St. Theresa of Avila Parish 
2078 Centre Street  
West Roxbury, Massachusetts

Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours, no feet but yours;
yours are the eyes through which Christ's compassion looks out on the world,
yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good
    and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now.    
                                     Teresa of Avila


 


  

Welcome!

Pastor's Greeting

The Year of the Priest

Sacraments

Mass Schedule  

Ministry schedule:
 Cantors   and  
Extraordinary Ministers 
of Holy Communion

Directory:
*Parish Staff
 
*Telephone 
*Office hours

*Directions

This Week's  Note
from Monsignor Helmick

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Parish News
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Flu Directives 
from the Archdiocese of Boston

Religious Education
News and more 

 Around town: The Church beyond our parish
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Archdiocesan 
News & Events 

Parish Music Notes  
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CYO News   
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Retirees

The Importance of Weekly Mass

A Priest's Week

 

 

Citations for 

Daily Scripture Readings 

Question of the Week 
reflection and discussion points

Life of our Patron, 
Saint Theresa of Avila
 

 Mass Times

Mass schedules for traveling Catholics (link)

 St. Theresa School

Photo Album:
our church
our parish staff


Note: for dial-up connections our photo album pages will take time to download (but it's worth the wait!)

 
Links ~ interesting web sites.   


Welcome to St. Theresa of Avila Parish Home Page

St. Theresa of Avila Parish is a large Roman Catholic parish located in the Boston neighborhood of West Roxbury. In 1995 the Parish celebrated its centennial anniversary adopting as our theme "Saint Theresa Parish: Beginning our Second Century of Faith, Worship, and Service." This theme well describes life in our parish. We are a community bound together by our shared faith in God. We gather weekly, and for many, daily, in worship. We take very seriously our call to discipleship and our obligation to service. Our faith and our worship give us the grace and commitment to go into the world as followers of Jesus Christ. We sincerely hope that this web page will provide a modest introduction to our parish. Please contact us by e-mail, telephone, fax, U.S. mail, carrier pigeon or any other way. We would love to hear from you. Please come visit our beautiful church and join us for Mass. The schedule for Mass and confessions is printed below.

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Parish Staff

Pastor:                   The Reverend Monsignor William Manning Helmick

Parochial Vicars:    Reverend Richard S. Bradford (Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday a.m.)
                                       
Revered Andreas Davison
                              Reverend Robert Blaney

In Residence:         Reverend Raymond G. Helmcik, S.J.
                             The Most Reverend Emilio Allué, SDB, DD

CYO Coordinator:    Denise Henry

St. Theresa School: Mrs. Jane Gibbons, Principal

Music Director:       Richard R. Bunbury, Ph.D.

Outreach Director:  Sister Virginia Kelleher, CSJ (617-325-9171)

Parish Secretary:     Mrs. Carol O'Brien

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Directory

Saint Theresa of Avila Church
2078 Centre Street 
West Roxbury, Massachusetts 02132

Parish House: 10 Saint Theresa Avenue, West Roxbury, MA 02132

RECTORY OFFICE HOURS 
Sunday:                                      8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.        
Monday through Thursday:          8:30 a.m. -  9:00 p.m.        
Friday:                                        8:30 a.m.
- 5:00 p.m.        
Saturday:                                    8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

If a parishioner is sick and needs to receive the sacraments, a priest can always be reached by calling 617-325-1300.  The answering service will contact the priest on duty to respond to emergency calls of this nature. 

Telephone: 617- 325-1300Fax: 617-325-0380

Religious Education Office: 617-469-2898

St. Theresa School:               617-323-1050

Music Director:                     617- 325-1300 extension 126

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Saint Theresa  Church and Chapel are both handicapped accessible through our Pavilion. Entrance to the church parking lot is from St. Theresa Avenue, off of Centre Street.

Saint Theresa Church is located at 2078 Centre Street at the corner of St. Theresa Avenue, in West Roxbury. It is easily accessible by public transportation. From Forest Hills station (Orange Line) the Charles River and Stimson Street buses stop directly across from the church. The Needham Local Commuter Rail train runs Monday through Saturday; West Roxbury station is one block from the church.  Check schedules and routes at http://www.mbta.com

Driving Directions
St. Theresa of Avila Church is easily accessible from Route 128/Route 95.  

