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There will be a second collection for our St. Vincent de Paul ministry February 16th and 17th.
PARISH FINANCIAL INFORMATION
WEEKLY COLLECTIONS:
Sunday Collections February 10 = $10,249
Faith Direct eGiving = $3,625
Total Donations = $13,874
The parish needs $16,000 weekly just to meet expenses
Year To Date SHORTFALL = ($5,126)
January Expenses for Parish = $99,314
Thank you to all who continue to support our parish through your donations.
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Our value-centered academic programs empower students to be faith - filled people, lifelong learners and problem solvers and globally responsible citizens.
Please feel free to call the school office to schedule to tour and to get additional information about the events above or any of our academic programs.
Peace & Blessings,
Mrs. Patti Calton
Interim Principal, 925-682-5414, www.sfaconcord.org
Peace and greetings! I am well, and the companions here with the parishioners are all in good shape. We had some meetings yesterday and the St. Francis parishioners, as our friends, featured in our meetings. We want to express the gratitude for the friendship we have shared over the years. The support to our school continues to be so speaking as it has transformed the lives of many of our students. The first primary school graduates at St. Ignatius Prep and Primary School are now in the second year university. Just amazing, May God continue to bless you for that wonderful collaboration!
My prayers and best wishes to all the friends at St. Francis! Blessings.
In Christ,
Fr. Sossy
The Knights of Columbus will be hosting the annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner on Saturday, March 16th at 6 pm in the Family Center/Gym. Tickets will be on sale after the weekend Masses - Prices: Adults $20, Children (12 and under) $5 and Family Price $50. For more information, contact Diego Castro at sfadgk@gmail.com or 925-334-9719.
Corned Beef and Cabbage (of course)
Children’s menu
Wine, Beer, Soda & Bottled Water for Purchase
Traditional Irish Music
Raffle - Grand prize is a one week stay at an Oregon coast vacation home
Silent Auction
Dessert Auction
Masses Ash Wednesday are:
6:30am, (English)
8:30am (English) School Mass
10:00am (Spanish)
12:00PM Service in English
5:00PM Mass in English
7:00PM Mass in Spanish.
During Lent we will have an additional weekday (Monday thru Friday) Mass at 6:30am.We will have Stations of the Cross on Fridays followed by a Soup Supper at the Pope John Paul II Center
Questions should be addressed to one of the following:
Religious Education in Spanish for children and adults: Scarlett Salaverria (925) 375-1066 or Scarlett@sfaconcord.org
Religious Education in English for children and adults: Nathan Cho (925) 375-1067 or Nathan@sfaconcord.org
Youth Ministry and Teen Sacraments: Kathy De Lemos (925) 375-1057 or Youth@Sfaconcord.org
We have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every first Friday of the month following the 8:30 am mass until Noon in the Chapel and again from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. All are invited.
Our next Senior Luncheon will be on Tuesday, March 12th. HELP NEEDED! If you would like to help with this ministry either by preparing items, helping to set up or serve and/or clean up, contact Marion Morbeto at (925) 285-1846 or email mmorbeto@astound.net
Aug. 16, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The news we have been receiving about the horrible actions of priests, bishops and cardinals has stunned and disgusts me. Those who have harmed children and vulnerable adults must be held accountable. The bishops who refused to stop this immoral and criminal behavior must also be held accountable. I am shamed by the actions of these men and have vowed to work with all people of good will to make our Diocese a safe place for all.
To that end, we have policies and procedures in place mandating that every person who serves in our Diocese, whether clergy, religious, staff or lay volunteer, receives training in how to identify and stop predatory behavior. The Diocese of Oakland has a zero tolerance policy to the sexual abuse of minors on the part of anyone who serves the church. We also have staff which respond to each allegation of abuse, and have a loving and responsive team to assist survivors of clerical sexual abuse. We have an independent Diocesan Review Board composed of lay experts in psychology, police investigators, retired judges and abuse survivors, which examines complaints of misbehavior. I follow their recommendations.
I welcome the initiative of Cardinal DiNardo, President of the US Bishops Conference, whose August 16 statement, to establish an investigation into questions surrounding bishops’ accountability, an opening of new and confidential reporting channels for complaints, proper independence and lay, not clerical, leadership of the process. (You can go to the Oakland Diocese website to see this statement: https://www.oakdiocese.org/offices/communication/media-relations/news-releases-2018/bishop-barber-welcomes-initiative-to-improve-accountability)
The love of Christ compels us to be better models of Jesus’ love, mercy, and healing. We must never violate the trust placed in us. As Bishop of Oakland, I promise there will be consequences for those who do.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, SJ, Bishop of Oakland
Any reports of abuse should be directed to our Chancellor, Steve Wilcox, at swilcox@oakdiocese.org or 510-267-8334.
Over 10 years ago, the Diocese of Oakland implemented a “Safe Environment” policy and program to protect our children and vulnerable adults from sexual abuse by anyone working or volunteering at our churches or schools. The program requires an FBI background check via finger printing of any person, clergy or staff or volunteers, who work directly with children here at St. Francis of Assisi Church and School. In addition, all volunteers and ministry members are required to take an online sexual abuse awareness class at the www.Virtus.org website every 3 years. This website is now being used by many Dioceses throughout the united States and provides a regional and national database. In addition, a Megan’s Law check is run every year to ensure that none of our St. Francis of Assisi clergy or staff or volunteers are recently convicted sex offenders. Bishop Barber has made it clear that he has a zero tolerance policy regarding sexual abuse of minors on the part of anyone who serves the church.
This Lent, you can help our parish save money, provide consistent support for our Church and simplify your giving by eliminating Church envelopes, and embracing eGiving through Faith Direct. We have a program for electronic offertory donations called Faith Direct. This program has already had a positive impact on our Sunday collection. I am hopeful that you will join other parishioners and sign up for this service. There is no charge for you to use Faith Direct.
To enroll in the program, pick up a Faith Direct enrollment form in the Baptistery area of the Church or in the Parish Office. You can also call Faith Direct at 866-5078757 (toll-free) or visit www.faithdirect.net and use our parish code of CA762. You can also access Faith Direct from links on our Church website at www.sfaconcord.com
As I pray for you every day, I ask you to give my Lenten challenge prayerful consideration.
Fast! Pray! Give up your Envelopes! May God bless you and your loved ones abundantly during this Lenten season.
Fr. Ismael Gutierrez - Pastor
In January we provided an emergency supply of food for 104 families (403 individuals). Unfortunately, we were unable to purchase FoodMaxx gift cards or provide any other special assistance due to a lack of funds.
St. Francis Church has four “second collections” each year for the SVdP Ministry. You can also make or send a donation anytime to SVdP here at our Church. We are most grateful for your continued and very generous support. The next church collection for SVdP is scheduled for Feb. 17th. Please be generous
Food Pantry Hours: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. on MONDAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY. Closed on Tuesday and Thursday.
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