January 23, 2009

St. Elizabeth School’s critical year: campus hopes to ‘get the secret out’

By Rick DelVecchio

Newspaper launches new online ‘e-dition’ A reinvigorated Catholic San Francisco website that features multi-media segments, in-depth features, ongoing updates of national and international news, online advertising opportunities, wide-ranging arts and entertainment reviews, commentary, Scripture reflections and extensive local coverage recently went live.

Visit www.catholic-sf.org.

Extensive research and planning went into the website. Ease of use and a wide variety of options for visitors were key, said Rick DelVecchio, the website’s editor.

DelVecchio has overseen production of several multimedia offerings on the site, including an interview this week with pro-life activist Rev. Walter Hoye, II, who is currently appealing a conviction in conjunction with sidewalk counseling at an Oakland abortion clinic.

An image of the website’s homepage is carried on the back cover of this edition.

T

his is the first of periodic reports on St. Elizabeth and other schools’ efforts to increase enrollment and face other challenges described in the recent in-depth study of all Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Supporters of St. Elizabeth School say it is one of the best-kept secrets on the south side of San Francisco.

But now administrators, teachers, parents and alumni are joining forces to make sure the secret gets out – and not a moment too soon.

The trigger for the double-time burst of organizing at the K-8 parish school is a report card by a consultant to the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s schools department. Catholic Education Consulting Services, brought on by the archdiocesan Council of Priests, ranked all 54 Catholic K-8 schools in San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties on a numerical scale that measured “Catholic spirit,” leadership, educational excellence, business operations and overall viability.

St. Elizabeth ranked low to middling in each category and was singled out for a pointed one-paragraph summary in the consultant’s report. The building needs work, the finances are under stress, parish demographics are not promising for enrollment growth and leadership is “weak,” the consultant said.

The school is not well positioned for the future,

according to the consultant, and “its negative position is so profound that it would need considerable resources and at least five to seven years to recover.”

It is fair to say that advocates of St. Elizabeth differed with the assessment and questioned how some of the subjective scores, such as spirit and leadership, were reached. The school scored between 300 and 360 on the consultant’s 600-point scale, which assigned up to 100 for spirit and 130 for leadership.

“You can’t dwell on it,” long-time Principal Gene Dabdoub said. “Otherwise it would do you in.”

Instead of contesting the study, the St. Elizabeth community, including elders who go back to the school’s founding by the Presentation Sisters in 1949, has decided to use it as an opportunity to prove their school has a sustainable future. They have informed Archbishop George H. Niederauer of their efforts and their intent to have a progress report on his desk by the end of March. Similar remedial planning has begun at other schools, each of which has received a report detailing trouble spots.

ST. ELIZABETH, page CS12

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

President Obama: Nation’s religious heritage ‘a strength, not a weakness’ (PHOTO BY RICHARD ROSSI/NDNU)

By Mark Pattison

Historic presidential inauguration viewed More than 350 people – from first graders and college students to faculty and community members – attended the Jan. 20 U.S. presidential inauguration event at Notre Dame de Namur University’s Gleason Gymnasium where a large-screen display showed the swearing-in ceremony and presidential address. Panel discussions also took place. Many faithful from the Archdiocese of San Francisco attended the event in Washington, D.C. See additional coverage on pages 6 and 7.

WASHINGTON (CNS) – The United States’ multiple religious traditions are “a strength, not a weakness,” said President Barack Obama Jan. 20 in his inaugural address.

“Our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness,” said the nation’s 44th president after he was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, one of five Catholics on the Supreme Court.

“We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and nonbelievers,” Obama continued.

“We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of Civil War and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united,” he said, “we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.”

Obama acknowledged the challenges facing the country throughout his 2,400-word address, delivered before a teeming throng at the Capitol and stretching forth on PRESIDENT OBAMA, page 6

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Obama cautioned . . . . . . . . . 5 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 St. Paul and art . . . . . . . . . . 12

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www.catholic-sf.org VOLUME 11

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No. 3

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Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

On The

St Matthew School baseball coaches, Tom Burke, left, Steve Sirianni and Dave Hernandez with, top from left: Richard Burke, Brennan Carey, Jonathan Hernandez, Connor McCann, Jake Simons; middle from left: Brian Fitzgerald, Christian Villanueva, Mascot Julia Villanueva, Stephen Bodley, Matthew Blais; bottom from left: Massimo Sirianni, Kyle Moscaret, Erik Rudberg, Danny Mahoney. Matthew Dickerson was unavailable for the photo. The team took the crown in this year’s 7th grade parochial school baseball.

Where You Live

By Tom Burke

Jesuit Fathers Mario and Paul Capitolo

‘Twas a pleasure to run into well-known brothers and Jesuit Fathers Mario and Paul Capitolo. Father Mario, now 84 and living at his order’s Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, taught physics for 42 years at Bellarmine Prep in San Jose. Father Paul, 74, has served as teacher, guidance counselor, plant manager and now bookstore manager at San Francisco’s St. Ignatius College Preparatory, where he is a member of the class of ’53, for 38 years. Father Paul told me many people ask how the two have stayed in their assignments for so long. “We have a little slogan we live by,” he told me with a chuckle: “If you don’t moan and groan, they leave you alone.” The Capitolo family’s roots are in Italy and in the U.S. in Utah. “My dad, Clemente, and his brother, Mario, were scheduled to sail from England to New York City in 1912 but my uncle took sick and the trip was delayed,” Father Paul said. The ship the men did not board was the Titanic, he said, noting the two went to NYC later on sister ship, Olympic. The brothers were almost immediately invited to Salt Lake City to work on a new hotel during which time, Clemente, on a visit to San Francisco, met the priests’ mom, Assunta Rossi. The couple was married in the basement of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in North Beach Dec. 16, 1922, later moving back to Utah to establish the Capitolo family home. Father Mario entered the Jesuits in 1948 after earning an electrical engineering degree from Marquette University, serving several years in the Navy and a few more in the work world. He was ordained a priest in 1959. Father Paul entered the order in 1957 after completing undergraduate work at the University of San Francisco. He was ordained a priest in 1969. “This has been a wonderful life for us both,” said Father Paul, who assists with Masses at parishes including Good Shepherd in Pacifica, St. Matthias in Redwood City and St. Brendan in San Francisco. Father Mario’s address is Jesuit Center, P.O. Box 128, Los

