A Word From Our Pastor

Happy Ordinary time! When you arrived this weekend you noticed the Christmas trees, poinsettias, nativity scene and other Christmas decorations have been stored away again. Many thanks to all, especially the young men and women in our Confirmation classes and religious education program who made the take down fast and easy.

Ordinary time is anything but ordinary because God speaks and walks with us every day of our journey to him at the end of our lives! My prayer is that as we do this together during this new calendar year that we are always aware of that belief and that it will guide everything we do and say in our parish.

Once again, the listening sessions that happen this weekend do have an impact on how we will live the next year in the parish. Like the model of the international synod, God has given us the Holy Spirit and we are invited to listen to one another to hear God’s loving voice that will guide our daily lives.

Besides listening, we are called to assist one another with the gifts that God has showered on us. Covid is still around, but the impact it had on all things a few years ago continues to challenge us. Therefore, I invite you to offer yourselves to join the pastoral or finance council this year. Can you lector once a month or help as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion? We had a very successful ‘parish/school’ work day in the fall, can you give a couple of hours on a Saturday when the spring workday date is announced?

As the cold days have been upon us, I have tried to keep doors and windows closed so we don’t lose the heat that assists our prayers, but some have said the back glass doors are too heavy for some to open and close. Can you spend a few minutes getting to Mass early and helping those who need this assistance so we can all pray together in a somewhat warm church? I assure you that you will meet some wonderful people you have seen for a long time along the way.

This weekend, the Masses are offered for all who continue to assist us financially with the weekly offering. As you know at home, bills are going up each year and as some of our long-time benefactors have passed or moved away to a facility or with their children, we need everyone to access and give what they can. May God abundant bless every form of your giving. This is what keeps us going and this is a small way of thanking God for all that God has done for us which we just celebrated at Christmas! A more complete financial report to the parish will be forthcoming.

As I have been mentioning, next year will be the year St. Theresa will celebrate 100 years as a parish. I keep asking for ideas for the celebrations that will bring us together to celebrate this milestone in our parish history. In the spring I will try to assemble a committee to firm up plans. I am hoping we will have several events/celebrations that will offer something to all. Maybe you have been in touch with some parishioners who have moved away. Let’s contact them and invite them to our year long celebrations as we are here in part thanks to their days when they walked with us. Ideas for the celebrations and names and contact information of those you know who have moved away can be given to me or any parish staff member.

So, Ordinary time is anything but ordinary. May the good things God has begun in each of us be brought more to perfection in this calendar year! May God bless each of us abundantly with love, peace and joy! May God transform our broken world into his Kingdom!

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.