Message from Rev. Luis Lopez

Since my appointment as Pastor of both parishes on September 1, 2024, one of my responsibilities has been to become better acquainted with each of our communities and to discern how we can work together to build a stronger and more united future for a Parish with two sites.

This initiative did not arise by chance. It is part of the Diocese of Oakland’s Mission Alignment Process (MAP), through which we are being called to examine how we can best serve the faithful and strengthen the mission of the Church in our communities.

The Diocese has identified three important areas of focus: revitalizing the Sunday Mass experience, continuing the works of mercy, and forming disciples. These priorities guide us as we look at how we can use our resources, ministries, and personnel more effectively.

Both Corpus Christi and Our Lady of the Rosary are blessed with vibrant, dedicated, and dynamic communities, each with its own unique character. At the same time, the shortage of priests and the growing need to use our resources wisely require us to find new ways of organizing our pastoral and administrative life.

For this reason, we are moving toward a parish cluster model–working together under a shared pastoral and administrative structure while preserving the identity, name, and traditions of each parish. In practical terms, this means we will share one or two priests and a unified administrative structure while continuing to serve our faithful at both locations.

I understand this may sound confusing or even unsettling. Although the process began two years ago, we are now taking concrete steps to make it a tangible reality. These include establishing new office hours for the faithful starting on October 19th, consolidating administrative work at a single main office location, and adopting a unified parish bulletin and website serving both communities.

Change is not always easy but it can be an opportunity for growth. My hope is that, by working together and supporting one another, we can strengthen our ministries, better serve our parishioners, and continue to proclaim the Gospel with renewed energy and purpose.

I thank you in advance for your patience, understanding, and cooperation, as we move through this transition. I ask for your prayers and continued support as we seek to follow where the Holy Spirit is leading our communities.

May Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament, and Our Lady of the Rosary continue to bless, guide, and untie our parish communities.

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Luis Lopez
Pastor