Text Box: central place for us to gather since the loss of St. Francis de Sales to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, many of the distinct cultural liturgies that could strengthen our faith and our society have often been consigned to obscure times and places, making it difficult to observe inherited traditions together. As we unite in our Cathedral to worship God in a shared home, we can celebrate together such occasions as Chautauqua and the St. Peter Claver Society, and the special feasts such as St. Nicholas, San Lorenzo Ruiz, and particularly our Diocese’ patroness, Our Lady Queen of the World. The Diocese of Oakland is comprised of 84 parishes, serving more than 500,000 Catholics in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. It is also home to 11 pastoral centers, four specialized service centers, two homes for the aged, five specialized homes, nine high schools and 45 elementary schools. The schools enrolled 19,000 students in Fall 2007. National Catholic Conference 2009 November 19-21, 2009, Kansas City, Missouri The 2009 National Catholic Youth Conference will bring together over 23,000 high school-aged Catholic youth for three days of speakers, catechetical sessions, music, prayer, liturgy, and fun! We hope to bring a large delegation from the Diocese of Oakland to Kansas City for NCYC. This year’s theme is:” Christ Reigns In Us, Among Us, Through Us.” Deadlines for the Diocese of Oakland NCYC Delegation: Send the following documents and payments to Joe Murray at the Diocese of Oakland, 2121 Harrison St., Oakland, Ca 94612. Contact Joe at 510.267.8389 or jmurray@oakdiocese.org with your questions. Children’s Story Time: August 22, 2009 The Cathedral Shop at The Cathedral of Christ the Light will be featuring their first Children’s Story Time on Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 10:00AM-11:00AM. Located on the Plaza Level, The Cathedral Shop sells gifts that illuminate and books that enlighten. Some of the selections to be read are: The Story of Ferdinand (Munro Leaf), Mis Colores, Mis Mundo( Maya Christina Gonzalez), The Song of Francis (Tomie de Paola), and Curious George (H.A.Rey). In addition to Story Time, The Cathedral of Christ the Light will be offering two docent led tours to the public. The first tour of the Cathedral and surrounding campus will begin at 10:00AM, with a second tour offered after Story Time at 11:00AM. All are welcome! RSVP, Please! The Cathedral of Christ the Light is located at 2121 Harrison Street in Oakland, across from beautiful Lake Merritt and Children’s Fairyland. Lower level cathedral parking on Saturday is $5.00. Entrance to parking is located on 21st Street. Space is limited. Please respond with your RSVP for the Story Time and/or the two docent led public tours to the Cathedral Shop at 510.496.7280. Text Box: MISSION CO-OP APPEAL FOR THE FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF ST. BERNADETTE (FSSB) The Religious Congregation of the Franciscan sisters of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes (FSSB) is a diocesan right. The Late Bishop Alfred Lanctot, W.F Missionary Canadian, founded the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Bernadette in 1958. The congregation works in the steps of the founder, which is to preach the good news through different activities to all people in Africa and other parts of the world such as in the United State of America. Currently, the congregation is in great need for funds for training the members so that they can meet the demand of the ministry in Africa today and elsewhere that we offer our services. Also, the congregation has been serving in the orphanage whereby we receive children who have lost their parents due to various reasons such as wars (Burundi, Rwanda, and Democratic Republican of Congo), poor health care during their delivery process, because of AIDS, and various diseases. Unfortunately, the congregation is always facing the problem of funds, which act as barriers to fulfill her mission and making her future difficult. We kindly appeal to your mercy to favor our efforts in fulfilling our mission of helping people to improve their lives and to improve our service wherever we work. May God bless all your consideration in assisting the work of the missionary church. Sister Ernestina Raphael Bakebwa will come to make a mission appeal for the Franciscan Sisters of St. Bernadette to our Parish this weekend: August 15 & 16, 2009. Make check to: St. Margaret Mary