Church of the Transfiguration 4000 E. Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley, CA 94552-4908

(510) 538-7941 Fax (510) 538-7983 E-mail: transfig_office@sbcglobal.net Website: www.transfigchurch.com August 21, 2016

Rev. Mario L. Borges, Pastor ● Rev. Terence O’Malley, Parochial Administrator Deacon Martin J. Leach ● Deacon John A. Mignano ● Deacon Timothy L. Moore ● Deacon Burton J. Rigley

LITURGICAL MINISTRY: Eucharistic Ministers, Stephen and Carina Kowalewski Lectors, Barbara Mehan Altar Servers, Clarence Decano Youth Liturgy, Michelle Gilman

FINANCE COUNCIL: Chairman, Mark Zaleski

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS: Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), 60 Plus or Minus Club, Cursillo Group

SAINT VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY: (510) 274-0830 Serving our community.

SICK & HOMEBOUND MINISTRY: Claudia Paquette, (510) 537-8986

STEWARDSHIP: Chairperson, Ed Coelho, (510) 881-5705 WINGS “Women in God’s Spirit”: Bobbie Blackard,510-581-4149 HALL MANAGER: Pat Ballinger, (510) 537-1502

HALL RENTAL MANAGER: Ann McAusland, 510-239-7941

YOUTH MINISTRY: Alfonso Corona III transfig.oasis@gmail.com PARISH OFFICE: Phone: (510) 538-7941 Fax: (510) 538-7983 Hours: 8:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday (Closed between 12:00 & 1:00 p.m.) Friday, 9:00a.m. — 12:00 Noon - Saturday & Sunday—Closed Secretary, Gloria Meeker Secretary/Bookkeeper, Phyllis Moore

SCHEDULE OF MASSES Saturdays 4:00 p.m. Sundays 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. (Except First Fridays - 9:30 a.m.) Communion Service - Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. CONFESSIONS Saturdays 3:00-3:45 p.m. BAPTISMS: Pre-baptismal class is required. Class is held the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Rectory. Please call the Parish Office, (510) 538-7941, to register. MATRIMONY: Six months advance notice required. Please call the parish office. WEDDING COORDINATOR: Mel Speed (510) 909-9334 or melspeed@live.com FUNERALS: Please contact the funeral home of your choice and then the parish office. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Director, Patrice Ballinger (510) 537-1502 or TransfigCCD@aol.com RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Please call the parish office. MUSIC MINISTRY: Director, Alexander Katsman (510) 538-7941, Ext. 302 or Transfig_Music@sbcglobal.net

Mission Statement: “Transfiguring Our Community Through Faith”

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time August 21, 2016

Strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.

— Hebrews 12:12-13

Mass Intentions (August 20-27, 2016) Sat. 4:00p.m. Elvira Gomes Sun. 7:30a.m. For the People 9:00a.m. Mario Cirimele 11:00a.m. Oronzo & Jim Catrina Mon. 8:00a.m. Augusto & Eduina Silva & Family Tues. 8:00a.m. Jose & Esperanca Mendoca and Family Wed. 8:00a.m. Bill & Genevieve Sheehan Thurs. 8:00a.m. Joel Sousa Fri. 8:00a.m. Janice Paulo Sat. 4:00p.m. Barbara Schmitz

Stewardship Corner The collection total for the weekend of: August 13th & 14th —$8,605.00 (compared to $12,000 average weekly stewardship goal) Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary—$371.00 Thank you for continuing in your stewardship role of providing for the upkeep of our parish community.

We extend a warm welcome to new parishioners. Please pick up a registration form in the vestibule of the church and return it to the Parish Office. This helps us to serve you better.

Remember Transfiguration in your Will and Living Trust

Baptism Class The next Baptism class will be

Tuesday, September 13, 2016. Please call the Parish Office to register.

Adult Bible Study Monday evening, August 22, 2016 in the Marian Room, Parish Hall, 7:00-8:30p.m. No sign-up required, just drop in. Free will offering.