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Gatos, 95031. Father Paul can be reached at SI, 2001 37th Ave., San Francisco 94116…. Thanks to the Knights of Columbus of Our Lady of the Pillar for bringing their annual Christmas Nativity scene to life in Half Moon Bay. Mel Schwing, a founder of the seasonal drama in 1987, says people come from all directions to see the play during its 10-day run. Santa Clause who showed up in the person of parish Deacon John McGhee at the Kof C Christmas party is a regular. HMB mayor, John Muller, played a shepherd.

Christmas Eve through Jan. 4, members of the cast serve as ministers of the Mass in roles including gift bearers, hospitality and taking up the collection. Other players included Rob Mansell, Jim Sutro, Terry Smith, Theresa Smith, Rey Bulosan, Joe Keenan, and Norbert Rojas. While we’re here, the St. Vincent de Paul Conference at Our Lady of the Pillar needs a new refrigerator for food it delivers during holidays but mostly year-round to families in need. “They are doing heroic work over on the coast side,” said Margie Jung, development director for San Mateo County County SVdP and the person to call – (650) 373-0622 – if you’d

like to contribute toward this very worthy effort… Holy Name of Jesus Parish and School announce their annual crab cioppino event Feb. 7. Father Don D’Angelo discounted tickets by $5 each through Jan. 20 but methinks if we ask real nice, the price could still be at the lower rate. Have fun! See Datebook.….This is an empty space without you! E-mail items and pictures to burket@sfarchdiocese.org. Mail items and pictures to “Street”, One Peter Yorke Way, SF 94109.

Pix should be hard copy or electronic jpeg at 300 dpi. Don’t forget to include a follow-up phone number. Call me at (415) 614-5634 and I’ll walk you through it.

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HELPLINES FOR CLERGY/CHURCH SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS 415-614-5506 This number is answered by Barbara Elordi, Archdiocesan Pastoral Outreach Coordinator.

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January 23, 2009

Catholic San Francisco

3

Marin pro-life pregnancy center offers hope, help for mothers-to-be

BACORR has sponsored protest rallies at each local Walk for Life event.

Details of possible speakers and activities planned for the event, as well as estimates of the potential crowd, were not available at press time. Past endorsements of the counter rally have come from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the San Francisco Labor Council, Code Pink, San Francisco Atheists, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Choice USA.

Pro-life events scheduled today, Sunday In addition to the Walk for Life West Coast on Jan. 24, two San Francisco pro-life events are scheduled to mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe vs. Wade. The first, the 22nd annual Interfaith Memorial Service for the Victims of Abortion, will be held today, Jan. 23, at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 7:30 p.m. Scheduled speakers are the Rev. Aris Matrakas, pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in San Francisco, and Divine Word Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, superior general of Sisters for Life in New York City. The Interfaith Committee for Life is the event

Pro-lifer will appeal

nancy, and it does not have the resources to deliver babies.

What it does provide, as a non-profit, is free care to the community it serves. That service includes free ultrasounds with pictures expectant mothers can take home, help with adoption planning, teen parenting classes, free maternity and infant clothing, Lamaze classes and post-abortion counseling.

Staff also keep track of patients’ due dates, and call for counseling and encouragement as the date approaches.

And as the only free prenatal care center in Marin County that does not refer for abortions, the task is large.

“Our vision is to help the people in Marin County to have the healthiest pregnancies they can have,” Strom said. “We want that for the girls who come in here.”

The average age of PRC’s patients is between 23 and 24, Strom said, but she has seen girls as young as 13.

Strom told of one girl in junior high school who came in with three friends. “They all thought it would be cool to be pregnant,” Strom said. “In those cases, we try to talk about abstinence and sexually transmitted diseases. We ask them if they think their relationships can withstand the stresses of a pregnancy. She was not even in high school yet, and she was pregnant.”

Strom said when she counsels patients, she often shares her own past. Younger and before she became a Christian, Strom had two abortions. She said when she became pregnant with her now 29-year-old, reading the development books and drawing on her new faith made her realize she had done something terrible.

This in turn led her to the PRC, where she eventually became the executive director after the previous director stepped down for health reasons.

Walk for Life protest planned In response to the fifth annual Walk for Life West Coast tomorrow, Jan. 24, a group calling itself Bay Area Coalition for Our Reproductive Rights will stage a counter rally at the Music Concourse on Embarcadero Street at the end of Market in San Francisco.

Organizers said the rally will “celebrate the theme of diversity and inclusion, championing immigrant rights, queer rights and reproductive rights.”

Robin Strom, executive director of the Pregnancy Resource Center of Marin, stands with the center’s ultrasound machine. Strom said sonogram pictures like those hanging on the wall behind her have graphically underscored the living fetus and saved the lives of unborn children.

sponsor. For more information, call (415) 664-3590.

On Jan. 25, San Francisco’s Right to Life Committee will sponsor the 8th Annual Pro-Life Candlelight Prayer Vigil on the sidewalk in front of 2107 O’Farrell.

Participants will pray the joyful mysteries of the rosary, and are asked to bring an item of baby clothing, baby wipes, bottles or diapers for a donation basket.

