THINKING ABOUT BECOMING CATHOLIC? Thinking about becoming Catholic - again? RCIA/ Homecoming begins Wednesday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m. For those who are not baptized, or who have been baptized in another Christian community, or baptized Catholic, but have not had their First Communion. Also for those who were Catholic, and might like to take another look. Fr. Al and friends are anxious to welcome you! No registration; just come!

On the Occasion of Celebrating Our 150th Anniversary,
the Paulist Fathers invite you to two special events:
Friday, October 3, from 6:30 to c. 8 p.m.
FESTIVE PRAYER SERVICE AND LIGHT DINNER
Sunday, October 5, 10 a.m.,
SPECIAL MASS
with refreshments following.

INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM: Next four Mondays, Sept. 8, 15, 22, & 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the lounge upstairs, with Fr. Campbell.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL AND SINGALONG: Old-time songs for an old-timer. Fr. Al is coasting into his 85th birthday in October. We'll celebrate it on Friday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. You're welcome to bring a plate of cookies - or just yourself! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! NO GIFTS! Just sing!

COMMUNITY OF SANT'EGIDIO INFORMATION SESSION: Who is the Community of SE? How did it come about? What are its vision and its corresponding practices? Come Thursday, Sept. 11 at 6:45 p.m. for an introduction to this official lay ecclesial community, both in Berkeley/San Francisco and globally, including our work on alternatives to the death penalty and our service with the elderly. See our orange-ish flyers in the lobby for the local community schedule. Contact: Eli Sasaran McCarthy at (510) 717-8867 or eli_trinity@hotmail.com.

DIAMOND REALITY: THROUGH A CHRISTIAN LENS: Eva Natanya, (M.A., Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology of the Graduate Theological Union) will present a series of lectures on the famous Diamond Cutter Sutra which is revered throughout all the lineages of Mahayana Buddhism as the holiest of scriptures, and a cosmos-shattering description of the ultimate nature of reality. Eva is a devout Catholic who has trained in the Tibetan tradition for many years, teaches scriptural Tibetan, and has studied at Sera Mey Monastery in India. In this course, she will ask challenging questions from a Christian perspective: How might a Christian read this Sutra and learn to live its meaning on a daily basis? Can a parallel experience of reality be found within the Christian mystical tradition? How could these teachings on the nature of ultimate reality transform our personal lives? Invite your friends to join you in this unique spiritual investigation on five consecutive Saturdays: September 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th & October 4th, 1-5 p.m. in Berkeley. Please contact the organizer via calnewman@gmail.com for location and to RSVP. This course is a free will offering. All are welcome!

CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE LIGHT: As many natives of the Bay area know the Diocese of Oakland is about to open its new cathedral. Christ the Light Cathedral will be dedicated formally in the latter part of September. All Catholics in the Oakland Diocese are invited to participate in this new building. Brochures are available in the back of the church and at the front desk. The brochures include envelopes for your consideration and generous participation.

THANK YOU to the Nguyen Family, who donated flowers for this weekend in memory of Yung Nguyen. Contribution to the Flower Ministry is a unique way to share your special celebrations & events with the community. Donation envelopes are available at the Front Desk. For further information leave a message for Colleen.

Students, Yaggies, Boomers ... what comes next? SAGE GROUP! The SAGE group will resume meeting from 1-2 p.m. on Mondays, starting August 25. We are active seniors creating community and making new friends through the sharing of interesting discussions and other events. New members are always welcome! For more information, contact Mary at (510) 428-2142.

FLU SHOTS: Sutter VNA and Hospice Flu Clinic will again be offering flu and pneumonia shots here on November 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The flu shot is $30 and the pneumonia shot is $45.

The NEWMAN NONVIOLENT PEACEMAKING GROUP invites you to join us on Monday, September 8, at 7:30 p.m. as we plan our next interesting event.

The NEWMAN SOCIAL SERVICE WORKING GROUP invites you to join us at our next planning meeting on Sunday, Sept. 7, in the library after the 9:30 a.m. Mass.

TAIZÉ: Our monthly Taizé prayer this month will be Friday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m. It is a quiet hour of song, silence and Scripture - a great way to unwind from a busy week.

YAGGIES BACK TO SCHOOL GAME NIGHT: Sat., Sept. 27, 6–10 p.m. Come join us for a fun-filled evening of your favorite board games before Carmela crawls into her academic hermitage. Bring along a dish or drinks to share, any games you may want to play, or just bring yourself! This event is hosted in San Lorenzo, conveniently located near the Bayfair BART Station. To RSVP or for driving directions, please contact Carmela Barrera at carmelabarrera@sbcglobal.net.

YAGGIES & A'S BASEBALL: Sat., Sept. 13, noon. Come watch the A's beat the Rangers! The game starts at 1:05 p.m., so we'll meet at the Coliseum end of the pedestrian bridge from BART at noon to get tickets. Contact Mark May at snowdog123@earthlink.net or (925) 784-1060 for more information.

