December 19, 2019

HONG KONG:

LIFE IN CHRIST:

PEACEMAKERS:

PAGE 3

PAGE 7

PAGE 21

‘Hatred has broken out’ over protests, prelate says

Nuns encourage women to consider consecrated life

World needs respectful dialogue, pope says

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO Newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Francisco

SERVING SAN FRANCISCO, MARIN & SAN MATEO COUNTIES

www.catholic-sf.org

DECEMBER 19, 2019

$1.00 | VOL. 21 NO. 24

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel” MATTHEW 1:23

“Avenue of Flags” A personal way to honor your loved one’s patriotism to our country.

If you have received a flag honoring your loved one's military service and would like to donate it to the cemetery to be flown as part of an “Avenue of Flags" on Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans' Day, please contact our office for more details on our Flag Donation Program.

This program is open to everyone. If you do not have a flag to donate, you may make a $125 contribution to the “Avenue of Flags” program to purchase a flag.

For an appointmentHoly - 650.756.2060 | www.holycrosscemteries.com | CA Cross Catholic Cemetery, 1500 Mission Road, Colma, 650-756-2060

A Tradition of Faith Throughout Our Lives.

(CNS/BRIDGEMAN IMAGES)

INDEX On the Street . . . . . . . . 4 National . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . 26

2 ARCHDIOCESE

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

NEED TO KNOW CSF’S 2020 SCHEDULE: This is the last issue of 2019. Our bimonthly schedule resumes Jan. 16, 2020.

Visit catholic-sf.org and our Facebook page for national and world news updates during the break.

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS: Programming celebrating and honoring the season now upon us is broadcast daily on EWTN including Mass at the Vatican, concerts from Europe, and visits to sacred sites in the Holy Land. You can view EWTN on COMCAST 229, ATT 562, ASTOUND/ WAVE 80, DISH SATELLITE 261, and DIRECT TV 370.

WALK FOR LIFE 2020: Now in its 16th year, the Walk for Life West Coast takes place Jan. 25 beginning with a rally at 12:30 p.m. at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza followed by the event’s walk down Market Street to Justin Herman Plaza.

2020 ANNIVERSARY MASS: Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone will be principal celebrant and homilist for the annual wedding anniversaries Mass Feb. 29, 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral. All couples who in 2020 will celebrate anniversaries ending in 5 or 0 (5 years, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40) and all couples married more than 40 years, are invited to be part of the liturgy. Register online with director of marriage and family life ministries Ed Hopfner at hopfnere@sfarch.org or call (415) 614-5547.

CLERGY TIP-OFF JAN. 18: The annual Clericus Classic, an evening of basketball featuring teams composed of clergy and seminarians, takes place Jan. 18 at Serra High School, 451 West 20th Ave., San Mateo. This year additional events including skills competitions, a raffle and what organizers are calling “special surprises” will take place. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for children, with proceeds benefiting the archdiocesan vocations program.

ARCHBISHOP CORDILEONE’S SCHEDULE DEC 25-31: Christmas holiday JAN. 1: Mass and breakfast, Cristo Rey Carmel JAN. 2: Chancery meetings JAN. 4: Seminarian Christmas vespers, Holy Hour and dinner JAN. 6: Kensington Carmel Mass JAN 8-9: Chancery meetings JAN. 12: Confirmation, IHM, Belmont, 11:30 a.m.

JAN 12-15: Chancery meetings

ABOUT THE COVER The Nativity is depicted in this 17th-century painting by the three Le Nain brothers, Antoine, Louis and Mathieu.

The feast of the Nativity, a holy day of obligation, is celebrated Dec. 25.

(PHOTOS BY DENNIS CALLAHAN/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

Mass heralds traditional Filipino Advent novena

An entrance procession with flowers that would be placed at the cathedral Advent wreath opened the 12th annual Simbang Gabi Commissioning Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral Dec. 10. Almost 1,000 worshippers including children made up the assembly. Parols, or traditional lanterns mostly star-shaped to evoke the Star of Bethlehem, led processions into the service. More than 50 parishes in the archdiocese will host Simbang Gabi early morning novena Masses Dec. 15-24. A video of the Mass and a list of participating parishes may be found at https://sfarchdiocese.org/events/.

St. Finn Barr students give One Warm Coat CHRISTINA GRAY CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

Students Evelina Erazo-Marenco, Gabriela Ramirez and Caleb Ramos surveyed the furry, fluffy and fancy contents of two large barrels in the lobby of St. Finn Barr School when Catholic San Francisco popped in Dec. 9.

Down coats with faux fox-lined hoods, wooly jackets, waterproof trench coats, pint-sized parkas and even a glittery designer sweatshirt were among the items plumbed from the depths of the drums set out for the school’s One Warm Coat drive.

The three eighth graders are leaders of the K-8 school’s new campus ministry team led by middle school teacher Caroline Shimeld which organized the annual drive according to St. Finn Barr principal Mele Mortonson.

“Service learning is an ongoing part of our identity as a school and this coat drive fits into that,” said Mortonson about the project that ends Dec. 19.

One Warm Coat is a San Francisco-based, national non-profit that supports individuals and organizations such as St. Finn Barr with resources needed to hold a successful coat drive.

Locally collected coats under One Warm Coat always benefit local poor, and the coats collected

by St. Finn Barr School will benefit St. Anthony Foundation in the city’s Tenderloin district. The nonprofit operates a free clothing program for the city’s most needy citizens.

“We researched the history of St. Anthony Foundation and made students and school families aware of its work,” said Erazo-Marenco.

One Warm Coat is among many service minis-

CONCERTS

St. Mary’s Cathedral

1111 Gough St. at Geary, San Francisco 415-456-2020, ext. 213

www.smcsf.org

HELPLINES FOR CLERGY/CHURCH SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS (415) 614-5506 This number is answered by Rocio Rodriguez, , LMFT, Archdiocesan Pastoral Outreach Coordinator.

This is a secured line and is answered only by Rocio Rodriguez.

(415) 614-5503 If you wish to speak to a non-archdiocesan employee please call this number. This is also a secured line and is answered only by a victim survivor.

The following Sunday recitals are free to the public.

Unless otherwise indicated, all recitals begin at 4 pm, and a freewill offering will be requested at the door.

There is ample free parking.

Dec. 22, 4 pm: Angela Kraft Cross, Organ.

Dec. 29, 4 pm: Raymond Hawkins (Winston-Salem), Organ.

Jan. 5, 4 pm: Epiphany Lessons and Carols, performed by St. Brigid School Honor Choir and Golden Gate Boyschoir and Bellringers. zJan. 12, 4 pm: Thomas Fielding (Kalamazoo), Organ Jan. 19, 4 pm: Cavatina Chamber Ensemble Jan. 26: NO RECITAL

(PHOTO BY CHRISTINA GRAY/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

St. Finn Barr School students Evelina Erazo-Marenco, Gabriela Ramirez and Caleb Ramos are pictured Dec. 9 with donations made to the San Francisco parochial school’s One Warm Coat drive.

try projects that weaves together students, studies and the needs of the community, said Mortonson.

Not far from the barrels of donated coats in the school lobby were barrels of toys for the San Francisco Fire Department’s Christmas toy drive.

Students also collect Christmas gifts for children in the local foster care system.

She said middle schoolers are connecting the dots between their study of economics, world history and other subjects which help them understand the “underlying conditions” of poverty.

“It’s exciting for them to have this building understanding of why the world is the way it is and then to execute the simple projects to help,” she said.

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone Publisher Mike Brown Associate Publisher Rick DelVecchio Editor/General Manager EDITORIAL Christina Gray, associate editor Tom Burke, senior writer Nicholas Wolfram Smith, reporter

grayc@sfarchdiocese.org burket@sfarchdiocese.org smithn@sfarchdiocese.org

ADVERTISING Mary Podesta, director PRODUCTION Karessa McCartney-Kavanaugh, manager Joel Carrico, assistant ADMINISTRATION Chandra Kirtman, business manager Sandy Finnegan, administrative assistant finnegans@sfarchdiocese.org HOW TO REACH US One Peter Yorke Way San Francisco, CA 94109 Phone: (415) 614-5639 | Fax: (415) 614-5641 Editor: (415) 614-5647 delvecchior@sfarchdiocese.org Advertising: (415) 614-5644 podestam@sfarchdiocese.org Circulation: (415) 614-5639 circulation.csf@sfarchdiocese.org Letters to the editor: letters.csf@sfarchdiocese.org

ARCHDIOCESE 3

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

‘Hatred has broken out’ in Hong Kong over protests, prelate says NICHOLAS WOLFRAM SMITH CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

During the upheaval caused by Hong Kong’s massive street protests over the past six months, “hatred has deepened every day” and dialogue has become very difficult to carry out, Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-fai said in an interview with Catholic San Francisco.

Archbishop Hon, 69, a Salesian and native of Hong Kong who currently serves as the apostolic Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-fai nuncio to Greece, discussed the situation of Hong Kong and of the Chinese Catholic Church during a trip to the Bay Area. Archbishop Hon visited Chinese Catholic communities in the dioceses of Oakland and San Jose and the Archdiocese of San Francisco and gave two keynote addresses at the recent California Catholic Ministry Conference.

Archbishop Hon served as the secretary for the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples from 2010 to 2017. He served two terms from 2004 to 2014 on the International Theological Commission, was provincial of the Salesian province of China and taught at Holy Spirit Seminary in Hong Kong. Archbishop Hon was sent in 2016 to be the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Agaña, Guam, after its archbishop was accused of sexual assault.

Archbishop Hon said he was “very sad to see” how Hong Kong had become a more bitter and divided place over the course of the protest movement.

The protests, which gained worldwide notoriety in June, began over the Hong Kong government’s attempt to pass a bill that would allow Hong Kong citizens to be extradited to mainland China. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong directs its internal affairs independently of main-

land China, maintaining a separate legal system, government, administration and economic policy.

Hong Kong has no extradition law with China.

For many in Hong Kong, the attempt to pass one threatened to weaken the territory’s constitutional separation from the mainland and open citizens to prosecution by the mainland’s legal system.

“At the heart of the protest is the need for more confirmation of the one country, two systems policy,” Archbishop Hon said, noting that the confirmation is especially important in the election of the chief executive of Hong Kong and its legislature.

The extradition bill was “the last feather on the camel’s back,” he said.

While the dramatic protests, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, have captured the world’s attention over the past six months, Archbishop Hon pointed out that the territory has been wracked by regular protests for more than a decade: 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2016 all saw significant demonstrations, although none have been as large as this year’s.

Hong Kong society has been divided over supporting the protest movement, the archbishop said, and the Catholic Church there reflects those divisions.

But as a community, he said, the church has always had “the tendency to stay with the poor and the needy.” In the current moment, he said, that means advocating for the dignity of the protesters.

Supporters of the Hong Kong government have called the protesters “troublemakers, rioters and even, unfortunately, cockroaches,” the archbishop said. “The protesters have their ideas and dignity and need to be treated well, as long as we work within the legal framework. If you don’t break the law, you have the right to say what you think, to do what you want.”

In a protest movement dominated by young people, families have also experienced divisions over the protests, Archbishop Hon said. Parents are shocked their children have become so involved in the demonstrations, and the “social upheaval” has led many parents to understand that while they do

Christmas At Saint Brendan

Christmas Brendan ChristmasAt At Saint Saint Brendan 2019 Schedule Of Services

2019 Schedule Of Services

not have to change their political ideas, they need to show concern for their children and build “mutual understanding” and reconciliation.

Reconciliation, which the church tries to support, is desperately needed in Hong Kong, Archbishop Hon said, as the protest movement has deepened tensions and divisions in society.

In the last five months, “a kind of hatred, I’m talking about real hatred, one group against the other, has broken out,” he said. “It’s totally unnecessary, but because of acts of violence, hatred came out. I don’t think it can be solved easily in the next five years, the psychological attitude for hatred. We did not have it five months ago.”

Archbishop Hon also spoke about the Chinese government and how it relates to religions, especially to the Catholic Church. The reforms that Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping launched in the late-1970s after the death of Mao Zedong are called “opening-up policy” in Chinese, Archbishop Hon said.

“When we talk about opening up, it’s only for the market, but not enough to guarantee basic human rights in the country,” Archbishop Hon said. “The power, the dominance of the party, that is untouchable.”

The archbishop continued that China has adopted Western market economics and lifestyles and given Westerners the erroneous impression of fundamental change.

“Reform is a pretext to keep, not to change, the political system,” he said.

The Communist government has also fostered indifference toward moral values, the archbishop added. “Deng Xiaoping said a cat, whether it’s black or white, is a good cat as long as it catches mice – money,” he said. “So you don’t know where you are in society. This is a very high cost of many good Chinese people, they start losing the capacity to judge what is right and what is wrong.”

The Chinese government has three principles that

let us not

SEE HONG KONG, PAGE 22

love with

word or tongue, but in

Advent Reconciliation Service - Wednesday, December 18 2019 Schedule Of Services 7:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Tuesday, December 24 Advent Reconciliation Service - Wednesday, December 18 3:00 p.m.

(Early Mass with Children's Choir) December 18 Advent Reconciliation Service Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.

1 John 3:17 7:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. (Vigil Mass with Christmas Pageant) 10:00 p.m. Eve (Contemporary Christmas24 Experience. Pastor’s recipe eggnog, Christmas Tuesday, December

mulled wine, andMass rum balls served afterward 3:00Eve p.m.

(Early with Children's Choir) in the Church Hall. Attendees Christmas Tuesday, December 24 will also receive a special gift while supplies last.)

In one of the most affluent and privileged counties in 5:00 p.m. (Vigil Mass with Christmas Pageant) 10:00 3:00 p.m.

(Early Mass with Children's Choir) p.m. (Contemporary Christmas Experience. Pastor’s recipe eggnog, the world, many people are living in poverty, or may Nativity ofMass the Lord 25 5:00 p.m.

(Vigil with Christmas Pageant) mulled wine, and rumWednesday, balls servedDecember afterward in the Church Hall. Attendees be one unexpected financial hardship away from crisis.

7:30 a.m. will also receive a special gift while supplies last.) Pastor’s recipe eggnog, 10:00 p.m.

(Contemporary Christmas Experience.

10:30 a.m.

mulled wine, and rum balls served afterward in the Church Hall. Attendees Nativity of the Lord Wednesday, December 25 YOUR HELP IS NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER. will alsoSolemnity receive a special gift while supplies last.)

7:30 a.m. of Mary, the Mother of God Wednesday, January 1, 2020

10:00 10:30 a.m. a.m.

Last year, St. Vincent de Paul helped over Nativity of the Lord Wednesday, December 25 21,000 individuals, 7,560 of whom were children.

Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God Wednesday, January 1, 2020 7:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God Wednesday, January 1, 2020 10:00 a.m.

action and in truth.

89¢ of every dollar you donate to SVdP goes directly to the poor we serve.

Donate online at www.svdpsm.org or use the enclosed envelope.

Thank you for helping us help others. Tax ID: 94-1375833

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While we are all sinners, God calls us to holiness and redemptive While we are allthe sinners, God calls us toVirgin holiness and redemptive love under mantle of Our Blessed Mary of Mercy.

While we are all sinners, God calls us to holiness and redemptive

Our motto is Our motto is “My life for your freedom” Our motto is

love under the mantle of Our Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy. love under the mantle of Our Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy.

“My life for your freedom” “My life for your freedom”

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Rev. Daniel Bowen, O. de M. Join the Mercedarian Friars USA Joinfrdanielbowen@gmail.com the Mercedarian• 727-348-4060 Friars USA

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Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery 1500 Mission Road, Colma | 650-756-2060 Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery Santa Cruz Ave. @ Avy Ave., Menlo Park | 650-323-6375 Tomales Catholic Cemetery 1400 Dillon Beach Road, Tomales | 415-479-9021 St. Anthony Cemetery Stage Road, Pescadero | 650-752-1679 Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery 270 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael | 415-479-9020 Our Lady of the Pillar Cemetery Miramontes St., Half Moon Bay | 650-712-1679 St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery 16 Horseshoe Hill Road, Bolinas | 415-479-9021

4 ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

Grateful for new beginnings TOM BURKE CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

Thank you for taking my cancer to the Lord! I am well and in large part from the prayers sent to heaven by you and others on my behalf. The grace I felt from the petitions was palpable. Thank you.

Following my last PET scan and subsequent biopsy doctors said “there is no recurrence of cancer.” The doctors will keep checking, of course, and they are honest about cancer taking every opportunity it can to find to its way back but I invoke again the psalm I prayed at the start: “Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble. Be with me, Lord, I pray.”

While my time off was filled with treatments and doctors’ appointments I still had a lot of time on my hands for recreation and relaxation.

I went back East for a 50th high school reunion tied in with a family reunion where I, my sister, and three brothers and their families camped for a week in North Cape May, New Jersey, enjoying many hours with our mom, who is now 92.

For the first time in a long time I went to the movies. I wanted to see the “Downton Abbey” film and was intrigued by the movie playing as early as 10:30 a.m. I took them up on the midmorning showing and shared the theater with about 50 other people, all seniors like me as far as I could tell. Their slippers-and-robe attire let me know they had done the morning movie before.

Remember, this is an empty space without you so please send items Street’s way; this last issue of 2019 and the first of our being on this page together again. burket@sfarch.org.

CLERGY HOUSE GIFT: Thanks to a $50,000 donation from Home Instead Senior Care, the water will be a little hotter and the lights a bit brighter at Serra Clergy House in San Mateo, home to nine retired priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The gift was presented Dec. 2 at the clergy house and is set to pay for plumbing and electrical upgrades.

