The Diocese of Oakland is blessed with the presence of many Religious priests, monks, and professed brothers and sisters. They minister in schools and universities, hospitals, parishes, and various charities. The different orders are organized according to their own structures and are under the authority of their own leaders. However, the minister in the diocese under the oversight of Bishop Barber. Rev. Robert Herbst, OFM Conv., himself an "order" priest (Conventual Franciscan), is the bishop's representative to the religious communities.
You can learn more about our religious communities in our Diocese by scrolling down the page and visiting our vocations page.
Augustinians
Fr. Tom Whelan, OSA, 415-387-3626
osacole@pacbell.net
www.osa-west.org
Capuchin Franciscans
Fr. Peter Banks, OFM CAP., 805-686-4127
pmbanksofmcap.vocations@yahoo.com
www.olacapuchins.org
Conventual Franciscans
Vocation Director Fr. Paul Gawlowski, OFM CONV., 510-671-0537
californiavocation@gmail.com
www.franciscanfriars.org
De La Salle Christian Brothers
Br. George Van Grieken, FSG, 707-252-3861
br.george@dlsi.org
www.brothersvocation.org
Dominicans
Fr. Steven Maekawa, OP, 510-658-8722
vocations@opwest.org
www.opwest.org
Franciscans
Fr. Alberto Villafan, OFM, 408-258-7057
avillafanr@yahoo.com
www.sbfranciscans.org
Jesuits
Fr. Christopher Nguyen, SJ 714-469-2874
ctnguyen@jesuits.org
www.jesuitscalifornia.org
Maryknoll Brothers
Br. Tim Raible, MM, 510-869-8689 or 510-552-1846
traible@maryknoll.org
www.maryknoll.org
Redemptorists
Br. Larry Lujan, CSSR, 718-321-1394
vocationscssr@aol.com
www.redemptorists-denver.org
Society of Mary (Marist)
Mr. John Ridout, 510-486-1232 or
866-298-3715
jrsmtom@yahoo.com
www.maristsociety.org
Augustinians
Fr. Tom Whelan, OSA, 415-387-3626
osacole@pacbell.net
www.osa-west.org
Capuchin Franciscans
Fr. Peter Banks, OFM CAP., 805-686-4127
peterbanksofmcap@yahoo.com
www.beafriar.com
Congregation of the Sacred Hearts
Fr. Dedi Riberu. SS.CC. 808-321-9776
riberufrans@yahoo.com
Fr. Brian Guerrini, SS.CC. 575-495-9331
ssccbvg@gmail.com
Conventual Franciscans
Fr. Paul Gawlowski OFM Conv, 510-671-0537
californiavocation@gmail.com
www.franciscanfriars.org
Dominicans
Fr. Steven Maekawa, OP, 510-658-8722
vocations@opwest.org
www.opwest.org
Franciscans
Fr. Alberto Villafan, OFM, 408-258-7057
avillafanr@yahoo.com
www.sbfranciscans.org
Holy Cross Fathers
Fr. James Gallagher, CSC, 574-631-6385
vocation.1@nd.edu
www.holycrossvocations.org
Jesuits
Fr. Christopher Nguyen, SJ, 714-469-2874
ctnguyen@jesuits.org
www.jesuitscalifornia.org
Maryknoll Fathers
Br. Tim Raible, MM, 510-896-8689 or 510-552-1846
traible@maryknoll.org
www.maryknoll.org
Missionaries of the Precious Blood
Fr. Ken Schnipke, CPPS, 937-228-6224
vocation@cpps-preciousblood.org
www.cpps-preciousblood.org
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
www.omiusa.org
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
Fr. Martin Lukas, OSFS, 419-724-9851
mlosfs@aol.com
www.oblates.us
Paulist Fathers
Fr. David Farnum, CSP, 212-757-4260 or 800-235-3456
dfarnum@paulist.org
www.paulist.org
Redemptorists
Fr. Tat Hoang, CSSR, 718-321-1394
vocationscssr@aol.com
www.redemptorists-denver.org
Society of Mary (Marists)
Mr. John Ridout, 510-845-3326 or 866-298-3715
jrsmtom@yahoo.com
www.maristsociety.org
Adrian Dominican Sisters
Sr. Mary Ellen Lecicjewski, OP
mellen@chw.edu
www.adriandominicans.org
Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirmed
Sister Maria Therese, O. Carm.
