’s role, among other things, to proclaim the Gospel and distribute the Precious Blood, so, we look forward to receiving from him. Please keep Deacon Alvaro in your prayers.

As this is the first weekend of the month, a facilities update is in order. At St. Barnabas, we are going to be doing some work on the exterior of the rectory. Many of the windowsills are rotting and are letting in water. Also, there are several cracks in the stucco that need to be repaired and repainted. At both churches, we are consolidating our phone systems into one, which will save us hundreds of dollars per month.

At St. Joseph, we are going to be resuming the lighting upgrade for the sanctuary. The equipment has been in my office for some months now as we coordinate with the electrician. We are also going to be replacing the old, stained carpet in the upstairs of the Parish Center with some synthetic hardwood. To keep consistency with both schools, which have both recently installed security cameras, we are also going to be installing cameras around the parking lot, Gathering Space, and interior of the Basilica. Similarly, due to some thefts in recent months and some uninvited strangers wandering into the Gathering Space late at night, we are looking into installing some decorative gates at the entrances to the Gathering Space. Lastly, the work on the high altar is progressing, and in the upcoming weeks, I look forward to sharing that progress with you and resuming the Capital Campaign.

Thank you again for your generosity to our parishes. May this month of July, when we celebrate the gift of the Precious Blood, remind us that it is in giving that we receive.

With much love,

Fr. Mario 

Dear Family,

As summer gets underway, I want to remind everyone about one of the most important aspects of our faith, worship. So central is worship to each person that my leadership team placed it as the first of the four “pillars” of our vision statement, which reads: We, the family of St. Joseph Basilica and St. Barnabas, invite all people into our spiritual home to encounter Jesus Christ through an authentically Catholic experience of worship, learning, gathering, and service.

Without worship, nothing else in life makes sense, for worship orders our life correctly; it puts God in His proper place, first. This is why God made it one of the Ten Commandments, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work” (Ex 20:8-10; Dt 5:12-15). In life, we have so many cares and anxieties that compete for our attention, but if we put them first, we lose sight of Who made us. And if we lose sight of God, we lose sight of ourselves, who we are, and why we exist. Ultimately, we exist for God and for that Sabbath rest.
The word “sabbath” literally means rest, but it means much more than a purely physical rest; it is a spiritual one. So important was this day of rest that Jesus said God made it intentionally for us (cf. Mk 2:27). The sabbath, which for Jews is Saturday, but for Christians is Sunday, is indispensable to living a happy, healthy, and holy life. Without it, the chaos of life takes over. Like the Gospel passage we heard last week, which told of Jesus “resting” on the cushion in the boat during the storm, God’s great invitation to us is to join Him there and surrender control of our lives over to Him who knows us and loves us best.

And yet, sometimes we forget about this invitation. This can happen especially during summer when we have many more activities and plans that vie for our time and attention. Recently I heard from someone close to me how, when they were traveling to see family, the family they were staying with did not attend Sunday Mass due to an event, and yet, this person who was traveling away from home, found the time to go to both Mass and the event.

I was upset when I heard this, as the people who missed Mass are also close to me. I am going to say this bluntly - not out of spite, but out of love – to deliberately miss Mass on Sunday, unless for a serious reason, like being sick, or taking care of someone else who is sick, is a “grave” sin, as the Church puts it. It is grave because it violates God’s commandment. What’s more, as Christians, we share a common bond; in baptism we have the same Spirit within us. Thus, when one member misses Mass it affects the entire family. This is what our Catechism says about this, “Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God's holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit” (#2182).

I know this may not be the message one intends to send, but to deliberately miss Sunday Mass (and the other Holy Days of Obligation), says “my priorities, not God’s or the communities, are first.” If this is the case for you or someone you know, it is essential to take the first opportunity to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and get life back in right order.

Like many of you, at this point in my life, missing Sunday Mass isn’t even a question, but I understand how some people could attempt to make an excuse for missing it, especially our younger members. Mass may not always include the best preaching; sometimes kids are loud and distracting; the music doesn’t suit our taste, etc. I tell people, I don’t always feel like going to Mass at first, but I never regret having gone. This is because the Sunday celebration is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Sabbath. Sunday is the day Jesus rose from the tomb, dealing death its decisive blow. When we gather for Mass and celebrate the Eucharist, we remember, re-present, and experience His Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, as well as look forward to the eternal rest He won for us in heaven. One day, we will experience that rest fully as we worship God face-to-face with all the angels and saints, but until that day, we set aside time each week to worship and rest with Him at Mass on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation. These are the moments of true rest because they are truly heaven on Earth.
With much love,
Fr. Mario
 

 

Dear Family,

Friday, June 21, marks a special day in the life of our church family. As you may know, the relics of three saints were placed in the new altar at St. Joseph: Teresa of Avila, John Baptiste de la Salle, and Aloysius Gonzaga. June 21 is the feast day of St. Aloysius. Below, please find a biography of this young saint’s life. I chose this saint’s relic to inspire our youth, and yet, all of us at St. Joseph and St. Barnabas parishes, no matter what our age, ought to look to this young man as a model for our own lives, as we are all called to be missionary disciples at the service of our Lord Jesus and one another.

With much love,
Fr. Mario
 

Aloysius Gonzaga (Luigi Gonzaga, 1568-1591) gave up a privileged life and a princely inheritance to live the vows of religious life even to the point of contracting the plague because of his selfless care for people already sick with it. He was the eldest son of the Marquis of Castiglione, and heir to the family title. The Gonzagas were known as patrons of Renaissance artists, and they ruled what amounted to a kingdom.

As a young man Gonzaga wore a suit of amour and walked at his father's side when he reviewed troops. His life began to change after he contracted malaria and suffered frequent bouts of fever. As early as age seven, he became attracted to prayer and turned away from the courtly life around him. When he was nine, he and his brother were sent to Florence to learn the customs of princes at the court of their father's friend the Grand Duke Francesco de' Medici. The Medici court was one of the grandest, most opulent in Europe, but also one full of intrigue, deceit, sex and violence. The young Gonzaga withdrew from this world and became firm in his desire to never offend God by sinning. In November 1579 he moved to Mantua to stay with the duke, a relative; in that residence he discovered a book with brief lives of the saints. He also began to pray the Psalms daily and later started meditating after he discovered a prayer book written by the Jesuit Peter Canisius. His piety included daily Mass, weekly communion and fasting three days a week.
The young heir traveled with Maria of Austria, the daughter of Charles V, on her way to Madrid in 1582. He became a page attending the duke of Asturias, the heir apparent, and was later made a knight of the Order of St. James. The higher he rose in royal society, however, the more his thoughts turned to becoming a Jesuit like his confessor in Madrid. On Aug. 15, 1583 he had an experience in prayer that confirmed his decision. When he told his confessor, that man said he would have to get his father's permission.

The marquis was enraged by the news that his heir wanted to renounce all that had been so carefully prepared for him. The whole family returned to Castiglione and then the marquis sent his two sons on a tour of the courts of Italy, hoping that the experience of such refined living would change his son's mind and relieve the tension that had developed between two strong-willed individuals. The son's determination proved to be stronger, and the father finally granted his assent. In November 1585 Aloysius renounced his inheritance in favor of his brother Rudolph and set out for Rome where he presented himself to the Superior General, Claudio Acquaviva, who admitted him to the novitiate of Sant' Andrea.
Although the new novice was not yet 18, his background made him mature beyond his years, and he found the novitiate less rigorous than the life he had been living by his own decision. He nevertheless obediently followed the novitiate rules and the guidance of his novice master. He enrolled in the Roman College to finish philosophy studies before taking first vows, and then went immediately into theology right after. He returned to Castiglione in 1589 to negotiate peace between his brother and the duke of Mantua, and then returned to Rome in May 1590.

Plague and famine struck Italy the following year and Gonzaga threw himself into caring for the victims of the plague. He begged alms for the sick and physically carried those he found in the streets to a hospital where he washed and fed them and prepared them for the sacraments. He told his spiritual director, Robert Bellarmine (who would later be recognized as a saint), that he had a premonition he would die soon.

So many young Jesuits were becoming sick that the superior forbade Gonzaga to return to the hospital. Gonzaga did get permission to work at Our Lady of Consolation hospital which did not treat anyone with contagious diseases. Gonzaga went there but contracted the plague when he cared for a man who had the plague. The young Jesuit put himself to bed on March 3, 1591; his condition worsened and then improved somewhat, but he could not recover full health. Fever and a cough set in and he slowly lingered on. He knew he was dying and asked to receive communion. Two Jesuits watched with him through the night and saw his face change as he held onto a cross and called the name of Jesus. He was only 23 when he died. His body is now kept in the church of St. Ignatius in Rome.
(source: https://www.jesuits.global/saint-blessed/saint-aloysius-gonzaga/)
 

Dear Family,
As we celebrate Father’s Day this weekend, I asked some of the fathers from our community to share their experience and wisdom. Enjoy!

With much love,
Father Mario

Father Kenneth: As we celebrate Father’s Day, let us pause for a moment and reflect on the beauty of what it takes to be a good Catholic Father, as God calls Fathers to an important role of providing and protecting the most vulnerable members of society; children.
Well, like all of us, a good Catholic Father must first look to Jesus and draw his strength from a close relationship with Jesus. Taking time to pray is so important. Through prayer a father realizes a good loving relationship with his family is more important than his work or career or anything he can ever produce or achieve in this world. The Father who is successful in his vocation, is a man of prayer who is always looking to Jesus for inspiration and strength and relies on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
A good Father willingly sacrifices for his family. Sometimes it’s simply a sacrifice of time by playing or spending time with his children when he just wants to sit down and relax. Good fathers take time to listen to their children and try to understand their feelings and needs. A loving, attentive father is also aware of what his young children are doing and watching. He monitors what they are accessing on the internet, what they are reading, the video games they are playing. And as children get a little older, he knows who his children are spending time with and where they go.
A good Father protects his family by talking to them about right and wrong and by teaching good values and good morals especially through his own lived example. People, especially children, pay more attention to what we do than to what we say.
And lastly, the best thing a father can do for his children is to love his wife. More than ever, we need good, loving, faithful fathers; courageous, Godly men like Jesus’ earthly father, St. Joseph! A big thank you to all our fathers - Happy Father’s Day!