Father Ted Shipp, ordained in 1961 and a Serra Clergy House resident, is “spiritual leader” for the local Home Instead office and the connection that spurred the gift, said Martie Cruz of Home Instead.

“Home Instead is in the business of helping seniors and their families so the Serra Clergy House was a natural connection given it is a facility for senior priests,” the company said in a statement.

“The facility was in need of repairs and Home Instead saw they could help with the donation.”

(PHOTO BY DENNIS CALLAHAN/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

SEASONAL SONG: The St. Brigid School Choir performed selections of the Advent/Christmas season Dec. 11 at the San Francisco school. In attendance was Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordielone, who also toured classrooms. The school, founded in 1888, is under the leadership of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, with Sister Angeles Marin as principal. The priests of St. Mary’s Cathedral provide spiritual support.

THANK YOU: A check for $50,000 from Home Instead Senior Care was presented Dec. 2 to upgrade plumbing and electrical work at the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Serra Clergy House for retired priests in San Mateo. Pictured from left at the presentation are Josie Vicera, customer service manager, Home Instead San Mateo; Father Ted Shipp, clergy house resident; Rachel Alvelais, clergy house manager; Martie Cruz, Home Instead San Mateo franchise owner; Father Kieran McCormick, clergy house resident; Vicente Cruz, general manager, Home Instead San Mateo.

In addition to Father Shipp, also making their home at the clergy house are Father Ed Bohnert, Father Anthony Chung, Father John Glogowski, Msgr. Warren Holleran, Father Kieran McCormick, Father Tony McGuire, Father Joe Richard and Father Paul Rossi.

WELCOME ABOARD: Spreading the word for St. Ignatius Parish in San Francisco is Devi Zinzuvadia, who was named director of parish communications just a few weeks ago. “I am a born and raised

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Email items and electronic pictures – hi-res jpegs - to burket@ sfarch.org or mail to Street, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco 94109. Include a follow-up phone number. Street is toll-free. Reach me at (415) 614-5634; email burket@sfarch.org.

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San Franciscan, and an alumna of Convent Elementary and St. Ignatius College Prep,” Devi told me via email. Devi holds an undergraduate degree in English from the University of Southern California and a graduate degree in journalism from Columbia University. She brings a decade in television news and a decade in Devi Zinzuvadia community-based youth development nonprofits to her new post.

“St. Ignatius truly is a welcoming and inclusive Jesuit Catholic community, and I am so proud to be a part of our mission here,” Devi said. “I am thrilled to be taking on all aspects of our community’s internal and external communications and marketing, and supporting our wonderful pastoral and staff team, parishioners, and partners near and far in getting out the good word about their work.”

Devi’s first steps will include ascertaining “a sense of how I can best be of service to the St. Ignatius community!” she said. “I look forward to working with and for our wonderful staff and parishioners, and continuing to be inspired by the beautiful sacred space we are blessed with at St. Ignatius Church.”

ITALIAN COMMUNITY SERVICES provides Bay Area Italian-American individuals and families with trusted resources to help them live healthy, independent and productive lives.

We are committed to honoring and preserving the Italian language and culture, with an emphasis on the strength and support that comes from family, community, education and good will.

678 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 info@italiancs.com 415.362.6423 For community events visit: www.italiancs.com Preserving Our Culture. Serving Our Community.

Catholic San Francisco (ISSN 15255298) is published 24 times per year by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco, 1500 Mission Rd., P.O. Box 1577, Colma, CA 94014.

Periodical postage paid at South San Francisco, CA. Postmaster: Send address changes to Catholic San Francisco, 1500 Mission Rd., P.O. Box 1577, Colma, CA 94014

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ARCHDIOCESE 5

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

(PHOTOS BY DENNIS CALLAHAN/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

Guadalupana Mass at Mission Dolores

For more than 30 years, Mission Dolores Basilica in San Francisco has held a Guadalupana Mass with “Las Mañanitas,” a traditional Mexican song for birthdays, holidays and saints’ days. People gather, process into the basilica and honor the Blessed Mother through the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. During the offertory a parishioner portraying St. Juan Diego presents himself to the bishop. Rose petals then fall from the basilica dome, re-enacting Juan Diego’s 1531 meeting with the local bishop to provide roses as proof of Mary’s miraculous appearance to him on a hill in what is now Mexico City. Bishop William J. Justice and Mission Dolores pastor Father Francis Garbo concelebrated the Mass Dec. 12.

2019 Christmas Masses / misas de navidad

2019 Christmas Masses / misas de navidad

Christmas Eve Buena Christmas Eve// Noche Noche 2019 Christmas Masses / misasBuena de navidad Tuesday, Dec. 24 / Martes, 24 de Diciembre Tuesday, Dec. 24 / Martes, 24 de Diciembre

5:00 pm in English – Church pm Misa en7:00 Español Church 5:00 pmMass Mass inChristmas English -Eve Church pm –Misa en Español / 7:00 Noche Buena

– Mission 12 midnight Mass in English - Church Tuesday, Dec. 24 / Martes, 24 de Diciembre – Church 7:00 pm Mass in Vietnamese 5:00 pm Mass in English – Church 7:00 pm Misa en Español – Church

7:00 Mass in Vietnamese –12Mission 12 -midnight Mass in 7:00pm pm Mass in Vietnamese – Day Mission midnight Mass in English Church Christmas / El Día de Navidad English - Church

Wednesday, Dec. 25 / Miércoles, 25 de Diciembre

Christmas / El Día de Navidad 7:30 am Mass in English Day - Church 10:30 am Mass in English – Wednesday, Dec. 25 / Miércoles, 25 de&Diciembre Church St. Sylvester Chapel Christmas Day / El Día de 7:30 am Mass in English - Church 10:30 am Navidad Mass in English – 9:00 Wednesday, am Mass in English – Church 11:00 am Mass in Portuguese – Mission Dec. 25 / Miércoles, de Diciembre Church25 & St. Sylvester Chapel pm in Misa Español – Church de 7:00m el día 9:0012:00 am Mass English – Church 11:00 am (no MassMisa in Portuguese – Mission 7:30 am Mass inen English - Church 10:30 am Mass in English de Misa Navidad en Español) 12:00 pm Misa en Español – Church (no de 7:00m el día

– Church &

de Navidad en Español)

St.de Sylvester Chapel New Year’s Day / El Día Año Nuevo 9:00 am Mass in Year’s English 11:00 am Mass New Day–/ Church El Día de Año1Nuevo Wednesday, January 1/Miércoles, de Enero January 1/Miércoles, 1 de Enero 10:00 amWednesday, ONLY ONE MASS MULTILINGUAL/MISA MULTILINGUE Portuguese – Mission

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY Solemn Vespers at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Belmont “They showed unusual

in

10:00 am ONLY ONE MASS MULTILINGUAL/MISA MULTILINGUE 12:00 pm Misa en Español – Church (no Misa de 7:00m el día de Navidad enSt.Español) Raphael Church is located at: 1104 Fifth Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901

New Year’s Day / El Día de Año Nuevo Kindness” Wednesday, January 1/Miércoles, 1 de Enero Acts 28:2 ONLY ONE MASS MULTILINGUAL/MISA MULTILINGUE

St. Raphael Church is located at: 1104 Fifth Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901

Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus DOMINICAN FRIARS St. Raphael Church is located at: 1104 Fifth Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901 All are invited to participate in the celebration of a liturgy of Solemn Vespers at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Solemn Novena in Honor of at the Church of the OUR LADY OF LOURDES Immaculate Heart of Mary, February 3-11, 2020 1040 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont, California, 94002.

This prayer service is for the parishioners of Immaculate Heart of Mary and for our good neighbors, the parishioners of our Sister Church, the Greek Orthodox of the Church of the Holy Cross.

Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone will be the Presider and Metropolitan Gerasimos of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco will be the Homilist. A dessert reception will follow in the Parish Center. This will be the 14th year that the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox communities have gathered to pray in Belmont, California.

www.IHMBelmont.org

MASSES: Monday-Saturday: 8:00 am & 5:30 pm Sunday: 11:30 am & 5:30 pm

(preceded by the rosary; blessing with St. Jude relic)

Fr. Bart Hutcherson, O.P. Novena Preacher

St. Dominic’s Church, 2390 Bush St. (at Steiner), San Francisco, CA 94115.

Novena in St. Dominic’s Church - Ample Parking Available

Send Novena petitions to: Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus Fr. Vincent Kelber, O.P. P.O. Box 15368, San Francisco, CA 94115-0368 www.stjude-shrine.org (415) 931-5919

6 ARCHDIOCESE

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

(PHOTOS BY DENNIS CALLAHAN/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

Pilgrims venerating Our Lady of Guadalupe made their way on foot from All Souls Church in South San Francisco to St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco in the archdiocese’s 26th annual Guadalupana march Dec. 7. At the cathedral, where Archbishop Cordileone welcomed the pilgrims and celebrated Mass, participants gathered before flowers placed in honor of Mexico’s patron saint, and quietly prayed at the cathedral’s Guadalupe shrine.

26th annual pilgrimage honors Our Lady of Guadalupe LORENA ROJAS SAN FRANCISCO CATÓLICO

Juan Villalobos began to walk in the Guadalupana pilgrimage, dressed as St. Juan Diego, when his daughter María Guadalupe was about to lose her baby in the womb.

“I asked the Virgin from my heart that if she gave life to the baby, the rest of my life was going to be this command,” he told San Francisco Católico Dec. 7 during the 26th annual walk from All Souls Church in South San Francisco to St. Mary’s Cathedral to venerate the patron saint of Mexico and patroness of the Americas.

Villalobos promised the Virgin of Guadalupe that he would not only walk the 12 miles of the pilgrimage every year but also go to his knees from the door of the cathedral to the image of the saint in the Guadalupe chapel, bringing her flowers.

He has been doing so since his grandson Jerome “was born perfectly,” he said.

This Michoacán, Mexico, father of three, learned the devotion to the Virgin from his grandparents, who often took him to pilgrimages in Guadalajara.

Kelly Celina Trejo represented Mary in the pilgrimage for the first time this year, alongside Juan Madriz, who has portrayed St. Juan Diego for 10 years.

“I didn’t even know that my parents had pointed

Juan Madriz, left, portraying St. Juan Diego, and Kelly Trejo, representing the Virgin of Guadalupe enter St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco Dec. 7 after the 26th annual pilgrimage to mark the Blessed Mother’s miraculous appearances to Juan Diego in 1531. me out” as a candidate to represent Mary, “but I accepted it and I appreciate that they chose me,” she

said, speaking with San Francisco Catolico while waiting in Holy Angels Church to portray the third appearance of the Virgin to the neophyte Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill in what is now Mexico City.

Trejo encouraged young people to remain in the church.

“I want to tell young people to believe and not to leave the church, with everything there is today, many forget God, but you have to have it in your heart and believe in it,” she said.

The Guadalupe pilgrimage, the largest Latino Catholic event in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, was founded by Pedro and Marta García and is still directed by the couple. This year, as in previous years, they asked the Virgin of Guadalupe for intercession for immigration reform in the United States.

Arriving at the cathedral in a wet and windy storm, the pilgrims were welcomed to a Mass in honor of Our Lady by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone and other members of the clergy.

“You have completed this pilgrimage. It is a long and exhausting walk, you have endured the cold, tiredness and even the rain, you all come wet, but we thank God for this rain,” the archbishop said in his homily. “The rain is a sign that the sky is crying ... but tears of joy, the sky is raining tears of joy for his manifestation of his great love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

Thousands at St. Matthew celebrate Guadalupe miracle

(PHOTOS BY DENNIS CALLAHAN/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations at St. Matthew Parish in San Mateo included a historical program Dec. 12 re-enacting Our Lady’s appearances to Juan Diego, the miracle of the roses, her miraculous image on the tilma “and the ultimate miracle, the total conversion of all Mexico to Catholicism within 10 years,” pastor Msgr. John Talesfore said.

It was standing-room-only at 1,500seat St. Matthew Church in San Mateo for events celebrating our Lady of Guadalupe, beginning with a midnight Mass Dec. 11, preceded by mariachi serenade of the traditional Mexican birthday song “Las Mañanitas,” and continuing the next day with a 5:30 p.m. historical program preceding the 7 p.m. Mass.

The photos here, with more on Catholic San Francisco’s Facebook page, are primarily from the historical program, “which narrates in film, live re-enactment, music and dance the story of Our Lady’s appearances to Juan Diego, the miracle of the roses, her miraculous image on the tilma and the ultimate miracle, the total conversion of all Mexico to Catholicism within 10 years,” Msgr. John Talesfore, St. Matthew pastor, said in an email to CSF. “We are delighted that these annual celebrations draw more and more members of our English-speaking community, our school children and their families, as well as members of the larger San Mateo community,” he

said, noting that students from Junipero Serra High School were sent to participate in this year’s event as a notably significant local event in cultural and religious studies.

St. Matthew Parish has 3,389 registered families and 9,660 members, with equal attendance for English and Spanish Masses. The parish also has a biweekly Cantonese Mass. The parish school has 624 students, with an additional 421 enrolled in religious education.

ARCHDIOCESE 7

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

Religious invite women to consider consecrated life “We have moments of prayer, but we lead a very active life in which there is also time for coexistence, recreation and outings,” she said. “It is a normal life dedicated to Jesus.”

ARACELI MARTÍNEZ SAN FRANCISCO CATÓLICO

Three nuns recently spoke with San Francisco Católico about their lives and invited women to embrace the opportunity to discern their vocation.

Sister Teresa García Jara

Sister Lucy García Muñiz

Sister Lucy García Muñiz from the Oblates of Jesus the Priest discovered her religious vocation at around age 15 while living in the town of Jesús María in San Luis Potosí, México.

“I’d see many religious women coming to the retreat houses in my hometown. My longing was born there.

I wanted to be like them,” Sister Lucy said.

At 18 Sister Lucy was determined to go to the convent but her father became very ill with cancer and she had to postpone her plans.

“I decided to wait and stay around to help my mom. We were 12 in the family.

My dad died when I was already 21 years old,” she said.

It was then that she joined the Oblates of Jesus the Priest in México City.

“At 26 I made my profession of religious vows. I was with different communities in México until they sent me to Rome, New York, and this year in June I arrived at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park,” she said.

The Oblates of Jesus the Priest main apostolate is prayer, specifically for priestly and seminary vocations.

The Eucharist is the center of their lives along with daily eucharistic adoration, the recitation of the rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours and Lectio Divina.

(PHOTO BY LORENA ROJAS/SAN FRANCISCO CATOLICO)

Sister Rosalba Vargas, Mother Superior of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in San Francisco, speaks with Martha and Pedro García, founders of the Guadalupana Crusade, inside the monastery chapel Sept. 6 before the couple renewed their wedding vows.

In the United States their communities are in San Francisco, Chicago and New York.

Their charism is to “love the priesthood of Christ and make it loved” and minister to carry out work that imitates the priesthood of Jesus.

“We accompany the seminarians throughout their preparation and ordination process as Mary did with Jesus,” Sister Lucy said.

After 26 years of religious life, Sister Lucy confesses that she feels very fulfilled, happy and content with the ministry that God has given her.

“Ours is a daily oblation so that the church has more priests. There

wouldn’t be any sacraments without them, no Eucharist,” she said.

Sister Lucy said that she has never regretted – not even for a second – having dedicated her life to Jesus: “When you consecrate yourself to God, he gives us gifts and gifts in abundance.”

While religious life means giving up everything it also makes it possible to create a family along the way.

“It is normal that at first, when we are not sure of our vocation, we can sometimes feel fear but what I can tell you is that it is worth giving our lives to Christ,” she said.

Moreover, she said, a person remains the same throughout a life devoted to Christ.

For the past 36 years Sister Teresa García Jara has been with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of St. Mary of Guadalupe, MSCGpe for its initials in Spanish.

According to the congregation’s website, “Misioneras del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús y de Santa María de Guadalupe” was founded in Jalisco, Mexico, in 1926 during the religious persecution that ensnared the entire country.

Sister Teresa was born in Durango, México, and at the age of 15 she felt God’s call.

“I had a neighbor who came to celebrate her 25 years of religious life.

She and other nuns encouraged me and I wanted to go with them, but they asked me to finish high school,” she said.

When she was 20 and decided to enter the convent, her parents rejoiced.

“They handed me over to God with much generosity,” she said.

Sister Teresa also recalled the warm welcome the nuns gave her and said that she has been “very happy with this vocation that God gave me.”

Sister Teresa explained that her congregation is dedicated to serve mainly in seminaries and priestly houses, but they also run schools, boarding schools SEE SISTERS, PAGE 24

TOGETHER WE ENRICH OUR COMMUNITY. 20_COMMUNITY_IMPACT_9.625x7_AD.indd 1

12/10/19 4:13 PM

8 ARCHDIOCESE

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

Bishop: Asian, Pacific Island Catholics called to church leadership NICHOLAS WOLFRAM SMITH CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

Asian and Pacific Island Catholics make up the fastest growing segment in the U.S. church and bring “rich cultural practices and values that can really contribute to building up parishes and communities in the U.S.,” according to a panel at a recent ministry conference.

The challenge, the panel stressed, is that their gifts are often overlooked.

During the California Catholic Ministry Conference, held Dec. 5-7 in San Jose, Bishop Oscar Solis of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Paulist Father Ricky Manalo and diocesan lay minister Corinne Monogue sat on a panel to discuss the U.S. bishops’ 2018 document on Asian and Pacific Island Catholics, “Encountering Christ In Harmony.”

