November 2026 Saint Joseph Men's Ministry Newsletter

The parish festival on October 11 was a very successful event both financially for the parish and for our Men’s Ministry. We offered hamburgers and hot dogs to go along with the many other food choices and we sold out. Lou Zenzen and the team did a masterful job on the grill and the Men’s Ministry was very well represented. I want to thank all our members who helped out with setup on Saturday evening and throughout the day on Sunday.

In November we will have our annual retreat at the St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Baptista on Nov 20-22. This is our primary spiritual event of the year and is open to all men of the parish. The theme this year is "Following Christ in the Later Seasons of Life," and the retreat will be presided over by Fr. Ken Lavarone. Contact Herb Dela Rosa (herbdelarosa@gmail.com) for details and registration.

For our general meeting this month our speaker will be Steve Radigan who will share his vacation story to Portugal and Santiago de Compostela. This will be a great opportunity to gain an insight into upcoming events with our Ministry and the Parish as we head into Advent.

God bless,
Tom

Watch for your Evite in the coming days and please respond. Don’t see it? Check your spam and junk folders.

This year’s event will again be in the Carriage House (aka St. Joseph’s Workshop) on December 5th at 6:30pm. If you haven’t been there for an event yet, you will love this intimate venue. And I’ll turn the heat up this time😊. Details to follow, but you won’t want to miss this annually well-attended Fellowship Event!

Gary Dorighi, Fellowship VP

Space is still available but filling fast! Contact Herb Delarosa at 510-557-5197 (cell). Carpool available if requested.

Retreat Theme - Following Christ in the later Seasons of Life

Retreat Master - Father Ken Lavorine

Retreat prices (Friday Night, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning)- Please add $20 per room night for Priest Honorarium

Some thoughts from those who have attended the retreat in past years.

In addition to growing spiritually through the thought-provoking sessions, I just really enjoy spending quality time with my brothers away from daily distractions. - Gary Dorighi

I always come away from the retreat with a good feeling. Often, I never know what really to expect, what I will get out of it or wheatear I will like it. The food is always wonderful, the accommodation is acceptable and the location is outstanding. The camaraderie with the group is always something I treasure. Usually, I find that there are several messages or take aways from the different sessions or discussions that stay with me and that I find myself looking back on long after the retreat. This is the real benefit of the retreat. Getting away from the activities and routine of home allows me to pay attention to the message and discussion topics. - Tom Leen

Our Ministry hosted hamburgers and hot dogs at the Parish festival. All went well with the help of Tom l, Ron B, Ashley W, Bill I, Ben C, Steve R, Jerome H, Skip P and Lou Z. Our booth was the last to run out of food and were able to cook all of our burgers and dogs.

The last Fatima procession traffic control, on 10/13, went very well with the help of Tom L, Daniel M, Jerome H, Mike (?), and Lou Z. Lou is very thankful that it was the last one and to all volunteers who stepped up for both events.

Lou

Our October Fellowship night will be held in the Parish Hall on November 3rd. at 7:00PM.

Our guest speaker will be Steve Radigan who will share his vacation story to Portugal and Santiago de Compostela

Come enjoy the fellowship of other men in our Parish and learn about upcoming events in our Parish.

Light snacks and beverages will be provided.

We hope to see you there.

https://saintjosephmen.org

President's Message for November

Men's Ministry Christmas party is fast approaching on December 5th.

Saint Joseph Men's Ministry Retreat 2026

Our Lady of Fatima Mass and Procession - October 13th. and the Parish Festival October 11th.

November Men's Ministry Fellowship Night