News & Events
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IN LIEU OF THE PEW
Season 2 - Episode 7 Wednesday, May 12 @ 7:00 PM In Lieu of the Pew returns Wednesday, May 12 at 7:00 PM PST. Join us for another interesting evening with Fr. Mark & Katey exploring and answering your questions! The topic of discussion will be silent retreats, which Katey has just returned from, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession). Our special guest will be Fr. Christopher J. Renz, OP, Professor of Liturgical Studies and Science & Theology! We will be taking questions online on-line during the webcast. We also invite you to send your questions ahead of time by email to pew@catholicsofpleasanton.org. |
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FAITH FORMATION REGISTRATION
Registration for Faith Formation for the 2021/2022 school year will be held in the St. Augustine Parish Hall at the following days and times: Sunday, May 16th 9:00am-2:00pm Monday, May 17th 3:00pm-7:00pm If you have any questions, please contact the Program Coordinators: Kathy Works, K-5th and Sacrament Coordinator Phone: 925-474-2773 eMail: kworks@catholicsofpleasanton.org Ed Quindipan, 4-8th Grade Coordinator Phone: 925-474-2775 eMail: equindipan@catholicsofpleasanton.org Lien-Thi de la Pena, High School and Confirmation Coordinator Phone: 925-474-2774 eMail: ldelapena@catholicsofpleasanton.org |
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FUNERAL MASS FOR KAREN MILLER
Thursday, May 20th At 7:00 PM St. Augustine Church 3999 Bernal Avenue Pleasanton, CA 94566 Our beloved sister, Karen Miller, passed away on Friday April 30th after a year-long fight against lung cancer. Karen was a lifelong Minister of the Church, living out her Baptismal Priesthood, and had served in Pastoral Ministry in the Diocese of Oakland since the 1980’s, including being the Director of Initiation at the Catholic Community of Pleasanton, the Pastoral Associate at St. Augustine Oakland, and the Pastoral Associate at St. Charles Borromeo in Livermore. Beloved by so many, Karen’s ministry touched the lives of literally thousands of people throughout her 40+ year career. She will be missed greatly and a bright light in our Diocese has now risen to join the lights of Heaven! Due to the expected interest in attending, and given the current COVID restrictions, and the fact that we can only accommodate approximately 150 members of the general public/parishioners in the church, we are requiring those who wish to attend to RSVP here: https://ccop.flocknote.com/signup/55739. This will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. We appreciate everyone’s understanding due to the County Health guidelines. If you are unable to obtain an RSVP, please do NOT show up at the Funeral, as unfortunately we will not be able to accommodate walk-ins or overflow attendees. For those unable to attend, we will be live streaming the funeral. There are two options to watch, either real time or Afterwards: YouTube Available Live And After The Mass https://www.youtube.com/thecatholiccommunityofpleasanton/ Available Live And After The Mass https://www.facebook.com/CatholicCommunityofPleasanton?fref=ts On behalf of Karen’s family, close friends, and those with whom she ministered, we thank you for your condolences. In lieu of flowers, please make any donations in Karen’s name to Hope Hospice or Catholic Charities of the East Bay. |
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STATEMENT BY BISHOP BARBER
Let's begin with prayer to end gun violence The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, SJ May 6, 2021 Gun violence and homicide have risen at an alarming rate this year in Oakland.
