St. Theresa Mission Statement
We are a welcoming, active Catholic Community
united by our faith, open to transformation, growing spiritually
and reaching out to love and to serve others as Jesus taught us.
Come and help decorate the church for Palm Sunday!
We will decorate the church for Palm Sunday on March 17 (Sunday) following the Parish Retreat around 11 30 am.
Come and spend an hour helping to decorate.
St. Theresa Parish Lenten Opportunities
The retreat will be recorded and will be available to view later in the day following each session, on the Lenten Retreat Page of the parish website https://sttheresaoakland.org/Lenten%20Retreat
Last day to make a reservation, Sunday, March 17.
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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.
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.
A Word From Our Pastor
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Happy St. Joseph’s Day, and Happy Passiontide!
This year with an early Easter (March 31) we celebrate these great saints as we begin what used to be called Passiontide. When I was growing up, all of the statues of the saints and the crucifix would be covered in purple cloth. It meant that Palm Sunday would be next week and the beginning of Holy Week. Boisterous parades, meals and celebrations were not to occur. This is never an easy rule to keep, especially for the ethnic groups who hold these two saints so dear when Easter is so early.
The practice of veiling images was an attempt to alert us that something is different, it can be startling at first, but the last two weeks of Lent are a time of immediate preparation for the celebration of the Sacred Triduum. The veils served as a reminder to get ready! Even if most parishes do not utilize this practice anymore, we still can make this a time of special focus for all that Christ has done for us by his cross and Resurrection. I encourage you to push aside the daily chores of life and the distractions as best you can and read, meditate, and listen as the account of what God has done for us in Christ’s passion is fervently remembered.
Passiontide builds within us a longing for Easter Sunday. The longer readings, the emphasis on the passion and Jesus’ own struggle in the Garden after the Last Supper help remind us of what Christ has done for us. Similarly, the suppression of the Alleluia during Lent effectively demonstrates that we are in exile from our true home, where the angels sing Alleluia without ceasing.
When the cross is unveiled on Good Friday before the Easter Vigil, we are reminded that we, in a sense, live in a veiled world. It is through our own death that we are able to see our true home, and the veil is lifted. Christ lifts the veil through His Resurrection to see what it is we live for, what it is that the Resurrection promises.
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. John 11:25-26
Both St. Patrick and St. Joseph become champions of our faith. As all the saints, they give us an example of what it means to be a disciple and embrace the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.
St. Joseph cares without ever saying a word, for Jesus and Mary. He refuses to follow the customs and law that would permit him to divorce Mary when she is found to be with child, he safely guides them to Bethlehem, and then Egypt and then Nazareth. We can only imagine how he teaches Jesus to be a good carpenter and how to care for his mother when Joseph dies. In death, Jesus experiences what we experience when we lose someone in death. St. Joseph is moved to act by his dreams. This is a great feast to ask Joseph to help us with some of our dreams and to help the ‘Dreamers’ who pathetically remain in political limbo. The second issue could and should have been resolved a long time ago by both parties.
St. Patrick turns a horrible situation, being kidnapped, and enslaved into a quest to bring the good news of the faith to a people who have not heard about it or been invited to embrace it. St. Patrick’s ‘breastplate’ is a beautiful hymn and poem about putting Christ on every part of our body and soul: heart, mind, body. The good news is that Jesus came to save all peoples and Patrick could have gone another way and led a productive disciple’s life, but he passionately embraces a people, and they now embrace him.
In the spirit of both of these saints, I ask you to invite someone to that good news, it is indeed good news. I again remind and ask you to invite someone to come to Church with you this Easter. I also invite you with the entrance into Passiontide that you figure out this week how you will do next week: Holy!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Parish/School Workday!
Social Justice Corner
Join us this lent as we follow the meditations and prayers with the Ignatian Solidarity Network.
Lent 2024: it’s time to refresh.
In a world filled with personal and structural sin that allows injustice to grow, we are invited to refresh our souls and our imaginations to make space for the Spirit to work through us:
To reshape a dehumanizing immigration system into one that centers human dignity.
To recommit to making racial justice a reality.
To renew trust in abundance versus scarcity so that all people’s needs are met while safeguarding a fragile planet.
During the Lenten season, Psalm 23 reminds us of God’s intent that we find times of refreshing:Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.
