October 2021 by Catholic San Francisco

YO U R S E L

NEIGHBO

UR ENEMIE

REORIENT YOUR PERSPECTIVE

LOVE IS THE DIRECTION

LOV

E GOD

NOVEMBER 20 21

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

TAB LE OF CONTE NTS

02 6 Our Parish Website

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The Legion of Mary’s legacy of love

Parish Connect: Serving the Parish, Serving the Church

Evangelization seen as heart and soul of parish role

God leads former Baptist Army vet to new life as seminarian

9 innings, 7 gifts: Baseball movies and the gifts of the Holy Spirit

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Communion of saints: Love is the direction and the directive

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Catholics become fieldworkers in St. Vincent de Paul Society following saint’s path

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Homelessness and Human Dignity: The Catholic Vision

The Rite of Penance New healing ministry for adult children of divorce launches in Bay Area

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Christina Gray Published by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109. Catholic San Francisco (ISSN 15255298) is published 8 times yearly. Catholic San Francisco is printed by Publication Printers Corp. in Denver, Colorado. Periodical postage paid in San Bruno, California. Subscriptions: $24 a year in California; $36 per year out of state. Postmaster: Send address changes to Catholic San Francisco, Circulation., One Peter Yorke, San Francisco, CA 94109 or email circulation.csf@sfarch.org..

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ARCH B I S HOP

Homelessness and Human Dignity:

GRANT ETERNAL REST UNTO THEM, O LORD

BY ARCHBISHOP SALVATORE JOSEPH CORDILEONE

t was an eventful summer. Among the many ups and downs, one of the downs for me was losing a very dear friend and priest mentor of mine since my years in the seminary. Msgr. Joseph Carroll, affectionately known by all simply as “Father Joe,” was famous in San Diego and beyond for his wonderful work with the homeless and the poor. I visited Father Joe in July shortly before his death, and our conversation brought back so many memories of our long friendship. He began with a one-block piece of property in downtown San Diego, and ended up building what is now a veritable empire for the homeless. I still remember him articulating his vision as he started out with the first building: a center of many levels to accommodate different types of programs. It had to be safe, and beautiful, he said, because the homeless have dignity, and they need to feel that dignity affirmed before there can be any hope of them escaping from the cycle of homelessness and poverty to self-sufficiency. And I still recall very clearly, one night in conversation with a few priests after an informal dinner, one of them challenging Father Joe on his ambitious vision: “You are never going to do that, Joe,” scoffed his brother priest. But he did not know Father Joe like I did. That only inspired him to work all the harder. And he did it. With the help of thousands of San

Diego Catholics and others of goodwill whom he prodded and inspired, Father Joe built what (over his protest) is now called “Father Joe’s Villages,” providing child care, housing, job training, meals, and a medical clinic. As of 2020, it is the largest service provider for homeless individuals in the city of San Diego. His passing was mourned by all in San Diego. Even those there who otherwise have no regard for the Catholic Church say, “But Father Joe is different.” He based his vision on his philosophy that human beings have souls, as well as stomachs. We need truth, goodness, and beauty to be healed and flourish; all three are necessary to repair a broken society and build a flourishing civilization. This is because the human person is an integral whole: goodness feeds the body, truth feeds the mind, and beauty feeds the soul. Perhaps it is beauty that is most lacking in the world today. We must dedicate ourselves to the service of beauty, reclaiming its power to heal and unite. This is the Catholic vision. And we see it in action in the lives of all of the saints and heroes of our faith throughout our history. I think in this regard of St. Mother Teresa, who walked the streets of Calcutta to care for the dying. She could not save their lives. She often could not stop their suffering. But she could love them, and she did. The Catholic vision of human dignity suffused her life and her work.

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

And I think of what is happening here in our own Archdiocese. I’m so proud of my fellow Catholics in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin counties who donate their time, talent, treasure, and hard work to be the hands and heart of Jesus Christ to those who otherwise would have no hope. I think of our Catholic Charities workers, who, alone, did not abandon the homeless early on in the pandemic, but worked themselves to exhaustion to provide them food, and transportation. I think of the staff, volunteers and benefactors who make possible their invaluable work of running shelters for women, for those with addictions, for the sick, and so much more. I think of St. Anthony’s Foundation in the heart of the Tenderloin, which preaches by example. Every volunteer learns of the Franciscan foundations of their mission: to serve clients with love, because, as one worker said, “we may not approve of all their life choices, but we recognize the worth of every human being.” I think of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, whose goal is “to help anyone suffering from the cycles of homelessness have the chance to get back on their feet, not just so they can get by, but so they can truly thrive.” Every day they shelter, feed, and support hundreds of homeless men and women, providing clean beds, warm meals, medical and mental health care, education, job training, legal aid, shower and laundry facilities, and free weekly haircuts. Then there are the countless parish ministries. The St. Vincent de Paul Society, for example, in addition to its centers, also operates in our parishes throughout the Archdiocese, preventing homelessness by providing rental assistance and addressing other material needs of families at risk, doing so through the culture of encounter to which Pope Francis consistently urges us: parishioners meeting parishioners, in their homes, assessing needs and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. Every Wednesday Most Holy Redeemer Parish in the Castro offers a free supper to approximately 100 needy invited guests, assisted by numerous volunteers from outside the parish. They feed not just the body but the soul, seating them at tables in small groups and serving the meal, in order to create a sense of community. (Even during COVID they have continued to distribute food to needy people outside, until they can return to serving them again at table indoors.) For nearly 50 years, St. Anthony’s Parish in Menlo Park has operated a dining room for the needy out of their parish hall six days a week; parishioners also operate a clothing distribution center, which provides the basic apparel needs of women, › CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

Every suffering human being on the streets should be for us the face of Jesus Christ.” Photo by Dennis Callahan

children, and men two days per week. Our parishes also work in collaboration with other faith communities in offering their facilities on a rotating basis to provide temporary shelter to the homeless, such as San Francisco’s Interfaith Winter Shelter and (for the 10 years it was in operation) the Rotating Emergency Shelter Team (REST) in Marin County. I could go on and on. While the problem of homelessness as a policy matter may not be easy to solve, the heart of the solution we know from the vision our faith inspires in us: to see the dignity of every individual. This love then inspires us to act. But faith comes first; after that, more immediate practical solutions. When those practical solutions are inspired by this vision, new and creative ideas can be realized and put into action, as in the many examples I just described. I do not have all the answers, but I do know that we Catholics have a precious gift that must be part of the solution: recognizing the equal human dignity of all souls. Our solidarity with the homeless and poor also calls us to pray for them, and pray for their eternal repose. Pope Francis underscored the importance of this gift of solidarity last January, when he asked us all to pray for the homeless who died on the streets. “Last Jan. 20, a few meters from St. Peter’s Square, a 46 year old Nigerian homeless man named Edwin was found dead because of the cold,” the pope said. “His story was added to that of many other homeless people who recently died in Rome in the same dramatic circumstances. Let us pray for Edwin.” He continued: “Let us think about Edwin. Let us think of what this man, 46 years old, felt in the cold, ignored by all, abandoned, even by us. Let us pray for him.” Yes, let us remember to care about Edwin and all of those who suffer as he suffered. Let us remember that

their dignity, like our own, is not ultimately rooted in abilities, intelligence, usefulness, wealth, power, or physical attractiveness. Our equal dignity does not rest ultimately in our man-made laws or even our wonderful Constitution, which merely recognizes what is intrinsic – that is, “self-evident,” beyond the power of government to give or take away. The foundation of our equal human dignity is literally unshakeable. It lies not in what we can do but in who we are: beloved children of the living God. Physical suffering can be terrible, but there is no physical suffering worse than the feeling that one is alone, abandoned, unremembered, unloved, and unlovable. In praying for those who died homeless, we are reminded – as our faith tells us – that these are our brothers and sisters, and that their human dignity matters. Each of us is made in the image of a God who loves us. Our prayers for the homeless dead remind us that every human life is sacred. Everybody counts. Every suffering human being on the streets should be for us the face of Jesus Christ. And so, this Nov. 6 at 10 a.m., we will heed Pope Francis’ call and gather together in St. Mary’s Cathedral to honor, remember, and pray for the souls of all those who died homeless on the streets of San Francisco. November, of course, is traditionally the month especially dedicated to praying for the souls of the deceased in purgatory, asking the Lord to ease their suffering and get them into Heaven with Him, in His infinite mercy. A Requiem Mass is an opportunity to do just that. We will be uplifted and inspired by the sacred music of the Benedict XVI Institute’s brilliant composer-inresidence Frank La Rocca, in the newly commissioned “Requiem for the Homeless.” Richard Sparks, a worldclass conductor (recently inducted into the Royal Swedish Academy of Music), will lead the extraordinary Benedict Sixteen Choir. Our own Christoph Tietze will play the cathedral’s magnificent organ, accompanied by violas, cellos, double bass, and harp. A new painting by Bernadette Carstensen of the Patron Saints of the Homeless will be set up as a shrine, creating a sacred space for prayer. We will pray a new Litany to the Patron Saints of the Homeless, written by noted poet James Matthew Wilson. I will celebrate this Mass, and I hope you can come. It will be beautiful, and it will be holy. Seating will be limited due to COVID restrictions. (To register for free tickets visit BenedictInstitute.org.) All the usual protocols will be observed. We will pray for those who died on the streets, because they are ours. I pray you will join us, in person or in spirit. And then, like so many Catholics do every day in this great city and beyond, I pray that, inspired by God’s love, you will join as well in loving acts of service to our brothers and sisters still on the streets. ■ OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

THE SHRINE OF ST. JUDE THADDEUS The Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus is an apostolate of the Dominican Friars of the Province of the Holy Name (Western Dominican Province). It is located in St. Dominic’s Church in San Francisco. The Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus was begun in October 1935 as a devotion in honor of St. Jude Thaddeus, Patron of Hope, to bring hope to a constituency in considerable distress. Pilgrims and correspondents seek prayers, perpetual enrollment as members of the St. Jude Apostolate, candles, Masses, holy oil, and religious items from the Shrine. We offer various novenas throughout the year. SEND PETITIONS TO:

Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus

Attn: Director, Fr. Emmerich Vogt, O.P. PO Box 15368, San Francisco, CA 94115-0368 CONTACT: (415) 931-5919 ꚛ info@stjude-shrine.org Please visit our website for online requests for prayers, Mass intentions, Perpetual Enrollments, candles, religious articles, and holy SAN oil.FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 CATHOLIC

St. Jude Masses October 28, 2021 Thursday 08:00 AM ENGLISH 11:30 AM SPANISH 01:30 PM SPANISH 05:30 PM ENGLISH 5

LOVE OF MARY

The Legion of Mary For 100 years, members have been ‘soldiers for souls’ BY CHRISTINA GRAY

Lead writer, Catholic San Francisco grayc@sfarch.org

ndo Perlas was on his knees after Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish one Sunday in 1984 when he felt a tap on the shoulder. A stranger asked him if he wanted to join the Daly City parish’s Legion of Mary. “I had gone to Catholic school all my life but had never heard of the Legion of Mary,” said Perlas. When the woman approached him again some months later in the same spot, he was praying for his infant daughter, born with a serious heart defect. Her prognosis was not good. Perlas said he made a silent covenant with the Blessed Mother that day, and with Virgilia “Bebs” de los Santos, the persistent legionary, now deceased. “You heal my daughter, I will join your Legion,” he said. Three months later, the astonished surgeon monitoring the baby’s heart told Perlas and his wife that surgery would not be necessary; the defect was simply gone. Perlas’ story may not be typical of how or why people join the Legion of Mary, or of the personal graces guaranteed. What it does illustrate is how legionaries use prayer, personal encounter and trust in the Blessed Mother to change lives and save souls. Now 37 years a member of the Legion of Mary and a two-time officer, Perlas says being a member of the Legion has helped him fulfill his “baptismal call.” “It’s hard to convince some Catholics,” he said, “but we are baptized not just to be saved ourselves, but to help save others.”

