Parish Library 

WHERE IS THE LIBRARY LOCATED?

The library operates from the stage in Fr. Kozina Hall (below the church).

 

WHEN IS IT OPEN?

It is usually open on the 2nd Sunday of each month. after the morning Masses until 12:20PM.  We are seeking 2 or 3 volunteers to staff the library after the 12:30 Mass so it can open then as well.

 

WHO MAY BORROW MATERIALS?

Any registered parishioner or member of TORCH* will be able to borrow materials.

 

WHAT KINDS OF MATERIALS DOES IT HAVE?

All the reading materials, CDs, and DVDs are of interest to Catholics, and are loyal to the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church.  Our aim is to help and support parishioners grow in their love for Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Holy Mother, the Virgin Mary, within the loving arms of the Roman Catholic Church.

The library also has a modest collection of materials of interest to parents to support them in the family adventure of educating their children at home, either full time, or part time.

We have a few classics that might not be readily available in public libraries.  Our general subject headings are as follows:

After Life

Art & Pilgrimage

Audio CDs

Biography and Conversion

Blessed Virgin Mary

Canon Law

Catechisms

Catholic Living

Church Councils

Current Issues

End of Life

Education

Evangelization

Famous Authors

Fathers of the Church

God:  The Father, The Son, & The Holy Spirit

Heresies

History

Holy Bible

Home Schooling

Philosophy

Popes

Prophesy

Reference

Religious Movements

Sacraments

Saints:  Life & Writings

Scripture Study

Spiritual Growth

Spiritual Realities

Theology

Tradition

Video

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WHY DO WE HAVE BOOK SALES?

We receive books of all types from donations.  We cannot keep all the books that people generously give us.  The money raised from these book sales is used to purchase supplies, and new materials for the library.  

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WANT TO HELP OR HAVE ITEMS TO DONATE?

If you love books and you would like to help in any way, or if you have questions, please contact Lily Mullen at stmmaryhands@gmail.com.

 

HOW DID WE GET SO MANY BOOKS?

The collection of books started as the TORCH library- a modest collection of books of interest to homeschooling parents.  It was kept at the home of the group’s librarian, and brought to events for parents to borrow.

Once the library moved to Fr. Kozina Hall, we got more books from parishioners and friends of St. Margaret Mary parish who heard about our project.

 

A LITTLE HISTORY

The library was blessed by Fr. Glen Naguit on the feast of St. Joseph, March 20, 2017 (Feast was moved to Monday that year) and through the grace of God, officially opened on Sunday April 9, 2017.

 

MORE HISTORY & TORCH CONNECTION…

Before he became pastor of St. Margaret Mary, Fr. Stanislaw Zak (pastor from 2005-2015) was one of the priests who would say First Friday Mass for our group.  One of the TORCH members would make arrangements with a centrally located parish in our diocese to allow our group to have Holy Mass on First Friday mornings.  This wasn’t always easy as the motives of home school families weren’t always understood.

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When Fr. Zak became pastor of St. Margaret Mary, he welcomed the TORCH families to this parish.  Since 2005, the TORCH community has had a Holy Mass said on First Friday of the month at St. Margaret Mary Church.  After Mass we’ve gathered in Fr. Kozina Hall for lunch.  At this time we began to store the TORCH library in Fr. Kozina Hall.

The collection grew through donations from parishioners and friends who wanted to giver their beloved Catholic books a good home.

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Another parishioner donated solid bookcases and Fr. Zak had them installed on the stage area of the hall, and that’s where they are today.

 

WHAT IS TORCH?

Traditions of Roman Catholic Homes (TORCH) is a support network for Catholic full time & part time home-schooling families in the East Bay Area.  Many of these families are parishioners of St. Margaret Mary Church.  St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, is the patron saint of TORCH and then became the name of the library as well.

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