Transfiguration Catholic Church

Coffee and Donuts Gary & Melody Klever will be hosting coffee and donuts this Sunday after the 9:00a.m. Mass. Stop by and enjoy the fellowship.

Pancake Breakfast We will not have a Pancake Breakfast in the month of August. We will resume on September 25th.

DISCIPLINE It is no accident that the words “disciple” and “discipline” are nearly identical. Their relationship in Christian faith and life, however, has fallen somewhat out of favor in the past generation, as certain prescribed Church rules and regulations have been reduced and relaxed. These rules were often referred to as “disciplines.” We are mistaken, however, to think that it no longer takes discipline to fol-low Christ. The Letter to the Hebrews assures us of that today. Our discipline is more like that of an athlete pursu-ing a victory or a personal best, or a musician striving for a concert career or to master a new piece of music. This discipline comes from desire, not from regulations. It was the desire to do the will of God that led Jesus on the path to his cross. It is that same desire he encourages in us to-day: to strive to enter through the narrow gate, to find ourselves in the kingdom with a surprising assortment of people who are there not because of mere observation of rules, but out of a genuine desire to recline at the table of the heavenly banquet. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Planting the Seeds of Stewardship As disciples and stewards we are called to evangelize, to share the Good News with others. Parents must nur-ture their children in the light of faith.

Congratulations to the parents of: Kellan Lee Carey Violet Jenna Nguyen Alex Tucker Shepard who were baptized here last Sunday.

Come and join the Transfiguration Choir! Experience the inspiring, healing and blessed joy of praising God in song. Choir practice begins Wednesday, August 31st at 7:30p.m. in the church. We have rehearsals once a week. The choir sings Sundays at the 11:00a.m. Mass. Please call Alexander Katsman, Music Ministry Director, (510) 538-7941, ext. 302 or email:

Transfig_Music@sbcglobal.net. Be part of an important ministry, and meet the friendly members of our Transfiguration Choir!

Your Prayers Are Requested for the Repose of the Soul of: Mary Ann Calvao (Sister-in-law of Dick Purdee)

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading: Isaiah 66:18-21

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13, Psalm 117 Gospel: Luke 13:22-30

The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12; Ps 96:1-5; Mt 23:13-22 Tuesday: 2 Thes 2:1-3a, 14-17; Ps 96:10-13; Mt 23:23-26 Wednesday: Rv 21:9b-14; Ps 145:10-13, 17-18; Jn 1:45-51 Thursday: 1 Cor 1:1-9; Ps 145:2-7; Mt 24:42-51 Friday: 1 Cor 1:17-25; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11; Mt 25:1-13 Saturday: 1 Cor 1:26-31; Ps 33:12-13, 18-21; Mt 25:14-30 Sunday: Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Ps 68:4-7, 10-11; Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a; Lk 14:1, 7-14 SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday: The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Tuesday: St. Rose of Lima Wednesday: St. Bartholomew Thursday: St. Louis of France; St. Joseph Calasanz Saturday: St. Monica

Thank you for advertising in our bulletin. We appreciate your support!

Confirmation “Opening Night”

Don’t Miss Out...Sign-ups for the Confirmation Class of 2018

are THIS WEEK!!!

We will be conducting an Information Meeting for potential Confirmation Candidates AND their parents:

THIS THURSDAY, August 25 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm.

BOTH THE TEEN AND AT LEAST ONE PARENT/GUARDIAN MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THIS MEETING TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION

TO OUR CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2018.

At our meeting THIS Thursday we will be accepting the names of those teens who wish to further explore the pro-gram to determine interest in registration, by attending an All Day mini-retreat on Sunday, September 11. The fee for attending this mini-retreat is $30.00. We need to col-lect that fee at the time of sign-up (August 25). Please be sure to bring your checkbook to the meeting on Thurs-day. We look forward to seeing all of our High School stu-dents at our Confirmation Opening Night!

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Transfiguration Youth Ministry

We’re creating a BRAND NEW youth experience!