A 100-year-old “hidden” treasure The Legion of Mary is 100 years old this year, with some 3 million active members in 170 countries

worldwide, according to legionofmary.ie, the organization’s official website. It is considered the largest lay apostolate in the Catholic Church. Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone honored that legacy by celebrating a centennial Mass for the Legion of Mary at St. Mary’s Cathedral Sept. 29. Still, Catholics often can’t say what it is or does. Raymond Frost, a legionary for 40 years, was once among them. “I thought it was an organization for women,” said Frost, a San Francisco native who joined the Legion in his 20s. The St. Veronica parishioner said his family prayed the rosary together often. He remembers walking with his parents and six of his seven siblings to the Golden Gate Park polo fields in 1961 to hear Father Patrick Peyton speak at the Family Rosary Crusade. Attended by more than half a million people, it inspired today’s annual Rosary Rally (see inset). “Prayer is like eating,” said Frost. “If you don’t eat, you’re going to die, or get sick.” “The Secret of the Rosary,” a book written by St. Louis de Montford on the spiritual power of the rosary, became a guiding force in Frost’s life as a young adult. He decided to join the Legion of Mary after a priest he knew spoke of members with great admiration: “They don’t just talk, they work.” Door-to-door home visitation and the street apostolate are hallmark works of the Legion of Mary and have been an invaluable asset to the growth of the church. Frost worked the San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood when he first joined the Legion. He and a partner knocked on doors, visited drug treatment centers and talked to the sick and the lost. “I was really impressed by the diversity of the membership,” he said, describing fellow legionaries as “ordinary Catholics” of many races and ages, working together under the gaze of Mary, mother of the church. “It was an opportunity for me to live out what I already believed,” he said. “I hadn’t found that anywhere else.”

Yes, we can be saints The Legion of Mary was founded on Sept. 7, 1921, by Servant of God Frank Duff. Born into a wealthy Dublin family, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society where he was exposed to the spiritually and materially deprived. Duff’s idea was to help Catholic laypeople fulfill their baptismal promise in an organized structure supported by fraternity and prayer. OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

y’s legacy of love The Legion drew its inspiration from another St. Louis de Montfort book, “True Devotion to Mary,” written in 1712. Duff was convinced that everyone is called to and capable of sainthood. “Take it as most certain that you, no matter how unfitted your life may seem for holiness, are being given graces sufficient, if corresponded with, to bring you to sanctity,” he wrote in a 1916 pamphlet titled “Can we be saints?”

We priests belong to the in-ministry. You were from the beginning an outministry, commissioned to do the same sort of thing Our Blessed Lord did – walking up and down alleys.” ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN While the notion of a Catholic lay apostolate where the laity worked for their own sanctification and for the conversion of the world had been around for a long time, the formation of the Legion of Mary anticipated the renewed emphasis and promotion given to this apostolate at the Second Vatican Council. With the Council’s teaching, the idea now has wider acceptance throughout the Universal Church. In an undated speech to Legion officers in Rochester, New York, Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (18951979) praised the Legion of Mary as an “out-ministry.” “We priests belong to the in-ministry,” he said. “You were from the beginning an out-ministry, commissioned to do the same sort of thing Our Blessed Lord did – walking up and down alleys.” ‘Praesidium’ The Legion of Mary draws from Latin names used by the Roman legion, and it is structured and run with a soldierlike orderliness. The basic unit of the Legion is called a “praesidium,” a word that translates loosely as “a protective force.” The Concilium is the global headquarters in Dublin. All legionaries are unpaid volunteers. A praesidium is composed of three to 20 members, usually connected to a parish, who meet weekly for › CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

prayer, reports and discussion. Some parishes have more than one praesidium, each with a different apostolic interest. “We work closely with the pastor to find out the needs of the parish,” said Perlas. “The Legion is, in essence, an extension of the heart and hands of the pastor,” said Father Francis Peffley, a young priest from the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, who promotes the Legion of Mary online. The local Legion Two years after the first U.S. praesidium was formed in New Mexico in 1931 – composed of all men – the first praesidium in the Archdiocese of San Francisco was established in 1933 at St. Monica Parish – composed of all women. The Legion leadership in the archdiocese falls into a geographically defined governing body akin to a diocese. The San Francisco “Senatus” includes Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Northern California. Frost is both the first president of the San Francisco Senatus, and the current president. “About half of the parishes in the Archdiocese of San Francisco have at least one praesidium of the Legion of Mary,” he said, estimating active members at about 600 people. Eighty-nine-year-old Mary Peterson, a parishioner of St. Cecilia Parish, has been at it longer than any of them – 77 years. She joined the Legion in Ireland at the age of

Photo by Dennis Callahan

Father Larry Goode speaking at the 2012 Rosary Rally at U.N. Plaza. Father Goode organized the first Rosary Rally in 2011 in the spirit of Father Patrick Peyton’s 1961 rally in Golden Gate Park.

11. Upon emigrating to San Francisco in 1959, she promptly joined the first praesidium at St. Monica Parish. Peterson said she worked the street apostolate in the Tenderloin for many years, always with a partner. Along with pamphlets and Catholic prayer cards, she brought miraculous medals. The devotional medal shows Mary standing on a globe positioned between heaven and earth, crushing the head of the serpent. Peterson and a partner always said the Legion prayers beforehand. “We were never, never afraid,” she said. “It was lovely.” Peterson met people who had no faith, some

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

who had lost their faith and some who shared their beliefs with her. “They would have an effect on you too,” she said. One night a shell of a young man shyly asked Peterson if she would give him a hug. “I had the most extraordinary feeling of hugging Jesus himself,” said Peterson, who still chokes up at the memory. Father Larry Goode, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in East Palo Alto, has been the San Francisco Senatus’ chaplain and spiritual director since 2004. In a written documentary for the Legion of Mary’s 100th anniversary, Father Goode described how legionary prayer disarmed a man on the same rough streets. “We had just finished saying the Legion prayers on the corner of Jones and Eddy,” Father Goode said. “This man was on his way to shoot someone when Our Lady touched his heart; I ended up with a pocketful of bullets.” Learn more by visiting legionofmary.ie and sfsenatus.org. ■

The Rosary Rally Venerable Father Patrick Peyton was an Irish priest who, on Oct. 7, 1961, drew over a half million people to the polo fields in Golden Gate Park with the message, “the family that prays together, stays together.” His local Family Rosary Crusade in San Francisco was one of many massive rallies he led in major cities around the world. He used radio, television and film to accomplish his mission to spread devotion to Mary and encourage family prayer. His cause for sainthood was officially opened in 2001. The documentary “Pray” released in 2020 details the heroic life and legacy of Father Peyton. On the 50th anniversary of that event, the local Legion of Mary, led by its spiritual director Father Larry Goode, commemorated the spirit of Father Peyton by organizing the first local Rosary Rally on Oct. 15, 2011. In its first year it drew a crowd of nearly 3,000. The Rosary Rally has been held every October since then. This year, the Rosary Rally celebrates the 60th anniversary of Father Peyton’s rally and the 10th anniversary of the archdiocesan rally. CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

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LOVE FOR OU R PAR I S H ES

PARISH CONNECT:

Our Parish Website

Serving the Parish, Serving the Church BY MARY POWERS Assistant Director of Communications and Media Relations. Office of Communications, Archdiocese of San Francisco

uring the pandemic, parishes innovated. Catholics attended livestream Masses and outdoor Masses in parking lots, on lawns and in school yards. Priests heard confessions through car windows at Our Lady of Angels in Burlingame, and homeless ministries made bag lunches and handed them out at the door of free dining rooms shut down by COVID-19. Bible studies went on Zoom. The shutdown and restrictions of the pandemic dramatically brought home the need to support parishes to keep the faith alive. And the Archdiocese of San Francisco has responded – by renewing its focus on Parishes are the service to the parishes and people they serve. place where God’s the“The parish is where people meet Jesus in the faith is fostered and are formed. Parishes word and sacrament disciples are where the Gospel is and come in touch proclaimed and the Eucharist celebrated,” said Father with the source of isPatrick Summerhays, vicar the church’s life.” general and moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. “The parishes COMMUNITIES OF are the heart of our church.” “We witnessed the pastoral SALT AND LIGHT, P. 1 challenges presented by the pandemic,” said Father Summerhays. “We’ve created new and updated channels of communication to meet the needs of the faithful and to support our parishes.” Working with a consultant, Preambula Group, the archdiocesan administration located at the pastoral center near St. Mary’s Cathedral, developed unique online platforms to assist parish programs and church ministries in carrying out the mission of the church—to evangelize and form disciples.

