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Altar Servers
Students in the fifth through eighth grade are invited to participate in
the parish community by signing up to assist at the liturgies as altar
servers. Being an altar server offers students opportunities to grow in
faith and love of God through sharing their gifts with the parish.
These young women and men give example to all who worship at St. Joseph.
When people see them participating through listening, praying and
singing, they too feel more comfortable about praying and singing
themselves. Altar Society
St. Joseph Altar Society is open to all in the parish who wish to assist
in maintaining the beauty and cleanliness of our liturgical vessels and
vestments. This ministry exists side-by-side with the Care and Cleaning
Ministry and complements its service. Arts and Environment
During the liturgical year, the Church unfolds the whole
mystery of Christ, from his Incarnation and Birth through his Passion,
Death, Resurrection and Ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at
Pentecost. The tradition of decorating or not decorating the church for
liturgical seasons and feasts heightens the awareness of the festive,
solemn, or penitential nature of these seasons. Human minds and hearts
are stimulated by the sounds, sights and fragrances of liturgical
seasons, which combine to create powerful, lasting impressions of the
rich and abundant graces unique to each. Care and Cleaning
The members of our Care and Cleaning Ministry help to keep
our Basilica clean and beautiful at all times. They help to prepare a
warm and inviting environment for all who gather for community worship.
Ministers donate an hour of their time one Saturday a month. Please
consider being part of this vital and satisfying ministry. It is truly a
work of faith and love. Eucharistic Ministers
Are you looking for a real connection with your fellow
parishioners? Ministers of the Eucharist serve the assembly by
distributing the Body and Blood of Christ. Sharing of the Eucharist is
the heart of the Mass for all baptized Catholics. We are committed to
reaffirming our parish community’s faith in the real Presence of Christ
in the Eucharist as we celebrate the whole person of Jesus Christ. Lectors
I
believe that Allen Brings, author of “Reflections on the Art of
Lectoring” said it best: “We who are given the task of proclaiming the
Word of God at Mass must be able to shed our own skins and assume the
masks of Peter, Paul, Abraham, and, whenever necessary, even the Lord
God, as when Ezekiel and others write ‘Thus says the Lord God!’” Liturgical Movement/Dance Throughout history, people have given praise and thanks to God through gesture and dance. Today many cultures include dance in their liturgical services. Prayer through movement cannot only heighten the emotion of prayer but add grace and beauty to any liturgy. If you enjoy dancing of any type, please come join us. This ministry welcomes people of all ages who would like to lead us in prayer through gesture, movement and dance. Some dance experience is helpful. Practice is held on Saturdays from 10-11:30am in the church prior to the times we dance. Please contact Donna Cerio at e-mail ilovetodancedc@netzero.com.
Ministers of Hospitality
Ministers of Hospitality are a special breed: welcoming,
warm, always ready to help or to answer questions. They are the first
people that worshippers meet when they arrive for our weekend liturgies
and are the ones who send them on their way with a smile at the end of
Mass. Ministers of Hospitality help everyone who comes to St. Joseph
Community to feel welcome and free to celebrate. 7:00 pm Candle Ministry
The Light of Christ has come into the world! Our 7pm
Sunday Candlelight Mass is in need of helpers to celebrate this truth
and to prepare our space for worship. This Candle Ministry is vital to
the atmosphere of reverence and specialness that we try to convey in
this Liturgy each week. We focus on the particular aspects of the
liturgical season and enhance our celebration with candles of
appropriate color and form. Music Ministries Basilica Choir
It’s been said that those who raise their voice in song in
praise of God pray twice. That’s certainly true of our highly regarded
Basilica Choir, which leads the assembly in song at the 10:30am Mass
every Sunday from mid-September through June. They also perform a
special concert at Christmastime and an Americana Concert around the
July 4th
holiday each year. While being able to read music is not a requirement
for choir members, it helps to have some knowledge of the mechanics of
reading a score. The music ranges from Classical to Baroque to American
and African Spirituals, traditional Catholic music and even some Hebrew
music. 7 pm Spirit Ensemble
Music Ministry leads the assembly in song. In tune with
the needs of the assembly, it is unparalleled in its ability to arouse
the singing voice of the faith community and to empower people to live
their lives in the service of the Gospel. Music moves the soul and
opens our eyes to God’s abundance. Children’s Choir The Children’s Choir engages the young people of our community (2nd through 6th grades) in the celebration of liturgy and the joy of music. Children rehearse weekly on Thursday afternoons during the school year from 4:15—5pm, and sing during the 9:00am Sunday Mass every 6 to 8 weeks, and at occasional parish events. Adults help with rehearsals and performances. For more information you may contact Sue Spiersch at 522-8431 or e-mail her at alamedakid@alamedanet.net. DEVOTION AND PRAYER All God’s Children Charismatic Prayer Group
All
God’s Children Charismatic Prayer Group is a scripture-based