These communities are “ripe for pastoral engagement,” Bishop Solis said, because of what they can contribute but need pastoral guidance in becoming leaders within the church.

Asians and Pacific Islanders, he said, “have been recipients of outreach by the church. We are called to become leaders and active disciples in the church now. The door is wide open for the full and active participation of API communities in the U.S.” The key for increasing representation of these cultural communities in the church is to “be open to various expressions of faith,” said Paulist Father Ricky Manalo, who is in residence at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco and served as an advisor to the U.S. bishops on Asian and Pacific Island pastoral matters.

Organizing a potluck dinner where people bring ethnic dishes, or praying for a community in the prayers of the faithful the Sunday before it celebrates a significant feast such as the Vietnamese Martyrs or San Lorenzo Ruiz are simple but important gestures that show hospitality in a parish, he said.

By building “intercultural competence for ministers,” Father Manalo said, the church is better prepared to see “who’s not around the table of ministries” and how to address that.

Corinne Monogue, who stepped down in May after a 13-year stint leading the Arlington, Virginia, diocese’s Office of Multicultural Ministries, said that accessible models of multicultural ministry included the Knights of Columbus, Bible studies using prayers listed in the bishops’ document and encouraging pastors to hold Simbang Gabi Masses, a Filipino Advent tradition, at parishes that are not majority Filipino.

Monogue also said her diocese added Asian and Pacific Island saints to confirmation preparation in order to give everyone in the diocese a chance to learn about them and “make sure more than just the traditional saints were given as options to students across the diocese.”

(PHOTO BY NICHOLAS WOLFRAM SMITH/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

Corinne Monogue, left, and Salt Lake City, Utah, Bishop Oscar Solis are pictured at a panel presentation on “Encountering Christ In Harmony,” the U.S. bishops’ pastoral discussion of Asian and Pacific Island Catholics. The panel took place Dec. 7 during the annual California Catholic Ministry Conference in San Jose.

Maria Celia Magsuci, an audience member at the panel, said that in her experience different parish ethnic groups tend to be active “but the integration and togetherness is just very weak.

“We do our thing,” she said, “and other groups do other things.”

Bishop Solis said “our aspiration as cultural groups in the U.S.” is to have a united worship rather than “everyone celebrating their own liturgies.”

But he acknowledged that can be a difficult goal to achieve.

During his time in Los Angeles, where he served as an auxiliary bishop and episcopal vicar for ethnic ministry, Bishop Solis said they incorporated Las Posadas celebrations from the Mexican Christmas tradition into Simbang Gabi. “Unity is not uniformity,” he said.

Father Manalo noted that communities can feel “threatened” and fear losing their identity by integrating celebrations. He said it is critical, therefore, to acknowledge different cultural voices in the church. By emphasizing an intercultural approach that “listens to where other people are at” the church can convey that traditions will be maintained, he said.

THE SAINT PAUL OF THE SHIPWRECK

35th Annual Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. Solidarity Mass

January 19, 2020 Most Reverend FERNAND J. CHERI, OFM Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans

10:45am Mass

“Encountering Christ In Harmony” is available free on the USCCB website. Visit http://www.usccb.org/ news/2018/18-118.cfm.

GET HOME BEFORE DARK! 4 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass in San Francisco!

St. Emydius Catholic Church

Changing Lanes

286 Ashton Avenue, San Francisco (one block from Ocean Ave.) Serving the Ingleside community of San Francisco, since 1913, St. Emydius is a multi-cultural, multi-racial, all inclusive faith-sharing community.

Community Service Recipient JULIO ESCOBAR Restorative Justice, Archdiocese of San Francisco

Daily Mass At 8:00 am 4:00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass 8:30 am Sunday Mass 10:30 am Sunday Mass

Gospel Choirs The Inspirational Voices of St. Paul of the Shipwreck The Sacred Heart Gospel Choir

CHURCH OF ST. PAUL OF THE SHIPWRECK 1122 Jamestown Ave. San Francisco, CA 94124

Monogue also emphasized that pastors and parish leadership should view the celebrations each cultural group brings as something for the whole parish, not just as an aspect of ethnic ministry.

“I had to change the view that this isn’t for one group, it’s for all,” she said. “Let’s invite everyone to the table.”

The annual California Catholic Ministry Conference, formerly known as the Santa Clara Faith Formation Conference, was renamed this year to reflect the change of venue to the San Jose Convention Center as well as the broad numbers it attracts.

Attendance this year was about 3,000, representing 14 dioceses.

Bishop Daniel E. Garcia of the Diocese of Monterey, whose diocese cosponsors the conference with the Diocese of San Jose, said he hopes the conference will continue to grow and affirm everyone involved in ministry in the church.

“There’s a profound hunger in lay leaders not just to be nourished and fed but to be invigorated,” he said.

“All of these dioceses in California are growing faster than we can speak so we’re trying to do anything we can to give our people help and sustain them.”

To reach us from 19th Ave., take Holloway Ave., (near S.F. State, heading East), to Ashton Ave., left on Ashton to De Montfort Ave.

+ 415 468 3434

To reach us from 280 S. (at City College) exit Ocean Ave. going West, turn left on Ashton to De Montfort Ave., (1/2 block up).

YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO JOIN US!

NATIONAL 9

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

Daleiden, colleague face eavesdropping trial CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

SAN FRANCISCO – A California judge ruled Dec. 6 to let a criminal trial proceed against David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt on nine counts of violating the state’s anti-eavesdropping law.

The charges stem from undercover investigative videos filmed in 2014 and 2015 by Daleiden and Merritt, who are with Center for Medical Progress, which showed Planned Parenthood officials discussing fees related to selling fetal tissue. The two posed as representatives of a fictitious fetal tissue procurement firm.

Judge Christopher C. Hite of San Francisco Superior Court dropped five counts against Daleiden and Merritt, but in his order he said there was sufficient evidence to support the nine counts.

The judge denied a defense request to consolidate the remaining charges, saying they are separate instances of confidential recordings involving different victims. He also denied a request to reduce the charges to misdemeanors.

The judge also noted that state law “does not contain an express exception for media, journalists, or other First Amendment-protected news-gathering agencies or activities.”

The original criminal complaint by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed in March 2017 alleged 14 instances of illegal recording in San Francisco, Los Angeles and El Dorado from July 2014 through September 2015.

Illegal recording under state penal code section 632(a) is punishable by a fine not exceeding $2,500 per violation, up to a year in county jail or state prison, or both.

The defendants must appear in court for arraignment Jan. 30. Hite’s ruling follows a preliminary hearing held in September. The case is California v.

David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt.

The Center for Medical Progress issued a statement saying it is confident that the remaining charges will not stand.

(CNS PHOTO/LISA JOHNSTON, ST. LOUIS REVIEW)

A man comforts David Daleiden, founder of the Center for Medical Progress, during a prayer and protest rally outside of the new Planned Parenthood building in Washington Jan. 21, 2016, the day before the annual March For Life.

“The remaining charges under the California video recording law – the first and only time it has ever been used against undercover news gatherers – will fall for the same reasons that five charges were dismissed today: These were public conversations easily overheard by third parties,” the organization said.

“The real criminals are the Planned Parenthood leadership who sold fetal body parts from late-term abortions and weaponized the justice system to try to cover it up,” it added.

Peter Breen, vice president and senior counsel at the Thomas More Society, said he was pleased the five felony counts were thrown out – a sixth one was thrown out earlier – but he said the Chicago-based firm will continue to mount a vigorous defense “until every last one of these specious felony charges are thrown out of court.”

Breen, who is leading the firm’s defense of Daleiden, said the Center for Medical Progress “followed the same commonly accepted practices, including videotaping in public places, of other undercover journalists.”

“David Daleiden is being charged as a criminal for

openly delivering information that the public has a right to know, information that the abortion lobby and its financially supported elected officials would rather keep hidden,” said Breen. “This prosecution by the state of California is an abuse of the justice system, and we are confident we will totally vindicate David in the end.”

LifeNews.com reported that Daleiden and Merritt believe their prosecution is “politically motivated” by former California Attorney General Kamala Harris and her successor, Xavier Becerra, because they receive political donations from Planned Parenthood.

Live Action’s Lila Rose, who has done her own undercover investigations of the abortion industry, said in a Dec. 6 statement that the charges against Daleiden and Merritt are “unfounded and outrageous.”

“Not only is it a violation of their First Amendment rights and a gross abuse of power, it demonstrates the politically motivated double standard that exists for journalists in California seeking the truth,” she said.

Rose said the same year Daleiden and Merritt released their undercover recordings on “Planned Parenthood employees haggling over the price of aborted baby body parts, videos taken by undercover animal rights activists were praised and led to investigations of abuse in the poultry industry” by Harris as attorney general.

On Nov. 15, a federal court jury in San Francisco assessed more than $2.2 million in damages against Daleiden, the Center for Medical Progress and other defendants following a six-week trial on a civil damages complaint brought by Planned Parenthood Federation of America and affiliates. The verdict included $870,000 in punitive damages, of which $725,000 was assessed against Daleiden and two related business entities.

Following the verdict, Daleiden’s attorneys expressed confidence that their client will be vindicated on appeal.

Diaconate Formation Informational Evenings

Our First Ever Crab Feed!

By the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption and St. Brigid’s School Saturday January 25, 2020 Drinks at 6:00 pm and a full 4-course dinner at 7:00 pm

(Green salad, pasta & garlic bread, two kinds of crab, and dessert)

Dates: Wednesday, January 8, 2020 St. Isabella Church 1 Trinity Way San Rafael, CA 94903 Wednesday, January 15, 2020 St. Timothy Church 1515 Dolan Avenue San Mateo, CA 94401

Go to St. Mary’s website CALENDAR/EVENTS Page for more details: www.smcsf.org.

Tickets $85 per person.

(Proceeds benefit St. Brigid School Scholarship Fund) Go to the DONATE page to purchase tickets online or the Cathedral Business Office by Jan. 18.

1111 Gough Street, San Francisco

See you there!!!

Tickets at the door only if seating is available

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTED.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020 Archdiocese of San Francisco One Peter Yorke Way San Francisco, CA 94109 Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

The Office of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate will hold Informational Evenings for men considering the possibility of serving the Church as Permanent Deacons.

The evening will include discussion of the ministry of the Deacon in the Church, the Formation program and the application process. Please join us.

Who should attend?

Single and married men between the ages of 30 and 60 may apply for the program and are invited to the evening. However, married applicants must be married at least five years. All married applicants need the complete support of their wives in order to pursue the program; therefore, wives are encouraged to attend.

Diaconate Formation Office Phone: 415-614-5531 Fax: 415-614-5531 Email: diaconateformation@sfarch.org or marstong@sfarch.org

10 NATIONAL

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

Film examines whether papal message could have saved Europe’s Jews MARK PATTISON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON – One great unanswerable question regarding the Catholic Church and the Holocaust is whether Jewish lives would have been saved had Pope Pius XI or his successor, Pope Pius XII, issued a statement urging the protection of Jews in Axisheld Europe.

Many Jews believe it would have helped, and some scholars point to the number of letters written by Jews to Pope Pius XI or Pope XII asking for their help. Other scholars doubt that anything anyone might have said would have stopped Adolf Hitler from carrying out his systematic elimination of Jews throughout Europe.

It was a key point raised during a Dec. 5 Holocaust documentary and panel discussion at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington.

Both were part of a program called “Reconsidering the Catholic Church and the Holocaust.”

The documentary, “Holy Silence,” contrasted Pope Pius XI and Pope Pius XII on this issue.

Pope Pius XI was sickly, with a heart condition, but he grew alarmed over the treatment of Jews in Germany.

He even went around his secretary of state, Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli, to en-

list a U.S. Jesuit priest, Father John LaFarge, to draft an encyclical to declare that Jews were entitled to the same rights and protections as others.

Before writing, Father LaFarge – whose anti-racism work in the United States had gotten Pope Pius XI’s attention – visited Nazi Germany, according to historian Peter Eisner during the post-film panel discussion. “The priest asked himself, ‘Can I believe these newspapers? Are they telling the truth? Or is it fake news?’” Eisner said.

Convinced the accounts were true, he went to work on the draft.

The draft was not perfect, the documentary said, and it was nearly scuttled by the Jesuits’ superior general – who the film said was “virulently anti-Semitic” – and who offered to deliver Father LaForge’s draft personally to Pope Pius XI – and apparently took his sweet time doing so. The draft did not see the light of day before the pope died in 1938; it only resurfaced in 1979.

In the conclave to choose a new pope, Cardinal Pacelli won on the third ballot and took the name Pius XII. As secretary of state, he had signed a concordat with Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini that formally dissolved the Papal States but created the Vatican City-State. He later signed a concordat with Hitler that guaranteed protection for Catholic churches in

Jim Laufenberg B R OK ER A SSOC . , G R I , C R S

(CNS PHOTO/PERLEPRESS PRODUCTIONS)

An image of Pope Pius XII is seen on a poster for the documentary “Holy Silence.”

exchange for the church keeping its silence in politics. The documentary said the Nazis broke the concordat’s terms even before it could be signed.

Cardinal Pacelli, according to the documentary, also counseled Pope Pius XI to not issue any statement regarding the treatment of Jews that could disrupt or scuttle the Vatican’s diplomatic relations with Germany or Italy, both of which were Axis nations with Japan.

The documentary adds that the new Pope Pius XII followed the same policy as his predecessor, speaking and writing only in broad terms and not singling out one ethnic or racial group

over another. He made no reference to Jews as being among those who had suffered in his Christmas message in 1943, after the Allies had liberated Italy. He also ordered all known copies of the draft encyclical to be rounded up and destroyed.

Steven Pressman, who made “Holy Silence,” said it is possible that once the Vatican Secret Archives permits documents from Pope Pius XII’s papacy to be reviewed by researchers in early 2020, more will become known about what currently remains a mystery.

In March, when he announced the opening of these records, Pope Francis commented that Pope Pius XII’s reign was a story of “moments of grave difficulties, tormented decisions of human and Christian prudence, that to some could appear as reticence.”

But Pope Francis acknowledged the pontiff’s actions also could be regarded as keeping “during periods of the greatest darkness and cruelty, the small flame lit of humanitarian initiatives, of hidden but active diplomacy.”

The documentary alluded to a meeting Pope Pius XI was to have with some bishops on a Saturday in 1938, promising something noteworthy was going to happen. He caught a cold that Monday. According to “Holy Silence,” he told his doctors to “do anything you can to keep me alive until Saturday.” The pope died the day before the planned meeting.

“He might have excommunicated Mussolini and Hitler that day,” Eisner said, but since the meeting was never held, no one knows what the pope had planned.

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NATIONAL 11

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

Supreme Court leaves temporary stop on federal executions in place CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court has left in place a preliminary injunction prohibiting the Trump administration from carrying out the first federal executions in 16 years.

In an order handed down the evening of Dec. 6, the justices unanimously denied an application by the U.S. Department of Justice to lift a federal court injunction blocking the federal government from carrying out four executions scheduled for December 2019 and January 2020.

In November, U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan of the District of Columbia temporarily halted the upcoming executions of four federal death-row inmates, who had challenged the constitutionality of the lethal injection protocol to be used in their executions.

When U.S. Attorney General William Barr announced in July that the government was reinstating the federal death penalty after a 16-year hiatus, he said the executions would use a single drug instead of a three-drug protocol used in recent federal executions and used by several states. Several of the inmates challenged the use of the single lethal injection.

Chutkan said these lethal injections go against the Federal Death Penalty Act of 1994, which states federal executions should be carried out “in the manner prescribed by the law of the state in which the sentence is imposed.”

On Dec. 2, the U.S. Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to lift Chutkan’s preliminary injunction.

The day before the Supreme Court’s order, Catholic Mobilizing Network, the national Catholic organization working to end the death penalty, delivered a petition to President Donald Trump and Barr opposing the planned restart of federal executions.

The petition was signed by nearly

(CNS PHOTO/DAVID MAUNG)

People hold signs during a candlelight prayer vigil Dec. 8, 2019, held to oppose the Trump administration’s plan to reinstate the federal death penalty.

3,000 Catholics, including retired Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston, Auxiliary Bishop William J. Justice of San Francisco and Sister Helen Prejean, a Sister of St. Joseph of Medaille, who is a longtime opponent of the death penalty.

“Catholics are profoundly concerned about the federal government’s wrongheaded move to restart executions,” said Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of Catholic Mobilizing Network. “Restarting federal executions would be an affront to the dignity of human life and contradictory to the clear and growing opposition that Americans have to capital punishment.”

An Oklahoma man, Daniel Lewis Lee, was the first of several death-row inmates scheduled to be executed by the U.S. government in coming weeks. He was to have been put to death Dec. 9, after the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals earlier in the day Dec. 6 vacated the stay on his execution.

The other inmates whose executions are now on hold are: Wesley Ira Purkey, who was to be executed Dec. 13; Alfred Bourgeois, Jan. 13; and Dustin Lee Honken, Jan. 15.

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

Survey: Catholic sermons shorter than Protestant MARK PATTISON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON – If experience can’t prove it, data scraping will: Catholic sermons are shorter than their Protestant counterparts.

According to an analysis of 50,000 sermons – Catholics commonly refer to theirs as homilies – the Pew Research Center determined that the median Catholic sermon is 14 minutes long.

The next shortest are mainline Protestant sermons, at 25 minutes. Evangelical Christian sermons are nearly three times as long as Catholic sermons at 39 minutes. But the longest median sermons belong to churches in the African American Protestant tradition, clocking in at 54 minutes, nearly four times as long as their Catholic counterparts.

