MESSAGE TO PARISHIONERS

Dear Parishioners

On Sunday we celebrated Mother’s Day, a day of thanking and remembering, thanking mothers for who they are to their families and remembering both mothers and grandmothers both those who are with us now and those who have gone before us into God’s Kingdom. Pope Francis has said, “Mothers testify to the beauty of life. Even in the worst of times, they are witnesses of tenderness, dedication and moral strength. Dear mothers, thank you. Thank you for what you are in your family and for what you give to the Church and to the world.”

Let me tell you a story about a mother. She never intended to be a mother at all. Zelie Guerin was born in France in 1831. Her family showed her little affection and she had a hard childhood. As she grew older, she thought that the Lord wanted her to be a religious sister. But when she was turned down from the convent, she became a lacemaker. She met her future husband Louis, who thought God wanted him to be a priest, but when he was turned down for the seminary, he learned the trade of a watchmaker. When Zelie was 27, she and Louis were married. Over the next fifteen years, Zelie and Louis had nine children, seven girls and two boys, four of whom died in childhood. Zelie said of her children, “We lived only for them. They were our happiness.” This woman who never planned to be a mother became the best of mothers. She lived only to the age of 46 and yet her example touched not only her family, but the whole world. On October 19, 2008, Zelie and Louis Martin were canonized as saints, the first married couple to be declared saints together. You will see their picture in the beautiful icon that is next to the statue of their daughter, St. Theresa, our holy patroness. Zelie Martin never intended to be a mother. She became the mother of a saint and she became a saint herself.

When Sts. Louis and Zelie were canonized, Pope Francis said of them, “This holy couple practiced Christian service in the family, creating day by day an environment of faith and love which nurtured the vocations of their daughters, among whom was Saint Theresa of the Infant Jesus.” In those words and through the example of St. Zelie, the Pope is telling us what Christian motherhood is.

First, motherhood is Christian service in the family. In the words of the gospel today, parents are the instruments of God to make their families one, united in love for one another, united in their love for God.

Second, motherhoodand fatherhoodmeans creating the environment of faith and love in the family. Children learn human love from their parents. Children learn Christ’s love from their parents too. Mothers teach their children that they belong always to the God who loves them. Mothers protect their children from the wrong things of the world around us.

Finally, the Pope says that mothers and fathers are given the task to nurture the vocations of their children. Remember, a vocation is a holy calling, something that God calls us to do and to be. St. Zelie helped her children to discover what God wanted of them. That is the same task given to every mother. Christian mothers help their children to see that God has a plan for them and to be ready to follow that plan, whatever it may be. We pray for all mothers today, particularly the mothers who are here. May the Lord continue to guide you in your vocation of motherhood. May the example of St. Zelie Martin guide all our mothers. May St. Zelie help all mothers to live their vocation in life. May this saintly mother help all mothers to do their most important work, the work she did for her child, the work of helping children to become saints. 
         
         Father Thomas B. Derivan                                             

 
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there
And unite myself wholly to you. 
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.

St. Theresa's Catholic Church
2855 St. Theresa Avenue
Bronx, NY 10461

CONFESSIONS IN OUR CHURCH
The Cardinal has allowed the resumption of confessions in church.  Both St. Theresa Church and Our Lady of the Assumption Church will be having confessions on Saturdays at 4:00PM, beginning on June 6^th.
The following procedures will be followed in our church:
1. All persons must wear protective masks.
2. You will see two confession stations in the church, one by hallway near the sacristy and the other  in the front of church. We will not be using the confessionals for safety reasons.
3. When you come to confession, you may either stand or kneel.
4. Those who are waiting for confession should stand at a respectful distance to preserve confidentiality.  Also while you are waiting, please observe the proper social distancing as marked by the blue tape in the aisles.
5. Please speak loudly enough for the priest to hear, but not too loudly  so that others may hear you.
6. After your confession, you may remain in the church for private prayer. Please sit or kneel only in places  marked with the blue tape.