Intercessory Community that meets to praise, worship and honor our God
and to build up the Body of Christ, opening ourselves to the
transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Under the Spirit’s guidance we
share the love we receive. Bible Study St. Joseph Community currently offers two daytime on-site Bible Study groups: Tuesday morning is a women’s group focusing on the scripture readings for the coming Sunday; Thursday morning is for men and women, providing a combination of prayer, personal study, and group sharing. Both gather at 10:00am in the Parish Center. All are welcome to join either group. For more information, please call Bertha Severdia at 523-1500 or Eleanor MacDonnell at 523-8042 about the Tuesday group or Jo Leitz at 522-1848 about the Thursday group. If you are interested in a Bible Study group that meets at another time, contact Anne Marie Fourré in the Faith Formation office at 522-0181, ext. 59. Cursillo
Oakland Cursillo is an opportunity to renew your faith
through a “short course in Christianity.” The greatest gift that
participants receive is sharing our feelings about our faith and
relationship with Christ. During the weekend, friendships are formed
and a great deal of learning takes place. We come to recognize Christ’s
action in our personal lives and in the lives of others and come to
understand in a way different from any other, what Christian Community
is all about, while gaining a better understanding of Church teachings. Lectio Divina Lectio Divina, a contemplative reading of Scripture, had its beginning in Benedictine Spirituality. The readings are read slowly and prayerfully and participants share reflections and prayers inspired by the scripture. Lectors and others who wish to pray the scriptures for the following Sunday gather on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month in the Basilica from 8:45 to 9:45 am. All are most welcome to join this spiritually enriching ministry. No theological or scriptural training is necessary. A heart open to the Word of God and a desire to grow in understanding and love are all that is necessary. If interested, please contact Sister Toni at 522-0181, ext. 39 or e-mail at tlongo@st-joseph-community.org. Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary is an international association of
Catholics who work for their own sanctification and the sanctification
of all with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces. There are Active
and Auxiliary members. Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS)
Stay-at-home moms
are
this ministry! Gathering together one morning a month, they form a
support group for each other, a sacred space where they can be
themselves and know that their thoughts and feelings are understood by
other women who are also living their vocation to motherhood. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
Do
you desire a better understanding of God’s everlasting love for you? Do
you sometimes wonder whether you are following your desire or God’s and
need a method to discern God’s call? Would you like a new method for
prayer and reflection? If so, the Ignatian Exercises may be for you. Taize Prayer Around the Cross
At 8:00 pm on the 4th Friday of each month, we gather in
the candle-lit Basilica to pray in the tradition of the monks of Taize,
an ecumenical community in France. Brother Roger established the
community as a concrete example of the peace and reconciliation for
which the community prays. Visit the website at http://www.geocities.com/taize_on_the_island/ . Women-Sharing
Imagine gathering once a month with other women interested in going
deeper into their relationship with God, themselves and others….Imagine
the opportunity to create together a safe space where one can be held in
hope and joy, in pain and sorrow, a place where all are welcome just as
they are, and enjoy each other’s company...Imagine experiencing
community in a small, intimate setting with other women, and together
finding God...All of this and more is possible! Faith Formation Children’s Faith Formation (CFF)
Our
Children’s Faith Formation Team (Catechists and helpers) shares the Good
News with the children of our community through classes, prayer and
worship. We work with children from pre-kindergarten (age 4) through 8th
grade who do not attend Catholic school, assisting their parents and
guardians in sharing the basic beliefs and traditions of our faith. This
includes the two-year sacramental preparation program for First
Reconciliation and First Eucharist, and preparation for Baptism for
older children (working in conjunction with the Rite of Christian
Initiation for Adults). Classes are held weekly during the school year
(excluding holidays), usually on Sunday mornings or a weeknight. Registration forms are available HERE ,in the Parish Office or by contacting Anne Marie Fourré. If you are interested in becoming a Catechist, Aide or Monitor, please contact Anne Marie Fourré, Director of Faith Formation 522-0181, ext. 59 or you can e-mail her at afourre@st-joseph-community.org. Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLW)
This ministry allows the children of our community
(kindergarten through 5th
grade) to celebrate the first part of the Mass at their level. On
Sunday mornings during the 9:00am Mass, the children gather with a team
of adults who share the Gospel story with them in ways they can
understand, using music, storytelling, and crafts. They then return to
their parents in church to celebrate the rest of the Mass with the
broader parish community. Infant Baptismal Preparation
The Infant Baptismal Preparation Program ministers to
parents who want their children to be baptized at St. Joseph Basilica.
