Catholic Church in Bronx, NY
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Mass Times
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Mass of the First Sunday of Advent
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Message to Parishioners
WELCOME TO ADVENT
Advent is here. During these days we put on the purple, the Church’s color of waiting, preparing, watching for the coming of Jesus. We put on the purple and we put on Advent, this beautiful beginning of a new Church year, this joyful season which brings us to the coming of Jesus at Christmas.
Thank God for Advent. Thank God for this Advent especially, an Advent different from any other Advent in our lives, shall we call it “the pandemic Advent,” the Advent that happens as we continue to face this very difficult time which has affected so many, indeed in one way or another, all of us. Simply put, we need Advent. For Advent is the Season of Hope. .And certainly at this difficult time we all need hope.
It was that way in the first Advent two thousand years ago as two humble people, Mary and Joseph, traveled to Bethlehem knowing that the Child Mary was bearing would be the hope of the world . We need that hope during this Advent. We need hope for those who are sick. We need hope for those who have lost loved ones, over a quarter of a million people who have lost someone they love. We need hope for doctors and nurses and EMT’s and so many valiant people who are helping so many so valiantly at this time. And we need hope for ourselves, for our families and for our children. It is so easy to let this pandemic dishearten us, even depress us—not being able to do things we took as normal, not having a big family gathering at Thanksgiving, not being able to visit those who are seriously ill, not seeing our children run and play without masks and without fear. But Advent is the Lord’s reminder to us not to be disheartened because in the midst of all of this, He is here. He is here to strengthen us, to help us do what we must to get through. He is here enlightening the minds of doctors and scientists to help us conquer this disease. He is here to enlighten us not only to take care of ourselves, but to take care of one another. Someone said to me, “Why doesn’t God just make this virus disappear?” The answer is that God expects us to do our part, remembering the old saying, “God helps those who help themselves.” Those words are certainly words of hope as we help one another to get through this difficult time. We must all do what we can and we must do it not just for ourselves but for one another. Right before Thanksgiving I asked the children in school what were they thankful for. They gave good answers. We thank God for our life, for our families, for our friends, for our country. And then one child, with all the wisdom of an 8-year old, said to me, “We should thank God for the masks.” And I asked why he said that. He replied, “Because it keeps me safe and keeps other people safe too.” Sometimes children see more than us adults do and we can certainly learn hope from them.
Yes, we need this Advent. We need our Advent hope. And the reason for our hope is that Jesus is here and we are not alone. Think for a moment: during the first Advent, Mary and Joseph were traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Outwardly they were obeying the decree of the emperor that everyone should register for the census in the town where his or her family was from. But Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem for another reason , a more important reason. They went to Bethlehem knowing that Mary’s Child was to be born in the city of David, the new King born in the city of the old king David. But think for a moment: yes, Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem to have Jesus. But they already had Him, there in Mary’s womb, there in their hearts. It is the same for us. During Advent we prepare to observe the anniversary of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. But all during Advent and, for that matter, every day of our live s we have Jesus in our hearts. And that is why we can have hope. For if we have Jesus, we can have the greatest hope. If we have Jesus, we have life.
Let me suggest to you a saint for this Advent. Other than Our Blessed Mother Mary, no one knew Advent and no one knew Christmas better than good St. Joseph. Here is this ordinary man, a working man, a carpenter, not renowned as far as the world was concerned, not rich or famous, but special in the eyes of God. Of all the men on the earth, God the Father chose St. Joseph to be the foster-father of Jesus God’s Son. He did not pick a king; He picked a carpenter. And why? Because St. Joseph, this just man, already had welcomed Jesus to his heart. And good St. Joseph invites us to do the same. Just as St. Joseph during the first Advent was traveling g to Bethlehem, let him help you to travel to Bethlehem too. Let St. Joseph help you to find Christmas and even more let St. Joseph help you to find Christ Our Lord.
Father Thomas B. Derivan
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SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
SPIRITUAL COMMUNIONIt 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.
