Dear St. Joseph Family,
As we look forward to the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica on August 17, I would like to share a little bit about what basilicas are and their importance to the Church.
(from an unknown source found in the parish archives):
“Etymologically, the word, ‘Basilica,’ derived from the Greek means kingly or royal. In history, the term has both an architectural and a canonical meaning. Originally, the halls of justice of ancient Rome, oblong buildings, with three aisles, in which the center aisle was separated from the outside aisles by rows of columns and terminated in the apse, were basilicas, and later the term was applied in architecture to those churches constructed according to that definite floor plan.
Legal and general usage, however, considers the title, ‘Basilica,’ as a great honor which the Pope confers on relatively few regal churches around the world, a title which carries with its special Papal and canonical privileges... (Click here for the full message)
Listen to fellow parishioner, former law enforcement officer, and veteran, Tim DeGrano, as he walks us through a scenario of disruption during mass. Please watch this important video on our YouTube channel so that we can be prepared if and when 'go time' occurs. Thank you for watching.
Read letter from Bishop Barber on plans to cluster St Barnabas with St. Joseph Basilica effective August 1, 2022. Click here for the letter.
Job opening! We are seeking a part-time Youth Ministry Coordinator for our two-year Confirmation program, to form teens to be actively engaged in their faith by planning and facilitating sessions, recruiting and supervising volunteers, planning retreats and prayer services, identifying service opportunities for the teens, and encouraging involvement in parish life. Position reports to the Director of Faith Formation. Salary scale M-3; 20 hours per week. Job description available here. To apply, email your resume to Anne Marie Fourré at afourre@sjbalameda.org.
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