FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

The Shepherd calls his own sheep

by name and leads them.

—John10:3

A Message From Deacon Peter Lawongkerd

Thank You For Supporting Your Parish! A special and heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you who have continued your offertory donations to St.

Joseph Basilica Parish. We still have a way to go to meet our April weekly goals. If you have not made your

offering yet and would like to, here are ways you can donate:

• Sign up for online giving with Faith Direct. Visit Parish website:

sjbalameda.org or https://membership.faithdirect.net/CA702. Registration is easy and secured. Use parish

code CA702. (For assistance to sign up or for more details, contact our Business Manager, Stan Schonberg

(510) 995-9411or email: business@sjbalameda.org.)

• Mail in your weekly envelopes to:

St. Joseph Basilica, 1109 Chestnut Street, Alameda CA 94501

• Or, drop off your donations in the mail slot located at the Parish Office door.

Friends,

This Sunday is the world day of prayer for Vocations and is also called Good

Shepherd Sunday. Everyone’s life is vocational, but on this day the Church

invites us to pray especially for our priests, deacons and religious sisters and

brothers. We pray together today for an increased in dedicated religious

vocations!

Just to share with you my personal vocation story. God called me in this particular vocation at a very young

age. My Mom would wake me up at 5 am and take me with her to Church. I helped out at the sacristy and

prepared things for daily Masses. As her baby and growing child, I was so proud to assist my pastor as an

altar server.

I entered the minor seminary when I was 13 years old. During my high school years, my dream about the

priesthood began to falter. I started to feel unsure, fearful, doubtful of my path and eventually dropped out of

the seminary. After 8 years in the seminary, I left to work and experience life outside its boundaries. I

worked at a coffee shop and in a restaurant. I also experienced working in a hospital setting where I became

aware that the desire of being a priest was still in my heart.

Brother Don Bosco, a retired religious brother who volunteered at my seminary in Thailand for so many

years, had hope in me and encouraged me to become a missionary priest in the United States of America.

I came to the U.S.A in December 2009. I took ESL classes in Los Angeles for a couple of months, and

eventually applied to the Oakland diocese.

I studied at Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon for four years to get my bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and

Literature. Then, I was sent to St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park to get my Master’s degree in Theology

and graduated last May, 2019.

Even though my journey to the priesthood has not been easy and it has taken me so long to pursue my

dream, but “God is truly my shepherd.” I have made mistakes. I have been lost. I have been discouraged

and wanted to give up . . . I have been found . . . I continued to trust, to listen and follow the voices of my

good shepherds - my family, my good friends, my advisor and spiritual director and YOU!

It is easy to pray for an increased in vocations, but nowadays like my dear Mom we need also to be brave

enough to pray for vocations in your own family!

Keep Safe and Well!

Deacon Peter

St. Joseph Basilica May 3, 2020 Bulletin

Welcome the Stranger Ministry Update

In the words of Pope Francis:

We have to respond to our confinement with all our creativity. We can either get depressed and

alienated... or we can get creative."

The Welcome the Stranger team has responded with creativity! Despite COVID-19 restrictions, our

volunteers have been creative in practicing physical distancing while still maintaining social

connectedness and continuing to help with school, language, and household needs. The Easter

Bunny dropped off goodies on the porch and a one of our families who has maintained close ties

through same-age children helped to make the day a delightful celebration. We also coordinated an

18th birthday party with everyone who could join by Zoom, singing "¡Feliz cumpleaños a tí!" (Happy

Birthday to You!)

A few items have been identified that would

help foster independence and make life more

comfortable for this family, especially during

this time of shelter-in-place.

Needed items:

1. Two area rugs (8 X 10 or 7 X 9)

2. 1 bicycle for a short adult woman

3. bicycle helmets, locks, pumps, repair kits

for the adults (3)

4. Roku

5. Wireless Printer

If anyone from the Alameda deanery or the Alameda Catholic schools can fill one of these needs,

please contact Anna Rossi at amrossi1238@aol.com

Mass Intentions

Our parishioners can continue to request for Mass Intentions while the Parish Office is closed during the Shelter-In-Place. Requests are available the beginning of June. Please email your request to Parish Secretary, Sherley Lim: secretary@sjblameda.org. Please provide the following information when requesting for the Mass Intention:

• Name of person requesting

• Name of person for whom Mass is offered - living or deceased

• Date of Mass requested

• Telephone and email information

Note: There is no guarantee of availability of Mass for a requested date. We will confirm request by

email or phone call.