St. Ignatius of Loyola refers to these times of refreshing as consolations: a deep-seated sense of God’s presence leading to spiritual growth.
How are we being refreshed and consoled in our lives, in our Church, and in our work for justice?
Throughout Lent, writers from the Ignatian network will guide us ina season of refreshing.Join us each day to be replenished, reinvigorated, and refreshed.
Here is the website for you to register but we will be highlighting some of their postings on Flock Note.
https://ignatiansolidarity.net/lent-2024
This weekend, listen to Day #24 on the website and Reflect on “Love is the answer.”
“Live in such a way so that those who know you but don’t know God will come to know God because they know you.” Author Unknown.
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Join us for our social justice committee meeting on March 21st at 7pm via zoom. Join us planning on how we can respond as community to social justice issues that abound in our community and globally. What little tasks can we do as a parish community?
Contact Lydia Deck for more information and zoom link: ltdeck@me.com
Our theme for the 2023/2024 year is:
”Walking the Journey of Faith”
WINGS is a faith enhancement group for women that encourages spiritual growth through prayer, scripture study, life-sharing and community. Our session meetings, takes place, from 9:15-11:15am, on Wednesday’s in the Meeting Rooms. Our engaging speakers will uplift you and keep you informed. You’ll experience a welcoming community as we support each other in our spiritual growth. Feel free to invite a friend! Women from local parishes and other denominations are most certainly welcome. If you’re new to WINGS or wish to sample a meeting, feel free to attend the meeting at St. Theresa’s. If you have any questions, contact Denise at mollend@aol.com.
March 20
Meg Bowerman & Francine Peters
St. Columba Parishoners
Two Catholic Women, One Black and
One White, Share Their Life Journeys
Text to Donate
Text “GIVE” to the number above to receive a link to our online giving page.
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.
You may also use Online Giving for Second Collections.
March 29 - Holy Land (Good Friday)
March 30 & 31 - St. Vincent de Paul
April 6 & 7 - Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
Sunday Offering: March 4 - 10
Online: 60 Donors, $4,349.50
Mass/Drop-Off/Mailed: 48 Donors $2,602.00
Catholic Relief Service
Online: 8 Donors $591.00
Mass/Drop-Off/Mailed: 30 Donors $1,444.00
Assisted Listening available at Weekend Masses
There are two ways to enjoy crisp, clear audio in the church for our weekend Masses.
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.
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.
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If you have any questions contact Cathy Brady at cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org
St. Vincent de Paul
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
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
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn5JX1e3QrqXTsa_7qmNCIw
Low Gluten hosts are available at all weekend Masses.
The hosts are less than 20 parts per million gluten, under .002%
For additional information go to https://www.parishcrossroads.com/low-gluten.htm
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, 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, Bonnie & John Bouey, Susan Rubio, Fr. Paul Schmidt, Marley Malone, Isabella Guillot Williams, 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, Peter Cuttitta, James Lang, John Donovan, Mary & Leo Martinez, Sr., James Spalding, Bill Rielly., Tiffany Converse.
Mass Intentions
March 16 - 24
To request a Mass Intention contact Melody Marr
at
510.547.2777, ext. 120
or
melody@sttheresaoakland.org
Parish Office Hours
Tuesday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Safe Environment Training for Parish & School Volunteers
For many parish and school volunteers it is time for you to renew your training. You will or have received an email reminder with a link for you to complete the online training. Please complete the training by the renewal date in the email.
If you have any problems or questions contact Cathy Brady at cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org.
To renew or register for the first time, click on the link in your email or go to https://www.virtusonline.org or click on the link in the upper right corner of the parish website sttheresaoakland.org.
Please remember that in order to volunteer at the parish in any capacity (Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Catechist, Choir Member, St. Vincent de Paul, Legion of Mary, CYO etc.), or school, you must complete the training.
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
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:
Chris Colby
ccolby@well.com
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
mensclubsttheresa@gmail.com
Legion of Mary
Tom Wallace
tomw1313@sbcglobal.net
WINGS
Anne Dolan
anniemariedolan@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 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
The latest email scam attempt:
This was sent to a parishioner using another parishioners name as the sender in an attempt to obtain the parishes account information.
What's the current available balance in the account? And do we have Zelle or Venmo Linked with our bank account? Also, You need to process the payment immediately to the vendor for our Website Upgrade . Kindly get back to me Asap.
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.
