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.
A Word from the Pastor
Happy First Communion Day to many of our second graders! This is one of my favorite celebrations each year and I again rejoice with the girls and boys in our midst who receive their First Holy Communion this weekend. May each of you always know how much God, and how much Jesus loves you. May the Eucharist nourish and guide you for the rest of your lives.
During the Lenten retreat in which I highlighted some of the inspirations that we can attribute to our patron, St. Theresa, we spent time reflecting on her comments about her own First Communion and what a gift she felt it was through her life. I asked those making the retreat and I ask everyone today to think again about your own First Communion and pray the weekly reception continues to be a source of knowing God’s love for you in your life.
A priest in New Jersey wrote the following reflecting the writings of our patron: St. Theresa:
“My First Communion will always be a perfect memory. How lovely it was, that first kiss of Jesus in my heart – it was truly a kiss of love. I knew that I was loved and said, ‘I love You, and I give myself to You forever.’ Jesus asked for nothing, He claimed no sacrifice. Long before that, he and little Therese had seen and understood one another well, but on that day, it was more than a meeting – it was a complete fusion … She felt so weak and frail that she wanted to unite herself forever to His Divine Strength. And her joy became so vast, so deep, that now it overflowed. Soon she was weeping to the astonishment of her companions … It was beyond them that all the joy of Heaven had entered one small, exiled heart, and that it was too frail and weak to bear it without tears” (Story 41-43).
Can the Eucharist instigate this kind of transformation if it is merely a symbol or metaphor? Therese may have been an extraordinary child, but I don’t know anyone, child, or adult, who either felt this way about the Eucharist or experienced receiving Christ in quite this way. And yet, her outlook and experience should be the norm. I don’t share this to make anyone feel bad or question their faith. I share it because in this time, our historical moment, it is imperative that we reassess our relationship with the Eucharist.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes the Second Vatican Council Document Lumen Gentium which tells us that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). One aspect of this line from Lumen Gentium that the Catechism mistakenly leaves out by truncating the sentence to just a phrase is the Mass. The Eucharist doesn’t exist separately from the Mass. The full sentence from Lumen Gentium, taken from the Vatican website says, “Taking part in the Eucharistic sacrifice, which is the font and the apex of the whole Christian life they [the faithful] offer the Divine Victim to God and themselves with It” (LG 11, emphasis mine).
This more complete understanding of what the Vatican fathers said helps us to look at the whole picture. If we are to truly reassess our relationship with the Eucharist, we must also take a deeper look at our participation in and our approach to the liturgy. We cannot attempt to climb to the summit if we do not have the right equipment and don’t know the correct path. We cannot recognize the source, Christ hidden under the appearances of bread and wine, unless we seek him with the eyes of ever renewed faith and love. “
I pray our new pope; Pope Leo XIV will be blessed and continue to lead us on this amazing adventure that God provides for us in Christ. As I said after his election, I always knew we needed a Bob to be pope. May our prayers, support and attention to his teaching all make us a better Church and more importantly fulfill the work that God has called us to do in this age and at this time.
If you haven't picked up your new box of collection envelopes or would like to start using envelopes please contact the parish office at admin@sttheresaoakland.org or call 341.202.0077.
St. Theresa 100th Jubilee Year
Upcoming events.
Upcoming Events
May 17: First Communion, 5:00 pm Mass
We will celebrate the First Communion’s that have been celebrated at St. Theresa over the past 100 years.
If you received First Communion at St. Theresa Church we are asking that you submit a picture that we will display at the Masses the weekend of May 17 & 18. Use the link on the Jubilee website page (see above) to submit a picture.
May 31: Confirmation, 5:00 pm Mass, with Archbishop Peter Chong
We will celebrate the Confirmations that have been celebrated at St. Theresa over the past 100 years.
If you received Confirmation at St. Theresa Church we are asking that you submit a picture that we will display at the Masses the weekend of May 30 & 31. Use the link on the Jubilee website page (see above) to submit a picture.
June 8: Parish Ministries Celebration
We will acknowledge and bless all parish volunteers at the 9:00 am Mass.
Following Mass, all parish volunteers and their families are cordially invited to join us for a Continental Breakfast in the Event Center.
Family members are welcome to join us!
June 14: Mass and Celebration with Archbishop Peter and the Fiji Community
All are invited to the 5:00 pm Mass with Archbishop Peter and Fijian choir member from the Bay Area.
Following Mass there will be a celebration in the Event Center. All are welcome.