The Baptismal team interviews parents and welcomes them into the parish
community. We strive to support parents in their most important
endeavor, initiating their children into the faith. Parents are asked
to attend one two-hour class, as well as a Rite of Reception where their
children are welcomed into our parish, and finally a communal Baptism. Marriage Preparation
Marriage preparation at St. Joseph Community assists the engaged couple
in evaluating their readiness to live the married life which, between
two baptized persons, is a sacrament. The primary effort is to help the
couple better understand themselves and each other, as well as their
commitment to living their vocation in and for the community of the
Church. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) This process aids adults in becoming full members of the Catholic Church. It is not a “class” but a spiritual journey of conversion, starting with an informal inquiry period followed by introduction to church teachings and tradition through scripture and liturgy. This process is for those who are seeking Baptism as well as those baptized in another Christian tradition who wish to become Catholic. Catholics who have never received First Eucharist or Confirmation are also welcome. A variation exists for youth and older children who have not been baptized.
If you are interested in either learning more about becoming Catholic or about sharing your faith with others, contact Anne Marie Fourré, Director of Faith Formation at 522-0181, ext. 59 or afourre@st-joseph-community.org. Special Religious Education (SPRED )
SPRED is a one-on-one program in the parishes of the
Alameda Deanery (St. Albert’s, St. Barnabas, St. Joseph and St. Philip
Neri) that assists children, teens and adults with special needs and
learning disabilities in their on-going faith formation. So they can
learn and pray at their pace, SPRED is broken up into four (4) age
groups: 6-11, 12-16, 17-21 and 22 and over. Each is challenged to grow
in faith, and to celebrate his or her unique gifts and dignity. SERVICE AND OUTREACH Alameda Food Bank
“Lord, where did we see you hungry and feed you?” “At the
Alameda Food Bank.” This volunteer non-profit collects and distributes
donated food to supplement the diets of over 500 families resident in
Alameda – the “working poor” whose incomes do not quite provide enough
for their families. You can make a child smile, or an old woman weep
tears of gratitude by providing the extras to make dinner tables healthy
and happy. Angel Giving Project
The
Angel Giving Project is an Advent Ministry that enables parishioners to
anonymously provide Christmas gifts to needy Seniors, adults and
children in the Alameda/Oakland community. Bereavement Ministry
As a member of this ministry, you will have the unique
opportunity to help people who are experiencing one of the worst times
of their lives by listening and guiding them to arrange a
funeral/memorial service for their deceased loved one. You may have an
encounter with someone who is vulnerable, angry, grief-stricken or
unable to deal with the immediate situation at hand. On the other hand,
you will have an opportunity to help someone turn one of the worst times
in his or her life into
something memorable and positive. This ministry is not for the weak, or
for those who have trouble listening. It is for those who are open,
flexible, caring and able to handle change and challenges with a
positive attitude. Collection Ministers
This
ministry might not seem like a ministry, but it is! Each Sunday, during
the 10:30 and Noon Masses, ministers are needed to count and prepare our
collections for banking. These men and women offer their services to
help lighten the load of the parish staff and to insure the accuracy and
safekeeping of Sunday collections.
