Dear Friends, As I write this final message to you, my heart overflows with gratitude to God for having accepted me to serve as your priest and pastor these past 10 1⁄2 years. You have truly been God’s instrument in my life, helping me to learn and to grow in my priestly vocation. I feel honored to have been able to share in your lives through the ministry that God has entrusted to me. I have been blessed to participate in the many meaningful family events that serve to forge and strengthen our ties as a family of faith. I feel privileged for the trust that you placed in me as I accompanied you through the personal struggles, doubts and sorrows in your life. Words cannot begin to convey the profound joy that I experienced in those moments that we have carried one another in prayer. In particular, I shall never forget nor fail to appreciate your generous support and encouragement to my family and me at the loss of my sister and my mother. And I shall cling lovingly to the fond memories of celebration that marked the 25th anniversary of my priestly ordination. Although my heart is heavy as I say “Good-bye” to you, be assured of my undying gratitude and affection for you. As we embrace the changes that God has mapped out for us, may we do so in a spirit of trust in His providence, mindful of St. Paul’s words in Romans 12:11-12: Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, persevere in prayer. Let us continue to pray for one another. May God bless you always! Fr. Ray Sacca
Tri-Valley YMCA SUMMER DAY CAMP The Tri-Valley YMCA is hosting Summer Day Camp again this summer for nine weeks beginning June 16 and ending August 15. Day campers may sign up for all nine weeks or any number of weeks they choose. Camp will take place at the Village High School site, at 4645 Bernal Ave. in Pleasanton (Bernal at First St.), from 9:00AM to 4:00PM, Monday through Friday (no camp on Friday, July 4). Extended care is available for no additional charge from 7:00AM to 9:00AM and from 4:00PM to 6:00PM. Summer Day Camp is open to grades K-12. High school students are encouraged to enroll as counselors-in-leadership-training. Cost is $229 per week for K-8 and $129 for 9-12 but lower costs are possible for families with financial challenges. We provide fun, challenging activities for campers from sports, games, and outdoor activities to creative art, music and special events. Brochures are available at St. Michael or directly from the Tri-Valley YMCA at 4725 First Street, Suite 200, Pleasanton. (925-475-6108, or email to mcasper@ymcaeastbay.org.
WE WISH TO THANK YOU!!! I would like to take this opportunity to express a big thank you to each of you, our parishioners, for your continued financial support of St. Michael Parish. In these hard financial times you have been supportive and generous to our parish. You have continued to give to the general fund, the maintenance fund, the many missions we support, and the debt reduction campaign. As you know without your continued donations it would be very hard for St. Michael Parish to meet its financial needs, stay on budget and also reduce the debt. If you watch the financial data box on page 2 of the bulletin you will notice that throughout this year we have continued to meet our Sunday giving goal and continue to whittle away at the parish debt. This would not be possible without each of you. I also wish to thank our Pastoral Staff who have continued to stay on budget with their respective ministries this year. They do a fine job of watching how our money is spent, and keep within their allotted budgets. Again, thank you so very much for your generosity as your heart felt donations to our parish are truly appreciated. Keep up the good work and God bless you all. Sincerely, Deacon Bill Archer Business Administrator ***********
The Transition Team wants to express their appreciation for your generosity and support during this time of change in our parish. Words cannot express enough gratitude to everyone who helped plan and give Fr. Sacca’s farewell Mass and celebration. The Mass was a beautiful expression of faith and love with all the choirs participating and an amazing presentation by the Aztec dancers. Big thanks to all our parish ministries for the wonderful variety of multicultural food at the celebration. Hats off to Donna Ramos for making the day run smoothly in the kitchen. Thank you to Socorro Herrera for the beautiful and delicious cakes. Also, a special thank you to Dom’s Outdoor Outfitters, Thomas Coyne and Casa Orozco for their generous support. This event could not have happened without the dedication and help from the St. Michael staff, the parish council, all our parish ministries and parishioners. It has been joy and a blessing to participate in this process as your Transition Team: Margaret Antonoff, Peggy Boeger, Barbara Henriquez, Jennifer Ibarria, Will Macedo, Carmen Menses, Andre Miron, Deacon Dave Rezendes, Louise Ridsdale, and Randy Schlientz.