YAGGIES MASS 'n' MUNCH: Sun., Sept. 14, 5 p.m. / 6:30. We'll gather at Udupi Palace for some wonderful Indian cuisine (1901 University Ave, at MLK, Berkeley). Meet us after the 5:00 p.m. Mass in front of Newman or at the restaurant at 6:30 p.m.

YAGGIES END OF SUMMER CAMP-OUT: Sept. 19–21. The days may be getting shorter, but technically it's still summer until September 22! We have 2 sites (max. of 16 people) reserved at Portola Redwoods State Park, just 1–2 hours away from most of the Bay Area in the Santa Cruz mountains. Join us for outdoor fun including a hike, barbecue, campfire, and more. Sign up now at http://tinyurl.com/5pmtlg or contact Keith at khertz@pacbell.net with questions.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING: Experience greater communication and intimacy while learning an effective method for postponing or achieving pregnancy. Learn the basics of the sympto-thermal method on Fri., Sept. 26, 7–9 p.m., with follow-up classes on Oct. 24 and Nov. 21. St. John the Baptist Church, 11150 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito. $135 per couple course fee includes materials and follow-up counseling for one year (financial assistance is available). Contact Ron & Andrea Gronsky at (510) 526-5041 or ahgronsky@yahoo.com. Pre-registration is helpful but not necessary.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AT NEWMAN: On September 6 and the first Saturday of every month we will be exposing the Blessed Sacrament from the conclusion of the 12:10 p.m. Mass (about 12:30) until 4:30 p.m., concluding with Benediction. E-mail Fr. Charlie at frcharlie@gmail.com with any questions.

ELECTRONIC GIVING: Newman Hall - Holy Spirit Parish recently set up a way for you to donate electronically. Many of you already pay your bills online, and now you may arrange to contribute to the parish the same way, either on your own through your bank or through us and our third party provider. There are handouts in the lobby and at the Reception Desk with more detailed information, or feel free to call Peg in our Finance Office at (510) 848-7812 if you have further questions.

RACHEL'S VINEYARD: In collaboration with After the Choice Ministry of the Diocese of Oakland, First Resort is offering an Interdenominational Rachel's Vineyard Retreat at Vallombrosa Center in Menlo Park, Sept. 12-14 to help women and men who have been touched by abortion experience the healing love of Christ. In addition, a free 8-week, Scripture-based post-abortion healing group will begin October 4th in Oakland. Contact Christine (510) 891-9998, christinew@firstresort.net for more details or see http://www.rachelsvineyard.org and http://www.saveone.org for more about the programs. Inquiries and participation are completely confidential.

MARYKNOLL MISSION FORUM: Voting for the Common Good in a Shrinking World: Tues., Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. Maryknoll Center, 16300 Foothill Blvd., San Leandro. Kathy McNeely of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns will join us for a discussion on how our faith shapes our politics. She will talk about the platform for the common good developed at the July Convention for the Common Good and the Maryknoll voter reflection guide, "Loving Our Neighbor in a Shrinking World" as two of the tools that can help Catholics use their faith to inform their decisions in 2008 U.S. general elections.

RETROUVAILLE: Thinking about separation or divorce? Retrouvaille is designed to help troubled marriages regain their health. For confidential information or to register for the September program beginning with a weekend on Sept. 5-7 call (510) 648-6874 or e-mail Oakland@RetroCA.com or visit the web site at http://www.HelpOurMarriage.com.

CATHEDRAL DEDICATION EVENTS VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed to assist with the dedication events for the Cathedral of Christ the Light. These hospitality ministers will answer questions, assist visitors, and direct participants for each of the Dedication Events. Events begin on September 14 with the Blessing of the Cornerstone and continue through November 2 with the Consecration of the Mausoleum. If you are interested, visit the website at http://www.ctlcathedral.org and click on "How to Get Involved." An on-line application with the dates of all of the events is available there. The Cathedral is also seeking enthusiastic, people-oriented individuals to be a part of the first group of information desk volunteers. Please contact Leo Keegan at docent@ctlcathedral.org for more information.

PAULIST CELEBRATION: October 3-5, Fr. Paul Robichaud will be spending a few days with us to help celebrate the Paulist Fathers' 150th Anniversary. Paul taught history at Catholic University for a few years and is currently the Paulist archivist and coordinator for our anniversary celebrations.

FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP CONFERENCE: Sat., Sept. 27, 8:30 a. m.–12:30 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Church, 866 Oak Grove Rd., Concord. The conference will assist clergy and lay leaders in preparing the faithful of the Diocese of Oakland to vote with a well-informed Catholic conscience in the November 4, 2008, national election. The conference begins with Mass at 8:30 a.m. celebrated by Bp. Allen Vigneron, followed by a continental breakfast and presentations by Joan Rosenhauer of USCCB on the Faithful Citizenship document, the Rev. George E. Schultze, S.J. of St. Patrick's Seminary and University, and Q & A with a panel of experts. For more information or to pre-register, contact Colleen Knutsen at cknutsen@oakdiocese.org or John Watkins at jwatkins@oakdiocese.org, and read the document at http://www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship/FCStatement.pdf.

TRAPPIST VOCATIONAL RETREAT: Holy Trinity Trappist Monastery in Huntsville, Utah, will be hosting an exciting "Live-in Experience" vocational retreat. Work and pray with the monks on their 2000-acre farm and enjoy the vocational talks. The dates are October 1-5. There is no cost but space is limited. For more information, call (800) 221-1807 or visit http://www.holytrinityabbey.org/vocations.html.

DOROTHY DAY HOUSE in Berkeley is looking for volunteers to help with breakfast preparation. Call Richard Weber at (781) 985-0981 if you think you might be interested.

PARKING LOT: Please do not park on the diagonally striped areas of our parking lot. These are needed by our disabled parishioners and visitors for access to their vehicles.

HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS: If you know anyone who is homebound --- a family member or a friend --- who would welcome a visit from one of the priests and/or one of our team of visitors or if you would like to join that team, please contact Fr. Campbell at (510) 848-7812 x202 or bjprael@gmail.com or another member of the pastoral staff.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS please volunteer at your Mass, and SIGN UP for a particular station. Prayerful and smooth-running liturgies depend on you!

NO MORE SECRETS - MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUP FOR SURVIVORS OF CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE: The Diocese of Oakland sponsors a support group for survivors of clergy sexual abuse and their families on the first Saturday of each month (except legal holidays) from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., at Holy Names University, Brennan Hall, Room 75, 3500 Mountain Boulevard in Oakland. The group is facilitated by a licensed psychotherapist, and survivors and their families are welcome and encouraged to join us. For more information, please contact Sister Glenn Anne McPhee, OP, at (510) 267-8334.

PRENATALPARTNERSFORLIFE.ORG offers support for families expecting a child with special needs or terminal illness. There are few things more frightening in life than finding out your baby may not be healthy. The fear of the unknown and the pressure to terminate can be intense. If you are - or know - parents who have received an adverse or negative prenatal diagnosis for a child yet in the womb, you are encouraged to visit the URL above.

REDWOODS & AUTO PARKING ON ETNA STREET: People have been parking their cars on the duff-covered dirt under the redwoods on the Etna side of Newman Hall, just south of Dwight. Redwood trees have very shallow roots which might be damaged by the weight. Please don't park there. Thanks!

PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN: We ask that you keep your children from playing with the disabled door switches in the lobby and outside the front doors. Thanks!

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP: Catholic Radio for the Bay Area can now be heard on Immaculate Heart Radio's local station at AM 1260, or streaming on the Internet. Tune in now to hear the best in Catholic music and spoken word programming.

PAULIST WEB SITE: The Paulists have a web site. Log on to http://www.paulist.org and get to know the Paulists better!

BLOOD DONORS: The American Red Cross needs blood donors. Call (800) GIVE LIFE or visit http://www.BeADonor.com.

Voices from the Choir

From Colleen: I am constantly inspired, delighted, challenged and affirmed by members of the Music Ministry. I had a thought that you might also be...

-- Mary Ann Fake:
The privilege of singing in the Newman Choir has been a source of great joy to me for almost 30 years (showing my age there — although I was young when I joined...). The ability to join in songs of praise and supplication and thanksgiving - the chance to grow musically and spiritually — the magic and wonder of scores of Holy Week and Christmas liturgies — and the priceless sense of community with the choir and the whole Newman community. There are times when we're singing, and I look around at the joyous faces and feel the Spirit moving us, and I think that this must be what heaven is like. The choir members have become like family and have been a great source of support to me and my daughters. I wouldn't miss it for the world!!

-- Josh Pilachoswski:
I find myself closest to God when I'm singing about him, and singing in the choir doesn't serve as a distraction but rather strengthens that feeling as well as serving as a bond between me and everyone else there.

-- Helen Fehr:
Singing in the choir is the highlight of my Sunday. We have vacation property up north, and if it weren't for singing at the 9:30 a.m. Mass, I would be there every weekend; Newman is what holds me in the Bay Area.

-- Randy Dixon:
Many of us in the choir would feel deprived of the opportunity to sing if we had a choir break for the summer. Singing is very special to us and a way that we can be part of the Newman community.

-- Rick Davis:
The music ministry is a wonderful family, and fosters a deep commitment that transcends those petty reasons we all have for not showing up... being a small part of a beautiful whole inspires me to keep trying, and that perseverance is tremendously satisfying when I hear the result!