PARTNERS IN LIFE, PARTNERS IN MISSION - THE MAGAZINE OF THE DIOCESE OF OAKLAND CATHOLICVOICEOAKLAND.ORG AUGUST 2021 VOLUME 59 ISSUE 7 ...
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THE MAGAZINE OF THE DIOCESE OF OAKLAND • CATHOLICVOICEOAKLAND.ORG
AUGUST 2021
VOLUME 59 • ISSUE 7
PA RT N ER S
RE -A N TOINE
PLUS
I N L I FE,
Page 22
CO M EBACK K I DS
PA RT N ER S
CYO Sports: How we play,
I N MI SSI O N
ER
and why we pray
PI
O
Y
J
Page 12
CE E
LY DN
R EG I N A’ S JO U RN E Y N AND RO
What began as a fifth-grade
assignment is the story of a lifetime
I NS I D E AUGUST
3 From the Bishop The magazine of the
Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ Diocese of Oakland
writes a Pastoral Letter on Copyright 2021
the Eucharist.
AUGUST 2021
VOLUME 59, ISSUE 7
4 Editor’s Note
Do you have a story for
The Catholic Voice magazine? 16 Cover Story
Partners in mission: For Jocelyn Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ
5 Grow as a Disciple Pierre-Antoine, associate superinten- PUBLISHER
Respond to God’s invitation. dent of the Schools of the Diocese of
Oakland, and Rodney Pierre-Antoine, Helen Osman
6 ‘Be a good shepherd’ executive director of the Lumen ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Scenes from the ordination of Christi Academies, the children of
Father Candelario Jimenez and the diocese are their children. Michele Jurich
Father Huong Dinh, with words EDITOR
from Bishop Barber and ways to 20 Schools
support vocations in the diocese. Looking for an elementary or high The Catholic Voice is mailed to
school? Let’s go to the maps. households registered in parishes
9 Ordination Update of the Diocese of Oakland. To
receive The Catholic Voice, contact
Ramon Urbina to be ordained 22 Feature story your parish office and ask to
to the transitional diaconate Comeback kids: After more than a be added to The Catholic Voice
in August. year lost to the pandemic, CYO sports mailing list.
prepare for a comeback. CYO Director
11 Saint of the month Bill Ford has some timely reminders on
St. Ignatius of Loyola why we play, how we play and why we
pray before we do any of it.
10 In the know
with Father Joe
How do I convince friends Elizabeth Martin Solsburg
to return to the Mass now PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE
that quarantine is over? OFFICER
Rachel Matero
ART DIRECTOR/GRAPHIC DESIGN
The Catholic Voice (USPS
094-640) is published monthly
by the Diocese of Oakland, 2121
24 Meet the Bill Ford CYO Harrison St., Oakland, CA 94612.
Scholars 2021 Periodicals postage paid at
Oakland, CA and at additional
mailing offices. POSTMASTER:
26 Directory of parishes Send address changes to: The
Updated listings with addresses,
Catholic Voice, 2121 Harrison St.,
12 Regina’s journey websites and pastors of the Diocese
Oakland, CA 94612. ©2021 The
A fifth-grader’s assignment of Oakland.
Catholic Voice, Diocese of Oakland.
has become a lifelong quest.
30 Official
15 Spiritual Fitness Schedule and statements from the
The miracle of the Transfiguration Office of the Bishop of Oakland.
2 The Catholic Voice • August 2021
FROM THE BISHOP
In the documents of the Second
Vatican Council, we read that com-
munion with the Body and Blood
How could anyone stay away? of Christ changes us into what
we receive. We become divinized.
St. Thomas Aquinas taught, “The
A RETURN TO THE EUCHARIST proper effect of the Eucharist is the
transformation of human beings
into God.” (Aquinas, Sent. IV, dist. 12,
H
q. 2, a. I.) Do we realize this?
Our belief in the real presence
ow I have longed to celebrate this Passover with you.” (Lk 22:15) of Christ in the Eucharist is
When people ask, “Why should we go to Mass?” I answer, scriptural. Jesus meant it when He
said, “This is my body; This is my
“Because Jesus is waiting for you there in the Church, and He blood.” (Lk 22:19-20; Mt 26:26-28; Mk
14:22-24; 1 Cor 11:23-25) The Church
wants to be with you — right there — in the Holy Eucharist.”
has always guarded and preserved
It is about a personal encounter with Jesus that we have as individuals AND as a this teaching faithfully from one
community, in the celebration of the Mass. The celebration of the Eucharist is the generation to the next, despite
heresies diluting or even denying
time and place where we can allow Christ to love us, and we can return His love. the real presence of Christ in Holy
Communion.
Jesus Himself taught how
Knowing this, how could anyone loved His Apostles “to the end” important it was to Him that we
stay away? (Jn 13:1), and He will love us come to celebrate the Eucharist and
We are coming off a year and a “to the end.” receive Him in Holy Communion:
half of “fasting” from full, personal When Christ taught, “Come “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless
and active participation in the Eu- to me all you who labor and are you eat the flesh of the Son of Man
charist because of the COVID pan- burdened, and I will give you rest,” and drink his blood, you do not
demic precautions. Hence the Lord I believe He was encouraging us have life within you. Whoever eats
says again to us, as He did to the to come to Him where He is most my flesh and drinks my blood has
BY BISHOP
MICHAEL C.
Apostles at the Last Supper, “How intensely present, in His own Body eternal life, and I will raise him on
BARBER, SJ I have longed to be with you!” And and Blood on the altar of sacrifice the last day. For my flesh is true
how we priests have longed to be at every Mass. Maybe that explains food, and my blood is true drink. ...
Bishop Michael
C. Barber, SJ has with you also to celebrate togeth- the sociologists’ study that found Just as the living Father sent me and
been bishop of er the Lord’s Passion, death and all socioeconomic groups of people I have life because of the Father, so
the Diocese of resurrection. suffered more anxiety, more stress also the one who feeds on me will
Oakland since I cannot tell you how happy I and more depression during the have life because of me.” (Jn 6:53-57)
May 2013.
was to see so many people coming pandemic, except one — those who As Bishop Robert Barron recently
back to Mass for Holy Week and attend church regularly. wrote, “There is simply, this side of
PHOTO BY Easter this year, and since the June When Christ said to the Apos- heaven, no more intimate commu-
CHUCK DECKERT 15 lifting of most COVID restric- tles at the Last Supper, “Do this in nion possible with the risen Lord.”
tions, for daily and Sunday Masses. memory of me,” He was not only So let us come back to Him at
I felt like St. Peter at the Transfig- giving a command to the Apostles to Mass in person, joining together
uration, when he said, “Lord, it is celebrate the Eucharist; He was also as a worshipping community, to
good for us to be here!” inviting all of us, Christian brothers be fed with His word in Scripture
By participating in the Mass, we and sisters, to come together at the and His body and blood in Holy
can be with Jesus at the moment He altar, to listen to Him speaking to us Communion.
lays down His life for His friends. in the Scriptures and to receive Him
You and I are those friends. Jesus inside our bodies and our hearts. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
3
EDITOR’S NOTE
Sharing the good news
Since the Church always has our spiritual
health as her primary consideration, I am rein-
stating the law, which was dispensed because of
the pandemic. Our solemn obligation to attend
Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation You should interview (fill in the blank).
will come back into force in the Diocese of
Oakland on Sunday, August 15, 2021, the Or: I have a great story for you.
Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady
into heaven.1
In the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Catholic Writers treasure words like these.
Churches, at the sign of peace, each person
says to their neighbor, “Christ is among us.” As we launch The Catholic Voice magazine,
And the response is, “He is and always will we are looking to tell stories of people of faith BY MICHELE
from all corners of the Diocese of Oakland. JURICH
be.” Let us come back into His presence
“singing for joy.” (Ps 95:2) In sharing their stories, we are inspired, per- Michele Jurich
haps even moved, to make more of a difference is editor of The
with our own lives. Catholic Voice.
When people While it is true that illness,
1
infirmity or truly serious rea- I am so grateful to the people who were
ask, “Why sons may impede and there- willing to be interviewed for this first issue
should we fore always dispense us of our of the magazine. We spent time in conversation, interviews and
back-and-forth sharing of ideas.
go to Mass?” obligation to come to Church
I am delighted you will have the opportunity to meet, if you
for Mass, any casual absence
I answer, from Mass without serious don’t already know, Jocelyn and Rodney Pierre-Antoine. I am
“Because reason carries the burden of uplifted every time I have a chance to talk with them about their
shared ministry of Catholic education.
Jesus is a willful sin against God and
I met Regina Mason when she was scheduled to give a talk at
neighbor and should be brought
waiting for to Confession before receiving St. Columba Parish in spring 2020. Her scheduled talk was post-
you there in Holy Communion. Long before poned (and I hope will be rescheduled). I am grateful to Regina
for the time she spent with me on her story. A Catholic school-
the Church, this pandemic, the Church has
girl’s fifth-grade assignment has become the work of her lifetime,
always recognized that there
and He wants are “serious” or “grave” reasons including a book and film, about her ancestor, William Grimes.
to be with you that prevent Catholics from Bill Ford, the longtime director of CYO, was one of the peo-
ple my children looked up to in their time as Catholic school
— right there attending Mass. For example,
students. I had a chance to catch up with Bill for something of a
if a person is sick or home-
— in the Holy bound, or living/visiting areas refresher course on CYO sports: why we play, how we play and
Eucharist.” of the world where access to the why we pray. I know I am not alone in welcoming the return of
Mass is limited, or a situation CYO sports.
arises that prevents travel (snowstorm or flat Thank you to photographers Dominique Ghekiere-Mintz and
tire), such persons would not be bound by the Chuck Deckert for their beautiful contributions to the issue.
obligation. In the case of this pandemic, serious I am grateful to all contributors.
or grave reasons would include: And that means you.
• Anyone who is sick, symptomatic or has If you have a story idea, please share it with me at mjurich@
been recently exposed to the coronavirus. oakdiocese.org. Please include your name and contact informa-
Protecting the health of others is an act of tion. Maybe you have an upcoming parish event. Maybe there’s
Christian charity and our moral duty to someone who has been an extraordinary help to others in your
one another. parish during the pandemic. Maybe there are catechists who are
• Anyone with significant health risk factors there every single Sunday, on Zoom or in person. Let’s hear about
that requires them to avoid public spaces, them. Perhaps by their example, we all become stronger mission-
or if you care for someone with significant ary disciples.
risk factors.
• Anyone who cannot attend Mass through Gratefully,
no fault of their own, for example, a parent
caring for a sick child, or if the priest is sick. Michele Jurich
4 The Catholic Voice • August 2021
G ROW AS A DI S C I PL E
Respond to
God’s invitation!
M ary saying “yes” to God was one of the
most significant acts of obedience in
human history. The destiny of humanity was
forever flipped by a young woman, alone, in the
small Judean town of Nazareth. The simple, yet
confident response of “Be it done to me according
to your will” remains both unbelievably inspiring
and remarkably attainable. With those words,
Mary shows us how simple, but not easy, it is to
be a disciple of her Son. It begins, is sustained and
culminates with “yes.” We’re called to a constant,
persevering, unshakeable, loving, hopeful and
grateful fiat (Latin for “let it be done”).
GROW
as a disciple of Jesus
The entire history of the Church is marked by wom-
en and men who devoted their lives to a radical, simple
and often hidden obedience to God which, ironically,
produced incredible missionary fruitfulness. Through
the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary cooperated with PETE BURAK is the director of i.d.9:16, the young adult
God’s loving plan for her life, and through that same outreach of Renewal Ministries. He has a master’s
Spirit we are called to do the same. Mary received a degree in theology and is a frequent speaker on
unique invitation from Gabriel, one of unparalleled evangelization and discipleship.
consequence, but each of us receives our own unique
invitation! Mary’s fiat led to the Word becoming flesh
inside her, and ultimately Jesus being born into the
world. Guess what? Our fiat leads to us becoming tem-
ples of the Holy Spirit by which we bring Jesus to the a simple “thy will, not my will.” This will grow into
world around us. more opportunities to express your fiat, which proba-
Too often we reduce missionary activity to big bly won’t include traveling to Bethlehem on a donkey
events with bright lights and famous speakers. We let but may look like evangelistic coffee dates, grace-filled
ourselves off the evangelistic hook because there are text messages and divinely inspired moments to chat
professionals to carry the load. Unfortunately, when over the fence with your next-door neighbor. Friends,
Getty Images/DeepGreen
we do either of those things, we aren’t following Mary’s find your Nazareth, your hidden place, where you can
example of humble obedience. All missionary activity, passionately and with deep conviction say “yes” to
all fruitful evangelistic work, all expansion of God’s Jesus, and then wait and see what the Spirit grows in
kingdom begins with a hidden “yes,” a quiet amen, and through you!
5
Th e go o d she phe rd l ay s d
THE
O R D I N AT I O N
O F R E V.
HUONG DINH
A N D R E V.
CANDELARIO
JIMENEZ
Excerpt 1MARTYRS
Father Huong and Father Candelario, you come
from a long tradition in Vietnam and Mexico, a long
“Every single one of them has spent time in prison,
most more than 10 years.
tradition of shepherds, of priests who have laid down Father Candelario, St. Cristobal Magallanes, whom
their lives for their sheep. you asked to be added to the litany today, in 1920s
Father Huong, the Martyrs of Vietnam, especially Mexico, not even 100 years ago. The government of
St. Andrew Dung Loc, one of the first native Vietnam- Mexico was then hostile to the Church. They made it a
ese priests. He was arrested multiple times. The faithful crime to say Mass or to receive baptism. They closed all
Catholics raised the ransom money to get him out of seminaries, but Father Magallanes opened a clandes-
jail multiple times. He was released but traveled and tine underground seminary in his parish. Like Father
was rearrested, eventually tortured and executed by Miguel Pro, Father Cristobal went around celebrating
beheading. He and his companions inspired genera- secret Masses to keep the heart of the faith alive in his
tions of faithful Vietnamese Catholics who even in faithful. He was arrested and falsely accused of inciting
our lifetime have suffered for the faith. rebellion. Without a trial, he was condemned to death.