SCRIPTURE SAFARI RETURNS St. Michael Parish will offer again this year Scripture Safari, a one-week summer program for children entering Grades K through 6th. Classes are Monday, July 7th through Friday, July 11th from 9am to 12Noon. Registration forms will be available in the courtyard today after the 8, 9:30 & 11am Masses and in the Rectory during the week. If you have any questions, please call Mary Dayton at 443-3143 or Patty Malhiot in the Faith Formation Office at 447-8814 x304. See you at the Safari!!!!
Back Pack Project The parish is accepting donations for the purchase of shoe certificates to be placed in this year’s back packs. Please make checks payable to St. Michael Church, writing the word “Back Pack” in the memo section and place them in a white envelope marked “Back Pack Project.” They can be placed in the baskets at Mass or turned into the office. The goal this year is to fill 25 packs for needy children. Thank you so much for your continued support and may God bless you.
Knights of Columbus Corner A record year for recruitment! In the past 14 months, 80 outstanding men joined our ranks. During the April Membership Drive alone, 26 men became Knights and 20 more committed to join over the next few months. They are joining in record numbers because they want to help others through meaningful contributions of time and talent. They recognize that our newly revitalized council will put their skills to good use for causes that satisfy real needs in the church and community. They also realize that they will be working side by side with Catholic men and families that have strong faith, solid morals, and commitments to sincere service. We now have 221 dedicated Catholic men and their families in our council. We want to raise that number to 300 by this time next year. Imagine what we can do with that many people lending a hand. Know the Knights Know your new Knights Leaders for 2008-09 Columbian Year. Please join us in offering your congratulations and support to the following parishioners who will be leading our council in the exciting year ahead: Grand Knight – Ken Rief Chaplain Father Bob Mendonca Deputy Grand Knight – Vaughn Brugman Financial Secretary – Chris Carrano Treasurer – Tim Logsdon Chancellor – Barry Buckett Advocate – Tom Silvey, Jr. Recorder – Greg McQuoid Warden – Joseph Hohl Inside Guard – Jason Montuori Outside Guard – Andy Chelman Trustee – Tom McCaffrey Trustee – Brian Lucid Trustee – Chris Conley Be a Knight. Stand with the Knights in support of seminarians. For info, e-mail Chuck Lewandowski: lewandowski.koc@gmail.com or call him at 606-6983.
TRI-VALLEY CATHOLIC YOUNG ADULTS MEETING Join us this Tuesday ---. We will use the readings from Sunday as a basis for our discussion.We are single and married young people in our 20’s and 30’s who get together for fellowship and faith discussion Tuesdays at 7:30 PM. We focus on enabling young Catholics to discuss subjects which affect their faith journey in a socially inviting small group setting. For more details on the event please contact Mark Rogers at 925-548-3739 or email mjrexen@yahoo.com.
WINGS .WINGS would like to thank everyone who made this a very special year: All of our inspiring and wonderful speakers; the many, dedicated women who do all the work: the Core Team, 8 Shepherds, Prayer Team members and Environment and Clean-up Teams. We are especially grateful to all the women from St. Charles and St. Michael who blessed us with their presence every week! Have a great summer and we hope to see you in the fall!