Pew made its analysis by conducting data scraping, a technique in which a computer program extracts data from human-readable output coming from another program. Pew found its trove of sermons and homilies either posted on church websites or on YouTube.

The numbers sound right to Deacon Steve Kramer, director of the homiletics program at the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, near Milwaukee.

“You can clock me, and I’ll be anywhere between eight-and-a-half and 10 minutes. I may do 13, 14, 15 minutes, but that’s more the exception than the rule,” Deacon Kramer told Catholic News Service in

The relative brevity of Catholic homilies is not because the church parking lot needs to be cleared in time for the next Mass, one deacon said. a Dec. 12 telephone interview before the Pew study was released Dec. 16.

Deacon Kramer said he sees “no value” in longer sermons. “If you can say it, say it and get out,” he added. He said the relative brevity of Catholic homilies is not because the church parking lot needs to be cleared in time for the next Mass.

He said Catholic preaching tends to be shorter because of the nature of the Mass, which has both a Liturgy of the Word and a Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Protestant worship, he added, has “minimal eucharistic services.”

Deacon Kramer, who has a doctorate in ecumenical homiletics, was ordained a permanent deacon in 1994 for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, but is now attached to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Pew’s analysis found the five most common words spoken in Catholic homilies are “say,” “know,” “God,” “people” and “life,” words that also were found in the top five in at least one of the Protestant groupings made by Pew.

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The most distinctive words found in Catholic preaching – all done at rates 11 to 21 times as often as their Protestant counterparts – were “homily,” “diocese,” “Eucharist,” “paschal” and “parishioner.” In fact, a Catholic is four times as likely to hear the word “homily” than an evangelical to hear the phrase “eternal hell” or its variants.

Catholic preaching names Scripture 73% of the time; 68% of homilists cite a book from the New Testament, and 28% refer to a book from the Old Testament. This was the lowest rate of such citations among the groups studied. The next lowest group was mainline Protestants at 88%. Smaller Catholic churches – 200 or fewer congregants – hear an Old Testament book mentioned 37% of the time, and the difference of 9 percentage points was larger than any big-small Protestant comparison.

“The Protestants have been much more engaged in the word over the years,” Deacon Kramer said.

“When I was a kid, we didn’t really read the Bible much. (The reading of) Scripture wasn’t really encouraged until later on – Vatican II. In a sense, I guess, we’re playing a little bit of catch-up.”

And the reason behind the split between New Testament and Old Testament references? “Most of our people are not as familiar with the Old Testament,” Deacon Kramer told CNS. He noted the seminary was soon to host its annual preaching conference, with the theme “Hearing the Hebrew Scriptures with a Heart for Homiletics,” with a couple of rabbis leading sessions.

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

IN SCANDALIZED BUFFALO DIOCESE, NEW ADMINISTRATOR SEEKS VICTIMS’ VOICES

following Pope Francis’ acceptance of the early resignation of 73-yearold Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, who has faced a year of controversy over his handling of sexual abuse by clergy.

In November 2018, a former Buffalo chancery employee leaked confidential diocesan documents related to the handling of claims of clerical sexual abuse. The documents were widely reported to suggest Malone had covered-up some claims of sexual abuse, an allegation the bishop denied.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Efforts to recover from clergy sex abuse scandals in Buffalo require listening to victims and others affected by the diocese’s handling of abuse, the apostolic administrator of the Buffalo diocese Bishop Bishop Edward Edward ScharfenScharfenberger berger has said.

“I know there’s a lot of pain. I know that pain sometimes presents DEATH PENALTY FOES APPLAUD MESSAGE itself first as anger,” Bishop ScharfOF NEW MOVIE ‘JUST MERCY’ enberger said in opening remarks ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The upcomat a Dec. 7 symposium at Canisius ing movie “Just Mercy” “has the College in Buffalo. potential to wake up out of a slum“We can’t deny the fact that there ber the part of society that either is a lot of anger and frustration. doesn’t believe the death penalty is Maybe in our personal lives but still in practice or chooses to ignore also in those who expect much of us it,” according to two leaders of as leaders to be able to help them the Catholic Mobilizing Network, find a way out of the darkness that founded 10 years ago to eliminate they have experienced,” he continpenalty laws and executions.

D I S T I N death C T I V Eof LtheYmovieUis N ued.

The “brilliance” “The darkness of fear is absolutethat “it does not need to actually ly chilling,” he said. “Remember, show death to teach us a powerful Jesus tells us that fear is useless. lesson about the value of life. The It’s faith that counts. The more we film is a truth-teller about the grit trust in him, that he’s with us…. He and courage it takes to place hope accompanies us wherever we go.” over death,” said a joint state“We can do this together,” he said, ment from Krisanne Vaillancourt adding that Jesus Christ is the “ulti- Murphy, the Catholic Mobilization mate healer.”

Network’s executive director, and “People are not giving up,” he Emma Tacke, its associate director said. “And there are reasons for of community engagement. hope too, because God is with us, Vaillancourt Murphy and Tacke and we’re going to get through this. saw a November preview screening Scharfenberger became apostolic of the film intended for “faith leadadministrator of the diocese Dec. 4, ers” across denominations. They

also participated in a second such screening in December in Washington, where the network has its headquarters.

“Just Mercy” is based on the bestselling memoir by Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative in Alabama. The movie focuses most of its energy on Stevenson’s (Michael B. Jordan) defense of black Alabama logger Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), who was sentenced to death for the murder of a white woman that he did not commit.

“The film’s most powerful characteristics are its ability to humanize the individuals who are on death row and illuminate the discrimination, mental illness, impoverishment and racial bias that commonly leads to a death sentence,” S T I Vaillancourt MurphyDandI Tacke said.

“Just Mercy” opens Christmas Day, Dec. 25, in major U.S. cities – including New York and Los Angeles, to make it eligible for Oscars I Q U E It will screen nationconsideration. wide beginning Jan. 10.

GOMEZ: OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE IS ‘MOTHER OF US ALL’

LOS ANGELES – Mary, the Mother of God is “the mother of all of us,” Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez said in his homily for midnight Mass celebrated at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

SENIOR LIVING

for the Dec. 12 feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“We can cry to her, we can share with her our joys and sorrows,” he said. “We can trust in her protection!

Who we are, where we are going, all our troubles and sufferings – everything lies within her merciful and compassionate gaze.”

As her feast day approached, he said, he thought about “her humility, her tender love for even the least of us, her children.”

Mary is the Queen of Heaven and yet as Our Lady of Guadalupe, “she bends down to show herself to a humble person, a poor man of the people. Not to the bishops, not to the nobility” but to St. Juan Diego.

In fact, “Juan Diego begs her to choose someone more high class, more respected in society,” ArchNbishop C TGomez I V said, E but L Yno, sheUchose N I him, and she had a mission for him – one only he could carry out.

“Listen, my dearest and youngest son ... where are you going?” were her first words to him, the archbishop said. “And I think that Our Lady’s question is also for us. Where are we going? With all our fears and uncertainties, with all our miseries and responsibilities?

“Do we know that our Holy Mother goes with us, that we are always and forever precious and protected in her eyes?”

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

15

TO OUR READERS:

10 ways CSF made a difference in 2019 and newsletter subscriptions up nearly 50%. Monthly digital impressions increased to 50,000, making total impressions 150,000 a month when combined with print home delivery.

We made a renewed commitment to immediacy in sharing Catholic news wherever it happens in the world, and posting all the latest from and about the archdiocese. Facebook became a candid but civil conversation space for Catholics from many places and on many topics. Topics of high interest to Facebook users include Pope Francis, Archbishop Cordileone, clergy and seminarians of the archdiocese, affirmation of the fundamentals of the faith in teaching, liturgy and devotion, and solidarity with Catholics suffering persecution in Latin America and South and East Asia.

RICK DELVECCHIO CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

The Catholic San Francisco staff had five top goals in mind when we started our 20th anniversary year as the official news organization of the archdiocese: 1. CONTINUOUS REFLECTION ON OUR MISSION TO INFORM, EVANGELIZE, INSPIRE AND SERVE 2. EXPANDING OUR IMPACT IN PRINT AND SCREEN 3. RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING WITHIN OUR TEAM AND WITH CONSTITUENTS

8

As the year ends, we wanted to share highlights of 10 ways we turned these goals into action through articles and other efforts.

YEARS

CSF

1

PERSON-CENTERED STORIES: Pro-life leader Ron Konopaski on winning national recognition for his decades of volunteer witness for life; the homeless men and women who work at Half Moon Bay’s Potrero Nuevo Farm; Shelby on how his Catholic faith helps sustain him in his difficult life on the streets of San Francisco; 19-year-old Nicholas Peters’ gift of his last months of life to help the needy; an outing with 90-year-old Salesian Father Armand Oliveri; an interview with the new superior of the Order of Preachers; 18-year-old Georgia Westfall’s conversion from atheism at the Easter Vigil at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (Mill Valley); Julio Lopez’ story of escape with his family from violence in Honduras, and their welcoming by Our Lady of the Pillar Parish; video interviews with seminarians on the eve of their priestly ordination; “Kimberley’s” story of recovery at Epiphany Center; a remembrance of Margaret “Peg” Gleason’s life in marriage and family ministry.

2

3

4

SOLIDARITY WITH CHRISTIAN WITNESS IN ACTION. The fight against the California Senate bill threatening the seal of confession; at a time of threats to freedom of conscience, Catholic medical professionals organize in San Francisco; volunteers from parishes includ-

Georgia Westfall. “Atheist to Catholic: One young woman’s unexpected conversion,” April 18, 2019.

Sister Mary Francis. “Newly professed Dominican sister: ‘This life is not Plan B,’” May 2, 2019.

Julio López. “Migrant family from Honduras finds welcome in Half Moon Bay,” May 16, 2019.

Jonathan Campos. “Brazilian-Catholic musician seeks to ‘internationalize’ Christian music,” Sept. 26, 2019.

Ron Konopaski. “Local pro-life leader wins national award,” Aug. 22, 2019.

Natalie Mazzanti. “Change by the bushel: Farm program helps homeless,” May 16, 2019.

Deacon Ian Quito. “Newly ordained deacons lean on ‘God’s grace’ for service to church,” May 2, 2019.

7

5. BRINGING THE GOSPEL HOME WITH MORE PERSONCENTERED AND CULTURALLY DIVERSE STORIES OF VOCATION, DEVOTION, WITNESS AND CONVERSION

SPOTLIGHTING THE FAITH IN CULTURAL SETTINGS. San Rafael School’s outreach to all in its diverse community; Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in rural Tomales celebrates its patron’s feast; Brazilian Catholic musician Jonathan Campos’ project to “internationalize” Christian music; Corpus Christi Parish celebrates the feast of Divino Salvador del Mundo, El Salvador’s national feast day; in North Beach, Madonna del Lume shines light on Sicilian tradition; the Chinese community gathers at St. Anne of the Sunset Church to pray for peace in Hong Kong; a seminary celebration of the Philippines’ patron saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila; a Black Catholic History Month discussion of the U.S. bishops’ letter against racism.

Nicholas Peters. “Local teenager spends his last months in presence to others,” Nov. 7, 2019.

SUPPORTING THE SPANISH PASTORAL COMMUNICATIONS MISSION. We coordinated with the archdiocese’s Spanish newspaper, San Francisco Católico, to upgrade delivery of the bimonthly paper. We developed a new website for Católico and began sharing local stories by Católico staff in CSF.

4. HANDS-ON HELP FOR PARISHES TO CONNECT WITH CSF

RENEWING PRAYER, THE SACRAMENTS, VOCATIONS AND FAMILY. A 17-page guide to living Archbishop Cordileone’s consecration of the archdiocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in response to the archbishop’s renewing his call to observe the consecration in regular practice; four priests discuss their roles as confessors; 31 couples renew their vows at a group wedding at the Mission District’s St. Peter Church; Holy Hour for vocations with the archbishop at St. Pius Church; pictorial coverage of the triduum with the archbishop at St. Mary’s Cathedral; updated listings of parish rosary and adoration schedules in the archdiocese; expanded advertising to promote vocations. interview with retired auxiliary Bishop Ignatius C. Wang on the 60th anniversary of his ordination; Deacons Ian Quito and Benjamin Rosado on their vocation journeys.

Bishop Ignatius C. Wang. “‘Rejoice always,’ Bishop Wang says on 60th anniversary of priesthood,” July 25, 2019.

SINCE 1999

ing St. Ignatius, St. Agnes and Our Lady of Angels respond to the humanitarian crisis on the border as northbound migrant families await action on their asylum requests; a Catholic Charities team reaches out to the homeless in Bayview-Hunters Point; Ramon and Patricia Marquez’ volunteer outreach to youths in the juvenile justice system in San Francisco.

5

RECONNECTING WITH THE PARISHES. Sandy Finnegan, the paper’s subscriber and donor services coordinator, also serves as a CSF ambassador to the parishes. She developed a brochure for parishes to share on how to access the paper, and is working with them to provide updated parishioner lists so new members can receive the free paper at home. In 2020, Sandy plans to continue reaching out to the larger parishes, focusing on the Peninsula and working up to Marin County, with the goal of adding as many new names to the CSF circulation as possible over the next 12 months. In addition, we met with new pastors at the chancery and shared the four main ways the content of the paper can support their ministries: event listings, articles, advertising and outreach through the Spanish paper.

6

BROADCASTING OUR WORK ON FACEBOOK AND THE INTERNET. We began systematic development of a digital publishing platform in early 2019. Since then, website visits have been up more than three-fold in our strongest months. Facebook engagement is up fortyfold

PUBLISHING AN IMPROVED VERSION OF THE OFFICIAL DIRECTORY. A pictorial version of the archdiocese’s Official Directory, spiral-bound and on glossy stock, was a new product launch this year. The 2020 edition will be out in January.

9

MAINTAINING A HIGH STANDARD OF STEWARDSHIP. CSF as a pastoral communications organization is partially self-funded by business operations. Our advertising and donor revenue streams are strong. We monitor these financial resources to focus on what’s essential to the mission, minimizing non-essential costs and investing a portion in productivity improvements and new creative efforts.

10

ADDING A PERSONAL TOUCH. When a parishioner working on a parish history called to ask if we had a photo for her work, we found one. When a reader working on another history project asked for help looking up the names of all the bishops in the archdiocese, we found what he needed. When a pastor asked if we could provide copies of the paper for tourists who visit his church, we followed up with a letter and a parcel of copies. When a reader asked for copies of an issue with a picture of his grandfather who served in the military, we sent them the same day.

We began the year by reflecting on how to continue coverage of the clergy abuse crisis and the institutional response that preoccupied the U.S. church in 2018. Associate editor Christina Gray and reporter Nick Smith interviewed lay persons in the pews and learned from them that the revelations had not broken their attraction to the church and to Christ. Remaining open-hearted in a faith running deeper than temporal problems, they showed what it means to be a church that “walks together,” as Pope Francis puts it, in good, bad or confusing times.

“Christ promised we will not be orphaned, and that promise is sure,” CSF columnist Father Ron Rolheiser wrote in November. “God is still with us, and our age will produce its own prophets and saints.”

Looking back over the headlines of 2019 reminds us of how true that statement is and gives us great hope for the coming year as CSF begins its third decade.

RICK DELVECCHIO is editor/general manager of Catholic San Francisco.

THANKS TO ALL FROM STAFF AND CONSULTANTS ON THE CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO/SAN FRANCISCO CATOLICO TEAM: Tom Burke, Dennis Callahan, Joel Carrico, Rick DelVecchio, Sandy Finnegan, Christina Gray, Deb Greenblat, Chandra Kirtman, Karessa McCartney, Mary Podesta, Marta Rebagliati, Lorena Rojas, Kevin Shanley, Nick Smith, Heidi Thompson, Lidia Wasowicz. Mike Brown, Communications Director for the archdiocese, is associate publisher.

Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone is publisher. Sunday Scripture reflections by Father William Nicholas, Deacon Faiva Po’oi, Father Charles Puthota, Sister Maria Catherine Toon. Diana Powell edits the Official Directory. Thanks to Father Puthota, Father Moises Agudo, Deacon Mario Zuniga and the volunteers of the Pastoral Hispana for special support this year.

2019 Catholic faces in the news CSF’s most popular stories, posts and videos of 2019 Two articles by associate editor Christina Gray, “Confessors on confession” (April 2) and “Local teenager spends last months in presence to others” (Nov. 4), the story of the 19-year-old Nicholas Peters of San Carlos, were the runaway favorites for catholic-sf.org website views in 2019. Nick’s story was also one of the most engaged on Facebook.

CSF’S TOP LOCAL WEBSITE STORIES ALSO INCLUDED:

1. Death of Auxiliary Bishop Robert F. Christian 2. Fight against bill threatening confessional seal 3. Death of Cardinal William J. Levada 4. Star of the Sea School closing, and reaction 5. Seminary celebrates Philippines’ patron saint

6. Rosary Rally brings Catholic witness downtown 7. Dominican sister professes vows 8. Seminarian profiles, and their ordination 9. 31 couples affirm vows at St. Peter Church 10. Catholic schools welcome 10 new principals

CSF’S MOST-ENGAGED FACEBOOK POSTS, IN ADDITION TO SOME ON THE LIST ABOVE, INCLUDED:

1. UC Santa Cruz removes Mission bell 2. Amazon synod statue thrown in Tiber 3. Pope Francis’ call to go out and meet the poor 4. Pope Francis’ apostolic letter on Nativity scenes: Beatification of Zimbabwe’s John Bradburne 5. Nicaragua’s Catholics undergo government oppression

6. Religious persecution in South, East Asia 7. Priests, parishioners in China barricade themselves in church 8. Pro-life hero Ron Konopaski wins national award 9. Nun who threw a perfect curveball 10. Father Rolheiser: “Who goes to hell and who doesn’t?”

