Sunday Live-stream, for the Homebound and Ill, Update
Beginning this Sunday, October 9th we will use YouTube for live-streaming the 9:00 am Mass. We will post a link on our Facebook page each Sunday that will connect you directly to the live-stream on YouTube.
You may also use our YouTube link that will take you to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn5JX1e3QrqXTsa_7qmNCIw. If you subscribe to our YouTube channel you will receive a notification when we go live.
Hurricane Ian Disaster Response
Catholic Charities USA
Hurricane Ian devastates areas of the Southeast United States.
The storm has left a trail of destruction in its wake. A donation will support the immediate needs of vulnerable residents and the long-term recovery response.
In lieu of having a collection at our Masses this weekend we are asking you to make a donation directly to Catholic Charities USA, Ian relief.
A Word From Our Pastor
Fr. Jude Siciiano, O.P. has given a number of retreats over the years at St. Theresa Parish. His weekly ‘First Impressions” are read by many in the parish since he visited. I think the following is worth everyone reading during the times we are in especially as we focus in October on life:
“The first part of our Habakkuk reading last week is a lament. The prophet speaks for the people of his time and ours as well. Hear the question many of us have these days: "How long?" His people are experiencing violence and ruin and he wonders why God does not intervene. It's the kind of prayer individuals and communities make in dire circumstances. Think about the faith-challenging trials you may be experiencing. What afflictions are we, the individuals and families worshiping with us having? On a bigger scale: as I write this the war in Ukraine grinds on; there has been devastating flooding in Puerto Rico, Florida, Pakistan and Alaska; refugees at our southern border have been bused and flown to other states, some separated from their families; Texas is readying to execute two more men this month, etc.
We may have no answers for the turmoil and scandal our church, nation and world have been going through these days. Yet, our faith is tested and our prayers can feel strained and inadequate. Should we just keep silent, or say the usual “approved” prayers? Or, shall we take our lead from Habakkuk and voice a lament? ...lament to God for these dreadful times, for the neglect of the poor and needy of our country and world We can lament the way the prophet does, make complaint to God for things that seem beyond our control, but affect us and others so dreadfully.
Notice the prophet is not afraid to confront God and speak what, for many of us, is the unspeakable: he accuses God of not caring. His prayer has roots in our Jewish/Christian tradition. Jesus prayed this prayer of protest in the Garden when his plans and life were being abruptly ended. People have been taught not to speak to God this way, or to just stay silent. But keeping silence, because we are afraid to utter what we are really feeling, risks closing off the possibility for growth in our relationship with God. It takes deep faith to shake one's fist at God.
Only after Habakkuk’s lament has been voiced does God respond. What was God doing during the first part? Listening. God orders the prophet to write down the vision. Why write? Is it to give it permanence? Must it be written so that a future generation might also read it? The word "readily" in the phrase, "...so that it can be read readily" -- means, write it so large that it can be read on the run. Like a billboard. Are we running because evil is at our heels? If escape, or relief, doesn't come quickly, we will need to trust Habakkuk’s vision of God's faithfulness over and over, to keep us strong in our faith when God doesn’t seem to care, or respond. We are called to fidelity to a God who has promised to be faithful, despite seeming evidence to the contrary. The Hebrew word for faith is "Emunah," from which comes our "Amen." Our prayer response is the "Amen" of faith. We are called to faithfulness and our reward won't be riches but life..."the just, because of their faith, shall live."
Lament is an un-American prayer: it is not neat like cellophane wrapped vegetables in a supermarket. It lacks order, it spills over with emotions, it is a struggle with loss and doesn’t hold back. It's the prayer we pray when a part of our life comes to an end. We pray this prayer for ourselves, or in solidarity with a group of people who are suffering. Suppose, for example, we prayed a lament for inner-city people who suffer violence every day, whose children need to sleep in bath tubs so that they won't get hit with stray bullets at night? This prayer on behalf of others might also mobilize us to do something about the very situation for which we lament.
The gospel last week begins with a plea. What would prompt a follower of Jesus to ask for an increase of faith? Doesn’t a request like this usually flow from a person whose faith is being tested, or strained by life’s demands? Like the prophet Habakkuk, the apostles must feel their own stressed, for they say to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” What makes them aware of this need? The context of this passage reveals a very particular demand put on their faith. Looking back a few verses in chapter 17 we notice that Jesus has just spoken about not leading others into sin (vv.1-2); about giving correction to a brother or sister -- never an easy thing -- and then, to be constantly willing to forgive a repentant brother, or sister (vv.3-4), hardest of all!
No wonder the apostles feel their faith is insignificant! Hence the request, “Increase our faith.” Aren’t we also inclined to make the same plea as we face the need for similar Christian responses to life’s arduous demands? For example, family life requires a deep pool from which to draw patience and forgiveness. In addition, recent disclosures have shown how devastating the effects of scandal are on the life of our faith community. A parish would not last long if forgiveness didn’t characterize its daily life -- from the pews all the way to parish council, staff and clergy.