When I visited Vietnam about five years ago, the He gave away his meager possessions to his execu-
bishop who was my host had me talk to the priests of tioners, then he gave them absolution. His last words
the diocese. He told me, “Notice there’s a lot of young, before he was shot: “I am innocent and I die innocent,
some very old, but there’s no one in the between I forgive all those responsible for my death. I ask God
because during the persecution, all the seminaries that the shedding of my blood serve the peace of our
were closed.” He pointed to all the elderly priests: divided Mexico.”
6 The Catholic Voice • August 2021
ow n h i s li fe for t he she e p
Excerpt 2
FOUNDERS
The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep,
even here in Oakland.
and a church. He started with nothing except faith.
In times like these, with diminishing congregations,
Father Huong, you’re being assigned to St. Antho- amalgamation of parishes, maybe it’s time we re-em-
ny Parish Oakland, one of our oldest parishes. Father phasized the faith that built and started it all, and fidel-
William Gleeson was assigned by Archbishop Alemany ity to that faith as the key to a successful future.
to start a new parish in that part of Oakland in 1871, The faith that the martyrs of Vietnam, the martyrs of
150 years ago. He started with nothing: no church, no Mexico, the faith that the founding pastors of the Dio-
house, no school, no land. But I can’t say he started cese of Oakland had, that same faith being lived today
with nothing because he had faith, the same faith as in our priests and people of our diocese … people need
you and me. That made him a rich man. He went there to see that faith in you, good shepherds who will lay
and he found faith in the Catholic people who dwelt in down your entire lives for your sheep.
what was then rural Oakland.
He built a small cottage for his house, then opened a CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
Catholic school, and then built a small wooden church.
Father Candelario, you’re being assigned to St.
Isidore Parish. It was begun in 1910 by Father Collins,
who when he went out there lived initially in the little EXCERPTS FROM THE HOMILY OF
Danville Hotel and offered Sunday Mass in the Grange BISHOP MICHAEL C. BARBER, SJ
Hall. The Catholic people there built him a little house PHOTOS BY CHUCK DECKERT PHOTOGRAPHY
7
Promoting vocations
in the Diocese of Oakland
OAKLAND
Divine Mercy-St. Lawrence O’Toole
7 p.m. Thursday
VOCAT I ONS I NFOR M AT I O N D I VI N E M ER CY FO R VO CAT IO N S
Office of Vocations, Diocese of Oakland 3rd Friday of the month BAY POINT
Father Carl Arcosa, vocations director Hosts: Father Matthew Murray and Our Lady Queen of the World
carcosa@oakdiocese.org Father Carl Arcosa 6 p.m. Friday
DISC ER NME NT SAT UR DAYS HO LY HO U R FO R VO CAT IO N S DUBLIN
5 p.m. Mass and St. Andrew’s Dinners St. Raymond
• Sept. 18 LIVERMORE 2 p.m. Monday-Friday
Corpus Christi Church, Fremont St. Michael
Host: Father Luis Lopez 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday H O LY H O U R FO R VO CATIONS
• Nov. 20 with Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ 9:30 a.m. Saturday Every 4th Friday at 7:30 p.m.
St. Michael Church, Livermore For the link, contact Father Arturo Bazan
Host: Father Carl Arcosa BRENTWOOD at FrArturo@ihmbrentwood.com
Immaculate Heart of Mary
ROSA RY FOR VOCAT I O N S 5 p.m. Thursday CH A PL ET O F D IVIN E MERCY
4th Friday of the month FO R VO CAT IO N S
Hosts: Father Arturo Bazan and FREMONT Every 3rd Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Father Carl Arcosa Corpus Christi For the link, contact Nona Conejo
6 p.m. Thursday at nhonz888@gmail.com
8 The Catholic Voice • August 2021
Ramon Urbina
stands with Bishop
Thomas Daly of
Spokane, who
celebrated the
Mass. Because
of the pandemic
restrictions, at that
time, attendance
at the Mass was
limited, masked
and distanced.
(Photos by
Stephen Terlizzi/
St. Patrick’s
Seminary & SAINT OF THE
University)
MONTH
St. Ignatius of Loyola
Diocese of Oakland FO UNDER O F TH E SO CI ETY OF JE SUS
seminarian Ramon Urbina,
right, is pictured at the
Rite of Admission to F E A S T D AY – J U LY 3 1
Candidacy for Holy Orders
F
at St. Patrick’s Seminary &
University in Menlo Park on ive hundred years ago, a cannonball changed
Feb. 24. Gerardo Vázquez
of the Archdiocese of
the course of Ignatius of Loyola’s life. His shat-
San Francisco is at his tered leg opened him to discerning the call to
left. They were among live “for the greater glory of God.” As a founder of the
five seminarians — two
from San Francisco and Society of Jesus (Jesuits), he became one of the most
one each from Oakland, significant leaders in the Catholic Counter-Reformation
Spokane and Sacramento
— to participate in the rite.
of the 16th century, and his leadership and spirituality
continue to guide Christians today.
Ignatius was born in 1491 in Loyola, Spain, the
youngest of 13 children from a noble family. Knighted
Ramon Urbina to be in 1517, he enjoyed military pursuits until wounded in
ordained to the transitional 1521. During his long recovery, Ignatius was inspired
by reading a collection of saint biographies, and The
diaconate in August Life of Christ by Ludolph the Carthusian. Discerning
that God was calling him to serve, he embarked on
a pilgrimage to a Benedictine monastery in Montser-
Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ will ordain seminarian rat, Spain. He spent the next year fasting and praying
Ramon Urbina to the transitional diaconate Aug. 14 while living as a beggar in a nearby town, where he
at Mission San Jose.
experienced visions and began writing The Spiritual
Exercises. Discerning that he would accomplish more if
The mission church is the oldest church in the Dio-
Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s Vision of Christ and God the Father at La Storta by Domenichino Zampieri, 1622
cese of Oakland.
well-educated, Ignatius spent 11 years studying before
Mr. Urbina, who is a parishioner at Most Holy Rosary earning his master’s degree at a college in Paris.
Parish Antioch, is a student at St. Patrick’s Seminary Shortly after his ordination, Ignatius experienced a
& University in Menlo Park. vision of God the Father saying, “I wish you to take this
In February, he was among the five seminarians man for your servant,” and Christ responding, “My will
advancing to candidacy in the Rite of Admission to is that you should serve us.” With Francis Xavier, Peter
Candidacy for Holy Orders at the seminary. Faber and companions, Ignatius established the Society
In 2019-20, Mr. Urbina served his pastoral year at of Jesus in 1539, professing vows of poverty, chastity
St. Raymond Parish in Dublin. and obedience. When approved in 1540, Ignatius be-
After studying in the seminary of a missionary order,
came superior general of the “contemplatives in action.”
Mr. Urbina transferred to his home diocese.