HIV/AIDS Education And Outreach Ministry Of
Alameda Homeless/Shelter Services
This Ministry is an excellent opportunity to help our
sisters and brothers pull through some of the hardest times of their
lives, and for us to share the gifts we’ve been freely given. Ministry of Little Things
Little things add up. Being attentive to little things
results in projects moving along peacefully and in good order. This
ministry was established to provide help in the parish for those many
little things that crop up daily and that are not the responsibility of
a specific ministry. Some examples of ways to share your gifts and
talents are: preparing parish mailings, working on special photocopy
projects, typing, word processing, baking, cooking, helping with social
events, etc. It provides the opportunity to serve the community for
those who do not have the time or the inclination to be involved in an
on-going ministry. Many of the “little things” are one-time-only or
short-term projects. Ministry To Seniors/Visitors to the Sick
These
two ministries of St. Joseph Community have recently merged to become
two "arms" of one ministry. This ministry gives community members the
opportunity to be ministers of laughter and joy, of concern and
compassion, of hospitality and recognition. Ministry to the Unemployed and the Underemployed
Do you hear the call to embrace the opportunity to be the
ears, eyes and hands of Christ to those in need? If so, this ministry
is for you! We are living in difficult times. There is high
unemployment and underemployment. Many of our community members are in
need of emotional support and need a safe place to vent their pain. Quilters
St. Joseph Quilters are women who gather in the Sablan Room
on the second Tuesday of each month to create beautiful, warm covers out
of almost nothing! Time, patience, care and much love goes into each
stitch and those who receive the handmade articles are blessed doubly by
the warmth and the love sewn into them. Rectory Assistants
Making a welcoming space for community members and others
who come to the rectory is a vital ministry. You are the first voice a
caller hears, the first face a visitor sees. By being yourself and
sharing yourself and your gift of hospitality with all, you can be an
invaluable asset to the work of God here at St. Joseph. St Joseph Garden Club The St. Joseph Garden Club was formed by a group of women who loved gardening and saw that the gardens of the parish plant needed attention. They formed the Garden Club for the purpose of beautifying the grounds and were the driving force behind building a gathering space for the parish community. Currently they help to maintain and plant certain areas of the parish gardens. The Garden Club members sponsor the very popular annual “Gardens Galore” garden tour each May. Proceeds from the garden tour have allowed them to establish Tuition-Assistance Funds in both of our schools and donate funds to the parish each year. Monthly meetings are held, usually on a Tuesday evening depending on time and space availability. There is a membership fee of $25.00 per year which pays for each member’s garden tour ticket. For more information about the Garden Club activities you can contact Kitty Long at 522-4973 St. Vincent De Paul Society
Give
the gift of immediate and personal assistance to those in need, drawing
upon the resources of the community and the St. Vincent DePaul Society’s
organization. Make a difference in the St. Joseph Community. Make our
parish a welcoming place for all of its people. Live the message of
Matthew 25. Sunday Coffee Social
This
ministry is one of hospitality and welcome. Ministers provide the
opportunity for community members to gather and share the gift of each
other after Sunday morning Masses. Either in the Gathering Space, or in
foyer of the Basilica, coffee and donuts provide the forum for sharing
and conversation, which help to build community among us. Young Ladies’ Institute - YLI
YLI is an organization of Catholic women dedicated to the
Christian principles of charity and love. Founded in San Francisco in
1887 by three young women inspired to help an ill friend, its purpose is
to help others. We offer support, friendship, leadership training and
the opportunity to make a difference to those in need. Youth / Young Adults Island-Wide Youth Ministry
Island-Wide Youth Ministry is the high school level ministry for all
four of Alameda’s Catholic Churches. We seek to foster the faith life
of our youth and provide them with social, spiritual and service
opportunities. It is a great gift to work with young people. They are
fun to be around and teach adults new things as well. Being part of the
Island- WideYouth Ministry is a wonderful learning and teaching
experience. It passes on our faith in new ways to the young Church of
today. Young Adults of Alameda
Young adults - married or single - have a unique
opportunity to serve Christ and the Church. We combine the energy of
youth with greater experience and independence. We celebrate our faith
together through fellowship, service to others, and spiritual
development. Imagine connecting the energy of the Young Adults of St.
Joseph Community with those of the other Alameda parishes, and you have
an idea of the spirit in this group!
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