The Catholic Diocese of Oakland and 14 stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties are teaming up to sponsor an interfaith event  commemorating the life of Christ—the largest blood drive ever attempted in the United States.  To kick off the event, the Mormon Temple Hill Choir and Symphony will premier an oratorio, “The Lamb of God,” commemorating the events of the last week of Christ’s life. 

The “Lamb of God” is a dramatic work and is presented in concert format.  Written and composed by Rob Gardner, the oratorio uses as its basis, and much of its text, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and especially John, as found in the King James Version of the Holy Bible. 

The first three of four performances will be held at the Mormon Oakland Temple Auditorium located adjacent to the Temple at 4770 Lincoln Avenue on Saturday, April 16, Sunday, April 17 and Saturday April 23.  The final performance will appropriately be offered Easter Sunday, April 24 at the Cathedral of Christ the Light located at 2121 Harrison Street in Oakland.  Performances are free and open to the public. Free tickets can be obtained online at http://lambofgod.eventbrite.com.

Catholic and Mormon church leadership, in partnership with the American Red Cross Northern California Region, hope that hosting a concert celebrating the life of Christ will motivate the interfaith community to then participate in what will likely be the largest single blood drive in the history of this Red Cross region and almost certainly the largest church-organized blood drive in the Red Cross’ entire national history. The “InterFaith Community Blood Drive” will consist of 24 day-long blood drives held at Catholic and Mormon churches throughout the two counties. The goal: collect 1,500 units of blood in July.

“We are very excited to partner with the Catholic and Latter-day Saint congregations on this month-long blood collection effort," said Jeff Meyer, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Northern California Blood Services Region.  “July is traditionally a difficult month to collect blood, and the Red Cross is appreciative of organizations willing to host blood drives during a time when it’s not easy to get people to donate because they are away on vacation. We thank this interfaith community in advance for their commitment to help ensure that blood is available for Bay Area patients this summer.”

In addition to difficulties in the summer, the Red Cross faces an overall deficit in blood donors. Each year the Red Cross distributes about 120,000 units of blood in the San Francisco Bay Area, but collects an average of only 92,000 units in local collections.

Both the Catholics and the Mormons hold numerous blood drives throughout the year.  This, however, will mark the first time the two faiths work together to coordinate multiple blood drives within a one-month time frame.

Bishop Cordileone with the Catholic Diocese of Oakland said, “Dean Criddle (President of the Oakland Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and I were brainstorming about ways to combine the efforts of our congregations in service to the broader community. We felt strongly that we should do something to remind everyone of the example of Christ’s service to all mankind.” 

Stake President, Dean Criddle said, “It seemed that a blood drive would provide our church members with an opportunity to work shoulder-to-shoulder in meeting a great need in the broader community.   Blood is an intensely personal gift. In a very literal sense, it is a gift of self – sometimes a gift of life.”

The blood drives will be open to the public.  Individuals who are at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission), meet height and weight requirements (at least 110 pounds based on height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment.

For further information about the InterFaith Community Blood Drive and performances of “The Lamb of God” please go to www.rollupyoursleeve.com.