CSF’S MOST-VIEWED FACEBOOK VIDEOS:

1. Priests sing “Salve Regina” at Bishop Christian’s funeral 2. An outing with Salesian Father Armand Oliveri 3. St. Jude pilgrimage 4. Rosary Rally 5. Interview with Deacon Kyle Faller 6. Interview with Deacon Ernesto Jandonero

16 FAITH

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

SUNDAY READINGS

Fourth Sunday of Advent ISAIAH 7:10-14 The Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying: Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary people, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.

PSALM 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it. For he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in his holy place? One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain.

Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, a reward from God his savior. Such is the race that seeks for him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

ROMANS 1:1-7 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, the Gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

MATTHEW 1:18-24 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

LITURGICAL CALENDAR, DAILY MASS READINGS MONDAY, DECEMBER 23: Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent.

Optional Memorial of St. John of Kanty, priest. MAL 3:1-4, 23-24.

PS 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14. LK 1:57-66.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24: Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Advent - Mass in the Morning.

2 SM 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16. PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29. LK 1:6779.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) - At the Vigil Mass. IS 62:15. PS 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29. ACTS 13:16-17, 22-25. MT 1:1-25 or MT 1:18-25.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26: Feast of St. Stephen, first martyr. ACTS 6:8-10; 7:54-59. PS 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17. PS 118:26a, 27a. MT 10:1722.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27: Feast of St. John, apostle and evangelist. 1 JN 1:1-4. PS 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12. JN 20:1a and 2-8.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28: Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs. 1 JN 1:5—2:2. PS 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8. MT 2:13-18.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. SIR 3:2-6, 12-14. Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5. COL 3:12-21 or COL 3:12-17. COL 3:15a, 16a. MT 2:13-15, 19-23.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30: The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas. 1 JN 2:12-17. PS 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10. LK 2:36-40.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31: The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas. Optional Memo-

rial of St. Sylvester I, pope . 1 JN 2:18-21. PS 96:1-2, 11-12, 13. JN 1:14a, 12a. JN 1:1-18.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1: Octave of Christmas and Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. NM 6:2227. PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8. GAL 4:4-7.

HEB 1:1-2. LK 2:16-21.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2: Memorials of St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors. 1 JN 2:22-28. 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4. HEB 1:1-2. JN 1:19-28.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3: Christmas Weekday. Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. 1 JN 2:29–3:6. PS 98:1, 3CD-4, 5-6.

JN 1:14A, 12A. JN 1:29-34.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4: Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious. 1 JN 3:7-10. PS 98:1, 7-8, 9. HEB 1:1-2. JN 1:35-42.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5: The Epiphany of the Lord. IS 60:1-6.

PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.

EPH 3:2-3A, 5-6. MT 2:2. MT 2:1-12.

MONDAY, JANUARY 6: Monday After Epiphany. Optional Memorial of St. Andre Bessette, religious. 1 JN 3:22–4:6. PS 2:7BC-8, 10-12A. MT 4:23. MT 4:12-17, 23-25.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7: Tuesday after Epiphany. Optional Memorial of St. Raymond of Penafort, priest. 1 JN 4:7-10. PS 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8. LK 4:18. MK 6:34-44.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8: Wednesday after Epiphany. 1 JN 4:11-18. PS 72:1-2, 10, 12-13. 1 TM 3:16. MK 6:45-52.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9: Thursday after Epiphany. 1 JN 4:19–5:4.

PS 72:1-2, 14 AND 15BC, 17. LK 4:18. LK 4:14-22.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10: Friday after Epiphany. 1 JN 5:5-13. PS 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20. MT 4:23.

LK 5:12-16.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11: Saturday after Epiphany. 1 JN 5:14-21.

PS 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6A AND 9B. MT 4:16. JN 3:22-30.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12: The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

IS 42:1-4, 6-7. PS 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10. ACTS 10:34-38. MK 9:7. MT 3:13-17.

MONDAY, JANUARY 13: Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time.

Optional Memorial of St. Hilary of Poitiers, bishop and doctor. 1 SM 1:1-8. PS 116:12-13, 14-17, 1819. MK 1:15. MK 1:14-20.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14: Tuesday of the First Week of Ordinary Time.

1 SM 1:9-20. 1 SM 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8ABCD. 1 THES 2:13. MK 1:21-28.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15: Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time. 1 SM 3:1-10, 1920. PS 40:2 AND 5, 7-8A, 8B-9, 10. JN 10:27. MK 1:29-39.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16: Thursday of the First Week of Ordinary Time. 1 SM 4:1-11. PS 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25. MT 4:23. MK 1:4045.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17: Memorial of St. Anthony, abbot. 1 SM 8:4-7, 10-22A. PS 89:16-17, 18-19. LK 7:16. MK 2:1-12.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18: Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time. 1 SM 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1.

PS 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7. LK 4:18. MK 2:13-17.

God sent his Son for all of us and each of us

A

t Christmas, we are dealing with incomprehensibles.

The one through whom God brought everything into existence and gave every living thing life – his son – received human life from a young woman and became her child. If God’s power and splendor infinitely exceed our understanding, his son’s taking on our human nature seems even further beyond our grasp.

The mystery KEVIN PERROTTA is that what is unimaginably great entered so totally into our everyday world as to become virtually invisible. At the end of today’s Gospel, Joseph “took his wife into his home” (Matthew 1:24).

Picture it: Joseph and Mary living together in a little stone house (three or four rooms, a courtyard, a storage basement and a water cistern), jammed in a dense cluster of similar houses. The neighbors, and Joseph and Mary themselves, go about their routines from day to day – farming, construction, weaving, cooking and so on.

People come and go, sharing news, telling stories, cracking jokes. And all the while, unseen, God is present, growing in the darkness of his mother’s womb.

There is an additional mystery to all of this. It is the mystery that it is for us.

It was not only into the ordinary world of Nazareth that God’s son came, and not only into the first century. His coming among us is permanent and for people in every place – not only in Nazareth but in Newark, Nashville and New Orleans.

This was implied already, ahead of time, by the prophecy of Isaiah that is today’s first reading. In Isaiah’s day, a child was to be born who would be called “God is with us” (“Emmanuel” – Isaiah 7:14). This was a foreshadowing of Jesus.

What is vital, and most deeply mysterious, is that Jesus is God with humanity not in a merely general way but in a way that is individual and personal. In our second reading, Paul tells the Christians in Rome, “You also ... are called to belong to Christ Jesus” (Romans 1:6).

God sent his son into the world for humanity as a whole, yes; but in doing so, he had each of us in mind. When our time to be born into this world arrived, he intended to call us into life with his son.

Christmas is a celebration to which each of us has received a personal invitation.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

KEVIN PERROTTA is the editor and an author of the “Six Weeks With the Bible” series, teaches part time at Siena Heights University and leads Holy Land pilgrimages.

He lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He writes Sunday Scripture reflections for Catholic News Service.

OPINION 17

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

Justice and charity revisited

W

e’re all familiar, I suspect, with the difference between justice and charity. Charity is giving away some of your time, energy, resources, and person so as to help others in need. And that’s an admirable virtue, the sign of a good heart. Justice, on the other hand, is less about directly giving something away than it is about looking to change the conditions and systems that put others in need.

No doubt, we’re all familiar with the little parable used to illustrate this difference. In brief, it goes like this: A town FATHER RON situated on the edge of a river ROLHEISER finds itself confronted every day by a number of bodies floating downstream in the river. The townsfolk tend to the bodies, minister to those who are alive and respectfully bury the dead. They do this for years, with good hearts; but, through all those years, none of them ever journey up the river to look at why there are wounded and dead bodies floating in the river each day. The townsfolk are good-hearted and charitable, but that in itself isn’t changing the situation that’s bringing them

‘That our own good works of charity can help blind us to our complicity in injustice is something highlighted in a recent book

by Anand Giridharada, ‘Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World.’ wounded and dead bodies daily. As well, the charitable townsfolk aren’t even remotely aware that their manner of life, seemingly completely unconnected to the wounded and dead bodies they’re daily attending to, might in fact be contributing to the cause of those lost lives and dreams and that, good-hearted as they are, they may be complicit in something that’s harming others, even while it’s affording them the resources and wherewithal to be charitable.

The lesson here is not that we shouldn’t be charitable and good-hearted. One-to-one charity, as the parable of the Good Samaritan makes clear, is what’s demanded of us, both as humans and as Christians. The lesson is that being good-hearted alone is not enough. It’s a start, a good one, but more is asked of us. I suspect most of us already know this, but perhaps we’re less conscious of

something less obvious, namely, that our very generosity itself might be contributing to a blindness that lets us support (and vote for) the exact political, economic and cultural systems which are to blame for the wounded and dead bodies we’re attending to in our charity.

That our own good works of charity can help blind us to our complicity in injustice is something highlighted in a recent book by Anand Giridharada, “Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World.” In a rather unsettling assertion, Giridharada submits that generosity can be, and often is, a substitute for and a means of avoiding the necessity of a more just and equitable system and fairer distribution of power. Charity, wonderful as it is, is not yet justice; a good heart, wonderful as it is, in not yet good policy that serves the less privileged; and philanthropy, wonderful as it is, can have us confuse the charity we’re doing with the justice that’s asked of us. For this reason among others, Giridharada submits that public problems should not be privatized and relegated to the domain of private charity, as is now so often the case.

Christiana Zenner, reviewing his book in America, sums this up by saying: “Beware of the temptation to idealize a market or an individual who promises SEE ROLHEISER, PAGE 19

LETTERS Article overlooked pope’s statement on nuclear weapons

Re “Powerful nations protect all life, pope says in Japan,” Dec. 5: We were disappointed to note that in the latest paper issue of Catholic San Francisco, coverage of Pope Francis’ Japanese visit made virtually no mention of his major statement on the morality of nuclear weapons. Other covered topics were noteworthy, but it would have been helpful at least to know more than a passing comment on an issue affecting all humanity.

Catholic News Service, from whom you derive much of your material, had an additional piece on the pope in Japan that you apparently chose not to feature – “A world without nuclear weapons is possible.” Although there is a link to this other segment in the online edition of Catholic San Francisco, those reading the paper edition would not see it. This could suggest that the San Francisco archdiocese has little interest in one of the major moral and mortal dangers of our time. We hope that excluding this item was an error of judgment and not of policy.

These words of Pope Francis in Hiroshima summarize his major statement: “The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is a crime not only against the dignity of human beings, but against the future of our common home. It is immoral. We will be judged on this.”

Every Catholic should read and reflect on the full text of what Pope Francis said both in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They form an integral part of his very important visit to Japan.

Mary Jane Parrine Edwin Ehmke Menlo Park

Taking liberties with language

Re “Secularism’s record,” Letters, Dec. 5: The author is taking liberties in both his language and the facts that are promoted by only the most extreme right wing of the Republican Party, and far darker forces.

First, to clarify, infanticide is illegal in the U.S. and not authorized by the legal pro-choice abortion laws in Virginia, New York or any other court-approved state laws that the “pro-birth” extremists like to term otherwise.

It is church doctrine, the very public condemnation of homosexuality, and also the blocked use of condoms – a medically proven response to the spread of AIDS – which is responsible for God knows how many millions of deaths. It’s church doctrine that is responsible for millions of unwanted pregnancies, and both the ensuing poverty that often follows as well as the increased rates of high school dropouts, illiteracy, single-parent households and abandoned children.

It’s church doctrine that in a growing number of

right-wing, Republican-controlled states and their thinly disguised attempts to at best restrict and at worst completely deny a woman’s right to make her own medical decisions with the aid of her doctor.

Going further back in time, it was church doctrine which condoned the burning of witches, the excommunication and imprisonment of Galileo, pillaging of nations during the Crusades, the burning of Joan of Arc, even the forced indoctrination and destruction of many native populations around the world.

If we are going to take liberties in both the use of language and the facts to attribute credit where credit is due, let’s be “honest” about it.

Peter Mandell San Francisco

Faithful witness is everyone’s job

As a cradle Catholic for nearly 70 years I have seen and heard political comments made about the Catholic Church, including comments coming from the media over the decades, about how Catholics may influence our leaders in Washington, D.C. Now, we hear Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi say she is Catholic. Well my concern with this is she does not follow the teaching of the Catholic Church and she doesn’t even follow the Ten Commandments.

As a national representative of the country how dare she admit that she is Catholic? She needs to set a better example for the church if she believes she is a Catholic. I’m even more disgusted that her diocese has not done a thing to curb her actions. I grew up when the Catholic Church discouraged interaction between the state and church and that they stay separate. The biggest event of this is when John F. Kennedy said he was Catholic and running for president. Look back at how his actions were condemned by the public.

What I am is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, a former extraordinary minister of holy Communion, lead usher and altar server. Even with my resume I still don’t feel that I’m a good Catholic but I do know that as a leader in my church, we all need to do a better job to represent the Catholic Church.

Bob Danzl San Diego

Secrecy’s role in the abuse crisis

Why is no one mentioning that two popes are the major reason for the pedophile situation?

The church from its earliest times regarded child sexual abuse as a sin, punishable in the next life, and by the fourth century it was also seen as a crime pun-

ishable by imprisonment as a minimum. As a result, the church put in canon laws which required any such problems to be turned over to civil authorities.

These lasted for over 15 centuries.

That tradition was turned on its head when the 1917 Code of Canon Law was modified by Benedict XV to eliminate seven papal and church council decrees that had required clerics who abused children to be handed over to the civil authorities. Five years later, in 1922, Pope Pius XI (1922-39) issued his instruction, “Crimen Sollicitationis,” requiring all information about child sexual abuse to be subject to the strictest secrecy. He felt that the reputation of the clergy must be protected. That was why so many bishops covered up and protected the pedophile priests. That is also why people no longer respect the bishops.

Denis Nolan Daly City

Another view of Jesus’ last words

“Faith and dying,” Father Ron Rolheiser, Nov. 21: I take exception to Father Rolheiser’s premise that “...

Jesus suffered real fear and real doubt before he died.”

I read an article that explained our Lord’s last words, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me,” refer to the opening lines to Psalm 22. The people of Jesus’ time, would have known this psalm just by the first line. In my Bible, Psalm 22 is described as “The Prayer of an Innocent Person.”

If you read the entire psalm you will see a correlation with our Lord’s passion and redemptive suffering.

Jesus did not fear or have doubt. To do so would have been giving into the devil’s temptation to not trust in God. We know Jesus was tempted in the desert but he rebuked the devil. I do not believe that at the moment of his death he would succumb to this temptation. I believe that Jesus crying out this opening to the psalm was a sermon, to never despair and to always trust in God. Verse 25 of this psalm supports Jesus’ trust in God: “For God has not spurned or disdained the misery of this poor wretch, did not turn away from me, but heard me when I cried out.”

At the moment of his death Jesus promises salvation to the repentant thief, gives his mother to take care of us, offers all his pain and suffering for our salvation and encourages us to trust in God. These are not the actions of a fearful or doubtful man.

Dolores Tulkoff San Francisco

LETTERS POLICY EMAIL letters.csf@sfarchdiocese.org WRITE Letters to the Editor, Catholic San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

NAME, address and daytime phone number for verification required.

SHORT letters preferred: 250 words or fewer

18 OPINION

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

archdiocese of san francisco

Praying the Rosary The rosary is prayed at the following locations on days and times specified.

MARIN COUNTY Our Lady of Loretto Church, 1806 Novato Blvd., Novato, Mon-Sat after 9 a.m. Mass (includes chaplet of Divine Mercy); Mon-Thurs, 5:30 p.m.; Fri, 5:00 p.m., Sun, 3:00 p.m. 415.897.2171.

St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1000 Cambridge St., Novato, Mon-Sat after 9 a.m. Mass. (650)366.4692.

St. Isabella Church, One Trinity Way, San Rafael, Mon, 5 p.m. includes four mysteries, Chaplet of Divine Mercy,

adoration; (415) 479-1560.

St. Patrick Church, 114 King St., Larkspur, Tues-Fri at 7:30 a.m. before 8 a.m. Mass. (415) 924 0600.

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY Church of the Visitacion, 655 Sunnydale Ave., Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m., Sat: 8:00 a.m., 415.494.5517.

Corpus Christi Church, 62 Santa Rosa Ave., After the 8:00 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. Masses (Mon-Sat) 415.585.2991.

Holy Name of Jesus Church, 1555 39th Avenue, weekdays and Sat, 8:35 a.m. before the 9 a.m. Mass in the chapel; (415) 664-8590.

National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, 624 Vallejo St. at Columbus, Porziuncola Chapel, Sat, 2:30 p.m. followed by Chaplet of Divine Mercy; www.ShrineSF.org, info@shrinesf.org, (415) 986-4557.

St. Benedict Parish for the Deaf at St. Francis Xavier Church, 1801 Octavia Street, rosary in sign language, all Sundays except June/July /August, 9:45-10:15 a.m.; stbenz1801@gmail.com; www.sfdeafcatholics.org. 415.350.9527.

St. Boniface Church, 133 Golden Gate Avenue, 11:30 a.m. weekdays, Sundays 7 a.m. (English); Thursdays 5:30 p.m. (Spanish) & Sundays before 10:30 a.m. (Spanish) Mass. (415) 863-7515.

St. Cecilia Church, 17th Avenue and Vicente, Mon-Sat, 8:35 a.m., 415.664.8481.

St. Elizabeth Church, 459 Somerset St., Mon-Sat after 8 a.m. Mass; (415) 468-0820, www.stelizabethsf.org.

