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 March 18, 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, Stephen and Carina Kowalewski 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”: Trish Ferrari, (510) 329-9407 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”

Fifth Sunday of Lent March 18, 2018

I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts;

I will be their God, and they shall be my people. — Jeremiah 31:33

Mass Intentions (March 17-24, 2018) Sat. 4:00 p.m. Dorothy Meeker-Dugas Sun. 7:30 a.m. Grace Creeron 9:00 a.m. For the People 11:00 a.m. Eugene Cooper Mon. 8:00 a.m. Juliana Monteiro Tues. 8:00 a.m. Special Intention for Bernie Richards & Family Wed. 8:00 a.m. Rick Miller Thurs. 8:00 a.m. Jack Burke Fri. 8:00 a.m. Paul & Dorothy Franceschini Sat. 4:00 p.m. Edward & Mary Joaquin and Dr. Douglas Franklin

Stewardship Corner The collection total for the weekend of: March 10th & 11th—$7,983.50 (compared to $12,000 average weekly stewardship goal) Pennies for the Poor—$17.53 Catholic Relief Services—$1,128.00 Thank you for continuing in your stewardship role of providing for the upkeep of our parish community.

Remember Transfiguration in your Will and Living Trust

The next Baptism Class will be Tuesday, April 10, 2018.

Please call the Parish Office to register.

Transfiguration Catholic Church

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

Sunita D’Costa will be hosting coffee and donuts this Sunday after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Stop by and enjoy the fellowship.

Would you like to help decorate the Church for Easter?

If you would like to help, just come to the church at 8:30 p.m. on March 30th after the Taize Prayer and Com-munion Service. Do you have a ladder you could bring?

St. Vincent de Paul Next Meeting—Sunday, March 18, 2018—10:00 a.m.

Parish Hall—All are welcome.

Parish Holy Week Services Palm/Passion Sunday, March 25, 2018 Weather permitting, all of the weekend Masses will begin in front of the church. We will bless the palms and distribute them outside at the beginning of Mass. We encourage everyone to wear red on Palm Passion Sunday. We recommend that you arrive earlier than usual to find convenient parking and to re-ceive your blessed palms at the beginning of Mass.

Holy Week Schedule Holy Thursday, March 29, Morning Prayer—8:00 a.m. Mass, 7:30 p.m.—After Mass, Adoration until 10:30 p.m., and closing with prayer. Agape—Ethnic Breads in Parish Hall, 8:30 p.m. Good Friday, March 30, Morning Prayer, 8:00 a.m. Good Friday Service, 12:00 Noon Taize Prayer & Communion Service, 7:30 p.m. Easter Vigil, March 31, Morning Prayer—8:00 a.m. Vigil Mass, 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 1—Mass at 7:30, 9:00, 11:00 a.m.

Agape Reception Everyone is invited to the Agape Reception of (ethnic) breads after the 7:30 p.m. service on Holy Thursday, March 29th. Sign up in the vestibule by (Palm Sunday) if you would like to bring bread. Please bring pre-cut (bite size) breads by 7:00 p.m. to the hall.

Flower Collection There will be a collection next weekend for flowers to decorate our Church for Easter. Envelopes are available in the pews. You may make a donation in memory of a loved one.

Stations of the Cross and Benediction Transfiguration

Friday, March 23, 7:30 p.m.

Help for the Homeless St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul is collecting small sample-size toiletries, such as the free ones you get in a

hotel, for the homeless we serve in our community. Other items such as toothbrushes, small tubes of toothpaste, and new socks are also welcome. There is a box in the vestibule of the church for your donations. St. Vincent de Paul volun-teers serve between 20 and 25 homeless individuals each month in our parish. With your generous donations, we pro-vide them with cards to purchase fast food and grocery items. Additional assistance you can provide to help us serve them better will be greatly appreciated.

Eucharistic Ministers We are in need of Eucharistic Ministers for Holy Thursday. If you can be of assistance, sign-up sheets are in the vestibule of the church.

We invite all women to join us for: WINGS (“Women in God’s Spirit”)

Wings is a faith enhancement group that encourages Spiritual growth through prayer, scripture study,

Catechesis, life sharing and community. Transfiguration Church, Marian Rm. Parish Hall

Thursday, April 5, 2018, 9:00-11:15 a.m. Speaker: Carmen Hartonol

Topic: Personal Faith Journey

Buon Tempo Upcoming Dinners Transfiguration Parish Hall

All parishioners are invited to the following dinners: April 3, 2018—Cannelloni May 1, 2018—Pasta Pesto/Chicken June 5, 2018—Pork Chops w/Mushrooms If you are interested in attending, please call the Dinner Line, 510-483-6929. Information: Call Len Tallo, President at 510-912-5730.