From the south
From Route 128/95, take exit 15A (Dedham).  This brings you to onto Route 1.  You will pass several stores and restaurants (Best Buy, TGI Fridays).  Stay straight, passing the Dedham Mall (Sears) and several fast food places.  At the intersection of VFW Parkway (Route 1) and Spring Street, (there is a donut shop across the street and the V.A. Hospital marquee is ahead) take a right onto Spring Street.  Stay on Spring Street, past Tony's Restaurant and Shaws Market.  You will see the church steeple up ahead on the right.  Spring Street becomes Centre Street (Kfoury Funeral Home on right and Tedeschi's on left).  Take a right at the church, onto St. Theresa Avenue, the church parking lot is the first left.  

From the west:
Take Route 9 east. At Barnes & Noble (across from the Chestnut Hill Mall), take exit for West Roxbury/Hyde Park. Stay to the right on the ramp and you will be on Hammond Pond Parkway.  At the rotary, take the second right onto LaGrange Street.  Stay on LaGrange, keep to the right when the road spurs to the left.  You will cross VFW Parkway (Carrigg Monuments on the corner).  Remain on LaGrange. The second lights after VFW Pkwy is Centre Street.  The Corrib Pub will be ahead on the left, Blanchards is on the right.  Take a right from LaGrange onto Centre Street.  Get in the left lane, Saint Theresa of Avila Church is just ahead on the left.  Take a left at the lights
onto St. Theresa Avenue, the church parking lot is the first left.    

From downtown Boston:
Take Storrow Drive west bound and exit at Fenway.  Get into the right lane on the exit ramp, stay right onto Boylston Street (outbound).  Pass by Yawkey Way and Fenway Park.  Stay straight.   Boylston Street becomes Brookline Avenue at the intersection with Park Drive (Emmanuel College will be ahead on the left).  Take Brookline Avenue past the hospital area (Beth Israel, Deaconess, Dana Farber).  Take a left onto the Riverway, which becomes the Jamaica Way.  Stay on the Jamaica Way until the rotary at the Jamaica Way and Centre Street.  Do not go around the rotary, take a right at the rotary onto Centre Street.  Pass the Faulkner Hospital and VFW Parkway, staying on Centre Street.  At the rotary at Holy Name Church, take the second right - still Centre Street.  Go through the business district, pass Starbucks, Roche Brothers supermarket, CVS, fire station and library.  As you approach the intersection of Centre and LaGrange Streets (Corrib Restaurant and Blanchards on the corners) you will see the church steeple ahead.  Get into the left lane and take a left at the lights in front of the church, onto St. Theresa Avenue.  The parking lot is the first left.

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Mass Schedule 
Saturday: 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. 
Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 a.m. and 12 Noon

Vigil of holydays: 4:00 and 7:30 p.m. 
Holydays: 6:30, 9:30 a.m.; 12:15 and 7:30 p.m.

All weekend and holyday Masses are celebrated in the main church.

Weekday Masses are celebrated in the Chapel, Monday through Friday, 6:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and Saturday morning 6:45 a.m.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel every Saturday following the 6:45 a.m. Mass, with Benediction at 3:30 p.m.

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 Sacraments


Reconciliation
: Confessions are heard in the Chapel on Saturday afternoons, 3 - 4 p.m. and on the Thursday before First Friday, 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Baptism is celebrated on the second and fourth Sunday of the month at 1:15 p.m. in the Chapel.  A preparation meeting for parents and Godparents is held on the Friday evening prior to the second Sunday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Parents are asked to contact the Parish House at least two weeks before the Baptism. If you are expecting your first child, or are new to the parish, please contact the Parish House one month before your baby's due date. Baptism is the sacrament of welcome into the community of faith. For this reason, and because of the large number of Baptisms at Saint Theresa's each year, the parish cannot offer private Baptisms.

Marriage: Couples planning to be married at Saint Theresa's should make an appointment with one of the priests at least six months prior to the wedding date.

 

  Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: The RCIA is a formation process involving both liturgical and educational opportunities for adults seeking membership in the Catholic Church. The RCIA is for the unbaptized, for those baptized in other Christian churches, and for Catholics who have been baptized but have not yet received Eucharist, Penance or Confirmation.   For further information contact the Religious Education Office.

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Pastor's Greeting

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to our parish home page. Saint Theresa Parish is willing and able to use the tools of technology to reach parishioners, visitors, and anyone just curious about our parish and the Catholic Church. We are proud of our parish.  Our web page contains information about what the parish is doing to bring parishioners of all ages closer to the Lord and the Catholic Church.

The Pastoral Staff at Saint Theresa's is dedicated to serving our parish community: young, old, and in-between, large families, small families and households of one. Our liturgies, programs, and services help make Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, an integral part of our lives.

