Corazón trip to Mexico

Yearly, teens and adults travel to Mexico with families of St. Ambrose, St. Mary Magdalene, and Holy Spirit Parishes to build a home for a Mexican family. The sponsor organization, "Corazón" provides materials and a project manager. Corazóners raise $14,000.00 to pay for the trip. They leave Oakland Friday morning at 5:00am, and travel to a hotel just state side of the boarder. At 6:00am, Corazón staff takes them into Mexico to the build site. The house must be finished by sundown. They return to Oakland on Sunday. It is not a trip for the faint of heart, but well worth the effort. Contact: Walt Sears.

Elizabeth House

Located next door in the former convent, E-House provides a safe home for a year to women and their children while they transition from poverty, homelessness, violence or addiction to self-sufficiency. Residents find support and advocacy and develop skills. Parish members bring needed items to Mass, baby-sit, tutor, pick up donations or participate in parish E-House projects. "Lizzy’s Botique" is our room under the church where donations of clothing, toys and furniture for E-House residents are stored and sorted. Contact: Francel D'Andrea.

Giving Tree

Each Christmas, on a Christmas tree in the church, we hang cards bearing descriptions of the needs of Elizabeth house residents, volunteer staff, and families who have lost members to violence in Oakland. Parishioners choose one person for whom they will purchase gifts. Organizing begins at the end of October and organizers are always needed. Contact: Shayla Becerra.

Pastoral Care Team–Visits and Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound and the Sick

The pastoral Care Team is a group of parishioners whose mission is to extend spiritual, healing and support ministries of Jesus Christ to anyone in our parish community. The people they serve include those in need of social opportunities; people who are confined in the home and who would appreciate a visitor or communion; and people who are in a hospital or nursing home who would like a visitor or communion. Prayer, cards and calls connect the sick with us to ensure that mobility or health aren’t required for participation. Members take communion to Alta Bates or Kaiser. Contact: Linda Prara-Jenkins.

Parish Pride Gardening Team

A beautiful exterior keeps good relationships with neighbors, and speaks to the care of the community. Members give seasonal care to our yards as sun, wind, rain and traffic re-design our grounds. Members water, weed, prune, redesign the garden, install automatic irrigation or planters Time Commitment: Weekly or as available. Contact: Suzie Arnsdorf.

Peralta/St. Augustine Mentor Partnership

In 2006, a parishioner donated funds for a partnership between the school and parish, but the school burned down as planning began. In 2008, we begin again. Members partner with staff at Peralta across the street to explore ways to support the kids. If you like to work with kids, come help. Contact: Karen Miller.

Prayer Tree

We need people with a gift for daily prayer in our Prayer Tree Ministry. Our head minister calls fellow ministers with names of those who need prayer. Names come from the book of prayer requests found in the church, and from parishioners who call the office. The ministers also pray for our church. If you have limited time or mobility, this ministry is ideal since you can pray any place, any time. Contact: Diane Norwood.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

The parish receives many calls each week from people who are in need. St. Vincent de Paul fills food bags designed for the homeless to be given at the rectory door. In the garage under the rectory, they assemble and distribute food boxes for 30-40 families every other Wednesday. At monthly meetings they discuss ways to serve neighbors-in-need. Those involved in this ministry offer compassion, a listening ear and support to the poor. Food baskets are also organized during holidays with help from parishioners. Time Commitment: Monthly meeting, Wednesday food pick up and distribution. Contact: Pat Nolan.