Adult Bible Study Monday evening, March 19, 2018 in the Marian Room, Parish Hall, 7:00-8:30 p.m. No sign-up required, just drop in. Free will offering.

Classes, as usual, on Monday.

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Confirmation: Once the Sacrament of Confirmation is conferred the work of being a fully initiated and Active member of the church BEGINS!

PGO: (Personal Growth and Outreach) • We wish to thank our newly confirmed who worked

so beautifully at our Parish St. Patrick Dinner. Thank you for taking your Confirmation commitment seriously.

~~Religious Education~~ C.C.D.

C . C . D .

Volunteers Needed for Flower Ministry We are in need of volunteers to help with our Flower Ministry. If you are interested, please join Fr. Terry and other volunteers at the next meeting on Sunday, March 18th at 12:15 p.m. in the Church or call the Parish Office at (510) 538-7941 to sign up.

St. Patrick’s Day Family Dinner A huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and

Dance. We raised some money and had a wonderful evening in the process. The church and this event would not have been a success without the dedication and hard work of our volunteers! Go raibh maith agaibh!

Save the Date! Family Emergency Shelter Coalition

21st Annual FESCO Shuffle Walkathon

Saturday, April 28, 2018 9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.

2018 Bishop’s Appeal This Weekend Lighting the Way

This is a yearly appeal that assists our diocese in funding a variety of ministries, services, and programs that benefit many throughout the East Bay. It reaches out to help those most in need. Envelopes are available in the pews for your pledge or donation.

Quo Vadis Camp July 15-18, 2018

The Seminarians of the Diocese of Oakland present a three-day camp to assist young men (ages 13-18) in dis-cerning their vocation as they grow in relationship with Christ. Activities will include fun, games, music, mass, prayer and talks.

Diocese of Oakland Youth Retreat Center 1977 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette, CA 94549

Registration $50—(Space is limited) For registration forms visit:

www.oakdiocese.org/vocations For details, call Cielo Branco at 510.267.8356 or Email: CBranco@oakdiocese.org

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34 Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9

Psalm: 51—Gospel: John 12:20-33 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: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102:2-3, 16-21; Jn 8:21-30 Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Dn 3:52-56; Jn 8:31-42 Thursday: Gn 17:3-9; Ps 105:4-9; Jn 8:51-59 Friday: Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18:2-7; Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: Ez 37:21-28; Jer 31:10, 11-13; Jn 11:45-56 Sunday: Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16; (procession) Is 50:4-7; Ps 22: 8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1 — 15:47 [15:1-3 SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Fifth Sunday of Lent; Third Scrutiny Monday: St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary Tuesday: Spring begins Friday: Abstinence; St. Turibius of Mogrovejo

Crab Feed Update! We gratefully thank The Transfiguration Community, Parishioners, CCD, Confirmation class, Sea Scouts, Mel Speed, Ed Azevedo for donation of linen, Theresa Parodi for donation of flower arrangements for the event, all the many parishioners who donated items, financial support, and time and energy, Elmer & Puri Serrano, Co-Chairs, Buon Tem-po, and all the many volunteers who made this a wonderful event for our community. We look forward to another Crab Feed where we hope that you would join us in planning and executing a wonderful evening.

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

The Proclamation of the Gospel—#228

Unity Prevails Over Conflict

In this way it becomes possible to build com-munion amid disagreement, but this can only be achieved by those great persons who are willing to go beyond the surface of the con-flict and to see others in their deepest dignity. This requires acknowledging a principle in-dispensable to the building of friendship in society: namely, that unity is greater than conflict. Solidarity, in its deepest and most challenging sense, thus becomes a way of making history in a life setting where con-flicts, tensions and oppositions can achieve a diversified and life-giving unity. This is not to opt for a kind of syncretism, or for the ab-sorption of one into the other, but rather for a resolution which takes place on a higher plane and preserves what is valid and useful on both sides.

Fr. Terry’s Remarks— Pope Francis re-minds us of a very insightful principle today. Too often when we are ready for conflict: verbally, mentally, spiritually or other-wise, we feel that if we concede an inch, we are the losers and we are denying ourselves. In reality, when we move away from direct conflict and try to build communion instead, we are creating solidarity. In solidarity we move onto to a higher plane that preserves what is valid and good on both sides. Now you have an ally instead of an enemy. Now we have progress instead of regression. Now you and me are better, wiser and we are mak-ing progress. The next time you are about to explode, say: ''Hail Mary, Full of Grace.... ''