Before his death in 1556, Ignatius’ Spiritual Exer-
“I wanted to serve the Catholics here, in my home
country, especially in my home diocese. It’s a good
cises were approved and his Jesuit Constitutions were
field for work,” he said. adopted. He began establishing Jesuit colleges and used
the Latin phrase Ite, inflammate omnia, meaning “Go,
set the world on fire,” to encourage his fellow Jesuits.
LEARN MORE The Society of Jesus has established schools, colleges
For updates on the ordination, visit and seminaries in Europe, India, Africa and America.
www.catholicvoiceoakland.org Today, Jesuits serve in 112 countries.
BY SUE PARKER
9
IN THE KNOW
WITH FATHER JOE
I learned this important lesson over time: A heartfelt
explanation goes a long, long way.
I recall an interview on NPR with an atheist who was
Q asked by the interviewer if he ever rethought his position
Dear Father Joe,
in regard to God. He shared a fairly powerful story of
how his dad sat him down one day and shared how his
faith made him a better person. The atheist talked about
all the theological and philosophical things that had been
I have friends who don’t seem to be thrown at him and how, to that day, none of them moved
interested in returning to church him like his dad’s simple, heartfelt explanation.
A second general principle would be a bit more
since the quarantine ended. How do blunt: Namely, when they were baptized or when their
children were baptized, they made promises to God
I convince them to come back? that they would follow through with this baptism by
being “faithful members of his holy people.” There are
three distinct times I can think of in the baptism ritual
where Mom and Dad promise to practice the faith.
A Your question reflects a heart of love, and I am so Parents are not asked if they’ll practice the faith
grateful for it. I think the best thing for me to do when it’s convenient or when they feel like it, but rath-
is walk you through a general idea or two and then er, if they will make a commitment to doing so. Think
some specific strategies. of it this way — if you only show up for your spouse
or friends when it’s easy or when you’re getting some
In general, I am a big believer in offering your “why” benefit from it, then how long do you think those rela-
to others. Why did you go back? Why is it important to you? tionships will last? Jesus is always faithful, but we have
What difference does it make in your life to go to church? to show up if we want to have a relationship with him.
And we promised we would. There is nothing wrong
with doing what we are called to do even when we
don’t feel like it or even want to: In fact, that is virtue.
So, you gently remind them of their promises to God.
Sometimes, we’ll hear people say that they feel just
as close to God in nature or in some other
situation as they do when they are in
T. Gennara
church. But again, this isn’t about
FATHER JOE feeling, it’s about commit-
KRUPP ment — not only to Christ,
is a former but to each other. When
comedy writer
who is now a
Catholic priest.
@Joeinblack
10 The Catholic Voice • August 2021we are baptized, we become part of the family that is
the Church. We have a responsibility to our brothers
and sisters to show up at the table. If we’re not getting
anything out of our experience at our parish, maybe
take a moment to think about what we’re putting into
it. How are we making the parish and the Church a
better place?
The most common situation I have experienced in
regard to why people may not be returning has to do
with some genuine failings of the Church. It appears
How can we help?
that for a lot of people, this time away from the Church Let us know.
revealed something deeply, deeply sad: their life feels
easier/better without their parish community because
they were disappointed by their priest. 510.267.8334
If this is the reason your friends stopped
going to church, then prayer is the best
answer. Don’t defend indefensible behavior. Jesus is
Don’t equate clergy with Christ. Instead, focus
any discussion on hearing them, processing
always
their pain with them and praying for them. faithful, but
Should they ask for a defense of the we have to
Church, point to the ideal we strive for. We
are called to be holy, and a broken Church show up if
cannot prevent that. Like you and me, the we want
members of the Church are people who are
to have a
capable of astounding holiness and shocking
sin. In the same way that you are not your relationship
failures or sins, the Church is not her failures with him.”
and sins. She is the bride of Christ. There is
no perfect Church in this world because we
are all sinners. We all have things to learn, and we all
need to grow in holiness. Be merciful to your clergy. Be
Illustration by Getty Images/rudall30
merciful to your friends and family who failed you. Be
merciful to yourself.
Don’t leave because of what people have done or not
done; stay because of Christ. Grow in knowing him
and imitating him. This is the answer God has given
you and me for all the struggles around us: Be Christ.
11F E AT U R E S T O R Y
R EGIN A’S
JOU RN EY
A fifth-grade class assignment
has led to the story of a lifetime
for Regina Mason
WH AT B EG A N AS A FIF TH - G RADE R’S
ASSI G N M EN T at St. Augustine School in Oakland
on “origins” and “ancestry” has grown into a Top: Regina
Mason as a fifth-
lifelong journey for Regina Mason. grade student
at St. Augustine
School in Oakland.
“Sister Helen Walsh had no idea of the impact this
oral assignment had on me, the negative impact at
first, the overwhelming emotions as well,” she said. Bottom: Brandon
and Regina
Mason on their
“I had to go through that to come out on the other wedding day in
December 1982, face on it. I remember my mother
side, so fulfilled and empowered.” flanked by Father saying that Grandpa Fuller never
James O’Connor,
left, and Father
spoke of his family. She had to learn
It was in the 1970-71 school year that the then Jay Matthews. about his emptiness, his pain, his
(Courtesy photos) sorrow, from her mother, who was
Regina Brown brought her assignment home and
asked her mother, “Where are we from?” his daughter.
“I was actually angry, because it
was an awakening. This was sup-
posed to be a simple class assign-
ment but in reality, it was deeply
As her mother shared what she from long ago. Instead, slavery complex for lots of reasons,”
BY MICHELE knew about the family story, an had become upfront and personal,” she said.
JURICH
African connection never came she said. Sister Helen, she believes, was
Michele Jurich up — something else did. Regina Fifth-grade curriculum includes trying to teach that “each one of
is editor of The learned for the first time that her the study of American history. In us had ties to another country.”
Catholic Voice.
mother’s grandfather — Grandpa that moment, Regina found her “However, for African Ameri-
Fuller — had been enslaved as a place in it. “What I did feel in that cans with an enslaved history in
child in Richmond, Virginia. moment was a lack of pride,” she America, naming that country of
“Instantly, American slavery was said. “Learning about slavery in origin is very difficult to do. After
no longer in the abstract, as in America was deeply painful for me, all, Africa is not a country, it’s a
those nameless and faceless people especially since I could now put a continent, and slavery stripped us
12 The Catholic Voice • August 2021TH E G RI M ES N A RRATIV E
I S I MP O RTA N T TO DAY
B ECAU S E I T ’ S L I K E
H O L DI N G A M I RROR TO
A ME R I CA . T H RO U G H H IS
WO R DS , W E G ET TO SE E
H OW FA R W E HAVE COM E
AS A NAT I O N A N D BY
CO M PA RI SO N , W E CAN
TH E N S EE W H ERE W E
N E E D TO GO.”