All items will be used at local pregnancy resource centers. Candles will be provided.

The vigil will last from 7 - 8 p.m. For more information, call (415) 661-6277.

(PHOTO BY RICK DELVECCHIO/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

In her nearly two decades working at the Pregnancy Resource Center of Marin, Robin Strom has witnessed both the unusual and the miraculous.

A woman brought in her 15-year-old daughter for a pregnancy test on a Monday.

The girl had only had sex one time, eight months prior, and was not showing. The test was positive. The center gave her an appointment for a clinic visit the following Monday.

“She and her mother came in on Wednesday and she was complaining of a stomach ache,” said Strom, PRC’s executive director. “I asked her how often and she said, ‘Every five minutes.’”

The girl was taken to the hospital and delivered her baby, having found out she was pregnant just two days prior.

“She never even made it to her first appointment,” Strom said.

Another woman came in and told the center staff that she had an abortion. She was concerned because her period had never started again. Nurses performed an ultrasound. The woman was eight months pregnant.

“The abortion didn’t work,” Strom said. “This baby was slated to be dead, but God had his hand on it.”

Some come in off the street to the clinic, located at 1320A Grant Ave. in Novato, while others make appointments by phone or contact the center through its website, www.prcmarin.org.

When it opened 21 years ago, the center had limited services, providing pregnancy tests and modest resources for expectant mothers. Strom and her fellow workers wanted to do more, so the center opened a medical clinic in 2000.

Before the clinic could open, Strom had to find a doctor to be its medical director, a task she said was the most difficult she experienced during the transition. Strom finally found the physician she sought in Dr. Vicki Duncan.

Duncan had given up a practice in Bakersfield to move to Marin because she felt God had called her to make the move.

When Strom contacted her with news that a pro-life pregnancy center needed a medical director, Duncan said she knew the reason behind the move.

“I saw it as a way to pay a bit back to my Lord for all he had done for me,” Duncan told Catholic San Francisco. “The center is essential. Someone needs to provide care for those who are in need.”

The clinic sees patients for the first seven months of pregnancy. Because of its limited staff, the PRC is not able to see patients in the frequency required during the late stages of preg-

(PHOTO BY MICHAEL VICK/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

By Michael Vick

Walter B. Hoye II, a Baptist minister in Berkeley and well known in the pro-life movement in the San Francisco Bay Area, said he will appeal his conviction by an Alameda County Superior Court jury last week for violating an Oakland law prohibiting harassment of people seeking access to health-care facilities. He was charged in connection with his sidewalk outreach to women in front of an abortion clinic. He was released pending sentencing Jan. 19. The maximum penalty for each of the two misdemeanor convictions is a year in jail and $2,000 fine. Today, Jan. 23, from noon to 2, in connection with the 5th Annual Walk for Life West Coast, Hoye’s Issues4Life Foundation will hold a pro-life walk in downtown Oakland. The walk will start at City Hall and will feature speakers Dr. Clenard A. Childress of blackgenocide.org and state Assembly candidate Craig Deluz of North Sacramento. This evening 7 to 9 p.m., at Shiloh Church, 3295 School St. in Oakland, the foundation will sponsor the 1st Annual East Bay Memorial Service for Victims of Abortion. Oakland Bishop Allen Vigneron is a scheduled speaker. Hoye speaks of his family’s deadly encounter with the Ku Klux Klan in a video interview on Catholic San Francisco’s new website, www.catholic-sf.org.

She hopes to continue and expand the work, but resources are limited. Strom said the center is meeting expenses, but to serve the community and keep up with the increasing number of patients, more will be needed over time.

“It’s not all about money,” Strom said. “We need volunteers. We need nurses and doctors. It’s not just our ministry, and we can’t do it alone.”

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Catholic San Francisco

NEWS

January 23, 2009

in brief (CNS PHOTO/PHILIMON BULAWAYO, REUTERS)

4

U.S.-Vatican ties mark anniversary VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Vatican and the United States quietly celebrated a silver anniversary in mid-January, marking 25 years of formal diplomatic relations. The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See observed the event with a symposium and a dinner, where about 50 guests toasted to a milestone that today seems inevitable, but once seemed unthinkable. The U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, Mary Ann Glendon, who was to leave her post six days later to return to a teaching job at Harvard, drew appreciative laughter at the dinner when she read from an 1865 letter that described Rome as the perfect listening post. At that time, the secretary of the U.S. legation to the Papal States wrote to his superiors in Washington and asked for a bigger budget so he could give “small but frequent entertainments” to other diplomats and the monsignors heading Vatican departments.

“European diplomacy is carried on by dinners and parties – you gather information this way to be obtained in no other manner,” he wrote. A glance around the embassy’s banquet tables found clerical and diplomatic guests nodding in assent.

ACLU sues over USCCB grant WASHINGTON (CNS) – An American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over human trafficking grants allocated to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is without merit, according to the chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration.

Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City said in a Jan. 15 statement he hoped the U.S. Justice Department would “mount a vigorous defense” against the lawsuit, which charges that HHS is violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment “by permitting USCCB to impose a religiously based restriction on the use of taxpayer funds.” The “religiously based restriction” it cited was that the USCCB requires its subcontractors providing the direct services to trafficking victims to not use the funds for contraceptives or abortion or contraception referrals.

SCHIP vote ‘just one step’ WASHINGTON (CNS) – As the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program zooms through Congress at nearly unprecedented speed, health reform advocates aren’t taking the time to pat themselves on the back. “There’s a tremendous amount to be enthusiastic about in the SCHIP reauthorization,” said Alan Weil, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy and former executive director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, at a Jan. 15 forum in Washington on “Health Care Reform and Children: The Prognosis for Change in 2009.” “But SCHIP is not a comprehensive health agenda and was not meant to be,” Weil added. “Much work remains to be done.” The reauthorization bill that passed the House by a 289-139 vote Jan. 14 would expand the joint federal-state program to include about 4 million more children, including some 240,000 children of legal immigrants. It would be funded by increasing the federal tax on cigarettes by 61 cents to a dollar per pack.