St. Finn Barr Church, 415 Edna St., Mon-Fri after 8:00 a.m. Mass (w/Divine Mercy Chaplet), 415.333.3627.

St. Gabriel Church, 40th Avenue at Ulloa, Mon-Fri after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 415.731.6161.

St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Ave., Mon-Fri, following the 12:05 p.m. Mass; Sat, before the 8 a.m. Mass, (415) 422-2188.

St. John the Evangelist Church, 19 St. Mary’s Ave., (415) 334-4646; every day after the 9:00 a.m. Mass. www.

saintjohnevangelist.org.

St. Kevin Church, 704 Cortland Ave., Fridays after 9 a.m. Mass, (415) 648-5751.

St. Monica Church, 24th Avenue at Geary Blvd., Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. before 8:30 a.m. Mass. 415.751.5275 Sts. Peter & Paul Church, 666 Filbert St. across from Washington Square, second Sunday of the month in Cantonese,

parish pastoral center, 11:30 a.m., Kelly Kong (510) 794-6117; Wednesday, 7 p.m., English, http://salesiansspp.org/.

St. Philip the Apostle Church, 725 Diamond, Mon-Sat after 8 a.m. Mass, Sunday after 10:30 a.m. Mass. (415) 282.0141 St. Stephen Church, 451 Eucalyptus Drive at 23rd Avenue, Mon-Sat following the 8 a.m. Mass. info@

SaintStephenSF.org (415) 681.2444.

Star of the Sea Church, 4420 Geary Blvd. (between 8th & 9th Aves); 1.415.751.0450, www.starparish.com;

Tuesdays at Holy Hour (7-8 p.m.); Sats after the 8:30 a.m. Mass (9 a.m.); Sats at 3:20 p.m.; Sundays after the 8 a.m. Mass (9 a.m.); every second Sunday for Priests and Vocations at 3:00 p.m., all rosary prayers in church.

After a suicide, celebrating life

M

aison Hullibarger was 18 years old when he committed suicide on Dec. 4, 2018. He was a brother to five siblings, a straightA student and outstanding athlete and teammate on the football team at Bedford High School in Temperance, Michigan (2014-2018), about 50 miles south of Detroit. His parents, Jeff and Linda, identified him as “just an unbelievable son.” At the time of his death, he was a freshman studying criminal justice at the University of Toledo.

FATHER GERALD His funeral Mass took D. COLEMAN, PSS place on Dec. 8 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. His parents, devout Catholics, met beforehand with Father Don La Cuesta to plan the funeral. They wanted him to celebrate how Maison lived, rather than how he died.

La Cuesta grew up in the Philippines but was educated for the priesthood at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. He chose to ignore the hopes of Maison’s parents by focusing his sermon on suicide, mentioning the word six times. He told the hundreds of mourners that “we must say what we know is the truth that taking your own life is against God who made us,” and “Maison may be denied admittance to heaven because of the way he died (if ) he had not repented enough in the eyes of God.” Maison’s father walked up to the pulpit and whispered, “Father, please stop.” He did not.

Maison’s parents were to give brief eulogies before the end of Mass, but La Cuesta singled the organist to begin the final procession. The funeral director stopped the hymn to enable the parents to honor their son in the way they wanted him remembered.

Jeff told the priest he was not welcome at the gravesite and he and his wife led the burial prayers. Linda later said, “Father La SEE COLEMAN, PAGE 19

SAN MATEO COUNTY Church of the Nativity, 210 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park, Mon-Fri following 7:30 a.m. Mass, Saturday following 8:00 a.m. Mass; Sunday 7 p.m. 650.323.7914 Holy Angels Church, 107 San Pedro Road, Colma, Mon-Sat approximately 8 a.m. following 7:30 a.m. Mass, (650) 755-0478.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, 285 Alvarado St., Brisbane, Every Tues: 5:30 p.m. 415.467.9727.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 300 Fulton St., Redwood City, Mon-Sat, 7:50 a.m. before 8:15 a.m. Mass;

(650) 366-3802; www.mountcarmel.org.

St. Charles Church, 880 Tamarack Ave., San Carlos, Mon-Sat at 8:00 a.m.

St. Dunstan Church, 1133 Broadway, Millbrae, Mon-Sat, 7:40 a.m. before 8 a.m. Mass (650) 697.4730.

St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1425 Bay Road, East Palo Alto, rosary in Spanish Sundays before 9:30 a.m. Spanish

Mass; (650) 322-2152.

St. Luke Church, 1111 Beach Park Blvd., Foster City, Mon-Sat following the 8:30 a.m. Mass 650.345.6660 St. Mark Church, 325 Marine View Ave., Belmont, Mon/Tue/Wed, 7:30 p.m.; (650) 5915937; www.saintmarksparish.com.

St. Matthias Church, 1685 Cordilleras Road, Redwood City, Rosary for Peace in the Merry Room of Fr. Lacey Hall, Friday mornings at 9:15 am. www.stmatthiasparish.org 650.366.9544 St. Pius Church, 1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City, Mon-Sat 7:30 a.m., Mon and Wed 4:40 p.m.; mary246barry@sbcglobal.net, 650.361.1411

St. Veronica Church, 434 Alida Way, So. San Francisco. Mon-Sat 7:50 a.m. (650) 588.1455.

Is your parish praying the rosary?

Catholic San Francisco would like to let its readers know.

If your parish has a regular praying of the rosary to which all are invited, just send the day, time, location and contact information to Mary Podesta, podestam@sfarch.org The information should come from a person in authority in the parish who can be emailed for follow up and who would be responsible for contacting CSF with changes to the parish rosary schedule.

Questions? Contact Mary Podesta, podestam@sfarch.org.

Sponsored by Duggan’s Serra Mortuary 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City 650-756-4500 ● www.duggansserra.com

OPINION 19

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

ROLHEISER: Justice and charity revisited FROM PAGE 17

salvation without attending to the least among us and without addressing the conditions that facilitated the domination in the first place.” Then she adds: When we see the direct violation of another person, a direct injustice, we’re taken aback, but the unfairness and the perpetrator are obvious. We see that something is wrong and we can see who is to blame. But, and this is her real point, when we live with unjust systems that violate others we can be blind to our own complicity because we can feel good about ourselves because our charity is helping those who have been violated.

For example: Imagine I’m a good-hearted man who feels a genuine sympathy for the homeless in my city.

As the Christmas season approaches I make a large donation of food and money to the local food bank.

Further still, on Christmas Day itself, before I sit down to eat my own Christmas dinner, I spend several hours helping serve a Christmas meal to the homeless. My charity here is admirable, and I cannot help but feel good about what I just did. And what I did was a good thing! But then, when I support a politician or a policy that privileges the rich and is unfair to the poor, I can more easily rationalize that I’m doing my just part and that I have a heart for the poor, even as my vote itself helps ensure that there will always be homeless people to feed on Christmas day.

Few virtues are as important as charity. It’s the sign of a good heart. But the deserved good feeling we get when we give of ourselves in charity shouldn’t be confused with the false feeling that we’re really doing our part.

OBLATE FATHER ROLHEISER is president of the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, Texas.

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COLEMAN: After a suicide, celebrating life FROM PAGE 18

Cuesta basically called our son a sinner in front of everyone.” A Detroit archdiocesan spokeswoman apologized and said “an unbearable situation was made even more difficult… We share the family’s grief. Our hope is always to bring comfort into situations of great pain.” Archbishop Allen Vigneron called Maison’s parents to apologize and offered to meet with them.

In the past, Catholic attitudes about suicide were largely based on the teaching that mortal sin is the result of free human will (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1859). Many Catholics assumed that committing suicide automatically condemned a person to hell.

After all, the church forebade Catholic funerals and burial in consecrated ground to those who committed suicide. The presumption was that those who commit suicide did so willfully as an affront to God. This practice was not meant to pass judgment on the salvation of one’s soul, but rather a pastoral discipline intended to teach the gravity of suicide.

In recent decades, the church has taken a different approach to suicide with the growing realization that “grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear, or torture can diminish responsibility (and) we should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity of salutary repentance … for persons who have taken their own lives” (Catechism, no. 2283).

St. Paul assures us that our hope for those we love is never misplaced: “Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword separate

us from Christ’s love? I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39).

The Catholic funeral liturgy contains many symbols of baptism: the sprinkling with holy water, the white pall on the casket reminiscent of the white garment worn at baptism, the Paschal candle lit at Easter and at every baptism and funeral. These are symbols of God’s sacramental entrance into our lives.

The Lazarus story in the fourth Gospel teaches us that when confronted with the visible reality of the grave, we need to hear and embrace the message Jesus proclaimed, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

At every funeral liturgy the church must proclaim that each of us is made in God’s image, we are loved more deeply than we can imagine, and death will not ultimately triumph over life. Priests must commit ourselves to make this message clear by what and how we preach, and choosing liturgical colors that express Christian hope, as the Order for Christian Funerals states, no. 39. While violet or black vestments may be worn as options, the OCF lists white vestments as the primary or “most desirable” choice. White is the color of Easter and communicates the joy and hope of the resurrection. Placing skulls and bones on the coffin is an affront to what the church desires to communicate at everyone’s funeral Mass.

Hopefully, no priest will hear what La Cuesta did, “Father, please stop.”

SULPICIAN FATHER GERALD D. COLEMAN is adjunct professor, Graduate Department of Pastoral Ministries, Santa Clara University.

20 WORLD

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

Call me ‘Father’: Pope’s priestly vocation is his favorite gift CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY – In Caravaggio’s painting of Matthew, the sinful tax collector being called by Jesus to “Follow me,” Pope Francis sees the same unexpected, grace-filled moment found in his own call to the priesthood.

A 17-year-old Argentine student headed to a school picnic on Sept. 21, 1953, the feast of St. Matthew, Jorge Bergoglio felt compelled to first stop by his parish of San Jose de Flores.

It was there, speaking with a priest he had never seen before and receiving the sacrament of reconciliation, he was suddenly struck by “the loving presence of God,” who, like his episcopal motto describes, saw him through eyes of mercy and chose him, despite his human imperfections and flaws.

This gift from a “God of surprises,” a God who offers unexpected, unlimited and unmerited mercy, would change the young man’s life.

Four days before Pope Francis celebrates his 83rd birthday Dec. 17, he will celebrate 50 years as a priest – a ministry he sees as being a shepherd who walks with his flock and yearns to find those who are lost.

Even though he served as auxiliary bishop, then archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, for more than 20 years, was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2001 and elected pope in 2013, he has said, “What I love is being a priest,” which is why of all the titles he could have, “I prefer to be called ‘Father.’”

So much of what Pope Francis experienced in life and his vocation – with its many ups and downs – influenced what he says today about the priesthood, what it means and what it should be for the church.

The main and overriding source of inspiration of who a priest must be is rooted in the figure of Jesus in the Gospels: What did he do? How did he react? What did he feel and say?

Jesus was always on the road and always attentive to the people he encountered, the pope told priests of the Diocese of Rome in 2014.

Like Jesus and the early apostles, the priest is a missionary, and this was part of the reason a 21-year-old Bergoglio chose to enter the Society of Jesus. “I was attracted to its position on, to put it in military terms, the front lines of the church, grounded in obedience and discipline. It was also due to its focus on missionary work,” he said in a 2010 book-length compilation of interviews with Sergio Rubin and Francesca Ambrogetti.

But there is a balance the priest must juggle

(CNS PHOTO/COURTESY OF MARIA ELENA BERGOGLIO VIA REUTERS)

Father Jorge Mario Bergoglio is pictured cooking in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Pope Francis celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood Dec. 13, 2019. that incorporates Jesus’ compassion and that strong discipline, qualities he needed to do well both at school and at work, beginning with parttime jobs at the age of 13.

He swept floors in a factory, did administrative tasks, worked at a laboratory while specializing in applied chemistry in high school, and worked briefly as a bouncer.

The vocation of a priest, on the other hand, would be the exact opposite for Father Bergoglio; it would be drawing people close, not tossing them out, and not worrying about getting dirty in the process.

“Priests who are – allow me to say the word, ‘aseptic,’ those ‘from the laboratory,’ all clean and tidy – do not help the church,” the pope told Rome’s priests in 2014.

“Today we can think of the church as a ‘field hospital,’” he said, because “there are so many people who are wounded by material problems, by scandals, also in the church. People wounded

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by the world’s illusions. We priests must be there, close to these people,” immediately treating those wounds with mercy before delving into the details.

A priest will reflect on and learn from his own mistakes, the pope has often said, and pray for the grace and courage needed to do what God wants, not what a closed, cold or proud heart desires.

In his many interviews, the pope has acknowledged his failings as a priest, Jesuit provincial, bishop and pope.

But within Christianity, there is “a theology of failure,” according to a 1974 book with the same title written by U.S. Jesuit Father John Navone.

The book and its theology, which emphasized God’s patience, had an important impact on the future pope, who was going through a difficult, dark time after ending a six-year term in 1979 as a young provincial superior who struggled with stark divisions among his confreres.

“There was a blessed juncture between my theology and his crisis,” Father Navone has said. “It was a kind of light in the darkness to him.”

It is only by recognizing and admitting one’s failures, the pope has said, then seeing that God still awaits, still offers mercy and forgiveness like the father of the prodigal son, that a priest will be able to see familiar wounds in others and share, in turn, that same undeserved mercy.

It’s a form of “pastoral suffering” he told priests in Rome in 2014; “it means suffering for and with the person. And this is not easy! To suffer like a father and mother suffer for their children.”

At a time when the priesthood continues to suffer, most visibly with the scandal of abuse and negligence by its members, the pope has continually offered priests a hopeful understanding of their vocation.

Change, transformation and holiness are painful, but “the Lord is purifying his bride and is converting all of us to him. He is making us experience the trial so that we may understand that without him we are dust. He is saving us from hypocrisy, from the spirituality of appearances.

He is blowing his Spirit to restore beauty to his bride,” he told Rome’s priests in 2019.

In a letter to priests in 2019, he said, “Our age, marked by old and new wounds, requires us to be builders of relationships and communion, open, trusting and awaiting in hope the newness that the kingdom of God wishes to bring about even today. For it is a kingdom of forgiven sinners called to bear witness to the Lord’s ever-present compassion. For his mercy endures forever.”

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WORLD 21

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

Pope: World needs peacemakers, not empty words CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY – The world does not need more empty words, it needs committed, active peacemakers who do not exclude or manipulate, but are open to respectful dialogue, Pope Francis said in his annual message for the World Day of Peace Jan. 1.

“In fact, we cannot truly achieve peace without a convinced dialogue between men and women who seek the truth beyond ideologies and differing opinions,” the pope said in the message released Dec. 12.

Peace requires “patient effort to seek truth and justice, to honor the memory of victims and to open the way, step by step, to shared hope stronger than the desire for vengeance,” he said.

Peace also requires “ecological conversion,” he said, which basically is “a new way of looking at life as we consider the generosity of the Creator who has given us the earth and called us to a share it in joy and moderation.”

People, he said, need “a new way to dwell in our common home, to accept our differences, to respect and celebrate the life that we have received and share, and to seek living conditions and models of society that favor the continued flourishing of life and the development of the common good of the entire human family.”

The pope’s message was released at a Vatican news conference led by Cardinal Peter Turkson, head of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The pope defined peace as a journey built on: hope that inspires people to keep moving forward, “even when obstacles seem insurmountable”; listening that learns lessons from the past; reconciliation that respects others; ecological conversion; and patience and trust.

His message, which the Vatican sends to heads of state around the world, invited everyone “to set aside every act of violence in thought, word and deed, whether against our neighbors or against God’s creation.”

“The culture of fraternal encounter shatters the culture of conflict,” he said, and it makes “every encounter a possibility and a gift of God’s generous love. It leads us beyond the limits of our narrow horizons and constantly encourages us to a live in a spirit of universal fraternity, as children of the one heavenly Father.”

Pope Francis said every act of war is “a form of fratricide that destroys the human family’s innate vocation to brotherhood,” and all violence has a lasting effect “on the body and soul of humanity.”

War often begins with the inability to accept the diversity of others and is fueled “by a perversion of relationships, by hegemonic ambitions, by abuses of power, by fear of others and by seeing diversity as an obstacle,” he said.

(CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING)

Pope Francis participates in a moment of silence during a meeting for peace at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Hiroshima, Japan, Nov. 24, 2019. In his message for the Jan. 1 World Day of Peace, Pope Francis said the world does not need more empty words, it needs committed, active peacemakers.

Peace, stability and security cannot be built by fear or threats, particularly “the threat of total annihilation” with a strategy of nuclear deterrence.

“Every threatening situation feeds mistrust and leads people to withdraw into their own safety zone,” he said.

A “global ethic of solidarity and cooperation in the service of a future” is needed, he said, and it can be achieved by pursuing “a genuine fraternity based on our common origin from God and exercised in dialogue and mutual trust.”

“The desire for peace lies deep within the human heart, and we should not resign ourselves to seeking anything less than this,” he said.

A patient and respectful listening to victims and lessons of the past “can lead to courageous and even heroic decisions,” Pope Francis wrote. “It can unleash new energies and kindle new hope in individuals and communities.”

People’s moral consciences must be formed and strengthened, and individual and political will must be renewed, he said, “so that new ways can be found to reconcile and unite individuals and communities.”

“The world does not need empty words but convinced witnesses, peacemakers who are open to a dialogue that rejects exclusion or manipulation,” he said.

“There can be no true peace unless we show ourselves capable of developing a more just economic system,” he also said in the message.

