A Word from the Pastor
We were all shocked last week when the pope announced that he would be having surgery for a ‘node’ in his lung during the week. Learning that it is a form of lung cancer continued our shock, and I know many if not all of the parish is praying for his recovery and quick restoration to good health.
One of our priests went through almost exactly the same procedure about a year ago. A device guided by a surgeon performed removal of a cancerous ‘node’ and a third of his lung. Since the cancer was contained, he has not required any further treatment. He now goes to his oncologist twice a year and continues to remain cancer free and in good health.
We pray that the Holy Father’s journey will be the same path. We pray it has been caught at an early time, and no further treatment will be necessary. His good health and continued tennis playing all contribute to maintaining things after this intervention. May Holy Mary intercede on his behalf.
We all value the good health we have and when something goes wrong, we are grateful for the advances and new medicines that help us. I am happy to report that my 23lb. tumor was removed four years ago this month. It was cancer, but with a daily chemo pill for three years and now CT scans every four months without the one pill each night, I remain cancer free and have the energy to keep serving you.
Your prayers and for a short time cooking for me, keep me on the road to recovery. I am sure even though we can’t cook for the pope tonight, our continued prayers will result in God blessing him with many more good years as he serves us as our pope.
One thing I wish I didn’t have to deal with is the ongoing issues that go with aging and well used buildings and site. I hope there is more to say on the weekend, but last weekend I announced that a leak was noticed coming out of the asphalt near the new lawn.
eBay Mud identified that it was coming from our main source of water for the whole parish site. A company that specializes in broken pipe location came out on Tuesday and identified two leaks in a very corroded pipe. As I write with the help of two school parents, our principal, a parishioner, we await a plumber to access how fast it can be fixed.
We have been turning off the water for the whole site at night so as not to waste a lot of good water. Fr. Ngema and I have prepared with buckets for nighttime flushing and a cold shower when the water is back on at 6:30am.
Unfortunately, I am pretty sure that if a quick fix is available over this weekend, (We cannot shut off water during school and other times meetings and people are present.) there will be a more massive repair that will be needed. The school was built and opened in 1959. We know there are running streams under some of the property.
As I have wondered what this will cost, a check from the estate of two parishioners for ten thousand dollars arrived. I have many other ways we could spend it, but it is here to aide us at this time. Therefore, I ask you to continue being generous in the monthly ‘repair and maintenance’ collection. If you are looking for someplace to make an ‘end of the year’ gift, please consider your parish as a recipient. I will be sending out the annual end of the year appeal letter soon, but it is never too early to plan. And if you have done some estate planning for your own estate, consider naming the parish as one of your grandchildren. Such legacy will benefit many with good water and a beautiful active parish site for years to come.
May God bless every act of kindness and generosity abundantly and one day with eternal joy!
The Parish Photo Directory
has finally arrived!
They are available for pickup following the weekend Masses.
Remember All Souls throughout November The month of November is traditionally reserved in the Church for remembering loved ones who have died. Throughout the month there will be a book in the sanctuary which will include any name you submit or that you write in yourself. You may submit your All Souls envelope with the names of the people you wish to remember now, so we may enter them in the book for the All Souls Mass on November 2. Please feel welcome to write the names of your beloved in this book at any time during the month.
Beginning November 2nd there will also be a table in the sanctuary where you may place free standing framed pictures of your beloved dead. The table will be up for the month of November. Please make sure your name and phone number are on the back of the picture.
Beginning November 2nd there will also be a table in the sanctuary where you may place free standing framed pictures of your beloved dead. The table will be up for the month of November. Please make sure your name and phone number are on the back of the picture.
All are invited to attend the All Souls Day Mass on November 2nd at 7:00 PM (Monday), where we will remember your loved ones who have died.
Please bring photographs of the people you are remembering to place on a table in the sanctuary, prior to Mass.
Please bring photographs of the people you are remembering to place on a table in the sanctuary, prior to Mass.
Our St. Vincent de Paul Conference and the school will kick off their annual sock drive, otherwise known as Socktober, to support the St. Vincent de Paul Community Center. Donating to this initiative is easy. Simply buy some socks, any size - kids or adults, and place them in the bin that will be in the vestibule of the church.
Meeting
October 21, 2026
Rev. Paula Nesbitt, M.Div., Ph.D.
Conflict: finding gifts of opportunity and transformation
9:00 am in the Meeting Rooms
Friday Flocknote and Bulletin
St. Theresa needs you! Our parish is seeking a dependable, creative volunteer to craft and send our weekly digital and print communications, ensuring our parishioners receive clear, timely, and visually appealing updates. This is a n opportunity, to donate your creative talents to serve the Church, support our ministry efforts, and keep hundreds of families connected, informed, and engaged with parish life.