We know we are brought into this world to love: Our Catholic faith teaches of a God who is all loving, merciful and intent on bringing each of us to our salvation. Sadly, our human nature is not always true to God's intent for us. Violence is due to sin, and it seems to be escalating again in Oakland, fueled by a proliferation of guns in our homes and on our streets. Issues quickly escalate when a gun is part of the situation: when another driver's behavior angers a gun-carrying individual, when there's a perceived insult at a bar or in the street, when there is a difference of opinion with a fellow employee or a store clerk. Instead of resolving these issues by peaceful, civil actions, guns reduce us to a "wild West" mentality of every individual for himself. The result is so often death and a terrible disrespect for the dignity of human life. In the last year, the city of Oakland has seen reports of gunshots rise by 137% - that is more than double in just twelve months! And the city is averaging 10 deaths a month due to homicide. There are many solutions being offered to this crisis, but I believe we will only be successful if we begin from a place of prayer and reliance on God. Violence begins in the heart. It can also end when hearts are reconciled with Christ. I hope you can join our pastors, myself and other people of faith and good will on the fourth Sunday of each month to pray for an end to gun violence in our neighborhoods and communities. The prayer vigils are ecumenical and not political. This month's prayer vigil is May 23, 5-6 pm. For more information, including a reminder when the location is set, email terrimcwilliams@att.net. Also, on May 14 at 6:30 pm people will gather at St. Benedict Catholic Church, the corner of 82nd and Bancroft Ave., to participate in a Night Walk for peace. Without our hearts and minds focused on God's loving guidance, any work we do toward peace and justice will fail. Let's start this movement by standing together, in prayer. |
Angie’s Story
This pregnancy was not expected. I have two children, my son 10 and my daughter 3 and being divorced with two already, I was contemplating not going through with my pregnancy and having an abortion thinking that was my only option cause I have two already and how am I going to provide for another one? Doing it on my own, I would really be stretched thin so I looked up Planned Parenthood here in Mt. View. Went in there . They give you a blood test and I just started breaking down crying. They asked me, do you just need a minute? Gave me a minute, tissue and took me into the ultrasound room. They turned the monitor so you can’t see it. I had to see. There’s just a nagging feeling…I can’t do it. So once they showed me the ultrasound ,..I can’t...there was no way and I walked out. It was something, I was still struggling with like I said you losing all my sleep over it. Can I do it? Can I not do it? I called Real Options, made an appointment and spoke to Lee Ann. Like I said, I walk around in denial, numbing all my feelings. I broke down, spoke to her for about an hour. She shared her story with me and it was just a relief. It just felt like you’re not cornered. There are options, you can do it. I had another ultrasound. I could see the baby moving…oh my God! There’s no way. This my baby. It is a part of me! It’s alive! He’s moving! Being able to come here and talk to someone, someone who can relate and tell you, you know what, we’re going to pray for you and here we can see what resources we have. We can help you. After leaving here, went to church that night, took the kids and even the message spoke to me. You can do it. I’ve been doing it for two, one more is not going to hurt. I’m excited! At the end of her pregnancy Angie delivered a healthy baby. |
LIFE IS PRECIOUS
Knights Of Columbus Fundraiser For Real Options The Knights of Columbus have committed their council to furnish a new ultrasound machine for a crisis pregnancy center called REAL OPTIONS. This is a caring, effective medical center comprised of five branches surrounding the Bay Area with two in Union City and Oakland. No tool or machine is more effective in helping a woman in a crisis pregnancy reach a life affirming decision than seeing her baby on a screen via an ultrasound. Together with these images and the tender care given by the personnel of medical centers like REAL OPTIONS, give women the courage to face their pregnancy with hope. Their goal is to raise $7,500 which represents 25% of the cost of an ultrasound. The remaining balance will be furnished by two other K.C. branches. Baby bottles will be on display for pick up on Mother’s Day outside of St. Augustine and St. Elizabeth Seton. If you have the means and wish to make a donation please fill these bottles with your coins, currency or checks payable to the Knights of Columbus #6043 and return them back to the church three weeks later on Sunday May 30th. For those who are attending mass at home, you can mail your donation to: Knights of Columbus, Box 454 Pleasanton, CA 94566. Thank you for your generosity. |
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GROCERY DONATIONS NEEDED
We can make a difference by a simple act of kindness! St. Raymond Food Bank is taking the following donations: Non-Perishable Food Needed Now: Canned Soup / Canned Chili / Macaroni & Cheese / Hot & Cold Cereal / Canned Green Beans / Canned Yams & Sweet Potato / Gravy / Jello / Desserts / Jelly / Muffin mix / Top Ramen Drop-off Location Drop-off bins are available 24/7 in front of Moran Hall at St. Raymond Church, 11555 Shannon Ave, Dublin CA. $10 Gift Cards from Walmart, Lucky, or Safeway are also most welcome and they can be dropped off every Saturday between 10am and 12 noon at St. Raymond Church Parking Lot along with food supplies. |
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HAVE YOU HEARD OUR PODCAST?
