Don't forget to set your clocks ahead this weekend.
Sunday, March 12, 2023, 2:00 AM
St. Theresa Parish Lenten Opportunities
Parish Lenten Retreat “The 99”
March 12*
(Sunday at 10:30 am)
March16, 23
7:00 pm
in the church
*Due to the rain we have moved the first session to Sunday, March 12 at 10:30 am.
After Mass we will have a bake sale with goodies and coffee to get you through the morning. Be sure to bring cash or check.
Invite someone to join you for the retreat
There will be the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on March 16.
We will end the retreat on March 23 with Mass.
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A Word from our Pastor
How is Lent going so far for you? We can get distracted with the cares and worries, work and needs that we all have and miss this great season which as we heard in the readings last week give us the vision for what is the ultimate purpose of our Lenten practices (glorified life forever with God as previewed by the Transfiguration) and words to guide the mission: “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” “Rise and do not be afraid!”
What are we using as excuses?
Whatever is holding us back, or keeping us down, the message we heard last weekend, at this still-early part of Lent, offers us a kind of spiritual pep talk, words of inspiration to push us further along for these 40 days: “Rise. And do not be afraid.”
It’s the same message contained in the reading from Genesis we heard last week. The very first words are God’s admonition to Abram — and to us.
“Go forth.”
Go where you have never been, and something great will happen.
Rise and do not be afraid.
As we continue our journey this Lent, walking a road that takes us from the desert to a mountaintop and ultimately to Calvary with Jesus, we need to carry those words with us. Words of consolation, mission, and hope.
God is calling us to something wondrous. Lent — this opportunity to pray, give alms and fast — is the path to help get us there.
As we heard on Ash Wednesday, now is an acceptable time. Now is our moment to extend ourselves and, in our own way, be transfigured — to strive to become more like Christ.
What are we waiting for? Rise and do not be afraid!
The first of three retreat nights this past Thursday is meant to bring the above home into our daily and busy lives. We’ve asked you to come for these three Thursday ‘retreat nights’ and bring someone who maybe has been alienated or is mad about something in the church or who has just never been invited. There is still time, so come this Thursday night!
With our prayers, giving and sacrificing, remember Sundays during Lent were always a time or break from the rigors we might be embracing. We recall Jesus when questioned about why his disciples were not fasting like John’s, his reply was that no one fasts when the bridegroom is still present. Sundays we always celebrate that Jesus the bridegroom is present in God’s Word, in our gathering as his beloved daughters and sons, in hearing the Gospel proclaimed and preached about.
I remind you of this so that you will support our young people’s bake sale this weekend. The proceeds will support them and the ‘build.’ Enjoy the cake, cookies and bread and know by doing so you will be supporting many here and several far away.
On a very side note, some will celebrate the upcoming feast of St. Patrick with a familiar fare. Since St. Patrick’s day falls on a Friday in Lent this year, our bishop has dispensed the obligation to abstain from meat on St. Patrick’s Day. He asks that if we have that corned beef and cabbage on Friday, that we say an extra prayer or do an extra good deed in place of our abstinence.
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.
During Lent we are reminded to develop a more conscious spiritual life and share what we have with those in need, One practical way to achieve this goal is to make the change to eGiving for St. Theresa parish.
You can use our online giving platform to deepen your commitment to the church and the ministries you care about most. Your recurring gifts will sustain our mission month after month. You will also help our parish by cutting costs for envelopes and paper, and allowing our staff to spend less time processing cash and checks and more time on ministries.
Thank you for your continued support of St. Theresa.
Text to Donate
Text “GIVE” to the number above to receive a link to our online giving page.
You may also use Online Giving for Second Collections.
March 18 & 19 - Catholic Relief Services
April 1 & 2 - Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
Sunday Offerings
Sunday Offering: February 27 - March 5
ONLINE GIVING, 68 DONORS: $ 4,840.70
MASS.DROP-OFF/MAILED, 54 DONORS: $ 4,215.00
Parish Maintenance and Improvement
ONLINE (Feb 6-Mar 5) 40 DONORS: $ 1,383.00
MASS.DROP-OFF/MAILED, 29 DONORS: $ 1,533.00
The law of fasting allows one full meal and two smaller ones.