Key Responsibilities
- Friday Flocknote: Draft, design, and schedule the weekly email newsletter sent out every Friday.
- Sunday Bulletin: Layout and edit Sunday communications and promotional graphics to support parish life and upcoming liturgy details.
- Visual Design: Use templates and custom graphics to present parish news in a clean, inviting format.
- Timely Delivery: Coordinate with parish staff to meet weekly publishing deadlines consistently.
Qualifications
- Software Skills: Proven experience using Canva (or similar graphic design tools) and comfort navigating digital newsletter platforms (Flocknote experience is a plus, but training is available).
- Communication: Strong editing, proofreading, and writing skills with an eye for detail.
- Reliability: Excellent time management to consistently meet tight weekly deadlines.
- Parish Alignment: A heart for service and an understanding of the mission and culture of the Catholic Church.
Send an email to admin@sttheresaoakland.org if you are interested.
Submission Deadlines
Bulletin and Friday Flocknote articles are due Tuesday evening for inclusion in the Friday and weekend publications. The publications are produced and printed on Wednesday. Send to admin@sttheresaoakland.org
St. Vincent de Paul
Fellow Parishioners:
The St. Theresa Conference would like to sincerely thank our parishioners for their generous contributions to our last Fifth Sunday appeal. The need has definitely never been this great and they really stepped up. Our Neighbors in Need salute you!
St. Vincent de Paul, St Theresa Conference
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 st.theresa@svdp-alameda.org 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.
World Mission Sunday, October 17 & 18
October 31 & November 1, Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
November 14 & 15, Diocesan Campaign for Mercy
November 28 & 29, St. Vincent de Paul
Sunday Collections (October 5 - 11)
Online Giving: 48 Donors $ 3,653.00
Mass Donation: 43 Donors $ 3,031.00
Catholic Voice
Online Giving: 5 Donors. $ 424,00
Mass Donation: 21 Donors $ 747,00
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 Cecile Cuttitta at cecile@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 Cecile Cuttitta at cecile@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, 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, Susan Buller, Ann Springer, Ray Bertolotti, William McCarthy, Cindy Crimmins, Fred & Lidia Loupy, Rebecca Rogers, Kathleen Guevara, Clarence Robinson, Armando Diaz de Leon, Bonnie & John Bouey, 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, Tom Salvatore, Pauline Shear, Larry Ritsch.
Mass Intentions
October 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
Please remember in your prayers, those who have died especially Robert Geissler.
Schedule a Mass Intention Online
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 Yvonne Gabor at volunteer@sttheresaoakland.org.
Parish Office Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
The parish office is closed Monday, and Friday
Parish Office 341.202.0077
After Hours Medical Emergency:
510.547-2777, Option #4
Parish Office 341.202.0077
Yvonne Gabor volunteer@sttheresaoakland.org
Carla Gaul volunteer@sttheresaoakland.org
Renee Lorda renee@sttheresaoakland.org
Rev. Robert J. McCann, Pastor
341.202.0159
rjmccann@sttheresaoakland.org
Rev. Ngema W. Enow, In Residence
341.202.0137
ngemawil.enow@gmail.com
Cathy Brady, Consultant
341.202.0086
cathy_b@sttheresaoakland.org
Rob Cakebread, Music Ministry Director
341.202.0139
rob@sttheresaoakland.org
Cecile Cuttitta, Liturgy Coordinator
341.202.0077
cecile@sttheresaoakland.org
Martha Gamino, Faith Formation Coordinator
341.202.0076
martha@sttheresaoakland.org
Sophia Kassab, Parish Communications
341.202.0134
sophia@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:
Carolyn Mahoney
carolyn.mahoney675@gmail.com .
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Basil Fedynyshyn
st.theresa@svdp-alameda.org
CYO (Catholic Youth Organization):
Carlos Palacios
sttheresaathletics@gmail.com
St. Theresa Men’s Club
Basil Fedynyshyn
mensclubsttheresa@gmail.com
Legion of Mary
Tom Wallace
tomw1313@sbcglobal.net
WINGS
Deb McJilton
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
Shannon 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: Martha Gamino ~ martha@sttheresaoakland.org
Middle School Youth Ministry (Grades 6-8): Martha Gamino ~ martha@sttheresaoakland.org
High School Youth Ministry/Confirmation: Martha Gamino ~ martha@sttheresaoakland.org
O.C.I.A. Order of Christian Initiation of Adults: Lydia Deck ~ lydia@sttheresaoakland.org
Bishop's Ministry Appeal - 2026
St. Theresa Parish Goal
$35,800
Percentage Achieved 54%
$ 19,230
as of September 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