St. Theresa Parish Lenten Opportunities

A Word from our Pastor

Many thanks to all who helped make the annual ‘school auction’ a fun night with good food, great conversations, exciting bidding and deals and finally demonstrating that we are back online fully with our event center.  The theme this year was ‘Homecoming.”  Several attendees were able to wear their high school sport letter jackets or their ‘homecoming queen’ crowns that made the evening one to remember in the annuals of our school history.

I also want to thank several parishioners who although you do not have children in the school, you support the school with the annual tuition assistance drive, the encouragement you give to the First Communion children and their families and several generous items that were auctioned last week.  The school is a ministry of the parish. Your ongoing support makes that a reality!

Lent is a season that we might especially focus on several sacraments. Many of you remember the Baltimore Catechism answer:  “A sacrament is an outward sign, instituted by Christ to give grace.”  We can see, feel, taste the sacrament:  water being poured, oil to anoint, the bread and wine that become Jesus. The sacraments have their institution in Jesus. Jesus said, ‘Go and baptize, he said, whose sins you forgive are forgiven, he said, take and eat and take and drink, this is my….”

And every sacrament gives us grace. What or who is grace? In seminary, I have a whole course just on ‘grace’, but no room to put that all into this writing.  I like to explain when we receive grace, we are meeting and encountering God and when that happens, we are better for the encounter.  Remember, when Moses was on the mountain and received the commandments, the Jews when they saw him were distracted and could not listen to what he was communicating to them from God.  He had to veil his face, because seeing God, he was transfigured like Jesus was on Mt. Tabor. I haven’t seen too many faces glowing bright with light after receiving Communion or leaving the confessional, but I assure you that encountering God we are enriched and made more whole.  And for some the peace that follows also assures that grace is God is there in our encounter.

In many parishes, Lent is a special time for the adults who have journeyed through RCIA to prepare to be baptized, confirmed and receive the Eucharist for the first time at the Easter vigil.  This year we do not have any adults among us who, like other years have made that journey, but there are hundreds around us in other parishes and dioceses that will do this. Please pray for all the Elect this Lent.

During the course of the parish retreat, on one night we will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Not very popular in these parts, but I assure you of the peace I have witnessed over the years for those who have been burdened with sin.  Many times I have seen a person come bent over and worried, leave glowing and standing tall after hearing the words of absolution.  Jesus knows we are not perfect and this wonderful sacrament gives us another chance when we demonstrate that.

On Sunday, March 26^th, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick at the 9am Mass for all who desire it.  Jesus wants to be with us and walk with us when we face any serious illness. On any weekend, if you are facing surgery or the start of some treatment, don’t hesitate to ask to be anointed.  But if you continue to endure a chronic illness, or are facing a serious health issue, please join those who will receive this Sacrament. 

Lent is a time for renewal and reconciliation. It is a time to grow closer to God.  How blessed we are to have the sacraments that remind us that we journey at times into the desert, but never without the Lord himself with us.

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.

Sunday Offerings

"Our relationship with the environment can never be isolated from our relationship with others and with God" — Pope Francis, Laudato Si, 119

In 2015, Pope Francis released his encyclical letter, “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home”, the first-ever papal encyclical devoted to the global environmental crisis.  Inspired by his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi and his deep communion with all Creation, the Pope issued a powerful appeal to the Church and “all people of good will” to urgently come together and respond to “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”

In preparation for this year’s Earth Day, April 22nd, the SJC will be hosting an in-person viewing of the film, The Letter:  A Message for Our Earth.  This moving 80-minute film is inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, and tells the story of a journey to Rome of frontline leaders from around the world to discuss the letter, leaders who have directly experienced the ecological crisis and are doing something about it.  The exclusive dialogue also reveals insight into the Pope’s personal history and stories never seen since he became the Bishop of Rome.

Send questions to Lydia Deck, ltdeck@me.com.

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.

ST. Vincent de Paul is experiencing a large surplus of women’s clothes. As a result, please only donate men’s clothes. 

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

Weekend Mass Schedule

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

Matt Mercier, Heidi Parmelee, Aiden Farinella, Dolores Gomez, Alegria Hipolito, Betty Wharton, Juanita Estrella,  Olga Lamberti, Wendy Parmelee, Roger Baylocq, Ida Scodella, Alicia Gonzalez, Denise Moore, Diana Martínez, Susan Springer, Margie Sullivan, Joan Simmons, Badri Nakhjavani, Wendy Jones, Orlanda Gonzalez, Kevin Chapman, Diane Cerille, Ruth McCabe, Tom Wilberding, Shirley Roberts, Karen Milliman, Danny Ramos, Mark Leonard, Christopher Rodriguez, Maryanne Walsh, Rhonda Santeen, John Whatley, Bishop John Cummins, Nancy Coyne, Kevin Stallone, Della Spinelli, Jeanne Cuttitta, Susan Buller, Amy Kantowitz, Ann Springer, Guy Wallace, Ray Bertolotti, William McCarthy, Cindy Crimmins, Fred & Lidia Loupy, Rebecca Rogers, Kathleen Guevara, Clarence Robinson, Armando Diaz de Leon, Fr. Ron Schmidt, Patty Estopinal, Laura Jones, Jeff Mills, Mary Pat Power, Bonnie & John Bouey, Susan Rubio, Martin Tierney, Denise Baylocq, Fr. Paul Schmidt, Marley Malone, John Lynch, Isabella Guillot Williams, Violet Chancey, Ann Kirkman, Ann & Hal Lauth, Paul Cotter, Serra Bonanno and her son George.

Please remember in your prayers, those who have died especially

Denise Baylocq, the mother of Monique Baylocq.

Her service will be Friday, March 10, 2023 at 10:00 am, at her parish Notre Dame des Victoires, in San Francisco.

Saturday:     5:00 pm       Parish Community of St. Theresa

Sunday:        9:00 am       Parish Community of St. Theresa

Monday:        8:30 am       Dorothy Donnelly +

Tuesday:       8:30 am       Lidia Loupy

Wednesday:  8:30 am       Elsie Giuntoli +

Thursday:       8:30 am  

Friday:            8:30 am  

Saturday:       5:00 pm       Tina Bruni +

Sunday:          9:00 am       Parish Community of St. Theresa

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.

Baptisms and Marriages:  by appointment (call parish office 510.547.2777)

To arrange a Funeral call parish office 510.547.2777, ext. 120

Family Faith Formation (Grades TK-5) & R.C.I.C:     Keri Nims ~ keri@sttheresaoakland.org

Middle School Youth Ministry (Grades 6-8):     Jenny Bruni and Keri Nims:  Co-Coordinators

High School Youth Ministry/Confirmation:     Jenny Bruni ~ jenny@sttheresaoakland.org

R.C.I.A.  Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults:     Cathy Brady ~ cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org