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Message for children
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Decade of the Rosary
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Advent Daily Devotional
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Alumni NewsletterSt. Theresa School Alumni NewsletterLetter From Father Derivan
No. 1 “St. Theresa Strong” October, 2020
Dear Alumni and Friends of St. Theresa School,
During the past six years since I have been here at St. Theresa’s, I have met so many “St. Theresa-ites”, past and present, who certainly love this parish and especially our school. I have had the chance to meet many of you personally and have heard from you about how much St. Theresa’s has meant and continues to mean to you. This past summer, for instance, I met the grandfather of one of our latest graduates who was in the first graduating class from St. Theresa’s and remembers those days so well. How proud he was to present the graduating diploma to his grandson, linking the past and the present and looking forward to the future.
Some of you who are reading this may have been at St. Theresa’s many years ago and you fondly remember Sister Theresa Francis O.P. and the other Sparkill Dominican sisters who made our school strong. We do not have the sisters here nowadays, but this will always be a “Sparkill school” with Sister’s picture hanging by the principal’s office. Some of you have memories of more recent years here at St. Theresa’s and perhaps are still in touch with friends you made here years ago who are still very much a part of your life. Whether you were here at St. Theresa’s School over sixty years ago when Monsignor Ponsiglione opened the doors of the school he loved or whether you were here when our ear Father Grippo (my seminary classmate and dear friend for half a century) kept our school strong or whether you are a more recent graduate who benefited from our principal Mrs. Fanelli’s guidance, you can be justly proud that, whether you live near or far, St. Theresa’s is always part of you and you are always part of the school you love.
We want to keep our alumni informed of what is going on here at St. Theresa’s and that is why you are starting this “Alumni Newsletter.” We hope you will enjoy it. We also want to revive our Alumni Association. Information about this is on our school website.
I ask you to keep our children in your prayers. Today, of course, parents are making a great sacrifice to have their children here, with the rising cost of tuition along with other family expenses. But they are doing it. Keep our parents in your prayers. May their children come to love St. Theresa’s School as much as you do.
I want you to know in our monthly children’s Mass (at the moment held virtually), we offer our prayers for our alumni. Our children are praying for you.
May Our Lord continue to bless you and your family.
Sincerely in Our Lord,
Father Thomas B. Derivan
ST. THERESA SCHOOL NEWS—RE-OPENING REPORT:
We are happy to report that St. Theresa School, which re-opened on September 9, has welcomed 430 children for our new school year. After all these months of the pandemic, we were finally able to welcome our students and their teachers back. We also welcomed thirty-six children from the recently closed Our Lady of Assumption School and they have quickly become part of our St. Theresa School family.
As alumni, I am sure you want to know about how we have prepared for this re-opening. Our school, like every other school, has been closed since mid-March, with the children learning in their “virtual classroom.” While that system did work and the children did well in their assignments, of course it was not the same. The children were not able to be with their classmates. They were not able to take part in after-school activities, sports, drama club, and so many other things that are part of the life of our school. (Our Drama Club, for instance, was preparing for their production of “Alice in Wonderland,” but unfortunately that had to be postponed to another time.) But all during this time we have been preparing for the re-opening of in-person class which has now thankfully happened.
We want you to know that we are taking every precaution to keep our children and teachers safe:- Masks are worn by every person.
- Each person must have a temperature check on entering the building.
- Hand sanitizer is used upon entry and throughout the day. Children are encouraged to wash hands thoroughly.
- Children in younger grades attend school for two or three days a week, following a “hybrid” schedule,” with remote learning at home during the other days. Students in Grades 6,7 and 8 attend five days a week and we have converted the gymnasium and the cafeteria to accommodate these classes.
- For safety sake, no visitors are allowed in the building.
- The school building is sanitized at the end of each day and also periodically during the school day.
- New air filters have been installed in all classrooms.
As you can see, we are trying in every way to keep our children safe, while allowing them to be back in their classrooms with other children. The children are happy to “be back where they belong” and we are happy to welcome them to a safe school each morning. We all want things to get “back to normal,” and, with God’s help and the hard work of our teachers and staff, we do the best we can to keep, as our motto says, “St. Theresa Strong.”
SOME REMARKS FROM OUR MOST RECENT 2020 GRADUATES:
We thought you would be interested in what our most recent graduates have to say about our school. Their graduation was different than yours. It took place in a “drive-by ceremony,” which their teacher Mrs. Lopez and their principal Mrs. Fanelli made into a happy celebration. Maybe their remarks sound like yours from a “few” years ago:
This was our last year together as a class and unfortunately we couldn’t be together for our last days because of what is going on in the world. Just know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You all had an impact on my life and I thank you all. Just be careful and I wish everyone the best of luck from here on out.
