August 26, 2012

Announcements

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.

FLOWER MINISTRY A practical way we can all participate in enhancing our unique worship space as well as perhaps sharing special events in our lives with the community, is by contribution to the Flower Ministry. Donation envelopes are available at the Reception Desk. All contributions will be acknowledged in the bulletin unless otherwise requested. If you have any questions, please leave a message for Colleen.

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.

LGBT CATHOLICS: SUMMER SOCIAL Please join the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Catholics for our first social this summer. Invite a friend or make new friends. Bring a snack or a beverage to share. We meet Thursday, Sept. 6, 7:30—9 p.m. in the lounge upstairs. All are welcome. For more information on the group or to get on our email list, contact Antonio Salas at (510) 663-6302 or LGBT_Newman@yahoo.com.

RCIA/HOMECOMING will be commencing September 12th here at Newman. The program epitomizes the gift of faith expressed here by RCIA ’11 member and librarian at the GTU Library, Mary Mead: “I appreciated several things about the RCIA classes I attended at Holy Spirit. The teachers are wonderful— they share personal experience and answered my questions about being a Catholic. I liked learning a about the sacraments, their history and meaning, and about all the parts of the Mass. I was in a group of about 20 persons who were all ages and many different backgrounds and different cultures. There was a lot to hear in my group - I was impressed by the kindness and honesty of everyone there. The evening of Easter Vigil was a very memorable event in my spiritual life. I had a very welcome and gratifying experience in RCIA” For more information contact Fr. Al.

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.

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.

WE'RE PLANNING AN EVENT FOR PARENTS. CAN YOU HELP? On Sept 22nd we will be offering a special memorial service for mothers and fathers who have lost babies and small children, and any friends or relatives of theirs who might wish to attend. All who have suffered this loss, whether from miscarriage, abortion, premature birth, illness, accident or any other of the painful ways many of us have experienced, will be invited. Roberta Gannon will be planning the service, and would like input. Carla De Sota has graciously agreed to help us with some prayerful gestures we might use for the service. We need more help: suggestions for scripture readings, poetry, etc., music, images, perhaps a simple ritual, a program, and refreshments. We would also like to think ahead to any follow-up interested parishioners might want. If you have suggestions, I want to hear from you, by phone at 510-601-6805, or by email at rlgannon@pacbell.net. If you can attend a very short meeting after 9:30 Mass today, Sunday, August 26, I would be thrilled. I will be up at Coffee and Donuts and will wear a big name tag saying, "Roberta."

BOCA Calling all Newman social justice ministries and those interested in Catholic social justice teaching. Please contact Alan Roselius Newman BOCA committee member if your interested in helping form a Newman social justice network. This network would know what each ministry does and support each ministry in prayer. Email Alan at arose919@att.net or phone him at 510-881-2879.

A WORD FROM ISAAC THOMAS HECKER: “If we wish to attract Americans we must present Catholicity to them as affirming in superabundance those qualities of character which are distinctively American–affirming them in an aspect which reveals their universality.” “The Things That Make For Unity,” The Catholic World, April 1888.

ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS NOT IN THIS WEEK'S PRINT EDITION:
The Sisters of the Holy Family’s Guild is beginning a rosary-making group at the Motherhouse—159 Washington Blvd, Fremont. We invite you to come and learn what it is about. Time, day of the week, and questions regarding this project will be discussed. The information day will be Friday, Sept 7th at 9:30 a.m. Come to the front door of the Motherhouse. There is no charge; we just want to make rosary beads to share with others in their various Ministries. Our good God knows that we need prayer for peace and compassion in our world.

SEPTEMBER OFFERINGS AT SANTA SABINA CENTER
Sept 4, 7–8:30 p.m. Sing the Music of Hildegard of Bingen as contemplative practice, through the Ear to the Heart. This gentle, contemplative practice of listening and singing the music of Hildegard together is led by Devi Mathieu and requires no previous experience with the music of Hildegard or with medieval music. Suggested offering, $10-20. Santa Sabina Center, 25 Magnolia Avenue, San Rafael, 415-457-7727; info@santasabinacenter.org.
Sept 5, 9:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Contemplative Day of Prayer led by Sr. Barbara Green, OP, scripture scholar and professor at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley. Topic: Mary, Ruth, Naomi: Intersections. Suggested offering, $20. Santa Sabina Center, 25 Magnolia Avenue, San Rafael, 415-457-7727; info@santasabinacenter.org.

SAN DAMIANO FUNDRAISER San Damiano Retreat in Danville will hold its 4th Annual Fall Auction Fundraiser, featuring silent and live auctions, dinner, wine, and live music on Sunday September 16 from 3PM—9PM. Cost is $50 per person. More info: 925-837-9141, katerik@sandamiano.org, www.sandamiano.org

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“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
It grips you in your gut when you are fully engaged in life. Excitement, fear, joy, and terror – all of these are part of the roller coaster when you follow your heart and dream big dreams.

Our renewable energy source has just come online again! New and returning students at Cal bring their excitement and energy to Berkeley and to Newman. Newman was originally founded on the North Side of campus to serve the students. Many Newman parishioners met, got engaged, got married, raised children, and still come to Newman.

Newman became a parish in 1967 and moved into this amazing building on the South Side of campus. The thinking of the bishop was that a parish could be a base of support for the ministry to students, faculty, and staff at the University.

Support goes both ways. The various generations at Newman enrich each other. Older parishioners bring wisdom while younger parishioners bring vitality and the promise of the future. Newman is a household of great vitality. We can say along with Joshua, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Back in the 50’s and 60’s a group was formed, and called the “Newman Alumni Council.” This group meets twice a year to celebrate their long lasting friendships and to support student ministry. Those currently in the Newman Alumni Council have put up an essay contest again this year, for students to write on the question “What does it mean to be a Catholic at Cal?” The first prize is $500. There are also prizes at $300, $200, $100, and $50.

If you’d like to read the essays from last year, they have been published in book form and are available at the front desk for $5. Or, you can come to the student table and take a look at the book.

When the students take the long view of life they see the older parishioners at Newman as people who made and kept a lifetime commitment to the faith. I recommend that you stop by the student table to greet the students and offer your prayers and support for their new academic year.

Fr. Bill Edens, CSP