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With the new Catholic San Francisco magazine and e-newsletter, the Archdiocese of San Francisco also updated the archdiocesan website— SFarch.org—and is developing a new platform exclusively for parishes to connect and find the support and resources they need in their work— San Francisco Parish Connect (SFparish.com). The Parish Connect website is a new tool of service to priests, parishes, schools and other archdiocesan entities. It reimagines and innovates to offer resources, free tools and above all, better access to mission-driven archdiocesan personnel ready to assist parish ministries in their work. OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

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TOGETHER WE THRIVE. Connection is key to a longer & more vibrant life, and powers everything WE do. It’s like being part of a super supportive family of waiters, chefs, housekeepers, ZEST® activity coaches, care & wellness teams, and even a bunch of really “The goal of SFparish.com is to equip volunteers, clergy and staff to facilitate an encounter with Jesus Christ in the church for those with whom they serve,” commented Martin Ford, director of technology and parish services for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. “The faith of Catholics in the archdiocese is lived and fostered in their local parishes; we want to assist the parishes with tools, resources and best practices so they can continue to serve in the mission of Christ.” In addition to the resources found on SFparish.com, the archdiocese has offered a free Flocknote account to each parish. Flocknote is a Catholic company that provides an easy-to-use email and text communication tool to connect ministries and parishes to their flock and build community and parish ministries. To date, there are over 70 parishes and ministries signed up for Flocknote. ■

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LOVE OF N E IG H BOR

Evangelization seen as heart and soul of parish role BY LIDIA WASOWICZ Lidia Wasowicz is a former UPI science reporter and long-time freelance writer for Catholic San Francisco.

ome perceive a parish as a provider of soul food for the spiritually hungry, offering the Eucharist at every Mass and a menu of ministries to carry out the works of mercy. Others view it as a safe harbor during life’s physical and emotional storms, shining a beacon of hope over the despondent, dejected and disillusioned. Still others regard it as a conduit of love for and from Jesus, reminding society to rejoice in his all– encompassing embrace of humanity. These images – with a central vision of evangelization as the primary pastoral purpose – came to light in interviews with 28 priests and parishioners, ages 9 to 88, from 13 parishes spanning the three counties of the San Francisco Archdiocese. Fred Nangca recalled the jubilation as St. Patrick in the South of Market district of San Francisco reopened its doors, previously closed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Everybody was so excited about being able to once again get spiritual nourishment from the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist and in-person service to others that had been put on hold that we had tears in our eyes,” said the 46-year-old retail manager who also volunteers at St. Boniface in the Tenderloin, his first parish upon arrival from the Philippines in 1994. Father Paul O’Dell detailed a steady stream of calls for help to St. Denis in Menlo Park and Our Lady of the Wayside in Portola Valley, from a mother distraught over a satanic cult luring in her child to a woman seeking escape from an exploitative employer. “People drowning in problems and pain reach out to God, to the church as a lifeline,” observed the pastor of both parishes with a combined congregation of 800. “We are here for our faith, family and community, for everyone in need of safety and support.” Bradley Diaz, a fourth grader at Our Lady of Loretto in Novato and altar server, guitarist, singer and all-around helper at the Church of the Assumption in Tomales,

talked of the joy he found in building a relationship with Jesus, particularly through reflection in the Adoration Chapel, and his wish to pass it on. “God has called me to be a priest,” said the 9-year-old, who survived three high-risk head surgeries to repair a birth defect before his fourth birthday. “I want to respect and love God, to thank him for all he has given me and to share his word and love with other people.” His desire goes to the heart and soul of a parish’s role. “The main mission is to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of Jesus,” said Father Roberto Andrey, pastor of St. Patrick. He noted a recent focus on attracting nonpracticing Christians and Catholics, particularly family, friends, co-workers and acquaintances, through deed more than creed. “The main role of a parish is to support our faith, to reach out to the community, to bring in those that kind of got away from the church,” echoed Linda Mendoza, 66, a parishioner, bookkeeping assistant, lector and greeter at the Church of the Assumption in the bucolic northwest corner of Marin County. At the opposite geographic end of the archdiocese, that goal resonates with Father Larry Goode, the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in East Palo Alto who has been instrumental in pursing social justice reform for many of his 57 years as a priest. His ultimate aim: “to bring Jesus to the people.” Father Kevin Joyce, professor and spiritual director at St. Patrick Seminary and University in Menlo Park, discussed the importance of parish programs preparing parents for their children’s baptism, first Communion and confirmation, noting that they “usually focus on explaining the sacraments to people who often do not know Jesus Christ.” Looking for effective alternatives to fill the pews and foster participation, Father Roger Gustafson structured a pyramid of team leaders and designed a detailed plan of invitation and involvement at St. Hilary in Tiburon. “The challenge we face is the affluence that creates a number of distractions that have Jesus taking the back seat,” the pastor said. “We see our mission as showing

I want to respect and love God, to thank him for all he has given me and to share his word and love with other people.” 12

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

Photo by Dennis Callahan

Father Juan Manuel Lopez, pastor of Church of the Assumption of Mary, celebrates the Feast of the Assumption. Father Lopez makes up to 50 calls a week to parishioners to support their spiritual growth.

people the relevance of Jesus in their lives,” an effort he assessed as “an uphill battle.” Options for action abound, including 18 current ministries at St. Hilary’s that live out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. To maximize outreach, St. Hilary has augmented the music program, transitioned to an innovative giving platform, installed a sophisticated camera, audiovisual and lighting system for livestreaming and announced website and mobile app upgrades. The steps are moving the parish toward a desired destination. The choir, cantors and contemporary artists who sing God’s praises during weekend Masses have garnered additional fans and national acclaim. Overall income has surged 16 percent despite a 3 percent drop in Sunday collections during the coronavirus crisis. The number of Facebook followers has increased by 60 percent, and the total of small groups has more than doubled. Engagement has extended to out-of-state relatives, homebound retirees, military stationed overseas and even some converts-in-the-making not quite ready for formal initiation, reported Lisa Rosenlund, 58, director CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

of development and stewardship and a St. Hilary parishioner for more than two decades. “This past year, the pandemic made it very difficult to measure success, but I think St. Hilary is moving in the right direction,” said Bill Tiedje, 77, a parishioner for 32 years and a member of the finance council. “I hope we don’t create a generation of technology Catholics, but we must continue to try to bring nonpracticing Catholics back into the parish community.” As parishes across the archdiocese urge the fallen away and the kept away to come home, they try to balance resisting and relying on the digital tools they found indispensable during the lengthy lockdown. In addition to impeding reception of the Eucharist, central to Catholic life and worship, virtual attendance “builds an artificial relationship that undermines human interaction and the need to be with others,” said Alonso D. Chattan, a 79-year-old retired graphic artist, usher and parishioner for five decades at St. Sebastian in Greenbrae. One of the few churches to opt out of livestreaming services, St. Sebastian committed to more conventional community connections. “I don’t feel like there has been much of an absence or disconnect from our usual parish life,” said Deacon ›

David Previtali. “We provided Communion and blessings from our porch to those who requested it and showed up during the most difficult isolation times, and confessions have never ceased to be available.” The personal touch also never stopped at the Church of the Assumption, where Father Juan Manuel Lopez rode around the vast expanses of his parish in a truck, holding the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance and, unbeknownst to their dwellers, blessing all the homes he passed. “I kept praying for us to be able to give good testimony to what we believe,” the pastor recounted. “I kept asking the Holy Spirit to allow us to open up.” Permission came for an outdoor Mass on Pentecost 2020. Throngs arrived from as far away as San Mateo, 92 miles to the south. Even children and teenagers knelt reverently on the harsh gravel to receive the Eucharist. “Having been denied so long, they appreciate it more,” said Father Lopez, who stopped livestreaming services as soon as in-person attendance was sanctioned. Rosa Ordoñez, 36, hopes Our Lady of Loretto, her parish for 12 years, will follow suit. “I honestly have not seen seniors or people that are at higher risk hesitate to go back in person; sadly, the

A number of parishes offered drive through confessions when the churches were closed. Shown is Father Andrew Spyrow at St. Raphael in 2020.

younger generations are the ones not coming back,” she said, blaming online availability. “I really wish that once everything gets better we stop the livestreaming so people can come back,” she added. Missing communion with community, retired professor and part-time lawyer Francisco Wong-Diaz, 76, and his wife, event producer Bobbie Fakkema, found it easy to forgo virtual visits in favor of a “real return” to their parish of 19 years, the Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park. Their drawbacks notwithstanding, digital devotions provide a viable substitute for those unable to be physically present, said investment manager Scott Chapman, 62, of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Mill Valley. “To the surprise of many pastors, the numbers of those who gathered virtually for Masses have been overwhelmingly greater than the usual in-person attendance prior to the pandemic,” said Father Raymund Reyes, pastor of St. Augustine in South San Francisco. “There’s no doubt this particular innovation has

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Photo by Dennis Callahan

helped parishes reach out to more parishioners than ever,” as well as meet the parish’s financial needs through online giving, he said. St. Patrick, for one, features a user-friendly gifting option on its website and continues to provide cyber alternatives for religious education, novenas and meetings. Technology plays a supplemental role, stressed Evelyn Bird, 58, a parishioner since 1994, lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and member of the Alpha team that evangelizes through fellowship, food and fun. “In-person church devotions are encouraged before and after Masses and online Zoom events,” said the Native American from the Tohono O’odham Nation and the Pueblo of Santo Domingo (now called the Kewa Pueblo). Such encouragement has brought back many of the 700 registered families along with tourists and visitors, who make up some 75 percent of the churchgoers. Msgr. Steven Otellini, pastor, has similarly observed a “noticeable increase” in daily worshippers at the Church of the Nativity, which has maintained its adoration program throughout the pandemic and is gearing up to commemorate its 150th anniversary next year. ›

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Photo by Dennis Callahan

A family at Mass at St. Boniface where multilingual Masses reflect the diversity of the archdiocese.

At St. Francis of Assisi, where services – particularly the Spanish-language Masses – have long attracted overflow crowds, “more and more [of the 2,000 registered parishioners] are returning,” Father Goode said. “Our collection is way up,” he said, revealing a recent record of $7,000 in weekly donations that eclipsed the previous all-time high by $2,000.

To spur such success, and subvert the national slide in religious practice, local churches are beefing up communications, addressing safety concerns, enhancing preaching and teaching, expanding devotional and prayer opportunities, and boosting outreach within and beyond the parish. In Tomales, Father Lopez makes personal visits and some 50 calls a week to ensure each parishioner is well informed and properly formed. He recommends Scripture readings and hands out Bibles to anyone who lacks one. The parish places top priority on such faith-promoting, community-building events as the highly anticipated annual Aug. 15 celebration of the feast of the Assumption, the favorite festivity of Bradley Diaz and his mother Veronica Carrillo, a 48-year-old Guatemalan immigrant longing to recapture the church-centered traditions of her childhood. The volunteer secretary looks forward to helping launch teen-friendly programs to keep youth “praying and staying for life.” To keep the predominantly Spanish-

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speaking adults engaged, the parish joins numerous others in organizing multilingual Masses and special devotions to culturally relevant saints. The offerings range from Vietnamese services at St. Boniface to a newly introduced Tagalog Mass at St. Augustine, where the pre-pandemic weekend attendance averaged 2,800 and is expected to surge with the marking of the parish’s golden jubilee, rescheduled from 2020 due to COVID-19. “We at St. Augustine are a beautiful conglomeration of colors,” said Norma Bitanga–Regidor, an 88-year-old and member of the largely Filipino congregation since 1980. “It is like saying, we are a United Nations – waving different flags, speaking different tongues, but we all have the same smile, and that smile makes us one,” she said. Our Lady of Loretto pastor, Father Tony Vallecillo, has evoked smiles by sharing the “parish vision” on how to become saints through prayer, service and evangelization, said Stephanie Deignan, 43, who grew up and attended school in the parish.