Jason Acosta-Gonzalez
I want to say we made HISTORY. We can look back and say we were the graduates of the 2020 quarantine. Many of us have been in the same class since Pre-K and we have had many laughs and memories. I hope we can keep in touch. WE DID IT!
Edwin Betances
You have all been such good friends to me throughout my time at S.T.S. I want to thank you for being so supportive. I will never forget all the memories we made. Good luck in high school. You will do AMAZING!
Olivia Cifu
I can’t believe that our time together was cut short. I have to say, as crazy as some of our times were, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. I consider every one of you like my own children. We had our laughs, our cries, our stressful moments, and I thank you for all of those memories. Stay focused and remember to pray every day. Lots of love!
Mrs. Melissa Lopez, 8th Grade Teacher
PANDEMIC APPEAL
As you can imagine, we have had to face increasing costs during this pandemic time to re-open our school and to take every precaution possible for the safety of our children and staff. For that reason, we are asking you to help us in our “Pandemic Appeal.” Every contribution will go directly to help our children and every contribution is important. In making your contribution, you are helping to keep St. Theresa’s School going and to keep on being the “second home” that it is for our children as it was for you.
You may wish to make your contribution in memory of a deceased family member or friend. If so, please indicate that on the form below. Mass will be offered for all those who are remembered in this Appeal.
Please make checks payable to “St. Theresa Church—Alumni Appeal” and send to our Business Office, 2855 St. Theresa Ave., Bronx, NY 10461. You may also wish to do this online by using this website and going to the Alumni section to donate.
ST. THERESA SCHOOL PANDEMIC APPEAL:
Enclosed is my Pandemic Appeal contribution:
Name __________________________________
Address ________________________________
City, State, Zip __________________________
Email __________________________________
Phone __________________________________
__ $50 ___ $100 ___ $250 __$500 ___$1000
Other ____
Contribution made in memory of:
____________________
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PARISH GIVINGWEEKLY COLLECTIONS
As you can imagine, the current crisis has affected our parish just as it has affected your family. Despite the hardship, we ask you to continue to help St. Theresa’s Church. We thank those who have dropped off their weekly envelopes or mailed them to the rectory. We are asking everyone to do so.
Please consider the following:
1. You may wish to send your envelopes on a monthly, rather than weekly, basis, as some parishioners are doing. If so, just attach the envelopes together or put them in an envelope to be sent or dropped off here. There is a drop-off slot at the rectory for this purpose and in this way you can be assured that your offering reaches us.
2. You may wish to consider making your offering electronically. If so, please consult our parish website ( www.sttheresachurchbronx.org) and go to the section marked “Parish Giving.”
3. If you are not able to give your contributions now, you may wish to wait to a later date to do so after hopefully things improve and you can then “catch up” on your contributions. We certainly understand and emphasize that your priority is your family. But we ask you not to forget your “second family,” St. Theresa’s Church.
Thank you for your continued help to St. Theresa’s Church.
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Baptism Message for Parents
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Stations of the Cross
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Father Charles Memorial video
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Welcome to our parish!
St. Theresa's Catholic Church
2855 St. Theresa Avenue
Bronx, NY 10461 -
Today's Readings
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Reading 1 IS 11:1-10Responsorial Psalm PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17Gospel LK 10:21-24
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PARISH GIVING
St. Theresa has enlisted Parish Giving to provide its members with the opportunity to use Electronic Funds Transfer as an alternative method for giving. The Program is free of charge for parishioners. Click on Parish Giving to register for the program.
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Photo Albums
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Communion 2020
2 Photos
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2020 Confirmation
24 Photos
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LIVING NATIVITY - DECEMBER 24, 2019
18 Photos
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BIBLE STUDY/SHARING GOD'S WORD
BIBLE STUDY/SHARING:
CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM in the Rectory Dining Room a group gathers seeking to grow closer to Christ by meditating on the Holy Scripture. Please come and be nourished by the Word of God. Everyone is invited to attend.
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Confessions
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 6th.
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.