The law of abstinence prohibits the eating of meat. The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence in the United States.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. The obligation of abstinence begins at age 14. The norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59.
Dispensation from Lenten fast on March 17
Fridays are traditionally a day of fasting and abstaining from meat, especially during the penitential season of Lent. March 17 is also the feast of St. Patrick, which is often marked with celebration. Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has granted all Catholics in the Diocese of Oakland a dispensation from the requirement to abstain from all meat on this day, and to consider a separate sacrificial or charitable act that day.
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)
"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.”
The SJC will be holding their March meeting in person for the first time on Thursday, March 30th, in the Meeting Rooms. In preparation for this year's Earth Day, April 23rd, the committee will be viewing 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.
Please join the SJC for their meeting on March 30th, 7:00pm, at St. Theresa’s. RSVP 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.
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.
WINGS - Women In God's Spirit
WINGS meetings, take place in person in the Meeting Rooms and on Zoom from 9:15-11:15am, on Wednesdays. If you need the zoom link contact 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”
March 15th
Barbara Wander
Volunteer, Little Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
Everything & Everyone is Connected
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
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
Please remember in your prayers all those who are ill especially:
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, Fr. Paul Schmidt, Marley Malone, Isabella Guillot Williams, Violet Chancey, Ann Kirkman, Ann & Hal Lauth, Serra Bonanno and her son George.
Please remember in your prayers, those who have died especially
John Lynch, the father of Chris Lynch (7th grade teacher, St. Theresa School)
Lilian Cadenasso, the mother of Richard Cadenasso
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.
Mass Intentions, March 11 - 19
Parish Office Hours
Monday, 12:00pm - 2:30 pm
Tuesday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm.
Rev. Robert J. McCann, ext. 121
Pastor
rjmccann@sttheresaoakland.org
Rev. Abraham Addam, ext. 122
In Residence
Rev. Ngema W. Enow, ext. 128
In Residence
ngemawil.enow@gmail.com
Cathy Brady, ext. 126
Liturgy Director
cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org
Jenny Bruni, ext. 123
High School Youth Ministry Coordinator
jenny@sttheresaoakland.org
Rob Cakebread, ext. 127
Music Ministry Director
rob@sttheresaoakland.org
Melody Marr, ext. 120
Parish Administrator
melody@sttheresaoakland.org
Keri Nims, ext. 124
Coordinator for Early Childhood Catechesis & RCIC
keri@sttheresaoakland.org
St. Theresa School
Alicia Ortegon, 510.547.3146
St. Theresa School Principal
a_ortegon@sttheresaschool.org
website: www.sttheresaschool.org
Parish Organization Contacts
Pastoral Council:
Paulette Tuckner
mtuckner@comcast.net
Finance Council:
Carolyn Mahoney
carolyn.mahoney675@gmail.com
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Greg Govan
glgovan@comcast.net
CYO (Catholic Youth Organization):
Clarence Robinson
sttheresaathletics@gmail.com
St. Theresa Men’s Club
Chris Bruni
mensclubsttheresa@gmail.com
Legion of Mary
Tom Wallace
tomw1313@sbcglobal.net
WINGS
Geri Tong
geritong1944@gmail.com
Social Justice Committee (SJC)
Lydia Deck
ltdeck@me.com
Consolation Ministry
Cecile Cuttitta
cecile.cuttitta@att.net
Men’s Faith Sharing
Jim Frei
jim@ottofrei.com
Cursillo
Geri Tong
gt4palancaoakland@gmail.com
Kinderchurch
Shanon Ciston
s.ciston@gmail.com
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
Please support the 2023 Bishop's Ministries Appeal
St. Theresa Parish Goal - $35,800
Thank you for supporting the Annual Bishop's Ministries Appeal
You may make a donation using the QR code or the Oakland Diocese giving option.