We have launched our own podcast called "Catholics Of Pleasanton" that will feature daily gospel readings and homilies with additional content coming soon! The podcast is a series of homilies, inspirational messages and content to nourish the faith of the community in Pleasanton and beyond. You can find us through the Apple podcast app, the Google podcast app, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholics-of-pleasanton-podcast/id1524231765 From Your Browser You can also access it from your browser: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/catholicsofpleasanton A great way to get your #10INTODAY! |
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PHISHING SCAM
Once again, along with many other parishes in the Oakland diocese and beyond, CCOP continues to be targeted by scammers impersonating Fr. Mark via BOTH email and text messages, asking for money, gift cards or simply a response. There were a number of reports today in particular. THESE EMAILS OR TEXTS ARE NOT FROM FR. MARK. PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND. If you receive one of these emails, please mark it as spam or simply delete it. If you receive one of these texts, simply delete it. Response only encourages more attacks. You will only receive email from Fr. Mark from his catholicsofpleasanton.org email address. He will not text you directly. Please contact Michael Harmon, mharmon@catholicsofpleasanton.org if you have any questions. |
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FOUR EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR PARISH!
Tithe.ly
Tithe.ly makes it very easy to donate to the parish. You can choose from one time or recurring donations and can be done from your PC, tablet or phone. The Diocese of Oakland
The Diocese of Oakland has created a site where you can give on-line to any parish in the Diocese, including the Catholic Community of Pleasanton. Giving Made Easy
Many of you have asked if we are still accepting donations via Giving Made Easy (GME). The answer is YES! We primarily offered Tithe.ly since it is quick and easy to use. However, if you are already setup using Giving Made Easy, that's great and we would ask you to continue to support your parish. You can also still signup for Giving Made Easy through our website. If you would like more information, just click the button below. Weekly Envelopes
If you would like to continue to donate using your weekly envelopes, you can mail them to the rectory or our PO box. The Catholic Community of Pleasanton 3999 Bernal Avenue Pleasanton, CA 94566 The Catholic Community of Pleasanton PO Box 817 Pleasanton, CA 94566 You can also just drop them through the mail slot in the rectory door 24 hours a day! |
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NEW PLOTS AVAILABLE AT ST. AUGUSTINE CEMETERY
Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services has just completed adding a new section at our St. Augustine cemetery. The new section, named St. Paul, has 80 “double” casket burial spaces available. As many of you know, the cemetery has not had any casket burial spaces available for many years and these new spaces may not last long. If you have questions about the new St. Paul section or would like to reserve a space for you and your spouse, please call Frank Draschner at 925-455-9696. |
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HELPING EACH OTHER
Please let us know if you need any assistance with grocery shopping, prescription pick-up, or other small errands. We have volunteers ready to assist. If you would like some assistance, or would be willing to help those who need assistance, please click the button below. ALL INFORMATION IS CONFIDENTIAL. |
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A QUIET PLACE TO PRAY
ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH DAILY: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM St. Augustine Church is open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. to give you a quiet place for prayer. While we may not be able to gather there as a community, it is your faith home and you are welcome to visit if you wish and are able. |
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RCIA: COME & SEE
Are you feeling like you might want to experience full initiation into the Catholic Faith? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process that adults complete to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Now is the time. Please contact Matt Gray at (925) 202-5425 or mgray@catholicsofpleasanton.org. |
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