-518-537-5000
www.carmelitesisters.com
vocationdirector@valstar.net
Congregation of Mother of Carmel
Sr. Celine Pathiaparambill, CMC, 510-724-4178
weisscarmel@yahoo.com
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul
Sr. Trang Truong, DC,
650-949-8890
www.daughtersofcharity.com
Discalced Carmelite Nuns
Reverend Mother Prioress
Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph of Kensington, CA
68 Rincon Road
Kensington, CA 94707-1047
mothersuperior@carmelofkensington.org
www.carmelofkensington.org
Sister Dulce Aguilar, OP
209-406-8111
dulce@msjdominicans.org
www.msjdominicans.org
Dominican Sisters of San Rafael
Sr. Patricia Farrell, OP,
415-257-4939
pfarrellop@sanrafaelop.org
www.sanrafaelop.org
Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic
Sr. Mary Boyce, MM,
925-689-7729
www.Maryknoll.org
QuiNhon Missionary Sisters of the Holy Cross
Sr. Maggalena Duong, LHC,
925-674-9639
http://mtgqn.org/index.php/about-us/congregation
Sisters of Mercy of Ireland
Sr. Angela O'Donoghue, RSM, 510-233-6769
angelaod@yahoo.com
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Sr. Maria Campos, RSM,
650-340-7434
mcampos@mercywmw.org
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Sr. Jacinta Martinez, SNDdeN, 650-722-1040
jacinta.martinez@sndden.org
www.snddenca.org
Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity
Sr. Graciela Martinez, OSF,
510-534-4330
gracielamar@sbcglobal.net
www.stfrancisprovince.org
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Sr. Jan Huang, CSJ,
310-889-2117
vocations@csjla.org
www.csjla.org
Sisters of the Good Shepherd
Sr. Elizabeth Schille, RGS,
415-586-2822
lschillergs@aol.com
SistersOfTheGoodShepherd.com
Sisters of the Holy Family
Sr. Gladys Guenther, SHF,
510-624-4500
vocations@holyfamilysisters.org
www.facebook.com/pages/Fremont-CA/Sisters-of-the-Holy-Family/19423411523
www.holyfamilysisters.wordpress.com
www.holyfamilysisters.org
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus & Mary
Sr. Rosemary Everett, SNJM, 408-873-7858 or 408-656-1311
everettsnjm@earthlink.net
www.snjmca.org
Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Stephanie Still, PVBM,
415-422-5020
sstill@pbvmsf.org
www.presentationsisterssf.org
Sisters of Social Service
Sr. Catherine Connell, SSS,
916-444-5590
cconnellsss@comcast.net
www.sistersofsocialservice.com
Society of the Sacred Heart
Sister Mary Pat White, RSCJ,
510-525-5692
rscj.org/vocations
Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sr. Julie Hurtado, PVBM
JulieCielito2@aol.com
www.pbvmunion.org
The Discalced Carmelite Sisters came to the Diocese in July of 2012 and the Catholic Voice wrote an ariticle about their arrival and about the welcoming celebration at St. Monica Church in Moraga.
In October of 2013, Bishop Barber visited the Carmel for the celebration of the Jubilee of Mother Sylvia-Gemma.
The Sisters have Mass daily; priests from throughout the Diocese are offering mainly the Novus Ordo Mass for them.
In January of 2014, a very generous benefactor made possible the return of the Carmelites to the monastery in Kensington. The buildings, however, were in a sad state of disrepair and need significant work before the nuns will be able to move in. The Catholic Voice reported on this.
In addition to the physical repairs to the buildings that must be done, because they are moving from the very small quarters in Canyon to a much larger complex in Kensington, the Sisters have many specific needs. Donations can be made through our diocesan donation form online.
As of November 22, 2014, the Sisters have moved into their new home in Kensington. They offer prayers and many thanks for all those donors who have made this possible.
For those who may be celebrating sacraments at the Carmel other than their regular Masses, the current "guidelines" for this can be found in this document. The daily Mass Schedule at the Monastery can be found here.