Ermes Becerra: Fatherhood is an amazing vocation the Lord has instituted. God made us not only to receive his life but also to give our lives back to him and to others. Fatherhood plays a critical role in giving ourselves to others and instilling true love into practice, which is a pathway towards maturity. I could say I am the same father that I was 16 years ago when my parenthood journey began, but illogically, I am not the same. Fatherhood has changed me!
Fatherhood, overall, encompasses a vast commitment and giving up leisure time to pour all your selflessness, love, and attention to your children. And as this commitment entered my life, I matured and changed to serve as a teacher, model, guide, companion, and provide tender love and care. Pope Francis said in “The Joy of Love”, “the love of parents is the means by which God our Father shows his own love.”
To model God’s love, fathers play a critical role to build trust with our Lord to pass on the faith to our kids. As role models we bridge the connection with faith providing kids the opportunity to know who our Savior is. It sets the foundation so our kids can have a personal encounter in God’s timing. As an inheritance this is the greatest estate kids can inherit from us. Practical tips that help plant the seed are: (1) give grace at mealtimes and rotate amongst family members, (2) pray the rosary at least once a week as a family, (3) attend Sunday mass, (4) be an active volunteer in your kid’s faith formation classes, and (5) instill a fun environment to learn about God.
As active role models, our children’s footsteps will follow every step we take.

Bryan Kassing: The greatest miracle in the world occurs 380,000 times a day, a child is born.  A mother has toiled for months on end, and in that moment the father begins to play his first meaningful role. The job is to unconditionally love more than his heart knew that it could, forever.
Being a father, no matter how you come to assume the role, means taking on the responsibility from that moment forward, to care for, protect, prepare and educate our future.   I’ve never been perfect at anything in my entire life and certainly don’t purport to be a role model, but I can profoundly share on Kheron and my 20th Wedding Anniversary that my vow as a father to raise children that are kinder than necessary in our modern society is a job that I have embraced with all my heart.  Our calling is not to be perfect; it is to love with all our heart and guide our children to make good choices.
We selected St. Joseph’s Catholic Elementary School and the parish to help Karter and Kristopher on their own faith-journey.  Attending weekly mass and alter serving have helped them learn that they are a part of a community.  Instilling in them the understanding that no matter what they experience in life, God our Father, will always be there with them on their journey, and as a result they can accomplish anything, is the ultimate gift I can share as a dad.  

Dear Family,
Firstly, I want to express, as deeply as I can (although insufficiently), my gratitude to all who participated in the Corpus Christi procession last Sunday. What an amazing witness to our Alameda community; God is real, and God is here! Thank you for walking with me. Although I was in the front of the procession holding our Lord in the monstrance, I felt your strong presence behind me as we made our way to St. Barnabas.
Speaking of St. Barnabas, this coming Tuesday, June 11^th is a very special day for our community, the feast day of St. Barnabas. To celebrate him, I’d like to share an excerpt from Pope Benedict XVI’s catechesis on St. Barnabas from January 2007. The Men’s Monday Power Hour has been reading this series on the apostles after our Rosary and have found it inspiring. In this catechesis is found one of Pope Benedict’s most famous lines, which I have bolded for you. May this teaching on our great St. Barnabas inspire you to follow the path to holiness which we are all called to walk, following our Lord, as if in procession.
With much love,
Fr. Mario

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Barnabas means "son of encouragement" (Acts 4: 36) or "son of consolation". He was a Levite Jew, a native of Cyprus, and this was his nickname [Fr. Mario adds: his real name was Joseph!]. Having settled in Jerusalem, he was one of the first to embrace Christianity after the Lord's Resurrection. With immense generosity, he sold a field which belonged to him, and gave the money to the Apostles for the Church's needs (Acts 4: 37).
It was he who vouched for the sincerity of Saul's conversion before the Jerusalem community that still feared its former persecutor (cf. Acts 9: 27).
Sent to Antioch in Syria, he went to meet Paul in Tarsus, where he had withdrawn, and spent a whole year with him there, dedicated to the evangelization of that important city in whose Church Barnabas was known as a prophet and teacher (cf. Acts 13: 1).
At the time of the first conversions of the Gentiles, therefore, Barnabas realized that Saul's hour had come. As Paul had retired to his native town of Tarsus, he went there to look for him. Thus, at that important moment, Barnabas, as it were, restored Paul to the Church; in this sense he gave back to her the Apostle to the Gentiles.
The Church of Antioch sent Barnabas on a mission with Paul, which became known as the Apostle's first missionary journey. In fact, it was Barnabas' missionary voyage since it was he who was really in charge of it and Paul had joined him as a collaborator, visiting the regions of Cyprus and Central and Southern Anatolia in present-day Turkey, with the cities of Attalia, Perga, Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe (cf. Acts 13-14).

Together with Paul, he then went to the so-called Council of Jerusalem where after a profound examination of the question, the Apostles with the Elders decided to discontinue the practice of circumcision so that it was no longer a feature of the Christian identity (cf. Acts 15: 1-35). It was only in this way that, in the end, they officially made possible the Church of the Gentiles, a Church without circumcision; we are children of Abraham simply through faith in Christ.

The two, Paul and Barnabas, disagreed at the beginning of the second missionary journey because Barnabas was determined to take with them as a companion John called Mark, whereas Paul was against it, since the young man had deserted them during their previous journey (cf. Acts 13: 13; 15: 36-40).

Hence there are also disputes, disagreements and controversies among saints. And I find this very comforting, because we see that the saints have not "fallen from Heaven". They are people like us, who also have complicated problems.
Holiness does not consist in never having erred or sinned. Holiness increases the capacity for conversion, for repentance, for willingness to start again and, especially, for reconciliation and forgiveness.

So it was that Paul, who had been somewhat harsh and bitter with regard to Mark, in the end found himself with him once again. In St. Paul's last Letters, to Philemon and in his Second Letter to Timothy, Mark actually appears as one of his "fellow workers".
Consequently, it is not the fact that we have never erred but our capacity for reconciliation and forgiveness which makes us saints. And we can all learn this way of holiness. In any case, Barnabas, together with John Mark, returned to Cyprus (Acts 15: 39) in about the year 49. From that moment we lose track of him. Tertullian attributes to him the Letter to the Hebrews. This is not improbable. Since he belonged to the tribe of Levi, Barnabas may have been interested in the topic of the priesthood; and the Letter to the Hebrews interprets Jesus' priesthood for us in an extraordinary way…

[Paul’s companions] shine in the firmament of Gospel witnesses as they are distinguished by one common feature as well as by individual characteristics. They had in common, in addition to their Jewish origin, their dedication to Jesus Christ and the Gospel, besides the fact that all three were collaborators of the Apostle Paul.

In this original evangelizing mission they found their purpose in life and as such stand before us as shining examples of selflessness and generosity.
Moreover, let us think again of St Paul's phrase: both Apollos and I are servants of Jesus, each one in his own way because it is God who gives the growth. These words also apply to us today, to the Pope, the Cardinals, Bishops, priests and laity. We are all humble ministers of Jesus. We serve the Gospel as best we can, in accordance with our talents, and we pray God to make his Gospel, his Church, increase in our day.

Dear Family,

A Blessed Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ be to you. Phew! That was a mouthful, no pun intended. This solemnity is also referred to as Corpus Christi, which is Latin for the Body of Christ. As I write this (a few days before the Solemnity), I am thinking of our upcoming procession that will take place on this day at 1:30p, starting at St. Joseph and ending at St. Barnabas. We started this pilgrimage in 2022 to share this most beautiful aspect of our faith – the Eucharist – with others.

The Church is very clear on the significance of the Eucharist. As the Catechism states, it is the “‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’ ‘The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself…’” (#1324). Yes, Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. Praise God! This is why we kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer, and why Bishop Barber recently made the change for the Diocese of Oakland to join with the vast majority of other dioceses nationwide in kneeling after the consecration for the “behold the Lamb of God,” for Jesus is truly present during these moments.

As I have mentioned in previous bulletin articles, our nation is undergoing a Eucharistic Revival, culminating in a Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in July. Bishop Barber held a Eucharistic Revival for our own diocese last September at the Cathedral to bring us together to share our Eucharistic faith. To kick off the official Congress, a Eucharistic procession departed from St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco on Pentecost Sunday, walked over the Golden Gate Bridge, and is currently making its way to Indianapolis. You can see the path in red (known as the St. Junipero Serra route), as well as the three other routes, planned in such a way as to trace a cross over our country. Our country needs the Eucharist now, and always.

As we enter the month of June, set apart to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus (feast day June 7), may our faith in the Eucharist be strengthened, for it is through the gift of the Eucharist that Jesus opens His Heart to us. To help us grow in our faith in the Eucharist, I invite you to look to a young man, the “first millennial saint,” Carlo Acutis, whose cause for canonization continues to move forward. Just this past week, a miracle attributed to the intercession of Carlo was approved by the Vatican after a 21 year old girl from Costa Rica, who had suffered severe brain trauma due to a bicycle accident, recovered after her mother went on pilgrimage to Assisi to pray at the tomb of Carlo.

