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 our Pastor
Normally on Palm Sunday, I would speak about Holy Week that we begin today and remind all of the coming special commemorations of the Lord’s Passion, death, and Resurrection. I invite all to participate. However, with a terrible war in the Holy Land, I want to spotlight the annual Good Friday collection that has supported the holy places where our commemorations actually took place, but is broadened by necessity this year. The Vatican gave this description, and I hope if you haven’t regularly supported the Good Friday collection, you will do so this year. It is a terrible tragedy that so many sisters and brothers are now in dire need.
“The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches explains what the Good Friday Collection means in today’s context of war: “For those who have lost everything in those lands, it is a matter of survival. As Christians, it is our duty to restore hope.”
By Stefano Leszczynski
As every year, on Good Friday there will be a collection of offerings destined for the Holy Land—an important initiative of solidarity by the universal Church in support of the Churches and Christian communities of the Holy Land.
This year, the collection takes place in a context of war that seems to be spreading quickly, generating dramatic consequences for everyone in the region.
In a letter addressed to the entire Catholic Church to encourage contributions to the traditional Good Friday Collection, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, denounced the unceasing roar of weapons and invited everyone to reflect, so as not to become complicit with those who are setting the world on fire.
“I have the impression that most of the world does not realize the catastrophe that is striking our civilization. Those who promote war today are destroying everything that has been built since the Second World War,” the cardinal stressed, “I am not speaking only of ideals, but also of people and things—even historical monuments of immense value.”
In this context, how should people understand the Collection for the Holy Land?
It is an assumption of responsibility toward our brothers and sisters who continue to die, struck by the senseless violence sweeping the world, and who have nothing to eat and nothing with which to care for themselves. We must take on their suffering, because they are not “other than us”—they are our very flesh.
Christian communities, which have always had the sense of being merely tolerated, now fear that they may no longer be tolerated at all. As a result, they want to flee.
Take what has happened in Syria, for example: in just a few years, we have lost 80% of Christians. This means that the Holy Land—the land where Jesus was born, where early Christianity developed, where the first liturgies were formed, where the first Fathers of the Church spoke to the world and enriched doctrine, where the Councils took place—is in danger of being emptied of the living Christian presence embodied by real men and women, which is an essential part of its identity.
As a Church, we cannot resign ourselves to this, nor can we abandon these communities—who are part of such a fate. Moreover, this discrimination does not affect only them, but all “minorities,” which sooner or later are or will be threatened in the same way.
We are speaking of very ancient communities, with a clear and steadfast Christian faith, a strong spirit of solidarity, and a deep attachment to the Church, which has been a mother to all: caring for their children, finding housing so they could endure, supporting their small businesses, and above all keeping alive their faith and their sense of purpose. Where will they go? Who will welcome them? Who will preserve their identity, without which the Church itself would be deeply wounded?
Normally, the proceeds of the collection are used for development projects, micro-enterprises, reconstruction, and the restoration of holy places. What are the priorities today?
We are considering proposing to the Holy Father that part of the collection be allocated to paying school fees for Christian children attending our schools in the countries of the Holy Land and the Middle East.
These are poor families who go as far as to mortgage their homes in order to educate their children and ensure that their cultural heritage is not lost. Helping Christian families in this way also means helping them to remain and to guarantee a future for their children in their own lands. People have always been generous in contributing to the Holy Land Collection and knowing that their donations also enable children to return to school is certainly a strong encouragement to that generosity.”
Since many will not be able to attend on Good Friday when this collection is taken up, feel free to mark an envelope with ‘Holy Land Collection’ and drop it off new Sunday or anytime through the rectory mail slot. You can also use Online Giving to donate, https://sttheresaoakland.org/donate, choose Good Friday Holy Land. Any and all amounts will make a difference!
Wear red to Mass.
Zoom Meeting ID: 851 1878 2741
Passcode: 424233
Passcode: 424233
Lenten Fasting and Abstinence
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of universal fast and abstinence. Fasting is obligatory for all who have completed their 18th year until the beginning of their 60th year. Fasting allows a person to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, not to equal one full meal. Abstinence (from meat) is obligatory for all who have completed their 14th year of age. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare to share more fully and celebrate more readily his Resurrection.
Fridays in Lent are obligatory days of abstinence (from meat) for all who have completed their 14th year.
As always, anyone for whom fasting or abstinence would pose a health risk is excused.
Social Justice Committee:
Help Us to Use Our Gifts
God of love, help us to use the gifts you give us for the people who need us.
Help us to see their suffering and their need and inspired by you Son,
Reach beyond ourselves
Beyond our institutions,
To the very margins
And bring all to you, the Center.
May all we do be in preparation to serve more fully, seeking you in the world that we are invited to create with you.
