THE PASTORAL REPORT

Dear Parishioners,

            Recently I issued the Pastoral Report for our parish, as submitted to  Cardinal Dolan.  It covers information from September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020. I am presenting this again here for your interest.
            We are all aware that this past year was “the Pandemic Year.” The pandemic has changed so much in our lives and that affects our church as it has affected everything else. But I think it is fair to say that St. Theresa Parish has remained strong during this difficult time. Our motto (placed on our Rectory door for all to see) was simply this: “Stay strong, stay safe and pray hard.”

            Let me share with you the following information:
 

1. Our Church and the Sacraments .  As Catholic people, we know that the sacraments are central to our lives. Unfortunately  for several months (from mid-March to late June) we were not able to have Masses or the sacraments in  church because of the pandemic. Therefore these figures (which usually go from September to August) go from September 2019 to March, 2020 and then from late June 2020 to August 2020) are lower than last year. Thankfully we are now “catching up” with the celebration of Baptisms, weddings, and other ceremonies.

• During the past year, 73 children and 4 adults were baptized. 
• 37 children from our school and CCD Program received First Holy Communion.  First Communion was originally scheduled for May 2, but this had to be postponed. Fortunately we were able to have two beautiful First Communion Masses on July 18 with proper precautions taken. I commend the children, their teachers and their parents for making the best of this situation.
• Bishop Gerald Walsh, Auxiliary Bishop of New York, confirmed 54 youngsters from our school and CCD Program. Confirmation was s scheduled for March 27. Of course that was not possible. But Bishop Walsh was kind enough to offer two Confirmation Masses on October 16, again following all safety precautions for everyone present.
• 7 marriages were solemnized.
• 94 funerals were offered for our departed loved-ones. During the height of the pandemic, we were not able to have Funeral Masses in church. The priest was able to go to the cemetery, with limited family members participating in the burial ceremony. I am happy to report that many of those families have taken up our suggestion to have a proper Memorial Mass for the person who died now that we are able to do so.
• Over 100 persons received the Anointing of the Sick at our Communal Anointing in October 2019.
• In addition to this, of course, there were many confessions and Holy Communions received daily at our two weekday Masses which resumed on June 22.
• We are blessed with parishioners taking part in Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays after the 12:00:PM Mass and on First Friday evenings at 6PM with the Holy Hour and Benediction.
• As you remember, we were not able to have public Sunday Mass from mid-March to the end of June. We were able to resume Sunday Mass on June 28. Now we have about 500 people who attend our seven weekend Masses. We have designated spaces in church for families and for individuals or couples. I want to thank everyone for their cooperation in sitting in the designated places and for wearing masks. The church benches are sanitized after every Mass..
• Some people (particularly if there is a person in the household with some precondition) are hesitant about returning to church for Mass, even though we believe it is safe to do so.  Therefore we have offered the Mass on our church website (sttheresachurchbronx.org) for viewing at home. I am edified to hear from parishioners that they watch the Mass together as a family. Of course it is not the same as actually coming to Mass, but we respect each person’s decision regarding their health. Our website was used throughout the pandemic for daily Mass and other devotions, including the Monday Message for Children which is still featured every week. I am grateful to a  young college parishioner Johnny Dushaj for making this possible each week.

2. St. Theresa School and CCD Program

• Our elementary school is a parish-based school and is the “second home” for 426 children, ranging from 3-Year Old Class to Grade 8.  Our principal, Mrs. Fanelli, and her excellent staff of teachers and assistants worked long and hard during the summer to prepare for the opening of school on September 9. Some families have chosen “remote learning” with the children online from home; others have chosen the “hybrid method” where they are in school several days a week and the other days online; and 6^th, 7^th and 8^th Graders are able to come full-time every day because we have converted our gymnasium and cafeteria to accommodate them all with proper social distancing. Every precaution is taken for the safety of our children (temperature checks on arrival; hand sanitizing; sanitizing the building throughout the day and after school and  not allowing visitors in the building).  
• Our CCD Program on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, coordinated by Mrs. McCarrick, teaches the faith to 89 children, helping them to grow in Christ.  We are happy that we can offer in-person CCD classes for our children and I thank Mrs. McCarrick and our volunteer catechists for making this possible.
• We had a fine adult sacramental program here at St. Theresa’s, coordinated by Father Joseph Ligoryand Mrs. McCarrick. Usually adults in this program (called RCIA—Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil Mass. Since that was not possible, Cardinal Dolan directed that the sacraments could be given at a Sunday Mass. Accordingly on Sunday, September 13 three adults received  First Communion and Confirmation. This year’s RCIA program began on November 10.
• Unfortunately during the height of the pandemic we were not able to have many things that are part of the life of our parish and school.  Hopefully we will be able to have these events – and more--this coming year. Pray hard!

3. Our people, the “life blood” of our parish. We are blessed to have faithful parishioners whose devotion to our church and parish has remained strong during this difficult time.  I thank all who faithfully continue to support our church and to pay school tuition during these months, even though many families were experiencing much hardship. I thank our teachers who had to do much extra work since mid-March, helping both the children in-person in class and also those online at home. I thank our maintenance men, Joey Antico, Sonny McCord and Nick Obertello for the work that have been doing and continue to do to follow all the procedures that New York State and the Archdiocese direct us to follow for public safety. I thank our Rectory personnel, Cathy Zingaro, Angela Stoyka and Bernadette Donoghue for keeping things going smoothly during this trying time. And of course I thank our priests, Father Edmundo Gomez, Father Joseph Ligory, Father Robert Imbelli and the Salesian Fathers of St. John Bosco for continuing to serve you, God’s people.  

Again, thank you, our dear parishioners, for making all of this possible. Thank you for your love for St. Theresa Parish. And as we have said so often during these past months: “Stay strong, stay safe and pray hard.”

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.
 

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.