School Auction 2012

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About Us

Our Parish Today

Today Saint Catherine’s is a dynamic community of faith comprising over 1100 families. We give witness to our faith through active parish programs that seek to meet the spiritual needs of our adults and youth through worship, education and social events. Our celebration of the Eucharist is the vital cornerstone of parish life. At Saint Catherine’s our liturgies are joyful and reverent, and many parishioners take pride in serving as: Eucharistic ministers, lectors, altar servers, ushers, ministers of the Liturgy of the Word for children, and greeters.

Other ministry opportunities are singing in the choir, playing music, and helping with the church environment, and providing Sunday parish hospitality.

As a parish, one of our primary commitments is to education and faith formation. Our school serves approximately two hundred seventy five (275) students in Kindergarten through Grade Eight. Some of the things that make our school special are the qualified and dedicated staff who assist the students. Prayer and religion classes are part of daily school life. Parental involvement in the educational process is not only en- couraged, it’s expected. Even with an array of academic offerings, there is a strong emphasis on excelling in the basics of reading, writing, religion, science, and math. These are the reasons why so many of our students go on to excel in and beyond high school and in all walks of life as well. Our parish holds an annual Auction and School Festival to help foster fellowship among members and raise funds for our school.

Our educational commitment also extends to our adult members. There are opportunities for those becoming part of the parish to develop and deepen that relationship through programs like RCIA and Re-Connection. Other formation in faith opportunities include: Marriage Preparation, Religious Education for our children, and Youth Ministry.

The people of Saint Catherine attempt to meet the needs of our broader community in a variety of social justice activities, that seek to meet the needs of those who struggle with life’s hurts, pains and disappointments. Service opportunities include: visiting and taking communion to the elderly, the homebound and sick, and bereavement support. Various other social and service groups provide fellowship opportunities and help the community at large.

Many parishioners take leadership roles by serving in our primary consultative bodies: Pastoral Council, Finance, Liturgy, Art & Environment committees and School Board.

And all of these programs, ministries and activities have the same central objectives -- to build up the Body of Christ, to strengthen our bonds as a community and to serve others more effectively, so that our parish will continue to lay the foundation for an even more fruitful and faithful future.

In 1993 Father Vincent Brylka came to serve us as parochial administrator and then as pastor. Under his leadership, our parish family, our ministries and programs have all experienced great growth. In recent years we have also seen the flourishing of lay leadership. With their involvement, we will be able to accomplish our mission and vision.

In 2001 Father Anthony Valdivia became pastor. He led us through 9/11 and the grief of the church scandals involving sexual abuse. A master of the liturgy Father Tony revitalized the Hispanic community. In 2003 Father Tony was asked to return to his roots in Oakland. He was replaced by Father Neal Clemens, who grew up in the parish.

January of 2008 brought Father Leonardo A. Asuncion to St. Catherine of Siena from St. Bede in Hayward. An answer to our prayers, he came to replace Father Neal Clemens, who had left our Parish in August 2007 to become a military chaplain. Fr. Leo’s gifts include his personal attention to detail, a love of art and music and the dedication to serve our parish in his role as our spiritual leader. Father Leo brings warmth, a sense of humor and a feeling of welcome to all who enter our doors. Come and meet him in front of the church as he greets parishioners after each Mass.