from ever knowing these origins — Although Regina would survive MEET REGINA MASON
although today clues can be found the class assignment, she wanted to
Regina Mason is an international
in our DNA. But at the time I began know more about her heritage and
speaker, author, playwright and
my research, DNA testing was years began questioning the seniors in
executive producer. Her works
into the future. the family for clues. Her elder cous- include:
“The class assignment, as inno- in, whom she called “Auntie,” told
cent as it was, my teacher could not her a story that would stay with her • Life of William Grimes,
have known the struggle that was for years. the Runaway Slave –
touched off inside me,” she said. “Auntie Katherine said that some- Oxford University Press
Regina found herself trying to one from New Haven, Connecti- • The Slave Narrative That Freed Me
connect to a continent she was cut, by the name of Grimes, had – IDS Press, Oxford, England, UK
ambivalent about. a connection to the Underground • “The Raw Truth – A Monologue”
“I came up in the time when you Railroad. To me, as a fifth-grader, – Not A Victim Productions
• “Inspired by Courage –
could see ‘Tarzan’ reruns on televi- that was huge! I was just learning
Descendants of Slave Narratives
sion, and you could see the blatant, about the Underground Railroad
Speak”
exaggerated stereotypes that were and its role in American history. • “Gina’s Journey: The Search for
out there. Most everything I saw I pleaded with Auntie for more William Grimes” - Your Media 2
about Africa as a child on television information, but she had given Productions
was from a distorted Western view. me all she knew.”
Imagine a kid trying to sort through Learn more at GinasJourney.com
all of this.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 and ReginaMason.com
13The spark to actively seek her she happened on a precedent-setting Regina — now an international
roots occurred after Regina’s mar- narrative, Life of William Grimes, the speaker, storyteller, author and ex-
riage to longtime CYO basketball Runaway Slave, written by a man ecutive producer of the film “Gina’s
official Brandon Mason, officiated also named William Grimes and Journey: The Search for William
by the late Father Jay Matthews and published in New York in 1825. Grimes” — had been preparing to
the late Father James O’Connor at In this astonishing story, the author tell her story and show her film at a
St. Joseph the Workman Church in Grimes recounts his life as an benefit for the youth of St. Columba
Berkeley, where Brandon had been enslaved man under 10 masters in Parish in Oakland; it was among the
an altar boy. The family expanded Virginia and Georgia before making first of the engagements canceled
to include two little daughters. She a daring escape to freedom to New during the pandemic. “But we also
wanted them to know their history Haven, Connecticut. gained in other ways,” she said.
and began looking for the man Aun- Still not knowing if he was the “The virtual world is at our door-
tie called Grimes. same William Grimes inscribed in step.” She looks forward to returning
In the early 1990s, years before the the family Bible, Regina did more to St. Columba to tell her family’s
internet, this journey took her to li- sleuthing and eventually proved story in person.
braries. She worked at the University them the same man, making him Re- “It’s one of those gems — there
of California, Berkeley, which offered gina’s great-great-great-grandfather. are so many out there, we just need
the riches of research opportunities At a time when black autobiogra- to discover them — that really need
during lunch hours and weekends. phy was rare, Life of William Grimes, to be told, because not all stories are
Driven by her faith and the desire the Runaway Slave is known among created equal and included in the
to verify the story her Auntie had giv- scholars as the first fugitive slave American narrative,” Regina said.
en her, two serendipitous revelations narrative in American history. “We have to go back and reclaim
occurred that Regina says could only “The Grimes narrative is import- those stories so we can have a much
have been God’s handiwork. ant today because it’s like holding fuller understanding of our history
The name William Grimes, a mirror to America. Through his and of ourselves.
inscribed in a family Bible shown words, we get to see how far we have “Without a doubt, for this journey,
to Regina during a Memorial Day come as a nation and by comparison, I owe Sister Helen Walsh a debt of
gathering in 1993, sent her off on we can then see where we need to gratitude!”
the journey of a lifetime. A year later, go,” Regina said.
Book cover of the 2008 edition of the Life of Image of cover of the 1825 edition of This page from the Grimes Family Bible
William Grimes, the Runaway Slave, edited the Life of William Grimes, the Runaway notes the date of death for William
by William L. Andrews and Regina E. Mason, Slave, courtesy of Beinecke Rare Book & Grimes as Aug. 21, 1865; image courtesy
published by Oxford University Press. Manuscript Library, Yale University. of Regina E. Mason.
14 The Catholic Voice • August 2021SPI R I T UA L F I T N E S S
The miracle of the
T R AN S F I G U R AT IO N
I
n all three Gospel accounts, Peter sees
the glorified body of Jesus, along with the
presence of Moses and Elijah, and offers to
build tents for them. His intent to do so is likely
so that this heralding of the Messiah — demon-
strated by the presence of Elijah and Moses, as
Scripture foretold — might be seen and cele-
brated by all. Instead, Jesus tells the apostles that
they should stay quiet, “until the Son of Man has
been raised from the dead.” (Mt 17:9)
Peter’s instincts were not misguided, just misdi-
rected. “To bring others to Christ” and “let others see
and know what we have seen and what we know” is,
of course, our Gospel mandate. But Jesus was not to
remain on that mountainside — his death and resur- relationship with him, but in who we are: Christ-like in
rection would be how God’s saving plan for his people our interactions with others; loving one another in the
would be accomplished. The Transfiguration was same selfless, self-sacrificing way that God loves us.
meant to strengthen the apostles’ faith and assure them Society loves to label people, but what if we ap-
of his divine nature, in anticipation that his crucifixion proached everyone we met — both family and strang-
would strike fear in their hearts. God the Father even ers — as the fellow children of God that they are? If VERONICA
we perceive others as having human dignity, made in SZCZYGIEL
spoke: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased; listen to him.” (Mt 17:5) the image and likeness of God, we encounter the Lord is the assistant
This charge — to listen to Jesus — was meant not in them. Looking at others mercifully through the eyes director of
online learning
just for the three apostles present, but for all of us. of Christ can foster forgiveness, bring personal healing at Fordham
We shouldn’t simply hear Jesus’ words but listen, as and strengthen our human relationships. The miracle University’s
in let Jesus’ message sink in deeply and move us to of the Transfiguration shows us that following Jesus in Graduate School
action. To listen to Jesus means to heed him. As Jesus word and deed is what we are called to do. With this of Education.
was transfigured, giving us a preview of sorts of the perspective, we can transform our lives and the lives
getty images/sedmak
glorified life with God that awaits us all, we are trans- of others.
formed by our encounter with him. That transforma- The feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord is
tion is meant to make us closer to Jesus not just in our Friday, Aug. 6.
15C OV E R S T O RY
PA RT N E R S
R E -A N TOI NE
I N L IF E ,
R
ODNEY AND JOCELYN PIERRE-
ANTOINE TREAT THE CHILDREN
PA RT N E R S OF THE DIOCESE OF OAKLAND
LIKE THEIR OWN CHILDREN.
I N M IS S IO N
MARRIED 20 YEARS AGO, THE PAIR —
ER
SHE IS ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE
DIOCESE OF OAKLAND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
PI
O AND HE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
Y
J
CE E LUMEN CHRISTI ACADEMIES, A COALITION
LY N OF SIX SCHOOLS IN THE DIOCESE THAT
N AND ROD SERVE, FOR THE MOST PART, STUDENTS
FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES —
ARE IN THE MINISTRY TOGETHER.