We cordially invite you to visit us - here in cyberspace or in person. Our beautiful church is a gem of Gothic architecture, our liturgies are celebrated with grace and reverence, our parish choir enhances our worship each Sunday at our 10:30 Mass, September through June. To those Catholics who live here in West Roxbury but have not been with us at Mass, I extend a very special invitation to join us on Sunday. What happens here at Mass each Sunday, each day, gives each of us the strength and support we need to get through our week. The love and grace of the Lord is boundless! Come and see for yourself.

With the assurances of a prayerful remembrance for you and all those you hold dear, I am

Sincerely in Christ,

Reverend Monsignor William M. Helmick
Pastor

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 A Note from Monsignor Helmick

November 22, 2009 
The Solemnity of Christ the King

LET US GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD OUR GOD  

Thursday of this week, Thanksgiving Day, is a civil holiday with a spiritual significance. It has survived the tendency in our country to ban God from the public life and discourse and activities of the American nation and the American people. As far as I can determine, there has never been an attempt to eliminate Thanksgiving Day since the moment it was put on the national calendar of public holidays by President Abraham Lincoln.

How has it remained in place?- - -one may ask.  I believe the answer to that question is the fact that deeply planted in our hearts and minds is the realization that all we are, all we have, and all we are able to do comes from God, our Creator, the Source of all life, the Source of every good gift that comes with life, the Source of all the created things around us that we all use and enjoy.

People have a sense, despite every effort to erect a “wall of separation” between the Church and the State, that it is a good and holy thing to give thanks to God in public, to acknowledge His goodness in public, and to make it clear, in public, that we are dependent on Him.

People also have a sense that God hears and listens to our prayers, and on Thanksgiving Day, people reflect on the many ways God has answered their prayers for themselves, their families, loved ones, friends, and for other intentions we have when we pray. Even on those occasions when we may not get exactly the response to our prayers that we hoped and prayed to receive, people know, deep inside, that God has His own ways of answering to our prayers, responding to our needs, and that He knows what is best for us and sustains us with His grace in all our needs. And so, knowing that this is true of God’s loving relationship with us, Thanksgiving Day is a moment, every year, to give both public and private thanks to Him.

Thanksgiving has developed, over the years, into a day which includes many activities: high school, college, and professional football; the nationally televised Macy’s Parade in New York City; huge, calorie-free Thanksgiving dinners with family and friends; and a multitude of other activities- - all of which are to be enjoyed by one and all.

For us, as Catholics, the most significant and the most important way to celebrate Thanksgiving Day is by prayers of thanks- - -private prayers of Thanksgiving, family prayers of Thanksgiving, and, for anyone who is able to attend, Mass on Thanksgiving Day. The celebration of Mass is the Prayer of Prayers, offering to God Our Father the Perfect Sacrifice of Our Lord, which is renewed at the altar, joining ourselves to the Lord in giving thanks to Our Father in Heaven for His enormous and lavish love for us.  Here, at Saint Theresa’s, we have 2 Masses on Thanksgiving Day, one at 6:45 A.M. in the Chapel and one at 9:00 A.M. in the Main Church. The 9:00 Mass has become a beautiful tradition in our parish.

In the introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer at every Mass, the Priest says these words: “Let Us Give Thanks to The Lord Our God”’ and the people respond with these words: “It Is Right To Give Him Thanks and Praise”.  That happens to be true- - - it is more than right to give thanks and praise to God, and Thanksgiving Day can have no better beginning than to begin at Mass, offering to God Our Father the perfect Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His Son, Our Lord. I hope as many people as are able will come to Mass on Thanksgiving Day.

Reverend Monsignor William M. Helmick  
Pastor

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         Sunday Mass   Why?      

THE LORD HAS SOMETHING TO GIVE YOU AT MASS- - - HIS GRACE AND HIMSELF!!


 NEWS OF THE WEEK 
 

Liturgical Music ~  Music for Sunday liturgy

November  21/22    Solemnity of Christ the King
Entrance Hymn: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus 

* Festival Gloria (Hillert)
*Preparation Rite Anthem: O Rex Gloriae
Communion Meditation Hymn: Seek Ye First     

Recessional Hymn: To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
 

* Sung at 10:30 Mass only

Music and Song are more than an embellishment of worship; they are themselves part of the liturgical action. Solemn sacred music...is not therefore a kind of addition that frames the liturgy and makes it more pleasing but an important means of active participation in worship.                                                                            Pope Benedict XVI; Alte Kapelle, Regensburg

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BLESSING ON OUR ANNIVERSARY COUPLES 
Today, at the 12:00 Mass, we warmly welcome our parishioners who are celebrating significant Wedding Anniversaries during 2009 and their families.
Mr. and Mrs. William Conroy—60 years
Mr. and Mrs. John Amico—50 years
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Connolly—50 years
Mr. and Mrs. Brian Kean—25 years
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Vogt—25 years

Lord God and Creator,
We bless and praise Your name.
Look with kindness on our Anniversary Couples today.
Amid the joys and struggles of their lives
You have preserved the union between them;
Renew their marriage covenant,
Increase Your love in them, and strengthen their bond of peace,
So that, surrounded by their families,
They may always rejoice in the gift of Your blessing.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.    AMEN.

