Church of St. Theresa A Caring Community Reaching Out To One Another in Christ SUNDAY MASSES Saturday at 5:00pm, Sunday at 7:30am, 9:00am(Italian), 10:30am(Family Mass) 12:15pm, 1:30PM(Spanish) & 5:00pm WEEKDAY MASSES Monday thru Saturday 8:00am & 9:00am DEVOTIONS Miraculous Medal & St. Theresa Novenas after Monday morning Masses St. Anthony Novena after Tuesday morning Masses. Thursday 12 Noon Mass & Eucharistic Adoration Exposition & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament First Friday 7:30pm to 8:30pm followed by silent adoration until 9:00pm. 2855 St. Theresa Avenue, Bronx, New York CONFESSION Saturdays from 4:00pm to 5:00pm and by appointment BAPTISMS Baptisms take place most Sundays after the 1:30pm Mass. We ask parents to attend the Baptism preparation meeting. Register at the Rectory for the meeting. The date of the Baptism will be discussed at the Baptism meeting. MARRIAGES Call the Rectory at least six months in advance of the wedding date to make an appointment with parish clergy. Rev. Msgr. Thomas Derivan, Pastor Rev. Joseph Ligory, Parochial Vicar Rev. Charles Szivos, Parochial Vicar Rev. Edmundo Gomez (Retired in Residence) Rev. Robert Imbelli, Weekend Associate Mrs. Josephine Fanelli, Principal Mrs. Marie McCarrick, Dir. of Religious Education Nadia Papayani, Dir. of Music RECTORY: 7188921900/1901 WEBSITE: www.sttheresachurchbronx.org SCHOOL: 7187923688 FAX: 7188921146 EMAIL: rectorystc@aol.com RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: 7187928434
CHURCH OF ST. THERESA, BRONX FROM THE DESK OF FATHER DERIVAN: The greatest among you is the one who serves the rest, Jesus says in the gospel today. For he who exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. These words of Our Lord are striking ones indeed. They go against our whole modern way of living. Our society encourages people to be the opposite of humbleto boast of their achievements to be concerned about their getting ahead, whatever the cost. Society certainly does not agree that the greatest person is the one who serves the rest. Our society defines greatness as power over the rest of people, not the power that comes from humbly serving people. Yes, dear friends, Our Lord today is preaching a message that goes against the feelings of this world. Christ always does that. He challenges the world. He challenges society s way of thinking. He tells us to look beyond ourselves, to look beyond this life and to prepare for the Kingdom of God. We do that not by exalting ourselves, but rather by serving others in Christ s name, humbly and faithfully and lovingly, as He wants us to. If you want to understand Our Lord s message about humble service, think of the life of a saint whose feast we celebrated this past Saturday. November 3rd is the feast of St. Martin de Porres, and you will not find a more humble, more charitable person than he. St. Martin lived over three centuries ago in Lima, Peru. He had every strike against him. He was illegitimate; he was poor; he was looked down as a half breed, a mulatto son of a black mother and a white father who abandoned Martin s mother and who probably looked on him as a mistake and a problem. But God had plans for Martin. God always has plans for those whose hearts are humble enough to receive him. Martin considered himself just God s servant, nothing more and nothing less. He offered himself as a lay brother in the Dominican monastery in Lima, offering to take care of the house, not considering himself worthy enough to take religious vows. Later on, at the request of his Dominican brothers, he took the vows of a religious brother and spent the rest of his sixty years serving the poor, doing the works of charity, seeking out the lost souls of this world the poor, the forgotten, the wandering souls. God blessed him with wonderful gifts. He had the gift of healing. He was blessed with wisdom and sound judgment and great people came to the door of this lowly brother to ask his advice and counsel. And the children loved St. Martin because he had a miraculous way with animals who used to listen to him and obey. And all of this happened because Martin was humble. He knew what humility is not denying one s gifts, but accepting them and accepting everything in our lives as gifts from God and then using our whole lives to give glory to Him. Humility for Martin immediately showed itself in charity. Because he knew God s kindness to him, he radiated that kindness and charity to those in need. When he was canonized in 1962, Pope St. John XXIII said, St. Martin dealt with his brothers with that profound love which comes from pure faith and humility of spirit. He loved people because he honestly looked on them as God s children and his own brothers and sisters. Such was his humility that he loved them even more than himself and considered them to be better and more righteous than he was. For this reason he deserves the name they gave him, Martin the charitable. There is humility, real humility humility showing itself in loving service of others in Christ s name. The challenge that the Lord gives us today is to