Text Box: RESPECT FOR LIFE MONTH The month of October is dedicated to respect for life. Former Holy Father John Paul II, in his post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in America” on January 22, 1999, wrote: "Nowadays, in America as elsewhere in the world, a model of society appears to be emerging in which the powerful predominate, setting aside and even eliminating the powerless: I am thinking here of unborn children, helpless victims of abortion; the elderly and incurably ill, subjected at times to euthanasia; and the many other people relegated to the margins of society by consumerism and materialism. Nor can I fail to mention the unnecessary recourse to the death penalty when other “bloodless means are sufficient to defend human lives against an aggressor and to protect public order and the safety of persons. Today, given the means at the State's disposal to deal with crime and control those who commit it, without abandoning all hope of their redemption, the cases where it is absolutely necessary to do away with an offender 'are now very rare, even non-existent practically'”. This model of society bears the stamp of the culture of death, and is therefore in opposition to the Gospel message. Faced with this distressing reality, the Church community intends to commit itself all the more to the defense of the culture of life." RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES for Children & Young Adults Thank you to all who have registered your children for Catechism Classes for the 2009-2010 school year. Catechism classes have resumed on September 13; classes meet from 9:30 to 10:25, with exception to Pre-1st Communion which meets 9:30-10:00. If you intend to have your child receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion or Confirmation in the coming year of 2010, you must enroll your child as soon as possible. Registration forms for all our classes, including sacramental preparation classes for First Holy Communion, First Confessions and Confirmation are located in the vestibule of the church. Please contact the parish office for more information at 510.482.0596 or stmargaretm@yahoo.com Classes Offered Pre-First Communion First Confession & First Holy Communion Post First Communion Pre-Confirmation (9 – 12 yrs.) Confirmation (must be entering 8th grade or older) Enrollment for these classes has been favorable. If needed, another class may open up. If you are a parent that is interested in helping with the CCD program, please contact the parish office or indicate on the provided space on the CCD registration form. OUR PARISH BULLETIN Additional advertising support is needed to cover expenses of printing our Parish Bulletin. Now we have 8 pages every week. If you are a business owner, or know of someone who might wish to place an add in our BULLETIN PUBLICATION, please send them an e-mail: mpublications@sbcglobal.net; or call at: 888-253-4358. Please patronize our advertisers. Text Box: ST. ANNE’S GUILD CORNER: Scheduled upcoming events, please mark your calendars! Sunday October 18; St. Margaret Mary Feast Day Dinner- @ 3 pm Sunday, December 13, Gaudete Bake Sale; after all Masses. THE SECOND ANNUAL FEAST OF ST. MARGARET MARY Poulet a la BBQ & Potluck is scheduled for Sunday, October 18 at 2pm. may be purchased after all Masses, October 4 and 11 for $15 per family and $8 per single ticket. your name begins with A-P, please bring a French-inspired side dish or salad, and last names beginning with O-Z please bring a French-inspired dessert. honor of our patroness we will have French food, wine, music and games for the children. contact Sara Cumbelich if you can help with selling tickets, decor, set up and clean up - sarakach@gmail.com remember the 12 Promises of the Sacred Heart, as given by Our Lord to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque. SVDP news Thank you for your generous financial support of the St. Vincent de Paul conference. The monetary donations are used to provide confidential ongoing support to needy parishioners, to assist Fr. Stan in responding to requests for food and assistance, and to support the major projects of the Oakland District Council, such as the free dining hall, the women's visitation center, and the men's center. Members have also provided transportation to parishioners for medical appointments and Sunday Mass. We are looking for new members who are willing to volunteer a few hours of their time each month. The next St. Vincent de Paul meeting will be held on next Sunday, October 18, at 9:45AM in the parish rectory. For further information, please contact Bill Duffy at williamduffy@att.net or at (510) 758-6158. Marriage Preparation: Registration To register for any of the available programs you must submit the online registration form. If you have problems accessing this form, please call (510) 893-4711 and ask for Marriage Preparation. Early registration is recommended because these programs fill up quickly. It is also strongly encouraged that your marriage preparation program be completed at least three months prior to your wedding date. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, so please indicate a second choice when mailing or faxing your registration. We will make every attempt to assign you to the program of your choice. After you register, you will receive a letter or email indicating the date of your reservation. You may pay by credit card when you register. If you are paying by cashier's check or money order (no cash or personal checks accepted), the cost is payable to the Family Life Office two months before your reserved marriage preparation program. Your program reservation will be considered confirmed only when your payment is received. Once confirmed, you will receive a confirmation letter, including directions and other pertinent information, which will be sent to you about three weeks before your program is scheduled to begin. Diocese of Oakland Family Life Office at : www.oakflo.com