The apostles realize such consistent Christian living is impossible without faith, so they want more of it, figuring QUANTITY is the issue. But Jesus says, even faith the size of a mustard seed would be enough to unearth the deeply-rooted mulberry tree and cast it into the sea. He is using strong figurative language here. But he does make his point: it is not the quantity, but the QUALITY of faith that matters. Faith, it seems, doesn’t have to increase -- as much as exist! Having faith doesn’t automatically give the believer the power to perform crowd-pleasing spectacles. But faith does mean that we are in touch with God and experience God as the source of the power that enables us to live good Christian lives, marked by the ability to forgive many times -- as we ourselves have been forgiven by God. Wouldn’t such forgiveness in our faith community be a powerful sign that God’s life animates us and that God lives among us? Or, as Habakkuk has put it for us today, “The just one, because of their faith, shall live.” By: Jude Siciliano, O.P. <jude@judeop.org>
Abide in God's Love
WINGS continues this Fall on Wednesday mornings. This faith enhancement group for women encourages spiritual growth through prayer, scripture study, life-sharing and community. Our Fall session meetings, each with a different expert speaker focusing on different aspects of faith in action, will take place on the Zoom platform from 9:15-11:15am, on Wednesdays, October 12 (the Opening Prayer Service), 19, and 26, November 2, 9,16 and 30, and December 7 and 14 (the special Christmas Reflections Program). Our engaging speakers will uplift you and keep you informed. You’ll experience a welcoming community as we support each other in our spiritual growth. Feel free to invite a friend! Women from local parishes and other denominations are most certainly welcome. If you’re new to WINGS or wish to sample a meeting, send your email address and request the week’s Zoom link, and any questions you may have about joining WINGS, to Denise Mollen at mollend@aol.com. She will send you the link to Zoom. Our theme for the 2022/2023 year is “Abide in God’s Love”.
Attention All Children of the Parish!!!
St. Theresa CYO Sports would like to invite all children of the parish to participate in our CYO athletic program. This program is open to children of the school and parish. CYO requires students who do not attend St Theresa School to register and participate in the Parish Faith Formation Ministries. We would love to have your children involved. Please contact our Athletic Director, Clarence Robinson, with any questions: sttheresaathletics@gmail.com.
CYO Sports:
Fall Cross Country: Co-ed 1st-8th grade (Aug-Oct)
Winter Girls Volleyball: 4th-8th grade (Oct-Jan)
Winter Boys Basketball: 3rd-8th grade (Oct-Jan)
Spring Girls Basketball: 3rd-8th grade (Feb-May)
Parish Ministry
Weekly Highlight
High School Youth Ministry
- HSYM focuses on providing a faith community that will support our young people with a sense of solidarity and is open to all high school students, Confirmed or not.
- We hope that every teen will discover and explore their uniqueness and God-given gifts.
- Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation can begin in 9th grade for those who are ready
Contact:
Jenny Bruni - jenny@sttheresaoakland.org
Website:
https://sttheresaoakland.org/formation/children-and-teens/high-school
Safe Environment Training for Parish and School Volunteers
For many parish and school volunteers it is time for you to renew your training. You will receive an email reminder with a link for you to complete the online training. Please complete the training by the renewal date in email you received. You need to be current with your training to volunteer in any program in the Parish and School.
If you have any problems or questions contact Cathy Brady at cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org.
To renew click on the link in your email or go to https://www.virtusonline.org or click on the link in the upper right corner of the parish website sttheresaoakland.org.
You may make a Sunday donation by using online giving. Choose Give Now and the Sunday Offering fund.
Thank you for your continued support of St. Theresa.
You may donate by using the Online Giving button or the QR code.
You may also use Online Giving for Second Collections.
October 8 & 9 - The Catholic Voice/Diocesan Communications
October 22 & 23 - World Mission Sunday & Catholic Home Mission Appeal
November 5 & 6 - Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
Social Justice Committee (SJC)
We are heartbroken, fearful, angry, and weary as we grapple with the continued epidemic of gun violence in the U.S.
Dear Lord, make me a channel of your peace. – Prayer of St. Francis.
IMPORTANT- NOTE DATE CHANGE – THURSDAY OCTOBER 20th
On October 20th at 7:00 pm, Robyn Thomas of the Giffords Law Center will be speaking to us on the vitally important topic of gun violence prevention. All are invited to attend via Zoom. Robyn is the former executive director of this preeminent organization, and currently its senior legal advisor. She has testified before Congress and appeared on 60 Minutes, CNN, Fox News and other national media, as well as writing for national news publications. Our Social Justice Committee is excited to present this opportunity to hear a dynamic and knowledgeable speaker on a matter of great interest to us all. All parishioners are encouraged to attend, and please feel free to invite others.
