Sunday Live-stream, for the Homebound and Ill, Update
We are now using our YouTube channel 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 Mass we are asking you to make a donation directly to Catholic Charities USA, Ian relief.
A Word From Our Pastor
Many thanks to all who made the parish ‘feast day’ celebration a great success! We had a wonderful Mass outside on the grass area below the school playground. Good food, fun for young and old, great moments to relax with fellow parishioners, fun games for the children and a band that rocked all made the day a success.
Several have asked if we could have Mass outside more often. If occasions arise before the next ‘feast day’ celebration, that option will be considered.
With an opportunity to gather in a large group as a parish/school community, it is another indication that we are getting increasingly back to a normal routine after covid. We go forward hopefully utilizing what we have learned along the way these past few years.
They are predicting a more intense flu season this coming year. This is based on the season Australia and other places in the world that have traditionally been the predictor for what is coming for us is enduring right now. I urge you to get a flu shot.
They seem to be free with most medical plans and if you can’t find that, contact me. We have several doctors in the parish that might be able to help. Covid is on the wane, but it will be with us for a long, long time. It keeps changing and so I also encourage everyone to get the latest booster. Most of the cases I know about have been mild when a person tests positive, but four hundred people in our country are still dying because of Covid a day. May no one here become part of that statistic.
As the fall comes upon us with cool and hopefully rainy weather, it will be cooler in the church. We will fire up the heating system again, barring any need for major repairs as happened a few years ago. As you heard last week, it is now on the list for replacement which will be a major capital expense. However, Covid protocols always suggest that there be good air flowing and good filtration wherever groups gather. We want to close doors so heat can stay in, but the challenge is how do we keep that good air flowing?
I want everyone to feel comfortable if they choose to wear a mask at anytime especially when buildings are more closed up. In fact, though not mandated by the county or diocese this may be the way we should go during the coming months. Some experts have suggested to us that we keep open the upper windows through the fall and winter and close the doors so the warmth will not quickly blow out and that we all wear masks during this period.
The above is not mandated and I and the staff welcome other suggestions, but I hope we are open not only to protecting our own health but also aware of the good health of those around us especially those among us who are immune compromised. And again, if you are seriously worried on a given weekend, that is a good reason to exempt yourself from the Sunday worship on during that time, but as many of you have said, zoom Mass is just not the same when we are not physically in the church with each other!
I underscore the gratitude and appreciation that our Finance Council has communicated to the parish last week about parish finances. I am grateful for their support, good advice, and ongoing support for our parish. I am grateful for their upfront acknowledgement that our parish staff have diligently tried to be good stewards in utilizing what you contribute while being attentive to bringing in the best resources for all our ministries. We continue to do this for the benefit of all and to give honor and thanks to our God. I join the Finance Council in urging all to utilize the ‘online giving’ option so we can better predict what funds we will have to continue parish ministries and needed repairs.
This coming week, if I am not called for jury duty, I have a meeting with the bishop and other pastors in our deanery (St. Margaret Mary, St. Leo, Corpus Christi, and St. Theresa) regarding the MAP process. Please pray that as the bishops meets with all the pastors of all the diocesan deaneries, that the Holy Spirit will guide the decisions that will be forthcoming next year.
Come join us for an informal St. Theresa Men’s Club gathering this Thursday, October 20, 2022
from 5:00 to 9:00 pm
at The Kingfish Pub
5227 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
Come watch the Thursday Night Football game – Saints vs Cardinals.
This is a No-Host event, with food available on site.
No agenda, no business, just a chance to socialize with other St. Theresa Men’s Club Members and prospective members.
Come on down for a bit and bring a friend.
No need to RSVP.
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”.
October 19
Fr. Luke Ssemakula
Parochial Vicar, Catholic Community of Pleasanton
The Catholic Church in Uganda
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.
AND…special thanks to all who helped put together the Art Bags for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Primary Care Clinic. Thanks for all the donations!!!
At the festival, several families helped pack 98 bags with kind and thoughtful notes made by many of the children and teens. We also were able to give extra supplies of crayons, markers and drawing pads that will be passed out for the next several weeks. Staff at the clinic reported many happy patients when they received their art bags.
Thanks to all our Social Justice Committee volunteers especially event organizers Nina Green, Dee McDonough and Margaret Penaranda. Special shout out to the two strong students who helped load up our cars too!
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 22 & 23 - World Mission Sunday & Catholic Home Mission Appeal
October 29 & 30 - St. Vincent de Paul
November 5 & 6 - Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
Parish Ministry
Weekly Highlight
Middle School Youth Ministry
- We meet on Sunday nights from 6:00 - 7:30.
- These evenings are a time for all middle school youth to come together for fellowship, fun and faith building.
- Our hope for these evenings is that we continue to build a strong community united in the love we share of our faith and one another
Contacts:
Keri Nims - keri@sttheresaoakland.org
Jenny Bruni - jenny@sttheresaoakland.org
Website:
https://sttheresaoakland.org/formation/children-and-teens/middle-school-youth-ministry-grades-6-8
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.
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
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
YouTube channel link
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 56.76% of our parish goal.
$20,319.50 has been pledged
as of September 30, 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