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 September 9, 2018

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

LITURGICAL MINISTRY: Eucharistic Ministers, Elmer Serrano Lectors, Barbara Mehan Altar Servers, Clarence Decano

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”: Peggy Maurer, (510) 538-5671 HALL MANAGER: Pat Ballinger, (510) 537-1502

HALL RENTAL MANAGER: Monica Corona, 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-third Sunday in Ordinary Time September 9, 2018

Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith

and heirs to the kingdom? — James 2:5

Mass Intentions (September 8-15, 2018) Sat. 4:00 p.m. Dr. Douglas Franklin and Edward & Mary Joaquin Sun. 7:30 a.m. George Thompson 9:00 a.m. James Barber 11:00 a.m. Francisco dos Santos and Joᾶo Padeiro Mon. 8:00 a.m. Juliana Monteiro Tues. 8:00 a.m. Bonifacio Libiran Wed. 8:00 a.m. Manuel Campanario Thurs. 8:00 a.m. Gerry Bernardo Fri. 8:00 a.m. Bonifacio Libiran Sat. 4:00 p.m. Eugene O’Brien

Stewardship Corner The collection total for the weekend of: September 1st & 2nd—$8,961.00 (compared to $12,000 average weekly stewardship goal) 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

The next Baptism Class will be Tuesday, September 11, 2018.

Please call the Parish Office to register.

Pancake Breakfast Team “C” will be hosting the Pancake Breakfast this Sunday after the 7:30 a.m. & 9:00 a.m. Masses in the Parish Hall. All-you-can-eat pancakes, ham, sausage, scrambled eggs, orange juice, coffee/tea/hot chocolate. Adult: $4, Senior: $3, Child: $3, Family: $8. Be sure to come and enjoy a great meal and the fellowship. See you there!

Transfiguration Catholic Church

SEE BEYOND OUTWARD APPEARANCES The phrase “Sunday best” has lost much of its meaning in our society today. Some lament the loss of people dressing up for church on Sunday; others think it’s a healthy sign that we’re as casual in attire gathered before the Lord as we are elsewhere. No matter which school of thought on this topic we belong to, James would probably chastise us. In either case, we are still focused on external appearance, mistaking it for some sort of favored posi-tion before God. True, James criticizes the community that favors the rich and well-dressed while ostracizing the poorly clothed, but even more he criticizes the making of distinctions, making choices based on criteria that having nothing to do with the reign of God. James might turn our attention to the reign of God de-scribed by Isaiah, in which people are healed and the earth be-comes ripe to bear fruit. Jesus today is focused on this reign of God, healing a Gentile man in a region hostile to his Jewish faith, not mindful of the man’s origins or clothing or status or ability to repay. Isaiah, James, and Jesus in Mark’s Gospel all call us to look more deeply to find where the will of God needs to be done, and has been done, on earth as in heaven. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Adult Choir News Our wonderful Adult Choir is getting back together after summer break and we are looking for new choir mem-bers. We are a friendly and supportive group and would love you to join us in inspiring and uplifting experience of praising God in song! We rehearse weekly and sing at 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sundays. If you never tried or if you haven’t sung in a choir in a while this would be a great time to join Transfiguration Adult Choir! Please contact Alexander Katsman, Music Ministry Director, by email at Transfig_Music@sbcglobal.net. You can also leave a message at (510) 538-7941, ext.302 or see our musicians at church on a weekend. We are looking forward to meeting you!

Monday evening, September 10, 2018 in the Marian Room, Parish Hall, 7:00-8:30 p.m. No sign-up required, just drop in. Free will offering.

Eucharistic Ministry The Eucharistic Ministry is looking for volunteers to serve in our Liturgy. If you are interested, please send an email to Elmer Serrano at: eserrano76@gmail.com. Training will be provided. Thank you.

Congratulations to the parents of: Charlie Sophia Autea who was baptized here last Sunday.

Building Fund There will be a collection next weekend for our Building Fund. These funds will be used for maintenance expenses of the parish.

St. Vincent de Paul Next Meeting—Sunday, September 16th—10:00 a.m.

Parish Hall—All are welcome.

Become A Docent for the Cathedral Docents are volunteer educators who guide groups through The Cathedral of Christ the Light. They facilitate dialogue that help visitors experience the history, art, architecture and beauty of the Cathedral. Volunteer commitment is a minimum of two 3-hour shifts per month. For more information or to apply visit:

ctlcathedral.org/get-involved/bearers-of-light

Buon Tempo Upcoming Dinners Transfiguration Parish Hall

All parishioners are invited to the following dinners: October 2, 1018—Chicken Cacciatore November 6, 2018—Holiday Ham If you are interested in attending, please call the Dinner Line, 510-483-6929. Reservations must be made by the Friday before the dinner. Info: Call Len Tallo, President, 510-912-5730.

