The Angel Giving Project is a way to give Christmas gifts to the needy seniors, adults, and children of our community. It has been a ministry at St Joseph Basilica for 30 years. This year we will be giving all of our families and individuals gift cards so as to be careful to follow COVID 19 precautions.

How Can You Help?-- If you would like to help, you may make a contribution via check or credit card on the following links:

https://membership.faithdirect.net/givenow/CA702/40619
https://membership.faithdirect.net/givenow/CA702

You may make a check payable to St Joseph Basilica with either “Angel Giving Project or Midway Shelter” in the memo line and bring it or mail it to the rectory at 1109 Chestnut St Alameda CA 94501.

When Should Contribution Be Made? Please make your contribution between November 1, 2020, and December 6, 2020. We want everyone to get a gift!!

Following are the Organizations which will be receiving gifts:

---ALAMEDA CARE----convalescent hospital

---BAY VIEW CONVALESCENT-- convalescent hospital

--BEYOND EMANCIPATION—helps youth no longer under the Foster Care System

--THE CATHOLIC WORKER- helps immigrant families with housing, work and language skills

--A FRIENDLY PLACE—helps homeless women with multiple services and companionship

--ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL (CAL SAFE-) --helps young fathers and mothers to complete high school

--MIDWAY SHELTER-- shelter for women and children

--OPERATION DIGNITY/ DIGNITY COMMONS—helps individual homeless veterans and families

--St VINCENT DE PAUL—helps families with food and other expenses in times of sudden need

Thank you very much for your help and very MERRY CHRISTMAS--


The Angel Giving Project Committee

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.

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.

Midway Shelters Cooks Ministry is a ministry that prepares and delivers meals to Midway Shelter.  This is an opportunity to help women and children during a difficult time in their lives.  If you are interested and would like some more information on becoming a member of this ministry, please contact Rosalie Avila-Jimenez at ravilajim@aol.com.

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 Fr. Sunil Orathel 510 301 5975 / email: sunil@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 via ZOOM during Shelter in place  (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:

Margo Ponce Diaz: drmaponce@yahoo.com

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

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.