Summer Formation for Catechists and All Adults

Formation in English and Spanish is being offered by the diocese in collaboration with the parishes of St. Paul in San Pablo and St. Francis of Assisi in Concord. Topics include Spirituality of the Catechist, the National Directory for Catechesis, the Year of St. Paul, and more. All are invited but space is limited. Registration is free!
More information | Registration

New Administrative Assistant Joins DEC

Please help DEC welcome our new Administrative Assistant, Sandra Martinez. Sandra is a native of Oakland. She earned her Associates in Social Science from the College of Alameda and has previously worked as a receptionist and in accounts payable. She lives in Oakland and is a parishioner at Christ the Light, where she teaches catechism to second graders in a Spanish/bilingual class. Sandra also teaches in the parish quinceañera preparation program. She is looking forward to joining the chancery staff and working – and worshipping – at the new cathedral. Sandra is replacing Peggy Maurer, who recently left DEC to join the Department of Clergy Services. Her first day in the office was Monday, July 14.

Serra Catechetical Institute

New class begins this fall in Antioch

Save the date! This diocesan program for catechists, Catholic school teachers, parents and all adults will continue with a new class beginning September 27, 9:00am - 2:30pm and continue every fourth Saturday of the month through November, 2009. Registration will be available in August.
More information about SCI

Pastoral Message from Bishop Vigneron

In light of the recent California Supreme Court decision regarding same-sex "marriage", Bishop Vigneron has issued a pastoral message to the faithful of the Diocese of Oakland. The bishop states, "As faithful citizens, Catholics are called to bring our laws regarding marriage into conformity with what we know about the nature of marriage."
More | Statement from California Bishops

Summer Intensive Adult Faith Formation

The Franciscan Spirit and Life Institute is offering a 36-hour faith formation course for adults in the fundamentals of Christian doctrine, open to all and approved toward basic California Catechist Certification in the Diocese of Oakland. Daytime and evening classes are available! Students choose from one of four, three-week sessions with classes Monday through Thursday. Limit of 20 students per session, $250 per person. For dates, times, location and registration, download the flyer. 

Humanae Vitae: Cornerstone of the Culture of Life Conference

August 9 at St. Mary's College, Moraga

A conference celebrating the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, sponsored by the St. Anthony of Padua Institute and the Diocese of Oakland. Speakers include Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis, Dr. Janet Smith and more! Too few Catholics are familiar with with Pope Paul VI's prophetic teaching in this encyclical, its celebration of married sexuality as elaborated in Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, and its implications for reproductive technologies and women's health, chastity and coercive population control. For more information and to register, visit www.cornerstoneconference.org.

Celebrate Priesthood Sunday and World Priest Day

October 26, 2008

The last Sunday in October is Priesthood Sunday and World Priest Day, a special occasion to reach out and develop a greater awareness of and appreciation for the dedicated men who have said "Yes" to the Lord and the Church via the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Serra International and Worldwide Marriage Encounter have great tips and ideas, along with downloadable resources including sample letters, activities, prayers and more, to help you and the laity at your parish celebrate our priests.
Priesthood Sunday | World Priest Day

Upcoming Events

Keep your eye on the DEC Events calendar for formation opportunities and other events. You can even subscribe to the calendar using Google Calendar so you always have the latest information.
DEC Events

Catholic Radio in the Bay Area

1260AM Immaculate Heart Radio

Now you can hear the best in Catholic programming on your radio 24 hours a day! Immaculate Heart Radio is a listener-supported, Catholic lay apostolate bringing live call-in shows, Scripture study, Catholic news, youth programming and more to listeners from San Jose to Santa Rosa and beyond. Tune into 1260AM or listen online at www.ihradio.org.
Program Schedule | More information

Making Sense of Bioethics

The National Catholic Bioethics Center

NCBC provides online resources to answer your questions about the complex issues related to medical care and life sciences. 24/7 emergency consultation is available for those facing a health care crisis. Access published research and read breaking news and the popular column Making Sense of Bioethics.
NCBC website

Retrouvaille... a Lifeline for Marriages

www.helpourmarriage.com

The word retrouvaille is a French word meaning rediscovery. This program offers tools needed to recreate a loving marriage relationship and emphasizes effective and loving communication between husband and wife. Thousands of couples in cold and unloving relationships headed toward divorce have been successful in overcoming their problems by participating. Retrouvaille gives couples the opportunity to rediscover each other and their lives together in a positive way.
More information at www.helpourmarriage.com or call 510-648-6874.

For Your Marriage

What have you done for your marriage today?

See how couples, young and old and from a wide variety of backgrounds, answered this question at foryourmarriage.org, part of an initiative of the U.S. bishops to promote, strengthen, sustain and restore marriages. Resources for every couple are available, including daily tips, a monthly quiz, and information about common issues facing couples.
Visit the website

Tools for the New Evangelization

Four Guides for Catholic Living

These pithy, one-page guides promoting Sunday Mass, confession, prayer and the basics of Catholic living are perfect for parish literature racks, resource tables, or passing along to friends and family. They are available for free download (PDF):
Mass | Confession | Prayer | Catholic Living

Produced by the National Catholic Register.

The Golden Counsels

Required Reading for the Soul

The Golden Counsels is a collection of sayings of St. Francis de Sales on various aspects of spirituality, including peace, confidence, love, and God's will. Highly recommended by Bishop Vigneron, the wisdom of this saint is sure to enrich your spiritual life.
Provided by the Monastery of the Visitation, St. Louis, Missouri

Daily Readings Available Online

Did you know that you can read and listen to the daily Mass readings online?

The New American Bible is available on the USCCB's website to read by book or chapter or the day's readings for Mass. You can even sign up for a daily podcast of the daily readings to listen to on your computer or portable device (iPod not required!).
Read the NAB Online | Subscribe to the NAB Podcast