A Word from the Pastor
This week I heard on the news that the annual flu outbreak is early this year. Last year at this time, only 1% were reported as having the flu. This year it is already 12%. Therefore, I am giving an early reminder that if you are sick and especially if you have a fever, please stay home and away from Mass. You are dispensed from the obligation! You may recover, but the more vulnerable immune compromised person may have a very difficult time if they catch it from you. If you are not sure, ask me, but wear a mask and wash your hands!
Thanks to all who donated socks, joining the school with this annual collection. A full container was filled by you, and many will have warm feet as El Nino rains on us.
There is still time to join a great night of fun at the annual School sponsored auction. Their offering of a ticket just for the beverages and silent auction is a great deal. I hope you will consider joining in on the fun.
This weekend we celebrate All Saints and All Souls Days. We are all working on the first feast being our feast day someday in God’s future time for us. In the meantime, let us assist those whom we love and have gone before us by saying an extra prayer for all our beloved departed. When they get to heaven, they can then pray that life path will lead us to a great reunion one day in heaven.
Last Sunday’s readings were very time appropriate as we also mark election days this weekend. Deacon Greg Kandra has wonderful words about who our neighbor is and how we are to love them:
“Binding these two commandments together, Jesus makes clear the profoundly important point that you can't have one without the other. He is showing the Pharisees (and us) that if you think you can simply worship God and ignore your neighbor, think again. We cannot neglect those around us in need. In fact, we should not just care for them; we need to love them. More than that, we should love them as much as we love ourselves.
In Luke's account of this episode, the Pharisees are so taken aback by Jesus's talk of loving your neighbor, it leads one of them to ask, "Who is my neighbor?"
The answer, of course, unfolds as one of Christ's greatest parables, The Good Samaritan, serving to emphasize (if anyone was missing the point) that we are responsible for one another, even those who are different from us and may not believe what we believe. Their culture may be alien to us. But that makes no difference. They are still -- in a very human sense -- our neighbors.
All of this helps give immediacy to last Sunday's first reading, from Exodus, which cries out to us in our own day and age: "You shall not molest or oppress an alien ... you shall not wrong any widow or orphan."
This undoubtedly struck a nerve thousands of years ago -- and it should hit us just as hard today. At a time when there is so much debate about what to do about migrants coming to our shores, these readings stand as defiant, challenging, even countercultural. They propose a radical way of thinking about those who are "alien" commanding us to treat them with love.
But these readings might also offer us a radical way of considering who is really "alien" to us. Being an "alien" is about more than geography, nationality, or whatever country is stamped on your passport.
Aliens are any of those who we might consider "different." It might be because of their skin color, their language, their heritage or how they dress. It might be because of how they worship or, maybe, even how they vote. At bottom, any group of people that is considered "not like us" could be considered "alien" or even, to some people, strange.
The Gospel makes clear: those differences don't matter. Love them as you love yourself.
Jesus dared to answer a question nobody asked. Love them means treating them with dignity, respect, compassion, and charity. Live with a sense of justice and fairness. Wish the best for others and try to believe the best about them before suspecting the worst.
We are all still works in progress. God gets that. Do we? Strive every day to imagine seeing others as God does—as his beloved children, creatures of possibility and promise made in his own image and likeness. This is harder than it sounds!
Are we capable of loving these people as much as we love ourselves? Finding the answers to those questions can draw us closer to living as Jesus lived and loving as he loved which can only help us fulfill that first commandment -- and lead us to loving the Lord, our God, more completely.”
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.
The Event Center will be used as an Alameda County polling site for the election. This poll site is open for voting Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, (October 31 - November 3). If you come through the parish parking lot you may see more cars than usual. If you come to Mass on Saturday or Sunday, you will see activity at the other end of the property. We are trying to cooperate with our civic duty in this process as we have most other years.
The Parish Photo Directory
has finally arrived!
If you haven't already picked up your Parish Directory, they will be available in the parish office Tuesday - Thursday..
Meeting
November 4, 2026
Joe Hebert
Music, Song and Spirituality
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.
October 31 & November 1, Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
November 14 & 15, Diocesan Campaign for Mercy
November 28 & 29, St. Vincent de Paul
December 5 & 6, Parish Maintenance & Improvement Fund
December 12 & 13, Religious Retirement
Sunday Collections (October 19 - 25)
Online Giving: 44 Donors $ 2,253.00
Mass Donation: 34 Donors $ 3,417.00
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 31 - November 8
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
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