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING INTERFAITH SERVICE
Please plan to join with your friends and neighbors for the annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service.  This special Thanksgiving celebration will be on Sunday, November 22, at 3:00 p.m., at Hillel B'nai Torah,  120 Corey Street,  West Roxbury.  There will be a collection for the Roslindale Food Pantry and we are also invited to bring pasta and tomato products for Family Table, a Jewish food bank.

COLLECTION FOR RETIRED RELIGIOUS 
The second collection November 21/22 will be for the benefit of the Retired Religious. Over 3,000 Religious Sisters rely on your generosity for their retirement. This collection provides financial support to 52 religious communities whose members have served the Archdiocese of Boston. Please give generously in recognition of the important role religious sisters have had in developing the ministries of education, health care and social service in the Archdiocese of Boston. Data submitted to the National Religious Retirement Office reveals that the average annual cost of care for women and men religious age 70 and over has more than doubled since 1989. Current statistics put this figure at $35,077 per person annually, with skilled care reaching nearly $55,000. Your donation to the Retirement Fund for Religious provides critical support to religious institutes in meeting the escalating costs of elder care. Please pray for all religious and we thank you for your generosity. Your contributions make a difference. For more information, please visit www.retiredreligious.org. We thank you for your usual generous response to this appeal.

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

There are NO Religious Education classes on Tuesday, November 24th and Sunday November 29th. Happy Thanksgiving to all .

Lord, when did we see you hungry ??  Thank you to all who brought in items to help the Roslindale Food Bank !

Sunday, December 6th is the High School Mission. All Grade 9 & 10 Confirmation candidates are expected to attend. It begins at 6:00 p.m. in Monsignor Donahue Hall.  Sunday Evening Mass will be celebrated in the Chapel. Again we ask that you bring a few items for the Roslindale Food Bank. The need continues to be great.


HOME SCHOOLING FAMILIES:
In an effort to support families in the Archdiocese of Boston who home school their children, Cardinal O’Malley has established a position of Spiritual Director/ Liaison for Home School Families within the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese. If you would like more information or would like to be connected to other Catholic home school families, please call 617-746-5875.

RCIA 
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the official collection of rites of the Roman Catholic Church for initiation of adults and the reception of baptized candidates into the Church. 
RCIA is a process rather than a program. It is a process of formation in prayer, information on the teachings of the Church, and transformation to personal conversion toward Jesus Christ. All of this is done within the context of a community of faith – the parish. 
Participants in the RCIA are at different stages on their faith journey: some people have never been Baptized and desire to receive this sacrament, some were baptized in another faith tradition and wish to be received into the Catholic Church, some were baptized Catholic but have never received Confirmation and Eucharist. 
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the RCIA, please call the Rectory and leave your name and telephone number. Catechetical sessions begin in the fall but people are encouraged to contact the rectory now for a preliminary meeting and information.  

ADULT CONFIRMATION 
Adults who have been baptized Catholic and have received First Communion but have not been confirmed are encouraged to contact the rectory about preparation meetings for Confirmation. The meetings will begin after the first of the year and Confirmation will be celebrated at the end of April, 2010.

LECTORS: Work books for Cycle C, which begins on Sunday, November 29, are available in the Sacristy. Please pick one up after Mass this weekend.

WELCOME HOME!!
We warmly welcome home all our parishioners who are here to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends, especially our students who may be returning home for the first time since going away to school in September. We hope that you will enjoy your visit home and that you will be able to come to Mass here, at Saint Theresa’s, before you head back to different parts of the country. Remember, you can stay in touch with your home parish while you are away by visiting the parish web page www.rc.net/boston/st_theresa.

THANKSGIVING DAY MASS
The Annual Thanksgiving Day Morning Mass, which is a wonderful tradition at Saint Theresa’s Parish, will be celebrated at 9:00 A.M. on Thursday, November 26th in the Main Church.   