SOCIAL CONCERNS COLUMN For more information visit their page The mission of the St. Michael Social Concerns Ministry is the formation of the baptized in the Social Teachings of the Church, communication of opportunities for service to the poor and vulnerable, and action on current issues. The fear of God is a paradise of blessings; its canopy, all that is glorious. -Sirach 40:27 Is JustFaith Just Right for You? We've already started planning and recruiting for next fall's JustFaith program. You might want to think and pray about whether this is the year for you to invest time in your own spiritual growth and to reflect on your calling to faithfully follow Jesus. The JustFaith program is a wonderful opportunity to do this in a supportive small Catholic community. Trust the Spirit to lead you. Interested? Contact Joanne Angvick, 443-1422. Visit www.justfaith.org. JustFaith will run from mid-September to midMay. Citizenship Class Organized by Social Concerns Ministry. In the spirit of the US Bishops' "Faithful Citizenship" and "Justice for Immigrants" campaigns, we were able to work with the Livermore Adult School to set up an 8 week Saturday citizenship class for 26 of our fellow parishioners. They started June 7th. Maria Elena Ventura did a great job in getting the signups. Gotta' be a citizen to vote to mold our government's moral and ethical values to the Gospel and Catholic social teaching. Faithful Citizenship: Immigration Reform Make Your Head Spin? Check This Out! You might be interested in the Catholic Legal Immigration website www.cliniclegal.org. Another resource is the materials on "Election 2008: Loving Our Neighbor in a Shrinking World" at www.maryknollogc.org. And did you see the latest "Catholic Update" at the bulletin stations in church? It's a summary of the Bishops' Faithful Citizen program!! Catholics Go Green! Interested in Catholic principles and teachings applied to the issue of global climate change? Check out www.catholicsandclimatechange.org. Please Join Us: The Social Concerns Ministry meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month, 6:30pm-8:30pm, Ed Center, Rm 23. Questions? Call Joanne Angvick, 443-1422. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. For gracious and merciful is He, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Joel 2:13 ************ "In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation." – US Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship”, No. 13, www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship The following is an excerpt from a statement by San Francisco Archbishop George H. Niederauer, "Religion and Politics – 2008” Q: Doesn't the moral perspective of the Catholic bishops on the issues facing voters in 2008 simply deny the reality of today's partisan divide and political choices? A: Yes, the Catholic Church denies the reality and logic of a political structure in which citizens are forced to choose between protecting unborn children and fighting the horrors of global poverty because there are no viable candidates willing to do both. We deny the reality and logic of a political structure that prevents the emergence of candidates pledged to fighting the evil of euthanasia while seeking comprehensive justice on the issue of immigration.
MOBILE HEALTH UNIT New Service schedule Second & Fourth Wednesday
of each Month
St. MICHAEL GOLDEN FRIENDS Come join in the fun of our Seniors Group! Mass will be offered in the Parish Hall at 11:00am with luncheon to follow. Next Golden Friends will be Friday, September ___. Reservations to the rectory by Wednesday September ___.
RCIA We offer our heartfelt thanks to Fr. Ray for all the ways he has supported the RCIA process at St. Michael during his years as our pastor. He began his ministry here as we were taking the major step of becoming an ongoing process. His support has enabled us to continually implement the Christian initiation process for adults more fully and faithfully. Fr. Ray has presided many times at Rites of Acceptance and Welcome, Rites of Sending and Rites of Scrutiny during Lent, and at the Easter Vigil sacraments of initiation. He has also celebrated with us numerous times the minor rites of preparation on Holy Saturday morning and the rite of anointing catechumens. Father has supported the use of the cycle A readings each year during the last weeks of Lent as our community has accompanied those preparing for initiation at the Easter Vigil. His lavish use of water and oil in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation made those sacraments visible to all in the assembly and helped us to appreciate their importance in our Catholic Christian tradi tion. He has presided at many Rites of Reception throughout the years, which has allowed us to welcome adults baptized in other denominations whenever they are ready. We have appreciated Fr. Ray’s gifts of preaching and presiding, and his gift of reverence. He has powerfully exercised his priestly authority in the prayers of exorcism which are part of several rites, and has conferred