Catholic Organizations Helping Migrants, Refugees, and At-Risk Populations
*Catholic Relief Services (CRS) -- Operation Rice Bowl and other funds
*Jesuit Refugee Services
*Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC)
Urge Congress to Protect the Persecuted
“It is the historic policy of the United States to respond to the urgent needs of persons subject to persecution in their homelands. . . . Congress further declares that it is the policy of the United States to encourage all nations to provide assistance and resettlement opportunities to refugees to the fullest extent possible.”
These opening lines of the Refugee Act of 1980—the law creating the statutory authority for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)—communicates the importance of responding to the needs of those forced to flee their homes because they are persecuted on the basis of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Carrying out the Gospel’s mandate to care for the “least of these” (Mt. 25:31-46), the Catholic Church has served refugees in the United States since well before USRAP’s creation. Learn more about USRAP and the Catholic Church.
Today, no refugees are being resettled through USRAP. This ban impacts thousands of refugees who had already been fully processed, undergone extensive security checks, and approved for refugee status by the federal government while outside of the United States. This includes many persecuted Christians, as well as Afghans who had been approved for special immigrant visas because of the assistance they provided to the U.S. mission and U.S. service members in Afghanistan.
The indefinite suspension of USRAP is the result of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on January 20. The order requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to submit a report by April 20, 2025, regarding whether refugee resettlement is in the national interest. However, the order leaves the decision about whether to resume refugee resettlement to the President alone, without any timeline stated for that decision.
On January 24, the State Department issued suspension notices to domestic resettlement agencies, including the USCCB, impacting their ability to carry out services under the Reception and Placement (R&P) Program. The R&P Program provides crucial assistance to refugees and Afghan special immigrant visa holders during their first three months in the United States to support their successful integration and help them to achieve self-sufficiency as quickly as possible. Services provided through the R&P Program include help finding initial housing, securing employment, enrolling children in school, scheduling medical appointments, and English language classes.
The chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, addressed the suspension of USRAP on January 22, stating: “Indefinitely halting refugee resettlement is unmerited, as it is already proven to be one of the most secure legal pathways to the United States.”
Ask your members of Congress to lift up their voice in support of upholding our nation’s bipartisan legacy of refugee resettlement.
Send this Message to Congress
Support Refugee Resettlement to Protect the Persecuted
As a Catholic and your constituent, I urge you to engage with the Administration to resume the resettlement of refugees and Afghan special immigrant visa (SIV) holders.
Being a place of refuge for those fleeing oppression, including Christians and other people persecuted for their faith, is fundamentally American. The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has safely and effectively fostered this, with strong bipartisan support, for almost 45 years.
The President’s recent executive order providing for the indefinite suspension of refugee admissions leaves thousands of thoroughly vetted people, who in some cases have waited years to experience freedom, in a state of grave uncertainty. Stop-work orders issued to domestic resettlement agencies also threaten the support promised to recently arrived refugees and SIV holders, undermining their prospects of self-sufficiency.
Protection of people fleeing persecution and those who risked their lives to support our country is not only in the national interest but a moral responsibility. Please urge the Administration to immediately resume refugee resettlement.
Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/YserWGk94GHOgzS7fAtZ2w
The Social Justice Committee
Thanks to all that joined us for the screening of the documentary “All We Carry!” by Cady Voge. We were all touched by the film and we thank you for your ongoing support of the immigrant community.”
We are thinking about next steps for a faith in action project with Corpus Christi’s Living Our Faith groups. Stay tuned. Thanks, Lydia Deck & the whole St. T Social Justice Committee.
St. Vincent de Paul
For St. Vincent de Paul Society, preventing homelessness begins with home visits.
https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/for-st-vincent-de-paul-society-preventing
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 Greg Govan at 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.
Text to Donate
Text “GIVE” to the number above to receive a link to our online giving page.
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.
May 17 & 18 Catholic Charities East Bay
May 31 & June 1 Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
June 7 & 8 Catholic Communications / USCCB
June 21 & 22 Holy Father (Peter's Pence)
Sunday Collection (May 5—11):
Online: 50 Donors, $ 4,932.00
Mass Donations: 35 Donors, $ 2,516.0
Reception of the Precious Blood
The reception of the Precious Blood guideline from Bishop Barber, dated May 15, 2023 states; "Other than the priest, no communicant may ever dip the Sacred Host into the chalice to communicate himself."