All of us here in the archdiocese face some monumental challenges to achieving our mission. I feel very optimistic about our ability to meet the challenges and fulfill our mission.” Emotional and physical revitalization, including the addition of stained-glass windows and expanded ministries, bespeak parish efforts to provide newcomers and veterans with a meaningful experience, said Catherine Stanek, a retired teacher who has worshipped at OLL for 45 years. “In trying to increase our parish count (of 2,200 families), there’s never enough that can be done!” affirmed longtime parishioner Donna Morris, 71. Having laid out a complex, long-term, fivepoint plan, Father Gustafson agreed. “All of us here in the archdiocese face some monumental challenges to achieving our mission,” the St. Hilary pastor concluded. “I feel very optimistic about our ability to meet the challenges and fulfill our mission.” ■

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LOVE OF GOD & TH E CH U RCH

God leads former Baptist Army vet to new life as seminarian

Col. Cameron Song Sellers, now retired, looks out from a military aircraft while serving oversees. Sellers served in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea.

BY COL. (RETIRED) CAMERON SONG SELLERS

have spent most of my adult life serving and helping others. This desire started when I was a kid when I realized that 23,000 Americans died to keep South Korea free from communism. Born in Korea, I was adopted by an American family from Arizona when I was 2 years old. When I turned 18, I joined the Army and served for the next 34 years (11 reserve and 23 active), retiring last year. My vocation journey began 10 years ago when I discovered the healing power of the sacraments in my life. When the terrorist leader Osama bin Laden was killed, instead of rejoicing, I was in a confessional booth weeping to a priest over how much I hated that man, and how I didn’t know if I could ever stop. The words of absolution soothed

my heart for the moment, but I still harbored hate in my heart. I followed the advice of the priest and asked God to give me the grace to forgive my enemies when I attended daily Mass. During this time, I also realized just how much anger I had in my heart from the many perceived wrongs against me that I had accumulated over the years. A year later when I was at the Pentagon, the Boston Marathon bombing occurred. One of the perpetrators was killed and a debate erupted in the office about whether he should be buried in a local cemetery. A co-worker asked for my opinion. I responded without hesitation that he should and that we needed to pray for his soul. I realized then that the sacrament of penance had been doing its work. OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

When I went to confession and Mass in the following months, I asked God to give me the grace to forgive. And he did! The anger and the hate that I had built up in my heart drained away. This did not happen overnight. The true power of the sacraments is rarely experienced instantaneously. But the sacrament of reconciliation slowly converted my heart. I also noticed that the Mass had a similar effect on me. It helped me prioritize what was important in life. I have always had a love affair with the Mass. I fell in love with the Mass the first time I experienced it in high school. In fact, I later became a Catholic precisely because of the Mass. My love for the Eucharist only deepened as time went on. I began to understand that the Mass that I witness today is the same Mass that the apostle John witnessed in the Book of Revelation. As I began to understand covenant theology, I realized that the Mass Christ instituted at the Last Supper was God’s final covenant with us. He will always be present in the Eucharist when the priest consecrates the host. I came to understand that this is God’s sign of his faithfulness to us. As a former Baptist, I used to witness “altar calls” every Sunday night. By comparison, I started to realize that Mass was the ultimate “altar call”! God is ever present at Mass, and I must decide if I will follow him by receiving the Eucharist. No matter what happens during the week, God is there, and he will always take me back. Once I realized that the priest (“in persona Christi”) could heal people through the sacraments, I realized that I was working for the wrong team. Don’t get me wrong - I loved being a civil affairs officer in the Army: helping refugees in Bosnia, getting the last Jews out of Iraq and supporting the rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan. ›

Molly Holt who raised Sellers when he was an orphan attended his promotion CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 ceremony back in 2017.

However, I could not truly help my soldiers. I could not heal the emotional wounds that they suffered in these war zones. I watched the government spend millions of dollars on programs to help suffering soldiers and veterans, which rarely ever worked, but I watched priests heal them through the sacraments. Witnessing this, I prayed to God, contemplating whether he wanted me to be one of his priests. I asked God for signs, but I also did my part by developing a prayer life, finding a spiritual adviser, contacting church officials and continuing to be involved in parish life. The first sign that I was on track was when I was on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. When I washed in the famous water in Lourdes, I had a sense that God was telling me not to worry about marriage or the priesthood. He would make me happy, and I could trust in him. I thought of other potential issues that might arise to block my path toward

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priesthood. First, I am a late, late vocation! I was 52 years old when the archdiocese accepted me. Next, I had to consider whether I should be in a religious order, or should I become a diocesan priest. Having just finished my parish assignment at Church of the Nativity, and loving it, I felt my calling to be a diocesan priest being confirmed. I was once asked why I want to be a priest in San Francisco. Well …. I still have some “Army fight” left in me, I responded. “This is where the battle is. I want to help heal and save souls in the Bay Area!” ■

The true power of the sacraments is rarely experienced instantaneously. But the sacrament of reconciliation slowly converted my heart.”

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LOVE OF TH E GAM E

9 INNINGS, 7 GIFTS Baseball movies and the gifts of the Holy Spirit

I BY AARON LAMBERT Writer from Denver

t’s the bottom of the ninth. Bases are loaded; the game is tied. As the batter walks up to the plate, anticipation builds. The stands are silent. The pitch goes out; then, a crack. The ball rises, high into the air, going, going ... gone. The silence dissipates, replaced by the rumbling cheers of wild fans. The stadium surges; this is what baseball is all about. There’s a reason baseball has endured in American culture, and why the World Series is a big deal, even to this day. Even for the most fleeting of sports fans, going to a ballgame is exciting. The atmosphere, the camaraderie and the anticipatory sense of wondering what’s

going to happen next taps into something innate in our humanity – not to mention the inimitable ballpark hot dogs (best enjoyed, of course, with an ice-cold beer). Baseball provides a sort of nourishment not only for the body, but also for the mind and soul. Baseball is also a sport that’s rich with incredible stories about the human spirit, many of which have been made into films that are considered classics. God’s design for all aspects of humanity is meticulous and intentional, and as such, it is impossible to separate the human from the spiritual. God, in his infinite wisdom and power, had a hand even in the game of baseball, and amid all the timeless stories of perseverance, impossible odds and love for the game that have unfolded since the genesis of the sport, the Holy Spirit can be found if you look close enough. The Book of Isaiah describes the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit – piety, fortitude, understanding, fear of the Lord, counsel, wisdom and knowledge – and indeed, these gifts are made manifest in the stories that baseball and film lovers alike always come OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

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back to. Here are seven films streaming right now on various platforms that reflect these seven gifts. PIETY: “THE ROOKIE” G (Disney+) In the spiritual life, piety is a path to holiness. Holding steadfast to the faith in the Lord makes even the impossible possible. The 2002 film “The Rookie” tells the inspiring story of Jim Morris (played by Dennis Quaid), who against all odds debuted in Major League Baseball at the age of 35 as pitcher for what was then called the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Besides being just a great feel-good film, “The Rookie” offers proof that through pious devotion to something you love (and maybe a little intercession from St. Rita along the way), blessings beyond your wildest dreams can – and do – happen. FORTITUDE: “42” PG-13 (HBO Max) The tale of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the major leagues, is stuff of legend. The resilience and courage he displayed to do what he loved changed the face of baseball forever, and American culture followed. The film “42” stars the late Chadwick Boseman, who gives a powerful performance as a man who endured › CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

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Amid all the timeless stories of perseverance, impossible odds and love for the game that have unfolded since the genesis of the sport, the Holy Spirit can be found if you look close enough. immense suffering after he was signed by Branch Rickey (played by Harrison Ford), a devout Christian baseball executive who saw something in Robinson that nobody else did: fortitude. In the film, Rickey likens Robinson’s suffering to Christ’s 40 days in the desert, but as Robinson used to say, “God built me to last,” and last he did. UNDERSTANDING: “THE NATURAL” PG (Amazon Prime Video) Some say the classic film “The Natural” starring Robert Redford is the best baseball film ever made, and while such a classification is subjective, it is pretty darn good. Redford plays Roy Hobbs, a natural baseball talent who is injured in his teen years but is signed as a rookie later in life and dazzles with his abilities. There are those who would like to see Hobbs fail, and he is even bribed to throw a big game. The gift of understanding is the ability to interpret and comprehend the meaning of a message, and despite the allure of what seems like an easy way out for Hobbs, he is able to discern otherwise – an important lesson not just in the game of baseball, but in life as well. FEAR OF THE LORD: “THE SANDLOT” PG (Disney+) “The Sandlot” is not simply one of the greatest baseball movies of all time; it’s also one of the greatest movies about the wonders of childhood. The film follows a ragtag group of youngsters who share a common love of baseball and gather to play at their local sandlot. Of course, they have many escapades along the way – confusion about s’mores, nearly drowning at the local pool and losing a ball signed by Babe Ruth – but through it all, they remain loyal to one another and retain their collective amazement of baseball. As they get older, that amazement never fades, and there is certainly an important analogy to be made in maintaining a similar amazement and wonder of the Lord as life unfolds – a fear of the Lord, as it were.