the sacrament of confirmation on those whom he has received into the Church or baptized at the Easter Vigil. Recently he was also delegated by Bishop Vigneron to declare Cathy Storjohann to be God‘s elect, called to the sacraments of initiation this summer. We praise God for the years we have been blessed by Fr. Ray’s presence and participation in the initiation process for adults, and we ask God’s abundant blessings upon him in his new ministry as Vicar for Priests! All parishioners, and all who shared the journey with Cathy Storjohann are invited to celebrate with her the third and final Rite of Scrutiny. It will take place in the convent chapel this Tuesday evening, June 24, from 7:00-7:30 p.m. We also warmly welcome all RCIA participants from years past to join in the prayer of this powerful rite. Marjorie Melendez Catechumenate Coordinator
St. Vincent de Paul Society This is the 5th Sunday of the month the Sunday that the St. Vincent Society envelopes are available for your donations. These donations make it possible to stock food on the shelves of the food locker, help needy families pay PG&E and/or water bills, and also help supply a night of shelter for families in crisis. We, the volunteers of St. Vincent de Paul, appreciate St. Michael’s parishioners’ generosity. Your prayers, food donations and financial support help us to help others in your name which brings blessings to all of us. Thank you. The drop in our economy is showing in the decrease of donations to our St. Vincent de Paul Society. The recent food drive by St. Michael's youth brought in about onethird of what is usually collected during this drive. Your contributions are needed now more than ever. Please bring canned goods and non perishable food items and put them in the bins at the doors of the church each Sunday. We would like to see our shelves full again so the needy families of Livermore can be fed. Your help is greatly appreciated by our volunteers as well as by the clients we serve. Thank you so very much for your continued generosity.. ST VINCENT DE PAUL SILENT PARTNER The drop in our economy is showing in the decrease of donations to our St. Vincent de Paul Society. The recent food drive by St. Michael's youth brought in about onethird of what is usually collected during this drive. Your contributions are needed now more than ever. Please bring canned goods and non perishable food items and put them in the bins at the doors of the church each Sunday. We would like to see our shelves full again so the needy families of Livermore can be fed. Your help is greatly appreciated by our volunteers as well as by the clients we serve. St. Vincent de Paul Society reminds you to bring canned food items to the collection boxes inside the entries to the Church. Also needed are nonperishables such as cereal, pasta, rice, crackers, etc. Small toiletries such as hotel size soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc. are always welcome for us to distribute to the homeless. Thank you for helping. The Silent Partner Program is a very important and significant source of funding for St. Michael's Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. This program encourages parishioners to make monetary donations to the Society on a regular basis . Participation in this program makes possible the emergency help provided year round to the needy families in Livermore. To be a SILENT PARTNER, all you have to do is to write a note, indicating your name, address, amount of contribution (weekly, monthly, semi-monthly, annually). You can send this note to the Rectory or drop it in the regular Sunday collection in an envelope specifying SILENT PARTNER. Contributions to SILENT PARTNER are kept confidential. The only people who have access to the information are the treasurer and officers who prepare annual statements for income tax purposes. St. Vincent de Paul Society June 29 will be the next 5th Sunday of the month and the Sunday that the St. Vincent de Paul Society envelopes will be available for your donations. It is through these donations that we can help the poor and needy of Livermore . Please be prepared to put your contribution in one of the envelopes on that date. We volunteers of St. Vincent de Paul appreciate your prayers, food donations and financial support which all help us to help others. Thank you. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY The clients that St. Vincent de Paul Society serves deeply appreciate the generosity of our parishioners. During the month of March, your contributions helped 249 people in these ways:
These people were in dire circumstances, and your donations gave them a ray of hope. We also continue to request donations of toiletry articles for our homeless clients. We need these products to replenish our supplies, and if you can spare a bar of soap, small shampoo (hotel sizes are nice), toothpaste or a new toothbrush please drop them in the donation barrels at the entrances to the church.
For more information please contact Paul Kuzmenko at 447-3637 or kuzmenko@att.net.
