St. Theresa of The Child Jesus Church

02/23/2026

Dear my brothers and sisters in Christ at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish,

Due to the expected snow and hazardous travel conditions, tomorrow’s Mass will be celebrated privately and will not be open to the public. Please know that I will be offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the intention and all of you on Monday, February 23rd.

Additionally:
• 📖 The Lenten Series: “The Screwtape Letters” is canceled for tomorrow.
• 🏛 The Town Hall Meeting is also canceled. A new date will be announced soon.

Your safety is important. Please remain home, stay warm, and pray together as families. Even when we cannot gather physically, we remain united spiritually in Christ.

Let us use this snowy day as an opportunity for quiet prayer, Scripture, family time, and Lenten activities .

Be safe, and may God bless you all. Drink some Hot Chocolate!

02/18/2026

02/18/2026

Wednesday, February 18 – Ash Wednesday

Remaing : Mass & Liturgy Schedule:
• 12:15 PM – Liturgy of the Word
• 4:45 PM – PREP Mass (Rita Zambelli – David Bedic)
• 7:00 PM – James and Helen Mindock (Estate)

⸻

Lent has begun. Today we receive ashes as a sign of repentance, humility, and hope. As we hear the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” we begin our 40-day journey back to the heart of Christ.

Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence. Let us enter this holy season with prayer, sacrifice, and renewed love for Our Lord.

May this Lent be a time of deep conversion, healing, and grace for you and your family.

✝️ “Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

02/07/2026

Standing with lit candles in hand, donning jovial smiles, over 200 women joined their voices in singing “Silent Night” to close out the Allentown Diocese’s Women’s Advent Retreat on Dec. 13.

01/30/2026

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY — 1961

A Diocese Is Born

On this day in 1961, Pope John XXIII formally established the Diocese of Allentown, carving out a new local Church to serve the faithful of Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, and Schuylkill Counties.

Just two weeks later, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph McShea was appointed to shepherd this newly formed diocese. His historic enthronement took place on April 11, 1961, at the Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Siena—marking the beginning of a bold and faith-filled chapter in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Diocese of Allentown

Gracious and loving God,
Source of every blessing and Shepherd of Your Church,
we give You thanks for the gift of the Diocese of Allentown,
established in Your providence and guided by Your Spirit.

On this day, we remember with gratitude
the vision of Pope John XXIII
and the faithful leadership of our first bishop,
Joseph McShea,
who laid the foundation of faith, service, and unity
upon which generations have built.

Bless the counties and communities entrusted to this local Church—
Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, and Schuylkill—
and all the clergy, religious, and lay faithful
who have labored to proclaim the Gospel,
celebrate the Sacraments,
and serve the poor and forgotten.

Renew in us the same spirit of faith and courage.
Strengthen us to be living stones in Your Church,
faithful in the present,
hopeful for the future,
and ever attentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and Saint Catherine of Siena,
may this diocese continue to grow in holiness, unity, and love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

01/23/2026

Spread the word and Attention!!!!!!! : Dear Parish Family of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus,

As we prepare for the upcoming weekend, we would like to share an important update regarding our Mass schedule due to the inclement winter weather expected in our area.

⛪ Weekend Mass Schedule:

Saturday, January 24, 2026

4:00 PM – Additional Special Mass (added due to weather concerns)-ONLY THIS WEEKEND

5:00 PM – Regular Vigil Mass

Sunday, January 25, 2026

8:00 AM

9:30 AM

11:00 AM

Father fully intends to celebrate Mass this weekend, and the sacraments will be offered as scheduled. However, your safety is paramount.

⚠️ Important Safety Notice

Please use prudent judgment when deciding whether to travel.

Road conditions may be hazardous, and the parking lot may not be fully accessible due to snow and ice.

Attendance at Mass during severe weather is at your own risk.

Those who are elderly, infirm, or concerned about travel conditions are not obligated to attend and are encouraged to remain safe at home.

We strongly encourage parishioners, if possible and safe, to consider attending one of the Saturday Masses, especially the newly added 4:00 PM Mass, in anticipation of worsening weather conditions.-ONLY THIS WEEKEND

Please continue to check parish communications for any updates should conditions change.

May the Lord keep you safe, protect your travels, and bless your homes with His peace and warmth during this winter storm. ❄️🙏

In Christ and St. Theresa of the Child Jesus,
Fr. John Anthony

01/22/2026

Attention!!!!!!! : Dear Parish Family of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus,

As we prepare for the upcoming weekend, we would like to share an important update regarding our Mass schedule due to the inclement winter weather expected in our area.

⛪ Weekend Mass Schedule:

Saturday, January 24, 2026

4:00 PM – Additional Special Mass (added due to weather concerns)-ONLY THIS WEEKEND

5:00 PM – Regular Vigil Mass

Sunday, January 25, 2026

8:00 AM

9:30 AM

11:00 AM

Father fully intends to celebrate Mass this weekend, and the sacraments will be offered as scheduled. However, your safety is paramount.

⚠️ Important Safety Notice

Please use prudent judgment when deciding whether to travel.

Road conditions may be hazardous, and the parking lot may not be fully accessible due to snow and ice.

Attendance at Mass during severe weather is at your own risk.

Those who are elderly, infirm, or concerned about travel conditions are not obligated to attend and are encouraged to remain safe at home.

We strongly encourage parishioners, if possible and safe, to consider attending one of the Saturday Masses, especially the newly added 4:00 PM Mass, in anticipation of worsening weather conditions.-ONLY THIS WEEKEND

Please continue to check parish communications for any updates should conditions change.

May the Lord keep you safe, protect your travels, and bless your homes with His peace and warmth during this winter storm. ❄️🙏

In Christ and St. Theresa of the Child Jesus,
Fr. John Anthony