Reconciliation and forgiveness also are essential for creating a more fraternal world, the pope said. “We should never encapsulate others in what they may have said or done, but value them for the promise that they embody.”

And, he wrote, “only by choosing the path of respect can we break the spiral of vengeance and set out on the journey of hope.”

In conclusion, the pope asked, “May all men and women who come into this world experience a life of peace and develop fully the promise of life and love dwelling in their heart.”

The pope’s message came three weeks after a speech in Hiroshima, Japan, in which he condemned nuclear weapons as “immoral.”

Saying it is “perverse” to think the threat of nuclear weapons makes the world safer, he “urged a renewed commitment to disarmament and to the international treaties designed to limit or eliminate nuclear weapons.

Pope Francis began his first full day in Japan Nov. 24 with a somber visit in the pouring rain to Nagasaki’s Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Park, a memorial to the tens of thousands who died when the United States dropped a bomb on the city in 1945.

In the evening, he visited the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima, honoring the tens of thousands killed by an atomic bomb there, too.

“The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is today, more than ever, a crime not only against the dignity of human beings but against any possible future for our common home,” Pope Francis told several hundred people gathered with him in Hiroshima.

“The use of atomic energy for purposes of war is immoral, just as the possessing of nuclear weapons is immoral, as I already said two years ago.” he said. “We will be judged on this.”

“Future generations will rise to condemn our failure if we spoke of peace but did not act to bring it about among the peoples of the earth,” the pope said. “How can we speak of peace even as we build terrifying new weapons of war? How can we speak about peace even as we justify illegitimate actions by speeches filled with discrimination and hate?”

A policy of nuclear deterrence – counting on mutually assured destruction – to keep the peace makes no sense, the pope said. “How can we propose peace if we constantly invoke the threat of nuclear war as a legitimate recourse for the resolution of conflicts?”

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22 FROM THE FRONT

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

HONG KONG: ‘Hatred has broken out’ over protests, prelate says FROM PAGE 3

govern how it treats any religion, Archbishop Hon said. First, religion will not be suppressed: Individuals are free to believe in what they choose, although individual churches do not have any legal existence.

Second, religions are to be governed by “patriotic associations” that guide them in collaborating with the state to build up socialist society. Finally, religious bodies and religious affairs must be free of foreign domination.

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Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-fai is pictured at the pastoral center in San Francisco Dec. 13 during a Bay Area tour to greet Chinese Catholic communities. He commented on the dual existence of Catholics in China, caught between a state-sanctioned church and an underground church.

tholicism, because of the primacy of the pope over the church, including the appointment of bishops,” he said. Because only religious individuals exist legally, not churches, the state guides all practice of religion, making faith a de facto matter of domestic policy.

The Catholic Church has a dual existence in China as a state-sanctioned body and an underground organization because of China’s opening-up policy, Archbishop Hon said, which included opening churches for visiting Westerners. The government went to prisons and hard labor camps to find priests who could manage the state-sponsored Catholic churches.

“This group of people, with great hesitancy, came up and formed communities which are until now recognized by the government,” he said. “But in the meantime, there are also Catholics knowing that the patriotic association’s intent was to ruin the church,” Some Catholics belong to the underground church because the official churches go against their “faith

and conscience, while others say, well, we need to collaborate: As long as we don’t commit anything against doctrine, against the discipline of the church, then we can stay within the framework of the patriotic association. There are many good priests in both communities, and a number of priests are also very weak in both communities.”

Ultimately, the archbishop said, “I feel pity that Catholics should suffer from the ambiguities of faithfulness, not only to Christ but also to his vicar.”

The president of the state-run Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association recently made news for claiming that the state has supremacy over the Catholic Church. Bishop John Fang Xingyao of the Diocese of Linyi said at a meeting on religion in China that “Love for the homeland must be greater than the love for the church and the law of the country is above canon law.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping has heavily promoted subjecting religion to the Communist Party in recent years. In a 2016 speech at the National Religious Works Conference, President Xi demanded that religion be “Sinicized” and adhere to Chinese culture and Communist Party guidance.

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, the former bishop of Hong Kong, has been a vociferous critic of the Vatican’s approach to China and has accused it of “selling out the church” by signing the 2018 agreement on the appointment of bishops. In a Dec. 6 editorial in the Washington Post, Cardinal Zen wrote, “The line followed by the Vatican in recent years when dealing with the threatening China giant has been appeasement at any cost.”

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, has defended the 2018 agreement as a “starting point.” Last April, Cardinal Parolin told a group of journalists that the Vatican signed the agreement “to advance religious freedom in the sense of finding (some) normalization for the Catholic community.”

The cardinal added, “Our hope is that it will help, not limit, religious freedom. But we should be patient. I know that people want things immediately.”

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WORLD 23

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

PEOPLE’S HEARTS YEARN FOR GOD, NOT POSSESSIONS, STATUS, POPE SAYS

VATICAN CITY – The Christmas season is a time to reflect on what life is all about, Pope Francis told an international group of performers.

“The time before Christmas calls us to ask ourselves, ‘What is it that I am waiting for in my life? What is the great desire of my heart?’ You too, with your songs, help awaken or reawaken this healthy human ‘yearning’ in the hearts of many people,” he said.

The pope met Dec. 13 with the group of singers, songwriters, musicians and conductors the day before they were to perform in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall for a benefit concert to help protect the Amazon and support indigenous communities there.

The lineup was scheduled to include: Lionel Richie, the U.S. vGrammy Award-winning singer and songwriter; Susan Boyle, who was a 2009 finalist on “Britain’s Got Talent”; and Bonnie Tyler, whose songs “It’s a Heartache” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart” are among the best-selling singles of all time.

The Charleston Gospel Choir and several Italian performers were also part of the lineup for the 2019 “Christmas Concert in the Vatican,” sponsored by the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education.

The pope told the performers and concert organizers that God is the author of the “yearning” people feel in their heart, “and he comes to meet us by this route.”

God cannot be found along the path of “vain compulsion to acquire possessions or to keep up appearances.

It is not there that God comes; no one will meet on that route. But surely he comes wherever there is hunger and thirst for peace, justice, freedom and love,” the pope said.

POPE TELLS HIS ELDERLY PEERS THAT THE PRAYERS OF THE OLD ARE POWERFUL

VATICAN CITY – On the eve of his 83rd birthday, Pope Francis met with

CDF OFFICIAL: ‘NO LOGICAL CONNECTION’ BETWEEN CELIBACY AND ABUSE

(CNS PHOTO/VATICAN MEDIA)

Pope blesses Nativity figurines

Pope Francis blessed hundreds of figurines of the baby Jesus – ranging from tiny plastic figures to life-sized statues – and encouraged children to make sure they have Nativity scenes at home. Pilgrims held up figurines of the Christ Child in St. Peter’s Square after the pope recited the Angelus prayer Dec. 15, the third Sunday of Advent. From his window overlooking the square, the pope did the traditional blessing of the “bambinelli,” or statues of the infant Jesus, for children to put in mangers at home, at school and in their parishes.

a group of his peers – although many were a few years younger – and told them that “old age is a time of grace.”

“Grandparents, who have received the blessing of seeing their children’s children, are entrusted with a great task: transmitting the experience of life and the history of the family, the community, the people,” the pope said Dec. 16 during an audience with members of the Italian National Association of Senior Workers.

The association represents workers with at least 20 years of seniority in a company, defending the rights of older workers and promoting volunteer service by older people.

Pope Francis, who was born Dec. 17, 1936, told association members that one’s later years should be a “season of dialogue,” because “the future of a people naturally presup-

poses a dialogue and encounter between the old and young to build a society that is more just, more beautiful, has more solidarity and is more Christian.”

As one grows older, he said, “the Lord renews his call to us. He calls us to preserve and hand on the faith; he calls us to pray, especially to intercede; he calls us to be alongside those who are in need.”

“The elderly, grandparents, have a unique and special ability to understand the most problematic situations,” the pope continued. “And when they pray for these situations, their prayer is strong, it’s potent.”

VATICAN CITY – A senior official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has defended clerical celibacy in the wake of the abuse crisis.

In an essay published in a Spanish magazine, Father Jordi Bertomeu Farnós said that there is “no evidence” celibacy has any relation to instances of sexual abuse, and warned that priests have been unfairly branded a suspect class.

In the essay, published in Palabra Dec. 10, Father Farnós laid out the context of sexual abuse by Catholic priests, noting that the high-profile nature of the scandals has resulted in a number of mistaken presumptions about the causes of abuse.

“Although unfortunately, in all social classes, professions, ethnic groups and, of course, religions, there is the phenomenon of child abuse, Catholic priests are seen or even increasingly treated as ‘suspects’ of having committed this horrible crime.”

Speaking against attempts to link the discipline of celibacy to crimes of sexual abuse, Farnós said that “regardless of other circumstances and arguments that have emerged in the recent Synod for the Amazon,” “this conclusion does not present any logical connection with the problem we are dealing with here: there is no scientific data that demonstrates that a married life would put an end to the deviant behavior of these few priests with this sexual disorder.”

“There is no evidence that priestly celibacy directly causes any deviant sexual addiction, as evidenced by those cases of men or women who, due to life’s circumstances, must live as celibate.”

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24 FROM THE FRONT

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

SISTERS: Invite women to consider consecrated life

SCU TO HOST CONFERENCE ON CHURCH AND CHINA

FROM PAGE 7

for boys and girls of scarce resources, asylums and mission houses.

After making her perpetual vows she was sent to Washington, D.C., in 1990. She spent around eight years ministering to Marist priests and then headed to Rome for another eight years.

Shortly after “I returned to a seminary in Cuernavaca; and then again back to Washington; from there to Boston and I’ve been in San Francisco for almost six years, since 2013,” she said.

Sister Teresa said that a religious vocation is very beautiful.

“I have never regretted it,” she said. “I invite other women to discover God in their lives and listen in their hearts to his voice, to follow him. He needs people to love him.”

She revealed that when she decided to become a nun, she wanted to be a saint.

“I realize that it is very difficult but it is a process and a journey where there is much rejoicing and happiness. Being religious is a job to love God, in which we pray a lot for vocations,” she said.

(COURTESY PHOTO)

The sisters of the Oblate Order of Jesus Priest of Menlo Park pose next to a group of seminarians at St. Patrick’s Seminary & University.

the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration – “It gave me great joy to see the Rosalba, who is the Mother Superior nuns, how they lived and felt fulfilled. and Betzabet.

‘It is worth trying,’ I said. Since then She believes that the number of I have never doubted my vocation,” women and men who dedicate themsaid Sister Alma Ruth. selves to religious life has decreased She has been with the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in San Francisco for several reasons: technology, abandonment of family prayer and family for over 35 years and she is now the disintegration. mistress of novices in charge of the “I invite young girls and women to novitiate. give themselves an opportunity to The Sisters of Perpetual Adoration are a community that is dedicated day consider devoting their lives to Jesus,” she said. “Have them stop and night to worship the Lord. Unlike Sister Alma Ruth Vargas Originally from Michoacán, México, other orders, they lead a cloistered life for a moment and think what makes them happy. Why not choose religious and pray constantly. Their lives are Sister Alma Ruth Vargas discovered life? Perhaps, if after being in the spent between the convent, the chapel her vocation one weekend when she convent they realize that they are and the courtyards of the monastery accompanied one of her sisters to meant not for this vocation, whatever in San Francisco. visit the Sisters of Perpetual Adorathey learn will help them a lot in their Sister Alma Ruth has two more tion in San Francisco. Her sister was The Most Directors in of Francisco marriage in their lives.” sisters who belong the Archdiocese order of the one interested in religious life.Funeral The Most Requested Requested Funeral Directors intothe the Archdiocese of San Sanand Francisco

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A conference March 13, 14, 15, 2020, will look at the growing relationship between the Catholic Church and China. The talks are sponsored by the U.S.-China Catholic Association and the Department of Sociology of Santa Clara University and will take place at Santa Clara University.

The sessions, announced as “China, Christianity, and the Dialogue of Civilizations,” are framed on Pope Francis’ September 2018 accord with China with regard to the appointment of bishops there and its results so far. At the time the Vatican called the accord “not political but pastoral.”

“Keynotes, academic sessions, workshops, and presentations will lead conference participants to reflect on these questions and more,” organizers said in information promoting the conference. Discussions will address “the disappointments” as well as any “signs of hope” the accord has caused.

Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro, editor of the Vatican’s La Civilta Cattolica, will address “reframing the church’s dialogue with China in terms of shared values and the common good.”

Chiaretto Yan, author of “Evangelization in China: Challenges and Prospects,” will speak about current concerns and challenges facing young people in Chinese society.

Ian Johnson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist based in Beijing will speak about Chinese religious policy and its impact on the Catholic Church.

Rachel Zhu, a founding member of the Religious Studies Department at Fudan University, Shanghai will also speak.

Learn more at www.uscatholicchina.org.

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COMMUNITY 25

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

OBITUARIES SISTER SYLVIA BARTHELD, SNJM

Holy Names Sister Sylvia Bartheld, (Sister M. Catherine Elizabeth), died Nov. 13. She was 87 years old and a Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary for 68 years.

Sister Sylvia was both an educator and an educator of educaSister Sylvia tors. For the first 17 Bartheld, SNJM years of her ministry she was in elementary education in Los Angeles, Santa Monica and San Francisco, her last assignment as principal of St. Cecilia School. She then served the Archdiocese of San Francisco as elementary school consultant and assistant superintendent of schools for 16 years. She was an education consultant for the Department of Education for the Diocese of San Jose and at her community’s Holy Names University in Oakland did institutional research where her gifts of gathering and analyzing data were well utilized.

“Sister Sylvia loved San Francisco, the city of her birth,” the sisters said in a statement. “She loved the arts, especially the ballet and opera where she often ushered so she would be sure to be able to attend her favorite performances.”

Survivors include a nephew, Roy Rios, and his wife Sharon.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 26, at the sisters’ Holy Spirit Chapel in Campbell with interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward.

Remembrances may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Names, P.O. Box 907, Los Gatos, CA 95031.

SISTER SUSAN OSTROWSKI, OP

Dominican Sister Susan Ostrowski died Nov. 15, at her community’s St. Dominic Villa in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. She was 65 years old.

Sister Susan made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican Aug. 4, 1979, and her perpetual profession Oct. 6, 1984. She taught for 35 years including five years at San Francisco’s St. Peter School, two years

at All Souls School, South San Francisco, and 16 years ending in 2017 at Holy Family School, a work of the St. Francis Center in Redwood City.

Survivors include siblings Sharon Ostrowski, Bruce Ostrowski, Michael Ostrowski, and Mark Ostrowski.

Sister Susan A funeral Mass Ostrowski, OP was celebrated at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Nov. 18, followed by natural burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-970.

SISTER LORRAINE THIBAULT, CSJ

Sister Lorraine Thibault, (Sister Miriam Joseph), a Sister of St. Joseph of Orange for 71 years, died Oct. 7.

Sister Lorraine was 91 years old.

Sister Lorraine grew up in San Francisco and had a varied career

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO CLASSIFIEDS TO ADVERTISE IN CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

CALL (415) 614-5642 | VISIT www.catholic-sf.org | VISIT podestam@sfarchdiocese.org

help wanted Catholic Elementary Principals Sought for Archdiocesan Schools The Department of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, is seeking elementary principal candidates for the 2020-2021 school year. Candidates must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church, possess a Valid California Standard Teaching Credential or the equivalent from another State, a Master’s Degree in an educational field and/or California administrative credential or the Certificate in Catholic School Administration from Loyola Marymount University *, be certified as a catechist at the basic level** and have five years of experience in teaching and/or in administration with Catholic school experience *Principals who are not in possession of both educational qualifications, must complete the requirement within a three year period of time from date of hire. ** Principals who are not in possession of basic certification in religion at the time of hire, must complete the process before they start their position.

Application materials may be downloaded from the official DCS website by clicking on the following link: www.sfarchdiocese.org/employment The requested material plus a letter of interest should be submitted before February 15 to: Christine Escobar Human Resources Manager

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San Francisco, CA 94109-6602 Salary will be determined according to Archdiocesan guidelines based upon experience as a teacher or administrator and graduate education. Medical, dental, and retirement benefits are included.

ARCHDIOCESAN STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Archdiocese of San Francisco adheres to the following policy: “All school staff of Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of San Francisco shall be employed without regard to race, color, sex, ethnic or national origin and will consider for employment, qualified applicants with criminal histories.” (Administrative Handbook #4111.4)

including teaching elementary school in California and Hawaii, missionary work in Papua New Guinea, providing support for retreat ministry in Australia as well as at the Center for Spiritual Development in Orange and volunteering at Bethany and at Queen of the Valley Sister Lorraine Medical Center in Thibault, CSJ Napa.

“Extroverted and generous, Lorraine’s heart was captivated by her students and co-ministers wherever she served,” the sisters said in a statement. “In her later years, Lorraine’s strong relational ability and unfailing kindness made her a welcome volunteer and a treasured asset wherever she served.”

A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 17 at the sisters’ Motherhouse Chapel.

Remembrances may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, 440 S. Batavia St., Orange 92868.

help wanted Archdiocese of San Francisco, Finance Department

ADMINISTRATIVE FINANCE COORDINATOR Reports to: Chief Financial Officer FSLA Status: Full time-non-exempt

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: Coordinate and schedule meetings, okay CFO calendar, update finance department publications, support with insurance renewals and certificates of insurance, billing responsibilities for pension Insurances and investments, manage mail, coordinate the implementation of policy changes for the ADSF website (Insurance annually, Parish and School Financial Policy Manual), Generate and distribute all 50lc3 paperwork to Parishes and Entities, organize and support Finance-related meetings.