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading: Isaiah 35:4-7a Second Reading: James 2:1-5

Psalm: 146—Gospel: Mark 7:31-17 The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, Interna-tional Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Cor 5:1-8; Ps 5:5-7, 12; Lk 6:6-11 Tuesday: 1 Cor 6:1-11; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Lk 6:12-19 Wednesday: 1 Cor 7:25-31; Ps 45:11-12, 14-17; Lk 6:20-26 Thursday: 1 Cor 8:1b-7, 11-13; Ps 139:1b-3, 13-14ab, 23-24; Lk 6:27-38 Friday: Nm 21:4b-9; Ps 78:1bc-2, 34-38; Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17 Saturday: 1 Cor 10:14-22; Ps 116:12-13, 17-18; Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35 Sunday: Is 50:5-9a; Ps 116:1-6, 8-9; Jas 2:14-18; Mk 8:27-35 SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time; Grandparents Day; Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) 5779 begins at sunset Tuesday: Patriot Day Wednesday: The Most Holy Name of Mary Thursday: St. John Chrysostom Friday: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross Saturday: Our Lady of Sorrows Youth Ministry and Youth Music News

We are looking for Middle, High School and College stu-dents to join our amazing Youth Choir and Band in leading the music at Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mass. If you like to sing or play an instrument with a great band this is the place to be! We rehearse on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. We are also looking for those who might be interested in being a cantor at Youth Mass. For more information or questions please email Alex at: Transfig_Music@sbcglobal.net or see him after 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday. We would love for you to join us!

School is back in session, so can CCD be far behind???

Thank you for asking… Our Religious Education

starting dates are as follows: Grades 1 through 5—Monday, October 8, 3:15-4:30 6 through 8 & AOK—Wednesday, October 3, 7:30-9:00 Kinderchurch—Sunday, October 7, during 9:00 Mass

Important Reminders: Staff Opening Dinner Meeting—Monday, Sept. 24, 6:00 Sacrament Prep Parent Student Meetings: 2nd Year Class: Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. AOKClass: Wednesday, September 26, 7:30 p.m.

What? You say that you haven’t yet registered your child...well RUSH to your phone or computer and either call: 510 537-1502 or email: TransfigCCD@aol.com

We want to be sure to have ALL of our wonderful Children with us when classes begin.

We are all looking forward to another exciting year full of faith and fun...see you then!

CONFIRMATION

41 Teenagers begin their First Year together TODAY, September 9, as we gather for 9:00 mass and then OFF to our Super Secret Location for our All -Day mini-retreat. Please Remember … do NOT bring your cell phone and DO wear your SHOES (not flip

flops). DO bring your bagged lunch and a favorite photo of yourself. Parent pick-up at 6:00 p.m. Teens MUST be pre-registered and pre-paid to attend this day. We look forward to getting to know you all.

You are cordially invited... The Sisters of the Holy Names are celebrating 150 years of presence and ministry in California.

Bishop Michael Barber will preside at a Eucharistic Liturgy at The Cathedral of Christ the Light on

Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 3:30 PM. A reception will follow. All are welcome.

Please RSVP to http://www.snjmca150.org

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

Diocesan Priest Retirement Collection This Weekend

Let’s remember our retired priests. Although they are officially retired, some of the priests in that category are still “laboring in the vineyard” as chaplains, pastor emeriti, spiritual directors and more. This weekend, we will have the opportunity to contribute to the Diocesan Priest Retire-ment Benefit Trust. Show them your appreciation by of-fering a donation and remembering them in your prayers.

Kinderchurch A very special program for our Three to Five Year Olds. We meet on Sundays, during the 9:00 Mass. In our class we hear the Word of God at our own level. We also play and sing and have FUN! Come, join us!! Registration forms are available in the vestibule of the Church. Sign up NOW and don’t miss any of the Fun!

OUR CLASSES BEGIN OCTOBER 7! See you There!

LETTER FROM POPE FRANCIS THE “JOY OF THE GOSPEL”

The Proclamation of the Gospel—#253

Interreligious Dialogue

In order to sustain dialogue with Islam, suitable training is essential for all involved, not only so that they can be solidly and joyfully grounded in their own identity, but so that they can also acknowledge the values of others, appreciate the concerns underly-ing their demands and shed light on shared beliefs. We Christians should embrace with affection and respect Muslim immigrants to our countries in the same way that we hope and ask to be received and respected in countries of Islamic tradition. I ask and I humbly entreat those countries to grant Christians freedom to worship and to practice their faith, in light of the freedom which followers of Islam enjoy in Western countries! Faced with disconcerting epi-sodes of violent fundamentalism, our respect for true followers of Islam should lead us to avoid hateful generalisations, for authentic Islam and the proper reading of the Koran are opposed to every form of violence.

Fr. Terry’s Remarks— When we mention having a dialogue with Islam, some will think and say; '' we are mad''. ''How can you talk to people who want to kill you? who do all kinds of horrible deeds''? And there are followers of Islam that will ask similar questions of their leaders who desire dialogue with us. We live in a time when we know so much, when we can find out the facts, yet at the same time it seems that not a few of us prefer not to hear or learn the truth about ourselves or others. You can pick some hard words from the Bible, and likewise from the Koran but the main message, the essential thrust of both of them is peace, worship and salvation. Dur-ing World War Two men from many faiths lived, marched, fought and died together and they found out that a lot of what they had been told about other faiths and their adherents were untrue. They discov-ered that the other guy was as good and as decent as themselves, sometimes better. That’s what we dis-cover in genuine dialogue.