The Church of Saint Theresa

St. Theresa Parish © 2020 BLH Graphic Design
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541 Washington Avenue • Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033

PHONE: (908) 272-4444 -:- FAX: (908) 272-4424

MASS SCHEDULE:

Saturday Vigil 5:30 pm | Sunday 9:00 am - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Daily Services: 7:00 am - 9:00 am | also Monday and Wednesday 6:30 pm

Italian Memorial Mass, First Friday - 6:30 pm

Holy Days of Obligation Schedules will Appear Separate

Dear Parishioners,

Happy New Year 2020! It is incredible to think that we are beginning the 20th year since we enter the new millennium. It seems only yesterday when we could see the dramatic picture of St. John Paul II at the opening of the Jubilee door for the year 2000. How many historical events—good and, unfortunately also bad—have happened during these 18 years! But every beginning of a new year brings us new resolutions and new hopes: we human beings are “incurable optimists”. This is certainly a reflex of the promise sown deeply in the heart of each human being, the promise that God is our Father, not our enemy, he wants our good, not our destruction. If this is so He must lead the history toward its own redemption and our salvation, rather than toward nothingness.

The path toward “New earth and new heaven” is unknown to us and might be more convoluted than what we foresaw or wished for, but certainly will lead us toward redemption. I still remember with emotion the words I heard from St. John Paul the II in Denver, on August 15, 1993 in the homily of the Mass for World Youth Day. After inviting the youth to counterattack today’s widespread “culture of death” by assuming the task of evangelization, the Saint added: “Have no fear. The outcome of the battle for Life is already decided, even though the struggle goes on against great odds and with much suffering. This certainty is what the Second Reading declares: ‘Christ is now raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. ...so in Christ all will come to life again’ (1Cor 15,20-22).

The paradox of the Christian message is this: Christ – the Head – has already conquered sin and death. Christ in his Body – the pilgrim People of God – continually suffers the onslaught of the Evil One and all the evil which sinful humanity is capable of.” In spite of the struggle, because we know that where the Head is we shall also be. So we should look at the future without fear as we do our little part to spread the “culture of life”.

Have a blessed week,

Fr. Giovanni

Fr. Giovanni Rizzo