DECREE OF DISPENSATION FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY
The disciplinary practice of abstaining from meat on the Fridays in Lent is an important dimension of the penitential nature of the season. This year, the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17, 2023, falls on a Friday in Lent. Given the many celebrations that occur on this day, in accord with the norm of law, I hearwith grant to all Catholics of the Diocese as well as all present here that day, a dispensation from abstinence from meat and meat products. I encourage all who make us of the dispensation to engage in another sacrificial or charitable act that day.
Given in Oakland, this seventh day of February, 2023.
The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, S.J.
Bishop of Oakland
REGULATIONS FOR LENT
Abstinence and Fasting: Abstinence from eating meat is to be observed on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays during Lent. This applies to all persons 14 and older. The law of fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday applies to all persons 18 or older and younger than 59.
Fasting means that one full meatless meal per day may be eaten. Two other meatless meals may be taken sufficient to maintain strength, but together they should not equal a full meal. Liquids, including milk and fruit juice, may be taken between meals. If health or ability to work is affected, fasting does not oblige. Private, self-imposed observance of fasting on Lenten weekdays is strongly recommended. Parents should ensure that children who are not bound by the laws of fast and abstinence are taught an authentic sense of penance, conversion and reconciliation.
Lenten Observance: Catholics are encouraged to participate in Holy Mass and in the Sacrament of Penance during Lent, and parishes are encouraged to provide regular and frequent opportunities for such participation. Likewise encouraged are devotions such as Stations of the Cross, vigils and prayer services (with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, if opportune). Traditional practices – including increased prayer, Scripture and spiritual reading, alms, personal self-denial in food and drink, increased care and service to the sick and needy – are also suggested.
Easter Duty: All initiated Catholics are bound by the obligations of receiving Communion at least once a year and to confess sacramentally all serious sins not previously acknowledged in individual Confession. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter duty season, which is from the first Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday.
Pax Christi Lenten Speaker Series: Pax Christi groups in California are co-sponsoring a Zoom series for Lent that includes outstanding speakers from different parts of the country speaking to various topics on Catholic social teaching. It is organized by the St. Camillus Center for Spiritual Care, an organization in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles that provides ministry to the community and Catholic chaplains to hospitals in the area. The programs are on Sunday afternoons during Lent (4:00pm Mass followed by Speaker Series 5:30-7:00pm). To register and for more details, please click below:
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe Pilgrimage with Fr. Ray – October 2023
Quotation of Price: $2,249 plus tips
Price includes:
· Air travel from San Francisco Airport to Mexico and back with United Airlines.
· Deluxe rooms at the Sheraton Maria Hotel –5 star hotel.
· Private motor coach, local guide and bus driver.
· Food – most breakfasts and dinners provided at the hotel, lunch on your own.
· Entrance fees
· Daily Mass
The Pilgrimage will be in English. Seats are limited. If you are interested in the Pilgrimage, please contact Fr. Ray at rmallett1@hotmail.com or call the Parish Office at 510-537-0806. Please provide your name, address, phone number and email address. Your name will be placed on the list of interested people and Fr. Ray will contact you shortly with a brochure and registration form for the Pilgrimage.
Pre-Baptism Class For Parents & Godparents: If you are wishing to have your child, ages infant to six years baptized, parents and Godparents need to attend a Pre-Baptism Class. You also need to be registered members of the parish for at least three months. To reserve your spot, please call Jay at 510-537-0806.
The next Pre-Baptism Class will be held in Stack Center, OLG Room at 7:00pm on April 5th.
Beware of Email Scams! There have been fraudulent emails circulating through our parish, using Fr. Ray’s name and a fake email address seeking gift card donations. Be assured that our priests at OLG would NEVER solicit funds through any electronic means! If you do receive one of these emails and are unsure, do not open it and call the Parish Office or the School to make sure it’s genuine. For your safety, report these to the police and to Jay in the Parish Office at 537-0806. God Bless and be safe!
Discernment to the Priesthood: To the young men of our parish: have you ever wondered about a vocation in the church? This meeting is open to young men ages 18-30 years old. It is held the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7:00-8:00pm and facilitated by Fr. Carl Arcosa and invited priests. For more info & to receive access to the Zoom meeting, please email: CArcosa@oakdiocese.org. You may also contact one of our friars and we will assist you in your discernment.