By: Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As your bishop, I am continually inspired by the generosity and love I witness throughout our parishes, schools, and ministries across the Diocese of Oakland. It is my privilege to be your shepherd and serve Christ alongside you.
In his first encyclical, Dilexi Te, Pope Leo XIV wrote, “Our love and our deepest convictions need to be continually cultivated, and we do so through our concrete actions. Remaining in the realm of ideas and theories, while failing to give them expression through frequent and practical acts of charity, will eventually cause even our most cherished hopes and aspirations to weaken and fade away.”
This message resonates not only on a global scale but also right here at home, within our own diocesan family. It is a call that speaks to each of us personally and reminds us of our sacred responsibility to one another.
We read in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” When we support, serve, and uplift each other, we embody the unity Christ calls us to. We demonstrate that our diocese is more than individual parishes—we are One Faith, One Family, One Mission.
This unity is made visible through our ministries. Every act of service, every outreach effort, and every moment of compassion reflect our mission being lived out together as one body in Christ. When you contribute to the Bishop’s Ministries Appeal, you are not simply giving to an institution—you are expressing love in action, directly touching the lives of those who depend most on the Church’s presence and care.
Your generosity sustains ministries that impact thousands of individuals and families across the East Bay. You’ll find in this issue articles about some of these ministries, including how we support and accompany those discerning a vocation to married life, the permanent diaconate and the priesthood. Preparing people for a lifetime of witnessing God’s love for all requires high quality programs and people. People like Brigitte and Ralph Desimone, whom we recently honored with the Diocesan Medal of Merit for reaching more than 10,000 engaged couples. Ten thousand couples! What a lifetime of service they exemplify.
Not all of us have the capacity or skills to spend more than 50 years working with newlyweds, like Brigitte and Ralph.
Nor are there many people like Father Jimmy Macalinao, who began his public service ordained as a permanent deacon. Now he’s a priest, just one of perhaps a handful of men who have served the church in both those ministries. Which makes him the ideal person to lead our diaconal formation work!
We are blessed to have people like Father Jimmy and the Desimones and so many others who give so generously. Indeed, each of us can support programs and people who are building a foundation for the future of our Church here in the Diocese of Oakland.
I know you have something to share: your prayers, your time, and even a small portion of your treasure. No matter the amount, what’s important is that you are participating in the Bishop’s Ministries Appeal, which sustains ministries that touch thousands of lives across the East Bay.
And remember: Every dollar raised above your parish goal returns directly to your parish, strengthening the community you call home.
My heartfelt thanks for your faith, your compassion, and your commitment to our mission.
May God bless you and your families in 2026 as we continue as One Faith. One Family. One Mission.