The suggested stipend is $10/request. Upon confirmation, check or cash for stipend can be mailed

or drop off to the Parish Office. Please indicate date of Mass on memo line.

World Day of Prayer for Vocations, May 3rd - 57th Anniversary

The Lord’s call is not an intrusion of God in our freedom; it

is not a “cage” or a burden to be borne. On the contrary, it

is the loving initiative whereby God encounters us and invites us to be part of a great undertaking. He opens

before our eyes the horizon of a greater sea and an abundant catch. —His Holiness Pope Francis

Today the Holy Father has asked all Catholic to intercede

for vocations. Will you make a special effort to ask the

Lord for more vocations to the priesthood and religious

life? Pray for the priests who have ministered to you

throughout your life, both living and dead. Keep our parish

priests and deacons in prayer throughout the week.

Encourage your children or grandchildren to consider a

vocation as a priest or religious brother or sister. Pray a

rosary for more young men and women in our diocese to

respond to God’s call.

The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is

to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction to, "Pray the Lord of

the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk

10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered

throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and

grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and

to the consecrated life. While appreciating all vocations,

the Church concentrates its attention this day on

vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and

diaconate), to the Religious life in all its forms (male and

female, contemplative and apostolic), to societies of

apostolic life, to secular institutes in their diversity of

services and membership, and to the missionary life, in

the particular sense of mission "ad gentes". —Resource: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Scripture Reflection Continues Through May

The group will continue to meet throughout the Easter season on ZOOM at 7pm on Thursdays! Join

Zoom Meeting by logging into the link: https://zoom.us/j/124587892.

Upcoming Dates:

May 7, 2020 07:00 pm

May 14, 2020 07:00 pm

May 21, 2020 07:00 pm

May 28, 2020 07:00 pm

For more details, contact Anne Marie:

afourre@sjbalameda.org or (510) 995 9409.

St. Joseph Basilica May 3, 2020 Bulletin

Pray for the Sick

May those who are in need of our prayers, place

their trust and faith in the comforting presence

of the Lord. Amen

Sandy Anderson, Natalie Ackerman, Romelita

Bautista, Emma Barrigan, Ronald Bautista,

Jazlynn Cain, Virginia Finn, Nia Cain, Fong Che,

Jan Curtis, Mary Cronin, Lee Corral, Jamal

Downs, Sherry Eastwood-Falls, Jeff Murray,

Michael Long, Michael Lancaster, Monte

McEntee, Joann Miller, Maureen McGee, Lolla

Manibusan, Michael Ricica, Jose Carlos dos

Santos, Becka Smith, Rachel

Sutherland, Nory Reyes,

Evangeline Reyes, Ramon N.

Tirona, Prosperidad

Salamanca, Dee Pickett,

Charles H. Thomas & John

Verduzco.

Please call (510) 522-0181 if

you would like a name to be

added to the list.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, May 2

8:00pm Daniel Campbell - Birthday

Sunday, May 3 (Live Streamed)

12 noon Mass †Jose Belgica †Trinidad Belgica †Perfecto Posadas †Paul Helveston Sherley Lim - Birthday Monday, May 4

8:00 am †Mercedes Acala

Tuesday, May 5

8:00 am †Michael Parker

†Brigitte Plant

Wednesday, May 6

8:00 am †Maria Lupetti

Thursday, May 7

8:00 am †Ralph Bertelsen

Friday, May 8

8:00 am †For All Souls

Saturday, May 9

8:00 am For the People of the Parish

- Living and Deceased

Sunday, March 10

(Live Streamed)

- Mothers’ Day Masses Intentions

are for All Mothers

Let Us Remember All those who have died, especially

Ralph Bertelsen

& Marie Louise Bowers

As a Community of faith, we offer our prayers

and support to their families.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let

perpetual light shine on them.

May they rest in peace.

Amen.

PRAYER DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

O clement, O loving,

O sweet Mother Mary,

We, your children of every nation,

turn to you in this pandemic.

Our troubles are numerous;

our fears are great.

Grant that we might deposit

them at your feet.

Take refuge in your Immaculate Heart,

and obtain peace, healing, rescue,

and timely help in all our needs.

You are our Mother.

Pray for us to your Son.

Amen.

