Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 2:00 A.M.
A Word From Our Pastor
As we concluded last week, and as we prepared to vote if we had not already done that, we were shocked by the violence toward a politician’s husband. I ask all to pray for an end to violence in any form that seems more and more to surround us and to be on the upswing. We pray for peace in Oakland and all cities where the senseless killing of innocent victims seems to be on the rise.
Let us continue to pray for a peaceful end of the war in the Ukraine and in Cameroon, Ethiopia, and other places where war is raging. Let us also pray for an end to violence ignited by politics.
When I counsel a couple who are preparing for marriage, I tell them that they will have disagreements over the course of the many happy years we pray they will be married, but that any form of abuse and especially physical violence can never be a means to resolve a disagreement or difficulty. In fact, I am extreme and say that if either party resorts to physical violence, they should separate until the violent person receives counseling and other help. This is never an acceptable form of resolving a problem. I firmly believe the gospel compels us to this standard and would apply it to other places of disagreement which seems to be more and more prevalent in our political forums. Let us pray for the mercy, forgiveness, and understanding the Lord gives us to be used in all forums of our lives.
Let us pray and practice forums where people can strongly disagree with each other but always with charity and respect no matter how pressing the situation seems to be.
I have been writing about the reason we physically gather for Mass each week and wish to continue and conclude with more excellent incite from Fr. John Baldovin, SJ, who writes extensively on this subject. He writes:
“The origin of the sinful self-centeredness is a human inability to let God be God. Some early Christian writers considered this sinful condition not so much as one of deliberate disobedience of God as a sign of the immaturity that Christ came to undo.
O marvelous exchange refers to the fact that God took on human nature so that human beings can be united to God. The same exchange takes place in the Eucharist, as the resources of the earth receive God’s Word so that we who are receiving them can be united to God. Jesus makes himself literally the food of Christians. And so, what is potentially the source of sin and self-centeredness becomes the source of reversing sin.
Jesus does what human beings on their own could not do: he accepts his existence as a gift from God and done the only thing one can do appropriately on receipt of the gift- say ‘thank you’ both in word and deed. That acceptance of our human nature, that self-emptying is precisely what we call Incarnation—the acceptance of our human condition.
Celebrating the Mass is central to our identity and mission as Christians because it means participation in a ritual way in the self-offering of Christ for the life of the world. Jesus Christ undertook this self-offering as the means to undo the ‘sin of Adam and Eve,’ the origin and basis of sin in grasping at being God, often called the sin of pride. The opposite of sin is found in the community of the Church—the gathering of those who know that Christ has become the center of their life and celebrate his message, his presence and his activity as the Spirit empowers them to do sacramentally on a regular (weekly) basis. Christians don’t participate in this saving activity of the Incarnate Christ by running away from the world or the church community, but, on the contrary, by letting Christ encounter them in their most fundamental and intimately human activities.
Why bother with Mass? I hope you have begun to get the picture that we bother with the Mass because we bother with Jesus.”
Much more can be said, and I would recommend the writings of Pope Benedict in his encyclical “Sacramentum caritatis’(Sacrament of Charity), John Baldovin, SJ’s book: Bread of Life, Cup of Salvation and many words that can be found on the internet by just putting in the search page: Pope Francis, Eucharist.
Thanks for your attention to this matter. See you next week at Mass and don’t hesitate to invite a member of your family, a neighbor, or a friend.
Assisted Listening available at Weekend Masses
There are two assisted listening ways to enjoy crisp, clear audio the church for our weekend Masses.
1. Download the Everywhere App on your smartphone and connect via Bluetooth to your earbuds or hearing aid.
2. Check-out an Assisted Listening Device to use during Mass.
Option 1:
Download the app, connect to the church wireless network, open the app and you are set.
This Sunday we will have people available before and after the 9:00 am Mass to assist anyone who would like help in downloading and setting-up the app. Don't forget your earbuds or hearing aids.
On Saturday Cathy will be available to assist you before and after Mass.
The WiFi password you will need to connect to our wireless network will be available at the sound system desk before and after Mass.
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Option 2:
Assisted Listening Devices are available at our weekend Masses. You can check out a device at the sound system desk prior to Mass.
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If you have any questions contact Cathy Brady at cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org
Last day to place an order, Sunday, November 6th.
You may also use the QR code to place an order.
The month of November is traditionally reserved in the Church for remembering loved ones who have died. Throughout the month there is a book in the sanctuary Please write the names of your beloved in this book at any time during the month.
You are invited to place free standing framed pictures of your beloved dead on the altar of remembrance in the sanctuary.. The table will be up for the month of November. Please make sure your name and phone number are on the back of the picture.
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.
November 5 & 6 - Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
November 12 & 13 - Archdiocese for the Military
November 19 & 20 - Campaign for Human Development
St. Theresa School is currently accepting applications for grades TK through 8. As part of the St. Theresa Parish, we invite you to visit our school for a tour so you can see firsthand the close knit community of like-minded students and faculty. Tours will be held on various Tuesdays from November through January. We are also hosting Information Sessions for each grade level and an Open House event the last weekend of January. RSVP required for tours. For details and more information, feel free to visit our website www.sttheresaschool.org or you may contact our Director of Admissions, Michelle, at m_halligan@sttheresaschool.org We hope to hear from you soon!
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.
WINGS is a faith enhancement group for women encourages spiritual growth through prayer, scripture study, life-sharing and community. Our Fall session meetings, take place on a Zoom platform from 9:15-11:15am, on Wednesdays. 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
November 9
Janet Saalfeld, M.A.
Hospice Spiritual Counselor
From Here to Eternity: Packing for Paradise
Social Justice Committee (SJC)
A time to pray about many things: wars, climate changes, the homeless, immigrants and refugees. As you look at your ballots in preparation to vote maybe look at it with a lens of what a proposition or candidate will do to help those in our community most in need or how will racial justice be served best or how will climate change be affected.
Here is a prayer from our Oakland Diocese- Parishes in Action newsletter:
A Prayer for Election Season
Spirit of Life and of Love, God known by many names and beyond all naming. Move us out of despair and into action. Touch our hearts and minds with the truths that we are born beloved and worthy, and that we are all connected. Show us how to embody these truths with all our words and deeds day by day. In this election year, infuse our weary souls with the hope that action for the good will bring. May we move into this season with the clarity and determination that every vote matters. Amen. Shalom. Salaam. And Blessed Be.
Join us at our next Social Justice meeting on November 9th at 7pm with our guest speaker Fr. Bob speaking on: A Vision for Social Justice at St. Theresa. RSVP for zoom link with Lydia Deck at ltdeck@me.com
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 57.74% of our parish goal.
$20,669.50 has been pledged
as of October 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