A Blessed Sunday Morning to all of you!
Praying that all of you are doing well.
This weekend the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally known as Corpus Christi. It’s a day when we give thanks for the greatest gift Jesus left to his Church: His abiding presence in the Holy Eucharist. In our first reading from Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the people how God led them through the desert and fed them with manna from heaven. God was teaching them to trust in his providence and to recognize that true life comes from him alone.
In today’s Gospel from John 6:51-58, Jesus reveals the fulfillment of that ancient promise. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” The manna sustained the Israelites for a time, but Jesus offers himself as the bread that gives eternal life. Every time we gather around this altar, Christ feeds us with his Body and Blood, strengthening us to face the challenges of daily life and calling us into deeper communion with God and one another.
For African American Catholics, the Eucharist has always been a source of strength for the journey. Through times of hardship and times of joy, our ancestors gathered around the Lord’s table and found hope, dignity, and perseverance. The Eucharist reminds us that God remains faithful to God’s people. It’s the sacrament that nourishes our spirits, renews our courage, and empowers us to continue the work of justice, reconciliation, and love.
As we celebrate Corpus Christi, we also look forward to our upcoming Juneteenth celebration. Juneteenth commemorates the final enforcement of emancipation in the United States and stands as a powerful reminder that freedom is both a gift and a responsibility. As Christians, we give thanks for those who struggled for liberty and human dignity, while recommitting ourselves to building communities where every person is welcomed, respected, and valued as a child of God.
Just a reminder that members of our St. Benedict Liturgy Committee and I will be traveling to Greenville, South Carolina, for the annual Archbishop Lyke Conference. This national gathering celebrates the rich spiritual, liturgical, and musical traditions of African American Catholics. We look forward to joining with fellow African American Catholics from across the country in prayer, learning, and fellowship, and to bringing back new insights and inspiration for our parish community.
At a time when many Catholic communities in Oakland are experiencing change and uncertainty, St. Benedict continues to be a beacon of faith and hope. Our history, our culture, and our commitment to the Gospel remain strong. May the Body and Blood of Christ strengthen us for the journey ahead. And may the Lord continue to bless St. Benedict Parish as a vibrant African American Catholic community, rooted in faith, sustained by the Eucharist, and dedicated to sharing Christ’s love with the world.
God Bless,
Fr. Jayson
In today’s Gospel from John 6:51-58, Jesus reveals the fulfillment of that ancient promise. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” The manna sustained the Israelites for a time, but Jesus offers himself as the bread that gives eternal life. Every time we gather around this altar, Christ feeds us with his Body and Blood, strengthening us to face the challenges of daily life and calling us into deeper communion with God and one another.
For African American Catholics, the Eucharist has always been a source of strength for the journey. Through times of hardship and times of joy, our ancestors gathered around the Lord’s table and found hope, dignity, and perseverance. The Eucharist reminds us that God remains faithful to God’s people. It’s the sacrament that nourishes our spirits, renews our courage, and empowers us to continue the work of justice, reconciliation, and love.
As we celebrate Corpus Christi, we also look forward to our upcoming Juneteenth celebration. Juneteenth commemorates the final enforcement of emancipation in the United States and stands as a powerful reminder that freedom is both a gift and a responsibility. As Christians, we give thanks for those who struggled for liberty and human dignity, while recommitting ourselves to building communities where every person is welcomed, respected, and valued as a child of God.
Just a reminder that members of our St. Benedict Liturgy Committee and I will be traveling to Greenville, South Carolina, for the annual Archbishop Lyke Conference. This national gathering celebrates the rich spiritual, liturgical, and musical traditions of African American Catholics. We look forward to joining with fellow African American Catholics from across the country in prayer, learning, and fellowship, and to bringing back new insights and inspiration for our parish community.
At a time when many Catholic communities in Oakland are experiencing change and uncertainty, St. Benedict continues to be a beacon of faith and hope. Our history, our culture, and our commitment to the Gospel remain strong. May the Body and Blood of Christ strengthen us for the journey ahead. And may the Lord continue to bless St. Benedict Parish as a vibrant African American Catholic community, rooted in faith, sustained by the Eucharist, and dedicated to sharing Christ’s love with the world.
God Bless,
Fr. Jayson
THAT'S RIGHT CHURCH FAM!
This is Festival and Fundraiser you don't want to miss!
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION TO COME!
In the meantime, MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
If you have a Business, or know of any Vendors who may want to participate in our Fundraiser, pass the word to them and have them fill out a Vendor Form to join us.
We are looking for RETAIL, WHOLESALE and SERVICE VENDORS.
Food Vendors are already filled and NOT AVAILABLE.
It's only $100 to showcase your business at our Event.
CLICK HERE for VENDOR REGISTRATION FORM!
JOIN OUR NOBLE ORDER TODAY!
Click the Flyer Below
This is a Faith Sharing Session designed as a meaningful and welcoming time to gather as God's Children. What began as a space for Lector preparation and training, naturally grew into a vibrant Bible Study experience.
This is a place to reflect, connect, and grow in faith. We are allowed to come as we are with open hearts, ready to seek, share, and journey together.
Bring your Bibles, (preferably the Catholic Bible, however it is not mandatory.
You might decide, as you go forward, to have one. It allows us to read and hear the Scriptures with the same wording.
Tuesday Evenings have become a grow in Faith, grow in love time for all.
This is a place to reflect, connect, and grow in faith. We are allowed to come as we are with open hearts, ready to seek, share, and journey together.
The sessions are held every Tuesday evening from 7pm to 8:30pm on ZOOM.
Bring your Bibles, (preferably the Catholic Bible, however it is not mandatory.
You might decide, as you go forward, to have one. It allows us to read and hear the Scriptures with the same wording.
ALSO USED:
Workbook for Lectors, Gospel Readers and Proclaimers of the Word
SOURCEBOOK - The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy
**THESE BOOKS ARE REQUIRED ONLY FOR LECTORS AND FAITH SHARERS!
There may be other resource books introduced later.
Tuesday Evenings have become a grow in Faith, grow in love time for all.
Please join us to participate.
You will be expected to prepare for each session by pre-reading the Scriptures for the upcoming weekend, found in the weekly bulletin on Sundays, or you can simply find the Readings for the upcoming weekend on the website below:https://bible.usccb.org/
For more information, please contact Dionne Cola.
Monday through Friday, between 10AM and 3 PM, at 510-387-7498.
To Join Us on Tuesdays via Zoom,
CLICK HERE
or you can find the Zoom Sign-In Information below:
Meeting ID: 853 7449 2774
Passcode: 560872
Passcode: 560872
A big thank you to all who took the time to
attend the recent East-West Clinic.
CLICK HERE FOR HIGHLIGHTS!
If you did not get a chance to participate
or you find yourself wanting to follow-up on the services you experienced,
we encourage you to participate in the next scheduled Clinic
at the following site and date:
ATTENTION!!!
LOCATION UPDATE!
Monday, June 22, 2026
St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church
1031 San Pablo Ave.
Oakland, CA 94612
SIGN UP TODAY! (Click HERE!)
Continued participation in these events
will aid in keeping the clinics services available and free to the community.
Clinic is from 10AM to 1 PM.
Early arrival is suggested!
And JUST A REMINDER...
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
For more information on anything listed above,
go to https://yourcbhn.org/
or connect with Dr. Chiquita Tuttle.
It has been a while since our Church Records were last updated. Yes, we do have some of your latest information via Flocknotes, BUT that's only your Email address and Cell phone Number.
For the purposes of Administrative Communication, Parish Envelopes, and Special Church event invites, it is important that we have your most current information on file. So could you do us a HUGE favor please?
Please click the link below to complete the form.
CLICK HERE TO BEGIN
We need ALL CHURCH PARISHIONERS
to complete this Form!
**All info provided will be kept confidential for church use only!**
If you prefer to complete a physical form, please contact our Parish Office Manager,
Ariana Catherine
(510) 632-1847
Early Registration for the 2026-2027 year will open on May 18, 2026.
Registration is for children who are preparing for Sacraments as well as for adults who are wanting to register for OCIA.
Registration is for children who are preparing for Sacraments as well as for adults who are wanting to register for OCIA.
Prior to registering,
please make sure that you have the following for each person:
Birth Certificate
Birth Certificate
Baptismal Certificate (if applicable)
First Communion Certificate (if applicable)
For more information, please see Dale Blake (St. Benedict)
or reach out to Divine Mercy Parish Office 510-530-0761.
CALLING MALE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
If you know a young man interested in becoming a doctor or dentist,
please share this opportunity!
Tennessee State University and Meharry Medical College offer an
accelerated MD/DDS program and there are currently ZERO Black male applicants.
Program highlights:
• Earn an MD or DDS in just 7 years• Potential full-ride scholarship opportunities
• Designed to help increase the number of Black doctors and dentists serving underserved communities
Basic requirements:
• Black male high school seniors
• Minimum 3.5 GPA
• Minimum 28 ACT score
One share could change a young man’s future!
Send candidate info to: Ms. Barbara Murrell (Founder & Chair)
Email: bmurrell@tnstate.edu ~ Phone: 615-804-6125
or
Ms. Lalita Hodge (Program Coordinator)
Email: lhodge@tnstate.edu ~ Phone: 615-963-6949
As always, thanks to those who have been utilizing our newest Online Giving tool.
It's easy and it's SECURE!
It's easy and it's SECURE!
www.saintbenedictoakland.com/online-giving
Set up your offering any day, any time, however many times and to whichever collection or ministry you choose.
Didn't grab a Bulletin? Remember you can always grab them here:
Didn't grab a Bulletin? Remember you can always grab them here:
https://saintbenedictoakland.com/bulletins
Couldn't make it in person to Church?
Remember you can always watch our Livestreams here:
https://www.youtube.com/@StBenedictoaklandca
Make sure that you hit the SUBSCRIBE Button,
so that you are always alerted when we go LIVE!
And that's all for now!
Thank you Church Family for your continued support!
God loves you and so do we!
St. Benedict Catholic Church
And that's all for now!
Thank you Church Family for your continued support!
God loves you and so do we!
St. Benedict Catholic Church
Oakland, CA
