Activities of Saint Theresa of Avila Parish
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SAINT THERESA SCHOOL
Saint Theresa’s School is an elementary parish school serving
approximately 300 children from approximately 250 families, residing both within
the geographic confines of the parish as well as other neighborhoods.
Fully accredited and staffed by lay teachers, the school provides strong
grounding in all the basic academic disciplines supported by a strong
orientation to traditional Catholic family values integrated in the religion
program. Featuring a solid
curriculum for grades K-6, in language arts, mathematics, science, and social
studies, the school also offers other innovative programs.
For information about admission, programs, and tuition plans, please
contact Mrs. Jane Gibbons at the school office (617) 323-1050.
The Religious Education program at Saint Theresa Parish provides formal
instruction for students in Grade 1 through Grade 10.
Students enrolled in public schools or in nonsectarian private schools
should attend weekly Religious Education classes.
Classes for Grade 1 through Grade 6 meet on Sunday mornings from 10:00 to
11:00 A.M. in St. Theresa’s School. Families
are encouraged to attend the 9:00 Mass and bring the children to class after the
Mass. Children in Grade 2 who attend
a Catholic School other than Saint Theresa’s and are receiving the Sacraments
at Saint Theresa’s must register and attend some classes prior to reception of
the Sacraments.
Classes for Grades 7-10 meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:00 P.M. in
the school.
First Communion and Confirmation are both two-year programs.
Students must register for each Sacrament in Grade1 and Grade 9
respectively. For more information regarding the Religious Education Program,
please call (617) 469-2898.
PEER MINISTRY
Saint Theresa’s offers a Peer Ministry Program for Catholic, Public, and
Private High School students. Juniors
and Seniors who have been Confirmed (at Saint Theresa’s or elsewhere)
are welcome. Meetings are generally
held once a month and activities are varied, faith filled, and fun.
Challenge yourself to share the Light of Faith.
For more information, please call the Rectory (617) 325-1300 X128.
RCIA
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a process by which adults
“…consciously and freely seek the living God.”
It is a formation process composed of liturgical rites and adult
education in the faith. The RCIA is for people who were:
never baptized
baptized in another faith
baptized Catholic but have never received the
sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation. For
more information, please contact the rectory (617) 325-1300 or sttadultfaith@gmail.com
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
The Adult Faith Formation program offers a program of enrichment which runs
from October– May. Guest speakers
offer presentations on particular topics, followed by a period of discussion and
questions and answers. Interested
participants are encouraged to offer ideas for topics.
Please contact the Religious Education Office (617-469-2898) or sttadultfaith@gmail.com
This year, as part of the Year of Faith, we are starting the second part of the
Catholicism Series every Monday evening from February 25th until March 25th.
LECTORS
By proclaiming the Word of God in the Scriptures, and by announcing the
General Intercessions, members of the parish participate in the liturgy in a
special way. For more information
please contact the Rectory (617) 325-1300.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST
This ministry was developed by the Church to aid the Ordinary Ministers of
the Eucharist, the priests, in distributing Holy Communion at parish liturgies
and to the sick and shut-ins of the parish.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are selected by the priests of
the parish, who provide the necessary training.
For more information, please contact the Rectory (617) 325-1300.
CYO
Saint Theresa's Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) encourages teenagers to
become active participants in the life and community of the parish.
Both social and spiritual events are planned throughout the year.
For more information, contact the Rectory (617) 325-1300 and ask for or
leave a message for Diane Murphy .
RETIREES
The Retirees Group of Saint Theresa's Parish offers approximately 10 trips
each year to members of the Parish. We
welcome Parish members, family, friends, and those who have not retired to join
us. We have no meetings, and no
mailing list. We communicate by
announcing the trips, some overnight and some day trips, in the Bulletin. For
more information, call the Rectory (617) 325-1300
SCOUTING PROGRAM
Theresa’s has a long and successful history of Scouting programs for both
boys and girls at all age levels. Many Boy Scouts have earned the Ad Altare Dei
Medal and over sixty-five have received the Eagle Scout Award.
Many of the Girl Scouts have earned the Marian Medal. For more
information, please call the rectory (617)325-1300
ALTAR
SERVERS
Boys and girls in the parish, in Grade 4 and older, are invited to participate
in the liturgical celebrations in the special role of altar servers.
Training sessions are provided on a regular basis.
Contact the school for more information. (617) 323-1050.
USHERS
As Ministers of Liturgical Hospitality, ushers welcome and assist
parishioners at weekend liturgies and other special functions.
This ministry emphasizes greeting parishioners when they enter the
church, assisting them to their seats if necessary, taking up the collections,
and distributing the parish bulletins. Parishioners
18 years of age or older are invited to participate,
Contact the Rectory.(617)325-1300.
SACRISTANS
The Ministry of the Sacristan provides vital services to the parish
community by preparing the Church and Sanctuary for each liturgical celebration.
The weekend Sacristan typically works one shift per month based on his/
her availability. This ministry provides the individual volunteer with the
opportunity not only to offer a valuable service to Saint Theresa’s Parish,
but also to grow a closer relationship with Our Lord in the presence of the
Blessed Sacrament. For more
information contact: Larry Fagan at (617) 327-1933.
MUSIC MINISTRY
At St. Theresa’s, cantors and choir members are volunteers who offer their
gifts in service to the parish and participate in ongoing training and
rehearsals. Is there a place for me
or members of my family? Yes,
everyone has a place. We have a Children’s Choir for students grades 2-4;
Choristers is for students grades 5-9, and Parish Choir is for high school age
students and adults of all ages. Adults and children can train to be parish
cantors. Singing and music have been
central to our tradi-tion and history. Most importantly, each and every
worshipper is encouraged to engage in sung participation in the liturgy. For
more information contact the music director, Brandon Santini at bsantini86@gmail.com
or the music office: 617-325-1300 x 126.
MARRIAGE
Couples planning to marry at Saint Theresa’s Parish should make an
appointment with a priest at least 6 months prior to the wedding date. Marriage
Preparation (Pre-Cana) classes are offered at the parish twice a year, in the
Spring and again in the Fall. For
more information, please call the Rectory (617)325-1300.
MOMS, POPS, AND TOTS
Moms. Pops, and Tots is an informal gathering of parents who are home during
the day with their infants, toddlers, and preschool children.
The parish is committed to supporting parents who are taking on this role
in today’s society. Contact the rectory for further details. (617) 325-1300.
PARISH OUTREACH PROGRAM
Reaching out to help those in need presents a unique opportunity for our
parishioners to bring Our Lord with them whenever they do something for someone
in need. Program volunteers assist
the elderly, the infirm, and the house-bound of the parish with many of their
daily routines, both physical and spiritual.
For more information contact Sister Virginia Kelleher CSJ
(617) 325-1300 x 127.
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
For over 50 years, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has been helping the
poor and needy of the parish, by meting out various forms of assistance to those
in need, ever mindful of the highly confidential nature of their work.
For more information, please contact the Rectory (617)325-1300.