St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Berkeley

The Catholic Journey

2008-08-28T17:30:00.000-07:00

Are you considering becoming Catholic?
Are you a baptized Catholic interested in being Confirmed?
Are you a Confirmed Catholic who wants to learn more about your faith?

JOIN US FOR RCIA

(Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)

Each year, men and women begin an exploration of the Catholic faith. Some are deciding if they are being called to Baptism in the Catholic Church; others were born and raised Catholic but were never Confirmed; still others are full members of the Catholic Church but are now interested in learning more about what that means. Together we recognize that our common search for God is a lifelong journey best walked together.

When: Thursday evenings, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., beginning September 4, 2008

Where: St. Mary Magdalen Church, Norton Hall (enter from the lower parking lot off Berryman Street); 2005 Berryman Street, Berkeley (between Milvia and Henry)

Frequently Asked Questions about RCIA

What is RCIA?
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Through a series of weekly evening sessions, participants are guided through a basic study of the Catholic faith and have the opportunity to ask questions, share their own faith journey, learn what it means to be Catholic, and open their lives to Jesus Christ. RCIA prepares men and women to make a conscious choice to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) through a prayerful study of Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, lives of the saints, documents of the Church, etc. Baptized Catholics who need to be Confirmed and lifelong Catholics who want to learn more about the Catholic faith are most welcome.

What is the necessary time commitment for RCIA?
The RCIA group meets every Thursday evening from September 4 to Pentecost (in late May). This is the primary time commitment, though there may be additional commitments depending on the individual's place in the process. We recognize that people are very busy and cannot likely attend every meeting, but it's best to be present for as many as possible because each session builds upon earlier sessions. Because these are the most important questions a human being can ask, we invote all participants to make the RCIA process a high priority for the year.

What if I'm not sure I want to become Catholic or be Confirmed?
No problem! We know that many people are "testing the waters" at first and encourage taking these questions very seriously. The RCIA process is designed to allow people to make small commitments until they feel ready to "take the plunge"! Around December or January we invite participants to make a stronger commitment to the journey, but we will talk about what that means at each stage. Those who decide they're not ready are still welcome to attend our weekly sessions.

If I'm already a Confirmed Catholic, is RCIA right for me?
Many of us stopped learning about our faith when we received the Sacrament of Confirmation in our early teens. Confirmationw as supposed to be the time when we chose the Catholic faith for ourselves, but many of us later realize that we didn't know all that much about it. Many people don't really engage in our spiritual journey until much later in life, and we continue to wrestle with difficult questions and wonder how it all fits together. RCIA is an opportunity for these people to explore their faith as adults and see it through the eyes of those experiencing it for the first time.

Where can I go for more information?
Contact John Knutsen at (510) 316-0973 or jdknutsen@yahoo.com, or just come to one of our Thursday evening meetings.

2nd Annual Oktoberfest Dinner & Party

2008-08-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

Join us for the
2nd Annual Oktoberfest Dinner and Party
Hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Berkeley

When? Saturday, September 20, 2008
Happy Hour begins at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m., and music and dancing will continue until 10:30 p.m.

Where? St. Mary Magdalen Parish Hall

Enjoy an authentic German dinner and dance to the Edelweiss Band!

Cost? $25 per person or you can sponsor a table for $200 (includes 4 dinner tickets and suitable recognition). If you purchase tickets by September 16, you will be eligible for a special door prize! Tickets may be purchased in the rectory office or after the Sunday Masses.

Dress in "authentic" German wear and have a chance to win tickets to next year's event!

Questions? Contact John Piercy at 510-843-6058.

Youth Group Overnight & Father's Day Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

2008-06-05T17:19:00.000-07:00

St. Mary Magdalen Youth Ministry presents the Youth Group All-Nighter! All night with Jesus (and food and movies and games and midnight bowling) from 8:00 p.m. on Friday the 13th of June to 7:00 a.m. on Saturday the 14th. All 9th-12th graders are invited (especially the new 9th graders)! Permission slips are required and can be picked up in the parish office. (We are also in need of parents to help with transportation and chaperoning. Contact Jeremiah if you can help.)

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The Youth Group will be hosting a Father's Day Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, June 15th after all the Sunday Masses in the Parish Hall. All are invited to come and celebrate our fathers! The cost is $5 per person, though all fathers and children under 5 are free! Your generosity is encouraged as all proceeds benefit the Mary Magdalen Youth Group and high school Confirmation programs.

Congratulations Fr. Augustine!

2008-06-04T19:27:00.000-07:00

Newly ordained Fr. Augustine Hilander, O.P. will celebrate the 8:00 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, June 11.

Church and School Work Party Correction

2008-04-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

Correction to Bulletin:
The school and the church are planning a planting and clean-up party on Saturday, May 10. If you are interested, meet in the school yard at 9:00 a.m. and bring gardening tools!

God So Loved the World: An Approach to the Passion With Saint John

2008-02-20T17:08:00.000-08:00

St. John the Evangelist takes on a powerful role in preparing us for the mystery to be revealed to us in the events of the Great Week - Holy Week.

Fr. Bruno will lead three meditations (one before lunch and two afterwards). Quiet time will be available to reflect on and prepare for the culmination of this holy season of Lent.

Saturday, March 1

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Norton Hall

Because lunch will be served, we ask you to RSVP to the parish office (510-526-4811) no later than Wednesday, February 27.

Bishop's Mass on Sunday!

2008-02-19T18:09:00.000-08:00

We are fortunate to welcome Bishop Allen Vigneron to our parish on Sunday, February 24. He will be presiding over and preaching at the 11:00 a.m. Mass.

