August 19, 2012

Announcements

REGULAR HOURS Welcome back students! With the start of the school year Newman resumes regular building hours (beginning August 18th). Regular building hours are Mon—Fri: 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 p.m., Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (1st Saturdays until 7:00 p.m.), and Sun: 7:00 a.m. –11:00 p.m.

WELCOME TO NEWMAN HALL LITURGICAL MINISTRIES! If you feel called to join any of these ministries: Music, Communion Ministry, Lector Ministry, Chapel Cleaning Ministry, Sacristan, etc, you will find the information at http://calnewman.org/liturgical-ministries/ or on the information sheets on the Hospitality Table near the Front desk. Colleen would be happy to talk further with you, email her at colleenlenord@gmail.com.

MISSION SUNDAY Thank you to all for the generous welcome of Sister Marie and Notre Dame Global Missions who visited last weekend. Your generous support will further the work of the Notre Dame sisters in India, Africa, and Nicaragua. It is not too late to contribute; envelopes are still available to support the Sisters to bring the Good News of the Gospel to those in need.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Over the better part of two years the Diocese has been in consultation with two different consulting groups about the feasibility of a Major Capital Campaign for the Diocese. The first consultation based upon the needs of the Diocese (Christ the Light Cathedral, a long promised high school in Livermore, numerous delayed maintenance needs in parishes and schools and Catholic Charities) presupposed a ten-year campaign with a goal of $252 million. That project proved to be excessive and beyond the capacity of the diocese. A second consultation, more modest in scope, (I do not know the hypothetical goal, but a working presumption some months ago with the second consulting team is somewhere in the range of $50 to $70 million in a three to five year campaign) is being deliberated. The same needs remain. The formula would perhaps designate 50% of monies raised for the Cathedral debt, 25% for parish and school needs, and the remainder to be divided between Livermore High School and Catholic Charities. All of these projections are tentative. As Bishop Cordileone departs for San Francisco he wants to consult with the priests of the diocese concerning a Capital Campaign that his successor would consider for implementation. That consultation will take place in regions of the Diocese in the last week of August. Prior to my meeting with regional pastors and the consulting team I would like to have some sense of your views. You may register your view either through contacting me via e-mail: bernard.campbell111@gmail.com or on the sheet provided outside. Thank you for your consideration. Bernard J Campbell, CSP.

EXPERIENCE THE HEALING If you or someone you love is hurting after abortion, hope, help, and healing are available through a wonderful interdenominational Rachel's Vineyard Retreat. Signups are happening now for our September 7-9 retreat in Menlo Park. Contact Christine at (415) 260-4406 or christinew@firstresort.net. See www.rachelsvineyard.org. All inquiries are confidential.

A WORD FROM ISAAC THOMAS HECKER: “It cannot be too often repeated to the men [and women] of this generation, so many of whom are trying to banish and forget God, that God, and God alone, is the Creator and Renewer of the world. The same God who made all things, and who became man, and began the work of regeneration, is the same who really acts in the Church now upon human beings and society, and who has pledged His word to continue to do so until the end of the world.” The Church and the Age, 1887 (Diary, August 15, 1844)

2012 NEWMAN COUNCIL ALUMNI ESSAY CONTEST FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. "What Does it Mean to Be a Catholic Student at Cal." We invite students to write a reflective essay of 500-1000 words about your answer to the question above. You may use specific examples from your own experience, observations you have made of others, or any of your reading. You may also want to reflect on the quote by Cardinal Newman below or on the biographical information about him available on our parish website. "A university... educates the intellect to reason well in all matters, to reach out towards truth, and to grasp it."–Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, The Idea of a University. First prize $500. Prizes of $300, $200, $100, and $50 will also be given. For more information please go to our website, calnewman.org.

RCIA/HOMECOMING will be commencing September 12th here at Newman. The program epitomizes the gift of faith expressed here by RCIA ’09 member and UCB writing instructor Kaya: “RCIA is a gift. You don't have to be new to Catholicism to learn from it; if you're a ‘boomerang’ Catholic like me, who came and went from the church, RCIA can help you build a better understanding of how faith can really become an integral part of your life in unexpected ways, without making you surrender the gifts you bring from your past (to quote Father Al!). And even if you went to Catholic school at some point, you'll learn things you never knew about the church, in the company of a diverse, funny, and thoughtful group of people. Yes, it's a leap of faith to give RCIA a try, but like any leap of faith, you have to trust your gut instincts. So if you're curious, go with your gut. There's candy every week, by the way!” For more information contact Fr. Al.

50TH ANNIVERSARY SYMPOSIUM ON THE HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE Archbishop–elect Salvatore Cordileone has announced a Symposium Honoring Bishop Emeritus John Cummins: “The Diocese of Oakland, Born from the Second Vatican Council.” A panel of distinguished lecturers with Diocesan experience will examine the direction of pastoral and devotional life embedded in the diocese from the Second Vatican Council. Sunday, September 9th, 4:00-6:00 pm, reception following. Cathedral Event Center, 2121 Harrison Street, Oakland. There is no charge for admission; however, RSVPs are appreciated to 510-267-8350. For more information please contact the office of Father George Alengadan, (510) 267-8362, galengadan@oakdiocese.org.

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Summer Musings... No—not Australia this year (many have asked). It takes two years to 'clock up' the credit miles for flight to ‘Oz.’ Instead, Jim and I went to Pittsburgh, PA, to attend the National Pastoral Musicians' (NPM) Convention, and to explore a part of the country that neither of us had visited. What a fascinating place—a City of Bridges (about 76) crossing the 3 rivers that come together at Point State Park. The history of Pittsburgh is summarized beautifully in the Heinz History Museum, including a video of Heinz Ketchup ads in every language!

Here are some of the highlights we experienced:

* Dramatic thunderstorms
* Wonderful Museums and art work, given to the city by the Carnegie and Mellon Corporations
* The juxtaposition of exhibitions of Impressionists and dinosaurs!
* A delightful zoo
* Inclinators up Mt Washington - with fabulous views over the city
* Au Bon Pain for breakfast and lunch - (hopefully we will have these in this area one day)
* Bach music playing in the airport (a great relief at 5am!)
* A wonderful mêlée of architectural styles

A few highlights of the Convention itself:
* A wonderful plenum Address by Fr. Michael Joncas -- always elegantly crafted, challenging, affirming, and "Connecting Liturgy and Life"; * Another excellent address by Msgr. Michael Irwin: "It's Not About Me, It's About We";
* The Sacred Space Architectural tour of The Heinz memorial Chapel, Rodef Shalom Temple, East Liberty Presbyterian and St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.
* The Convention dinner cruise
* The original artwork of Ian Kochberg, artist/master printmaker
* A most valued opportunity to be refreshed, nourished, affirmed and challenged!

Colleen Lenord,
Director of Music & Liturgy