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My
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Theresa,
This summer, I encourage the entire St. Theresa family to pray that many more in
our community answer the Lord’s invitation, “Come follow me!” Let us pray that
many join our family and, together with us, receive the sacraments that bring
life and forgiveness.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You have given Your Church
the mission to proclaim the Gospel to all the nations.
May our efforts to fulfill this mission be guided by the Holy Spirit
so that we might be a leaven of new life,
salt of the earth and a light of the world,
worthy missionaries and faithful to You.
Make us valiant witnesses to the Faith of the Church
and inspire us to speak the truth with love.
Help us to communicate to others the joy that we have received.
Permit us to be united, but not closed.
humble, but not fearful
simple, but not naïve
thoughtful, but not overbearing
contemporary, but not superficial
respectful of others, but boldly Your disciples.
Give us the courage to reach out to those in this parish community of St.
Theresa
and invite them to experience God’s love in His sacraments.
Open the hearts of all in our community
so that they may receive the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Increase in us a spirit of prayer
so that we may fortify the efforts of this parish community in the new
evangelization.
May we bear into the world the Hope of God, Who is Christ the Lord,
Who rose from the dead and lives and reigns with Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever.... Amen.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!
St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, Pray for us!
St. Peter and St. Paul, Pray for us!
Blessed Pope John Paul II, Pray for us!
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Patroness of Missionaries, Pray for us!
As I reflect back
over the history of St. Theresa’s Parish, I am most
aware of the blessings of Catholic Tradition and of
community. Each year has been a new investment in the
future of our beloved people.
We shall never be
able to thank Almighty God sufficiently for the
generations of immigrants and their descendants who have
sacrificed, worked and prayed to build our parish
community to be what it is today. The tireless efforts
of all these dedicated men and women can never be fully
measured but their willing hands, strong backs, and
devoted wills were given generously to this community
and will long be remembered with deep gratitude.
Many still recall
the hardship of building our church and school and the
glory and satisfaction of their completion. Many today
know, or are related to members of that hardy band of
pioneers. Their enthusiastic and selfless response over
the years have continued their heroism and willingness
to knit our parish family closer together in Christ.
Today, as in the
days gone by, St. Theresa’s parishioners are presented
with many challenges. Critical ingredients for success
in life and work are explicitly taught, encouraged and
rewarded through the many educational, spiritual, social
and athletic programs of our parish as our parish
website makes clear. Our success is measured in part by
the many accomplishments and productive lives of all our
parishioners especially our young people.
As you continue
to explore our parish website, you will no doubt join
all of us at St. Theresa in celebrating with joy and
pride the manifold blessings and graces bestowed upon us
through the many exciting “happenings” at St. Theresa’s.
I ask our Divine
Lord to bless abundantly our families and loved ones and
that He grant eternal peace to those who have preceded
us.
St. Theresa,
Patroness of our parish, continue to let fall your
shower of roses upon us.
Sincerely,
Rev. Robert F. Grippo
Pastor |