A boy walks at a food aid distribution center in Chirumanzi, 155 miles southeast of Harare, Zimbabwe, Jan. 15. An estimated 5 million Zimbabweans, about 40 percent of the population, are surviving on food aid. A recent cholera epidemic has already killed more than 2,100 people, and resources have been diverted from food aid to fight the epidemic.

they try to improve relations with the government and ensure a continued Christian presence in the Islamic republic. He also called on the “vast and beautiful country” to contribute to “the common good and peace among nations,” particularly in the Middle East. Iran’s four Armenian, Chaldean and Latin-rite Catholic bishops met the pope Jan. 16 at the end of their “ad limina” visits to report on the status of their dioceses. Pope Benedict said that in order to overcome some of the concrete difficulties Iranian Catholics face, including providing enough priests to minister to the country’s scattered Catholic communities, “the establishment of a bilateral commission with your government is being considered.” Such a commission, he said, also could be a channel “to develop relations and mutual understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Catholic Church.”

nationwide campaign to cut poverty in half by 2020, Catholic Charities USA is ramping up efforts to help people understand ties between poverty and racism. The Alexandria, Va.-based agency is utilizing the Internet (www.catholiccharitiesusa. org), prayer and a study guide to encourage discussions on how better to address the needs of the poor, especially in minority communities, and take action to reduce the incidence of poverty locally.

Reaffirm traditional family

To investigate 1989 murders

MEXICO CITY (CNS) – Participants at the Sixth World Meeting of Families made impassioned defenses of the traditional family while rejecting allegations from protesters and local leftist politicians that the Catholic Church has been preaching exclusion. Speakers on the first day of the Jan. 14-18 meeting, which organizers say is being attended by more than 8,000 participants from more than 90 countries, emphasized the traditional definition of family – father, mother and children – while discarding suggestions that the institution be expanded to include homosexual couples. The meeting was organized by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Family. “

Zimbabwe health care collapses WASHINGTON (CNS) – Zimbabwe’s health care system, once a model for southern Africa, has collapsed because of the government’s egregious, systematic human rights violations, said a human rights report. The report by the nonprofit, independent group Physicians for Human Rights, said Zimbabwe’s doctors do not have viable salaries and most public hospitals have closed. At the same time, Zimbabweans are suffering from a cholera epidemic, increasing maternal mortality, and cases of malnutrition, AIDS, tuberculosis and anthrax, said the report, released in mid-January.

Wary of prenatal autism test LONDON (CNS) – A British study raising the possibility of a prenatal test for autism has prompted concerns among Catholics that pregnant women will be pressured to abort babies who might develop autism.

MADRID, Spain (CNS) – A Spanish judge has decided to open an investigation into the case of 14 members of the Salvadoran army accused of involvement in killing six Jesuit priests and two of their employees in 1989, during El Salvador’s civil war. High Court Judge Eloy Velasco also decided not to try former Salvadoran President Alfredo Cristiani, accused of concealment of the crime, because of insufficient evidence. Last November, the Spanish Association for Human Rights and the San Francisco-based Center for Justice and Accountability filed a lawsuit against the military officers and Cristiani based on the Spanish legal principle of universal jurisdiction for crimes against humanity. In 1991 a Salvadoran court convicted two of the 14 accused army members of murder and conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism.

Both were sentenced to 30 years in prison, but were released when the parliament approved a law granting them amnesty in 1993, one year after the war ended. Velasco’s decision was announced Jan. 13, nearly 20 years after the Nov. 16, 1989, massacre at Central American University in San Salvador.

Examines poverty-racism ties WASHINGTON (CNS) – As part of its continuing

Pope encourages Iran Catholics VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Benedict XVI encouraged Iran’s tiny Catholic communities to be patient and persistent as

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January 23, 2009

Catholic San Francisco

5

Don’t leave unborn unprotected, cardinal tells Obama

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien WASHINGTON (CNS) – It would be “a terrible mistake” for President Barack Obama to reverse current policies on embryonic stem-cell research, conscience protection and other life-related matters, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops told him in a new letter.

Such actions “could introduce significant negative and divisive factors into our national life, at a time when we need to come together to address the serious challenges facing our people,” said Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago in a letter dated Jan. 16 and made public Jan. 19.

The letter came less than a week after Cardinal George sent another letter to Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden and each member of Congress outlining the bishops’ broad policy agenda as the new administration and Congress begin their work.

“I expect that some want you to take executive action

soon to reverse current policies against government-sponsored destruction of unborn human life,” Cardinal George said. “I urge you to consider that this could be a terrible mistake – morally, politically and in terms of advancing the solidarity and well-being of our nation’s people.”

Specifically, the USCCB president mentioned the recently issued Department of Health and Human Services regulation protecting the conscience rights of health care providers and institutions; the so-called Mexico City policy barring the use of U.S. family planning funds to promote or perform abortions in developing nations; and current embryonic stem-cell policy prohibiting federal funding of research involving embryonic stem-cell lines created after 2001.

Cardinal George said he hoped the new president would “consider these comments in the spirit in which they are intended, as an invitation to set aside political pressures and ideologies and focus on the priorities and challenges that will unite us as a nation.”

“Again I want to express our hopes for your administra-

tion, and our offer to cooperate in advancing the common good and protecting the poor and vulnerable in these challenging times,” he added.

The cardinal noted that during his campaign Obama “spoke often about a need to reduce abortions” and had said he had no definite answer when asked at what point a baby has human rights.