HELP US FEED THE HUNGRY Learn more about Open Heart Kitchen at http://www.openheartkitchen.org Saint Michael Parish is committed to feeding the hungry at Open Heart Kitchen on the 5th Wednesday of the month. At this time we could use more volunteers to help in this ministry. There are two shifts, 9:30–11:45 AM and 11:45 to 2:00 PM. Jobs include preparation of food leaders and instructions are there, setting the table, serving food, and organizing the donated items to be given out and clean up afterwards. The work is fun and the time goes by quickly. We meet at Asbury Methodist Church on East Avenue. Please call Louise Ridsdale if interested at 447-2925. The 5th Wednesdays for 2008 are July 30, October 29 and December 31 (a good way to bring in the new year!). Mark your calendars!
HONOR YOUR LOVED ONES AT A MASS OF REMEMBRANCE On Monday, July 14th at 7:00 pm in the Church we will celebrate a special Mass in honor of deceased loved ones. Everyone is welcome to bring photographs of the people they wish to remember to place on a table before the altar. After the homily, there will be a chance to come forward with a rose (provided) for a communal bouquet, light a candle, and speak about loved ones, if you wish. This bilingual Mass is sponsored by the Grief Support Ministry of St. Michael and St. Charles Borromeo Parishes. For more information in English, call Barbara at 455-0944; for information in Spanish, call Socorro at 447-5628.
Grief Support Offers Many Services Have you lost a loved one? The Grief Support Ministry of St. Michael and St. Charles Borromeo Parishes is ready to help you cope with the emotional turmoil and practical needs you may have. We can provide trained volunteers to offer you one-on-one support by someone who really cares and listens to you. If you are having trouble filling out government forms, we can provide advice and guidance. If we know of a coming funeral in advance, we are happy to help you plan the funeral liturgy and serve at your loved one's service as greeters, lectors, eucharistic ministers, or helpers at the funeral reception. If you wish to pre-plan your own funeral and spare your family the task of deciding how to honor you at a funeral Mass, we can help. Four times a year, we celebrate Masses of Remembrance to give everyone a chance to memorialize those close to them. The next one will be held on Monday, July 14th at 7:00 pm at St. Michael Church. All of our services are offered free of charge. In English, call Barbara at 455-0944; in Spanish, call Socorro at 447-5628
Grief Support Meetings at St. Elizabeth Seton The death of a loved one is unlike any other loss. Whether the death was sudden and tragic, or one with warning and preparation, the reality of death leaves most of us in a state of shock, confusion and sadness. There will be meetings on the second and fourth Thursday, starting June 12 at 7:30pm at St. Elizabeth Seton, 4001 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton. These meetings are open to all, regardless of religious orientation. Please call Joan at 925-828-6864 if you have any questions. . DID YOU KNOW? Holy Angels/St. Michael Cemetery As an extension of your church community, Holy Angels Catholic Funeral, Cremation and Cemetery Service is here to serve you. Whether you choose a traditional burial or cremation, you can be assured that Holy Angels will respect you and your family’s wishes with dignity following sacred traditions and honored values. We offer the convenience of arranging as well as prearranging your Funeral and Cremation Services through Holy Angels located at St. Michael Cemetery. Holy Angels follows the Order of Christian Funerals guidelines by providing funeral service plans that contain the following services: The Vigil, The Funeral Liturgy and the Rite of Committal. The Order of Christian funerals strongly prefers that cremation take place after the full funeral liturgy with the body present. However, when this is not possible, all the traditional rites that are celebrated with a body present may also be celebrated in the presence of cremated remains. We look forward to serving you and your family as one contact point for your Funeral, Cremation and Burial needs. If you already have a pre-need arrangement or insurance policy and would like to use our services, or have questions regarding the Catholic Funeral Services, please call Jayne Archer at (925) 455-9696 *********** Our Grief Support Ministry not only helps families plan funerals when someone has died, but will also help people who wish to pre-plan their own funeral. If you would like to spare your family the task of deciding how to honor you at a Mass of the Resurrection, call us. Our service is free. In English, call Barbara at 455-0944; in Spanish, call Socorro at 447-5628. Planning a Funeral? Did you Know… The Diocese of Oakland has made available to all, low cost funeral