Parish Organizations
We welcome all interested in learning more about our Catholic Faith. The sessions are on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 in the rectory. For information please contact the parish office.
Altar Servers
This ministry provides an opportunity to learn more about the Mass and to serve the community. Young women and men from fourth grade on are welcome to contact the parish office about becoming altar servers.
Altar Society
The Altar Society is looking for dependable people who will help keep the altars clean, launder and care for the linens, and clean the holy water fonts. We work closely with the Floral Artist in arranging the altars for all liturgies and special celebrations. We meet when needed. Extra time is required at Christmas and Easter. Our members experience great pride and satisfaction in adding to the beauty of the worship environment. Norma DeLaCruz 769-9543.
Apostleship of Prayer
The Apostleship of Prayer has as its major goals: the spreading of the devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and the performing of pastoral and charitable works. We meet the fourth Sunday of the month at 2:00 pm. We welcome anyone who is committed to attending the 5:30 pm Mass on the First Friday of every month and who will attend monthly meetings and participate in Apostleship of Prayer activities. We are a highly spiritual group, and mutual aid is given to the bereaved family upon death of a member. Ching Asuncion 521-5681.
Baptism Couple-to-Couple Ministry
We invite you to join us in preparing parents of children to be baptized in developing a fuller understanding of their faith and commitment to their child's spiritual development. The team does this by exploring the parent's own faith foundations, reflecting on Jesus' invitation to live the gospel, and helping them understand how to help their child grow in faith every day. We meet two sessions per month prior to Baptism Sundays, which are scheduled in advance. Interested couples will meet with the Pastor and receive training/assistance from current members. Couples can expect to participate in 4 sessions yearly. Norma & Jun DeLaCruz 769-9543.
Bible Study
Saint Jerome says, "Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ." Everyone is invited to experience a joyful Christian community, a deepened prayer life, renewed awareness of the value of Christian service, and a greater appreciation of the Mass and the sacraments. There is a men's group that meets Saturday mornings from 7:00 to 8:00 am in the St. Gaspar Room. There are womens' groups that meet on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Join us as we help each other gain a greater understanding of the Bible and how God's word can be applied to daily life through scripture study, discussion and prayer. For the men's group, please contact the parish office. For the women's groups, please contact the parish office.
Booster Club
Our goal is to strengthen the relationship between the Church and the School and to promote the School within the Parish and greater community. We offer an opportunity to assist in fundraising for special school projects, and encourage involvement in school activities. Sister Marie at 521-0595.
Buildings and Grounds
Join us in helping the pastor maintain and improve the physical facilities of the parish. If you can work independently and get satisfaction from knowing that the parish facilities are kept in good condition at a reasonable cost, please contact Mark Allegrotti 865-4725 evenings.
Catechists
The Faith Formation program invites high school students and adults who are willing to share their faith and assist us in providing religious education to children from first to eighth grade who attend the local public schools. Formerly known as CCD, the goal of this ministry is to assist our youth in their faith formation and their growth in the knowledge and love of God. Grades 3-8 meet 9:00 - 10:15 for class sessions and attend Mass/Children's Liturgy of the Word from 10:30 - 11:30. Grades 1 - 2 attend Liturgy of the Word from 10:30 - 11:00 and class sessions from 11:00 - 12:00pm. Sr. Madeline 337-8962.
Catholic Young Adults
As young adults, single, married, divorced, or widowed, we are committed to support our Catholic identity through faith development, community service, and social activities. Our ministry consists of young adults (in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and the young-at-heart) from the Alameda communities of St. Albert the Great, St. Barnabas, St. Joseph, and St. Philip Neri. We participate in activities with Catholic Young Adults throughout the diocese. For more information, please pick up a copy of our monthly newsletter in the vestibule or call Rick at 653-3516, Lisa at 208-5453, or Roger and Anne at 895-2144.
Charismatic Prayer Group
Every Thursday evening at 7:30, our group meets for weekly prayer. We invite you to join us and feel the Holy Spirit touch you as you give praise to God through formal prayer, spontaneous prayer and song. You are welcome to pray for yourself, your family, friends, the poor, sick, victims of war and violence. Make the world a better place through your prayer.
Choir
In the celebration of the liturgy music is of preeminent importance. Song is an integral part of each prayer experience. It enhances the prayer of the assembly, and heightens the important aspects of the liturgy. It opens our minds and hearts to the working of the Spirit as nothing else does. Come be a part of this vital ministry. We have a variety of choirs and opportunities for participation. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30pm, singing at Sunday's 10:30am Mass. This is a chance to have an enjoyable time in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with parish friends. "They who sing, pray twice". There is also a children's choir and a men's schola. Katherine LaRose at 522-8933 ext. 12.
Christian Initiation
The Christian Initiation Team invites you to participate in its work to help those moving into closer relationship with God through seeking the Sacraments of initiation. We are in need of people to seek and encourage participants, sponsors, and helpers. This is one of the major evangelization ministries at St. Barnabas. RCIA meets at 7:30 every Tuesday. If you are willing to be open to God's love and guidance in this life, and help others do so too, please call the parish office.
Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors
With appointment from the Pastor, you assist in the liturgy as Ministers of the Word and Eucharist. There are no regularly scheduled meetings, but occasional sessions are held in the Church to form and update the ministries. For more information, please contact Dellie and Heather Cartwright at 388-3127 or hcartwright@gmail.com
Finance Committee
In consultation with the Parish Team and the Pastoral Council, we develop a budget to meet the parish goals. The committee oversees the budget throughout the year, and assists the Team and Council in setting up long term financial goals. Parishioners with experience and expertise in financial matters, may express interest in this committee. New members are added to the committee as needed. Please speak with Fr. Tony if you are interested in the work of the Finance Committee.
