Last fall, Kim Mertes and I started thinking.  We started thinking about our local First Responders and reflecting on the challenging year they had been experiencing.  Our hearts truly ached for them.  Little did we know what the future would hold. One thing led to another and First Responder Appreciation started to take shape!  Let’s make it a week!  Let’s cover all different time slots to accommodate different shifts!  Let’s ask the ministries to get involved!  This will be a celebration!  I don’t need to tell you about the best laid plans!  But even in the darkness, there is light.  Not even a pandemic could stop us!  Although we had to make a few changes and  limit our numbers, the week went on.  You see, we all are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, so this event HAD to happen.  Now, more than ever, we need to say, “Thank you” to those who put their lives on the line for us each and every day.
 
The parishioners of St. Therese also need to be thanked.  Once again, they answered a call; they baked, cooked, smiled, cleaned, and prayed for our local First Responders.  Our army of do-gooders made calls out to the community to see what help they could get for this week.  A special shout out to El Cerro Reyes and the Latino Ministry for Taco Tuesday! Thank you to Dairi-os for helping the Knights of Columbus with the dinner they provided. Thank you to Community Ministries for supplying and filling 300 goody bags! Thank you, Peace & Justice and Coffee & Conversation for helping with snacks. Thank you to SWAT for providing breakfast.  And MOST for providing donuts and coffee.  And the Music Ministry for preparing breakfast.  And thank you to Jorge for keeping everything SO clean and being available to pitch in at a moment’s notice! And to all that helped with the prayer service.
 
“Team work makes the Dream Work!”  Despite a pandemic and countless inches of rain, the parishioners of St. Therese came forth and gave their best in the form of grace in action.  Without a doubt, God has blessed us.  So if you were one of those who helped-please know we are grateful for you.  If you weren’t able to help this year, help next year.  If you aren’t able to help - wait a minute - You can pray!  As for Kim and me, our hearts are full because you all helped take an idea and shape it into a glorious example of God’s love.
 
Be well, be safe, and God bless,
Mollie Anderson

La Apreciación de los Primeros en Responder
El otoño pasado, Kim Mertes y yo comenzamos a pensar en nuestros primeros auxiliares en responder a la comunidad (policías, bomberos y paramédicos) y reflexionamos sobre el año desafiante que ellos recientemente habían estado experimentado. Nuestros corazones realmente se estremecieron. Poco de  nosotros sabían lo que nos depararía el futuro. Una cosa llevo a la otra y la apreciación de los primeros en responder comenzó tomar forma. Que sea una semana de agradecimiento, que cubriéramos todos los horarios para acomodar los diferentes turnos. Pidamos a los ministerios que se involucren! Esto será una celebración. No necesitamos contarles todos los detalles. " Pero incluso en la oscuridad, hay luz". Ni la pandemia pudo pararnos!. Aunque tuvimos que hacer algunos cambios y limitar nuestros números, la semana continuó. Verán, que todos somos guardianes de nuestros hermanos y hermanas, así, que este evento tenía que ocurrir. Ahora, más que nunca, tenemos que "Agradecer" aquellas personas que arriesgan sus vida por nosotros cada día.
 
Los parroquianos de Santa Teresa son agradecidos.  Una vez mas ellos respondieron a la llamada; hornearon, cocinaron, sonrieron, limpiaron y rezaron por nuestros primeros auxiliares en responder.
Nuestro ejército de bienhechores hicieron llamadas a la comunidad para ver en que podían ellos participar en la semana de apreciación.  Especial agradecimiento a Cerro Reyes y al Ministerio hispano por los Tacos tan deliciosos del Martes. Gracias a Dairi-os por ayudar a los Caballeros de Colon a proporcionar la cena. Gracias a Todos los Ministros de la Comunidad por suministrar y empaquetar 300 bolsas de dulces! Gracias al Ministerio de Paz y Justicia y al Grupo de Café & Conversación por ayudar con los bocadillos. Gracias a SWAT por proveer el desayuno. Gracias al grupo de MOST por proporcionar donuts y café. Gracias al Ministerio de Música por preparar el desayuno. ¡Y gracias a Jorge por mantener todo TAN limpio y por estar dispuesto a ayudar de inmediato! Gracias a Todos los que ayudaron con sus oraciones.
 
“El Trabajo en equipo hace que los sueños se realicen.” A pesar de la pandemia e incontables pulgadas de lluvia, los feligreses de Santa Teresa salieron y dieron lo mejor de sí mismos en una forma de agradecimiento en acción. Sin duda, Dios nos ha bendecido. Así que, si usted fue uno de los que ayudo, por favor sepa que estamos agradecidos. Si usted no pudo ayudar .... espere un momento Tal vez pudo orar por el evento. En cuanto a Kim y a mí, nuestros corazones están llenos de gratitud porque todos ustedes contribuyeron con ideas y le dieron forma a este evento para que así se convirtiera en un glorioso ejemplo de amor hacia Dios.

Gracias a todos, por favor cuídense mucho y que Dios les bendiga.
Mollie Anderson

My command is this:
Love each other as I have loved you.  
- John 15:12

Community Ministries Commission:

• The Care Team mailed Easter cards to the Homebound the week before Easter.
• Easter cards were hand delivered to Atria, Summit Place and Accordius on April 6^th. The nursing facilities were very happy to receive our cards and both Atria and Summit Place said everyone inside were well and safe.
• Easter cards were also delivered to Curlin Commons
• The entire Care Team continues to pray for our clients that we serve with cards and well wishes throughout the year.
• The Backpack Ministry packed and delivered all their food as well as some from the Food Pantry and Food for Days to South Elementary, Third Creek (who is a distribution hub) and Lakeshore Middle the first week of the shutdown
• All other food that was donated for the Food Pantry was given to Food for Days and FeedNC and food is still being packed for Food for Days.
• To date, about 15 emergency food bags have been distributed from the Parish Office.

• 14 people have responded on the website offering to help their fellow parishioners and 3 people who are on the “need help” list.
• This has given us an example of living your faith!  Our parishioners have selflessly risen to the occasion to help a single mom who is facing health and financial challenges with groceries, rent assistance, check in calls and meals.  All this was pulled together in a matter of hours!  “Thank you” hardly seems enough to say!

 Do you need support, or can you support your neighbor?https://sainttherese.net/support-needed
https://sainttherese.net/support-your-neighbor

• St. Therese parishioners have been seen at Feed NC.

• They have donated to our Food Pantry just because they wanted to do something. This is used for emergency bags.

• They are emailing each other daily with “sanity breaks” and ideas to keep spirits up. 

• One parishioner sent me a photo of his daughter, who is in the Army and just landed in NYC to help out. Trust me, with her there, NYC will be back in shape in no time!

• Some of our parishioners are working on making masks for healthcare workers.

• In our pews we have restaurant owners working hard to provide meals and take care of our community.

• Your fellow parishioners are asking for ways to help those who may be shut in or in need of a friendly call or an errand run for them.

• There is a group that is praying……for ALL of us!

• There are parishioners that call the office just to check on us!

Five parishioners from St. Therese helped out Wednesday, March 25 at Feed NC.  Worked hard, helped others and had fun!

On, Thursday, March 12, Saint Therese Faith Formation Staff and parishioners took this opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community by helping prepare a meal and bag staples for families in need at Feed NC.

Food Pantry Donations

A parishioner's daughter is part of the team assessing sites for setting up the Army Hospital in NYC.  She will be in NY City itself and is expected to be there for about 2 weeks. Check out the photo of them practicing social distancing after landing (photo courtesy of the U.S. Army).