Next regular meeting, June 20, 2025
Parish Retreat TBD (before Advent)

Pastoral Council Charter

The Pastoral Council’s charter is to serve as an advisory group that will provide recommendations to the Pastor on matters related to the parish’s pursuit of spiritual gathering, faithful worship, community outreach, and personal faith formation. They also serve a sounding board for ideas, feedback, and concerns from the parish community.
The Pastoral Council meets on the third Fridays of the month at 4:30  pm in Room 102. A special session can be convened for emergency or urgent agenda items. Anyone is welcome to attend our meeting, especially if they want to bring up some concerns or recommendations.

Pastoral Council Members

Meet our newly commissioned lay Saint Anne Pastoral Council members. The members, who will serve for a term of 3 years, were commissioned on March 30, 2025 during the 12 o'clock noon Mass.
 

Angel “Jun” Castro (3,1)

Married to Lourdes (Lou) for 44 years with 3 children and 8 grands, Jun has been a Saint Anne parishioner since 1997. He has 4 siblings, one sister and three brothers. Both Jun and Lou are  US Air Force veterans. He has served in various Saint Anne’s ministries such as CCD, Marriage Convalidation, and OCIA (formerly known as RCIA). Jun enjoys chess, walking, ocean fishing, gardening, and stargazing.

Melinda Dorotheo (1)

Melinda is originally from Medina, Misamis Oriental, Philippines but grew up in Cebu City. She is married to Rick and have 4 children, Claire, Carla, Derek and Daryl, with 6 lovely grandchildren. They keep her busy! Retired in November 2022 after working from biotech and pharmaceutical companies for 32 years. Started serving at Saint Anne  as a CCD catechist  from 1983 until 2018. Melinda joined other ministries such as the Lectors, Eucharistic Ministry, St Vincent de Paul, Santo Nino, and  the Festival Committee. Having served in  all these different ministries, she’s learned so much from all the people she interacted and worked with.

Victor Cunanan (1)

Victor has been a Saint Anne parishioner since 2023. He studied at an all-boys Catholic school and was a Columbian Esquire in the Philippines. A former Protestant, Victor was inspired to return to his Catholic faith after receiving a rosary at Walmart and his Mom’s medical condition improved. Victor also serves as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister.

Cynthia Dang (1)

Cynthia became a Saint Anne parishioner in 2021. She is an outgoing and friendly person who loves spending time with her family. She and her husband, Joe, have three children: Vi, Lam, and Mia. Joe is an Outside Guard for the Knights of Columbus and coaches volleyball for CYO; while her daughter, Mia, is an altar server.  Cynthia is a Lector and teaches third-grade Faith Formation at Saint Anne. Her passion is cooking and enjoys learning new recipes from different cuisines.
 

Jim Soltau (3,1)

Hello, my name is Jim Soltau and this will be my forty-seventh year of being a Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator (forty-four [as a parishioner] at Saint Anne’s). I grew up in San Francisco and attended Most Holy Redeemer, Sacred Heart High School, and the University of San Francisco.  My previous work involved Youth Ministry at Holy Name Church in San Francisco, retreat work at Christian Brothers in Saint Helena, and radio communications with the Archdiocesan Communications Center in San Francisco.

My wife Lucy is the Director of Religious Education at St. Denis Church in Menlo Park. As of last February, we have been married for 42 years. We live in Union City and have two children, Mike and Becky, who are both married, and a grandson, Greyson.  I continue to be an avid Giants and 49ers fan since I grew up in San Francisco.  When time and a creaky shoulder allow, I love playing golf.

Ann Ruth Yap-Jequinto (3,1)

Saint Anne parishioner since 1977. She followed her parents' footsteps in volunteering at Saint Anne. In addition to being in the Pastoral Council, she is a member of the Eucharistic Ministry, Faith Formation, Festival and Simbang Gabi. Her husband Martin Jequinto is currently the Knights of Columbus Grand Knight. She is also active in the community, serving the needy and organizing street cleanings.
 

Our clergy Pastoral Council Members:

Fr Benedict Wonganant, Pastor, St Anne Catholic Church

I am Father Benedict Pradit Wonganant, and I welcome you to call me [Fr] Ben. I was ordained a priest on May 18, 2013, and I grew up in a large Catholic family in northeastern Thailand, where my upbringing revolved around the Church. As the middle child among two older brothers, two older sisters, and four younger sisters, I cherish my family values. My father passed away 25 years ago, and all of my siblings are now married.

My aspiration to become a priest began early in life. At the age of twelve, my family sent me to study in Ubon. I later moved closer to Bangkok to further my education, which involved significant dedication. My experience working at a hospital allowed me to meet individuals from diverse backgrounds; and strengthened my vocation.

When a priest acquaintance suggested I consider the Diocese of Oakland, I recognized it as a response to my prayers. After six fulfilling years at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, San Francisco, I am grateful for the knowledge and grace received. I take joy in connecting with people and find many similarities between the United States and my home country.

I am honored to serve at Saint Anne Catholic Church and to work collaboratively with you as your shepherd. This is the sixth community I have served, and I kindly request your prayers as I adapt to my new role. With God’s grace, I am committed to serving you to the best of my ability and will keep you in my Masses. Thank you for your prayers as I strive to fulfill God’s will.

Fr Joseph Nguyen, Parochial Vicar, Saint Anne Catholic Church

My name is Fr. Joseph Nguyen, and I was ordained to the priesthood on May 20, 2005. Over the past two decades, I have been asked countless times, "What inspired you to become a priest?" My answer has always remained the same: I love God, and my greatest desire is to share His love with His people through a life of devoted service.

As I reflect on these twenty years, I am profoundly grateful for the sacred vocation God has entrusted to me—a calling beyond measure, one that nothing else could ever replace. Deep within my heart, I know with certainty that my soul finds its true rest and fulfillment only in God—in serving Christ and faithfully stewarding His divine mysteries (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

Each day, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to God for the extraordinary privilege of priesthood, embracing the grace to lead a life marked by love and devotion to Him and His people.

Arsenio Reyes, Deacon, St Anne Catholic Church

Deacon Arsenio “Sen” Reyes is a native of Baguio, Philippines and is deeply committed to his Diaconate Ministry. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Saint Louis University.  His career includes employment with University of Baguio and telecommunication companies such as PLDT (Phil.) and Time Warner (USA).

He came to the United States 35 years ago with his wife, Teresita Paquia. He and Teresita are schoolmates and have been married since 1988 and their family includes three children — Theresien Grace, Adrianne Marie and John Arsen.  Sen loves his family and friends. He enjoys walking, reading, watching college and professional sports and taking afternoon naps and solitary time.

After his Diaconate ordination, he was assigned to his home parish, Saint Anne in Union City.  Deacon Sen has been serving as a deacon of the Diocese of Oakland since September 2020.