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Archdiocese fetes Father Greene, Msgr. Harriman
Marin parish builds on former pastor’s legacy
Young Catholics gather for retreat at Menlo Park church
CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO Newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Francisco
SERVING SAN FRANCISCO, MARIN & SAN MATEO COUNTIES
www.catholic-sf.org
NOVEMBER 5, 2020
$1.00 | VOL. 22 NO. 20
Local Catholics form racial justice group NICHOLAS WOLFRAM SMITH CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
In the wake of the high-profile deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd that prompted national outrage and discussion about Black lives and dignity, local Catholics started discussing what role the church could have in bringing about racial justice. “Where’s Christ’s body when his members are being killed or facing Stephen Staten injustice – where is the church in this?” Stephen Staten said. Staten, a parishioner at St. Dominic, began talking to other Catholics in the Bay Area to answer that question. Out of those conversations eventually grew a new group that hopes to model for the church what it means to work against racism and pursue racial justice. Bay Area Catholics for Racial Justice, founded in July, is focused on educational activities, sharing stories of responding to racism, and building collaborative relationships with other activists and Catholics in the Bay Area and beyond, according to its co-president Rosalie Chan. About 15-30 people are associated with the group right now. The organization has hosted two events so far. In September, they hosted a virtual gathering to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet for Black people who have suffered under systemic racism and died from its effects. In October, they hosted a “ballot party” where people gathered to discuss voting on ballot propositions and their effect on racial justice. A planned November event focuses on sharing stories and praying for the dead, especially those whose names are unknown, like many of the victims of slavery. One of the convictions of the group is that as Catholics their concern for establishing racial justice grows out of the Gospel and the church. Group leaders have a vision that they can be effective in mobilizing Catholics for racial justice by organizing around their common Catholic faith. That can be especially urgent as conversations about racial justice often become a part of political battles. “The point I want this group to really push is our mission is greater than any political expression. It’s a higher thing, it’s not about what side you’re on but a SEE RACIAL JUSTICE, PAGE 5
(CNS PHOTO/TYLER ORSBURN)
A temporary memorial for the victims of COVID-19 is seen near the armory in Washington Oct. 23, 2020. Each day the artist adds new flags to the installation as the death toll rises. As of Oct. 29, nearly 230,000 Americans have died from the disease.
All Souls’ Day 2020 is poignant reminder of COVID-19 clude, as in previous years, aspects of the Mexican celebration Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebrated Nov. 1-2. A vigil Mass will be celebrated by Los Angeles WASHINGTON – The feast of All Souls’ Day, Archbishop José H. Gomez on the evening of Nov. when Catholics remember and pray for the dead, 1 in the outdoor courtyard of the Mausoleum of has weighted significance this year when so many Calvary Cemetery and Mortuary in Los Angeles. have died of COVID-19 and the pandemic’s restricAt the livestreamed Mass, the archbishop also tions have prevented usual funeral services and will bless the eight altars on display paying tribute final goodbyes in person. to those who died in the past year, a typical feature As of Oct. 29, about 228,000 people in the United of Day of the Dead celebrations. One of the altars States alone have died of COVID-19. will specifically commemorate COVID-19 victims. As that number continues to rise, it is no surFor Concepción Sanchez, who is placing photos prise that on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, many parishes of her father on the COVID-19 altar, the archdiocand dioceses are remembering these deaths with esan event is a means of closure. Masses, prayers or special altars. She said the Day of the Dead tradition has been Conversely, because of pandemic restrictions, something her Mexican family has done privately some dioceses also have had to cancel, or at least for the past six years since the death of one of her modify or livestream, their usual All Souls’ Day A personal way to honor your loved one’s patriotism to our country. commemorations often held at Catholic cemeteries. brothers, but this more public commemoration youLos haveAngeles received a flag honoring yourscaled loved one's military In Ifthe Archdiocese, back All service and would like to donate it to the cemetery to be are flowncontinuing as part of an “Avenue of Flags" Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans' Day, DAY, PAGE 6 Souls’ Day plans and they willoninSEE ALL SOULS’ CAROL ZIMMERMANN CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
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