Send us your Spirit to keep us burning with the desire of justice. Amen!
Our world faces urgent needs as more families struggle with hunger and poverty. Wars are making things even worse as many families are displaced. Catholic social teaching teaches us that we are one human family.
Please remember to pick up your CRS (Catholic Relief Services) Rice Bowl.
To give locally, remember you can bring canned goods to the vestibule for our St. Vincent de Paul conference.
Many volunteer opportunities thru the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room and at the Alameda County Food Bank.
And join Faithful Witness – Protecting Immigrants Peace Accompaniment on April 16th at 630 Sansome St. (SF Immigration Court) from 8am -10am. Training and Prep via Zoom on Tuesday April 14th. For more information email: Gamaliel.genesisca@gmail.com
Stay tuned for more service opportunities.
The St. T morning rosary group invites you to join them in praying the Holy Rosary, Monday through Friday, from 8:00–8:30 a.m. in the church. Drop the kids off and then slip into the church for a little peaceful prayer time.
The Rosary is a powerful prayer that draws us closer to Christ through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother. It brings peace to our hearts, strength to our lives, and guidance for the day ahead. We’d love to have you join us as we gather in prayer, asking Our Blessed Mother to intercede for our families, our parish, and the needs of the world. What better way to start your day than spending 30 minutes with the Blessed Mother?
Come one day a week or every day. All are warmly welcome.
St. Vincent de Paul
Thank You for Your Generosity Our St. Vincent de Paul Conference extends heartfelt thanks to our parish community for your continued generosity. Because of you, we collected 350 pounds of food from the church vestibule just last month—a tremendous blessing during a time when many families are struggling due to reductions in SNAP and other welfare benefits. Your donations go directly to stocking our pantry and supporting neighbors who are facing real and immediate hardship.
We are also deeply grateful for your support of our Parish Festival bake sale, where we raised $800. These funds, together with the special 5th Sunday collections earmarked for our parish conference, help us keep families housed, assisting with essential rent and utility payments.
Thank you for living out the Gospel call to love our neighbors. Your kindness makes a real difference.
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.
Theme for the 2025/2026 year
”Pilgrims of Hope ”
April 1, 2026
Easter Break
St. Theresa 100th Jubilee Year
Watch the Jubilee Video at
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.
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
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.
March 28 & 29, St. Vincent de Paul
April 4 & 5, Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
Sunday Collection (March 16 - 22)
Online: 48 Donors $ 2,148.00
Mass Donations: 38 Donors $ 3,118.00
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, Maureen Carver, Vince Nims, Barrett Baker, Rick Fama, Eleanor Ceccarelli, Lois Johnson, Antoinette Tamburrino, Anne Marie Roseme, Greg Anderson, Judy Udove, Mary McCole, baby Gianna Sorbello, Yolanda Igano, Rick Arellano, Betsey Thornton, Karen May, Tom Wallace, John Cocores, Olivia Cors, Evelyn Baca.
Mass Intentions
March 28 - April 5
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
Parish Office Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
The parish office is closed Monday, and Friday
Parish Office, ext. 120
Parish Office (direct line) 341.202.0077
Parish Office (direct line) 341.202.0077
Cecile Cuttitta
Yvonne Gabor
olunteer@sttheresaoakland.org
Rev. Robert J. McCann, Pastor
(direct line) 341.202.0159
rjmccann@sttheresaoakland.org
Rev. Ngema W. Enow, In Residence
(direct line) 341.202.0137 ngemawil.enow@gmail.com
Cathy Brady, Liturgy Director
(direct line) 341.202.0086
cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org
Rob Cakebread, Music Ministry Director
(direct line) 341.202.0139
rob@sttheresaoakland.org
Sophia Kassab, Parish Communications
sophia@sttheresaoakland.org
(direct line) 341.202.0134
Keri Nims,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:
.
.
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
dolcedeb@yahoo.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
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
O.C.I.A. Order of Christian Initiation of Adults: Cathy Brady ~ cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org
Please be aware that a scam is going around involving our clergy, and staff (both parish and school) seeking gift card donations.
We will never contact you and ask you to purchase gift cards for us or the parish.
Always stay vigilant and verify all requests from the parish or school office or speak to a staff member.
Protect Yourself:
- Check the email address. The parish address ends in sttheresaoakland.org and the school address ends in sttheresaschool.org
- Always verify
- Trust Your Gut
- Look For Clues
- Skip Unknown Links
Bishop's Ministry Appeal - 2026
St. Theresa Parish Goal
$35,800
Collection March 21 & 22
Thank you for supporting the Annual Bishop's Ministries Appeal
Checks must be made out to Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland.
https://www.oakdiocese.org/bishops-ministries-appeal