COMMUNAL FIRST SATURDAYS IN THE BASILICA, STARTING AT 7:15 AM
ON EVERY FIRST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH

The Communal First Saturdays is a monthly parish service in which the faithful can join together in the four practices requested by Our Lady in reparation to her Immaculate Heart (Post Fatima app. December 10, 1925). 

The opening prayers and the recitation of the Rosary precede Mass which includes the Communion of Reparation. The Mass is followed by keeping Our Lord and Our Lady company while meditating communally for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Rosary. This is done in the form of lectio divina and using Scripture related to the mysteries of the Rosary. A book is used by the faithful to follow the service. Each of the four practices is done with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

This communal celebration of the First Saturdays offers an easier way for people to fulfill the conditions of the First Saturdays and it is a service through which a much larger number of people are able to practice the First Saturdays on a continual basis. In this way, we can obtain the graces of conversion for ourselves and others in greater measure, and so help to bring about a period of peace and the salvation of souls.

For more information, please contact Lilian Dubow at (510) 205-3712 or [email protected] or go to www.CommunalFirstSaturdays.org

The purpose of this ministry is to welcome new parishioners and make them feel at home and find ways to create bonding opportunities among old-time parishioners. Every newcomer should feel our genuine welcome - no strangers here, only friends we haven't met yet. 
Members of this committee bring their ideas, support, and skills to assist with different events to welcome (introduction during Mass, phone calls or home visits, etc.) We will also identify ways to reach out to existing parishioners who are not yet fully connected with our parish community. 
Contact Sue Spierch to volunteer with this Committee:
[email protected]

O Mary, conceived without sin.
Pray for us who have recourse to you

The Legion of Mary is an international association of Catholics established in 1921, who work for the sanctification of all with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces. Parishioners can join as Active or Auxiliary members. As Auxiliary members of the Legion of Mary, one commits to the following: daily recitation of five decades of the Rosary and a short Legion prayer. The Legion of Mary is available to assist our parish priest in any Catholic Action. Members meet on Fridays, 5: 30 - 6:30 pm in the Grotto (Basilica).  Drop-ins welcome!
For information, contact: Dr Terecita Dean at [email protected]

Ministry of Caring - We’re Here To Help
Care For Those Who Have Lost a Spouse or Significant Other
Mark 10:8: “And the two shall become as one flesh”. Beautiful words but when a spouse or significant other dies, the remaining spouse loses ‘half’ of their self. Being left to try and survive without their best friend and the person who loved them unconditionally can be devastating. They are at a loss trying to figure out who they are without their missing partner.

“Blessed are those who are grieving, for they shall be comforted”
The Ministry of Caring is here to help you survive the loss of a spouse or significant other. Losing a spouse is unlike any other type of loss where nothing can compare or prepare you for it. The ministry meets on the 3rd Sunday of each month in the Elementary School, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm, and is open to everyone, Catholic and non-Catholic. If you know someone who has lost their spouse or significant other, encourage them to contact us at 510-522-8431 for immediate help.
 
 

Our Lady of Guadalupe is called the Patroness of the Americas. To honor her feast day, the Ministry organizes our parish celebration each year. We offer the predawn Las Mañanitas (Serenade honoring Our Virgin) on her feast day on December 12.

We welcome you to join us in any of our Ministry Meetings and/or partake in any of the events we are planning this year.  We look forward to meeting leaders in our Community who are interested in sharing our collective Catholic Latin American faith. We meet on the first Thursday of the month in the Grotto (located in the Vestibule)  to pray the rosary in Spanish and/or plan for December events. Volunteers can assist with ongoing fundraising activities, help with the liturgies (plan, create worship aid, organize children’s procession, lector in Spanish, serve as greeter, etc.), volunteer your music or entertainment skills, provide technical assistance, or assist with the food, set up or clean-up for hospitality.

For information, contact Maria Lopez: [email protected]

 

Share Filipino heritage and customs with the parish through celebrations such as Simbang Gabi and the Feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz. Help with liturgies and/or receptions. 
Contact Alex Ramos at  [email protected].

Taize is an Ecumenical, candle-lit service of prayer offered in simple chant, Scripture readings, silent worship, and veneration of the Cross.  Brother Roger established the Taize Community in 1940 in Taize, France, as a witness to peace and reconciliation, for which our community gathers in prayer.

Join us for an evening of Taize prayers around the Cross held in the Basilica, 8 - 9 pm (4th Fridays of the month, except for months of November and December on the 3rd Fridays).  All are welcome!

Follow Taize on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TaizeOnTheIsland

Each Thursday morning at 10:30 you are invited to meet on Zoom to reflect together on the upcoming Sunday's readings.  
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84435812163?pwd=S3ArdWV3TDNRc0hMOWtwMzlESFlXdz09  
Meeting ID: 844 3581 2163
Passcode: GoodNews
You can find the Sunday readings on the U.S. Bishops' website at https://bible.usccb.org/
For more information contact Anne Marie at [email protected] or 510-995-9409

Plan and prepare Vietnamese cultural celebrations to share with the wilder parish and community, including bilingual Mass like Feast of the Vietnamese Martyrs in November and Lunar New Year.

To participate, contact Diep Nguyen 510. 931.9736 or email: [email protected]

Welcome to the Alameda Young Adults Group! We serve the Alameda Deanery (St. Joseph, St. Barnabas, St. Phillip Neri, and St. Albert), and we are so happy you found us! 

The Young Families Ministry offers a faith-filled, supportive community for families raising young children, ages 0 to 5, in the Catholic faith. Monthly potluck brunches every 3rd Saturday include prayer, Scripture, and sharing with other parents, as well as joyful catechesis with storytime and music for the young children. Quarterly service opportunities allow families to share their time and treasure with the marginalized in our society. Participation in feast day celebrations and other liturgical events gives families the chance to engage in parish life.  We also sponsor two Bible Studies, one for moms and one for dads. These groups are open to mothers and fathers of all generations - please come share your wisdom and friendship with us. Expectant parents and older children are always welcome at all ministry events! 

For more information, contact Anita Perez-Grewal, [email protected], Sarah Deming, [email protected]
or visit us on Facebook: Young Families of St. Joseph Basilica.