Our Lady of Lourdes Church

I have never witnessed such moral degradation in a church.
Over the past few years I’ve come to this church to pray and to grow in my relationship with God. It’s been great and I have always been appreciative that their doors are open to the public for prayer. Sadly, today I saw the church’s true colors. In the middle of my prayer the priest and another worker bustle into the sacredness space of the church and were speaking so loudly to the point where I could not longer concentrate on prayer anymore. Their conversation continues in great length as they head to the back room that’s adjoined to the main prayer area and the door is left open while they’re talking. Other patrons were in the church and were obviously distracted as well, so I decided to close the door for their privacy as well as for the patrons. As I did so, one of the workers busts out of the door and yells, ‘Did you just close this door?!’ I replied yes and proceeded to calmly say their talking was really distracting for my prayer. Things quickly escalated as he said, losing his temper, that door is to remain open and the church wouldn’t even be here if the priest didn’t open the front doors. Note– the church wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for the people who came here! He returned to the back room and a minute later the priest came out to me and said ‘Is that what you wear to a church?!’ (I had just walked around the lake and had my stretch pants on) I said ‘God doesn’t care what I look like when I pray. And being a man, a REPRESENTATIVE, of God, you should have no judgment on my appearance.’ I kid you not, the priest said this to me. How unGodly is this behavior. I’m simply appalled by that lack of God present in the priest here.
Should I have not shut the door? Maybe. What sickens me the most is how they (the priest) resorted to the shame tactic in shaming my clothes? Did he not have anything better to say or a better way to approach the situation? Considering the minuscule nature of this situation, it makes me wonder how they go about solving bigger problems that they face in the church.
This experience has deterred me to ever return here. I just pray that the priest find his way for himself first so he can better support other people who want to grow in their relationship with God.

Fr. Seamus, who played a large role in the feel and ambiance, has recently passed away. I am no longer in the area so I cannot say if things have changed or not but this means the community will be getting a new priest soon who will have his own unique style that might affect the feel of the mass.

Father Seamus, Friendly Parishioners and Fantastic Parking!
I could go on and on about the first two — Father Seamus and the Warm, Soulful Parishioners — which is why I attend. But I’m writing today to correct possible misperceptions about parking. I think some people simply don’t know that there are two big lots on either side of the church, not just one, with the larger on the Northeast side. Both are free. I’ve lived in different cities and attended different churches in my lifetime and Lady of Lourdes has the most accessible parking of any I’ve ever attended (especially helpful when you are running late!).

Sana ‘di ka masayanay– roughly translate to «I hope you don’t get use to it»
I think this describes the Christmas mass experience here best. We arrived an hour early, one because it was the first time coming to mass here for Christmas and two because they advertise having Christmas Carols if we came that early. By coming an hour early we found parking on the streets nearby with ease and we had a few choice pews to select from. Now as for the Christmas Carols… It was a gosh dang near a full production. It was the epic tale through song and dance of Christmas or rather the story of the events that transpired leading to the birth of Jesus.
I have never been to a mass as magnificent! We were spoiled! Until next time,
Cheers!

I am a lapsed Catholic, so I never go to church any longer. A few years back, my younger sister visited at Christmas time. She insisted we attend Midnight Mass for Xmas. I was glad I did. I am a post-​Vatican II kid, so I prefer a non-​traditional, interactive service. This parish delivers! With singing, music, dancing processionals and refreshments in the parish hall afterwards. I get to meet my neighbors and local friends, post mass. Last year was especially moving, since I lost my older sister in the previous sept. She would have loved it.

This is a physically appealing church and a very spiritually uplifting one. The pastor (and only resident priest) is Father Seamus D. Genovese. He is, in my judgment, one of the more enlightened and inspiring priests I’ve encountered in my 70+ years as a practicing Catholic. The parish community is very welcoming and diverse and the choir and musical support is quite strong. If you are an «old school» Catholic who yearns for a return of the Latin Mass, this probably won’t suit you. Otherwise, I encourage all Oakland Catholics and aspiring Catholics to give it a try.

I love this church. Truth be told, it is the only Catholic church I have been in where I truly felt like my whole self, and those around me, were welcomed and appreciated. It is beautiful and I enjoy the services.

My wife and I attended Our Lady of Lourdes for a while after moving to Oakland. We were not a fan of the masses, but enjoyed the spiritual community. I was raised going to an old school church (St. Margaret Mary, also in Oakland) so seeing the liturgical dancers here really weirded me out. My wife and I both enjoyed the weekly discussion group when we attended.
The church and sanctuary is absolutely beautiful and is in a stunning location.

No candles. How can you not have candles out? Just say no to liturgical dancing is all I gotta say. That said, the congregation is nice.

This is one of the most gorgeous churches in Oakland. Located along side Lake Merritt, it was remodeled in the past 10 years.
The congregation is friendly and sizeable and the wonderful circular seating creates a feeling of unity among the worshipers. Architecturally, it is not a big church but it feels just right.
Parking can be a challenge but well worth it to worship here as the services are more entertaining with liturgical dance and great musicians.
If you’re planning a small or mid-​size wedding, this is a great locale especially with the steps you can walk down while your guests thow rice at you and the lake being across the street for photo opps.

Beautiful church, nice people. Sometimes there is liturgical dance, often songs are in Spanish and English, and occassionally in other languages. The seating is in more of a circle instead of a rectangle which gives it a different feel. Parking is limited, but it is right on Lake Merrit, so if the day is nice and you come early it’s not a big deal.