examine our own hearts and our own lives. How much of the humble Martin is there in us, which is another way of Saying how much of the humble Christ is there in us? Look at your own life. Humbly thank God every day for your life, your health, your family, for everything He has given you. And then let that humble thanks show itself in the charity you perform, the love you give to others. If you do, the world may not consider you great, but Christ will. And He is the one whose opinion counts. The greatest among you is the one who serves the rest. For he who exalts himself shall be humbled and he who humbles himself shall be exalted. Father Thomas B. Derivan NATIONAL DONOR SUNDAY Today is observed throughout our country as NATIONAL DONOR SUNDAY. We join with our fellow Americans of all faiths in recognizing the importance of being an organ donor. The Church has long supported organ and tissue donation as a genuine act of love. Our late beloved Pope St. John Paul II wrote in his encyclical The Gospel of Life, One way of nurturing a genuine Culture of Life is the donation or organs, performed in an ethically acceptable manner, with a view to offering life itself to the sick who sometimes have no other hope. A person s gift of organs upon his or her death may literally give sight to those whose vision is impaired. It may provide a vital organ for a person who otherwise would die. It is certainly a gift of life. Our retired Pope Benedict XVI himself is a registered organ donor. If you wish to become an organ donor, you may register with the New York State Department of Health to ensure that your wishes will be honored upon death. A sample is available in the church vestibule, along with a booklet entitled Organ and Issue Donation: A Catholic Perspective. You may consult www.savelivesnewyork.org. God bless you for considering the opportunity to be a giver of life. WE HOPE YOU TURNED YOUR CLOCKS BACK 1 HOUR ON SATURDAY NIGHT!! Please continue to share the peace and joy of our faith with others. There are so many that are in the need of Jesus. Now that the holiday season is near can you be for all of us a living sign to all our parishioners and neighbors, and tell them for us we need them and love them. Someone may hear and accept the invitation from you and return home to worship the Lord with us. So please invite a friend, relative, or neighbor to come with you to Church next Sunday. God will do the rest. Let us share our treasure of faith with others.
THIRTYFIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME DEVOTION TO THE HOLY SOULS Father Peter John Cameron, O.P The Church s doctrine on purgatory was stated by the fifteenthcentury Council of Florence in this way: If those who are truly penitent depart from this life in the charity of God before they have had made satisfaction by worthy fruits of penance for their sins of commission and omission, their souls are cleansed by purgatorial sufferings after death. And the suffrages of the living namely, the Sacrifice of the Mass, prayers, almsdeeds, and other works of piety are profitable to those departed souls for the relief of their sufferings. Pope Benedict XVI tells us that purgatory is the inwardly necessary process of transformation in which a person becomes capable of Christ, capable of God and thus capable of unity with the whole communion of saints. To assist the souls in purgatory is to perform the most excellent of the works of mercy, or rather it is to practice in a most sublime manner all the works of mercy together (Saint Francis de Sales). It was revealed to Saint Bridget that a person who delivers a soul from purgatory has the same merit as if that person delivered Jesus Christ himself from captivity. Saint Thomas Aquinas holds that the least suffering of those in purgatory is greater than the greatest pain in life. Why? Because their desire is more ardent in purgatory. We beg to share in their desire. (Reprinted from Magnificat) This Saturday is our observance of Veterans Day. We particularly pay tribute to those who have served our country in the Armed Forces whose military service has helped us to enjoy the blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We should also remember in our prayers on Saturday the young men and women who are currently serving in the Armed Forces at this time. We pray for their safety and for their speedy return to their families. Our Masses on Saturday, Veterans Day will be at 8:00AM and 9:00AM. Veteran s Day Prayer Dear Lord, Today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best when they were called upon to serve and protect their country. We pray that you will bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety, and our country s heritage, for all of us. Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced, for their many different contributions to America s victories over tyranny and oppression. We respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them, and we pray that you will watch over these special people and bless them with peace and happiness. In Jesus name we pray. Amen By Joanna Fuchs SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS: Please support our advertisers; it is their support that makes this bulletin possible, and when you visit them, please let them know that you read their advertisement in St. Theresa s bulletin. IN TIME OF NEED Jesus, do not leave me alone in suffering. You know, Lord, how weak I am. I am an abyss of wretchedness, I am nothingness itself; so what will be so strange if You leave me alone and I fall? I am an infant, Lord, so I cannot get along by myself. However, beyond all abandonment I trust, and in spite of my own feeling I trust, and I am being completely transformed into trust often in spite of what I feel. Do not lessen any of my sufferings, only give me strength to bear them. Do with me as You please, Lord, only give me the grace to be able to love You in every event and circumstance. Lord, do not lessen my cup of bitterness, only give me strength that I may be able to drink it all. Amen. (V,99) Marian Helpers Center
NOVEMBER 5, 2017 A MESSAGE FOR THIS SUNDAY FROM POPE FRANCIS November is the month of saints, the month when we particularly reflect on the great mystery of the communion of saints, our union with the saints in heaven who guide us on our pilgrim way there. Here are some reflections of Pope Francis on this great mystery of our faith: The month of November is for all of us an intense time of faith, prayer and reflection on the last things of life. In fact in celebrating all the Saints and in commemorating all the faithful departed, in the Liturgy, the pilgrim Church on earth lives and expresses the spiritual bond which unites her to the Church in heaven. Today we praise God for the countless host of saints from all ages: simple and ordinary men and women, who were at times last for the world, but first for God. At the same time we remember our departed loved ones by visiting the cemeteries: it is a source of great consolation to think that they are in the company of the Virgin Mary, the apostles, the martyrs and all the saints of Heaven! We do well to consider a fundamental truth of the Christian faith that we profess in the Creed : the communion of saints. What does this mean: the communion of saints? It is the communion born from faith which is united, that is not broken by death, but continues in the next life. Indeed, there is an unbreakable bond between us living in this world and those who have crossed the threshold of death. We, here on earth, along with those who have entered into eternity, form one great family. This familiarity endures. This wonderful communion, this wondrous union between heaven and earth takes place in the highest and most intense way in the Liturgy, and especially in the celebration of the Eucharist, which expresses and fulfills the most profound union between the members of the Church. In the Eucharist, we in fact encounter the living Jesus and His strength, and through Him we enter communion with our brothers and sisters in the faith: those who live with us here on earth and those who have gone before us into the next life, the unending life. This reality fills us with joy: it is beautiful to have so many brothers and sisters in the faith who walk beside us, supporting us with their help, and together we travel the same road toward heaven. And it is comforting to know that there are other brothers and sisters who have already reached heaven, who await us and pray for us, so that together in eternity we can contemplate the glorious and merciful face of the Father. In the great assembly of saints, God wanted to reserve the first place for the Mother of Jesus. Mary is at the center of the communion of saints, as the singular custodian of the bond between the universal Church and Christ, of the bond of the family. She is Mother, She is our Mother. For those who want to follow Jesus on the path of the Gospel, she is a trusted guide because she is the first disciple. She is an attentive and caring Mother, to whom we can entrust every desire and difficulty. Let us pray together to the Queen of All Saints, that she may help us to respond with generosity and faithfulness to God, who calls us to be holy as He is Holy. Pope Francis, Angelus Message, Nov. 1, 2014 SISTERS OF LIFE Of the many descriptions given to Our Lord, one of the most beautiful is the ministry of reconciliation, the picking up the pieces of broken lives. God cannot stand to see anything lost. John Cardinal O Connor Have you suffered an abortion? Experience God s love and mercy and begin the journey of healing. Please call the Sisters of Life: 8665750075 or email: hopeandhealing@sistersoflife.org. For men, call Theresa Bonopartis at Lumina: 8775864621 or email Lumina@postabortionhelp.org. Food is now being collected for our Food Pantry. We are asking for items such as canned vegetables, gravy, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, canned yams and other items for a Thanksgiving meal. We are also in need of cereal, peanut butter, jelly, tomato sauce, pasta, plus everyday items such as coffee, rice, tuna fish, cake mixes, frosting, canned or boxed juices, and other nonperishable