St. Patrick's Day Dinner and Party

2008-02-14T19:16:00.001-08:00

Join Us for the St. Patrick's Day Dinner and Party!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Happy Hour: 6:30 p.m.

Dinner: 7:15 p.m.

Tickets: $20 Adults, $17 Senior/Youth

Good Food:

Corned Beef & Cabbage
Real Irish Soda Bread

Good Company:

Your fellow parishoners and their friends

Good Entertainment:

Master of Ceremonies
Step-Dancers from Healy School
Irish Musicians: John Sherry, Kyle Thayer, and Doug Holloway

Good Fun:

Sing-Along with Joan Bell at the Piano
Irish Door Prize
Irish Coffee
Irish Dancing to the Fiddlers

Tickets may be purchased at the rectory or after Sunday Masses.
No tickets sold at the door.

Upcoming events: Youth Group Party & Concert at St. Albert's Priory

2007-12-10T17:50:00.000-08:00

St. Mary Magdalen's Parish Youth Ministry

presents

Youth Group Christmas Party

December 16th, 7-9 p.m.

The Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology

2301 Vine St., Berkeley (Just a few blocks away!)

All 9th-12th graders are invited!

Food, fun and games provided!

(Please bring a silly gift worth $5-10.)

For more information contact Jeremiah Loverich

(510) 526-4811 ext. 19

j.loverich@yahoo.com

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CONCERTS AT ST. ALBERT PRIORY PRESENTS:

From the Rising of the Sun

The Schola Cantorum of St. Albert Priory presents "From the Rising of the Sun," a concert of music for the Christmas season featuring the Women's Antique Vocal Ensemble (WAVE), the Renaissance instrumental ensemble Alta Sonora, organ and guitar. Along with traditional Christmas carols, the performance includes Sarum chant, pieces from Aosta, Shanne, and Egerton manuscripts, and compositions by Gilles Binchois, William Byrd, Franz Grumber, Francisco Guerrero, Dietrich Buxtehude, Jean Berger, and Franz Biebl.

Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.

St. Albert Chapel

6172 Chabot Road, Oakland

$15 General

$10 Students/Seniors

Tickets can be bought at the door.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Fr. Chris Renz at 510-596-1800

Voci Concert

2007-12-03T18:50:00.000-08:00

Voci

Women's Vocal Ensemble

Jude Navari, Conductor

Heather Heise, Accompanist

Presents

Voices in Peace VI:

Winter Stillness

Featuring Vincent Persichetti's spare and stunning Winter Cantata

Works by Debussy, Elgar, Nelson, Szymko, Weir and others

Celebrating the quiet beauty of the season

With William Winant, marimba

Amelia Archer, flute

Saturday, December 8, 2007 - 8:00 PM

St. Mary Magdalen Parish

2005 Berryman Street - Berkeley

Additional performances:
Saturday, December 15, 2007 - 4:00 PM
Old First Church (part of the Old First Church Concerts)
1751 Sacramento Street - San Francisco

TICKETS:
Available at the door or online at www.vocisings.com
$20 General
$15 Students, Senoirs and Groups*
FREE for children under 12
Information: (510) 531-8714

*including members of the church venue

DSPT Raffle Tickets

2007-11-26T18:20:00.000-08:00

Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology Raffle Tickets

1st Prize - $1000

2nd Prize - $500

3rd Prize - $250

Tickets cost $2 per ticket or $15 for a book of 8.

See Carolyn at Coffee Hour or in the parish office and/or Dorothy Portner around church to purchase tickets or for more information.

Advent Workshop & Madeleine Holiday Book Fair

2007-11-21T17:03:00.000-08:00

Come visit the annual School of the Madeleine Scholastic Book Fair: Nov. 30 - Dec. 2!

Shopping hours are Friday, Nov. 30 from 3-6pm, Saturday, Dec. 1 from 2-5pm (during the Advent Workshop--see below), and Sunday, Dec. 2 from 9-11:30am in the Parish Hall.

Please support our library program by making your holiday purchases at the Book Fair. We get a percentage of all sales!

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Christmas is coming, and so is the...

ADVENT WORKSHOP!

Join us for an afternoon of kid crafts. We'll decorate cookies, make ornaments, color Advent calendars, and do other projects to celebrate the season.

Bring sugar cookies to decorate and plenty of good cheer!

Saturday, December 1, 2007

2 to 5 p.m.

Parish Hall

If you'd like to help, please call Janet James (237-6971) or Mennette Larkin (525-0445).

Upcoming Christmas Concerts

2007-11-20T17:45:00.001-08:00

Buried Treasures: Topaz and Sapphire

Ensemble Vermillian

Music from the 17th and 18th centuries with recorder, cello, viola de gampa, and harpsichord.

Check them out at ensemblevermillian.com.

CD release concert and reception on

Saturday, December 1, 2007 at

12:00 Noon

$18 General/$12 Students and Seniors (Children under 12 are free.)

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Handel's Messiah

Bay Area Classical Harmonies

On Saturday, December 1, 2007 at

7:30pm

$25 General/$18 Students and Seniors (Children under 12 are free.)

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Voices in Peace VII: Winter Stillness

Voci Women's Vocal Ensemble

Featuring works by Persichetti, Barber, Debussy, Elgar, Nelson and more.

On Saturday, December 8, 2007 at

8:00pm

$20 General/$15 Students and Seniors (Children under 12 are free.)

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Christmas Music from the British Isles (and more!)

Featuring the Choirs of St. Mary Magdalen Church and the Madeleine School.

On Sunday, December 16, 2007 at

5:00pm

(Free will donation.)

Late-breaking News

2007-11-15T17:51:00.000-08:00

News too late for inclusion in the Parish Bulletin is posted here.