A Word From Our Pastor

Happy Epiphany! Happy journey along the way this year! The gospel says the magi: “They departed for their country by another way.” I hope you will join your fellow parishioners next week and attend the annual ‘listening sessions’ after the Masses. This is a time for me and the parish staff to hear suggestions, compliments, criticisms, visions, etc. that you have for our parish. In the past it has truly been instrumental in how we do things today. For today I again offer a wonderful and thoughtful meditation on the feast with celebrate written by Deacon Greg Kandra:

“Commentators and homilists have long used this phrase, the conclusion of this Gospel reading, to teach us that the magi found their lives changed by an encounter with Jesus. After seeing the newborn king, nothing could be the same. They had to find another way home, another way of living, another way of continuing the journey of their lives.

In a timely coincidence, that’s how a lot of us are feeling right now. But our ideas may be a little different than the magi’s.

We’re making resolutions. We’re looking at journeying through life on a treadmill or a Peloton; maybe we are thinking about life with fewer Christmas cookies for breakfast.

Maybe we’re thinking about the promises we inevitably won’t keep. Books we won’t read. Desserts we won’t skip. The bad habits we will fail to give up. It’s not for lack of trying.

A few days ago, a polling service revealed that just under half of Americans — 44% — have made resolutions related to their health. But consider this: less than a third — 29% — have made resolutions regarding their faith or their relationship to God. What that tells me is that more people seem to value physical health than spiritual health — or most may think their spiritual health is just fine. It’s the extra weight that worries them.

No matter how you look at it, we can always exercise more and eat better — but we can also exercise our spiritual muscles and pray better. St. Paul said, “We do not know how to pray as we ought.”

Most of us would agree. I would add we do not live as Christians as we ought. We easily lose our way. We radiate the light of Christ at Christmas, but soon that light dims and flickers and fades. The first reading today calls on us to “Rise up in splendor…to be radiant at what we see.” How many of us will radiate that in February the way we did in December?

How can we do that better this year?

The editors at America magazine last year had some suggestions. They turned to Pope Francis for inspiration. They compiled a list of new year’s resolutions from his own words.

At a moment when we are contemplating “another way” of journeying through life, here are some ideas that help point the way.

First, the pope suggests something we all need to do give more. Volunteer. Seek to help others. Speaking of St. Joseph, the Holy Father said: “Joseph teaches us this: ‘Do not look so much at the things that the world praises, look into the corners, look in the shadows, look at the peripheries, at what the world does not want.’ St. Joseph reminds each of us to consider important what others discard.”

I would add, look for those the world does not have room for. Look for those rejected by the inn, those relegated to caves, stables, or alleys. Help them to know they matter. Jesus was one of them. They have dignity.

Secondly, resolve not to judge others. In an audience in November, Pope Francis said, “It is good to ask ourselves what drives us to correct a brother or a sister, and if we are not in some way co-responsible for their mistake.” In short, make space for compassion, not criticism.

Third, let go of grudges. With a friend. A co-worker. A spouse. A parent or sibling. “Never finish the day without making peace,” the pope said. “People say, ‘We fought. My God, I said bad words. I said awful things. But now, to finish the day, I must make peace.’ You know why? Because the cold war the next day is very dangerous.” In all of our relationships, we need to seek to be peacemakers. Bridge-builders. People who are “catholic” in the best sense — universal.

Fourth, stay in touch. Especially with the elderly. Marking World Grandparents Day, the pope said, “When was the last time we visited or telephoned an elderly person in order to show our closeness and to benefit from what they have to tell us?”  He went on. “Let us not lose the memory preserved by the elderly, for we are children of that history, and without roots, we will wither.”  Keep those roots strong. Nurture them. Love them. They make us who we are.

