The faith community of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its founding with a special Multicultural Mass presided by Bishop Emeritus Gerald Barnes on September 10. The Mass was concelebrated by many diocesan clergy and the parish’s current and founding pastor, Rev. Monsignor Tom Burdick.
The Mass began with a special procession of the various parish ministries, with each designated minister holding up a banner that displayed the ministry’s name. One of the banners displayed one of St. Mother Teresa’s most famous quotations, “Do ordinary things with extraordinary love.” During the Mass, Bishop Barnes presented Msgr. Burdick with a certificate of recognition in honor of the parish’s 20th anniversary.
The next day following the Anniversary Mass, the parish hosted a gala at Monteleone Medows in Murrieta with the theme, “20 Years of Love and Service, a Jubilee of Faithful Followers.” The gala included dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions.
Msgr. Burdick and parish leaders thanked all the parishioners, those who have been there from the beginning and those who have joined and helped its church family grow. They also thanked all the parish staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to create such a beautiful anniversary celebration.
The parish’s original name was Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and was renamed after she was canonized as a Saint in 2016.