“I think your remarks provide a basis for common ground,” Cardinal George said. “Uncertainty as to when human rights begin provides no basis for compelling others to violate their conviction that these rights exist from the beginning. After all, those people may be right.

“And if the goal is to reduce abortions, that will not be achieved by involving the government in expanding and promoting abortions,” he added.

Commenting specifically on the HHS conscience guarantees, Cardinal George said the regulation was “a longoverdue measure for implementing three statutes enacted

by Congress over the last 35 years.”

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In the Sistine Chapel where he was elected pope in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI took a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about how his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, took him to Salzburg, Austria, almost 70 years ago to hear a Mozart Mass.

The same Mozart composition, his Mass in C Minor, was performed Jan. 17 in the Sistine Chapel in honor of Msgr.

Ratzinger and his 85th birthday.

The music was performed by the Regensburg Boys’ Choir, which Msgr. Ratzinger had directed for some 30 years, the Regensburg cathedral orchestra and guest soloists.

Speaking after the concert, Pope Benedict said that although he was a 14-year-old boy when he and his brother first heard the Mozart Mass performed, “I understood that we experienced something other than a simple concert, that it was music at prayer, the divine office, in which we almost could touch something of the magnificence and beauty of God himself, and we were touched.”

The pope said he and his brother returned to Salzburg several times after World War II to listen to Mozart’s Mass

again, “and for this reason it is deeply inscribed in our interior biography.”

The thanksgiving to God expressed in the Mozart Mass “is not a superficial gratitude given lightly,” the pope said, but is wholehearted and reflects Mozart’s “interior struggle, his search for forgiveness, the mercy of God and, then, from these depths, his joy in God shines more brightly than ever.”

In the presence of the choir, orchestra and guests, the pope told his brother, “The 85 years of your life were not always easy.”

The pope said his parents lost all their savings in the 1930s, when a global economic crisis enveloped the world, then the Nazis came to power and World War II broke out.

But the brothers found “hope and joy” after the war as they returned to the seminary and were ordained to the priesthood together in 1951.

Other challenges followed, the pope said, “but we always perceived the goodness of God who called us and guided us.”

Pope Benedict XVI greets his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, during a concert for the priest’s 85th birthday in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Jan. 17.

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Pope hosts concert for brother’s birthday

Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

(COURTESY OF OUR LADY OF ANGELS SCHOOL)

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Students welcome President Obama Student Council members of Our Lady of Angels School in Burlingame hold a banner recently sent to President-elect Barack Obama in days approaching his Jan. 20 inauguration. Judy O’Rourke and Patricia Bordin are co-principals of the school. Capuchin Franciscan Father Harold Snider is pastor.

Pictured from left are Eddie Kennedy, Marissa McCarthy, Meghan Flynn, Meghann Flood, Erin Haupt, Bridgette Harper, Maddie Helmig, Lauren Liebes, Catherine Summa, Jamie Petrucci, Kevin Mohr, Connor Haupt, Ray Whelan, Scott Serrato, Nick McSweeney.

Barack Obama takes the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States Jan. 20 in Washington.

He was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts.

Michelle Obama held the Bible President Abraham Lincoln used at his 1861 inauguration.

President Obama . . .

■ Continued from cover

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SCRIPTURE SEARCH Gospel for January 25, 2009 Matthew 2:1-12 Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B: Jesus begins his ministry and mission. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

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the National Mall. It was believed to be the largest single gathering of people in Washington history.

“Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new,” Obama said. “But those values upon which our success depends – hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism – these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.”

So “what is demanded,” the new president said, “is a return to these truths.”

“What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility – a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world,” he said.

These are duties “we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. This is the price and the promise of citizenship,” he said.

“This is the source of our confidence – the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny,” he said.

Regarding the economy,” Obama said the situation “calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act – not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.”

“We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together,” he continued. “We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost.

“We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.

All this we can do. And all this we will do,” he said.

Obama said that “there are some who question the scale of our ambitions – who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans.”

But “their memories are short,” he said. “For they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.”

The crowds in downtown Washington cheered shortly after noon when people realized Obama had been inaugurated.

People waved flags, started shouting “Obama! Obama!” and PRESIDENT OBAMA, page 7

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Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

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Students honor rights leader On Jan. 15 a prayer service held by a Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory student group called The I3 Project honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. The I3 Project is committed to issues of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, economics and other factors contributing to students’ development of identity.

“Youth Speaks,” a group challenging youth to apply their voices as creators of social change, were guest presenters. I3 Project members and moderators include, from left: Theresa Flynn Houghton, Sawson Zarour, Alim Hicks, Christine Moy, Jacob Sandoval, David Lobos, Andrea Martinez, Marc Nava, Jamie Mar, Vincent Lee, Jennica Sandoval, Denise Wallace, Robin Black, Josh Healy and Drew Vai.

President Obama . . .

■ Continued from cover whistled as news filtered down Pennsylvania Avenue that the former senator of Illinois was now president.

Among those cheering was Todd Petersen, 34, a member of St. Joseph Husband of Mary Parish in Henderson, Nev. His wife is director of the Green Valley High School band, scheduled to march in the inaugural parade.

“We are very happy,” Petersen told Catholic News Service. “You can be a good Catholic and still vote for Obama. When you come here and see all these people from all over the country, all over the world, this is what being a Catholic is all about.”

Before the inauguration ceremony, Obama and then-Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. and their wives took part in a morning prayer service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, across Lafayette Park from the White House. The sermon at the private service was delivered by Bishop T.D. Jakes, pastor of the Potter’s House megachurch in Dallas and more recently a writer and producer of films, including “Not Easily Broken” and “Woman Thou Art Loosed.”

