Saint Theresa Parish 630 Rathbun Street, Blackstone, MA 01504 508-883-7206 | Fax 508-883-5250

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

theresaparish630@gmail.com www.sttheresablackstone.org

Rel. Ed. Email: ccdreligiouseducation@gmail.com

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday, 4 p.m. Vigil Sunday, 8 a.m. & 10 a.m. Monday, NO Mass

Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. Wed. & Thurs., 7:30 a.m. Friday, 6:30 p.m. followed by Benediction

Holiday Schedule See Bulletin Confession Saturday at 3 p.m.

Readings For The Week Monday: Acts 19:1-8; Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab; Jn 16:29-33 Tuesday: Acts 20:17-27; Ps 68:10-11, 20-21; Jn 17:1-11a Wednesday: Acts 20:28-38; Ps 68:29-30, 33-36ab; Jn 17:11b-19 Thursday: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Ps 16:1-2a, 5, 7-11; Jn 17:20-26 Friday: Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab; Jn 21:15-19 Saturday: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Ps 11:4, 5, 7; Jn 21:20-25 Sunday: Vigil: Gn 11:1-9 or Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b or Ez 37:1-14 or Jl 3:1-5; Ps 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-28, 29-30; Rom 8:22-27; Jn 7:37-39 Day: Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23

SATURDAY May 23 4:00 PM Ernest Martinelli By Wife, Cil

SUNDAY May 24 8:00 AM All parishioners of St Theresa - for strengthened faith By parishioner

10:00 AM Guiseppe & Jeannette DiPietro By Joe DiPietro

MONDAY May 25 NO MASS TUESDAY May 26 6:30 PM Jack Moore By Family

WEDNESDAY May 27

7:30 AM For End of Pandemic (covid-19)

THURSDAY May 28 7:30 AM Special Intension

FRIDAY May 29 6:30 PM In Honor of Blessed Virgin Mary

SATURDAY May 30 4:00 PM Mr. & Mrs. Albert Chenier By Mr. & Mrs. Charles Bessette

SUNDAY May 31 8:00 AM All Souls in Purgatory

10:00 AM Joseph F DiPiero—for improved health By Joseph DiPietro

Saturday, May 30, 2020 | 4 PM Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion C. Martinelli C. Perreault R. Perreault

Lector Cheryl Cardone

Altar Servers Clara Cardone Daniel Cardone Jacob Cardone Elizabeth Deziel

Ministers of Hospitality Hubert Arsenault Carmen LaCasse

Sunday, May 31, 2020 | 10 AM Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion A. Amitrano T. Harvey J. McNamara E. McNamara

Lector Kristen Marino

Altar Servers Anthony, Andrew Cardarelli Madelyn and Alexis Amitrano Danielle Saunders

Ministers of Hospitality Sandy Castiglioni Georgette Lavoie

It is a Catholic tradition to have Masses offered for deceased relatives and friends. To make Arrangements, please contact the parish office at 508-883-7206 or stop by the office.

To light a candle for a special intention at Mary’s Vigil Light, please contact the parish office.

This week Mary’s Vigil Lights burn for:

Vanessa

Members of the family requesting the Mass are asked to bring the gifts of bread and wine to the altar.

St. Michael’s Vigil Lights burn in honor of All Our Military Members in Harms Way.

May 2nd Collection

Stewardship $3,630.00 Fuel $180.00 Ascension $10.00 Special Offering $220.00

Easter Flowers $50.00 Christmas Flowers $50.00 TOTAL $4,140.00

DAILY Mon-Sat Noon CANCELLED 12 Golden Steps Meeting Father Lamothe Center

Sunday May 24 After 10:00 am Mass Coffee and … CANCELLED Father Lamothe Center

Monday May 25 7:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m.

CANCELLED

NA Meeting Father Lamothe Center

Wednesday May 27 7:00 p.m. CANCELLED Choir Church

Thursday May 28

Friday May 29 6:30 p.m. Mass & Adoration Church

Saturday May 30 3:00 p.m. Confession Confessional

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITIES **ALL LISTED EVENTS ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE**

Tuesday May 26 9:30 a.m.—11:30 a.m.

CANCELLED

Prayer Shawl Group Father Lamothe Center

THE THRIFT SHOP is now closed for the winter. We will

reopen and see everyone in the spring!

THE FOOD PANTRY is located in the parish hall’s thrift

shop. It is open each Tuesday from 9am to 11am.

The parish Prayer Intentions Book is available to those who wish to make a prayer request. It is located beside the choir’s pews. Simply write your intentions so they may be offered up.

In your prayers, please remember

Therese A. Riquier past away on May 12, 2020

May she experience the new life promised by Christ’s Paschal victory.

The Daily Mass book for 2020 is available for those

wishing to have Masses said in memory of loved ones, please go to the parish office to secure your date(s).

The Ascension of the Lord May 24, 2020 He was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.

— Acts 1:9

Partners in Charity

Thanks to all our parishioners who have made their gift to the 2020 Partners in Charity Appeal. As of May 13, 2020, St. Theresa’s has given through gift's and pledges $18,120.00. This is 61% toward our goal of $29,500.00 from the donations of 74 families. If you would like to make a gift or pledge, please visit www.partners-charity.net to donate online. Partners in Charity, formerly known as the Bishop’s Fund, is the Annual Appeal for the Diocese of Worcester, serving 25 charitable, educational, and pastoral ministries and is especially needed during this pandemic. Through your generous support this charity supports thousand of families and individuals in Worcester County through outreach, formation,

evangelization and worship. Thank you.

We Need Your Help at Mass Would you like to become more involved in the St. Theresa’s community? Consider serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Greeter, Choir, or for children an Altar Server. We are in need of volunteers at all Masses. We are happy to train you! For more information, please contact the parish office to be directed to the appropriate coordinator.