Italian Catholic Federation
The ICF invites you to participate in its work to uphold and develop the religious spirit among members and to spread this spirit among people outside of the organization. The ICF also promotes patriotic, social, cultural, and charitable activities within the community. Please contact the parish office for more information.
Knights of Columbus
All male practicing Catholics over 18 years of age are invited to join St. Barnabas Council 9089 and the Church and Parish community in various pastoral, charitable and social events. The benefits are many - personal spiritual rewards, academic scholarship eligibility for members and their families and exclusive insurance benefits.
Liturgy Commission
Parishioners interested in a greater understanding of the Liturgy and the Rites of the Church gather to study and discuss the documents and propose ways of implementing them in the parish. Rather than focusing on particulars of individual liturgies, this group advises the Pastoral Council and the Pastor on liturgical ministries and programs and policies designed to enable the assembly to participate as the Universal Church envisioned: actively, consciously, and fully. For information please contact Fr. Tony.
Ministry to the Sick
We invite you to support parish members who are ill by visiting and bringing Eucharist to them at home or in the hospital. We will provide training and meet once a month for sharing and support. If you have a few hours to give each month, contact Fr. Tony.
Mother of Perpetual Help Ministry
Members of this ministry assist in preparation and celebration of the Perpetual Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help following the 5:30 pm Mass on Wednesdays. This association also undertakes apostolic works. Devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help has a long tradition. The Redemptorists, a community of priests and brothers founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori, have spread devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help throughout the world. Our parish has a hand-painted copy of the icon that is enshrined in the church of St. Alphonsus in Rome. The prayers and songs we use for our Wednesday night devotions are adapted from those used at the Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Baclaran, Republic of the Philippines.
Pastoral Council
A representative group of parishioners, the Council advises the Pastor and Pastoral Team on any aspect of parish life. Their aim is to improve the parish community in all aspects, liturgy, administration, maintenance, social functions and education. Any active registered parishioner over the age of 18 who has received the Sacrament of Confirmation is eligible to serve. The Pastoral Council meets monthly on the second Monday of the month.
Pastoral Leadership Conference
Any leader or chairperson of any parish group or ministry is automatically a member of the leadership conference and attends a quarterly meeting designed to improve communication among parishioners and groups. The Conference receives information from the Pastoral Team and Council about upcoming parish events and projects and discuss how each group will participate in Community goals and objectives.
Parent Teacher Group
The PTG recognizes that parents are the primary educators of their children and they provide parents with opportunities to be actively involved in their school activities. In addition to fostering close cooperation with the principal and teachers and providing assistance to them, the PTG raises money to enhance educational experiences that St. Barnabas School offers. All school parents are members of the PTG. Parishioners who wish to promote the work of the PTG are invited to join as associate members. Please contact the school at 521-0595 for more information.
Returning Catholics
A process to welcome back members who for various reasons have left and have a desire to return to full active membership in the Church. We extend a warm invitation to non-practicing or inactive Catholics to take another look at the Church through a process of hearing your stories, answering questions, and providing information on current beliefs and practices. We offer adult Catholics who wish to return to the Sacramental life of the Church an opportunity to return to Eucharist, to be reconciled to God and to fully participate with community in full membership. We meet from 7:30 to 9:00pm Tuesdays. Contact the Parish Office for more information.
Sacristans
If you prefer serving the community in a more behind the scenes way, this is the ministry for you. We set-up the Sacristy and the Sanctuary before Mass, and put the vessels away afterwards. The are no regular meetings. Training is provided. All members must be approved by the Pastor. If you are interested in serving as a sacristan, please contact the parish office.
School Board
Working as an advisory committee to the Pastor and to the Principal of St. Barnabas School, we provide suggestions for setting policy, developing and maintaining the school budget, tuition fees, fund raising and long range planning. All school parents and Parishioners are invited to inquire about becoming members of the board. For more information, please contact Sister Marie at 521-0595.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Vincent De Paul Society invites you to join us in our service to help those less fortunate in our community. The ministry involves home visits; the distribution of food, clothing and furniture; referrals to outreach programs and other special works as needs arise. We meet ever fourth Sunday of the month in the Rectory after the 8:00 Mass.
Stewardship
The work of the Stewardship Committee is to encourage an understanding of God's Word on stewardship, to give direction for using parishioner's time, talent and treasure within the parish, and to lend support and encouragement for the stewardship lifestyle. We meet the third Monday of each month and welcome any parishioner who is committed to the concept of Stewardship as a way of life. For more information, please contact the parish office.
Super Dads
An organization that provides for Dad's to gather as active participants of St. Barnabas School. This group encourages and promotes men to become involved in the school by donating their time and talents for the continued growth and support of the school. Meeting dates are announced in the monthly school newsletter. Future Dad's and Granddads are welcome too. Parishioners may join by calling the school for information, 521-0595.
Ushers/Hospitality
Men and Women of all ages are invited to join us in making everyone who comes to St. Barnabas feel at home. Help us attend to the practical details of hospitality such as seeing that the environment is welcoming, opening and closing windows, finding seats as needed, helping with the collection and bulletin distribution.
Youth Ministry
We foster the total personal and spiritual growth of every young person. We empower young people to become disciples of Jesus Christ, who witness their faith by living and working for justice, peace and human dignity. We invite you to join us in providing programs and activities to our youth. Sarelle McCoard 864-1394.