Carlo was born on May 3, 1991 and died on October 12, 2006 (15 years old). As a boy, he loved the things most boys do, sports and video games, but he had another love, Jesus in the Eucharist. Using his talents of computer programing and digital media, he created a website and display of Eucharistic miracles that is shared around the world. He said of the Eucharist, “it is my highway to heaven.” May it be ours as well. I look forward to walking with you in our procession on Corpus Christi Sunday.
With much love,
Fr. Mario
 
 

Dear family,

A Blessed Trinity Sunday to you all. This Solemnity is special to me since it was on this feast day in 2018 that I celebrated my first Mass as a priest. Often, priests and seminarians quip that Trinity Sunday is the “preacher’s nightmare,” since the Trinity is the most profound (and some would argue confusing) truth of our faith, “how can three persons be one God?” Although this dogma is a mystery (which does not mean unknowable, only that it cannot be known fully), the Church has posited an explanation, “God is love” (1 Jn 4:16). Simply put, if God IS love, there must be a “lover,” a “beloved,” and the love shared between them; that is, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Since “God is love,” another image that can help us understand the Trinity is community. God is not an isolated individual, but a community of persons. This has huge implications for us, since we are made in the “image and likeness” of God (cf. Gen 1:27), and if God is inherently a community, then we are made for community too. We need others, for only with others can we love and be loved. As one priest at the seminary used to say, “the meaning of life is to know the truth and be in love.” All else fades into the background; possessions, power, prestige, pleasure.

We are made to love and be loved. If we have love, we will be just fine. If we do not, we miss out. Many of you probably have watched the 60 Minutes interview with Pope Francis that took place last week. You can watch it on YouTube; I recommend it. During the interview, Norah O’Donnell asked the Pope about many issues which challenge our decision to love one another. She asked the Pope about the immigration crisis and spoke about the time Pope Francis’ coined the term, “the globalization of indifference.” The Pope replied, “people wash their hands. There are so many who see what’s happening; the wars, the injustices, ‘that’s okay, that’s okay,’ and wash their hands.” He went on, “we have to get our hearts to feel again.”
Again, this is incredibly important for us who are made in God’s image, for Francis would go on to say, “Everyone in!” meaning inside the Church, “And once inside we’ll figure out how to sort it all out, but everyone…the Gospel is for everyone.” This is an idea of the Church we may not be familiar, or comfortable, with, but it is something we are called to do, since Jesus commissioned His church to “make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19). This is our mission too.

To help guide our parishes to participate in this mission more fully, I have commissioned a “leadership team.” Beginning at St. Joseph, my vision is to gradually incorporate St. Barnabas parishioners. For now, St. Barnabas will continue to be guided by its pastoral council. I have great hope for both our parishes. Let us continue to build each other up in the communion of the love of the Trinity,

With much love,
Fr. Mario
The members of the St. Joseph Leadership Team are:
Anne Marie Fourre, our parish Director of Faith Formation for the last 20+ years. Anne has been in the parish since 1980. She has been involved in the group for divorced and widowed Catholics, a lector, the Pastoral Council and the RCIA team. Anne Marie says, "I love the diversity and liveliness of this parish and its spirit of welcome and ongoing efforts at inclusion."

Tristan Flores, a parishioner for the past 16 years. He has been a Sacristan, the head of the altar serving ministry, a member of the Liturgy Leadership Team, Knights of Columbus, and a parent at both the elementary and high school. Tristan says, “I love the shared experience of the families at the school and the church, as well as the priests who have been here. St. Joseph has served as a training ground for new seminarians and priests.”
John King, a parishioner for the past two years. John is an active member of the Men’s “Power Hour” Rosary. His wife, Michelle is also active in leading our new group for girls, the Sunflower Girls. John recently became a lector. He says, “I love the parish because of the great, welcoming people who are engaged and love to be here, as well as the beautiful liturgies and traditions.”


Stan Schonberg, the parish Business Manager. Stan has been participating in St. Joe's community since 1996. As Business Manager, he supports accounting, purchasing, human resources, facilities, and technology. He also serves on the Finance Council, Fundraising, Building and Grounds Committee, and Photography. Stan says, “I love the friendly and welcoming people of St. Joe's.”

Sue Spiersch, parishioner since 1972, Sue, has been a member of the HIV/AIDS ministry, choir, garden club, women’s rosary, gathering space committee, ushers, Hospitality, and two times on the Pastoral Council. Sue says, “I love St. Joseph because they are my spiritual family and I feel at home here.”

Dear Family,

A blessed Pentecost Sunday to you all, the day we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the infant Church. In my bulletin article last week, I shared an image of our teens after they received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Cathedral, the Sacrament that increases in us the gifts of the Holy Spirit received at Baptism. The event of the coming of the Holy Spirit that took place some 2,000 years ago continues to be prolonged in the liturgy of the Church up to this day, and just as the Apostles received new strength to spread the Gospel, so too have we.
I know this is a little redundant, but I want to return to a write-up we posted in the bulletin a couple weeks ago that came from the Warming Shelter of Christ Episcopal Church on Santa Clara and Grand Avenues. The Warming Shelter operates during the winter months to provide immediate meals and shelter for our unhoused neighbors, as well as longer term solutions. Here’s what they wrote:

Corporal Work of Mercy: To Give Shelter to the Homeless 
The Alameda Warming Shelter provided food, warmth, safety and community to over 60 of our unhoused neighbors between mid-December and mid-March. The shelter also enabled 16 of them to find housing through its participation in Alameda County’s Coordinated Entry System.  Episcopal Community Services (ECS) operated the shelter, providing staff from 5 in the afternoon until 7 in the morning. This year for the first time the shelter ventured beyond its roots at Christ Episcopal Church in enlisting additional churches for space to spend the night.  The organizers are deeply grateful to St. Joseph Basilica for providing access to Notre Dame Hall on those long cold nights during Christmas break, as well as to Twin Towers Methodist who also hosted for two weeks. Volunteers through Alameda, ranging from faith communities to scouting troops, signed up to provide hot dinners and bag breakfasts throughout the winter season. Planning is beginning for next winter with hopes to extend the season, and they are actively seeking additional faith communities to assist (contact Rev. Stephen McHale, rector at Christ Church). We are blessed that the two churches were able to live out the gospel in giving shelter to the homeless, and we deeply appreciate all the volunteers who assisted with food throughout the shelter season.

I am mentioning this now because the Warming Shelter is again preparing for the upcoming winter season and is asking for help. I will have to decide how we will offer them assistance. Please pray with me for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that we may have the Spirit’s gift of wisdom, for, to participate in the works of mercy, one must be inspired and sustained by the Holy Spirit. This is because mercy involves sacrifice, which many people struggle with. I’m sure few of you were aware that several of the neighbors were uncomfortable with us offering Notre Dame Hall for the Warming Shelter’s use. Admittedly, I did not do the best job in giving them prior notice, but even if we had, pushback is inevitable. Be aware that, in life, often the task God wants us to do will be unpopular with others, e.g., one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy is to “admonish sinners.” Who wants to do that? This isn’t easy, but these acts of mercy are also acts of love.
In the meantime, as we pray for wisdom and courage to follow the Holy Spirit at St. Joseph, I am proud to announce that we are donating the St. Barnabas Hall to the Western Service Workers Association for their annual fundraising dinner in July. This organization is a 100% volunteer-run organization that advocates for the rights of low-income workers, helping them to obtain living wages, food, safe and secure housing, and utilities. Please pray for them and the work they, and the Warming Shelter, are doing.
As the Easter season ends, remember, our work as disciples of Jesus Christ continues. May the Holy Spirit guide us and strengthen us to serve those in need, on the streets, and in our pews.
With much love,
Fr. Mario

Dear Family,
This coming May 15^th marks a special anniversary for me, the day I tore my Achilles tendon last year playing basketball during lunch at the elementary school. What an experience that was. From learning how to ascend and descend the rectory stairs with crutches, to gliding into Mass on a scooter, one thing I will not forget is the way the community supported me (no pun intended). My one regret is that I couldn’t save the cast with all the signatures; the cast technician threw it away before I knew it.
I am sharing this seemingly benign anniversary with you because it speaks an important truth; we are called to love one another in the difficult moments of life. That is the measure of a good life, how we loved. St. John of the Cross said, “at the end of life you will be judged on one thing: love.” Thus, when we come across people who are suffering, we should not try to avoid them, even if our first reaction is to do just that. Sometimes I fail at this. On Tuesday night I was driving somewhere and noticed someone laid out in the parking lot of the Arco gas station on the corner of Encinal and Park St. Instead of stopping (as traffic was moving), I kept driving. I wonder what was happening to that person. I need to pray to be ready for those moments and to act with love. St. John also said, “where there is no love, put love, and there you will draw out more love.” For that, I need to pray for an increase in the Holy Spirit. Please join me in doing that as we approach Pentecost next Sunday.
In recent weeks, I have seen people showing great love. I want to thank the team of volunteers who helped put on the picnic at St. Joseph last Sunday. It was so nice to be able to gather with you and St. Barnabas parishioners.
I also want to thank Anne Marie Fourre, Linda Radecke (our 2^nd grade teacher), and their team of helpers for guiding our kids to First Communion. May they always recognize our Lord in the Eucharist, Who nourishes us, and sends us to bring His love into the world

I also want to thank our Teen Confirmation Coordinator, Georgina, and her team of catechists for guiding our teens to the Sacrament of Confirmation. Strengthened by a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, may they also be a source of light and love in our world, as we are all called to be.