Robyn Thomas
Senior Legal Advisor, Giffords Law Center
Please send Lydia Deck and email at ltdeck@me.com to RSVP and get the zoom link.
St. Vincent de Paul
Current Needs
Volunteers Needed for the Dining Room at the Direct Services Campus in West Oakland: 8:30am to 1pm Tuesday through Saturday. Volunteers to help prepare, and bag warm meals for our guests and serve the meals at the gated entrance to the courtyard. These excellent hot takeaway meals are being provided while the dining room is closed due to COVID. Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Kristen Bernal: Email kbernal@svdp-alameda.org 510-277-6435.
Men’s Clothing (casual, work, denim, and work pants, and shoes in good condition) and women’s hygiene articles can be dropped off in the Church vestibule. These donations are distributed through SVDP Clothes Closet in our Downtown Community Center.
Nonperishable, non-expired food donations: Our on-going food collections for the needy people at Sacred Heart Parish have been graciously acknowledged by those who have been served. This is becoming a regular opportunity for us to feed the hungry, especially during these difficult economic times. We bring the food to Sacred Heart around the third Sunday of the month to accommodate our neighbors some of whom are on various forms of public assistance that leave them short of funds when it come to purchasing food at the end of the month. Food donations may be left in the back of the vestibule in various baskets next to the “Giving Tree at any time.
Bay Area Rent Relief
Our Parish Conference of St Vincent de Paul is here to help our neighbors in need, including assisting those who qualify for California’s rent relief program to apply for and receive these State funds. If you know of anyone in need requiring assistance, please refer them to our Conference.
Our Parish SVdP Conference meets bimonthly, every third Saturday at 9:30am. If interested in learning more about our Conference’s work, contact Judy Bojorquez at jtsbojorquez@yahoo.com to be added to email distribution and with any questions you might have.
You may use online giving to make a donation to the St. Theresa St. Vincent de Paul conference. https://sttheresaoakland.org/donate.
Volunteer for a Liturgical Ministry
Please consider volunteering for one of our Liturgical ministries. Liturgy is the work of the people and we need your assistance.
What is your gift, passion, what do you really like to do? Do you like to read, talk with people, serve people, work behind the scenes, electronics? Turn that passion into a ministry, there is something for everyone. Prayerfully consider one of the following ministries.
Contact Cathy Brady at cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org to volunteer or for more information.
https://sttheresaoakland.org/ministries/liturgical-ministries
Thank you for your faithful support.
Lector
Eucharistic Minister
(must be fully vaccinated)
Sacristan
Altar Server
Greeter
Usher
Projectionist
Video Ministry
(9:00 am Mass)
Altar Linens
We ask our parish community to join together with Pope Francis, and continue praying for peace in the Ukraine.
“ May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.” Pope Francis
Weekend Mass Schedule
5:00 pm Saturday
9:00 am Sunday
The 9:00 am Sunday Mass is live-streamed on our YouTube channel for the ill and Homebound.
The link for the live-stream will be on our Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/sttheresaoak
Low Gluten hosts are available at all weekend Masses.
The hosts are less that 20 parts per million gluten, under .002%
Please use the presider's communion station to receive a low gluten host.
Weekday Mass Schedule
Monday - Friday
8:30 am
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturday ~ 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Outside, on the upper landing, at the entrance to the church.
Mass Intentions
To request a Mass Intention contact Melody Marr at 510.547-2777, ext. 120 or melody@sttheresaoakland.org
Mass reservations open each Tuesday at 9:00 am for the upcoming Sunday and close on Thursday at noon.
Celebrant
The Most Reverend James Massa
Bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn
Saturday, the Twelfth of June
Two Thousand Twenty-One
at 10:30 in the morning
Fordham University Church
Fordham University
Bronx, New York
If you have any questions, please contact Nina Green at 510/541-7188, or by email to nggreen177@att.net.
Pick up a copy of the Advent & Christmas Reflection booklet in the vestibule of the church this weekend.
Come and help Decorate the church for Ordinary Time
We will be taking the Christmas decorations down and decorating for Ordinary Time following Mass on Sunday. Please come for an hour and help decorate the church for Ordinary Time.
Parish Office Hours
Office Hours:
Monday, 12:00pm - 2:30 pm
Tuesday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm.
Melody Marr (Parish Administrator) (510) 547-2777, ext. 120 ~~ melody@sttheresaoakland.org.
Please support the 2022
Bishop's Ministries Appeal
St. Theresa Parish Goal - $35,800
We are currently at 55.25% of our parish goal.
$19,779.50 has been pledged
as of September 15, 2022.
Thank you for supporting the Annual Bishop's Ministries Appeal
You may make a donation using the Oakland Diocese giving option.
https://www.oakdiocese.org/bishops-appeal-donation-page
https://www.oakdiocese.org/bishops-appeal-donation-page