Ray Kinsella, a devoted baseball fan who lives on an Iowa corn farm. One evening, while walking through his cornfield, he hears a voice whispering that famous line, and he envisions a baseball diamond in the middle of the cornfield. His wife supports his vision and he builds the field at the risk of financial hardship. “Field of Dreams” is a touching story about family, friendship and the unifying love of baseball, and there is an important lesson to be found about learning to rely on the counsel of others while following a dream. WISDOM: “THE PERFECT GAME” PG (Amazon Prime Video) In 1957, the Industrial Little League of Monterrey, Mexico, did something nobody expected and something that has not been done since: they defeated the U.S. team at the Little League World Series, and they pitched the only perfect game in Little League history. This extraordinary story is recounted in the 2009 film “The Perfect Game.” At its core, it is a true “underdog” story; the Mexican team was certainly not expected to make it to the Little League World Series, let alone win, and they were met with racism and other trials when they arrived in the U.S. However, with struggles come wisdom, and indeed, those underdogs from Monterrey proved to be much wiser – and formidable – than nearly anyone expected. KNOWLEDGE: “MONEYBALL” PG-13 (Amazon Prime Video) Baseball’s reliance on numbers is an often-overlooked aspect that many don’t realize is crucial to the sport. Major league scouts use an approach called sabermetrics to assess player value and predict how well they’ll perform. In 2002, Billy Beane and Paul DePodesta revolutionized sabermetrics by taking an unconventional approach to assessing player value and assembling a team of undervalued players for the Oakland Athletics. Their story is recounted in the 2011 film “Moneyball,” and it’s a fascinating look at all of the statistical and quantitative analysis that goes into assembling a major league team. They say knowledge is power, and through a deep knowledge of baseball and their ability to think outside the box, Beane and DePodesta implemented a practice that is still used in professional baseball today. ■

COUNSEL: “FIELD OF DREAMS” PG (Peacock) The classic film “Field of Dreams” is perhaps best known as the origin of that famous line, “If you build it, he will come.” The movie stars Kevin Costner as

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LOVE I N S E RVICE

Catholics become fieldworkers in

St. Vincent de Paul Society following saint’s path BY CHRISTINA GRAY Lead writer, Catholic San Francisco grayc@sfarch.org

“N

o need is foreign to us,” said Marc Bruno hours after canvassing the streets of San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood on a sweltering summer Sunday, handing out thick sandwiches from a local Italian deli to “anyone who is homeless or appears homeless.” The sandwiches are bagged with socks, underwear, a face mask and hand sanitizer. Bruno, an Emmy-award-winning theater and television producer, is a longtime parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in San Francisco and a nearly 30-year member of the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul conference, which dates back to the 1930s. Back then, the parish conference had a fund to pay for school lunches for children of poor families, jackets for those who needed one and, according to parish records, an antiquated-sounding “hobo fund.” “Now, the reality is, for better or worse, that our work is associated with the homeless,” said Bruno. That includes staving off homelessness and hunger in the poor living often unseen in the tourist enclaves of North Beach and nearby Chinatown. He considered the priesthood decades ago while living with a monastic community in rural France, but today Bruno is the unofficial leader of the parish conference which numbers about 20 members. Sixteen of those members have continued the “meals and masks” patrol throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, said Bruno. The scope of help offered by the parish conference is vast, he said, going beyond food and basic necessities. Conference members are the “eyes and ears of the neighborhood,” working in informal partnership with local police, business owners and residents to solve community problems. “Anyone can do this,” he said. “We have in our own hands and in our own hearts the ability to become closer to God whenever we wish, simply by helping those in need.” ›

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

They come here with such joy and eagerness to help the people.” FATHER JOSE CORRAL Pastor of Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Half Moon Bay. CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

Photo by Dennis Callahan

Origins of the St. Vincent de Paul ‘conference’ The term “conference” originated with the founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Antoine Frédéric Ozanam, a French university student in 19th-century Paris. Conferences are groups of volunteers who seek to grow and develop their spirituality through friendship and person-to-person service. Inspired by the French saint’s commitment to the poor, Ozanam helped organize the first conference in the saint’s name in 1833. His goal was to create a network to help those in need. Today, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and its conferences are active in 142 countries. According to the national website, nearly 100,000 volunteers in nearly 5,000 conferences across the United States serve their communities as “Vincentians.” Parishes as “support system” The structure of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in San Francisco was changed forever after the Great Earthquake of 1906. That is when Catholic parishes were dispatched by the church to help the society “take up with renewed vigor” its work in “succoring the work of the poor, the sick and the aged.” Archbishop Patrick W. Riordan presented a new vision for the local St. Vincent de Paul Society 16 months after the earthquake and fire left up to 300,000 people

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Crowded bread line, 1906: Catholic parishes were dispatched to help the St. Vincent de Paul Society respond to the enormous scale of human need following the earthquake.

homeless, including many of its own staff and volunteers. An unknown number of children were orphaned. Archbishop Riordan announced that a support system would be formed by “branching out into all parishes of the church.” A central bureau would coordinate the work of each parish conference. The parish conference was a pastoral solution to an overwhelming crisis of human need that helped reshape the local society. San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin There are three geographically defined districts of the St. Vincent de Paul Society within the Archdiocese of San Francisco: the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco, founded in 1860; the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Mateo County, founded in 1931; and the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County, founded in 1946. Each is guided by the same Vincentian purpose but is independently run to serve the unique needs of their populations. Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Half Moon Bay is one of 32 parish-based conferences in the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Mateo County. Over 1,000 Vincentian volunteers serve the diverse county according to its website (svdpsm.org). Many locals are poor migrant families who work the green fields around the parish, or in the many ›

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Left, a volunteer of the Our Lady of the Pillar Parish conference in Half Moon Bay bags fresh produce at the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul pantry. Center, St. Rita Parish conference co-chair Jack Hayes helped more than 50 local families secure $85,000 in rental assistance in 2020. Right, Blandina Farley, a volunteer with the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish conference, hands a sandwich bag to a homeless man near Washington Square Park.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society parish conferences make a tremendous difference in the lives of the people in this county.” MEREDITH PARNELL, Director of volunteer and conference services for the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County

restaurants and hotels serving tourists. Those impacted by pandemic-related job losses and business closures wait patiently in line for food supplies and other assistance. “This is how we express our Christian love,” said parishioner Nancy Clarkin, a 20-year volunteer with the parish conference, who works alongside her husband, Tom, in the parish pantry. The refrigerated food pantry operates from the rectory garage. Two more pantries supply food and other necessities at the parish’s mission churches, St. Anthony in Pescadero and Our Lady of the Refuge in La Honda. Food isn’t the only way the parish conference helps. Len Carlson, a longtime pantry volunteer, remembers a local schoolteacher who lost her job and was living in her car with three young kids. “We were able to get her a hotel room for a night,” she said, before referring her to the administrative offices in San Mateo for more resources. The parish takes up a collection every fifth Sunday to fund the pantry and other emergency needs. “They come here with such joy and eagerness to help the people,” said Father

Jose Corral, pastor of Our Lady of the Pillar, of conference volunteers. He sees “great respect, great kindness, great love.” “You can be housed here and still be poor,” said Meredith Parnell, who works with 11 parish conferences in Marin County as director of volunteer and conference services for the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County. “The conferences do a tremendous amount to keep people housed.” The working poor are in a precarious situation in a county known for its wealth, said Parnell. Marin has approximately 23,000 individuals living below the federal poverty level and 57,000 people living below the economic “selfsufficiency” standard set by the county. When a person calls the Marin office seeking aid, Parnell can often refer them to a specific parish conference, such as the one at St. Rita Parish in Fairfax, cochaired by 82-year-old Jack Hayes. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, causing widespread job loss or reduced income, Hayes stepped in to help almost 50 families secure more than $85,000 in local and county rental assistance, according to pastor Father Kenneth Weare. Hayes insists on visiting the homes of families the conference serves so he can just “sit and listen to them.” He said the visits also help him see if families “might have other needs that I can help with.” “The St. Vincent de Paul Society parish conferences make a tremendous difference in the lives of the people in this county,” said Parnell. ■

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St. Vincent de Paul: Devoted to the poor and to priesthood Vincent de Paul was born in 1581 to poor peasant farmers, Jean and Bertrande de Moras de Paul. Until his death in 1660 at age 79, his life was in service to the poor. He founded the Ladies of Charity, a lay institute of women, to help him. He also founded the Congregation of Priests of the Mission, known as the Vincentians. With St. Louise de Marillac, St. Vincent also cofounded the Daughters of Charity, a religious order that today assists the poor in 94 countries. St. Vincent lived during a time when priests in France were neither well-formed nor faithful to their way of life. His instruction became a precursor to modernday seminaries. He was canonized on June 16, 1737, by Pope Clement XII. His feast day is Sept. 27.

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LOVE OF B E AUT Y

Christ in Glory window illuminates hope of our eternal destiny BY MARY POWERS Assistant Director of Communications and Media Relations. Office of Communications, Archdiocese of San Francisco

s the liturgical calendar nears its end, three feasts coincide in November to remind us of our own final end: All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day and the solemnity of Christ the King. These interconnected feasts are well illustrated in the stained-glass window of Christ in Glory in St. Dominic’s Church in San Francisco. St. Dominic’s Church is an architectural work of art, hearkening back to the Gothic cathedrals of Europe. Originally built in 1873, St. Dominic’s needed to be rebuilt following the 1906 earthquake. Construction of the current church began in 1923 and was completed in 1928, although work continued on the church until its centennial celebration in 1973. It was during the time between post-construction and full completion that Dominican Father Lawrence A. McMahon, vicar general of the Dominican Congregation of California (later the Western Dominican province), commissioned many of the windows. While there were a few artists who worked on the windows at St. Dominic’s, Max Ingrand designed the window of Christ in Glory. Ingrand, a French glassworker, also designed windows in Sainte-Agnès in Maisons-Alfort, NotreDame de Paris and later the Saint-Pierre d’Yvetot Church in Normandy. He is known for his use of bold, luminous colors in his designs. Ingrand played a key role in redesigning stained-glass windows in post-World War II Europe and also worked on commissioned projects, of which St. Dominic’s Christ in Glory was one. The window was completed and installed in the late 1960s. “The Christ in Glory window is one of the signature

features of St Dominic’s. Its beauty and attention to detail is astonishing,” said Dominican Father Michael Hurley, pastor of St. Dominic’s. “When scaffolding was erected to support this window during the seismic retrofit, I had the opportunity to view it up close at eye level. Even though he knew that few would be able to fully appreciate it, the artist took great pains to give each of the dozens of figures exquisite rendering. It was a labor of love.” The center of the window depicts Christ as king, surrounded by symbols of the four Gospels. Directly below him are three of the four Dominican popes (Pope Innocent V, Pope St. Pius V and Pope Benedict IX). Kneeling below the popes is St. Dominic. Surrounding Christ on either side are other Dominican saints, including Sts. Thomas Aquinas, Martin de Porres, OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

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MICHAEL T. SWEENEY Catherine of Siena and Rose of Lima, among others. Also included are four banners – for the universal church, the Western Dominican province, the Order of Preachers and St. Dominic’s Parish. The window consists of 177 panels – 52 lancets plus tracery – covering 646 square feet. During the restoration of the windows in the late 2000s, it took stained-glass artisans working continuously over four months to clean and relead these panels. As the faithful pass under the stained glass, they are reminded not only of Christ’s kingship, but also of the hope of one day joining the saints depicted in beholding the beatific vision and Christ in his eternal glory. ■ CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

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COMMUNION OF SAINTS:

Love is the direction and the directive BY J. A. GRAY J. A. Gray is a writer and editor, and most recently served as communication manager for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

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ince we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us, and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith” (Heb 12:1-2). The merciful love of God and his saints The communion of saints is a teaching of the Catholic faith that we profess in every recitation of the Creed at Mass. Pope St. Paul VI describes the dogma well in his 1968 “Credo of the People of God”: “We believe in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are attaining their purification and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one church; and we believe that in this communion the merciful love of God and his saints is ever listening to our prayers.” In Latin, the name is “communio sanctorum.” In English, “communion of saints” joins together two of the most beautiful and positive nouns in our language. This short phrase expresses a truth that is supernatural and even mystical – but it evokes a feeling that is as natural and comfortable as family and friendship and camaraderie. It tells us that we belong to a vast fellowship of souls from all the ages of faith. This colorful spiritual panorama of personalities is a prime example of unity in diversity, gathering together all of the faithful and recognizing the three distinct but adjacent neighborhoods in which they dwell: earth, purgatory and heaven. In weighty Latinate terms, those on earth are the church militant, those in purgatory the church penitent and those in heaven the church triumphant. But the experts have a single, simple word for the essence of this teaching: solidarity. Solidarity and mutual support “The communion of saints is the spiritual solidarity,” says the 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia, “which binds together the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven in the organic unity of the same mystical body under Christ its head, and in a constant interchange of supernatural offices.” The Second Vatican Council in 1963 in “Sacrosanctum Concilium” declared: “A supernatural

solidarity reigns among men. A consequence of this is that the sin of one person harms other people just as one person’s holiness helps others. In this way Christian believers help each other reach their supernatural destiny .... This is the very ancient dogma called the communion of saints.” Our pastors and teachers emphasize the sociability and the sharing. Pope Benedict XVI in “God Is Love” (“Deus caritas est”) says, “Union with Christ is also union with all those to whom he gives himself …; this sacramental ‘mysticism’ is social in character.” The Catholic Encyclopedia speaks of “the mutual exchange of examples, prayers, merits and satisfactions,” and stresses that “every pious and holy action done by one belongs to and is profitable to all.” There is deep theology here. But a theological non-sophisticate like myself thinks inevitably of “support groups,” those social inventions that have aided so many people in recent years in their search for health, or peace, or wisdom or companionship. Is it irreverent to think of the communion of saints as the original support group? (World’s oldest and largest support group, our advertisement might say). This group meets not monthly, or weekly, but is continually in session. You can drop in anytime, to pray to, pray for, learn from and bask in the company of our sisters and brothers in faith from every age. OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

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The Letter to the Hebrews, quoted above, reminds new Christians of the heroic faithful in the Bible, describing these ancestors as “a great cloud of witnesses” that “surrounds” the newly baptized. Scholars of Scripture note that in the original Greek the image is not of a cloud drifting in the sky (“nephele”) but of a cloud that fills the whole field of view on all sides (“nephos”). The new Christians are pictured in a stadium full of spectators, readying themselves – it’s a favorite Pauline metaphor – for a foot race toward salvation. As I read this passage, the imagined arena is so crammed with supporters that the novice faithful down on the running track are, as it were, socked in by the abundance of friendly souls. The multitudinous particles that constitute this grand fog bank of benevolence are the saints who are our predecessors: “Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith,” urges the writer (Heb. 13:7).

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Lessons of the COVID pandemic This image of a dense cloud of fellow humans with whom we share a healthful communion and a salutary solidarity is pleasing, but reading it today is a bit of a shock. Since the pandemic began, we have lived in fear of crowds and clouds – those clouds of breath we all used to exchange so casually. We have had to express our communion with others by keeping away from them. We have learned to show our solidarity by masking ourselves and vaccinating ourselves. Sociability has been replaced by social distancing. COVID-19 has done incalculable damage, and the danger continues. This disaster has certainly, however, opened our eyes to the willy-nilly intimacy of all human › CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

relations, even across continents and oceans. We are all vulnerable, and all exposed, all potential “vectors” to one another. We have seen with stark clarity that each of us exists in multitudinous branching relationships with others whom we do not even know, and that our private or local behaviors have public and global consequences. The teachers of the communion of saints say that in the spiritual realm there are “mutual exchanges” and a “special interconnectedness” by which “the sin of one person harms other people just as one person’s holiness helps others.” COVID-19 provides us a sharply etched physical analogy to this Christian insight: In body, as in soul, we do not live by and for ourselves. Saints and sinners and seven centuries of poetry The communion of saints portrays the faithful in three distinct situations: souls on earth, souls in purgatory and souls in heaven. Absent from this communion (by definition, self-excommunicated from it) are the souls in hell. But is any portrait of our spiritual universe complete without hell? The closing months of 2021 are an ideal opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with Dante Alighieri and his incomparable poetic triptych of hell (Inferno), purgatory (Purgatorio) and heaven (Paradiso) in “The Divine Comedy.” “Dante died 700 years ago on Sept. 13, 1321, of malaria, which was the COVID of his time,” says Robert Royal,

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In body, as in soul, we do not live by and for ourselves. editor of The Catholic Thing website. Royal is among the many scholars, teachers and readers who are paying special attention this year to the work of the great poet. There are many lectures, webinars, book groups and panel discussions online. And why is Dante the one to read today, all these centuries later? Royal sums it up neatly: “In his work you find a comprehensive synthesis of the biblical, classical and medieval worlds ... and all presented in a brilliant poem, maybe the greatest poem ever written, culminating in what few poets would dare attempt: a presentation of the beatific vision. ... And yet there’s a single golden thread that is woven into the tapestry, which unifies everything: Love, real love, the authentic and foundational love that created everything and variously manifests itself in human life, nature and supernature. ‘The love that moves the sun and other stars’ (‘L’amor che move il sole e l’altre stelle’), as he writes in the very last line of Paradiso.” Love is the direction. It is our origin and our destination, the path we travel in the company of all the saints. ■

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16 Focal place of the Mass

3 Honorific title for a bishop

18 Easter requirement

4 Son of Rebekah and Isaac

20 “…___, holy, catholic and apostolic…”

5 Brought by a wise man 6 Holy Thursday that begins the Triduum

21 Beatific ___

9 Conferred Holy Orders

22 Hail Mary or Grace before meals

11 4D and his brother

25 Commandment number

14 “A ___ of one crying out in the desert” (Lk 3:4)

26 OT prophetic bk.

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27 A fallen angel 28 “What God ___ joined together…”

17 Turned away from sin 18 ___ of the firstborn (plague)

29 Medieval concept that was never an official teaching of the Church

19 Council of ___ 23 What you do not use in unleavened bread

31 The day of the Resurrection 34 Pertaining to the bishops

24 Sinful

35 Mary appeared here in Ireland

26 Biblical instrument 29 The ___ Supper

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10 Epistle

7 Catholic United States Chief Justice Taney

12 ___ Sinai

8 She taught with her husband Aquila

13 Opposite or absence of good

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1 “___ let us adore him…”

32 Evil deeds

2 Direction from the Jordan to Bethlehem

33 OT book

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The Rite of Penance BY FATHER KEVIN KENNEDY This article is part of the Know the Mass series. Father Kevin Kennedy is pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Russian Byzantine Catholic Church, administrator at St. Monica-St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in San Francisco and formation adviser and spiritual director at St. Patrick’ Seminary & University.

s we continue our series on the Mass, begun last month, we reflect on the reality of our human condition in relation to God. Of course, the key is our acknowledgment that in the celebration of the Eucharist we are, in fact, in the presence of God. Without that conscious awareness, grounded in faith, we are prevented from experiencing true prayer and instead remain locked within a self-manufactured prison of falsehood and arrogance. In our first article we examined the contrasting attitudes of the Pharisee and the Publican in the story told by Jesus (Lk 18:914). Although he has entered the temple to pray, the Pharisee does not act as if he is in the house of God. Indeed, his self-referential musings really have nothing to do with God. He is essentially talking to himself, and all about himself. On the other hand, the Publican sees himself in the light of God’s infinite holiness. In the presence of that light, he is keenly aware that he has been brought by his Creator from nonexistence into being and that he is a fallen human creature, weak and sinful. His response to these realities is a primal yearning

for forgiveness, reconciliation and healing as he exclaims; “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” The Pharisee leaves the temple the way he entered it; empty and alone, whereas the Publican leaves justified in the sight of God. As we examine the introductory rites of the Mass, we take as our model and guide the figure of the Publican, whose faith and humility were extolled by the Lord. The Mass begins as the assembly of God’s people, the church, gathers together and sings the entrance chant. This is followed by a powerful expression acknowledging that we are, indeed, in the presence of God. The priest celebrant leads the community in reverently making the sign of the cross. We begin the liturgy not by focusing upon and celebrating ourselves, but with a bodily sign through which we express our belief in God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In sacred Scripture, a name represents the essence of a person. By invoking the name of God we stand in his presence in order to offer him our praise, thanksgiving and petitions. After greeting the assembly, the presider invites us to pray the penitential act in one of several options. The community is called to OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

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acknowledge sins in order to prepare to celebrate the sacred mysteries. Unlike the Pharisee who never acknowledged any unworthiness or personal sinfulness in the presence of God, we realize that we are entering into a special encounter with the Lord requiring preparation through confession of our sins and transgressions and asking God’s pardon. The confession of sin is personal (“I confess”), but also a communal act. We acknowledge the different areas in which we can sin, namely, our thoughts, our words, what we have done and what we have failed to do. The fundamental reference point for an integral examination of conscience is the law and commandments of God. The striking of the breast three times emphasizes personal guilt, repentance and sincere sorrow for sin. Finally, the celebrant invokes God’s mercy and asks that he forgive the sins of the gathered assembly. This prayer, however, is distinct from the formula of absolution in the sacrament of reconciliation (penance), which is required for the remission of grave (mortal) sins. In future articles we will examine the close connection between the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist. The penitential act is concluded by the members of the assembly making their own the sorrowful prayer of the Publican: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” In the form of a repetitive litany the priest and the people ask the Lord to have mercy upon all as, with trust and confidence in his goodness, they seek his pardon and peace. ■ CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

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New healing ministry for adult children of divorce launches in Bay Area BY BETHANY MEOLA Co-founder and vice president of Life-Giving Wounds. Her husband Dr. Daniel Meola is co-founder and president. The Meolas live in Bowie, Maryland, with their two daughters.