DUE TO COVID-19 RELIGIOUS ED CLASSES HAVE BEEN PUT ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Please adhere to the mandated guidelines in order to stay safe. ...and don’t forget you can pray anywhere & any-time!

With the cancellation of Masses and activities, ...We have a way for you to receive St. Theresa’s weekly bulletin electronically! Our bulletin publisher, JS Paluch has made it possible to electronically receive a copy of our weekly bulletin. All you need to do is to sign-up individually by following this link: https://ebulletin.jspaluch.com

May 23, 2020 Fifth Sunday of Easter The Ascension of the Lord

Prayer of the Faithful Sent out into the world by Jesus Christ, let us pray now for the needs of all the people in the world.

For Pope Francis and all our Church leaders whose example leads us to throw open the doors of the Church to all people, let us pray to the Lord.

For an end to violence in the world and on our streets and in our homes, as we continue to learn that violent actions only lead to more violence, let us pray to the Lord.

For doctors and scientists, may their work to protect us and heal us during this pandemic be heeded and blessed, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who work in ministries of reconciliation and healing as they bring wholeness to those who experience alienation, anger, and loneliness, let us pray to the Lord.

For all who graduate this unusual spring as they celebrate their accomplishments and prepare for a new phase of work, service, or scholarship in their lives, let us pray to the Lord.

For all those who are sick, for all who suffer from COVID-19, and for all who have died, especially Ernest Martinelli, Guiseppe & Jeannette DiPietro, let us pray to the Lord.

For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, let us pray to the Lord. O God of all, your risen Son commissioned us to go out to the world in his name. Hear these our humble prayers which we make on behalf of this world, and grant them through him, who is our Lord for ever and ever.

PARISH RE-OPENING UPDATE AS OF MAY 18, 2020 On May 18th Governor Baker announced the 1st phase of the emergence of the Commonwealth of MA from restrictions he had imposed in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. As a part of phase 1, the Governor has allowed for churches to resume, but with restrictions. Bishop McManus, in a decree has lifted his suspension of public celebrations of the Sacred Liturgy, while at the same time reminding Priests “to carefully observe the restrictions which continue to be imposed by government authorities in the interest of public health” and directing that the liturgical adaptations be implemented throughout the Diocese. If a parish cannot comply with the safety standards being issued by the Office for Divine Worship this week, public celebrations of the Mass and sacraments cannot resume until the parish resolves the issues. Our parish is taking this week to set into place all appropriate precautions necessary in order to begin celebrating Mass again. Unfortunately, our bulletin must be summited to the publisher on Monday, May 18th, so as we go to print, we have not yet finalized what the required guidelines will look like for St. Theresa’s. We hope to have them all in place quickly. Please be patient as we take this time to address all safety standards so we may resume celebrating Mass as a parish community. Once this has been established, we will update you via Facebook, our Website, announcement at the entrance of the church, and other methods of communication on what is needed from you and what you can expect from us. We are just about there—keep praying!

Saint Theresa Parish Mission Statement Saint Theresa’s in Blackstone, MA founded in 1929 is a Catholic Community dedicated to being disciples of Jesus Christ. We strive to provide a loving environment where we can grow in our faith by worshiping God, receiving the Eucharist and giving to others using our talents and gifts. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we are committed to helping one another by serving those in need both spiritually and physically. Through these works of charity and by reaching out to all about the good news of Jesus Christ, we work to grow our community and become stronger in our faith. Adopted 5/5/16

BAPTISM: Baptisms are normally scheduled on Sundays following the 10:00am Mass. Please contact Father Thien or Deacon Gagliani for catechesis and arrangement for celebration of the sacrament. FIRST EUCHARIST AND CONFIMATION: Please contact the Religious Education office at 508-883-7206 ext. #5 to register or to inquire about sacramental preparation. MARRIAGE: Congratulations on your engagement! Marriage preparation takes about one year. Couples who wish to marry at Saint Theresa’s should see Father Thien or Deacon Gagliani as soon as possible. RECONCILIATION/PENANCE: Saturday at 3:00 to 3:40 p.m. in the confessional or by appoint-ment. ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Please call for a hospital visit or anointing of the sick.

PASTORAL STAFF AND MINISTRY LEADERS

Rev. Thien Nguyen, Pastor Deacon Anthony Gagliani

Receptionist/Secretary: Jill Castiglioni Music Ministry: Paula Ryan

Building and Grounds: Don Dalpe Coordinator of Religious Education: Toni Harvey

PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

It is every adult’s moral Responsibility to protect victims of abuse by reporting suspected abuse or neglect to the responsible authorities. For assistance you may call: The Office for Healing and Prevention @ the Diocese of Worcester at 508-929-4363. Safe Environment Training for all staff & volunteers and CORI back-ground checks for all those who work with our children and youth are required at St. Theresa Parish.

“PUSHED” OUT ON MISSION There is a delightful character in the original Dr. Dolittle Tales called the “Pushmi-Pullyu.” It is a beast with two identical halves, with a head at each end. No matter which direction the beast walks, one end is the “push me” and the other is the “pull you.” Today’s feast is a bit like that in the life of the church. In the book of the Acts of the Apostles, it is the ascension of Christ that calls for the Holy Spirit, which consequently sends or “pushes” the church out on its mission. This is the message that we hear from the angels today as they tell the friends of Jesus not to look up into the clouds, but to get busy. It is the message of Jesus him-self in Matthew’s Gospel, as he sends them out to baptize. He also tells them, “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). And it is this message, confident in faith that Jesus has ascended to shouts of joy, that “pulls” us along to our final destiny. The life of the faithful disciple, sent into the world on mission, will one day know the same risen, ascended glory.