Obama and Biden then went to the White House for a coffee with their predecessors, President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney.

The day before, both Obama and Biden joined volunteers in various service projects on the national observance of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday holiday, which was designated as a national day of service.

Among the numerous service projects in the nation’s capital was a coat drive sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. The fraternal organization purchased 7,800 coats from Oshkosh B’gosh and London Fog and distributed 1,200 of them at three Catholic churches in Washington.

Biden worshipped and received Communion Jan. 18 at Holy Trinity Church in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington. His granddaughter had received her first Communion at the same church in 2008.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., also was at the Jan. 18 Mass.

Holy Trinity is the same church where President John F. Kennedy worshipped while in Washington, including a morning Mass Jan. 20, 1961, before his own swearing-in.

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Performed at inaugural Stanley Valenton, left, and Joshua Marrald, students at St. Charles Elementary School in San Francisco, sang with the San Francisco Boys’ Chorus at inauguration ceremonies for President Barack Obama Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C. The boys’ mothers, Iris Mae and and Adelle Medel, appear mighty proud of their sons.

Father Patrick Keane dies Jan. 20 Father Patrick Joseph Keane died Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Serra House in San Mateo. Funeral arrangement details were not available at press time.

The Oakland native was ordained a priest in 1951 by Archbishop John J. Mitty, and was a graduate of St. Patrick Seminary and University in Menlo Park, St. Joseph College (Minor Seminary) in Mountain View, St. Joseph High School in Alameda, and Sacred Heart Elementary in Oakland.

Father Keane’s assignments within the current boundaries of the Archdiocese of San Francisco included St. Anne of the Sunset in San Francisco (1981-83), Good Shepherd Parish in Pacifica (1972-77), St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Burlingame (1966-69), and Holy Name of Jesus Parish in San Francisco (1953-60). He has also served as the Archbishop’s Delegate to Retired Priests.

BE AN APOSTLE OF DIVINE MERCY 15th ANNUAL DIVINE MERCY FAMILY CONGRESS 2009 March 6 – 8, 2009 Marriot San Ramon, 2600 Bishop Drive, San Ramon, CA 94583 GUEST SPEAKERS: Auxillary Bishop Ignatius Wang Mother Nadine Brown Fr. Stan Fortuna Fr. John Struzzo Msgr. James Lisante Salvatore Caruso Marie Romagnano

Adult Conference Schedule Friday, March 6 2009 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 7, 2009 7:45 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 8, 2009 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Youth Conference Schedule Saturday 8:00 am – 5:30 pm Sunday 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

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REGISTRATION FORM (Please Print)

Save the Date!

January 25, 2009 (Sunday) 1:45 p.m.

“Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul” Saint Paul Church - 221 Valley Street San Francisco CA Will conclude with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at 5:00 p.m.

Main Celebrant: Bishop William Justice Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco

Annual Divine Mercy Family Congress 2009 Please register on or before February 5, 2009 for early registration discount.

Name: ______________________________________ Address: ____________________________________ City: _____________State: ___________Zip: _______ Phone (AM): (______)__________________________ Phone (PM): (______ )__________________________ E-mail address (required for online confirmation):

_______________________@_____________.______ Please list names of all registrants, including teens and children. Use a separate sheet for additional names: Adult Attendees

Name_____________________________________ Name_____________________________________ Youth Attendees

Name ___________________________Age: _____

Speakers STEVE RAY - International Speaker, author and regular guest on EWTN, Relevant Radio, Ave Maria and Catholic Answers Live

Name ___________________________Age: _____

EARLY REGISTRATION FEES (Admission for all Three Days)

Adults ___________@ $35.00 ea = $________________ Youth (6 to 18 yrs of age) _______@ $10.00 = _________ Family (parents & children living in the same household) $75.00 Children ages five and under – no charge

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VISA/MC #: _______-_______-________-___________ Credit Card Exp. date:______/______ Last 3 Nos. @ Back of Card (CVA)_________ Cardholder’s Name________________________________ Billing Address: (City, State, Zip) ________________________________________________ Signature (credit card):_____________________________ Yes, I would like to contribute to the ongoing scholarship fund for attendees of the annual Divine Mercy Family Congress who are financially challenged: ( ) $100 ( ) $250 ( ) $500 ( ) $1,000 ( ) Other____ Thank you!

Yes, pls mail me a flyer on the Healthcare seminar ON-SITE REGISTRATION FEES Three Day Conference Pass: $45.00 per adult; $15.00 per youth 6 -18 years of age.

Mail check and registration to: Divine Mercy Eucharistic Society (DMES) Divine Mercy Center & Perpetual Adoration Chapel 11152 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530

Name ___________________________Age: _____

Tel: 510.412.4715; Fax: 510-412-3537 email: DivineMercyJesus@comcast.net www: DivineMercyWestCoast.org

DR. RUTH OHM - Professor, Saint Patrick’ Patrick’s Seminary GUEST SPEAKERS

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Plenary Indulgence A Plenary Indulgence may be obtained by those who attend Mass or other solemn prayers in honor of Saint Paul or by those who take part in a special liturgical or devotional action to honor Saint Paul.

ATTN: DOCTORS, RNs, LVNs, CNAs, Caregivers and affiliated Medical Professionals Transform your Profession into a Vocation! Guest Speaker: Marie Romagnano, RN will conduct a 4-hour seminar for healthcare professionals on the Topic of: Spiritual Assessment of the Patient with JCAHO Guidelines -Developing Your Vocation as Healthcare Professionals for Divine Mercy. This seminar will be held at the San Ramon Marriot on Friday, March 6, 2009 from 1:30pm–5:30pm and you will have the chance to earn 9 Continuing Education Units (CEU) equivalent. If interested, please note in your registration form and we will mail you a flyer.

Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Wang ● Fr. John Struzzo, CSC ● Mother Nadine Brown Monsignor James Lisante ● Fr. Stan Fortuna, C.F.R. ● Marie Romagnano, RN ● Salvatore Caruso, AIA ● Guest Singer Diana Nagy ● ●

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Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Prayers for President Obama One week before the nation celebrated the inauguration of our first AfricanAmerican president, Barack Obama, U.S. Catholic bishops expressed hope that the new Administration and Congress would seek to advance the common good and defend the life and dignity of all. The leaders of the Catholic Church in America also offered the prayers of Catholics for the nation and our new president in these challenging times.

Sustained by faith I wanted to thank Cheryl Amalu for her moving, enlightening and inspiring Letter to the Editor (“Grateful for faith,” Jan. 16).This convert to Catholicism has a much clearer understanding and deeper appreciation of what it means to be Catholic than many of us “lifers.” How refreshing and uplifting to hear someone publicly recognize our faith as both a blessing and a responsibility.

Having been sustained by my faith through my freedomless childhood in Communist Poland and subsequent trials and tribulations, I share Cheryl’s commitment to the Church and its teachings and join in her prayer for courage, conviction and conciliation within our community and beyond.

Lidia Wasowicz Pringle Mill Valley

Caring and compassion

Praise Catholic schools In the week prior to the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as the first African-American president of the United States, Laura Bush visited Little Flower Catholic School in Bethesda, Md. in anticipation of National Catholic Schools Week 2009, celebrated by the more than 7,400 Catholic schools around the country Jan. 25-31.

Mrs. Bush thanked the community for its support for Catholic schools in this country and around the world, and recognized Catholic education’s long history in the United States. She noted the reputation of Catholic schools for excellent academics and strong civic values. In particular, she commended the work of the Catholic Church in educating disadvantaged students in inner city schools, and encouraged Church leaders to continue this important mission.

Commenting on the “Celebrate Service” theme of the 2009 Catholic Schools Week, the president of the National Catholic Educational Association, Karen Ristau, said, “The majority of elementary and secondary schools participate in service projects ranging from collecting canned goods for the homeless to rebuilding schools in the hurricane-torn gulf, so it was natural that we choose service as a major theme.”

Catholic schools typically mark the weeklong celebration with Masses, open houses and activities for students, administrators, faculty, school staff, the community and families. Additionally this year many schools will undertake new service projects.

Of course, the greatest value of Catholic schools is their important role in helping to teach children and youth about the Good News of Jesus Christ. Catholic San Francisco joins with the entire Catholic community of the San Francisco Archdiocese in praising Catholic schools and wishing them continued success in their mission.

MEH

Importance of catechesis

By Father Eugene Hemrick Never did I think I would be so delighted by Walter Isaacson’s book “Benjamin Franklin: An American Life,” published by Simon & Schuster. What was especially exciting was learning of Franklin’s religiosity.

As a youth, Franklin worked diligently on virtues he considered important in his life. Among them were justice, humility, chastity, silence, tranquility and order.

He would choose a particular virtue, commit to it for a period of time, and then evaluate his progress.

This practice reminded me of my seminary days when Jesuit spiritual directors would give us regular evening meditations on virtues (called points) we needed to improve.

Although Franklin was brought up in a Puritan atmosphere that emphasized redemption by faith alone, he believed it came from good works, too, which reflects Catholic thinking.

As I reflected on Franklin and other American founders like John Adams, it occurred to me that their thinking and leadership were guided by deep religious convictions. Their religiosity further suggested that someone was responsible for its foundation – that they had been catechized.

The word “catechize” means to resound or to impress upon by word of mouth.

It implies a process whereby one person teaches another his or her religious faith.

Earlier in January the Church celebrated the feast of St. John Neumann. He was born in Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic), immigrated to America, became a priest and then the bishop of Philadelphia.

He is best known for championing catechesis. Just as the parents of our early American founders catechized them, enabling them to strengthen our nation through their faith, so too Neumann catechized young Americans and laid the strong foundations of Catholicism.

Usually a country’s strength is measured in terms of its armies, economy and resources. This is true to some extent, but a country’s greatest strength is in its high morals.

Where there is catechesis, there is morality and efforts to live a truthful life.

No one denies that much of the present economic woes of the world are due to corruption, greed and other vices. In admitting this, we are also acknowledging that many of our woes are the result of a lack of catechesis.

However, we aren’t focusing on practicing particular virtues as did our forefathers, nor are we catechizing as effectively as did St. John Neumann.

Of course, 2009 will be remembered as the year of bailouts and restructuring.

It should also be a year in which we renew efforts to restructure our catechesis.

Catechesis has been and is the heart of our nation’s and Church’s strength.

After reading the article in the Jan. 16 edition by a woman who started her Heaven Born ministry to women suffering from neonatal loss, I was inspired to share additional information on this ministry.

Our son Seamus was stillborn on Sept. 18, 2008 and we have found the HAND (Helping After Neonatal Death) Peninsula support group to be absolutely invaluable. I highly recommend that all parents, families and friends who have experienced the loss of a baby before, during or after birth consider attending a support group in your area. Resources can be found at: http://www.handonline.org/. The caring and compassionate volunteers at HAND have graciously walked with us on our journey of grief and slowly we are healing and finding hope.

Ellen P. Kelly Daley San Carlos

Appeal of the faith In response to the letter “Selfawareness needed” by Daishin Sunseri in the Jan. 9 Catholic San Francisco, I would like to suggest the writer watch Eternal Word Television Network on Comcast Channel 229.

EWTN provides so much knowledge and wisdom to us Catholics, especially on the program “The Journey Home.” It shows why so many people of various other religions join the Catholic Church.