With much love,
Fr. Mario
 
 

Dear Family,

Happy Month of May, the Month of Mary. Looking ahead, there are two notable feast days of Mary in May: May 13 is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, and May 31 is the feast of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, one of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.

As I mentioned in last week’s bulletin, one of the things we can do during Easter is pray in a more intentional way to be renewed by the Holy Spirit, by praying the Veni Sanctus Spiritus prayer. Another thing to do is to pray the Rosary every day as well, but not just during the Easter season, but all year long. Why? Because Mary is such an integral part of the Church. We read in Acts of the Apostles: “All [the Apostles] devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (Acts 1:14). Mary was with the Apostles after Jesus ascended into Heaven. She was there guiding them in prayer as they awaited the promised coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which takes place in Acts 2. What a comfort that must have been to the Apostles; the mother of their Lord was with them, consoling them, encouraging them that with God nothing is impossible (cf. Luke 1:37). Jesus, after all, had been conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit. She above all else knew that God is faithful and to be trusted.

Therefore, we must turn to Mary. She is the greatest model of discipleship, of which we are all called to - we who have been baptized into Christ, filled with His Spirit at Confirmation, and receive His Precious Body and Blood. We have celebrated these Sacraments in our parishes recently, at the Easter Vigil, but also with our faith formation classes. 25 teens were Confirmed at the Cathedral on April 20, and our 2^nd graders received First Communion on May 4. They are at the early stages of their journey of becoming Jesus’ disciples. We who have been on the journey for longer must continue to stay connected to Him, as the branches are connected to the vine. Mary is the preeminent way to do this.

I have shared with you before how devotion to Mary is one of my major expectations for each one of us. As we begin this month devoted to Mary, I would like to remind us of those expectations:

At St. Joseph and St. Barnabas, people can expect to find Catholics who…
1. celebrate the Mass with joyful reverence. We prepare for Mass by reading the Mass readings during the week, we wear special clothes to Mass to remind us of the dignity of the Liturgy, we arrive to Mass early to pray to God, and we participate at Mass by singing and saying all the responses with conviction, because we know God is with us.
2. are nourished by Sacred Scripture. Scripture is the living Word of God, which means God speaks to us through the Bible. We say with Jesus, “one does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4).
3. adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Receiving Jesus in Holy Communion at Mass is the greatest gift of God, for in receiving Him we become like Him. This process of transformation is elevated to new heights the more time we spend with our Lord in prayer in the church.
4. love Mary. Mary was, and is, the perfect follower of Jesus. Jesus loved His mom and gave her to the Church because she was an expert at connecting people to Him. It is His expectation that we love her as He does.
5. give generously to their community. Our churches are here to help us grow in faith, but they also need our contributions, our gifts of time, talent, and treasure. This means we must sacrifice, but if we lose our lives for Christ and His Church, we will find them.
I’d also like to take a moment to share some facilities updates. At St. Barnabas, we have had some issues with the thermostat, but this has been resolved. We are also going to be fixing some dry rot around the rectory by replacing old windows. The shrine is progressing; candle stands will be fabricated soon. At St. Joseph, we will begin the lighting upgrade soon so that the sanctuary will no longer be so dark. This will take place during the summer. The reredos/high altar is being created and should be installed by Christmas. We have also been taking care of routine work, like restroom lock repair, fire inspection completion, and irrigation maintenance to cut back on water. Thank you for your incredible generosity!

With much love,
Fr. Mario
 
 

Dear Family,

I hope you have had a joyful Easter season thus far. This season continues for three more weeks, culminating with the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday, May 19. With the Easter season being so long (50 days), the question might arise within us, “what are we to do during this period?” During Lent we have prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. How about Easter? Weekly Easter egg hunt?

Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving aren’t exclusive to Lent. We can continue to incorporate them into our lives. The protocol I shared a few weeks ago is all about prayer. Once a day: Pray; Once a week: go to Adoration; Once a month: go to Confession.

Other things to consider, the Monday men’s Rosary “Power Hour “and Thursday women’s Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy at St. Joseph, both at 6 pm. Join a service ministry like St. Vincent de Paul or Knights of Columbus at both parishes. Or do something at home, like watch a religious movie with your family through our subscription to FORMED.org – there are some good ones on there. Consider reading Scripture too, like Acts of the Apostles. These post-Resurrection events are reminders to us that our Lord Jesus is present within the Church today as He was 2,000 years ago. We too are empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform similar acts of faith in the world.

At the Men’s Power Hour on Monday the 22^nd, we pondered the question, was the Holy Spirit more active back then than He is now? No. Perhaps the public witness needed back then needed to be more extraordinary, but in no way does God ration His Spirit. I propose that, if it seems like the Holy Spirit is less active today than He has been in times past, then it is because of us, not Him. We are the ones who have failed to ask Him to empower us, maybe because we feel like our lives are too mundane to merit a gift as great as that. That is nonsense. We are all called to be holy, which requires the Holy Spirit. God would not call us to something, and then leave us without the means to achieve that call. However, God does respect our freedom; He waits for us to ask for the gift of His help.

So, what to do for the remainder of Easter? Ask for the Holy Spirit. Here is the traditional prayer, “Come, Holy Spirit” (Veni, Sanctus Spiritus). Can you pray this prayer daily, multiple times per day; for yourself, for your family, for our parishes? This is what the early Church did, they gathered and prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide them in everything they did, and look how they changed the world.

With much love,
Fr. Mario

Dear Family,
Below, please find the remaining testimonies of those who were baptized at the Easter Vigil. I would like to thank the R.C.I.A. team: Anne Marie, Carlos, Francesca, George, Mary Louise, and Michael, as well as our children’s Sacrament preparation catechists: Fabiola, Melanie, Molly, and Phyllis. The task of educating people in the faith is at the heart of the Church’s mission, as Jesus said to the Apostles, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20). As the Easter season continues, consider how you can participate in the mission; how can you teach someone else about Jesus?
With much love,
Fr. Mario
 

Ryder Faria, age 8 (pictured with sister Ella, age 6)

At first, I wanted to do it so I could do First Holy Communion with my class. [I’m just being honest Mom.] But then I wanted to do it so I could always have God in my heart and try to be good like him. It meant a lot to do it Ella and Elena, and Everette, and little Ellia. Well, all the Catechumens were really cool. I liked how we wore black, and it was like our sins were washed away and then we came out in the white, and we were just more holy. Everyone kept saying welcome to our community and it felt happy.

Albert Tanasse, age 8
I wanted to be baptized to be closer to Jesus through the Eucharist. Last year I felt very alone when I was not receiving the Sacraments. Doing something for the first time can feel weird too, but I was tired of missing out! Many people helped me and prayed for me, like my sponsor Auntie Michelle, my friends, Anne Marie, Fr. Mario, and Fr. Sunil. I was surprised by how happy all my classmates and even strangers at church were to see me baptized. I felt appreciated when I saw my friends, Gianna, and Avery, at Easter Vigil. They were almost as excited as I was. Now that I receive Communion, I feel stronger.

Colette Tanasse, age 11
When I was in the fifth grade, my mom started going to church again. She would go every Sunday and most weekdays. When she started asking me to go, at first, I didn't want to. We did a "trial run" where I'd go to Mass four weeks in a row, and if I didn't want to go after that, I didn't have to. On the fourth Sunday, I saw the Wrights there, Michaela, Gabriel, Raphaela, Michelle, and Doug. The main reason I didn't want to go to church was that none of my friends did, until we started going with the Wrights. Our families became very close, seeing each other sometimes more than I would see my extended family. They didn't know I wasn't baptized, but I thought my mom had told them. Apparently not, because when they were in Hong Kong, Michelle texted my mom asking if she could get Albert (my younger brother) a first communion certificate from the Vatican, since he and Gabriel were supposed to receive the sacraments soon in second grade.

When they came back, Michelle asked if I wanted to be baptized. I had thought about it before, when my uncle was baptized a few years ago, but not recently. I thought about it for a while and decided to do it. We started the process a few months later. I chose my other uncle to be my sponsor because he was like a third parent to me (he took care of me when I was young a lot when my parents were busy). I had my Rite of Acceptance on Pentecost. I enjoyed dismissal, talking about the readings, and talking to my fellow catechumens outside of dismissal. When we were baptized, I could tell they were all very happy and I am too! We took a special journey together.

I am excited to be an altar server and to be able to participate in Mass and church functions without feeling out of place. Sometimes at school Mass before I was in the choir, I felt like I didn't have a role, and like I didn't quite have a purpose just receiving a blessing. I feel a lot of relief and joy now. I am interested in finding different ways I can help other kids to learn about their faith.
 
Philip Wilson, age 84
On 2020 I lost my wife of 35 years and was in a dark time in my life. I have always believed that there is a heaven and afterlife, so I want to have eternal life and be with my wife and parents. On my night of getting baptized, I felt a wonderful glow in me.