services through Holy Angels Funeral & Cremation Centers? You do not have to leave Livermore and go to Hayward to use these services. These services are offered here in Livermore. For more information regarding these services, please call Jayne at 510-537-6600 or leave a message at 925-455-9696. There is help with planning a loved one’s funeral. Here at St. Michael Church along with the ministry of priests, deacons, and Grief Support, you have the aid of the booklet, “Through Death to Life”. This resource will help you in selecting the various reading options, special personalized prayers and family participation available in the funeral mass or memorial service. With the guidance of our music ministry appropriate funeral liturgy music can also be selected. In addition, the Grief Support Ministry can help you through the various details and with at least three days notice can provide a funeral program for use at the funeral mass . We can also assign Grief Support ministers to serve as greeters at the liturgy or as servers at a reception. Once you contact the rectory a Grief Support Minister will call you. Mortuaries usually do not arrange the specifics of a funeral mass or memorial service. It is necessary that you contact the Rectory to arrange a funeral mass or memorial service. If you would like information regarding the Catholic Funeral and Cemetery services, please call Jayne at 455-9696. Have you ever wanted to have a mass said for a loved one or an announcement of an upcoming anniversary, and not exactly known how to go about it? Or how about a "mass card" for living or deceased? If you are interested in a particular date and time for a mass to be offered on a Sunday, it may require 6 months to a year advanced notice. If you are interested in a mass being offered any day such as a morning mass, sometimes that can take from 6-9 months. You can come in person to the rectory and see Anita between the hours of 9:00-5:00 Monday-Friday. Or Monday-Thursday from 5:00-7:30 PM. You can also call between those hours, at 447-1585. Usually there will be a $10 $15 donation. A wonderful way to honor your loved ones.
ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL NEWS St. Michael School Mission Statement St. Michael School continues to accept applications for the 2008-2009 school year. There are openings in kindergarten through fourth grade. Interested parents may pick up an application from the school office through June 30 or at the rectory during the month of July St. Michael School 345 Church St. Website: smsliv.org
*********** INK-JET CARTRIDGES are still being collected for St. Michael School. You may bring them to the parish rectory office over the summer or when school resumes in the fall to the school office. Please remember to put them in a plastic bag so the ink will not go everywhere. THANK YOU for your continued support. ************ St. Michael School continues to work on updating the School Alumni List. Please help us with this project.
If you answered “YES” to either of these questions, we would appreciate your help. Please send us the names of graduates giving maiden names and last names as applicable, date of graduation and current address. Email: St. Michael@csdo.org
FAITH FORMATION
Congratulations to the Faith Formation First
Communion Students
If you feel called to share in this rewarding service please contact Patty Malhiot at 925-447-8814x304.
JUNIOR HIGH MINISTRY CALLING ALL 6th, 7th and 8th GRADERS!!!!!
Jr. High Youth Ministry Happenings! For more information or to register, please contact the faith formation office, or Chris or Patty Conley at (925) 449-2265 or smichaelchurch@yahoo.com.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH High School Confirmation News Registration is currently taking place for first-time high school Confirmation students. The Confirmation program is broken into three 8-week semester class sessions. The first session will begin during the first week of October. Students also do a minimum of 20 hours of community service over the course of the program and attend at least one of our parish youth retreats. Students need to be at least incoming sophomores in high school to register for the program. If you would like more information about registering your son or daughter to begin Confirmation classes in the fall, please contact Laura Melendez at (925) 447-8814 x 242 or at stmikeconfirmation@yahoo.com. Registration will be taking place through the end of August. Note: Registration for second year students will take place beginning in mid-August.
Seniors, Come One and All Make life easier! Don’t fuss and worry about cooking lunch
each day. Come and join us for lunch and some socializing
at: Robert Livermore Community Center 4444 East Ave., Livermore, CA
94550 (925) 373-5764 This Web Site created with care by
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