items. NO GLASS JARS PLEASE! These items will be passed on to needy families in our parish and community. God bless you for your kindness. Thank you to all who have donated to our Pantry. God bless you and your families. CATHOLIC WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS OF THE BRONX OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION 1634 MAHAN AVENUE BRONX, NEW YORK 10461 The Catholic Widows and Widowers of the Bronx meetings are held on third Monday of each month at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 1634 Mahan Avenue, Pelham Bay, Bronx, NY at 6:30PM in the lower church. All Catholic Widows and Widowers are welcome to come to observe the meetings and then join if you wish to do so. On the First Friday of each month a special Mass is celebrated in the convent chapel at 6:00PM to remember the deceased spouses for the current month. All names are mentioned at the Offertory of the Mass. For any further information, please contact Connie Andersen, President at 7188928142 or Joan Petrucelli, Corresponding Secretary at 7188295229.0 PETITION BOOK Have you noticed our Petition Book in the vestibule of the Church? Every Saturday before the 5:00PM Mass, the petitions entered into the book for that week are brought up to the altar of the Blessed Mother, where they remain for all the weekend Masses. Please pray for these intentions.
ALUMNI AND FORMER PARISHIONERS! We are in the process of updating our list of alumni of St. Theresa s School and former parishioners of our parish. We want them to know about the good things that are going on at our parish and our school. We ask you to contact family members or friends to ask them to help us update our list. They may do so in any of the following ways: Filling out the form and sending it to the Rectory (or asking you to drop it by for them) Calling the Rectory to update the information Emailing the information found below. Entering this information on our Facebook page: St. Theresa Parish (Official) Thank you for your help with this. UPDATE OF INFORMATION FOR ALUMNI & FORMER PARISHIONERS Name If alumnus, year Address Telephone Cell Email Comments or other information: ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION A Catholic Perspective Q: Does the Roman Catholic Church approve of organ and tissue donation? A: Yes, the Catholic Church regards donation as being an act of charity, fraternal love and selfsacrifice. Transplants are ethically and morally acceptable to the Vatican. OVERVIEW As medical science helps to advance transplantation techniques, the number of Americans awaiting transplants has also accelerated. Tragically, 18 Americans die each day because of the critical shortage of organs. Recognizing the desperate need to save lives, the Roman Catholic Church has long supported organ and tissue donation. In this context, donation is seen as an opportunity for individuals to foster a culture that values life. Catholicism maintains that organ and tissue donation allows an individual the freedom to bestow on others the most valuable gift of all, the gift of life. While donation is viewed as being a genuine act of love, the Vatican clearly states that it must be performed in an ethically acceptable manner. As such, donation may not commercialize human organs or consider them as items of exchange or trade. POPE PIUS XII In May 1956, Pope Pius XII declared that: A person may will to dispose of his body and to destine it to ends that are useful, morally irreproachable and even noble, among them the desire to aid the sick and suffering...this decision should not be condemned but positively justified. POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II In August 2000, Pope John Paul II told attendees at the International Congress on Transplants in Rome: Transplants are a great step forward in science s service of man, and not a few people today owe their lives to an organ transplant. Increasingly, the technique of transplants has proven to be a valid means of attaining the human life.there is a need to instill in people s hearts, especially in the hearts of the young, a genuine and deep appreciation of the need for brotherly love, a love that can find expression in the decision to become an organ donor. EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN, ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK In the summer of 2001, in an article written for the New York Organ Donor Network, the late Cardinal Egan wrote: The commitment of one person to give the gift of life to another mirrors an essential foundation upon which the teachings of Christ are based. As Saint John tells us: For God so loved the world, that he have His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). By knowingly choosing the donation of one s bodily organs, one is acting as Christ would act giving life to humanity. It is for the betterment of humanity, for the love of one s fellow human beings, that organ donation is undertaken. One of the most powerful ways for individuals to demonstrate love for their neighbor is by making an informed decision to be an organ donor.
