Welcome to St. Therese Catholic Church
Welcome to St. Therese Catholic ChurchWelcome to St. Therese Catholic ChurchWelcome to St. Therese Catholic Church
Vacation Bible School June 1st - 5th
Father's weekly message
May 3, 2026, The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Reflection on the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread” (2)
This petition, “Give us this day our daily bread” consists of three phrases. First, “give us” – which expresses a communal request, family spirit of believers, filial boldness and trust in divine providence. Therefore, this request for food or earthly needs must not be self-centered. But rather, community centered. As we make this petition, we must think of the poor and the most disadvantaged people in our society and pray for them as well.
Second, “This day” – which expresses “the present”, not the past or the future. Each day is a gift from God. Jesus often warned his disciples not to worry about tomorrow, saying, “I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink…or what you will wear… your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. … So, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matt 6:31-34). The Catechism teaches, “The heavenly meaning of ‘this day’ or ‘today’ not only refers to our mortal time, but also the ‘today’ of God. … which is the Day of the Lord, the day of the feast of the kingdom, anticipate in the Eucharist that is already the foretaste of the kingdom to come. For this reason, it is fitting for the Eucharistic liturgy to be celebrated each day. If you receive the bread each day, each day is today for you” (CCC 2836-2867).
Third, “our daily bread” – the bread refers to earthly as well as spiritual bread. God alone can provide food for his creatures. St. Ignatius of Loyola said once, “We must pray and work. We must pray as if everything depends on God and work as if everything depends on us. Even when we have done our work, the food we receive is still a gift from our Father.” The earthly food, God provides for us must be shared with others. “Our daily bread” also refers to the spiritual food. For the Scripture says, “Man does not live on bread alone, but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Dt 8:3 & Mt 4:4). Jesus is the “Word” made flesh. He is the bread of eternal life, unless we eat his flesh and drink his blood, we will not have life in us. Therefore, when we pray this petition, “give us this day our daily bread” Christians are called to make every effort to alleviate both, material and spiritual poverty or hunger. The Catechism says, “There is famine on earth, not a famine of bread, not a thirst water alone, but of hearing the words of the Lord. For this reason, this petition concerns the Bread of Life: The Word of God accepted in faith, the Body of Christ received in the Eucharist” (CCC 2835).
Finally, the words of St. Peter Chrysologus can inspire us to pray this petition more fervently: “The Father in heaven urges us, as children of heaven, to ask for the bread of heaven. [Christ] himself is the bread who, sown in the Virgin, raised up in the flesh, kneaded in the Passion, baked in the oven of the tomb, reserved in churches, brought to altars, furnishes the faithful each day with food from heaven” (CCC 2837). Let us pray earnestly for food that not only alleviates our physical hunger but also the spiritual hunger in the world. —Fr. Jesu.
Announcements for May 3, 2026
There is a second collection today for the Rejoice in Hope Capital Campaign.
Hoy hay una segunda colecta para la Campaña Capital Rejoice in Hope.
Mother’s Day Mass envelopes are available in the narthex. Kindly make use of them to request masses for your mothers, living or deceased.
Los sobres para la Misa del Día de las Madres están disponibles en el nártex. Por favor, utilícelos para solicitar misas por sus madres, vivas o fallecidas.
We will have a Parish Workday on Saturday, May 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Please come and help to clean and organize all of our church facilities.
Tendremos una Jornada de Trabajo Parroquial el sábado 16 de mayo de 8:30 a.m. a 12 del mediodía. Por favor vengan y ayuden a limpiar y organizar todas nuestras instalaciones de la iglesia.
On Sunday, May 17th we will be celebrating Father Jesu’s anniversary of ordination (33 years) after the 9:00 a.m. Mass with cake and punch and the Holy Name’s Society’s delicious country breakfast. Please join us for this very special occasion.
El domingo 17 de mayo celebraremos el aniversario de ordenación del Padre Jesu (33 años) después de la Misa de las 9:00 a.m. con pastel y ponche, y el delicioso desayuno campestre de la Sociedad del Santo Nombre. Por favor acompáñenos en esta ocasión tan especial.
Kindly mark your calendar for our Annual Parish Dinner on Friday, June 12th beginning at 6:00 p.m. Join us for an elegant catered meal, fabulous door prizes and an update on the State of the Parish and Rejoice in Hope Campaign. RSVP cards will be distributed next weekend during Mass. You must RSVP by May 22nd to attend this fun-filled, entertaining event.
Por favor marque su calendario para nuestra Cena Anual Parroquial el viernes 12 de junio comenzando a las 6:00 p.m. Únase a nosotros para una elegante comida servida, fabulosos premios de puerta y una actualización sobre el Estado de la Parroquia y la Campaña Rejoice in Hope. Las tarjetas de confirmación de asistencia se distribuirán el próximo fin de semana durante la Misa. Debe confirmar su asistencia antes del 22 de mayo para poder participar en este evento lleno de diversión y entretenimiento.
The Ladies Guild is having a bake sale today. Kindly stop by the Parish Hall and pick up your favorite baked goods! The Ladies Guild would also like to invite all ladies to attend their meeting today after the 9:00 a.m. Mass.
El Gremio de Damas tendrá una venta de repostería el próximo domingo, 3 de mayo. Por favor pase por el Salón Parroquial y recoja sus productos horneados favoritos. El Gremio de Damas también invita a todas las mujeres a asistir a su reunión el próximo domingo después de la Misa de las 9:00 a.m.
Hey kids! Get ready for an exciting week of fun, friends, and faith at Vacation Bible School June 1st– 5th! Join us for music, engaging Bible stories, creative crafts, fun games and activities all while learning how to become a saint! All kids must be registered by May 24th. Contact Jade Hopson to volunteer. Please see the flyer in the Narthex or the Bulletin for more information.
¡Hola niños! ¡Prepárense para una semana emocionante de diversión, amigos y fe en la Escuela Bíblica de Vacaciones del 1 al 5 de junio! Únanse a nosotros para disfrutar de música, historias bíblicas interesantes, manualidades creativas, juegos y actividades divertidas, ¡todo mientras aprenden cómo convertirse en santos! Todos los niños deben estar registrados antes del 24 de mayo. Contacta a Jade Hopson para ser voluntario. Por favor, consulta el volante en el Nártex o el Boletín para más información.
There is a second collection next Sunday for Religious Women in the Diocese.
Habrá una segunda colecta el próximo domingo para
las Religiosas de la Diócesis.
Please prayerfully consider giving to this year’s Bishop’s Appeal for Ministries. Pledge cards are in the Narthex. Please turn your pledge cards into the church office. Do not mail them directly to the Diocese.
Por favor, considere en oración hacer una donación a la Campaña Anual del Obispo para los Ministerios de este año. Las tarjetas de compromiso están en el Nártex. Por favor entregue sus tarjetas de compromiso en la oficina de la iglesia. No las envíe directamente a la Diócesis.