Dear Family,
On the night of the Easter Vigil a couple weeks ago, we welcomed 10 new members into our Catholic family. I asked them to share a little bit about why they made this decision. Over the next couple of weeks, as we continue to journey through the Easter season, I will share their responses with you, which are quite moving.
Sometimes, we can take our faith for granted (especially if we were baptized as infants), but when we hear stories of people choosing the faith, our appreciation for it ought to grow. Faith offered through the Catholic religion is a beautiful thing; there is nothing else like it, and as Catholics, we are called by Jesus to make disciples of all nations. Can you think of someone God might be asking you to share your faith with, or perhaps even invite to consider becoming Catholic? Pray about it. That would be an amazing gift to share.
With much love,
Fr. Mario

Lauren Huynh, age 13
I decided to get baptized to grow a stronger relationship with God. In the beginning of my journey, I didn’t fully understand what that meant until I started going to dismissal every Sunday during Mass. It was then, during those discussions, that I began to realize what it meant to have a closer connection with God. Being close to God doesn’t necessarily mean being the “perfect Catholic” and never sinning, which is what I thought it meant, but rather putting your trust in God and growing your faith in him. Reflecting on the Gospel has also helped me understand the true purpose of God’s works and how he has a plan for all of us in the world; all we have to do is listen to God’s calling, and for me that was baptism. I have learned that God will always be watching over me and that he will never fail to shine his light on me during times of darkness. Throughout my journey to baptism, I have also learned about the importance of praying and listening for God’s message in the Gospel. During this past Lent, before I got baptized, I specifically set my focus on reflecting on the Gospel and the message that God was trying to tell me. I learned about the importance of spreading the Gospel and what I am being called to do after baptism as well. My journey to getting baptized has allowed me to develop a stronger understanding of who God really is to me and how he can be seen in my life every day. I feel so incredibly lucky and grateful to have been able to have this opportunity to get baptized through St. Joseph as this parish has such a welcoming and kind community. When I got baptized, I felt ecstatic and like I was closer to God than I had ever been. I am very happy to officially be called Catholic now and I feel like I better understand what that means. I can’t wait to learn more about God and grow my faith in the future!
 
Lauren’s younger sister, Morgan, age 11 (not baptized at the Vigil but wanted to share)
This journey of baptism has meant a lot to me. I got baptized when I was a baby and, when I got baptized, I wasn't aware of how it would affect my life so positively. Baptism has helped me build a relationship with God the Father, Jesus, and the Virgin Mary. It has made me realize my sins when I fall at my lowest moments. Along with this, baptism helps me stay close to the fire that burns within me, which calls me back to the Father, Jesus, and Mary. Throughout the time I've spent at this church, baptism has made me feel more like a member of the St. Joseph community. My baptism has drawn me back to those I love most, it helps me build a strong bond and relationship with God and the saints and allows me to feel my Catholic faith more from within me. In conclusion my Baptism journey from when I was a baby to where I am now has given me the ability to always have God, Jesus, and the Virgin Mary by my side. Baptism has truly meant the most to me.

Isaiah Rios, age 10
I chose to be baptized to feel closer to God. I like being able to talk to my cousins about my lessons because they are also being baptized and getting their First Communion in May. This journey has not only brought me closer to God, but my family and friends too.
 

Dear Family,

Happy Feast of Divine Mercy. This name was officially given to the Second Sunday of Easter by Pope St. John Paul II in 2000, when he canonized St. Faustina, the Polish nun who received private revelations from Jesus during the 1930s. In those revelations, which you can read in her published diary, our Lord asked Faustina to spread the word of His infinite mercy in several ways. First, by commissioning the image seen here, which depicts our Lord risen from the tomb. Our Lord spoke to Faustina, saying, “Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You…I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory” (Diary #47, 48). (Taken from www.thedivinemercy.org)

I have felt a strong attachment to this image and its promise since I first came across it in the seminary. For this reason, I purchased the large copy of the image for the candle room at St. Joseph - the Grotto - which I refer to as the “healing chapel,” since each image in there is associated with some form of healing; St. Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer patients, St. Dymphna is the patron saint of those with mental illness, the image of the Archangel Gabriel is for those struggling to conceive a child, and of course, the statues of St. Bernadette of Lourdes with our Lady; how many pilgrims have traveled to Lourdes, France to bathe in the spring water which our Lady revealed to Bernadette. I thought it fitting that there be an image in that chapel for those who are seeking the most important healing of all, spiritual healing; hence, Divine Mercy.

To Faustina, our Lord said concerning the image, “The two rays denote Blood and Water. The pale ray stands for the Water which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the Blood which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him (#299).

Another way our Lord asked Faustina to spread the message of His mercy was through the chaplet, which is prayed on Rosary beads, as well as a novena, culminating in a feast of Mercy. In her life, Faustina never lived to see the Second Sunday of Easter changed to this feast day, but she was faithful to our Lord’s requests. To learn more about the image of Divine Mercy, visit www.thedivinemercy.org

As we continue to journey through Easter, consider learning how to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (it takes less time than the Rosary), or simply meditate on the image of our Lord. I would suggest getting one for your home as a reminder of the love our Lord has for each of us. This is a fitting way to continue to celebrate the season of Easter, which lasts for many more weeks. The stores have put away the typical decorations, but we as Catholics continue to proclaim the Easter message: our merciful Lord, Jesus Christ, is risen from the tomb, Alleluia!

With much love,
Fr. Mario
 

Dear Family,

Christ is Risen! Happy Easter, today, and for the entire Easter season!
I’m always excited for the Easter season because it is 50 days of celebration, culminating on Pentecost Sunday, which is May 19^th. The 50 days commemorate the 40 days Jesus remained with His Apostles after the Resurrection until His Ascension, and the 10 days following when they waited for Him to send the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Some may say Pentecost marks the end of the Easter season, but really it signals the beginning of the mission of the Church. The eternal Son of God took on flesh, died, rose from the dead, and gifted His Spirit to the people He gathered, which we call the Church, so that the members of the Church would be filled with His divine life, and be empowered to go out into the world to evangelize, which means to share the Gospel, that God who was born and died, is alive and loves you!

These 50 days, therefore, are not normal days; they are days of joy. These are the days when the Alleluia returns and is sung with great rejoicing. Alleluia is a Hebrew word that means “praise the Lord,” which we do because He has risen from the tomb, illuminating the darkness that so often creeps into our lives. With Christ we have light and life, even amidst the trying times that we all face. With Christ, we will not be overcome. In fact, it is in the darkness of those times that we see Him more clearly, for light shines brightest in the darkness. During the Cold War, one of the darkest times our world has ever seen, Pope Saint John Paul II reminded the Church of this truth:

We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery - the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. “We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!” [quoting St. Augustine]. We are not looking for a shallow joy but rather a joy that comes from faith, that grows through unselfish love…”

It is good to be reminded of this as we find ourselves amid sin, poverty, and pain, even in the Holy Land. Our Easter joy cannot, must not, be superficial. People are suffering physically, mentally, and spiritually. They are starving for that quality of life and love that only a deep faith in the risen Christ can provide. We must not be overcome by the darkness of the world or anyone who tries to convince us that Christ and the Church are uninspiring, boring, or irrelevant. Some people stay away from the Church because they say they “don’t get anything out of it.” Let’s be clear about something, Christ, risen from the dead, draws near to us and invites us to share in His victory over sin and death. There is nothing else in life that comes anywhere near that, and we as Catholics get to experience this not simply during Easter, but each Sunday, indeed, each day. As we read bulletin articles this Lent of fellow parishioners being “revived by the Eucharist in the wildness,” know that our Lord is ever-present there in the Mass, on the altar, in the tabernacle, calling us to Himself.

My hope for you this Easter season is that you will experience Him speaking to your heart, calling you from darkness to light, from death to life.

With much love,
Father Mario 
​​

Dear Family,
We continue to make our Lenten journey together, guided by the theme, “Revived by the Eucharist in the Wilderness.” Below, please enjoy another parishioner testimony on the Eucharist. This week, I asked a member of both the parish and the elementary school, Gisele Tanasse, to share her thoughts on the Eucharist. Gisele is an alumna of our high school, but has recently begun to immerse herself into parish ministry, giving her time as a lector, sacristan, helper for Arts and Environment, and basically stepping up wherever there is a need in the church and the school where she has two kids.
I hope you find in these testimonies encouragement and inspiration to grow in your love of Jesus in the Eucharist. He is there to revive u
With much love,
Fr. Mario
 
“Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament…There you will find romance, glory, honor, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves upon earth.” (J. R. R. Tolkien)
“Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the Living Heart of each of our parishes.” (Pope St. Paul VI)

My return to the Eucharist is recent: I wandered in the secular wilderness, largely away from the Church, for my entire adult life. When a good friend died in an accident, I was devastated and recognized that my pain was a spiritual pain. What stuck with me was an invitation from Fr. Mario for elementary school parents to take a break in the Basilica, "you don't have to do anything... just sit in silence."

This was the loophole I needed. I was in a tricky spot, on a second civil marriage, now with two kids who hadn’t even been baptized. To reconcile with God and return to receiving the Eucharist seemed impossible, but spending time in peaceful silence with Jesus in the morning led to attending daily Mass and praying the Rosary.

One night, overwhelmed by a feeling of helplessness, through the Rosary, I perceived a message, “Bring it to your Father.” This phrase is at the center of the time I spend in Adoration and prayerful reflection - I am still learning what it means. “Bring it to your Father” can be a call to prayer or Reconciliation, a prompt to thank God, and often a reminder that I don’t have to worry about doing anything, but just ask for the Lord’s help and to remember God’s love – some days, I have a harder time at this than others! It all seems to come down to how much time I have spent in Adoration, refilling my tank.

My favorite part of mass is the Consecration - knowing that God accepts our most humble sacrifice, simple bread and wine, and through the Holy Spirit, through His Word, He transforms them. Similarly, He has transformed the grief I offered Him into the comfort of loving, faith-filled friendships; He has transformed the civil marriage we offered him to a Catholic marriage; and He has transformed our unbaptized children into the Elect (soon to be baptized this Easter). He has transformed me and my life.

My love of the Eucharist and my appreciation of His true presence grew most fervently during the many months I did not receive Communion while preparing for my convalidation. Whether one approaches Jesus at Mass as I do today, with hands outstretched to joyfully receive the Body of Christ… or if we approach Him not yet ready to receive, but offering a sincere reverence, He is ardently thirsting for us all. 
 
