St. Theresa 100th Anniversary

A Word from our Pastor

Continued Easter greetings and I hope everyone celebrated well this core mystery of our faith. In our world that seems to continue with tragedy after tragedy, we live in hope that God’s will one day will wipe every tear from our eyes and will usher us with friends and family to God’s holy mountain!

Until we reach that beatific vision, I am finally happy to report that thanks to your ongoing generosity the church building finally has a new roof.  It is guaranteed for ten years, but we expect it to last longer. We have waited more than ten years, in part because I and the Finance Council were concerned about the debt that may have been incurred due to the repairs needed for the Event Center/Gym. Paul Bongiovanni, who has been the Diocesan CFO for more than ten years and just retired from this job on March 31, found ways to keep that new debt down and so we can begin to address normal and side-lined needs of an aging parish plant. 

Please say a prayer of blessing for Paul that his retirement will be wonderful. Please say a prayer for the many who have contributed over the years to build and maintain and repair our parish facilities! I will continue to remember all of you in my Masses with gratitude and esteem.

This weekend, we kick off the annual Bishop’s Appeal. You will see an eight-minute video that presents what exactly this appeal will support this year. St. Theresa has been given the same goal that we had the past four years. Your generosity has helped us reach our goal gradually through the years past. Once again, I encourage you to continue that generosity. It makes a difference to many.

Last weekend, I joined a group of thirty-six present and former parishioners who traveled south to build a house in a single day for a family that has waited many years for a solid roof over their heads. When the diocese withdrew its support and permission for this venture, many of you did not let that stop this project that has changed lives for many on both sides of the southern border. Many of you have continued to support these efforts with your donations.

I want to shout out gratitude to the coordinators: George Donovan, Paulette Tuckner and Jenny Brunni and to all who gave support and participated. I am overjoyed that as the bus was returning some were already talking about the next opportunity to do this great work of charity.

I am so proud of the young people especially our Confirmation candidates who helped make this a success. I am so proud of all who have chosen to get through the roadblocks to bring comfort to a family in need and encouragement to all of us on how to live out Jesus’ command to us to love our neighbor. I joined the build this year because it is a great way for me to celebrate reaching 70 and thank God for the abundant blessings God has showered on me through these years. 

The above is one of many ways and things that are special about St. Theresa Parish in Oakland. As we continue to plan how we will celebrate 100 years as a parish, I know this will have a spotlight and be a beacon to others about who we are and what we profess. This community has always cared of those in need. May the good things God has begun in us be brought one day to completion!

Social Justice Corner

Join us for some Earth Day events hosted by the Social Justice Committee:

Sunday, April 21^st after the 9am Mass, we will have a mini–Earth Day Fair.  Come learn about composting, recycling, Catholic Climate Covenant and Common Home Corp, and Laudate Si  and Laudate Deum, and gather some seeds for planting.

Then join us on Saturday April 27^th after the 5pm Mass.  Start time about 6:15pm at St Theresa Church.

We invite everyone to come watch The Letter, a documentary film about how our spiritual values call us to take action on the planetary emergency.

We are called to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.

Come join us to watch, discuss the film and consider how we can take action.

For more information and to RSVP please send an email to Lydia Deck at ltdeck@me.com

We are setting up a new distribution site at the North Oakland Senior Center and are in need of volunteers. Please see the details below and let me know if you would like to join. We are launching in a few weeks on April 25th.

Day: 1st and 3rd Thursday mornings of the month

Time: 8-10/10:30am

Location: 5714 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland, CA 94609

Requirements:

1.  Commit to 2 regular shifts per month
2. Collaborate with fellow volunteers to efficiently set up the room in 'farmer's market' style
3. Support unloading of the delivery truck when required
4. Create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for our recipients to 'shop' for their groceries.
5. Interact respectfully and warmly with all individuals
6. Manage a specialized station (ex. a produce or perishable good) to ensure recipients take their allotted amount of food and maintain stock levels
7. Handle a mix of dry and perishable goods, wearing gloves at all times
8. Assist with pushing carts and packing bags as needed
9. Ability to follow and provide directions; work well as a team
10. Tasks may include bending, reaching overhead and light to moderate lifting (10-30lbs)

11. Ability to stand comfortably on feet for the duration of distribution (1.5/2 hours)
12. Provide translations if possible and needed

Contact Bob Hernandez if you have any questions. bob.hernandez@mac.com

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.