Participation in this Mass, giving thanks to God for His countless blessings, is a beautiful way to begin Thanksgiving Day. Everyone is invited and most welcome. For the early risers, we will have the 6:45 A.M. Mass in the Chapel on Thursday morning, but there will be no 4:00 P.M Mass on Thursday afternoon. The Rectory will be closed on Thursday, November 26th. 

RCIA ~ November 29
At the Noon Mass next Sunday, November 29, three participants in the parish RCIA process, Michael, Kenneth, and Richard, will publicly declare their intention to complete the process of initiation into the Catholic Church that began at their Baptism. They will be accepted into the Order of Candidates. God has touched the hearts of these men. Our community of faith now journeys with them as they prepare to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist at
the Easter Vigil. The parish community plays an integral part in the formation of these Candidates. We ask all parishioners to reflect on our responsibility as witnesses of faith and to pray for Michael, Kenneth, and Richard, as they make this journey of faith.

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL ADVENT BOXES
Each year, at the beginning of Advent, we place the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul boxes at the doors of the Church to enable you to contribute to the Society. All contributions are used to  provide Christmas presents and Christmas dinners for parishioners who may not otherwise be able  o celebrate Christmas. Your customary generosity is greatly appreciated by the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and by the people whom they serve. Watch for the boxes as you enter or leave
the Church next weekend.

Christmas Wreath Sale
PARENTS OF SAINT THERESA'S (POST) are conducting their Annual Christmas Wreath Sale. These beautiful 12 inch double-faced balsam wreaths are available by pre-order at $10 per wreath. They will arrive the first week in December, just in time for the start of your holiday decorating. Wreaths will be available for pickup in the schoolyard at the following times: 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 FROM 2:30-3:30 P.M.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 FROM 11:30-12:30 P.M.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 FROM 9:00-11:00 A.M. 
DELIVERY AVAILABLE FOR $5.00 FEE. 
Orders must be placed by November 25 and must be accompanied by a check payable to St. Theresa's POST. Contact Pam at 617-327-5749 for more information.

for those living in the Parkway area.....
WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS  

We warmly welcome new parishioners to Saint Theresa’s. Please stop by the rectory to fill out a registration form and to introduce yourself. You can pick up a Parish Directory with a list of all the organizations which help our parish and school activities to take place.

Annual Collection for Saint Theresa’s Parish

The Annual Collection for Saint Theresa’s Parish is doing well. As of November 17, we have received $124,120 from 456 donors. The Annual Collection is the back-up for all we do here, which makes it a very significant part of our parish life. If you would like to make a contribution, envelopes are available at the doors of the Church or in the Rectory. We thank you in advance for your generosity to this year’s Annual Collection.

2009 Annual Catholic Appeal for the Archdiocese of Boston 
We appreciate the generosity of 430 of our parishioners who have contributed $102,378 to the 2009 Annual Catholic Appeal. This represents 77.3 % of our assigned goal. If you would like to contribute and have not yet done so, envelopes are available at the doors of the Church and in the rectory office. 
Reverend Monsignor William M. Helmick, Pastor

Save the Date!!  Our Annual Advent and Christmas Concert will take place on Sunday, December 13 at 4:00 P.M. Mark your calendars now for this special yearly event.

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The Year Of THE Priest
Prayer for Vocations 

Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, show forth, we beseech Thee, in Thy Church the Holy Spirit with whose power the Apostles were so abundantly filled. We thank Thee for the blessings bestowed upon the work of priests and religious; and we pray that Thou wilt add to the number of those who now pray, labor, and sacrifice themselves for Thy glory and the salvation of souls. Give them unselfish zeal for Thy glory. O good Jesus, give us more priests and religious after Thine own Heart!   AMEN.

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For weekly adult enrichment and reflection, please look at the Question of the Week section on our Scripture page. Daily Scripture Readings

DID YOU KNOW THAT… 
The Archdiocese of Boston, through the Office of Religious Education, has partnered with the
University of Dayton, a Catholic Marianist Institution, to provide online learning opportunities for interested adults.  Courses are five weeks long, earn 2.5 credits, and are conducted throughout the year, in seven cycles. Registration is underway now for the next cycle of courses, which will run October 15-November 17. Cost to participants in the Archdiocese of Boston is $40.00, payable directly to UD. Courses include: Catholic Beliefs, Scripture, Ecclesiology, Social Justice, and Morality – just to name a few!  Access to a computer with Internet connection is the only requirement. Participants do not have to be computer experts but should be comfortable using the computer.  The VLCFF staff provides excellent support for those who are anxious about participating in an on-line course. To learn more, see the extensive list of courses, or sign up, check out the VLCFF web site: http://vlc.udayton.edu  