16 The Catholic Voice • August 2021T H E R E ’ S BEEN
way,” she said. “We become better
NO T H I NG MO RE
LIFE-GIVING
BY MICHELE people that way.”
JURICH
For the couple, education is not
Michele Jurich just a career.
is editor of The
Catholic Voice.
“One of the things we learned at THAN BEING IN
an early time in this work: We are
PHOTOS BY
DOMINIQUE
answering a call. This was a voca- M I NI S T RY WI T H
tion,” Rodney said.
GHEKIERE-MINTZ
“Ultimately what we are doing is
more than just a job. We’re really
YO U R S P O USE.”
about trying to form the minds,
-JOCELYN PIERRE-ANTOINE
hearts and souls and trying to
help, kids, teachers and principals
strengthen their personal relation-
ship with Christ.” sprouted long before they met.
They embraced that formation Rodney and Jocelyn share similar
on a personal level, too, especial- backgrounds of loving, close and
ly during the pandemic and the generous families who chose the
longer hours and challenges that United States, and highly valued
educators were facing. the education of their children.
“We’ve prayed more now than Jocelyn is empowered by the
we ever have in the past,” Jocelyn spirit of giving back. She describes
said. They participated in online herself as “a proud product of the
Bible study with their parish, St. diocese — and a proud product of
Joseph Basilica in Alameda. financial aid.”
As we emerge from the pandem- “At St. Edward, the Dominican
ic, she looks to building on the Sisters helped me; Moreau, Boston
creativity and innovation shown by College, Notre Dame — every
schools over the past 15 months. Catholic school I have attended is
“What I’m praying: It’s not about because of generosity of people
the human aspect of it but really I don’t know,” she said.
about the spiritual side,” she said. “I believe Catholic education
They continue to answer their works,” she said. Her education
baptismal call, inviting and encour- “developed who I am as a person
aging others to embrace their own. not just to be ready for a profession
“When we committed to our “I think everyone has the same and take care of myself.”
‘I do,’ almost 20 years on August invitation,” Rodney said. “All we “I was raised to believe that
11, we were receiving the sacra- do, and all the people on our team I have a bigger purpose. It’s to
ment of service,” Jocelyn said. do, is we say yes to serving those care about people and their
“We’ve always been in education around us. well-being, to embrace the idea
together, in this ministry.” “We’re in a ministry where we get we are connected in solidarity,
“We’ve grown together as a cou- a chance to remind people of that unity, the body of Christ.”
ple and as a married couple. There’s invitation. We introduce students “I want every child to have
been nothing more life-giving than to that invitation. You are as a child a chance,” she said. “If I put in
being in ministry with your spouse. of God, one, great; Christ is in your whatever I can, I get to model for
I am challenged by what he says,” DNA. You’re made to be great, but the principals and teachers what it
Jocelyn said. you are made to love and to serve means to be mission-inspired.”
“And vice versa,” he said. with your greatness.”
“We become a better couple that Their vocation has deep roots, CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
17WHEN WE
COM MI TTED TO OUR
‘I DO’ 20 YEAR S
AGO, WE WER E
RE CEI VIN G THE
SACRAMEN T OF On their wedding day
20 years ago, Rodney
and Jocelyn Pierre-
SERVI CE.” Antoine came to Lake Merritt
to be photographed near the iconic columns. They met as young
teachers in Oakland and were married at St. Edward Church in
Newark, Jocelyn’s home parish. The couple revisited Lake Merritt
-JOCELYN PIERRE-ANTOINE in June with photographer Dominique Ghekiere-Mintz.
After graduating from the Uni- Their offices are graced with
versity of Maryland. Rodney came photos of groups of schoolchildren
to California for Teach for America. — Sofia, Hector ... they tick off
Two weeks after he arrived in West their names — they’ve worked
Oakland to start his assignment with over the years.
as fifth-grade teacher at Hoover They credit their families and
School, he met Jocelyn Manuel at mentors — the Dominican Sisters
Oakland Unified School District’s of Mission San Jose and Father
orientation for new teachers at Ronald Nuzzi, CSC of the Uni-
Golden Gate Elementary School versity of Notre Dame’s Mary Ann
in Oakland. Remick Leadership Program, of
“What drew me was to be able which both Rodney and Jocelyn
to teach in an under-resourced, are alumni.
inner-city community,” he said. “Growing up in our house, I
“West Oakland was on the heels was used to always living with a
of the heroin and crack epidemic.” village,” Jocelyn said. Her family
Some of his students were from emigrated from the Philippines;
families affected by this. He recalled Jocelyn was born in San Francisco.
one student in his class who hadn’t “When they moved to Daly City,
begun school until third grade. my parents bought one house,
“That gave me a sense of these another family member purchased
are students with a lot of needs the house next door, and another
but they were students just like owned the house across the street,”
me,” he said. she said. “When they moved to
“I still have a deep affection for Newark, two houses next to each
my time at Hoover. I was there and another house 10 houses
for six years,” he said. “I keep in away,” she recalled.
touch with a lot of my kids. Now “They raised us together —
in their 30s, that connection is still aunts, uncles, grandparents —
there. At the heart of it, it’s human multigenerational but not in
connection.” the same house.
18 The Catholic Voice • August 2021“In my house, my parents daughter for whom she prayed. the older end, I got a chance to
modeled outreach,” she said. New “Like Jocelyn, I am a child of volunteer. That was my first taste
arrivals needing a place to stay were immigrants,” said Rodney, who was of helping and I really, really en-
welcome to stay with them. “We born in Washington, DC, the sec- joyed it.”
had seven to 10 different families,” ond son of immigrants from Haiti. This led Rodney to consider
she recalled. Some of them had two “Our parents introduced us to teaching. After graduation from
kids, some were single, married. the faith and allowed us to see the the University of Maryland, he
I was used to a full house.” importance in their lives,” he said. did just that, entering Teach for
Additionally, she grew up in two His grandmother took care of the America and making his way to
cultures, entwining interdepen- two brothers in Haiti until he came Oakland, where he would meet
dence and independence. back to the United States as an En- his life partner.
“I always thought I had a glish-language learner at age 8. They treasure their colleagues
extra gift and privilege my Faith was central to his mother, and friendships made along the
brothers didn’t get,” she said of who had been in a convent. “She journey. One in particular has
her Catholic high school education. made sure we were in faith forma- been long-lasting and nourishing.
“I’ve always been grateful to my tion,” he said. After confirmation in “We have a circle of friends who
parents who sacrificed.” eighth grade in Maryland, he chose share a similar perspective and
Her parents were married in to continue with his faith formation outlook on life. They’re friends
the Philippines by Bishop Teofilo as a young teen. who have become family, from St.
Camomot, whose cause for saint- “Mr. Thompson was our teacher,” Edward young adults. We’ve grown
hood has been opened. “My dad Rodney recalled. “He talked about up together. This is our circle.”
prays to him a lot,” she said. having a relationship with God. It All are in ministry.