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
Volunteering Made Simple
Have you thought about volunteering but worry about fitting it into your schedule? We know life is busy, but here's the good news - serving on Saturdays and Sundays is easier than ever! Out parish used Ministry Schedule Pro, so you can check the schedule online anytime, get reminders, and even request a sub when needed. If you're willing to volunteer, we'd love to have you! Come see me after church today, and I'm happy to help you get connected.
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, Susan Springer, Wendy Jones, Orlanda Gonzalez, Kevin Chapman, Diane Cerille, Tom Wilberding, Danny Ramos, Mark Leonard, Christopher Rodriguez, Maryanne Walsh, Rhonda Santeen, John Whatley, Nancy Coyne, Kevin Stallone, Della Spinelli, Susan Buller, Ann Springer, Ray Bertolotti, William McCarthy, Cindy Crimmins, Fred & Lidia Loupy, Rebecca Rogers, Kathleen Guevara, Clarence Robinson, Armando Diaz de Leon, Fr. Ron Schmidt, Bonnie & John Bouey, Susan Rubio, Fr. Paul Schmidt, Marley Malone, Hal Lauth, Phil Stover, Joey Smith, Raymond Buckley, Jr., Norma Ninalga, Betty Jo Olson, Jennifer Walwark, Greg Govan, Anita Lim, Marilyn McCabe, Steve Lauth, Mary Malloy, John Donovan, Mary Martinez, James Spalding, Tiffany Converse, Adrian McEvilly, Joan Marchi, Diana Nelson Curtis, Charlie Schnellbacher, Theresa Joyce, Maureen Carver, Vince Nims, Barrett Baker, Rick Fama, Eleanor Ceccarelli, Maureen Querio, Lois Johnson, Antoinette Tamburrino, Anne Marie Roseme, Linda Arellano.
Mass Intentions
May 17 - 25
To request a Mass Intention you can use the online form at
https://sttheresaoakland.org/pray/mass-confession-times/mass-intention
or by email or phone at: admin@sttheresaoakland.org
341.202.0077
Schedule a Mass Intention Online
St. Theresa Parish Goal
$35,800
Percentage Achieved 5.35%
$1,915.00 as of April 30, 2025
Thank you for supporting the Annual Bishop's Ministries Appeal
Donation envelopes are available in the church vestibule.
You may make a donation using the QR code or the Oakland Diocese giving option.
Checks must be made out to Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland.
https://www.oakdiocese.org/bishops-ministries-appeal
https://www.oakdiocese.org/bishops-ministries-appeal
Parish Office Hours
Tuesday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Parish Office, ext. 120
Parish Office (direct line) 341.202.0077
Rev. Robert J. McCann, ext. 121
Pastor
(direct line) 341.202.0159
rjmccann@sttheresaoakland.org
Rev. Ngema W. Enow, ext. 128
In Residence
(direct line) 341.202.0137 ngemawil.enow@gmail.com
Cathy Brady, ext. 126
Liturgy Director
(direct line) 341.202.0086
cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org
Rob Cakebread, ext. 127
Music Ministry Director
(direct line) 341.202.0139
rob@sttheresaoakland.org
Keri Nims, ext. 124
Coordinator for Early Childhood Catechesis & RCIC
(direct line) 341.202.0076
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:
.
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St. Vincent de Paul Society
Greg Govan
glgovan@comcast.net
CYO (Catholic Youth Organization):
Carlos Palacios
sttheresaathletics@gmail.com
St. Theresa Men’s Club
mensclubsttheresa@gmail.com
Legion of Mary
Tom Wallace
tomw1313@sbcglobal.net
WINGS
Cindy Crimmins
cyncrim@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 341.202.0077 or email admin@sttheresaoakland.org
Family Faith Formation (Grades TK-5) & R.C.I.C: Keri Nims ~ keri@sttheresaoakland.org
Middle School Youth Ministry (Grades 6-8): Keri Nims ~ keri@sttheresaoakland.org
High School Youth Ministry/Confirmation: Keri Nims ~ keri@sttheresaoakland.org
R.C.I.A. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: Cathy Brady ~ cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org
Safe Environment Training for Parish & School Volunteers
It is that time of year when notices of expiring Virtus training will be arriving in your email. Please uuse the link in the email to lob into Virtus and take the training that have been assigned. Training must be renewed every three years.
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 or school in any capacity (Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Catechist, Choir Member, St. Vincent de Paul, Legion of Mary, CYO etc.), you must complete the training.
If you have any problems or questions contact Cathy Brady at cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org.