CatholicTV  
CatholicTV is available to parishioners of Saint Theresa Parish on the following channels: 
Comcast Cable ~~ Channel 268 Digital Set Top Box Required 
Verizon FiOS~~ Channel 271 
Sky Angel IPTV~~ Channel 142 
RCN~~ Channel 85 
and always and everywhere at: www.CatholicTV.com 

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  Parish Music Notes   

Music and Song are more than an embellishment of worship; they are themselves part of the liturgical action. Solemn sacred music...is not therefore a kind of addition that frames the liturgy and makes it more pleasing but an important means of active participation in worship.                                                                            Pope Benedict XVI; Alte Kapelle, Regensburg

November  21/22    Solemnity of Christ the King
Entrance Hymn: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus 

* Festival Gloria (Hillert)
*Preparation Rite Anthem: O Rex Gloriae
Communion Meditation Hymn: Seek Ye First     

Recessional Hymn: To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
 

November  26    Thanksgiving     (Children’s Choir and Choristers at 9:00, SK piano, cantor: Maggie)                 
Entrance Hymn: We Gather Together    
Offertory Hymn: Let All Things Now Living 
Communion Meditation Hymn: For the Fruits of All Creation 
Recessional Hymn: Now Thank We All Our God  
 

November 28/29    1st Sunday in Advent, Year C
Entrance Hymn:  O Come, O Come Emmanuel    
*Preparation Rite Anthem: Deep River (Traditional Spiritual)
Communion Meditation Hymn: Wake, O Wake   

Recessional Hymn:  Come, O Long-Awaited Savior

 * Sung at 10:30 Mass only

PARISH MUSIC MINISTRY

Seeking Choir Members
The Parish Choir warmly invites you to come try us out this fall. We are a friendly group of people from high school age to retired, who bring diverse backgrounds and abilities.  It is helpful if you have had previous musical experience, but the most important pre-requisite is a desire to sing with others.   We rehearse Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the choir room, resuming September 9, and normally sing for the Sunday 10:30 liturgy.  Please contact the organist/director, Richard Bunbury, for more information: rrbunbury@aol.com

Music Ministry  
We warmly welcome new and returning members to our choir program. If you, your  child, or someone you know, likes to sing, please consider participating in this richly rewarding ministry. Parish Choir is open to adults and  high school students. We sing a  varied repertoire of liturgical music each Sunday at the 10:30 Mass. Rehearsals take place  in the choir room on Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. , resuming September 10. Parish Cantors lead assembly song at all the parish liturgies. Please contact Dr. Bunbury  rrbunbury@aol.com  if you are interested in this ministry.

Parish Cantors lead assembly song at all the parish liturgies. Please contact Dr. Bunbury rrbunbury@aol.com if you are interested in this ministry.

Choristers  Choristers is open to students grades 5 through 9. (Students who have completed at least  one year in Children's choir may join in grade 4). Rehearsals take place Wednesdays from 4-5:15 in the choir room and will begin on September 17. The Choristers and Children's Choir sing at the 9:00 Mass once or twice a month from October through May. 
Please contact Mrs. Korniyasov for more information: Sophia.raniuk@rcn.com Interested Choristers are eligible to become Cantors for the 9:00 Mass. Cantor class is on  Wednesdays 3:30-4:00 . Children's Choir is open to students grades 2 through 4. Rehearsals take place Wednesdays from 2:30 - 3:25 in the choir room and will begin on September 17. The Choristers and Children's Choir sing at the 9:00 Mass once or twice a month from October through May. Please contact Mrs. Korniyasov Sophia.raniuk@rcn.com    for more information.

Children's Choir
is open to students grades 2 through 4. Rehearsals take place Wednesdays from 2:30 - 3:25 in the choir room and will begin on September 19. The Choristers and Children's Choir sing at the 9:00 Mass once or twice a month from October through May. Please contact Mrs. Korniyasov sophia.raniuk@rcn.com  for more information.

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CYO

CYO Suggestions?  There's a Suggestion Box in the CYO Office in the Rectory.  We want to see  your ideas for CYO activities this year.

REMINDER: CYO is open to all High School students, grades 9-12. Stop by the Rectory anytime to join! 

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EVENTS 'ROUND TOWN: The Church Beyond Our Parish

ANNUAL THANKSGIVING INTERFAITH SERVICE
Please plan to join with your friends and neighbors for the annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service.  This special Thanksgiving celebration will be on Sunday, November 22, at 3:00 p.m.,at Hillel B'nai Torah,  120 Corey Street,  West Roxbury.  There will be a collection for the Roslindale Food Pantry and we are also invited to bring pasta and tomato products for Family Table, a Jewish food bank.