Jocelyn believes too, that her was really tangible, practical and
life is a gift. Her mother had been real to me. I was able to form faith
advised by her doctor to abort by choice.”
the pregnancy based on her age. “From Mr. Thompson’s class,
She declined. And welcomed the there was a teen group. I was on
W E ’ R E R E A L LY AB O UT
T RY I NG T O F O RM T HE
M I ND S , H E A RT S AN D
S O U L S , T RY I N G T O
H E L P K I D S , T E AC HERS
A ND P R I NCI PALS
S T R E NG T HEN
T H E I R P E R SO N AL
R E L AT I O NS H IP WI T H
Rodney Pierre-Antoine visits a classroom C H R I S T.”
at St. Anthony School, one of the six
Lumen Christi Academies. (Photo by
Benjamin Colacchio) -RODNEY PIERRE-ANTOINE
19E L E M E N TA R Y
SCHOOLS
of the Diocese of Oakland
ALAMEDA COUNTY
ALAMEDA
1 ST. JOSEPH 10 ST. BEDE
1910 San Antonio Ave. 26910 Patrick Ave.
510.522.4456 510.782.3444
stjospehalameda.org stbedecatholicschool.org
2 ST. PHILIP NERI 11 ST. CLEMENT
1335 High St. 790 Calhoun St.
510.521.0787 510.538.5885
spnalameda.org sclementschool.org
BERKELEY 12 ST. JOACHIM
3 SCHOOL OF THE MADELEINE 21250 Hesperian Blvd.
1225 Milvia St. 510.783.3177
510.526.4744 stjoachimschool.org
themadeleine.com PIEDMONT CONCORD
LIVERMORE 19 CORPUS CHRISTI 25 ST. AGNES
CASTRO VALLEY 13 ST. MICHAEL 1 Estates Drive 3886 Chestnut St.
4 OUR LADY OF GRACE 345 Church St. 510.530.4056 925.689.3990
19920 Anita Ave. 925.447.1888 corpuschristischool.com stagnesconcord.com
510.581.3155 smsliv.org
olgschool.org SAN LEANDRO 26 DE LA SALLE ACADEMY
NEWARK 20 ASSUMPTION 1380 Galaxy Way
DUBLIN 14 ST. EDWARD 1851 136th Ave. 925.288.8200
5 ST. RAYMOND 5788 Thornton Ave. 510.357.8772 dlshs-academy.org
11557 Shannon Ave. 510.793.7242 assumptionschool-sl.org
925.828.4064 stedcs.org 27 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
straymondschool.org 21 ST. FELICITAS 866 Oak Grove Road
OAKLAND 1650 Manor Blvd. 925.682.5414
FREMONT 15 ST. ANTHONY 510.357.2530 sfaconcord.org
6 HOLY SPIRIT A Lumen Christi Academy stfelicitas-school.org
3930 Parish Ave. 1500 E. 15th St 28 QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS
510.793.3553 510.534.3334 22 ST. LEANDER A Lumen Christi Academy
holyspiritschoolfremont.com stanthony-oakland.org 451 Davis St. 2391 Grant St.
510.351.4144 925.685.8700
7 OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE 16 ST. ELIZABETH stleandercatholicschool.org qasconcord.org
40374 Fremont Blvd. A Lumen Christi Academy
510.657.1674 1516 33rd Ave. SAN LORENZO DANVILLE
olgweb.org 510.532.7392 23 ST. JOHN 29 ST. ISIDORE
saintelizabeth.us 270 E. Lewelling Blvd. 435 La Gonda Way
8 ST. JOSEPH 510.276.6632 925.837.2977
43222 Mission Blvd. 17 ST. LEO stjohnslz.org stisidore.org
510.656.6525 4238 Howe St.
stjosephschoolfremont.org 510.654.7828 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY EL CERRITO
stleothegreat.org 30 ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
HAYWARD ANTIOCH 11156 San Pablo Ave.
9 ALL SAINTS 18 ST. THERESA 24 HOLY ROSARY 510.234.2244
22870 Second St. 4850 Clarewood Drive 25 E. 15th St. stjohnec.org
510.582.1910 510.547.3146 925.757.1270
ascshayward.org sttheresaschool.org holyrosarycatholicschool.org
20 The Catholic Voice • August 2021LAFAYETTE
31 ST. PERPETUA
3445 Hamlin Road
925.284.1640
stperpetua-school.org
MARTINEZ
32 ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
A Lumen Christi Academy
604 Mellus St.
925.228.4140
stcatherinemartinez.com
PINOLE
33 ST. JOSEPH
1961 Plum St.
510.724.0242
stjosephpinole.com
HIGH SCHOOLS
PITTSBURG
34 ST. PETER MARTYR
A Lumen Christi Academy
425 W. Fourth St.
925.439.1014 of the Diocese of Oakland
stpetermartyrschool.org
PLEASANT HILL
35 CHRIST THE KING 1. BISHOP O’DOWD HIGH SCHOOL 5. HOLY NAMES HIGH SCHOOL
195B Brandon Road 9500 Stearns Ave. 4660 Harbord Drive
925.685.1109 Oakland CA 94605 Oakland, CA 94618
ctkschool.org 510.577.9100 510.450.1110
bishopodowd.org hnhsoakland.org
RICHMOND
36 ST. DAVID 2. CARONDELET HIGH SCHOOL 6. MOREAU CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
871 Sonoma St. 1133 Winton Drive 27170 Mission Blvd.
510.232.2283 Concord, CA 94518-3598 Hayward, CA 94544
stdavidschool.org 925.686.5353 510.881.4300
CarondeletHS.org moreaucatholic.org
RODEO
37 ST. PATRICK 3, CRISTO REY DE LA SALLE HIGH 7. SAINT JOSEPH NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL
907 Seventh St. SCHOOL 1011 Chestnut St.
510.799.2506 1530 34th Ave. Alameda, CA 94501
stpatrickschoolrodeo.org Oakland CA 94601 510.523.1526
510.532.8947 sjnd.org
SAN PABLO cristoreydelasalle.org
38 ST. PAUL 8. SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
A Lumen Christi Academy 4. DE LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL Peralta Park, 1294 Albina Ave.
1825 Church Lane 1130 Winton Drive Berkeley, CA 94706
510.233.3080 Concord, CA 94518-3528 510.559.6240
st-paulschool.org 925.288.8100 saintmaryschs.org
dlshs.org
WALNUT CREEK 9. SALESIAN COLLEGE PREPARATORY
39 ST. MARY 2851 Salesian Ave.
1158 Bont Lane Richmond, CA 94804
925.935.5054 510.234.4433
st-mary.net salesian.com
21F E AT U R E S T O R Y
CYO Director Bill Ford with Olaf
Pollard, longtime coach, athletic
director and P.E. teacher at St.
Leo the Great School in Oakland.
Olaf is the “Voice of CYO,” as he
announces many EBPL league
games at St. Leo and playoff
games.
CYO W
hen the first cross country
runner laces up her shoes
and steps onto the course
in a team practice in August, 17
months will have passed since the
last time CYO student athletes have
taken to the course, court or field.