For when he asked the Samaritan Woman for water to drink,
He had already created the gift of faith within her,
And so ardently did he thirst for her faith,
That He kindled in her the fire of divine love. (Preface of the Third Sunday of Lent)

Dear Family,
We continue to make our Lenten journey together, guided by the theme, “Revived by the Eucharist in the Wilderness.” Below, please enjoy another parishioner testimony on the Eucharist. This week, I asked a member of the women’s Thursday Rosary, Dr. Terecita Dean (see back of bulletin for her ad), to share her thoughts on the Eucharist. Dr. Dean is also the leader of the St. Joseph Legion of Mary, a member of the Pastoral Care Ministry, as well as a lector.
I hope you find in these testimonies encouragement and inspiration to grow in your love of Jesus in the Eucharist. He is there to revive us.
With much love,
Fr. Mario
 
"Like Mary, let us be full of zeal to go in haste to give Jesus to others. She was full of grace when, at the Annunciation, she received Jesus. Like her, we too become full of grace every time we receive Holy Communion. It is the same Jesus whom she received and whom we receive at Mass. As soon as we receive Jesus in Holy Communion, let us go in haste to give Him to our sisters, to our poor, to the sick, to the dying, to the lepers, to the unwanted, and the unloved. By this we make Jesus present in the world today." (St. Teresa of Calcutta)

Devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary, our Queen, has led me closer to our Lord, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The Eucharist began in Mary’s womb. She nourished Him, and through the gift of the Eucharist, I am empowered with His divine love. This is why I have dedicated myself to being a member of the Legion of Mary.

Through the Legion of Mary, I consecrate myself to Mary, the masterpiece of God’s hands, and I desire to imitate her virtues. As I strive for holiness - to love like her, to practice charity and humility - I look at the interior disposition of my life, and I become aware of the Holy Spirit’s still, small voice (c.f. 1 Kings 19:13), especially at Mass and Eucharistic Adoration.

Before the Blessed Sacrament, I rest with God. He opens my eyes. He takes away my fears. He is the source of my strength and spiritual well-being. Strong is His love for us; God is faithful (cf. Ps 117). He showers His love on us and transforms us. I walk in His freedom now.

At Mass, I close my eyes after Holy Communion and ask Mary to lend me her heart. I feel an ocean of love surrounds me, an experience that leads me to adore the Eucharist more profoundly. At one Mass, as the priest elevated the consecrated Host, I saw within it a vision of the Cross. I felt the Lord’s presence and peace. As I partake of the Body and Blood of the Lord in the Eucharist, my soul draws strength as we are taken up into communion with Him and with one another. As a member of the Legion of Mary, I have seen the Eucharist do the same for the sick when we bring them Holy Communion.

The Eucharist is truly the flesh and blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is God’s gift to us, the Sacrament of His love. Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin has helped me to keep my heart pure and to experience the treasure of God’s love. The closer I come to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, to Mary, and St. Joseph, the more I experience their tremendous love, and hunger for visits with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. There, I prepare myself more attentively to receive the Eucharist at Mass because I want to be one with God, to be filled with His inconceivable graces that strengthen me, and to allow His will to be done in me.

“I put my hope in God the Father who richly provides for us everything we need.” (1 Timothy 6:17)
 

Dear Family,
We continue to make our Lenten journey together, guided by the theme, “Revived by the Eucharist in the Wilderness.” Below, please enjoy another parishioner testimony on the Eucharist. This week, I asked another member of the men’s Power Hour, John, to share his thoughts on the Eucharist. John is also a member of the Finance Council, and is in charge of picking up the donuts with his family for our Sunday monthly hospitality. Thanks John!
I hope you find in these testimonies encouragement and inspiration to grow in your love of Jesus in the Eucharist. He is there to revive us.
With much love,
Fr. Mario
 
"To withdraw from creatures and repose with Jesus in the Tabernacle is my delight; there I can hide myself and seek rest. There I find a life which I cannot describe, a joy which I cannot make others comprehend, a peace such as is found only under the hospitable roof of our best Friend." (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

I admittedly grew up taking the Eucharist for granted. Despite being a cradle Catholic who received all the sacraments growing up, I didn’t understand it, and frankly didn’t recognize that it is Jesus’ true body, blood, soul, and divinity. When I came to realize that the Eucharist is God Himself, not “just a symbol,” it was like putting the world into focus. The Church doesn’t merely offer us memories and lessons about Jesus; it offers us Jesus Himself. The Eucharist does not merely put us in a Christian mindset so we can be better people, it remakes us spiritually from within. 
 

Just as important for this realization was witnessing how other communities and cultures venerate the Eucharist, that I had not been exposed to growing up. I discovered Eucharistic Adoration, Benediction, and public processions. I witnessed humble people crawling on their knees up the aisle to the altar. I saw people declining to receive out of a sense (rightly or wrongly) that they were not worthy. I came to recognize aspects of the ritual of the Mass I once thought merely practical (linens, veils, cleaning of the vessels, etc.) as things done to ensure the sacred species not be disrespected by being dropped or spilled. None of these things make sense if the Eucharist is just a symbol.

I thank God for the gift of the Eucharist, and for blessing me with good people throughout my life who have inspired me by their devotion to it. 

Dear Family,
We continue to make our Lenten journey together, guided by the theme, “Revived by the Eucharist in the Wilderness.” Below, please enjoy another parishioner testimony on the Eucharist. This week, I asked another member of the men’s Power Hour, Daniel, to share his thoughts on the Eucharist, as I often see Daniel at adoration on Fridays.
I hope you find in these testimonies encouragement and inspiration to grow in your love of Jesus in the Eucharist. He is there to revive us.
With much love,
Fr. Mario
 
"The Eucharist is the supreme proof of the love of Jesus. After this, there is nothing more but Heaven itself.”
(St. Peter Julian Eymard)

The path to holiness in my life has been long, slow, and riddled with obstacles. At points, the obstacles were total blocks. Attempting to climb with my own strength would only make me fall, damaged and dejected. So instead, I sat, not moving, acclimating to life in their shadows. That is where most of my life was spent.
I let my faith fall to the side of the road. When I returned, feebly, I began again to scratch at the mountains in the way and beg God for an answer. Then one day I looked back and was shocked to see the obstacles behind me, even though I had all but given up. My only explanation was that I was carried by some great strength. It must have been a strength far greater than my own, but also so gentle that it evaded my notice.

It goes without saying that it was the strength of God. Not in some inspirational and intangible spiritual sense, but a real, physical strength. A strength that would only makes sense if God were physically present in my life. As Catholics, we know this is the Eucharist. It is a gift whose immensity defies our comprehension. Our God comes every Mass to dwell physically among us and in us, yet, hidden from our senses. It is a gift whose value is often hidden as well.

The Eucharist is a difficult concept for non-Catholics and Catholics alike precisely because it contradicts our senses. How can a little bread and wine be God? Most fundamentally because Christ Himself says so. Looking to the saints is also helpful. We inherit a great wealth of faithfulness from centuries of their contemplation of the Mystery. “Let faith stand in where the senses fail” as St. Thomas Aquinas said. Keeping their hymns (Pange Lingua, Adoro Te Devote, Anima Christi, and others) close and ready is a beautiful way to let their musings fill in when my own words of adoration fail. Their radical witness to Christ in the Eucharist gives more “proof” for my own faulty faith.
The best proof in my own life, however, has come with time. Just as a seedling may grow imperceptibly, the proof of its activity is undeniable after years. Looking back on the immense obstacles over which God has carried me, His physical presence in my life is undeniable. His strength also bolsters my resolve as I look to the obstacles ahead, less afraid, and more quietly hopeful than ever before in my life.
 
 

Dear Family,

We continue to make our Lenten journey together, guided by the theme, “Revived by the Eucharist in the Wilderness.” Below, please enjoy another parishioner testimony on the Eucharist. This week, I asked long-time parishioner, SJND alum, and current usher, Ray Natac to share his thoughts on the Eucharist. Ray is also a faithful participant in the Monday Men’s Power Hour. I hope you find in these testimonies encouragement and inspiration to grow in your love of Jesus in the Eucharist. He is there to revive us.

With much love,
Fr. Mario
 
“O sublime humility! O humble sublimity! That the Lord of the whole universe, God and the Son of God, should humble himself like this and hide under the form of a little bread, for our salvation.” (St. Francis of Assisi)

Many see it as bread made of flour and water. Still many others see it as just a Catholic communion wafer. I see it as Jesus’ consecrated body that I consume in the form of holy Eucharist.
I remember as a kid watching the cartoon Popeye. When he ate spinach, his muscles would grow, and he was then able to overcome whatever was in his way. I see the Eucharist as a super food of sorts. Like spinach for Popeye, the Eucharist gives me the power to meet life’s challenges in a positive and blessed way - more so than I could without it. I often get emotional before consuming, as I know this superpower is a gift that can’t be taken for granted.

I hope any positive interaction I have with people - thanks to the Eucharist in me - leaves a smile on their face, and they then pass on this positivity to others. And, just as important, I can learn lessons from interactions less than positive, too.
Another way I experience the Eucharist is going to Adoration. In silent prayer, I’m able to thank Jesus for what He did for me, and to remind Him that, “Here I am Lord, I come to do your will” (cf. Psalm 40:8). I have yet to physically hear his voice (maybe I’d freak out if I did!?), but I’m confident He appreciates this graciousness. I remind Him to use me as a vessel to do whatever He wills. After all, I don’t know of anyone who has died for me as He has done. Adoration gives me that chance to worship Him and say, “Thank You.”

