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WEEKLY COLLECTIONS:
Sunday Collections January 14 = $8,422
Faith Direct eGiving = $3,500
Total Donations = $11,922
The parish needs $16,000 weekly just to meet expenses
Year To Date SHORTFALL = ($4,996)
Second collection for Seminary - Diocese of Oakland = $4,620
January to December 2018 Expenses for Parish = $1,189,229
To see the Report to the Parish on 2017 Financial Results click on this link: Report to the Parish on 2017 Financial Results
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. We invite you to the following upcoming events.
“Peek at our TK and Kindergarten “ on Thursday, Jan. 24th at 6:30PM (No Children Please). To make a reservation for this program or if you have any question, please call the school at (925) 682-5414.
School Open House on Sunday, Jan. 27th from 11am until 1:00pm.
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
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 Luncheons will be on Tuesday, February 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.
$50 for an adult ticket
$25 for kids 12 and under
Contact the following to reserve your tickets.Craig Frant, (925) 899-8625, cwillyf15@gmail.com or Ron Melvin, (925) 708-1178, ron@ronmelvin.com
Food Pantry Activity:
On Nov. 17th 150 families received a turkey and two bags of food and produce for their Thanksgiving dinner.
Special Assistance (utility, rent, etc.) was provide for three (3) families in November.
Most-Needed Food Items: (baskets for donations on the altar stairs) Apple or Grape Juice, Cheerios, Canned Soup, Vegetables, Fruits, Chili, Tuna or Meats, Saltine or Graham Crackers, Rice, Dried Pinto Beans, Cooking Oil, Masa Mix or any (non-expired) items you wish to donate.
SVdP Christmas Programs:
We have signed up and vetted 50 families for our “Adopt-A-Family for Christmas” program. On December 15th, each mother will receive a Target gift card to shop for her family (dollar amounts determined by the number of children). Donations for this program are greatly appreciated (all checks made out to St. Vincent de Paul may be dropped in the weekly collection baskets).
Toys/gifts will be collected through December for the “Christmas For Everyone” event held on Christmas Day. Thousands are fed a Christmas dinner and all receive gifts. You are asked to place unwrapped items in the collection baskets on the altar stairs (or bring to SvdP during regular office hours )and our volunteers will deliver them to Martinez. Warm jackets/coats (new and clean and gently used) are also needed.
Thank you for your continuing support for our ministry to those in need in our community.
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.
Food Pantry Hours: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. on MONDAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY. Closed on Tuesday and Thursday.
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