Fr. Nicholas Glisson (“Fr. Nick”)
July 1, 2017: Fr. Nicholas Glisson, aka Fr. Nick, becomes the new pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Parish.
July 1st & 2nd, 2017: First Masses by a diocesan pastor at St. Mary Magdalen: short write-up in the parish Bulletin.
July 9th, 2017: The new pastor invites all parishioners to a potluck reception in the parish rectory: photos.
September 16, 2017: School of the Madeleine 80th Anniversary Celebration View event photos here. Read the Parish history to learn about the fundraising events, design, construction, opening, and growth of the school.
September 30/October 1, 2017: The Blessing of the Animals
Fr. Nick invited pet owners to bring their pet to church this weekend. A Blessing of the animals was held in front of the church after each Mass. View event photos.
October 8, 2017: Fr. Nick’s Installation Reception
Fr. Nick was formally installed as the new Pastor of our Parish at the 11 AM Mass by the Very Reverend George Mockel . The reception that followed also welcomed our new resident priests and new parishioners. View event photos.
October 15, 2017: Mexicali Mission Fundraiser
Fr. Miguel Rolland, O.P pastor of our sister parish Santa María de Guadalupe parish in Mexicali, Mexico. came to visit. He celebrated the Vigil Mass Saturday evening, preached at the Sunday Masses, and spoke at the mission dinners. To learn more about this parish ministry visit Ministries>Mission Dinner Community.
December 17, 2017 – 
Family Christmas Concert and Sing-A- Long
The Parish musicians came together to provide an entertaining musical concert. Members of the School Choir, Family Liturgy Choir + Musicians, and the Schola Magdalena combined their voices to lead this pre-Christmas event. Photo courtesy of Fr. Nick.
December 23, 2017: Italian Renaissance & Baroque Christmas Concert
Music Director, Andy Canepa, led the Schola Magdalena (choir) and Festival Consort (instrumentalists) in this beautiful concert. View event photos, courtesy of Fr. Nick.
December 24, 2017 – Christmas Vigil Mass
Parishioners and extended family enjoyed the Children’s Liturgy at this special Mass held each Christmas Eve. View event photos
Year’s End 2017 – A Slide Show
View a presentation of our first 6 month’s as a Diocesan parish by clicking here
January 7, 2018 – Epiphany Open House
Fr. Nick invited everyone to the a Rectory Open House after the 11 am Mass. Parishioners brought great food to this potluck celebration. Many of the Rectory Christmas Gifts were on display, and put to use during this event.
January 13, 2018 – The Parish Leadership Conference
The 2018 Parish Leadership Conference was held at the Church of Santa Maria in Orinda, CA. Fr. Nick invited Fr. Dan Danielson to give the keynote talk on what it means to be a Diocesan Parish. Fr. Nick, Norah Hippolyte, Ann Flemer, Ceara Brencic, Ken Willers, and Heather Skinner all gave presentations relating to the state of the Parish. Fr. Nick concluded with a proposed Five Year Plan for the Parish.
February 3-4, 2018 – Feast of St. Blaise and the burning of the Palms
The Feast
of St. Blaise was celebrated at each Mass this weekend. The blessing focuses on illnesses of the throat, and involves the placing of candles on either side of the throat.
Fr. Nick also saw the burning of the Palm fronds that parishioners have been bringing 
to the parish the past few weeks. The Palm burning occurred after the 5:30 pm Vigil Mass and the 9:30 am Family Mass. Since the Boy Scouts were present to receive a blessing at this Mass, they were asked to perform the Palm burning. These ashes will be used on Ash Wednesday, February 14th.
Feb 10, 2018 – Fr.Ioane Ono and Fr. Hilary Martin, O.P. concelebrated at the 5:30 pm Mass. Phillip Toups and Paul BonGiovanni from the Diocese of Oakland spoke at all the masses this weekend, introducing the Bishop’s Appeal 2018.
Following Mass was the School of the Madeleine annual Crab Feed.
Feb 17, 2018 – Rite of Election
Parish RCIA leader Jonathan Harmon, S.J., Bishop Michael Barber, and Deacon David Paternostro at the Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland, CA.
Catechumens and Candiates at the Cathedral of Christ the Light, with Jonathan Harmon S.J., Deacon David Paternostro and Bishop Michael Barber.
Feb 18, 2018 – Contata Collective performed J. S. Bach’s Cantatas Nos. 56 and 82. to a full house in the Sanctuary. Left, Mark Schachman, vice-president and oboe, spoke about Bach; baritone Peter Max Tipton, sang; Kristin Zoering, Bass; William Sween, violincello. Other performers included: Michael Dupree, oboe; Katie Kyme and Lisa Weiss, violin; Anthony Martin, viola; Andrew Canepa, organ.
Feb 25, 2018 – Spring at the Parish
Children Sing and Read at Family Mass
March 12, 2018 – School Walkout
The Sch
ool of the Madeleine students made a thoughtful, reverent, and powerful statement during their walk-out and prayer on March 12
Led by a group of 7th graders, our middle school students walked-out 
from school and up to the church, where they participated in a student-led prayer service. Their honoring of the victims and call for action to end gun violence was very humbling to hear. Father Nick and several teachers were able to attend as participants.
We are very proudas a school community of the leadership and commitment of our middle school students.
Please continue to discuss and pray about this event at home with your children.
March 17, 2018 – St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
The School of the Madeleine Parent’s Association and VP Heather Skinner organized the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the Parish Hall and Norton Hall. Corned Beef, drinks, and dessert were provided and attendees were asked to bring other dishes. Traditional Irish Music and Dancing entertained those who attended.
March 25, 2018 – Passion Sunday
This day marks the beginning of Holy Week. The Church was decorated with an Arch of Palms down the main aisle, and up the stairs from the parking lot. Each Mass began with the blessing of Palms at Berryman Plaza.
March 29, 2018 – Tenebrae
Foot Washing
Presentation of the Oils of the Catechumen, Sick and Chrism
The Altar of Repose
March 30 – Good Friday
A Procession from the Dominican Garden to the church after Stations of the Cross.
Evening Service on 
Good Friday.
March 31 – Easter Vigil
One of the most spectacular Masses each year, this year’s Vigil was no exception. Visit the Easter Vigil 2018 page to view photographs. Christ has Risen!
April 1 – Easter – Christ has Risen!
The Parish continues to receive new members to the faith, on this day it is children who have completed their studies and are are ready to commit to their faith.
May 13 – First Communion
On Mother’s Day, 33 parishioners received their First Communion.
Congratulations to all involved in this special Mass.
May 16 – Staff Development Day
Fr. Nick believes it is important for the staf to step away from the Parish from time to time. This group event allows everyone a chance to participate in a common activity, chat, and eat, rather than hurrying off to the next urgent matter at the Parish. This day’s trip was to the Oakland Zoo.
May 20 – Farewell Deacon Daivd Paternostro
The day finally arrive to say thank you to Deacon David and bid him a fond farewell. He has finished his PhD studies at the GTU and is off to St. Louis, MO to be ordained a priest. Photos from the day can be viewed here.
June 2 – Liturgical Ministry Training Day
Fr. Nick and Norah brought together Sacristans, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion, and Ushers for a day of training, questions and answers.
June 8 – Graduation
The day was given to the Class of 2018. A special Mass in the morning, breakfast in the Parish Hall, Commencement in the evening, followed by the Grad Party.
June 9th – Father David Paternostro
Deacon David Paternostro, S.J was ordained a priest in St. Louis, MO by Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, SJ, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Congratulations Fr. David, we enjoyed being a part of your journey.