In conclusion, I underwent emergency brain tumor surgery over 12 years ago and asked my doctors not to tell me the chances of survival. I am convinced that the Eucharist and prayers got me through this health scare. As my late sister wrote in an online blog at the time, “Father Steve from Ray's parish [in North Carolina] came to the hospital to offer Eucharist and prayer. Again, as I reached out to hold his hand during the Lord's prayer, tears flowed from his eyes.”

Eucharist to me is life …
 

(Ray and Fr. Mario on “Buy a Priest a Beer Day)
 
 

Dear Family,
As we begin this Lenten season, I want to remind you of our theme for the next 40 days: “Revived by the Eucharist in the Wilderness.” Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, our faith tells us, for it was He who said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51). During Lent, we will be focusing on the beauty of the Eucharist. My hope is that you will all have a special encounter with our Lord Jesus in this Sacrament. To help you do so, I will include some quotes about the Eucharist, including what our heroes, the saints said about it. I have also asked some parishioners to share what the Eucharist means to them. Below, please find a profound reflection from two parishioners, Melva and Victor Ramos.
With much love,
Fr. Mario

“A thousand years of enjoying human glory is not worth even an hour spent sweetly communing with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.” (St. Padre Pio)
Over our 38 years together, it's impossible to tally up all the dates we've shared. Our journey began with a long-distance relationship. With Victor in Alameda, California, and I in New Orleans, Louisiana, our pre-marriage courtship was filled with long conversations over the phone. During our first year of marriage, we savored dates that couldn't be replicated over the phone: lunches, dinners, picnics, hikes, and drives. As our family grew with the arrival of three children, our anniversary celebrations evolved into romantic overnight getaways. However, no matter how slyly we tried to sneak away, our three boys always managed to surprise us, packed and ready to join in the adventure. This tradition turned into a cherished family vacation over the years, creating unforgettable memories during our anniversary celebrations.
As the children grew and our careers grew, life and busyness also grew. We attended Mass but seldom attended Adoration. Adoration, for us now, is a sign of devotion to, and worship of, Jesus Christ, who we believe to be present, body, blood, soul, and divinity under the appearance of the consecrated bread and wine. Now we know that to attend Adoration is to sit with Jesus and spend time with Him in prayer, but back then it was difficult for us to justify spending an hour in apparent idleness when countless responsibilities clamored for our attention as spouses, parents, children, siblings, and friends.

Over time, God reminded us of the times our children would show up, wanting simply to be in our company, and we understood that we too, wanted to be in the presence of Jesus. We would often find ourselves driving to church, drawn to the Blessed Sacrament, where we would adore, pray, converse, and simply be with each other, and with Him. We cannot tell you how or when this became a habit, but with everything else that we as a couple must coordinate and write down on our calendars, this is the one thing that we did not need a reminder for. We do this as a couple every Friday, and this has become our favorite date night.

Spending time with Jesus during Adoration and receiving the Eucharist regularly as a couple makes the self-giving part of our marriage stronger. We cannot give what we do not have. The Holy Eucharist teaches us how to be present to one another through silence, receptivity, listening, and availability. It is one of the most profound ways that we, as husband and wife, can stay with Christ on this journey of our life together.
 

Dear Family,

As we approach the sacred season of Lent, I would like to offer you some tips on how to get more out of this season. I like to think of Lent as a privileged time to rest with Christ from the routine of daily life that often consumes us and weighs us down. Although our first reaction to Lent may be one of gloom, I have come to appreciate this season of sacrifice more and more. Jesus modeled what Lent can be for us during his 40-day fast in the wilderness. Yes, it was a time of spiritual combat for Him, but it was also a time of intimate union with the Father, in which He prepared for His mission. Nourished by prayer and fasting, Jesus emerged from the wilderness with clarity and conviction as to what He was sent to do, lay down His life for us to free us from sin and save us from eternal death. Lent can be the same for us, a time of rediscovering God’s love, as well as a time to recommit ourselves to the mission God has for us, which is to connect others to Christ.

My new vision statement for our parishes is precisely this, connected to Christ, we connect others to Him, and there is no better way to connect with Christ than through the Eucharist. Thus, I am proposing a theme for Lent to help guide us, “Revived by the Eucharist in the Wilderness.” I am going with this theme since the Church in the U.S. is the middle of a national Eucharistic revival (remember, our diocese had a Eucharistic congress in September). During Lent, I will be speaking more about the Eucharist, and all us priests will preach more intently on the mystery of Jesus’ Real Presence there.

Below, you’ll find a list of activities you can do to satisfy the traditional Lenten customs of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, as well as a page to cut out and fill in with what you’ll do. As you pray about what God wants you to do for Lent, I ask you to pray especially on how you can devote more time to growing in your relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. He is there, inviting us to freedom, to revival, to resurrection.

With much love,
Fr. Mario

Pray
-Attend weekday Mass once or more per week.
-Visit a church for silent prayer during the day or after work. Start small and add time each week.
-Attend Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Again, start small, and add time gradually.
-Pray the Rosary or Chaplet of Divine Mercy, especially as a family. We have weekly Rosary groups for men and women.
-Do some spiritual reading: read a book on spirituality, the writings of the saints, or Scripture. Read the readings for Sunday Mass during the week prior.
-Pray the Stations of the Cross (both parishes are offering this on Fridays).
-Do an examination of conscience and go to Confession. This is required if you are conscious of having committed a serious sin.

Fast
-Fast from a food or beverage you enjoy, or fast from snacks and eat healthier in general.
-Fast from sleeping in or hitting the snooze button. Wake up and go to bed earlier.
-Lower the temperature in the house or in the shower.
-Fast from buying unnecessary items, e.g., clothes or electronics.
-Attend St. Joseph’s Friday Soup Night.
-Fast from gossip and hurtful words, bad language, holding a grudge, pessimism and complaining, impatience, and selfishness.
-Fast from screen time, e.g., no electronics after 8 pm.
-Fast from looking at inappropriate images or listening to inappropriate music. Listen to sacred music like Gregorian chant, or contemporary praise music.

Give alms
-Do the Corporal Works of Mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit prisoners, bury the dead, and clothe the naked.
-Increase your donation to the Sunday collection, even if it’s $5 per week. Remember, Jesus praised the woman who gave everything, her two coins, not just her excess.
-Join one of our outreach ministries: St Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus (for men), or the Pastoral Care
Ministry.
-Give to a Catholic charity.
-Do the Spiritual Works of mercy: admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries, and pray for the living and the dead.
-Give some time to someone who could use it, e.g., call your siblings or an old friend, or visit a lonely neighbor.

 

Dear Family,

As we begin February, I would like to offer you the usual monthly updates on facilities and other current events going on in our churches.
First off, facilities. At St. Barnabas, we are in the process of replacing the commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. By the time you read this, it should be installed. Hopefully, we will be able to put this fridge to good use, hosting more social events in Selhorst Hall. In the rectory, we will be cleaning the carpets to make the space a little more comfortable. Lastly, we have done our normal 5-year sprinkler inspection to maintain proper safety standards.

At St. Joseph, we have done some drainage improvements to get ready for the wet weather, as well as improved fire safety by adding Knox boxes and repairing emergency lights. As many of you know, the lift outside the office has been out of order for a while, but we are in the process of having a replacement part fabricated. We are also in the process of addressing exterior trip hazards. Thank you for your generosity, especially to the first Sunday of the month second collections at both parishes that go directly to maintaining the facilities.
On a broader scale, I am very excited to announce that we will be changing to new record-keeping software called Realm. Currently, we have three main areas where record-keeping software is being implemented, (1) communications, (2) financial contributions, and (3) parishioner data. For communications we use Constant Contact, for financial contributions we use Faith Direct, and for parishioner data we use Parish Database Systems (PDS). With Realm, all three will be in one place.
This improvement primarily serves the administrative needs of our staff; no longer will they have to maintain the synchronization of three separate systems. But it also offers some exciting opportunities to support the ways you are involved at the parishes. It will make it easier for our church family to connect with each other, keep up with what’s going on, and grow as a connected community of faith. For example, one of the main things I am excited about is the ability to communicate with the groups we are involved in directly from the Realm mobile app. Say goodbye to all the group emails!

I will be updating you more on the roll-out in the coming months. During February and March, the staff will be attending several training sessions with Realm staff to make sure we can fully utilize the software. After this, the sign-up process will begin. My expectation is that each member of the community will sign up. As a matter of fact, I will add that to my list of expectations for our parishes, which I am updating this month. Formerly, the expectations began as being specific to the Mass. The Mass is the “source and summit” of our faith, which means that it is what inspires us to put our faith into practice out in the world. Thus, the new expectations, while not eliminating the old ones, expand them, keeping in mind a new vision statement I have been praying about: “Connected to Christ, we connect others to Him.” These expectations are meant to help us live this out.

