The St. Francis de Sales Teacher Award Program was created to:

Recognize and celebrate 10 exemplary and outstanding Catholic school teachers who demonstrate a commitment to instructing students in the Faith, excellent teaching, program development, innovation, and a commitment to ensuring the all around growth of the students in their care. On an annual basis, up to ten teachers will be honored among all Catholic schools in the Diocese of Oakland.

A Word From Our Pastor

Each January as we conclude the Christmas celebrations, most of the American saints’ feasts are celebrated. St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton was the first native born American to be canonized. (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini is the first American saint, but she was born in Italy.)  Elizabeth Ann Seaton is credited with the founding of the Catholic School System in the United States. She did this when her children were openly persecuted and ridiculed in the public schools of the time because of their Catholic faith. She wanted a place where her children could learn in an environment that was safe, supportive and gave witness to basic Catholic values. We continue to celebrate that today as we initiate our annual Catholic Schools’ Week.

After Mass today all are invited to go over and tour the school and classrooms. If you are an alumnus, look for your graduation  picture. The Event Center has a display of science projects that will dazzle you with presentations!

As a parish we continue to walk along side by side on our journey of faith. A few years ago, at one of the listening sessions, many asked for more parish social events. I hope you have or will make your reservations for the Ravioli Dinner that is on February 24. We honor the memory of Irene Crosetti with this dinner, but also the many women who through the years have provided good food and wonderful socializing in our parish family through the years. It is a very important part of our parish identity that displays hospitality and love through these gatherings. Get your reservation before it gets fully booked!

I’m old enough to remember the ‘old pre-Vatican II’ Mass. I remember my mother being quite upset with some of the new liturgical changes. When my home parish in NY celebrated its 150^th anniversary, the committee thought having an old time Mass would be a great idea. My mom eagerly attended and to my shock came home and asked what she was thinking when she thought she missed it! From that day my mom still wanted a bit more reverence during our new version of the Mass, but embraced that she could understand what was read, respond to the prayers, and feel part of a community rather than the ‘me and God’ posture of the former liturgy.

If you review the history of the 16^th Century Council of Trent, most of what we have today was foreseen, but not implemented so we the Church would not look like it agreed with the Protestants of the time. Vatican II finally a couple of hundred years later implemented what Trent proclaimed, but more importantly what were the earliest traditions of Church’s liturgy from their origins with the Apostles. But the Church’s liturgy evolves and changes according to each age, circumstances, and age.

Bishop Barber has as bishop made some changes that may affect us as we go through the coming years. He affirmed that Confirmation programs must be a two year program, still for eligible high school students and said that if there are adults who join a special Confirmation program or join the RCIA (now OCIA) program, the adults should not be confirmed at the Easter Vigil as we have been doing, but should wait for the ceremony when the bishop or his delegate comes to celebrate the sacrament.

The bishop has prohibited ‘Communion Services in the Absence of a priest.’  He emphasizes that going to a Mass is most important. If a priest is sick or is on vacation or has three parishes where he is now pastor, the faithful should be encouraged to go to the neighboring parish which should be close in the City of Oakland rather than have a deacon or lay person conduct a liturgy of the word and then give out Communion from the tabernacle.

 The bishop has strictly prohibited lay preaching at any Mass. He also reaffirms: “The communicant may choose to receive standing or kneeling, on the hand, or on the tongue. 

The bishop also writes:  “I understand it had been the policy in our diocese set by a previous bishop (Archbishop Vigneron and affirmed by Bishop Cordileone) to remain standing following the Lamb of God. However, I see no valid reason for us to diverge from the common practice of the Church in the United States. Therefore, I ask that in our diocese we join the rest of the faithful in our country, in kneeling after the Lamb of God in order to prepare ourselves reverently for the reception of Communion. Following reception of Holy Communion, each person may stand, sit, or kneel as they choose, until the priest asks everyone to stand for the Prayer after Communion.

The bishop sent out these directives on January 16, 2024, and says they are to be in force on February 14, 2024, Ash Wednesday. I will have some commentary next week but wanted you to hear this as it has been received.

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, 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, Mary Malloy, Eduardo Suarez

Please remember in your prayers, those who have died especially Justus Vierra.

Baptisms and Marriages:  by appointment admin@sttheresaoakland.org

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