MASS FOR LIFE, a celebration for the protection of the life of the unborn will be celebrated in Saint Mary’s Chapel on the campus of Boston College, Wednesday evening, November 25th, at 7:30 P.M. This Mass is held on or near the 25th of each month from the Feast of the Annunciation in March until Christmas. Father Raymond Helmick, SJ, will be the celebrant of the Mass. We hope that you will be able to join

 

PAULINE BOOKS AND MEDIA, 885 Providence Highway in Dedham is offering a discount of 15% on a purchase of $40 or more between November 27 and December 31, 2009. A copy of the parish bulletin  must be presented to receive the discount.  Discount applies only to product not already discounted, or to dated material. Limit one coupon per customer, good only at the Dedham location. Feel free to copy this coupon and share it with your friends. For more information, please call 781-326-5385.   (A print out of this part of the webpage will also be acceptable. To print out this notice, go to File, Print Preview to check what page this notice is on, most likely it will be around page 12.  To avoid printing unneeded pages, enter the page number and when prompted, and click print).

BLESSED JOHN XXIII NATIONAL SEMINARY is seeking men between the ages of 30 to 60 who love God and desire to be a shepherd among His people. If interested please call 781-899-5500 or e-mail seminary@blessedjohnxxiii.edu  or visit their website at    www.blessedjohnxxiii.edu                                         

 

the deutches altenheim german center holds two Support Groups for people who know someone living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.  One group is for adult children and one is for spouses.  The groups are held monthly at the Deutches Altenheim Nursing Home, 2222 Centre Street.  For more information please call Susan O'Connell at 617-325- 1230 X 253 or Margaret Wright at 617-325- 1230 X 259.

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL CLOTHING BOX REQUESTS have been received relative to the nearest box in West Roxbury for clothing donations.  There is a box on VFW Parkway at #1524 near the U-Haul store and the location is known as Cohen’s Mall.  

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NEWS and EVENTS from the ARCHDIOCESE

Archdiocese of Boston Flu Season Directives

The Office of Worship, in consultation with local health authorities and the Archdiocesan Office of Risk Management, continues to encourage the clergy and the faithful to observe necessary standard precautions to

protect the health of others during this flu season, and especially with the risks related to H1N1 influenza

(swine flu). The best way to prevent the spread of contagious disease is to practice good hygiene.

In addition to practicing good hygiene, the Cardinal directs the following for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy

and for flu prevention:

These directives are effective Saturday, October 31, 2009 and remain in effect until the cold and flu season

has come to an end. We thank you for your understanding and support of these directives, which aim to

protect the health of our people.

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PROJECT RACHEL
The pain and sorrow of past abortions need not endure for a lifetime. Project Rachel is the post-abortion ministry of the Catholic Church to help those dealing with the pain of abortion. For a confidential referral to a priest and/or retreat opportunities, contact Project Rachel at 508-651-3100 or
help@projectrachelboston.com. Trust in the tender mercy of God’s love.  

The Archdiocese of Boston Project Rachel will offer a “Come to the Waters” post abortion healing retreat on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. For more information and registration, contact Project Rachel at 508.651.3100 or email: help@projectrachelboston.com. All calls are confidential. More information about post- abortion healing can be found at www.projectrachelboston.com

Archdiocese of Boston

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Volunteer Opportunities in the Community

 

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: Saint John’s Parish has an ongoing Prayer Shawl Ministry group. They meet on the first and third Mondays of each month from 7-9:00 P.M.  If anyone is interested in obtaining information or interested in joining, please call Kathy @781-326-6903.

FAULKNER
HOSPITAL If you have been thinking about enriching your life by making a difference in the lives of others, please consider joining the Volunteer Program at the Faulkner Hospital . Sample opportunities include assisting patients and visitors at the Information Desk, working with patients and staff in the Dana Farber/ Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center , searching on-line for health education materials using hospital library databases, working in the gift shop, or providing clerical or administrative support. For more information contact Susan Frost, Volunteer Services Coordinator at 617-983-7424 or email sbfrost@partners.org.

HEBREW REHABILITATION CENTER is looking for volunteers to assist in many different departments, help provide nourishment by becoming a Meal Mate, escort residents in wheelchairs to activities, lead small group activities such as Bingo, board games, music, and art, or assist with exercise programs. Contact Jodie Portman in Volunteer Services at 617-363-8459 or portman@hrca.harvard.edu.