St. Joseph Basilica May 3, 2020 Bulletin

Preparation for registered, active parishioners should begin at least six months in advance of the proposed wedding date. Please contact Fr. Mario Rizzo directly to begin the process. Call (510) 995-9421 or email: frmario@sjbalameda.org.

Sacrament of Marriage

Sacrament of Baptism

Please stop by the Parish office or check our website under “Sacraments” for information.

• For infant baptism (6 or younger) contact Parish Office, 510-522-0181

• For adults or children over age 6 please contact Anne Marie, 510-995-9409

Note: Most events or gatherings are canceled during Shelter In Place, although some are continuing through videoconference. For information on how to connect, contact:

RCIA Inquiry: afourre@sjbalameda.org / Special Needs Inclusion Ministry: drmaponce@yahoo.com Pastoral Care Ministry: srasha@sjbalameda.org / Bible Study: demcgaffey@gmail.com St. Joseph Basilica Ministries

All God’s Children Prayer Group - Mondays, 7:00-9:00pm, Basilica Basilica Choir Rehearsal - Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00pm, Basilica Bible Study - Thursdays, 10:00-11:30am, Parish Center (St. Joseph Room) Children’s Choir - Thursdays, 4:00-5:00pm, Basilica / CIA (Christ in Action Children’s Ministry) -Tuesdays, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, Basilica Cub Scouts - Weekly Mondays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Learning Center (Ends June) Grief Support Ministry - 2nd Thursday, 6:30 - 8:30pm, Parish Center (Damien Room) Guadalupe Ministry - 1st Thursday, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Parish Center (St. Joseph Room) Knights of Columbus - 2nd Thursday, 7:00-8:30pm, Parish Center (St. Joseph Room) Legion of Mary - 2nd & 4th Fridays, 7:00 - 8:30pm, Parish Center (St. Joseph Room) Legion of Mary - 1st & 3rd Saturdays, Reconciliation Room Moms’ Bible Study Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30am, Parish Center (St. Joseph Room) Pastoral Care Team - 1st Saturday, 8:45-9:30am, Parish Center (St. Joseph Room) Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Inquiry - Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00pm, Parish Center (Mother Teresa Room) St. Vincent DePaul Society - 4th Thursdays, 7:00-8:30pm, Parish Center (St. Joseph Room) Spirit Ensemble rehearsal Thursdays, 7:30-9:30pm, Basilica Sp. Needs Inclusion Ministry - 4th Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Parish Center (Mother Teresa Room) Taize Prayer Service - 4th Friday, 8:00-9:00pm, Basilica Young Adults - 1st & 3rd Wednesday,7:30pm-9:00pm, Parish Center (Damien Room) Young Families Potluck - 3rd Saturday, 10 – noon

Clergy: Rev. Mario Rizzo - Parochial Administrator (510) 995– 9421 / frmario@sjbalameda.org

Rev. Sunil Orathel - Priest In Residence (510) 917-9558 / sunil@sjbalameda.org

Dcn. Peter Lawongkerd (Youth Ministry Coordinator) 510-995-9474 / deaconpeter@sjbalameda.org

Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm (Office Closed for lunch: Noon to 1:00pm)

Volunteer Coverage Sat. 8:30am - 12:30pm / Sun. 8:30am - 1:00pm

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Parish Website: www.sjbalameda.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sjbalameda FORMED: www.sjbalameda.formed.org

Parish Staff:

Stan Schonberg - Business Manager

510-995-9411 / business@sjbalameda.org

Anne Marie Fourre - Director of Faith Formation

510-995-9409 / afourre@sjbalameda.org

Eric Bertelsen - Liturgy Coordinator

510-995-9404 / ebertelsen@sjbalameda.org

David Howitt - Music Director

510-995-9403 / dhowitt@sjbalameda.org

Michael Chinnavaso – 7:00pm Music Coordinator

mchinnavaso@sjbalameda.org / 510-5220181

John Scott -Youth Mass Music Coordinator

sjbyouthband@gmail.com / 510-522-0181

Susan Gahan - Coordinator for Funerals 510-995-9416 / sg@sjbalameda.org

Sherley Lim – Parish Secretary

510-995-9420 / secretary@sjbalameda.org

Community Staff:

Julie Guevara - Principal, SJND High School 510-523-1526 / jguevara@sjnd.org

Katherine Francisco – Principal, Elementary School 510-522-4456 / kfrancisco@csdo.org

St. Vincent de Paul Hotline: (510) 995-9471

IMPORTANT INFORMATION