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
The Church recognizes June 29 as the feast day of the martyrdom of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. In Europe, especially in Italy, this is a Holy Day of Obligation and public holiday. Banks, post offices, etc. are closed so people can go to Mass and celebrate the feast. It has not been a holyday in the United States, but this year, it is being celebrated on Sunday when on other years if June 29 falls on a Sunday, it is moved to the next Monday.
God couldn’t have chosen a more diametrically opposed pair than these two men to lead his Church — Peter, the rugged fisherman, and Paul, the learned scholar.
Jesus’ disciples seem like a motley crew in general. We know there was friction between Peter and Paul on at least one occasion. But just imagine the arguments that might have taken place between Matthew, the tax collector, and Simon the Zealot — one, a servant of the Roman Empire and the other, its sworn enemy.
The disciples came to Jesus with their unique personalities, life experiences, strengths, and weaknesses. Still, Jesus took those men and women and molded them into a unified body of believers.
Our hundred-year anniversary is a great time to remember the priests, sisters, lay women, and men who have worked in and served our parish. They came from many different cultures and bring particular skills and strategies to their work, and our parish has been enriched by their presence and efforts as they have also. It is no coincidence that Archbishop Peter remarked that he considers this his second home. This is a high compliment to all of you who have welcomed many a student Jesuit and many priests, and a great number of Holy Name Sisters.
The parish has also been blessed with many lay ministers like Sharon Chipman, Judy KoneffKlatt, Kristine Kvochak, George Husson, and so many others too numerous to name. I can’t imagine trying to be a good pastor without the dedication of our current staff and volunteers. I hope you will say a prayer for each of them in thanksgiving for their work and presence on behalf of our parish. I am trying to serve you as the sixth pastor of the parish over these hundred years with my term reaching year fourteen in August. All of my predecessors have gone to God, and I hope they are interceding for us, and you will say a prayer for me and all the priests who have served St. Theresa’s Parish.
This variety can be a challenge, but it is often an asset. We are stronger because of the multiple gifts so many have brought us during their service here!
Just as God called Peter and Paul, he calls us today to find unity in our diversity. We are one faith with many faces, charged to preach and live one Gospel that transcends culture, language, and economic status. Holding those similarities and differences in the right balance is key to our mission as a Catholic Parish.
This week I am very grateful that Fr. Ngema got back with ease thanks to your prayers. Now I can leave for vacation beginning Monday for the next three weeks. Your prayers also turned what could have been a major and expensive plumbing situation into a much more controllable maintenance issue.
When I thought we were facing a major expense for plumbing, I called the diocesan office to inquire about there help and was told flat out that none was available due to the ongoing legal situations we are facing. Summer is always a time when our collections drop, but even though we seem to be avoiding an emergency issue, other needs are sure to arise so I ask you to continue your regular generous support and if you can give anything extra, I promise it will be used wisely to continue the good work the Lord has begun in our parish a hundred years ago.
I am heading to my favorite island early Monday morning. I will bring your greetings to all the Catholic flamingoes and fish I meet and see. I will not be writing my weekly column, but I know there is always something interesting in our Flock Note and weekly bulletin. See you in a couple of weeks.
Sunday, June 29th following the 9:00 am Mass.
Please join us as we change the church environment for Ordinary 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.
Help Wanted - Daily Mass
Have you thought about becoming a lector at Mass but don’t feel quite ready for the “Sunday Big Time?” Would you prefer to ease into it with a chill, lowkey congregation? You’re in luck then—we’re in need of a lector for the Thursday morning 8:30 am Mass. No experience is necessary, and the time commitment is minimal—8:30 to 9 am every Thursday (prep time is up to you). We can even help you with the pronunciation of some of those challenging biblical names/places! The weekday mass folks are non-judgmental and will welcome you with smiles, if not open arms! If you’re interested, please email Cecile at cecile.cuttitta@att.net or see her after any weekday Mass.
St. Theresa 100th Jubilee Year
Upcoming events.
Upcoming Events
July 20: Men's Club Summer Outing at Woodminster
The play is at 8:00pm preceded by our optional regular picnic dinner beforehand inside the theater, above the stage. Doors open at 5:30. Parking is available in the lots immediately next to the theater. The adult half-priced tickets are $34/each. Please contact Luigi Bonacini at labona@sbcglobal.net with your request by Monday July 14.
August 23: Back to School Mass, Concert on the Lawn and Taco Truck
All students, teacher, and educators are invited to bring their backpacks with them to our Back to School Mass for a special blessing.
Following Mass bring some chairs stop by the Taco Truck for some great food and stay for our Concert on the Lawn.
August 28, 29, 30: Photo Directory Shoot
In celebration of the 100th jubilee of St. Theresa Parish,
we will publish a new photo directory in 2025!
All parish families and individuals are asked to participate in this initiative, and we'd love to see you included in this directory to commemorate this vibrant moment in our history.
All who are photographed receive a free photo directory, a free 8x10 portrait of your family, and a free photography session. You are able to purchase additional prints if you choose.
Feel free to include extended family such as grandparents, etc.
Photography sessions will take place on site at the Parish on August 28, 29, and 30. More sessions will be added as needed.
To schedule your photography appointment online, simply go to www.ucdir.com, click on photography appointment scheduling login on the right side, enter ca150 in the Church Code field and enter photos in the Church Password field. Follow the prompts to schedule your family’s appointment time. If you have 6 or more in your family please use 2 consecutive time slots.
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
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.
June 28 & 29 St. Vincent de Paul
July 5 & 6 Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
August 2 & 3 Annual Mission Appeal
Date change in August for Parish Maintenance Collection
August 9 & 10 Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
Sunday Collection (June 16—22):
Online: 47 Donors, $ 2,086.00
Mass Donations: 33 Donors, $ 2,048.00
Peter’s Pence:
Online: 4 Donors, $ 125.00
Mass/Drop-Off/Mailed: 17 Donors, $ 674.0
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, 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, Lois Johnson, Antoinette Tamburrino, Anne Marie Roseme, Doug Brune, Greg Anderson, Judy Udove, Jpse Quintanilla.
Mass Intentions
June 30 - July 6
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
Please remember in your prayers, those who have died especially
Hal Lauth, father of Jan Martinez
Schedule a Mass Intention Online
St. Theresa Parish Goal
$35,800
Percentage Achieved 30.09%
$10,772.00
as of June 15, 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
Summer Parish Office Hours
Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
The office is closed Monday, Wednesday and Friday
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.