NEW ENGLAND BAPTIST HOSPITAL is in need of volunteers. Opportunities exist in all areas of the hospital. Contact Lynn Stewart at lstewart1@caregroup,harvard.edu or 617-754- 5173.

MARIA FO MISSION CIRCLE OF HOLY NAME CHURCH: Women in the community meet each Wednesday morning to prepare medical supplies for shipment to third world countries through the auspices of Por Christo. We are in need of clean used sheets, mens’ shirts, towels, mattress padding, unused medical supplies (no medications). Yarn and sewing material is appreciated. For more information, please call Rita Casey at 617-325-7207.

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REFLECTIONS ON THE PRIESTHOOD : On the Parish Web Page you will find some Reflections on the Priesthood which were prepared by Monsignor Helmick.   Click here to read  A Priest's Week 


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+ Our Parish School   +

St. Theresa School is a Catholic elementary school that offers instruction to children from preschool through eighth grade. The school provides rigorous academics complimented  by classes in religion, Spanish, computers art, music, and physical education. The school’s facility features a school library, a computer center, a large gym/auditorium, a fully operational cafeteria and a tot lot for young children. Founded in 1950, St. Theresa’s serves children from West Roxbury and many surrounding communities. For more information about registration or about the school, please call 617-323-1050.  

SCHOOL FUND RAISING
Thank you to all our parishioners who bring in Box Tops for the school fundraising. Please keep sending them to us! Box Tops can be left in the baskets at all the entrances of the Church or you can send them into school with a student you may know. We appreciate your help with this effort.

Christmas Wreath Sale
PARENTS OF SAINT THERESA'S (POST) are conducting their
Annual Christmas Wreath Sale. These beautiful 12 inch double-faced balsam wreaths are available by pre-order at $10 per wreath. They will arrive the first week in December, just in time for the start of your holiday decorating. Wreaths will be available for pickup in the schoolyard at the following times: 
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 FROM 2:30-3:30 P.M.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 FROM 11:30-12:30 P.M.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 FROM 9:00-11:00 A.M. 
DELIVERY AVAILABLE FOR $5.00 FEE. 
Orders must be placed by November 25 and must be accompanied by a check payable to St. Theresa's POST. Contact Pam at 617-327-5749 for more information.

 

 

Remember, our wonderful parish School has a web site too.  Click  to get news of all the great and exciting things going on in St. Theresa School.  Click and find out more! St. Theresa School  sttheresaschoolboston.com

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Mass Times

FREE ministry to traveling Catholics. For nationwide Mass times and locations: Call 1-800-Masstimes (1-800-627-7846) or Internet www.Masstimes.org  
Mass times Mission is to provide traveling Catholics with information on the times of worship services, as well as church location, telephone, and handicapped accessibility. Mass times  received 110,000 in 1999. They receive a similar number of hits on their web site. This service is absolutely free to callers and parishes. Funded by Pauline Books and Media,  www.pauline.org.  Mass times  operate under the Archdiocese of Miami, in partnership with the Catholic Communication Campaign of the U.S. Catholic Conference in Washington, D.C.

Saint Theresa Parish is among 22,000 parishes and missions in Mass times' database.  The information is kept current by sending semi-annual reports to each parish and mission. They get updates directly from parishes via e-mail, fax, regular mail and the preferred method, updates are posted by the parish to our second website www.Masstimes.org/parish.

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Thanks for visiting; since June 23, 1998 you are visitor 

Our parish school has long had an excellent Web site; be sure to visit it:   St. Theresa School

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Other Web sites of interest:

Archdiocese of Boston

www.locutor.net  Congregation of Saint Athanasius

The Vatican

American Catholic.org  (a wonderful web site from Saint Anthony Messenger Press)

www.jesuit.ie/prayer   Daily Prayer Online (10 minute prayer experience as you sit at your computer.  This, too, is a wonderful site, produced by the Irish Jesuits)

Sponsored by RC Net   

N.B.  to return to St. Theresa Parish home page from one of these links, just right click on your mouse and click the Back button

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This page was updated on November 20 2009
The music on our web page this week is  To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King

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Every so often the wonders of technology are less than wonderful.  DSL connections crash, phone lines fail, gremlins and grinches conspire to delay the weekly updating of this page.  Our goal is to update by Saturday afternoon.  Please understand when that deadline can't be met.  We do try but sometimes circumstances arise that are beyond the control of mere mortals. 

We would love to hear from you!HH01580A.gif (1311 bytes)
Comments on this web page may be addressed to: abbott6@verizon.net     
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