A screen shot of the email sent to parents by Holy Rosary Catholic School Principal Tim Hooke, Saturday. provided by a parent who wished to remain anonymous

By Allen Payton

An email sent to parents of students at Holy Rosary Catholic School in Antioch from Principal Tim Hooke on Saturday, warned of a threat against the students in grafitti discovered in the boys bathroom, earlier that day. What was written and who was responsible was not shared by Hooke.

According to one parent, who wished to remain anonymous, stated via email “Someone found out the threat was to kill all the students at Holly [sic] Rosary School.”

The email received by parents read as follows:

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Dear Parents,

This morning, during the Parish CYO basketball games at the Holy Rosary Gym, threatening graffiti was discovered in the boy’s bathroom. The threat was taken seriously and the police were called. The Police Department was unable to identify any immediate and/or credible threat and is working with us to ensure the safety to our campus. They Police Department will provide extra attention to our campus this weekend, which will include a physical walk-through before the campus opens on Monday morning. The safety of all who enter our campus is of the utmost importance to us.

Thank you,

Tim Hooke

Principal

Calls to Hooke and the Antioch Police media line were not returned, as of publication time. However, according to a school staff member, the school was open, Monday morning.

8:00 P.M. UPDATE: Principal Hooke responded via phone call and email, Monday afternoon providing a statement from the Vicar General of the Oakland Diocese.

From the Office of the Vicar General

On Saturday Morning, graffiti was found in the boys restroom of the gymnasium at Holy Rosary School. The narrative stated a threat to the school campus. The Police Department was called and they investigated. The Principal, Mr. Tim Hooke was present and cooperated with the Police department. On Saturday, an email was sent out to the parent community informing them of the situation. Mr. Hooke met with the police department on Monday morning, to complete a thorough-walk through of the school buildings before school opened. All was found in order. The parents were updated via Constant Contact on Monday. Mr. Hooke collaborated with the Police and was in communication with the Department of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Oakland throughout the weekend. In keeping with the procedures and policies, the administration of Holy Rosary School throughout the weekend, took actions and communication to ensure the safety of all the students.

Very Reverend George Mockel

In addition, Hooke provided a copy of the email he sent to parents on Monday:

Monday, November 16, 2015

Dear Parents,

I want to update you on what has been done to ensure the safety of our students today. The Antioch Police Department had officers monitor the campus throughout the weekend. Monday morning at 5:30 am, I met with officers and did a thorough walk-through of the school buildings and school grounds. Everything appeared to be in order and so our normal Monday school day went on as planned as will the remainder of the week. I understand in light of the events in our country and the world that an incident like this can instill concern and fear. Let us join together to pray for peace, safety and ongoing respect for each other that our Faith calls us to.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work with the authorities in this matter. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Tim Hooke

Principal

In a phone message from Acting Sergeant Tom Fuhrmann of the Antioch Police Department, Monday at 4:00 p.m., he stated the graffiti was “of a bomb threat giving a date of Monday it would go off and there was also some other satanic type stuff written on the walls. A report was taken and the investigation is still ongoing. There’s no suspect at this time. The school was checked. There was nothing suspicious found.”

Psalm 100 is an interdenominational Christian choir that has been presenting musical dramas and worship concerts throughout the Delta and surrounding area, since 1978. The choir has been continuously under the direction of Stan Smith, retired instructor of music from Los Medanos College.

Psalm 100 is a non-profit organization, supported by members and friends who have graciously contributed to help cover the expenses incurred for materials and equipment. All presentations are offered free of charge.

Presentations are held in May and November each year. Please see above for this month’s schedule.

For information regarding membership or scheduling, please contact Theresa Hall 925.628.7089.

Representatives from Antioch Chamber of Commerce and City Council join Church@Antioch Pastor Chris Williams (with scissors), his wife Emery, and members of the A Team from their church to cut the ribbon at their new offices on Saturday, September 26, 2015.

By Allen Payton

Business, city, church and community leaders of Antioch joined Pastor Chris Williams and his wife Emery, and church members for the ribbon cutting and reception to officially open the Church@Antioch’s new offices, at the Venture Commerce Center in Antioch, on Saturday, September 26.

Launched, earlier this year, the Church@Antioch holds its Sunday services at Black Diamond Middle School. Their new offices also provide rooms for small group Bible studies and meetings.

Before the ribbon was cut, Antioch Chamber CEO, Dr. Sean Wright shared some thoughts.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out to support Chris and the church, today,” he said. “Thank you for everything you’re doing for the community with work and worship.”

City Councilwoman Monica Wilson spoke on behalf of the city.

“Thank you for bringing your church to be part of our community and your community to be part of our community and promoting the positivity,” she stated. “Let us know what we can do for you and I wish you guys much success.”

Pastor Larry Adams of Golden Hills Community Church, which helped launch the Church@Antioch, was asked to speak.

“What we do together as Christians is serving the Kingdom,” he said. “We were thrilled to have a small part to help them get off the ground. And God’s the winner of this. Some day Black Diamond Middle School is not going to be able hold this church.”

