A Word from the Pastor
This Sunday at Corpus Christi church, the bishop will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for thirty three young women and men. What is unique is that those to be confirmed are from Corpus Christi, St. Theresa, Our Lady of Lourdes, and St. Leo parishes.
We congratulate all who are being Confirmed and welcome our young people to participate more fully in our parish, possibly as lectors, ministers of the Eucharist, becoming a member of one of our councils, as ushers and greeters and the list of opportunities goes on. We all depend on new people filling in all these roles for the greater good of our parish. With the talents they possess and the Holy Spirit to guide them, we know this will be a blessing for all of us. But let us continue to pray for their success as we pray for each other.
Last year, after we suddenly lost a Confirmation coordinator, our wonderful team of volunteers steered it through the rest of the year. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find lay ministers, trained for the specific needs of our parishes who can afford to live here by what we can offer as a salary and are just not able to make ends meet by following our diocesan salary scale.
We keep Keri Nims who has served as our youth minister and Confirmation coordinator in our prayers for her full recovery from the serious health challenge she suddenly faces. She has been a gift to our youth program and Confirmation program as well as the amazing coordinator of the Ravioli Dinner and Parish Festival celebration and many other things that have served us. Her family moved close to Sacramento a couple of years ago and she has been doing an amazing but long distance coordination of our program’s needs. That commute, even with no traffic, is a challenge. May God bless her whole family with good health!
The parish advertised for a part time Youth minister for almost a year with very little response. We have just begun to advertise for a full time Director of Religious Education which will oversee our being a partner in a multi parish Confirmation program as well as the basic religious education curriculum for our parish children.
I have received several resumes for this position. I ask each of you to pray that the right person will come to us and begin the tasks of this important ministry for our young people. I also ask you to consider increasing your donations to the parish collection so that finances will not be a reason that we cannot hire someone for our young people.
As I mentioned last week, the announcement of parish closures is not the end of this arduous process, but the beginning. Please invite a family you know that might join our parish as there are many new families within the boundaries of our parish. Call someone you know from one of the nearby parishes that is being closed and invite them also to join our parish family. Try to come to one of the weekend Masses more often and help us to ensure our Liturgies and programs will demonstrate a vibrant parish filled with members inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit so we can be sure our parish will continue into the next hundred years.
Our hundred anniversary celebrations demonstrated the great ways God has worked in our midst with the good care, dedication, and stewardship of many who have preceded us. Now it is our turn to guarantee that our parish will be here for another hundred years!
St. Theresa Parish Sunday Mass Time Survey
"It is in listening to His word, in nourishing ourselves with His Body and His Blood, that He moves us on from being a multitude to being a community, from anonymity to communion." ~ Pope Francis
In the spirit of 'community in communion', we recognize that the Church is made of living stones—the people of this parish. As we look to make our Sunday Liturgy as vibrant and accessible as possible for our parish community, we are evaluating our Sunday morning Mass schedule. Your input is vital to this effort.
Please complete this brief survey by June 1st, 2026 to help us better serve our parish family.
Your responses will directly shape how we gather together on Sunday at the Table of the Lord. Please note that this survey is anonymous, and we appreciate your candid responses.
Mass Survey Link: https://forms.gle/2KoaUQvou1No8Yr58
Social Justice Committee
The Corpus Christi Living Our Faith Community in conjunction with St. Theresa’s social justice committee has agreed to accompany a family sponsored by the non-profit organization Welcome the Stranger and its sister organization Shelter in Place.
Nancy Midlin and Lydia Deck happened to be at a WINGS meeting where Anna Rossi the founder of Shelter in Peace had come to share her heartfelt mission.
"Welcome the Stranger" (WTS) is a community-based initiative, often supported by faith-based organizations and non-profits, dedicated to assisting refugees and immigrants with housing, resettlement, and integration. A key component is often the Shelter In Peace program, which provides 6–12 months of transitional housing for families by partnering with landlords to secure below-market rentals.
Key Aspects of Welcome the Stranger Housing Programs:
- Shelter In Peace: Acts as a master tenant to bridge the gap for refugees who lack credit history or resources, allowing them to establish stability.
- Support Services: Often includes finding housing, furnishing apartments, providing rental assistance, and offering mentorship to help families become self-sufficient.
- Partnerships: Frequently operated through partnerships with groups like Catholic Charities and Jewish Family & Children’s Services to provide comprehensive support, including emergency housing and legal services.
It is important these days to welcome the stranger and let many know that they are not alone.
Blessings,
Lydia Deck and the Social Justice Committee
Theme for the 2025/2026 year
”Pilgrims of Hope ”
Summer Break
Serving Hearts in Times of Need:
Join Our Consolation Ministry
Our parish family is built on supporting one another, especially during life’s most difficult moments. The Consolation Ministry is looking for compassionate volunteers to help us provide comfort and hospitality to grieving families during funeral receptions. Whether you have a talent for baking or simply a willing set of hands, there is a place for you in this vital ministry.
How You Can Help
We are looking for volunteers to assist in the following areas:
- Bakers: Provide homemade cookies or light treats to add a personal touch to the reception.
- Setup Team: Help transform the Meeting Rooms or Event Center into a welcoming space before the family arrives.
- Reception Staff: Assist with serving food/drinks and offering a warm presence during the event.
- Cleanup Crew: Help with "take down" and restoring the rooms after the reception concludes.
Why Join?
The gift of a shared meal and a stress-free environment allows families to focus on honoring their loved ones and finding peace. Even if you can only help once or twice a year, your contribution makes a profound difference.
If this is something you think you would like to be a part of, please let Cecile Cuttitta know. She can be reached by email at cecile.cuttitta@att.net or feel free to talk with her after Mass.
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. Contact Basil Fedynyshyn at basilfedy@gmail.com 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.
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.
May 16 & 17, Catholic Charities of the East Bay
May 30 & 31 St. Vincent de Paul
June 6 & 7, Parish Maintenance and Improvement fund
Sunday Collection (May 4 - 10)
Online: 52 Donors $ 3,983.00
Mass Donations: 38 Donors $ 3,001.00
Second Collection this weekend: Catholic Charities of the East Bay
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, Betsey Thornton, Karen May, Tom Wallace, John Cocores, Olivia Cors, Aglaia Panos, Keri Nims.
Mass Intentions
May 16 - 24
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
Gloria Galatea the aunt of Alicia Ortegon.
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
Basil Fedynyshyn
basilfedy@gmail.com
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
Bishop's Ministry Appeal - 2026
St. Theresa Parish Goal
$35,800
Percentage Achieved 17%
$ 6,069
as of April 30, 2026
Thank you for supporting the Annual Bishop's Ministries Appeal
https://www.oakdiocese.org/bishops-ministries-appeal
Checks must be made out to Roman Catholic Bishop of Oakland.
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