A Word from our Pastor
January has come and gone, but it is always filled with many things in our Church that we are called to remember, pray about and respond to! Even while Christmas is still upon us we remember in early January some of our fellow Americans who have reached our goal and are now call saints: St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton (January 4) and St. John Neuman (January 5). January 6 is the traditional day for the Feast of the Epiphany and we are all encouraged to bless our home and dedicate it in this new year to the Lord asking for his presence and love in them.
We recall Jesus baptism when we say Jesus has grown up and begins his public ministry and we focus on the gift of life that God gives us and how all lives are to be respected from the moment of conception to a natural end at what most hope will be a ripe old age. It is always a time to pray for peace, but at the end of January we especially pray for unity in all and among the Christian churches.
Pope Francis in 2015 made thing even more crowded by proclaiming the ‘third Sunday in Ordinary time’ as ‘Word of God Sunday.’
“Pastors can also find ways of giving a Bible, or one of its books, to the entire assembly as a way of showing the importance of learning how to read, appreciate and pray daily with Sacred Scripture.”
The Bible is not meant for a privileged few, continues Pope Francis. It belongs “to those called to hear its message and to recognize themselves in its words”. The Bible cannot be monopolized or restricted to select groups either, he writes, because it is “the book of the Lord’s people, who, in listening to it, move from dispersion and division towards unity”.
“The role of the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures is primordial,” writes Pope Francis. “Without the work of the Spirit, there would always be a risk of remaining limited to the written text alone.” The Pope continues: “This would open the way to a fundamentalist reading, which needs to be avoided, lest we betray the inspired, dynamic and spiritual character of the sacred text”. It is the Holy Spirit who “makes Sacred Scripture the living word of God, experienced and handed down in the faith of His holy people”.
Pope Francis invites us never to take God’s Word for granted, “but instead to let ourselves be nourished by it, in order to acknowledge and live fully our relationship with Him and with our brothers and sisters”.
Lent begins on February 22. There was too much to cover over the past few weeks, but I invite all before we begin our Lenten practices to reflect and maybe transform our bible study and prayer which would be a marvelous way to begin Lent. Here are some practical points that I hope will help:
Listed here are 10 points for fruitful Scripture reading.
By Mary Elizabeth Sperry, Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible.
1.Bible reading is for Catholics. The Church encourages Catholics to make reading the Bible part of their daily prayer lives. Reading these inspired words, people grow deeper in their relationship with God and come to understand their place in the community God has called them to in himself.
2.Prayer is the beginning and the end. Reading the Bible is not like reading a novel or a history book. It should begin with a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to the Word of God. Scripture reading should end with a prayer that this Word will bear fruit in our lives, helping us to become holier and more faithful people.
3.Get the whole story! When selecting a Bible, look for a Catholic edition. A Catholic edition will include the Church's complete list of sacred books along with introductions and notes for understanding the text. A Catholic edition will have an imprimatur notice on the back of the title page. An imprimatur indicates that the book is free of errors in Catholic doctrine.
4.The Bible isn't a book. It's a library. The Bible is a collection of 73 books written over the course of many centuries. The books include royal history, prophecy, poetry, challenging letters to struggling new faith communities, and believers' accounts of the preaching and passion of Jesus. Knowing the genre of the book you are reading will help you understand the literary tools the author is using and the meaning the author is trying to convey.
5.Know what the Bible is – and what it isn't. The Bible is the story of God's relationship with the people he has called to himself. It is not intended to be read as a history text, a science book, or a political manifesto. In the Bible, God teaches us the truths that we need for the sake of our salvation.
6.The sum is greater than the parts. Read the Bible in context. What happens before and after – even in other books – helps us to understand the true meaning of the text.
7.The Old relates to the New. The Old Testament and the New Testament shed light on each other. While we read the Old Testament in light of the death and resurrection of Jesus, it has its own value as well. Together, these testaments help us to understand God's plan for human beings.