hen my husband Dan was 11, his parents separated. Like other children in this situation, he started shuttling between two ever-diverging homes. He dealt with feelings of anger, hurt and betrayal, but wasn’t sure where to turn for help or understanding. His parents’ split shook his trust in relationships, raised big questions about his own identity, and, for a time, damaged his relationship with God and the church. Thankfully, Dan found support from several attentive priests, his youth minister and especially his long-married grandparents, who gave the witness to lasting love he desperately needed. By the time we met in graduate school, he had experienced deep healing from the wounds caused by his family’s breakdown. But even when we got married – in a sad irony, during the same year his parents’ divorce was finalized – he had anxiety about whether our love could last. Dan is far from alone in his experiences. It probably goes without saying that family breakdown is widespread today through divorce, separation and a rise in cohabitation dissolution and other relationship disruptions. One sobering statistic is that fewer than half of children spend the entirety of their childhood together with their parents in a unified home. And sadly, those who come from broken homes are more likely to divorce themselves, if they marry at all. As the saying goes, a wound that isn’t transformed is transmitted. Knowing this, and also knowing the richness our church and faith have to offer all those who have suffered from their family’s

breakdown, Dan and I founded Life-Giving Wounds, a Catholic apostolate dedicated to giving voice to the pain of adult children of divorce or separation and helping them find deep spiritual healing. We want every now-adult child of divorce to have a place to turn, a community where others can receive and honor their pain, so they’re not left to cobble together the support they desire and deserve. Through in-person and online retreat experiences, support groups, online and print resources and more, Life-Giving Wounds wants every man and woman from a broken home to become cycle-breakers, and ultimately to find even within their wounds the Lord’s invitation to greater faith, hope and love. This fall, the Archdiocese of San Francisco launched a local Life-Giving Wounds chapter under the leadership of Ed Hopfner, director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life, and in collaboration with the Young Adult and Vocations offices. “Probably every family I know is touched, directly or indirectly, by divorce,” says Hopfner. “There’s a great need for healing. I’m so glad our archdiocesan team will be able to bring this powerful ministry to the Bay Area; my friends who have been through the retreat have said it was life-changing.” Starting Oct. 7, the new Life-Giving Wounds OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

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. (800) 276-1562 Report sexual abuse by a bishop or a bishop’s interference in a sexual abuse investigation to a confidential third party. www.reportbishopabuse.org

Bethany and her husband Dan on location at a Life Giving Wounds retreat in Denver, Colorado.

chapter of San Francisco is running a six-week online support group for adult children of divorce or separation. And then in March 2022, an inperson retreat will be held in the Bay Area, led by the Life-Giving Wounds traveling retreat team in collaboration with local leaders. Both of these events provide a one-of-akind opportunity for men and women from broken homes to come together in a faithinfused environment with others from a similar background. So often adult children of divorce can feel isolated or alone; they may wonder if their suffering “counts” or whether they should be “over it” by now. Life-Giving Wounds strives to create a space where adult children of divorce can share each other’s burdens and encourage each other to strive for greater peace and joy despite the challenges their family situations bring. Father Luke Joseph Leighton, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, is a priest › CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

WE WELCOME AND ARE GRATEFUL TO OUR ADVERTISERS! We hope our readers are enjoying this edition of Catholic San Francisco Magazine. A lot of thought, preparation and heart have gone into our new publication. A great deal of support has come from our advertisers. They have expressed excitement about a beautifully designed magazine that will be delivered 8 times each year to our current readership. Featured stories will inspire an appreciation for our faith and concurrently offer real assistance that will improve our lives in a myriad of ways.

To advertise, contact: MARY PODESTA 415.614.5644 podestam@sfarch.org

serving in the Diocese of Oakland, an adult child of divorce, and one of the over 600 people around the country who have attended a LifeGiving Wounds retreat or support group over the last several years.

The Lord always meets us in our wounds, but never leaves us there.” “The Life-Giving Wounds retreat is a pilgrimage,” says Father Leighton. “A sacred journey. Looking back over my retreat weekend, I can see that through the vulnerability of sharing my story, I was open to hearing and receiving the proclamation of the Lord’s suffering, death and resurrection in a way that poured healing love into the wound in my heart caused by my parents’ divorce. I can say with confidence that it is true, wounds can in fact become life-giving.” Topics covered in Life-Giving Wounds retreats and support groups include how the wound of divorce affects one’s identity, faith and relationships; what Christian forgiveness is (and isn’t); setting family boundaries and dealing with

difficult family relationships; the meaning of redemptive suffering; and more. And knowing that our greatest healing comes from our relationship with God, all Life-Giving Wounds events are grounded on prayer, eucharistic adoration, the sacraments and Catholic devotions that help build a deeper relationship with Jesus the healer. Finally, a guided small-group component gives an opportunity to connect with other adult children of divorce and share support, empathy and encouragement with each other. Praise God that none of our wounds are beyond the Lord’s healing touch. We have seen some amazing examples of men and women who have been deeply wounded by their parents’ choices and family dysfunction become, through the healing power of our faith and the support of others, some of the most prayerful, joyful people. The Lord always meets us in our wounds, but never leaves us there. So to the vast number of people who have lost the love of the parents together, we in the LifeGiving Wounds community see you, we honor your pain and we’re here for you as you strive to live a life of deeper trust in God and others. We invite you to come and see what Life-Giving Wounds is all about. ■

Carpenters Union Local 2236 Tel. (510) 446-2236 115 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607

Millmen - Cabinetmakers - Furniture Workers 44 Shipwrights - Industrial Carpenters

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

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1793 4

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9/10/2021 36 outside of CA

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Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

450

51,522 Statement of Ownership, Statement Management, of48,826 Ownership, and Circula Manage Editor (Name and complete mailing address) (Requester Publications (Reques O Statement of Ownership, Management, Circulation g. Copies not Distributed (See Instructionsand to Publishers #4, (page #3)) 50 50 (Oct.Complete 2020-Mar.Mailing 2021). Valerie Schmalz (Apr. 2021-Sept. 2021). 9.Rick FullDelVecchio Names and Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor (Do blank) 2. Publication 1. Publication Title 1. Publication Title not leave 2. Publication 3. Filing Number Date (Requester Publications Only)Number f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and e)

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Paid and/or Requested Circulation _Percent 4. Issue Frequency 4.i. Issue Frequency 5. Number of Issues Published Annually 5. Number of Issues Subscription Published Ann Pric 99 6. Annual 99 (15c divided by 15f times 100) (if any) Rick DelVecchio (Oct. 2020-Mar. 2021). Valerie Schmalz (Apr. 2021-Sept. 2021). 4. Issue Frequency 5. Number of Issues Annually Subscription Price * If youPublished are claiming electronic copies, go6.toAnnual line 16 on page 3. If you are not claiming electronic copies, skip to line 17 on page 3. (if any) One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109 ®) 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known 7. Complete Office ofMailing Publication Address (Notofprinter) Known(Street, Office of city, Publication county, state, (Not and printer) ZIP+4 (Street, city, county, Contact state, Person and ZIP+4 ®) 10. Owner (Do not leave blank. If the publication is owned by a corporation, give the name and address of the corporation immediately followed by the 16. Electronic Copy Circulation Average No. Copies No. Copies of Single Editor (Name and complete mailing address) ®) 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication (Not printer) (Street, city, county, state, and ZIP+4 Contact Person names and addresses of all stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, give the Each Issue During Issue Published Telephone (Include area co N/A names and addresses of the individual owners. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, give its name and address as well as those of Previous 12 Months Nearest to Filing Date

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The Roman Catholic Archbishop

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of San Francisco, CA A Corporation

San Francisco, CA 9.94190 TotalNames Requested Copy DistributionEditor, (Line 15f)and + Requested/Paid Copies Full Names and Complete Mailing 9.c.Addresses Full ofand Publisher, Complete Mailing Addresses ManagingElectronic of Editor Publisher, (Do not Editor, leaveand blank) Managing Editor (Do not leave blank) (Line 16a) Publisher (Name and complete mailing Publisher address) (Name and complete mailing address) 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor (Do not leave blank) Sole d. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Both Print & Electronic Copies) Publisher (Name and complete mailing address) (16b divided by 16c Í 100)

Formname 3526-R, July 2014 (Page 2 of 4) 10. Owner (Do not leave blank. If the publication is ownedEditor by (Name a corporation, give PSthe and of address) the corporation immediately followed by the I certify that 50% alladdress my distributed copies (electronic and print) are legitimate requests or paid copies. and complete mailingEditor address) (Name andofcomplete mailing names and addresses of all stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, give the Editor (Name and complete mailing address) names and addresses of the individual owners. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, give its name and addressOctober as well25, as 2021 those of 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or 17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the each individual published by a nonprofit organization, its name and address.) Other Securities. If none, check box.owner. If the publication is X None issuegive of this publication. Managing Editor (Name and complete Managing mailingEditor address) (Name and complete mailing address) Complete Mailing Address Full Name Full Name Complete Mailing Address 18. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner Date Managing Editor (Name and complete mailing address)

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48,276

51,022 Mailing Address Complete

22,534

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b. Legitimate Paid and/or In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541. Requested (Include direct written request from recipient, telemarketing, and Internet 26,762 25,742 Distribution (2) requests from recipient, paid subscriptions including nominal rate subscriptions, (By mail employer requests, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies.) and outside 12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit 12. Tax Status organizations (For completion authorized by to nonprofit mail at organizations nonprofit rates) authorized (Check one) to mail at nonprofit rates) (Check one) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter the mail) (3) Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS® The purpose, function, and nonprofit The status purpose, of thisfunction, organization and nonprofit and the exempt status ofstatus this organization for federal income and thetax exempt purposes: status for federal income tax pu 12. Tax Status (For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at nonprofit rates) (Check one) Has Changed During Preceding Has 12 Not Months Changed During Preceding 12 Months The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and theNot exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS (4) Has Changed During Preceding 12Has Months Changed (Publisher During must Preceding submit 12 explanation Months (Publisher of changemust with this submit statement.) explanation of change with this statemen ®) Changed During Preceding 12 Months HasMail Not (e.g.,(For First-Class 50 at nonprofit rates) (Check one) 50 12. Tax Status completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2021 Has Changed During Preceding 12 Months/ (Publisher must submit explanation of change statement.) PS Form 3526-R , July 2014 [PagePS 1with ofForm 4 this (See 3526-R instructions , July 2014 page [Page 4)] PSN: 1 of 7530-09-000-8855 4 (See instructions page 4)] PSN: 7530-09-000-8855 PRIVACY NOTICE: See our privacyPRIVACY policy on NOTICE www.usp c. The Total Paidpurpose, and/or Requestedfunction, Circulation (Sum ofand 15b (1),nonprofit (2), (3), and (4)) status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: 48,326 51,072 PS Form 3526-R, July 2014 [Page 1 of 4 (See instructions page 4)] PSN: 7530-09-000-8855 PRIVACY NOTICE: See our privacy policy on www.usps.com.

Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months Outside County Nonrequested Copies Stated on PS Form 3541 (include sample copies, requests over 3 years old, requests induced by a premium,

EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS |

OBITUARY

SISTER KATHLEEN (JOHNINE) MCGRATH, BVM, age 84, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, Mount Carmel Bluffs in Dubuque, Iowa. Funeral services held Sept. 2, 2021; burial Mount Carmel Cemetery. Born July 10, 1937 in San Francisco to John and Mae (Culhane) McGrath; entered Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sept. 8, 1955, from Epiphany parish, SF; professed first vows Feb. 3, 1958, and final vows July 16, 1963. Sister Kathleen was food service director 19922003 and program director 2003-2006 at Family Support Center in Santa Rosa, CA., and volunteered there for Catholic Charities and food banks in Santa Rosa. She was a nutritionist at Mercy Medical Center and food service supervisor at Mt. Carmel, both in Dubuque, and convent cook in Clinton, all in Iowa. Preceded in death by her parents; brothers Eugene and William; and special cousin Jack Noonan. Survived by a sister – Sr. Jarlath McGrath, OP, Fremont, CA; sister-in-law Shirley McGrath, Norwich Conn; special cousin Frank (Lois) Noonan, San Rafael, CA; nieces and nephews; and Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 65 years. Memorials to Sisters of Charity BVM Support Fund, 1100 Carmel Dr., Dubuque, IA 52003; online gifts: www..bvmsisters.org

SERVICE DIRECTORY |

CLASSIFIEDS

RETIREMENT HOMES

HELP WANTED

COLUMBIAN CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS RETIREMENT HOME SOUGHT FOR ARCHDIOCESAN SCHOOLS An Independent Living Facility The Department of Catholic Schools Located in Historic of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, Marysville, CA is seeking elementary principal candidates for Starting at $1300 per Month the 2022-2023 school year. Candidates must be a (Negotiable based on need) practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Call: 530.743.7542 church, possess a valid California Standard Teaching columbianretirementhome.org Credential or the equivalent from another state, CA Knights of Columbus a Master’s Degree in an educational field and/or Retirement Facilities California administrative credential or the Certificate 2012 HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGES in Catholic School Administration from Loyola May 26-June 6 & September 18-29*, be certified as a catechist at Marymount University TRAVEL the basic level** and have five years of experience in teaching and/or in administration with Catholic school experience. Fr. Mario DiCicco

Join Franciscan

*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. JOIN FRANCISCAN FR. MARIO DICICCO (PhD In New Testament) Tour Of Columbia, Ecuador and Galapagos Islands — January 14-30, 2022 Shrines of Blessed Mother in France, Spain & Portugal — April 19-May 7, 2022 Holy Land Pilgrimage (A Lenten Journey) — March 19-30, 2022 Sardinia, Sicily, Southern Italy — May 24-June 9, 2022 Holy Land and Jordan — September 2-19, 2022 Turkey II and Dubai — October dates tbd

Fr. Mario has been leading pilgrims to the Holy Land for 43 years. (Tours in Conjunction with Santours-#2092780-40) Contact Fr. Mario at: (312) 888-1331 or mmdicicco@gmail.com FrMarioTours.weebly.com

SEEKING USED CAR / TRUCK / RV

TRANSPORTATION NEEDED Private person seeking to buy a used car, truck and RV Call Grant: 415.517.5977

** 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 visiting: www.sfarch.org/ employment. The requested material plus a letter of interest should be submitted before Feb. 15 to: Christine Escobar, Human Resources Manager Department of Catholic Schools One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109 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)

HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CEMETERY, SAN DIEGO, CA Cemetery Assistant Manager

Main responsibilities are, the supervision of the Family Service Counselor’s team, the daily funeral schedule Cemetery Plotting QUALIFICATIONS At least five years’ experience as Family Service Counselor With two or more years as team manager. Possess the ability to interact effectively with clients. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products Knowledge of the Catholic Faith, a practicing Catholic. Bachelor’s degree a plus Bilingual, English and Spanish a plus. TO APPLY SUBMIT A RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery 4470 Hilltop Dr., San Diego, CA 92102 mario@holycrosssd.com

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS |

AUTOMOTIVE

MENLO PARK CHEVRON – EXTRA MILE STORE Nativity Church Parishioners Serving Menlo Park since 1974 1200 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025 650-323-4239 www.menlochevron.com

CHURCH GOODS

MCCOY CHURCH GOODS, INC. Serving No. California Over 100 Years * Bibles * Books * Statues * Medals * Communion * Confirmation * RCIA * Baptismal Gifts * Nativities * Rosaries 1010 Howard Ave., San Mateo, CA 94401 1.800.824.4652 www.mccoychurch.com

FENCES AND DECKS

JOHN SPILLANE FENCES & DECKS Lic. # 742961 Retaining Walls, Stairs, Gates, Dry Rot Senior & Parishioner Discounts 650-291-4303 CROSSWORD ANSWERS

FLOORING

CHACON FLOORING Hardwood Floors, Refinishing, Carpets, Linoleum, Custom Commercial/Residential C: 415-297-1715 O: 415-769-5367 www.chaconflooring.com Warehouse/Showroom: 76 Charter Oak Ave. San Francisco, CA 94124

HANDYMAN

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SERVICE DIRECTORY |

LANDSCAPING & GARDENING

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RETREATS

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PRINTER

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SILVERSMITHS

BIRO & SONS, INC. We restore family heirlooms. 1150 Folsom Street San Francisco, CA 94103 415.431.3480 birosilver@gmail.com

ST. CLARE’S RETREAT CENTER Peaceful, quiet setting. Virtual, House, Contract retreats 2381 Laurel Glen Rd. Soquel, CA 95073 831-423-8093 stclaresretreatcenter@ gmail.com VALLOMBROSA CENTER Conferences and meetings, Retreat and spirituality programs. Overnight accommodations 250 Oak Grove Avenue Menlo Park, CA 94025 www.vallombrosa.org 650-325-5614 www.biroandsons.com

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Vaccine Mandates FAQ The Archdiocese of San Francisco released guidance on the COVID-19 vaccine in September. The questions below are a partial reprint. Can Catholics receive the COVID-19 vaccines? Yes. See Archbishop Cordileone’s video statement on this issue by visiting www.sfarch.org/vaccine-mandate-faq/. Can Catholics choose, in good conscience, NOT to receive a COVID-19 vaccine? Yes. While everyone has a duty to preserve his or her own life and to act in accord with the common good, medical treatment should, in principle, be voluntary. No one should ever be forced to undergo any medical treatment, including vaccination. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services states, “The free and informed consent of the person...is required for medical treatments and procedures.” The CDF note points out that this is not only a religious principle, but that, “practical reason makes evident that vaccination is not, as a rule, a moral obligation and that, therefore, it must be voluntary” (emphasis added). Informed consent has always been a foundational medical principle and still represents the sine qua non of medical practice even in secular settings. Is there any connection between the COVID-19 vaccines and abortion? Yes, however, this connection is remote. Currently, all three of the vaccines in common use in the United States – Pfizer (now called “Comirnity”), Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson – have some connection to the use of aborted fetal tissue in testing or production. The official Church teaching on the morality of these COVID-19 vaccines is articulated in the December 2020 note from the

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) which explains, “when ethically irreproachable COVID-19 vaccines are not available...it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process” (emphasis in original). The note from the CDF continues, “It should be emphasized, however, that the morally licit use of these types of vaccines...does not in itself constitute a legitimation, even indirect, of the practice of abortion, and necessarily assumes the opposition to this practice by those who make use of these vaccines.” Does the Church support Catholics in being vaccinated against COVID-19? Yes. While the available vaccines do not provide 100% protection against transmission and infection of COVID-19, and in particular against the so-called “Delta variant,” they do still provide a significant degree of protection and greatly reduce the risk of hospitalization and even death should breakthrough infection occur. For these reasons, Pope Francis, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Archbishop Cordileone have all supported Catholics, in consultation with their doctors, to make use of the COVID-19 vaccines as an effective means of limiting both the spread and effects of COVID-19. Can encouragement ever become coercive? Yes, and that’s a problem. It is important to ensure that encouragement does not become coercion. Catholics should not, for example, engage in the shaming of anyone who, for whatever reason, chooses not to be vaccinated. Nor should anyone be shamed or ridiculed for choosing to be vaccinated. We must also voice concern about promoting vaccination in ways that

may be coercive or that place unjust burdens on someone who chooses not to be vaccinated such as denying them the right to work, to participate in society, and to have access to an education. Further, unnecessarily strict mandates could widen the already chasmic socio-political divide and create a kind of class division between people based on vaccination status – “the vaccinated” vs. the “unvaccinated”. What about conscience exemptions? “Conscience,” declared the Second Vatican Council, “is the most secret core and sanctuary of a man. There he is alone with God, Whose voice echoes in his depths.” While no one’s conscience is infallible and, while everyone has the responsibility to form his or her own conscience, each person also has the responsibility to obey his or her conscience even if it is in error (see Catechism of the Catholic Church §1790.) No one should be forced or coerced to violate their conscience when it comes to medical decisionmaking. Vaccination mandates, even if they are reasonable and not overly broad, should still include medical and conscience exemptions. No one may replace or speak for someone else’s conscience – not a priest, not a medical professional, and not the state. What responsibilities do I have if I choose not to be vaccinated? Those who discern for themselves or for their children not to be vaccinated nevertheless have a responsibility to pursue other means of mitigating the spread of COVID-19. The individual decision not to be vaccinated does not dispense one from the responsibility to act in accord with the common good. The CDF note states, “Those who, however, for reasons of conscience, refuse vaccines produced with cell lines from aborted fetuses, must do their utmost to avoid, by other prophylactic means and appropriate behavior, becoming vehicles for the transmission of the infectious agent.” ■

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

This holiday, holiday, we weare arecounting countingon onyour your compassion compassion to tohelp helpus usfeed, feed,heal, heal,shelter, shelter, clothe, clothe, and and lift liftthe thespirits spiritsofofthose thoseininneed. need. Donate Donate now now to togive givethe thegift giftofofHoliday HolidayHope. Hope. CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

Scan thethe code or go Scan code or to go to StAnthonySF.org/Holiday-Hope StAnthonySF.org/Holiday-Hope 49 gift.gift. to to make an an immediate make immediate

“[JESUS] ASKS US NOT TO DECIDE WHO

IS CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE OUR NEIGHBOUR, BUT RATHER THAT WE OURSELVES BECOME NEIGHBOURS TO ALL.” POPE FRANCIS Fratelli Tutti

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 | CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO