This is an Advent Ministry that enables parishioners to anonymously provide Christmas gifts to needy Seniors, adults and children in the Alameda/Oakland community.

Names of individuals are obtained by contacting organizations, e.g., convalescent hospitals and homeless and children's ministries. Labels are typed with the name and wish of each person. Paper ornaments are prepared and decorated by children of the parish. On the First Sunday of Advent, a table with the ornaments bearing the first name and wish of each person is placed in the church. Parishioners take the ornaments, buy the gift, wrap it, and return it to the church. The presents are collected after each Mass and later sorted by the organization. Between 400-500 gifts are delivered before Christmas. At every step, ministers provide the hands that make what is the waiting of Advent become the joy of Christmas. 
There is one planning meeting in September and one follow-up meeting in January. We also get together the day the ornaments are placed in the church (usually the Saturday after Thanksgiving) and the day the presents are sorted (usually the Second or Third Sunday of Advent.) Contact Peggy Ritchie at 510-865-8352.

Share with those in need by depositing non-perishable food items and hotel-sized toiletries year-round in the collection bins at the church doors.

Contact Eric Bertelsen at 510-995-9404 or email at  ebertelsen@sjbalameda.org

Grief Ministry is for anyone seeking support whether grieving the loss of a loved one or suffering from any kind of loss.  We meet the second Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30pm in the Damien room of the Parish Center at 1119 Lafayette Street. All are welcome!  For further information please call Pamela Prime: pamelaprime1@gmail.com, Bill Kueppers: billkueppers@gmail.com  or Suzanne Morris: suzanne@morris.guide

This Ministry is an excellent opportunity to help our sisters and brothers pull through some of the hardest times of their lives, and for us to share the gifts we've been freely given. Some projects that the members of this ministry are involved in are cooking for Midway Shelter, assisting St. Joseph Elementary School children in preparing and delivering Thanksgiving Food Baskets to families in need, sponsoring Back-To-School Drives, coordinating and organizing the Lenten Soup Meals, preparing Welcome Bags with basic necessity items for women and children coming into Midway Shelter, assisting with the Family Night program at Midway Shelter and helping the Angel Tree Committee collect wish lists from various shelters and delivering the gifts to the recipients. 
For more information about this ministry you may contact Dan Cronin at 510-995-9471.

Give the gift of immediate and personal assistance to those in need, drawing upon the resources of the community and the St. Vincent DePaul Society's organization. Make a difference in the St. Joseph Community. Make our parish a welcoming place for all of its people. Live the message of Matthew 25. Regular meetings on the 4th Thursday of each month, 6:30 PM in the Parish Center. Assist at one or more weekend Masses for the 5th Sunday collection (4 per year).  
For more information please contact: Louise Astle,  louisea49@comcast.net

Knights of Columbus – St. Joseph Basilica Council #15965 
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men's fraternal organization, whose purpose is to provide spiritual support and development to its members and to aid the parish and the community through works of charity and fundraising activities. Enrollment is open to Catholic men 18 or older. 
For information contact Francisco Arroyo, francisco.arroyo87@gmail.com:mailto:francisco.arroyo87@gmail.com:, or visit the national website at www.kofc.org.

Pastoral Care is a ministry and service that was very dear to Jesus. He entrusted this care to his disciples: so as followers of Jesus, we are sent to alleviate human suffering and respond to every form of injustice whenever we encounter it.

We, baptized Christians, share in Christ's caring ministry. We extend His love, especially to those who are ill, through our solidarity through prayer and physical presence.

To learn more or to volunteer for this Ministry, contact Sr. Asha Kooliyadan (510) 995-9406 / email: srasha@sjbalameda.org.

The Special Needs Inclusion Ministry is an outreach ministry to ensure that families and individuals with special needs experience welcome, support and spiritual nourishment within a faith community.  The Planning team meets once a month  (fourth Thursdays)  to discuss needs and opportunities to improve inclusion of those with special needs and their families in parish programs and events.

To get involved contact:
Jenny Dow: jdcooper@gmail.com; or
Margo Ponce Diaz: drmaponce@yahoo.com

Welcome the Stranger

"Welcome the Stranger" is a ministry of the Alameda Deanery (the Catholic parishes in Alameda) which accompanies a refugee family from their entry into the U.S. into self sufficiency as legal residents in their new home.  We work closely with Catholic Charities of the East Bay.  Help can be short-term (setting up an apartment) or ongoing (helping to learn English, negotiate public transit, enrolling in school, etc.).   Occasionally donations of particular items or services are needed.   To learn more contact Anna Rossi at amrossi1238@aol.com.