Something exciting and unlike any other!

Follow us on Twitter @transfigoasis for updates!

Thanks from St. Vincent de Paul The St. Vincent de Paul Backpack Drive was a huge success thanks to the generosity of parishioners who contributed a record 67 backpacks! On Sunday, August 14, we distributed the backpacks to needy children in our community. It was rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of the children and their parents as they picked out a new backpack filled with school supplies. Thanks to everyone who took the time and effort to donate a backpack. The children you helped were very appreciative.

Save the Date: First Responders Invited to Blue Mass

Friday, October 14, 10:00a.m. The Cathedral of Christ the Light

2121 Harrison St., Oakland

Fr. Helmut Richter, 925-382-8186, papahelmut@yahoo.com, Fr. Jayson Landeza, 510-917-0125, OPDChaplain@aol.com, Denise Kogler, 510-271-1935, dkogler@ctlcathedral.org, Oakdiocese.org/BlueMass2016 The annual Blue Mass honoring First Responders will take place at The Cathedral of Christ the Light on Friday, October 14 at 10:00 am. All Police, Fire, and other First Responders and their families are invited to attend this interfaith service of Mass, prayers and blessings. Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ will be the principal celebrant. The public is invited to come and support these public safety officers with prayers for their safety and thanksgiving for their service. The day will include a display of equipment on the Cathedral Plaza and a memorial for those who lost their lives while serving our counties during the past year. A luncheon for the honorees and their families will be served following Mass (reservation required). More details, including the luncheon reservation form and a downloadable flyer, can be found at OakDiocese.org/BlueMass2016. Questions: please contact one of the above police chaplains or Denise Kogler of Cathedral Ministries.

Sixty Plus or Minus Club Please join us in the Hall following the 9:30a.m. Mass on Friday, September 2nd. Our host will be Claudia Paquette. Bingo will be played after the meeting. Guests are always welcome. Please sign up today if you plan to attend.

LETTER FROM POPE FRANCIS THE “JOY OF THE GOSPEL” CONTINUED...

The Church’s Missionary Transformation

Reverence for truth

The first step, after calling upon the Holy Spirit in prayer, is to give our entire attention to the biblical text, which needs to be the basis of our preaching. Whenever we stop and attempt to understand the message of a particular text, we are practising “reverence for the truth”. This is the humility of heart which recognizes that the word is always beyond us, that “we are neither its masters or owners, but its guardians, heralds and servants”. 0This attitude of humble and awe-filled veneration of the word is expressed by taking the time to study it with the great-est care and a holy fear lest we distort it. To interpret a biblical text, we need to be patient, to put aside all other concerns, and to give it our time, interest and undivided attention. We must leave aside any other pressing con-cerns and create an environment of serene concentration. It is useless to attempt to read a biblical text if all we are looking for are quick, easy and immediate results. Prepa-ration for preaching requires love. We only devote peri-ods of quiet time to the things or the people whom we love; and here we are speaking of the God whom we love, a God who wishes to speak to us. Because of this love, we can take as much time as we need, like every true dis-ciple: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Sam 3:9). Fr. Terry’s Remarks— At the height of the religion disputes in the 17th century a versifier penned: ''Everyone opens this Book, with his favorite Creed in his mind. Each seeks his own, And each his own, dost find.'' Alas! Not much has changed, so many of us still go to the Scriptures to bolster our own ideas not to be enlightened, but to find a quotation that seems to confirm our quaint beliefs. Pope Francis cautions us today that reverence and a passion for the truth should be our driving force when we come to the Word of God. Searching the Scriptures in the heat of argument is not conducive to truth or instruc-tion. We should study or listen to our Readings with peaceful and loving hearts desiring only the truth and grace. When we have love in our hearts for our people, for our families, for ourselves, then are we willing to de-vote the time and attention that preparing the word of God and our listeners deserve. Let us all pray for and encourage our priests and deacons to be fervent listeners and faithful carriers of the Word of God.