“Wow,” Emery Williams exclaimed. “I just want to say I’m very thankful to God for each and everyone of you. Thankful for my husband and the vision God has given him. We are actually literally living a dream.”

Finally, Pastor Williams spoke to those gathered.

“Although we’re new as a church, to this city, I’ve lived in Antioch for 15 years,” he stated. “God kept me here to develop a burden and its through having a burden that vision is birthed.”

He then thanked members of his church.

“We could not do any of this without the A Team at the Church@Antioch,” Williams continued. “Thank you for being here. My wife and I are just honored of God for him using us.” For more information on the Church@Antioch, visit their website at www.churchatantioch.org.

Honoring families of all shapes and sizes, bring your pets for a worship service and blessing, Saturday, October 3, 9:30 a.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1360 E. Tregallas Rd., Antioch. For more information visit www.stjohnsantioch.org.

Inside one of the mobile shower units by Shower House Ministries.

By Jerri Langlais

Finally, there’s some good news for the homeless in our community, starting this Sunday, September 13. Showerhouse Ministries, led by Ken Rickner, is bringing a shower trailer to L Street near the marina, in Antioch’s downtown, at 10:00 a.m. He has given the name Showers of Hope to the effort.

The trailer can be moved to different locations to provide showers and other items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs and deodorant, and there will be other ministries coming alongside who will be bringing socks, underwear and clothing, and haircuts, for those who until now have had little or no access to bathing facilities and these other items. It will have two regular shower stalls and one larger one to accommodate handicapped persons.

While doing outreach on the streets, Ken saw the need for showers, and the brokenness, too, and felt the need to do something about it. And after much prayer, he had a vision of a trailer and heard the words “Showerhouse Ministries.”

Not knowing where to start, he heard the Lord say, “Go through one door at a time.” So he started working without plans or drawings and using his own money, he began the project starting with the purchase of a trailer and shower stalls in July, 2014.

A friend stepped forward and offered to help with plumbing needs, and he also called on the help of an electrician friend. Ken knew he was going to need fresh water storage, a pump to move the water, a heating system such as propane tanks, a generator for power, and waste water collection tanks, while providing privacy, all within a self-contained unit.

The project turned out to be a little more complex than Ken had anticipated, but he was compelled to continue. After approximately 10 months of building, the trailer is finished.

“Dialing it in and going through a bit of red tape took some time, but we are now ready to go,” Ken said. “I could not have done it without the help of a few individuals and the prayer support of others.”

He offers special thanks to the following who helped make the Showers of Hope a reality:

Mike and Chuckie from Butlers Plumbing, Brentwood

Frank with Salucci’s Electric, Oakley

Fred with Fred’s Welding, Oakley

Doug Hardcastley of Hardcastle’s RV, Oakley

Showerhouse Ministries Showers of Hope Kickoff — Sunday, Sept 13th, 2015, 10:00 AM, L Street near the marina, downtown Antioch

This is a new and growing ministry, and we want to network with other people and cities. There are many ways to be involved. Please feel free to contact us at Showerhouseministries.com or “like” their Facebook page by clicking here.

By Cheryl Worden

Have you ever wondered how you could reach the kids in your neighborhood with the gospel of Christ or if it was possible to have a Christian Club in an elementary school? Child Evangelism Fellowship® can help you.

Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF®) is a Bible-centered organization composed of born-again believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living. Founded in 1937, CEF now has active ministry in over 190 countries of the world and every state in the United States. There are currently eight CEF chapters in Northern California. The chapter for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties is called CEF NorCal East Bay. One of the main ministries of CEF is the Good News Club^®.

What is a Good News Club^®? Children ages 5 to 12 years gather once a week for 90 minutes in schools, homes, community centers, churches and apartment complexes, to hear an exciting Bible lesson, memorize scripture, sing inspirational songs, learn about missionary work and play fun-filled review games. Last year, we had Good News Clubs in several schools in various school districts, as well as recreation centers. Hundreds of children enroll each year in Good News Clubs throughout Antioch, East County and the East Bay.

We partner with churches who want to reach out to kids in their community. We provide training, low-cost teaching materials and make arrangements to meet in a school or other community location.

If you would like to be part of this exciting ministry, you can inquire about how to start a Good News Club by calling our Antioch office at 925-777-0107.

Worden is Ministry Coordinator for CEF NorCal East Bay

Rev. Christy Parks-Ramage

First Congregational Church of Antioch and Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg Rally Sunday kicks off Back-to-Sunday School as Rev. Christy Parks-Ramage shares scripture, song, praise and fellowship outdoors.

Worship service will take place at Highlands Ranch Park located at 1784 Buchanan Road in Pittsburg, followed by a potluck picnic. Hot dogs and condiments will be furnished along with drinks. Please bring a side dish to share.

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. We recognize, celebrate and give thanks for the many diverse gifts of God among us. Everyone is invited to participate in community and worship including, but not limited to, believers, seekers, agnostics, women and men, those of all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions, those of all races and cultures, those of all classes and abilities, those who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope.

For more information call 925.757.4094 or visit www.eastcountysharedministry.org.