3rd TIME: Robert La Pietra & Anna Bondarev THIS WEEK S ALTAR BREAD IS IN LOVING MEMORY OF FRANK MASI LOVE, SALLY & ANGELA THE SANCTUARY LAMP BURNING NEAR THE TABERNACLE THIS WEEK IS IN LOVING MEMORY OF OLIMPIA RINALDI LOVE, YOUR LOVING FAMILY PLEASE PRAY FOR THE RECENTLY DECEASED MEMBER OF OUR PARISH AND HER FAMILY THERESA BURNS & VEVETTE SAMUELS CONFESSIONS are heard every Saturday from 4:00PM to 5:00PM or by appointment in the Rectory. ARE YOU A REGISTERED PARISHIONER All new or unregistered parishioners are asked to please register by phone or in person at the Rectory or fill out the information below. Many items of importance will be mailed home in the course of the year. NAME ADDRESS PHONE# CELL# EMAIL PLEASE RETURN TO THE RECTORY OFFICE. SATURDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2017 5:00PM Joseph & Josephine Lurgio SUNDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2017 7:30AM Parishioners of St. Theresa 9:00AM Francesco Fernicola, Filomena Parisi & Francesco Paterna 10:30AM Lillian Darbenzio 12:15PM Giuseppina Arminio 1:30PM Divino Nino de Praga y la Virgencita de Gudalupa 5:00PM Debra DeCamillis MONDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2017 8:00AM Olimpia Rinaldi 9:00AM Tracy Iovino TUESDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2017 8:00AM Hector Frias & Elpidia Reynoso de Frias 9:00AM Donato & Beatrice DiCristofaro WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2017 8:00AM George Corso 9:00AM Antonio & Pasqua Palumbo THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2017 8:00AM Sebastian Kalapos 9:00AM Tina DePierro 12:00PM Holy Souls in Purgatory FRIDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2017 8:00AM Sebastian Meraglia 9:00AM Joseph Ljubicich SATURDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2017 8:00AM To the Infant Jesus for Restoring my Health 9:00AM Frances Laino 5:00PM Luigi Quartucci SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2017 7:30AM Parishioners of St. Theresa 9:00AM Peter Bastone 10:30AM Rose DiFigola 12:15PM Julio Sanchez 1:30PM Francisco Torres 5:00PM Salvatore & Luisa Falciano PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH: Josephine (JoJo) Alvy, Phyllis Amitrano, Maryann Cale Bannan, Linda Barbaro, Ralph Barbaro, Nancy Cardone, Elaine Reiss Cina, Joseph Cina, Phyllis Caruso, Marie DiPolo, Ken Fludd, Daley Gribbon, Ita Griffin, Sean Howell, William Keenan, Sal Lanza, Frank Maiorana, Maryann Maiorana, Diane Martino, Joe Martino, Theresa Martino, Isabelle O Brien, Frank Oricco, Marie Russillo, Camille Siciliano, Mario Simeone, Toni Spahr, Florence Valentine, Dean Valentine, Nicholas Vasti, Frank Vertullo, Irene Vesely.
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