We play
We pray
Soon thereafter, basketball players
We serve
and volleyball players will take to
the courts to which they’ve longed
to return.
In hope and anticipation, a calen-
dar of sports — basketball, volley-
ball, cross country, track and field
and sand volleyball — has been
developed.
22 The Catholic Voice • August 2021If all goes well, there will be a 2021-22 CYO season. Before we play, we pray
The crowd goes wild. BY MICHELE
Every game begins with a prayer. Kids gather with JURICH
Bill Ford has directed the CYO program for the Di- the other team around center court and the home
ocese of Oakland since 1978. He keeps a full calendar Michele Jurich
team leads prayer. is editor of The
of coaches’ clinics, games and meets, in addition to his At cross country, the first runners — the little kids Catholic Voice.
responsibilities with the diocesan ministry to Scouting. — get to lead that.
In 2010, he was honored with the National Youth Min- PHOTOS BY
“We have our cross country meets in parks,” Bill DOMINIQUE
istry Award from the National Federation for Catholic said. “A couple of our meets are at Joaquin Miller GHEKIERE-MINTZ
Youth Ministry. Park. It’s a beautiful setting: 500 kids, their parents, PHOTOGRAPHY
Two years ago, Bill led the process to allocate a people get very quiet, all these kids, all these trees.
$2 million grant from the Valley Foundation that We’re all praying together. That’s that sense of God
improved 21 gyms throughout the diocese, with an in community.”
emphasis on safety improvements in parishes with
few resources for such ambitious projects. Which prayer?
With the help of the project managers in each parish, “We leave it to up to the home team. We have
Bill Utic served as the project manager for the diocese. suggested prayers in our athletic manual. Coaches can
Bill Ford came to the diocese on a recommendation have one of the players lead a prayer. It can be an Our
from his previous employer. Father, a Hail Mary or something they made up. A lot
“I was working for the Hayward recreation district,” of the time, they say a prayer and end with an Our
he recalled. “One of the areas I worked in was youth Father,” he said.
sports: I ran a basketball league and flag football.” His “We ask the parents in the stands to stand up and
supervisor let him know a job had opened up at CYO. join in the prayer. I think that’s important, so it’s not
“What attracted me, and has kept me attracted, is just the team in the middle.”
that I was able to mix recreation, and all those values,
and faith,” said the longtime parishioner at St. Clement What CYO does for our kids
Parish in Hayward. “Part of team sports is that it makes us realize
Here’s a refresher course on why we play, how we that when we’re on a team, there is something
play and what CYO values are carried on through greater than we are, because you have to play as LEARN MORE
the game of life. a team,” he said. “When you put on the jersey ABOUT CYO
that says St. Joseph, I am representing something To stay up-to-
Who plays greater than I am. date on CYO
Who plays depends on the league and the parish. “When you pray, here’s the ultimate greater sports, visit
“Some of the parishes with limited resources with a than I am.” oakdiocese.org/
Catholic school tradition are open to children who Sometimes, prayer leads to greater participation. cyo-sports
are in the school or religious education,” Bill said.
“Some are open to school, religious education or CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
anybody who lives within the parish boundaries,
depending on their resources.
“As a diocese, we provide minimum requirements,”
he said. “One of the rules we have is a Catholic kid
has priority if they are in a Catholic school or religious
education.
“We want to make sure the Catholic kids have a
fair opportunity to play.”
If a parish doesn’t have a CYO program, Catholic
children are allowed to go to a CYO program in another
parish. About 60 parishes have CYO programs.
How we play
Everybody plays. “We have an all-play rule,” Bill said.
“In basketball, every player has to be in so much time;
every volleyball player has to play so many points.
We do enforce that.”
23A coach once told Bill that a little kid said to him, to go into the church and see what was going on.
“Coach, that’s the first time I’ve ever prayed.” He was so moved, he told Bill, that he went home
Bill has had his own moment like that. After giving and told his wife, “Let’s go see what it’s all about it.”
a presentation at All Saints Church in Hayward in Eventually, they went through the RCIA program.
support of the Bishop’s Appeal, a parent came up “Now, we’re here every week,” he told Bill.
afterward and asked to speak with him.
Many of the parishes offer a CYO Mass once a year. How we coach
The man had dropped off his son for the Mass at “Most of our athletic directors have stayed, champ-
All Saints. ing at the bit, waiting to start again,” Bill said. “I think
After sitting in the parking lot for a while, he decided there are a lot of very good volunteers committed to the
kids and the Church.”
To coach in CYO, you have to have a coach’s cer-
tification card. “Referees check it before games,” Bill
said. “We want to know who’s on the bench and who’s
working with kids.
“They’ve got to go to a workshop, been through VIR-
TUS training and been cleared through Live Scan [safe
environment measures],” he said. “No exceptions.”
All coaches receive an athletic manual at the work-
shop, not only nuts and bolts but philosophy. Athletic
directors have a seminar once a year, which begins
with Mass.
Bill Ford CYO Scholars Apollo Regacho, Raul Barretero
Jr. and Samantha Galindo received their awards at a
June ceremony. Each receives a $1,000 scholarship.
Apollo Regacho
Meet the 2021 Bill Apollo Regacho played basketball and sand volleyball
at All Saints School in Hayward. He is the son of Bill and
Aurora Regacho.
Ford CYO scholars “I believe my years of participation in CYO activities were a
great complement to my Catholic Faith and academics. Many
valuable lessons were learned that also helped shape my per-
An anonymous donor established the Bill sonality such as how to be a leader, to handle adversity, self-
Ford CYO Scholarships; the first were award- BY MICHELE discipline, time management, trust and much more,” he said.
ed in 2018. Each scholar receives a $1,000 JURICH “I learned that when you put God first, things sort of come
scholarship. Michele Jurich together or work out, maybe not right away, but eventually!”
“I’m honored, especially since it goes di- is editor of The He expressed his gratitude: “I’m thankful for CYO and my
rectly to kids,” CYO Director Bill Ford said. Catholic Voice. coaches because they taught my teammates and I how to
The scholarships are not awarded on the PHOTO BY play with confidence by developing our skills through practice
basis of skill in sports, but on the candi- DEVEREAUX (self-discipline) and how to play competitively while respect-
date’s participation in CYO, in understand- SMITH ing each other, on the court and off.”
ing of good sportsmanship and by exhibit- Tim Verceles, who has been Apollo’s basketball coach since
ing the Gospel values that are the essence first grade, said, “During this time, he has developed over the
of CYO participation. years into a fine young, Catholic youth.
This was a unique year for CYO and its athletes, in “I’ve seen him develop his self-discipline and also learn
that no CYO games or meets were held in the 2020-21 how to handle adversity, as when he suffered a leg injury
school year. The three scholars, selected from among during our last season. I am confident he will do well in high
30 applicants, each have a long history of CYO partici- school as he continues to strive to reach his potential as a
pation, leadership and sportsmanship. well-rounded, Catholic young man.”
24 The Catholic Voice • August 2021You can also read