Fifth, pray more. Make it a habit. Even when you don’t want to. “Praying is not something easy,” the pope said during an audience in May. “And this is why we flee from it. Every time we want to pray, we are immediately reminded of many other activities, which at that moment seem more important and more urgent. This happens to me too!” The pope explained: “True progress in spiritual life comes from being able to persevere in difficult times: walk, walk, walk on…. and if you are tired, stop a bit and then start walking again.” Persevere.

This is the path of prayer. I would argue this is also the path to a holy life.

Which brings us back to the magi, the wise men, and the path they chose. This Sunday, of course, we mark the Epiphany of Our Lord. Webster’s defines “epiphany” as “a sudden manifestation or perception of the meaning of something.” For the wise men, that meant understanding the nature of the newborn King, following a light, and having their lives changed forever. That is part of the meaning of this sacred season. We are all called like the magi to follow a star — then go back by another way, a better way, a way radiant with light and hope.

Maybe some of us will fail at our resolutions. Maybe we won’t lose that weight or kick that habit. But let us make this a resolution to keep: to follow “another way” of living, of loving, of witnessing to our destiny as followers of Christ. As Francis suggests, that includes being people of mercy, of sacrifice, of compassion, of prayer. People who love God and love their neighbor.

It is countercultural, “another way” — the way of a faithful disciple of Christ. It is the way to begin anew — and begin the journey to have  a truly blessed and happy new year.”

The Finance Committee has a need for someone whose background includes being a controller.

It will not be a big time commitment but we need your skills.  If you'd like to explore this, please call Carolyn Mahoney at 510-918-1987.

Social Justice Corner

Happy New Year!  Praying for peace as we enter the new year.

Stay tuned for Social Justice happenings.

Contact Lydia Deck for more information about meetings.ltdeck@me.com

Black History month or African-American History Month is traditionally observed during the month of February but several communities begin with the start of Martin Luther King Jr weekend. This is the tradition at St. Columba. Their celebration series begins soon!

Martin Luther King jr Quote on Peace:

“It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war, but the positive affirmation of peace.”

African American Celebration Series

Marvelous are Your Works, O Lord

At St Columba’s in Oakland- 6401 San Pablo Ave.

See their website https://stcolumba-oak.com/bulletins for details

January 13-14: Fr. Bryan Massingale

Professor of Theology, Chair in Applied Ethics, Fordham University

January 20-21: Rev. Dr.  Joseph Evans

Director, BST Center for Truth, Racial Healing and Restorative Justice

January 27-28: Dr. Chiquita Tuttle

Director, African American Pastoral Center, Diocese of Oakland

February 4: TBA

February 7-10: Gospel Choir Workshop with M Roger Holland II

February 11: Fr B Kwame Assenyoh

Chaplain St. Mary’s College (CA)

Roger Holland Worshop Choir (at 10:30am liturgy)

There are two ways to enjoy crisp, clear audio in the church for our weekend Masses.

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 with any general questions. Call 510-547-0911 if you have a specific question.

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

YouTube channel link

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn5JX1e3QrqXTsa_7qmNCIw

Matt Mercier, Heidi Parmelee, Dolores Gomez, Alegria Hipolito, Betty Wharton, Juanita Estrella,  Olga Lamberti, Wendy Parmelee, Roger Baylocq, Alicia Gonzalez, Susan Springer, Wendy Jones, Orlanda Gonzalez, Kevin Chapman, Diane Cerille, Tom Wilberding, Shirley Roberts, 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, Laura Jones, Jeff Mills, Mary Pat Power, Bonnie & John Bouey, Susan Rubio, Fr. Paul Schmidt, Isabella Guillot Williams, Violet Chancey, Ann Kirkman, Hal Lauth, Phil Stover, Joey Smith, Raymond Buckley, Jr., Norma Ninalga, Betty Jo Olson, Jennifer Walwark, Greg Govan, Anita Lim,  Marilyn McCabe, Helen Lightner-Smith, Steve Lauth.

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):     

High School Youth Ministry/Confirmation:     

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

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.