REQUIRED SKILLS: • Good communication skills; ability to deal with a wide range of constituents • Self-directed; ability to organize work in order of timeliness • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office

(Power Point, Excel and MS Word) • Knowledge of financial and investment terminology • Working knowledge of bookkeeping concepts • Facility with English; good writing skills

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:: The Finance Coordinator should have a B.A. or B.S. in a field which relates to detailed analysis and critical thinking and experience in fields such as accounting or finance.

The position requires that the holder be a practicing Catholic in good standing with knowledge of the Church, its workings, and organization.

All employees of the Archdiocese of San Francisco shall be employed without regard to race, color, sex, ethnic or national origin and will consider for employment, qualified applicants with criminal histories.

Please submit cover letter, resume and a completed application to

Christine Escobar, Human Resources Manager at the Archdiocese of San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

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26 CALENDAR

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

ADVENT EVENING PRAYER: Step away from the busy-ness of these weeks of preparation for a time of quiet contemporary prayer, music and contemplation. Candlelight vespers service, Psalm chants and sing simple songs. 7:30 p.m. at St. Anselm Church, 97 Shady Lane, Ross. (415) 453-2342.

FRIDAY, DEC. 20 GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: Free spiritual support group for people who have experienced a loss. Third Friday of every month, 10:30-noon, Msgr. Bowe room, cathedral. Facilitated by Deacon Chris Sandoval. (415) 567-2020, ext. 218.

SF BOYS CHORUS CONCERT: The San Francisco Boys Chorus winter concert, “A Ceremony of Carols,” 7 p.m., St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Ave., San Francisco. Concert sells out early. Reserve at Eventbrite.com or contact stignatiussf.org.

SATURDAY, DEC. 21 TURKEY DRIVE: The annual St. Emydius turkey drive benefits St. Anthony Foundation in the Tenderloin.

Bring frozen turkeys and boxes of fresh vegetables to the parking lot across from the church between 9 a.m. and noon. Online donations can be made at SFTurkeyDrive.com, or contact Pierre Smit, sfpierre@aol.com.

HANDICAPABLES MASS: Monthly opportunity for the disabled and their caregivers to enjoy Mass, lunch and fellowship. 12-3 p.m., St. Mary’s Cathedral. (415) 452-3500, or handicapables.com. Dates subject to change.

SUNDAY, DEC. 22 CELTIC CHRISTMAS: Our Lady of Loretto adult, youth and children’s choirs perform “Have You Heard,” 4 p.m. in

the church sanctuary, 1806 Novato Blvd., Novato.

CATHEDRAL CONCERT: Angela Kraft Cross performs a free Advent and Christmas concert for organ, St. Mary’s Cathedral, 4 p.m.

Journey,” a free monthly support group for people with life-threatening illness. 1-3 p.m., Msgr. Bowe Room, St. Mary’s Cathedral. (415) 567-2020 ext. 218, or estahl@stmarycathedralsf.org.

SATURDAY, JAN. 4

TUESDAY, DEC. 24 MIDNIGHT CATHEDRAL MASS: 11:30 p.m. caroling followed by midnight Mass celebrated by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, St. Mary’s Cathedral.

INCARCERATED YOUTH HOLIDAY: The archdiocesan restorative justice ministry is hosting a holiday lunch for incarcerated juveniles and their families, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Juvenile Justice Center, 375 Woodside Ave., San Francisco.

(415)614-5572, or escobarj@sfarch.org.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 25 CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS MASS: 11 a.m. solemn Mass celebrated by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, St. Mary’s Cathedral.

SUNDAY, DEC. 29 CATHEDRAL CONCERT: Raymond Hawkins, organ. Works by Bach, Schuman, Rheinberger, Langlais, Vierne and Widor. St. Mary’s Cathedral, 4 p.m.

TUESDAY, DEC. 31 NEW YEAR RETREAT: New Year’s Eve retreat with Dominican Father Bartholomew Hutcherson, 7-10:30 p.m., Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, 43326 Mission Circle, Fremont.

Freewill offering. Register by Dec. 28.

(510) 933-6360, or msdominicans.org.

FRIDAY, JAN. 3 SUPPORT GROUP: “Strength for the

PEACE MASS: First Saturday Mass for reparation and peace in the world, noon, Corpus Christi Parish, 62 Santa Rosa Ave., San Francisco. Father Thomas Tudukula, pastor and celebrant. corpuschristisf.org.

MONDAY, JANUARY 6 PRIESTLY DISCERNMENT: Join this gathering for men discerning a priestly vocation from 6:15-8:30 p.m. at St. Pius Church, 1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City. Father Tom Martin, martin.thomas@sfarch.org.

THURSDAY, JAN. 9.

PRIESTLY DISCERNMENT: Join a gathering for men discerning a priestly vocation from 5:45-8:30 p.m. at Star of the Sea Church, 4420 Geary Blvd., San Francisco. Father Cameron Faller, faller.cameron@sfarch.org.

SATURDAY, JAN. 11 CHURCH FATHERS: Praying with the Fathers of the Church: St. Gregory of Nyssa and the Lord’s Prayer, a free lecture by Dominican Father Michael Mascari at St. Albert’s Priory, 5890 Birch Court, Oakland. 7:30 p.m. (510) 596-1800. sap.opwest.org.

DAY OF RECOLLECTION: Young Ladies Institute District #1 invites you to this event led by Father Bart Landry at St. Gabriel Parish, Bishop Quinn Center, 40th Ave. and Ulloa, San Francisco. $10. Coffee, tea and desserts provided. Sue Elvander (415) 467-8872.

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WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8, 15, 22 INFORMATIONAL EVENINGS: Single and married men between the ages of 30-60 interested in the possibility of serving the church as a permanent deacon are invited to attend one of three informational meetings, one in each county of the archdiocese. The ministry, the formation program and the application process will be discussed. 7-8:30 p.m. Register at diaconateformation@sfarch. org, or marstong@sfarch.org. (415) 614-5531.

ST. ISABELLA CHURCH: Jan. 8 1 Trinity Way, San Rafael ST. TIMOTHY CHURCH: Jan. 15 1515 Dolan Ave., San Mateo ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO: Jan. 22 One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco The word deacon comes from the Greek word, “diakonos,” meaning “one who serves,” Deacon Totah told Catholic San Francisco in Sept. 12 isDeacon Fred sue after being Totah named the archdiocese’s new director of diaconate formation.

SUNDAY, JAN. 12 POETRY AND PRAYER: Dominican Sister Katherine Jean Cowan will explore spirituality and prayer through the works of Emily Dickinson, Mary Oliver and Gerard Manley Hopkins. 2-4 p.m., Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, 43326 Mission Circle, Fremont. (510) 933-6360.

TO ADVERTISE IN CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO VISIT www.catholic-sf.org | CALL (415) 614-5644 EMAIL podestam@sfarchdiocese.org

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CALENDAR 27

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

FRIDAY, JAN. 17 GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: Free spiritual support group for people who have experienced a loss. Third Friday of every month, 10:30-noon, Msgr.

Bowe room, St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Facilitated by Deacon Chris Sandoval.

(415) 567-2020, ext. 218.

SATURDAY, JAN. 18 HANDICAPABLES: Monthly opportunity for the disabled and their caregivers to enjoy Mass, lunch and fellowship. 12-3 p.m., St. Mary’s Cathedral.

(415) 452-3500, or handicapables.com.

Dates subject to change.

Notre Dame Ave., San Mateo. Reception to follow. conrottor@sfarch.org.

SATURDAY, JAN. 18

SATURDAY, FEB. 8

CLERICUS CLASSIC: The now annual evening basketball game features priests of the archdiocese versus St. Patrick seminarians. Basketball rivalry, skills competitions, food and a $1,000 raffle. Doors open at 6 p.m. Adults $10, Children $5.

Third child and more free. Junipero Serra High School, 451 West 20th Ave., San Mateo. fallerc@sfarch.org.

HEALTH CARE ETHICS: Second annual Converging Roads health care ethics conference, “Catholic Medicine in a Secular Society.” 8:15 a.m.-6 p.m., St. Patrick’s Seminary & University, 320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park. Register at convergingroads.com or email sara@forlifeandfamily.org.

HAITI BENEFIT: Haiti on the Rise supports the Haitian people in reconstruction efforts following the devastating 2010 earthquake. Fundraiser for reconstruction of La Grotte High School in Port-au-Prince. 5-9 p.m., St. Mary’s Cathedral event center. haitiontherise5thannualdinner.eventbrite.com, or (415) 532-7223.

SUNDAY, JAN. 19 CATHERINE OF SIENA: The deeply touching, intimate bond between Mother and Child became the metaphor for Catherine’s life of prophetic prayer. Marist Brother Don Bisson hosts this workshop on the mystic and prophet at 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at Mercy Center Burlingame, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame. $75 non-refundable registration. Mercy-center.org.

SATURDAY, JAN. 25 WALK FOR LIFE: Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, followed by rally at 12:30 p.m., in Civic Center

RESPECT LIFE MASS: Respect Life Essay Contest Awards Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Cordileone, 11 a.m., St. Mary’s Cathedral. Valerie Schmalz (415) 614-5571, schmalzv@sfarch.org.

FRIDAY, FEB. 14 Father Larry Goode

HOLY LONGING: Weekend, silent retreat for men. An exploration of our holy longing and authentic desire for God through the lens of St. Ignatius’ spiritual exercises. Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos, 300 Manresa Way, Los Altos. Information and registration at jrclosaltos.org.

Plaza and walk to Justin Herman Plaza. walkforlifewc.com, or (415) 658-1793.

SATURDAY, FEB. 2 CONSECRATED LIFE MASS: The Archdiocese of San Francisco celebrates the women and men religious celebrating jubilees of consecrated life. 10:45 a.m., St. Matthew Church, 1

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SATURDAY, FEB. 29, WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS: Archbishop Cordileone celebrating Mass for all married couples celebrating anniversaries from five years up in five-year increments. 10 a.m., St. Mary’s Cathedral. Register at sfarchdiocese.org/wedding-anniversary-massmisa-de-aniversario-de-bodas, or call (415) 614-5547.

SATURDAY, FEB. 22 HANDICAPABLES MASS: Monthly opportunity for the disabled and their caregivers to enjoy Mass, lunch and

DON’T SEE YOUR PARISH OR COMMUNITY EVENT? Catholic San Francisco’s calendar pages are a readerdriven benefit of your archdiocesan paper. We provide free event listings to Catholic parishes and organizations, and for related non-commercial events.

We count on you to let us know at least one month in advance of events you’d like to see listed in our print and online calendars. Send a listing of no more than 50 words to csf@sfarch.org that includes the name and purpose of the event, date, time, complete address and contact information, including website, email and/or phone numbers.

TO ADVERTISE IN CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO VISIT www.catholic-sf.org | CALL (415) 614-5644 EMAIL podestam@sfarchdiocese.org

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SACRED GAZE II: The second part of “The Sacred Gaze” with Paulist Father Terry Ryan will examine our encounters with God. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Most Holy Redeemer Church, Ellard Hall, 100 Diamond St., San Francisco. Bill Osuna, bill3osuna@yahoo.com.

SUNDAY, FEB. 9

FRIDAY, JAN. 24 VIGIL FOR LIFE: The Dominican Friars and St. Dominic Parish host Vigil for Life on the eve of the Walk for Life West Coast. 5-7:30 p.m. A plenary indulgence may be obtained at this Mass, with the usual conditions. 2390 Bush St., San Francisco. walk4lifewc@ gmail.com, (415) 218-0248.

fellowship. 12-3 p.m., St. Mary’s Cathedral. (415) 452-3500, or handicapables.com. Dates subject to change.

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mikecahalan@gmail.com

CA LIC #817607 BONDED & INSURED

415-205-1235

painting S.O.S. PAINTING CO. Interior-Exterior • wallpaper • hanging & removal Lic # 526818 • Senior Discount

415-269-0446 • 650-738-9295 www.sospainting.net F ree E stimates

Joseph Clancy Painting

landscaping JP Landscaping & Gardening

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Accepting all credit cards and PayPal.

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Clean up, Weed removal, Lawn services, Hedge & Tree Trimming Fences & Cement Serving San Francisco (415) 664-1199 License #319526

fences & decks

Lic#945009

O: (415) 668-1021 • C: (415) 806-9262 jclancypainting@gmail.com LICENSE #664830

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John Spillane • Retaining Walls • Stairs • Gates • Dry Rot • Senior & Parishioner Discounts

650.291.4303

Lic. #742961

victorian restoration

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERICAL FREE ESTIMATES | EPA Certified

Hardwood Floors * Refinishing * Carpets * Linoleum • Custom Floor Coverings * Mobile Showroom Commercial & Residential Mobile: (415) 297-1715 Office: (415) 769-5367 chaconflooring@yahoo.com www.chaconflooring.com Warehouse/Showroom:

76 Charter Oak Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | DECEMBER 19, 2019

In Remembrance of the Faithful Departed Interred In Our Catholic Cemeteries During the Month of November HOLY CROSS, COLMA Elissa J. Abaurrea Faustino T. Adion Donald Aiuto Josefina Albarran Kathrine Simone Arten Ngan Ling Au Joseph John Barbarotto Rebecca Benitou Sister Mercedes Braga Jacqueline Brochue James “JacK” Budesa Leticia G. Candelaria Donald J. Cardona Mabel M. Chau Lupe Chavez Joseph Chow Donald Cochran Beverly Conachy Edward Ryan Crowley Estrella Cruz Federico D. “Junior” David Sandra Day Kathleen Debardeleben Marie Del Rio Olga P. Denegri Jean M. Dito Eleanor M. Donovan Barbara H. Douglass Patrick T. Dunphy Kenny Flower Ellen Isabel Galang Sally C. Garcia Eloy J. Garcia Aurora Gargaritano Mary Huking Garrahan Bridget M. George Dominic F. Geramoni Walter Grobli Esperanza Gutierrez Adel Naghash Haddad Purificacion (Nene) Hangad Carol Haunert Nora Pauline Haymond Mary C. Hazard Sister Angela M Hinckley Annie B. Horgan Francine Baldwin Jones Pieter E. Joosen Virginia A. Joosen Clare Jurvig Donald Keenan Joan Kent Blanche G. Kerrigan Rena Marie Koch Donald Joseph Lando Leslie S. Langlow Jimmy Dean Lee Miriam Villa Licudine

Carol Ann Littrell-Brown Yelba Llaverias Mary A. Lopez Luann Lynch W.E. “Skip” MacDonald, Jr. Lorraine M. Macias Sean Wm. Malley Karen E. Marinelli Richard Kazuo Matsumoto Lois A. Max Thomas McEntee John McGrorey Gloria McKeever Vivian Medeiros Edgar Melara Maria Alicia Mendieta Jose Leslie Mendoza Carl William Miller Oscar Enrique MonicoGuerra Albert Joseph Montedonico Jr. James A. Mulhall Maria I. Murillo Edward Paz Navarro, Sr. Maria Teresa Nieve David Nugent John J. O’Brien Robert O’Neill Ida W. Ong Richard Peter Palamidessi Thomas Jay Park Raymond Parres Pauline Parres Gil Berdal Payongayong Joan C. Perez Richard John Quinlan Augusto Rangasajo Tiburcia Rayala Mercedes Rendon Angel Rivera Visitacion C. Rodriguez Sally M. Ronquillo Celedonio S. Roxas, Jr. Evelyn Rudolph Gloria M. San Gil Dorothy Jean Sattui Robert Soo Hoo Marta Soriben Paul Sullivan Katarzyna Szumilo Toateli Tevaga Claire A Toschi Nelly Totah Aida Nazareno Villagracia John M. Walton Isabel Webb John Michael Webb Rita Gilmore Wester Marvin J. Winn Robert E. Woodworth Faika Zughbaba

HOLY CROSS, MT. OLIVET, MENLO PARK SAN RAFAEL Mildred Eleanor Conley Daniel P. Elizaga Maureen Markham Geaghan Theresa P. Genevro Timothy A. Kennedy Osaiasi Langi Rev. Fauike Pahulu Joseph Quintanilla Donald Snider Marilyn A. Stebbins Russell T. Stebbins Jr. Kimmerly Wader Webster

Marie V. Bettencourt Leo L. Burns Dennis R. Crisp Warren Joseph Ellis

James J. Fagundes Henry Louis Leonardi Loretta Geraldine Mild Hortensia Guerrero Salazar Jeffery McGalliard Scales Gisella Schonauer Edward J. Shelley

OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR Dale G. Heckman Ramona Parenti

ST. MARY MAGDALENE Edmund A. Duggan Ethel A. Walsh

HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CEMETERY, COLMA FIRST SATURDAY MASS Saturday, January 4, 2019 All Saints Mausoleum Chapel – 11:00 Rev. Anthony P. LaTorre, Celebrant – St. Stephen Parish

Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery 1500 Mission Road, Colma CA | 650-756-2060 Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery Santa Cruz Ave. @Avy Ave., Menlo Park, CA | 650-323-6375 Tomales Catholic Cemetery 1400 Dillon Beach Road, Tomales, CA | 415-479-9021 St. Anthony Cemetery Stage Road, Pescadero, CA | 650-712-1675 Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery 270 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, CA | 415-479-9020 Our Lady of the Pillar Cemetery Miramontes St., Half Moon Bay, CA | 650-712-1679 St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery 16 Horseshoe Hill Road, Bolinas, CA | 415-479-9021

A Tradition of Faith Throughout Our Lives.