At St. Joseph and St. Barnabas, people can expect to find Catholics who…
1)    celebrate the Mass with joyful reverence. Formerly, this was several expectations, including, read the Mass readings during the week to prepare for Mass, wear special clothes to Mass, arrive to Mass early, and participate at Mass by singing and saying all the responses with conviction. I still maintain all these expectations, but what is most essential is our attitude toward the sacred. To connect people to Christ, we must be people of joy who worship with dignity and grace.
2) are nourished by Sacred Scripture. Scripture is the living Word of God, which means God speaks to us through the Bible. In addition to the Traditions of the Church, Scripture is the main way in which God reveals His plan of love and mercy. We need to know our history, for, as St. Jerome said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” We must know the Scriptures to know Christ, for if we do not know Him, how can we connect others to Him?
3)    adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Receiving Jesus in Holy Communion at Mass is the greatest gift of God, for in receiving Him we become like Him. But this process of transformation is elevated to new heights the more time we spend with our Lord. Jesus gives Himself to us in the Eucharist to nourish us precisely so that we can gift ourselves to others. It is this testimony of self-less giving that will lead others to connection with Christ.
4) love Mary. Following Jesus and remaining connected to Him is not easy. We need help to do this, we need examples from people who have succeeded in doing this, we need their prayers. Mary was, and is, the perfect follower of Jesus. Jesus loved His mom and gave her to the Church because she was an expert at connecting people to Him. If we are going to connect people to the Son, we must stay connected to His mother.
5) give generously to their community. I grew up Catholic, I went to Mass (almost) every weekend, but my faith took off when I got involved as a cantor in my home parish, singing on Sundays and then later at funerals. Our churches are here to help us grow in faith, but they also need our contributions, our gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Will this mean we must sacrifice? Yes. But if we lose our lives for Christ, we will find them. So, be active in the community, contribute, volunteer. Don’t be afraid but be bold. Christ wants to connect with you.
Thank you for being here and for playing an active part in our parishes.

With much love,
Fr. Mario
 


 

 

Dear Family,
This week, our Church celebrates Catholic Schools Week, a time for reawakening our appreciation for the critical work that these institutions take part in. Throughout history, Catholics and people of other faiths have found themselves trying to practice their faith amidst ridicule, even oppression. In Catholic schools, young people are given the opportunity to freely learn and grow not just academically, but spiritually as well, which I would argue is the most important work of the Catholic school. Catholic schools are places where our young people come to know the love of God and enjoy His friendship.

I have shared this story before but perhaps it is new to you. One day, I was outside of the elementary school with the students as they waited to be picked up by their parents. They were seated on the benches waiting patiently, when I spontaneously asked a group of first or second graders if they wanted a blessing. At first, they were somewhat unsure, but when they saw that the blessing consisted of a simple tap on the head with my hand and the words, “God bless you,” the entire group insisted on receiving blessings. I proceeded down the line of students, “God bless you…God bless you…God bless you.” I don’t think that lesson could have been taught in a public school.

More recently, I had a profound experience in the high school before Christmas break, which prompted me to write a letter to the entire high school community to share my experience. During Advent, communal reconciliation services were arranged for all the students to attend with their religion classes. We met in the basilica over a couple of days, listened to the Word of God, examined our consciences, then had the chance to go to Confession. And there were beautiful, humble, heartfelt confessions. Even many non-Catholics asked to speak to a priest to talk about their concerns. It was my privilege to have had that opportunity with the school.

Growing up, I never attended Catholic school; my first experience of Catholic school was the seminary in Menlo Park. Since being ordained and having schools at both of my assignments (the first being Christ the King in Pleasant Hill), I have come to deeply appreciate the Catholic school system. This is because I see the impact religion has on people, even if it isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it is, like at First Reconciliation last week with the kids preparing for First Communion from both our school and faith formation program (which is also stellar). The smiles on their faces after they celebrated the Sacrament was a clear and immediate indication of the importance of religious education. More, subtly, a young couple who met at SJND and graduated in 2015 came to me earlier in the week asking to go through marriage prep, saying that their time at the school provided them a great academic, as well as moral education, which led the groom to go through R.C.I.A. and become Catholic a few years after high school.

Catholic schools can provide this foundation, even if it takes some time for the foundation to settle. If you would like to know more about our school community, our principals and staffs are always ready to help you learn more. It is important to remember, however, that whether your family chooses Catholic school or not, the most important factor is that your family grows in faith together. The school or faith formation programs is there to assist the parents, who are the primary educators in the faith. Take it from me, when I was younger, I bemoaned going to “CCD,” but I remember going as a family to my mother’s family’s synagogue in Daly City and to Mass at St. Monica in Moraga. I remember my father leading our family in prayer at big family meals, always thanking those generations of family members who passed the faith on to us. Years later, after all my formal education, encountering God in prayer and the liturgy, and learning how to worship Him there and follow Him, has been the most important lesson I have ever been taught.

On behalf of our principals, Danielle Colvert at SJES and Fr. Steve Kim at SJND, thank you for supporting our schools. Please pray for both schools and all the faculty, staff, and students who attend there. Pray that everyone who enters these halls will have a life-changing encounter with Jesus the rabbi, the teacher.

With much love,
Fr. Mario

Dear Family,

As we enter back into the season of Ordinary Time, we do so not with sadness that the Christmas season is over, but with hope. This is because the Advent and Christmas seasons at our two parishes were full of joy, which is a sign of the good things to come in the upcoming year. I know because I’ve seen it for the last four years. As I enter my 5th year in Alameda, I want to extend my sincerest thanks to you all, who give so much to this community. Thank you for making this year, and especially this season of Christ’s birth so special.

Thank you to both Angel Giving Tree coordinators, and for all of you who bought a gift for those in need. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for hosting Santa Clause and for making us a delicious pancake breakfast.
Thank you to the Guadalupana ministry for praying for a novena for us to our Lady of Guadalupe, and for hosting Mañanitas on December 12^th with beautiful music followed by delicious food. Thank you to both parish’s Simbang Gabi groups, especially to Alex Ramos who is stepping down after leading the group for the last 11 years. Thank you to everyone for feeding us in spirit as well as in body at the meals that followed the Masses.
 
Thank you to those who helped coordinate the end of the year party at St. Barnabas, and to everyone who donated food. That party is turning out to be one of the highlights of my year.
Thank you to our Arts and Environment teams. Each season you do an amazing job transforming the churches, drawing us deeper into the mystery of the different liturgical seasons. Thank you to our liturgical ministers, our lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, ushers and greeters, sacristans, altar servers, Christ-In-Action performers led by Carmen, and musicians led by Bernadette, David, and Michael. The liturgy is the most important thing we do as Catholics, and I am so proud of the effort you put in week after week to make our liturgy sacred and prayerful.

Thank you to our staff: Anne Marie and Georgina (faith formation) Chris and Santiago (facilities), Gloria, Sherley, and Stan (office), Fr. Kenneth and Fr. Sunil. These individuals give so much working alongside their teams of devoted volunteers. I consider myself extremely blessed to have co-workers like you in the “vineyard,” and I look forward to ministering with you in the new year.

Lastly, thank you parishioners. I received many heartwarming cards this year. Thank you! Most of all, thank you for your commitment to your church and for giving of your time, talent, and treasure. Although our parishes are a part of a larger diocese, these are your parishes, nonetheless. My hope for 2024 is that you will come to embrace the parish not simply as “the parish,” but as your parish, our parish. And may the joy of Christmas continue to be a light for you in the new year!

With much love,
Fr. Mario
 

Dear Family,

Happy New Year! This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, which comes from the Greek word which means “appearance” or “manifestation.” On this feast day we remember the manifestation of Christ to the three wise men, or Magi, from the East, bringing to fulfillment the faith of our Jewish ancestors who believed that God would manifest Himself to Jews and Gentiles alike, to become the one God of all humanity. Isn’t this an important truth to remember, especially now as so much blood is shed in the Holy Land, the place God chose to gather people together. As Jews and Muslims fight in the place where God Himself lived, died, and rose, we as Christians must accept the mission Jesus gave us to make disciples of ALL nations (cf. Mt 28:19). We must continually pray for Him to appear anew in the hearts of people who choose the way of death rather than His way, the way of life, for He said, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10).

This is what the Magi intuited about the child they searched for in Bethlehem. This is why they made the journey from the East. This is why they prostrated before Him and did Him homage. This is why they gave Him gifts, because they understood that He had the answers to the most profound questions they had been asking about life. More so, they understood that He was the answer; He was way, the truth, and the life (cf. Jn 14:6).

As we begin the new year, I have an important question for us all to ask ourselves, “do I understand this?” To help you answer that question, ask yourself another one, “do I share my faith with others?” Because, if we firmly believe that Jesus is the answer to life’s questions, that He is the One who gives life in abundance, wouldn’t we want others to experience this? I struggle with this question, for I have many friends and family members who are not following Jesus, and yet, I do not think I am adequately sharing Him with them. That needs to change.

That experience of sharing Jesus with others, oftentimes referred to as “evangelization,” can be a tricky endeavor. We must be careful to discern other people’s readiness to hear about Jesus and what He means to us. Each person is different, and what works for one person, won’t always work for another. For some, a conversation over coffee might be best. For others, a letter explaining why your faith is important to you and an invitation for them to find out more when they’re ready would be better. We must pray about how God wants to manifest Himself to others through us. It won’t always be the same, but each time we share Him, it must be done with charity.

As we seek to examine our relationship with Christ, other questions we might ask ourselves are, “like the Magi, what gifts do I give to the Lord, Jesus?” “Do I give Him my time, talent, and treasure, through and in the Church?” “Do I take the time to learn more about Him and my Catholic faith?” “Do I prepare well and participate fully at Mass?” “Do I believe in His Real Presence in the Eucharist?” “Do I meet Him in the Sacrament of Confession?” “Do I extend mercy to others?” All these questions are meant to hold up a mirror to ourselves in order to ask the ultimate question, “am I becoming more like Jesus Christ?” the humble God, who lowered Himself to comfort the poor, the lost, the broken, the sinner. Is He appearing in me? When others see me, do they see Him?

As the Christmas season comes to an end on Monday with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, remember that through our baptism, we have been changed. Jesus lives in us, but we get to decide how much of Him people see. I leave you with a helpful poem by Howard Thurman to encourage you to make Jesus known to others in your life. Feel free to cut this out and read it throughout the year, asking God to help you fulfill your mission to make disciples of all people, by making Him know through your life. That would be a great gift to offer Him.

With much love,
Fr. Mario