8.You do not read alone. By reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture, Catholics join those faithful men and women who have taken God's Word to heart and put it into practice in their lives. We read the Bible within the tradition of the Church to benefit from the holiness and wisdom of all the faithful.
9.What is God saying to me? The Bible is not addressed only to long-dead people in a faraway land. It is addressed to each of us in our own unique situations. When we read, we need to understand what the text says and how the faithful have understood its meaning in the past. In light of this understanding, we then ask: What is God saying to me?
10.Reading isn't enough. If Scripture remains just words on a page, our work is not done. We need to meditate on the message and put it into action in our lives. Only then can the word be "living and effective." (Hebrews 4:12).
Scam Alert
A number of people have once again received phony emails from Fr. Bob and/or our principal Alicia Ortegon asking for gifts cards. If you receive an email from either of them requesting help with gifts, gift cards, money ..... PLEASE IGNORE and DELETE. It's a scam! They will never request help from you in this manner.
The funeral will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel. The link will be available on our Facebook page.
All are invited—especially those suffering, those caring for the sick, and all those seeking God’s grace and a life filled with goodness, truth, and beauty.
You can now buy Sweepstakes tickets to win a big cash prize. See the poster in the vestibule with a QR code to purchase tickets. One of last year's winners was a parishioner who bought tickets after Mass!
Thank you for supporting our wonderful school.
This faith enhancement group for women encourages spiritual growth through prayer, scripture study, life-sharing and community. Our Winter session meetings, each with a different expert speaker generally focusing on different aspects of scripture, will take place on the 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 include any questions you may have about joining WINGS, to Denise 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”.
February 8
Dr. Gina Hens-Piazza
Professor of Old Testament Studies
Jesuit School of Theology, Santa Clara University
The Wonderful Widows Doing God’s Work
Online Giving makes spreading generosity quick, convenient, and secure!
Please consider choosing one of our e-giving methods listed below and schedule a recurring gift:
Thank you for your continued support of St. Theresa.
Text to Donate
510-876-9679
Text “GIVE” to the number above to receive a link to our online giving page.
You may also use Online Giving for Second Collections.
February 4 & 5 - Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
March 4 & 5 - Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
Assisted Listening available at Weekend Masses
There are two ways to enjoy crisp, clear audio in 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.
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If you have any questions contact Cathy Brady at cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org
Option 1:
Download the app, connect to the church wireless network, put in your earbuds, open the app and you are set.
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.
Social Justice Committee (SJC)
I have a dream that one day “every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The next part of the Synod phase calls us to
“Enlarge the space of your tent.” (Is 54.2)
Read about the resulting document from Catholics all over the world. This is what we all contributed to with our meetings last year. The Spirit is moving!
https://www.synod.va/content/dam/synod/common/phases/continental-stage/dcs/Documento-Tappa-Continentale-EN.pdf
February is Black History Month- many celebrations in Oakland!!!
Oakland interfaith Gospel Choir-
https://www.oigc.org/calendarall/black-history-month-celebration
St. Columba Celebration series-
https://files.ecatholic.com/5559/bulletins/20230129.pdf?t=1674763961000
Oakland Museum of California and Children’s Fairyland are hosting special celebrations honoring Black History as well .
Stay tuned! At our January meeting we talked about ways we can do small works of mercy for those in the community. Join our next meeting on , February 8th Wednesday at 7pm. Please reach out for a zoom link. Send questions to Lydia Deck. 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 help prepare, and bag warm meals for our guests and serve the meals at the gated entrance to the courtyard. 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 in the 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. Food donations may be left in the back of the vestibule in various baskets next to the “Giving Tree at any time.
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 or with any questions.
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
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.
From Ignatian Solidarity Network-
This Advent, commit to simplicity. In a season that can mistakenly be focused on gifts and consumption, explore ways to live simply as we hopefully prepare for the coming of Jesus and the restoration of the earth.
https://ignatiansolidarity.net/advent-simplicity-challenge/
Let’s celebrate this season of hope by keeping it simple.
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 62.48% of our parish goal.
$22,369.50 has been pledged
as of December 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