Catholic Church in Bronx, NY
Adult Choir and Children’s Choir – Dr. Liya Petrides leads, trains and accompanies our three choirs for the past 12 years. A graduate of Juilliard, she has performed at major venues as organist, pianist and soprano in the United States and abroad.
*English Choir*- The adult choir is comprised of a group of parishioners for whom singing is a lot more than a hobby -- it is a meaningful form of worship of God. They sing at the 12:15 p.m. Mass each Sunday. In the past two years the adult choir, in conjunction with neighboring choirs, have performed Mozart's Requiem, Stainer's Crucifixion, Dubois' Seven Last Words of Christ, Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, and more. Practice is on Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. in the church. New members are allways welcome!
*Spanish Choir* - This recently created group sings at the Spanish Mass each Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Our several singers and percussionist welcome singers and instrumentalists wishing to praise God with us *En Espansol*.
*Children's Choir* - This choir is comprised of St. Theresa School and CCD students, grades 2-8 and sings at the 10:30 a.m. Family Mass each Sunday from October through May, as well as many special occasions and concerts. The rehearsals are Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. before CCD and Thursdays during recess for St. Theresa school students. The enrollment is open each September and January.
AHRC - Julius DiFiore, 718-828-6407. Volunteers are welcomed to help set up and chaperone the dances held throughout the year for the residents of the local AHRC group homes. Our mission is to provide social and recreational activities for persons with mental retardation, Down's syndrome and related disabilities. The AHRC Dance Committee hosts several dances each year at the St. Theresa School Auditorium for the residents and clients of the local AHRC group homes and day rehabilitation centers.
Altar Servers – Moderator, Msgr. Thomas B. Derivan. Boys and girls from St. Theresa School or religious education program who are in the fourth grade through high school assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and other religious celebrations and events, such as Confirmation, the Feast procession, funerals and weddings.
Altar Society – Moderator, Msgr. Thomas B. Derivan. The mission of the Altar Society is to bring the women of the parish together spiritually and socially. The society cares for the needs of the church, i.e. wash and iron all altar cloths, wash and dry all altar servers albs, clean and dust the inside of the church, and decorate the church for all holidays. Fundraising enables us to purchase new altar clothes, dressings for the main altar, and other items needed to make out church look clean and beautiful. Each May we host the Parish Communion Breakfast. The Altar Society also helps serve at many parish events such as Pre-Cana conferences, 25th/50th wedding anniversaries, the annual feast, as well as special events that the Pastor organizes for the benefit of the parishioners.
Gift Shop – The St. Theresa gift shop is open on Sunday from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Please note that the store is closed during Mass times.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion – Moderator, Deacon Anthony Cassanetto. Catholic adults in good standing in the St. Theresa parish community who are examples of exceptional public Christian witness and who regularly attend Sunday Mass may be trained as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist in the distribution of Holy Communion when the Ordinary Ministers, i.e., bishops, priests or deacons, are not available to assist. The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion assists at weekend Masses and is often called upon to distribute Holy Communion to the parishioners who are homebound and hospitalized.
Feast Committee – The Feast Committee plans every detail of our magnificent feast each year. They meet throughout the year. To get involved with the parish feast committee, stop in at the rectory or call 718-892-1900.
Food Pantry –The St. Theresa Food Pantry collects food for families in the community, particularly at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Parishioners are asked to leave food donations in the back of the church. Volunteers make an average of 15 baskets per month from the food collected from parishioners and merchants. To get involved with the parish food pantry, please stop in at the rectory or call 718-892-1900.
St. Vincent de Paul Society – Moderator, Msgr. Thomas B. Derivan. St. Vincent de Paul Society is a world wide effort to help those in need. It was begun in Paris over one hundred and fifty years ago by blessed Frederic Ozanam and has helped the needy with food, clothing, burial of indigents, and summer camping for children. Along with the Holy Name Society, likewise committed to service of those in need, the society will help to organize and promote our various social programs: food drives, Midnight Runs (to help those in need of clothing), assistance to children in needy parishes, and other efforts which we can either increase or begin. We encourage parishioners of all ages to join St. Vincent de Paul/Holy Name Society here at St. Theresa Church.
Home-School Association – The HSA is made up of parents of students in our parish school. They meet throughout the year to plan and organize numerous family-oriented events for the St. Theresa School community.
Bible Study/Sharing – Every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM in the Rectory Meeting Room, a group gathers seeking to grow closer to Christ by meditating on Holy Scripture. Coffee and cake is always served. Please come and be nourished by the Word of God. Everyone is invited to attend.