Our History

This is a small Parish geographically, but probably the largest parish in the Diocese according to the places from which our members come.  It is what is called a “parish of intention” or a “magnet parish.”  People come from several counties and from all areas of the Diocese for the English and the Latin Masses. 

 

This is the only parish in the Diocese in which the liturgy is regularly celebrated in Latin in both the Missal of Pope Paul VI (Ordinary Form) and the Missal of Pope John XXIII (Extraordinary Form).  Under the pastorship of Fr. Vladimir Kozina, the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass resumed in 1989 with the permission of Bishop John Cummins, according to the indult (special permission) granted by Pope John Paul II.  It is now offered daily in our Parish.  

 

Music from the classic tradition, as well as traditional hymns in the classic style, is sung, along with Gregorian Chant and classical polyphony.  The Moeller Pipe Organ was rebuilt and enlarged in 1988 and underwent major releathering in 2011.  

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SOME PARISH ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS  

The Parish has a St. Vincent de Paul Society. If you wish to serve as one of the members of our St. Vincent dePaul Council, please call the Parish Office.  

The Parish also has an active Council of the Knights of Columbus, under the name Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865–1930).  

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The Parish also offers Religious Education for children preparing for First Confession and First Communion, for youth preparing for Confirmation, and for adults preparing for Christian Initiation or wishing to review their faith.  The Sacraments are available in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms.  

 

You are cordially invited to become a member of St. Margaret Mary Parish and worship with us regularly.  ​Registration forms to join the parish are here. Print it and fill it out and mail to the rectory or fold and place in the collection basket at Mass. If you have been away from church for some time, now is a good time to begin again.  

 

COLLECTION ENVELOPES and WE SHARE

Envelopes are sent bi-monthly through the mail.  If you wish to sign up to receive them, please do so by contacting the parish office.  

 

Also we now offer WE SHARE as an alternative to the envelope system.  Using  “WE SHARE”, you will be able to schedule your donation online using a credit card or automatic debit and you can control the amount and frequencies.   To donate and/or sign up for WE SHARE, go to this link.

 

CHURCH AND HALL RETROFIT PROJECT YEAR 2000

 The Church and hall have undergone earthquake retrofitting.  This project cost more than $1 million.  Degenkolb Engineers, assisted by John Haag, Architect and Oliver Construction have completed the project.  $250,000 has been raised through donations, bequests, and interest on savings.  Fund-raising continues, in hope that all parish savings will not be depleted.  As part of the project, Confessionals and rest rooms have been made handicapped-accessible.  Sound and light systems in the church and hall were improved.  A new upstairs restroom was constructed.

 

CHRONOLOGY OF PASTORS/ADMINISTRATORS and the dates they served

 Fr. Peter E. Doyle  1922-30

Fr. William J. Quirke  1930-36
Msgr. Emmett O’Conner  1936-68
Msgr. James Quirk  1968-75
Fr. Kenneth Cabral  1975-84
Fr. Vladimir Kozina  1984-1994
Fr. George D. Sullivan   1994-98
Fr. Paul J. Schmidt 1999-2004
Fr. Stanislaw Zak  Dec 2004 –  Oct  2014
Fr. Rafal Duda, Administrator pro tem, Oct 2014  –  Nov 2015
Fr. Glenn Naguit, Administrator, appointed Nov 9, 2015 
Fr Kenneth Nobrega, Pastor, appointed July 1, 2021
Fr. Glenn Naguit, Pastor, appointed August 1, 2022

 

OTHER CLERGY WHO HAVE SERVED

 

Fr. Michael J. Jennings
Fr. Philip J. Enright
Fr. James McElligott
Fr. Maurice P. Hannigan
Fr. Michael Walsh
Fr. Michael D. O’Brien
Fr. John M. Sweeney
Fr. Michael Fitzsimon
Fr. Chester J. Thompson
Fr. Edmund Hayburn
Fr. John T. Gallagher
Fr. Arthur W. Hoffman
Fr. Thomas E. Lacey
Msgr. John S. Cummins, who on May 3, 1977 became the second Bishop of the Diocese of Oakland.

 

CLERGY FROM INSTITUTE OF CHRIST THE KING (2005-2025)

Canon Michael K. Wiener

Canon Jean-Marie Moreau 

Canon Henry Fragelli 

Canon William Avis

Canon Olivier Meney 

Canon Benjamin Norman 

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HISTORIC MILESTONES

Parish founded by Archbishop Edward Hanna, November 1922.
-First Pastor:  Rev. Peter Doyle, 1922

-First Mass in rectory at 3615 Emerson St.

-Second Pastor:  Rev. William Quirke, 1930

-Plans for new church and rectory developed.  William Schirmer, architect. Cost of construction of rectory $23,749. Cost of construction of church $74,085

-First Mass in new church, July 26, 1931, Rev. Edmond Motherway
-Dedication of new church, Archbishop Hanna, October 18, 1931

-Third pastor:  Msgr. Emmett O’Conner, 1936

-Holy Family Sisters teach catechism to public school children

-Second Vatican Council opens October 1961; 

-Alameda and Contra Costa counties become Diocese of Oakland by Pope  John XXIII in 1962

-First Bishop of Oakland:  The Most Rev. Floyd Begin; 
English introduced into the Mass; 10:30 Mass remains a sung Latin Mass.

 

-Msgr. James Quirk becomes Administrator in 1968

 

-Rev. Kenneth Cabral becomes Administrator in 1975

 

-The Most Rev. John S. Cummins, who had resided at St. Margaret Mary’s with Msgr. O’Connor, was appointed Second Bishop of Oakland in 1977

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-Fourth Pastor:  Fr. Vladimir Kozina, 1984

 

-The indult Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962 is celebrated by Rev. Vladimir Kozina, September 10, 1989, with the permission of 
Bishop John S. Cummins.

 

-Rev. George D. Sullivan, Administrator, 1994

 

-Rev. Paul J. Schmidt, Administrator, 1999

 

-Holy Family Sisters return to Parish in the person of Sr. Claude Marie 
     Crinnion, SHF, Pastoral Associate and former parishioner.

 

-Major earthquake retrofit of the church and hall undertaken in 2000.

 

-Fifth Pastor:  Fr. Stan Zak, 2004

 

-90th Anniversary of Parish founding, Mass & Gala Celebration:  Sat. Nov 10, 2012  with The Most Rev. John S. Cummins Bishop Emeritus of Oakland; 

 

-Rev. Rafal Duda, Parochial Administrator 2014  –  2015

 

-Rev. Glenn Naguit, Parochial Administrator Nov 9, 2015

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-The Parish begins to celebrate all Masses in the Parish ad orientem on the first Sunday of Advent 2016. 

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-His Eminence Cardinal Burke celebrates the Holy Mass at 12:30pm on March 17, 2017. 

-Rev. Kenneth Nobrega, 6th Pastor,  July 1, 2021

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-Rev. Glenn Naguit, 7th Pastor, August 1, 2022