Elizabeth Pijma Redwood City

Increasingly I am reminded of how few of our nuns and priests today wear religious habits and collars. I remember a time when nuns and priests wore their habits and collars everywhere, even in public. Some of my grade school teachers were nuns. Many of my high school teachers were priests. I found it comforting and reassuring.

I read often of how our Catholic schools are losing their Catholic identity and how there are so few priests and nuns to run them. I often wonder if this is not because there has been no visible presence of our nuns and clergy in the world in the past 40 years or so. As the saying goes, “out of sight out of mind.” It’s as if they were trying to hide their religious calling or make it something not all that different from other professions or vocations. But a call to religious life or the priesthood, wherein one dedicates one’s entire life in the manner of Jesus is not like any other vocation. As such it should not be hidden - spiritually or physically. “People do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket. They set it on a stand where it gives light to all in the house”(Matt: 5-15).

Catholic San Francisco welcomes letters from its readers.

Please send your letters to: Catholic San Francisco One Peter Yorke Way San Francisco, CA 94109 Fax: (415) 614-5641 E-mail: morrisyoungd@sfarchdiocese.org

Phantasm of certainty In the hit movie “Doubt,” Philip Seymour Hoffman in the role of Father Flynn delivers a homily in which he states that in some circumstances doubt can be as enobling as faith.

Following the phantasm of absolute moral certainty that is Dignitas Personae, the CDF’s latest instruction in bioethics (an update of the 1987 instruction Donum Vitae), a bit of doubt would be a refreshing introduction.

Despite Father Gerald Coleman’s eloquent Jan. 9 defense of the document, some facts need to be reviewed.

In humans, fertilization (entrance of a single sperm into the cytoplasm of an egg) generally takes place in the Fallopian tube. Conception (the union of nuclear genetic material from egg and sperm) does not occur in a “moment” but rather is a process requiring up to 24 hours for completion. The resultant single-cell organism, the zygote, is a new entity genetically distinct from its parent cells.

The zygote has absolutely no potential for human development until and unless it embeds in the wall of a uterus.

Most, in fact, do not and are simply lost in a subsequent menstrual flow.

Apparently the magisterium believes that most of mankind is destroyed at the earliest stage of existence and that each such lost zygote is a distinct individual human being known only to God. Prominent theologians such as Bernard Haring have considered that highly unlikely.

The document ignores the fact that genetic individuality and developmental individuality do not coincide. The zygote, at least to the eight-cell blastomere stage, has the potential for twinning or for combining with a like entity to form a single organism, hence cannot be considered to be an individual at that point.

Developmental individuation more closely correlates with the completion of implantation which takes up to 14 days.

Dignitas Personae like its predecessor concentrates on individual acts, particularly acts of sexual intercourse insisting on linkage between unitive and procreative functions, a concept not at all received by the faithful as demonstrated in word and deed uninterrupted since Humanae Vitae.

While every child deserves to be the fruit of parental love, it does not automatically follow that every child must be conceived through sexual intercourse alone. Being a product of medical intervention is not necessarily opposed to being the fruit of parental love.

The document does have value in clearly stating the official position of the magisterium.

Perhaps its greater value lies in demonstrating the need for a coherent theology of human sexuality based at least in part on the lived experience of actual persons.

Robert M. Rowden M.D. San Rafael (Ed. note: The text, background material and a summary of Dignitas Personae is available on the website of the U.S. bishops’ conference – www.usccb.org.)

L E T T E R S

Holy attire

Letters welcome

Actress Meryl Streep recently said that when she put on her nuns habit to film the movie “Doubt” she felt clothed in God and was convinced that real nuns who wear the habit must also share the same incredible feeling as her that every moment of their day is dedicated to God. It is said that actor Alec Guinness’s conversion to Catholicism began when he first put on a collar to play a priest in the movie “The Detective.” One evening Guinness, still in costume, was on his way back to his lodgings.

A little boy, mistaking him for the real thing, grabbed his hand and trustingly accompanied the “priest.” That incident affected Guinness.

“Continuing my walk,” he said, “I reflected that a Church that could inspire such confidence in a child, making priests, even when unknown, so easily approachable, could not be as scheming or as creepy as so often made out. I began to shake off my long-taught, long-absorbed prejudices.”

I hope our bishops, priests, and nuns will reflect more deeply on the importance of and need for clerical dress - especially in these troubling times where secularism and atheism are gaining ground.

Jake Bajeani Toronto, Ont.

January 23, 2009

Catholic San Francisco

CS1

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK J

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Inside: • Tuition assistance levels poise challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CS2 • Local Catholic schools ‘certainly worth celebrating’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CS3 • Catholic education and global perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CS8 Ca holic Schools: The Good News in Education

CS2

Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

Background report Economy decimates tuition aid levels; but generosity remains

By Annette Brown Assistant Superintendent of Planning and Finance Department of Catholic Schools Archdiocese of San Francisco

Generations of students and their families have and will receive assistance because of the generosity of the parishioners in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

The sad news is that the recent economic downturn has affected these funds and endowments as well. The principal of these invested assets has decreased as a result of the market downturn to under $20 million.

The archdiocesan spending rate is 4 percent of the total of these funds as of Dec. 31.

In last school stop, first lady visits Catholic school

United States and foreign countries, made her last school visit Jan. 13 to Little Flower School, a Catholic school in the Washington suburb of Bethesda.

“Today is my very last school visit while my husband is president,” she told the students, faculty and staff. “I wanted to end my school visit with a terrific school like Little Flower.”

Bush praised the school for receiving the

We encourage families to also apply to estimate that we will be able to award less than $150,000 in tuition assistance on an the B.A.S.I.C. Fund (www.basicfund.org). and also consider applying as-needed basis. to The Guardsmen, Making With the concern many of Waves, and inquiring with our families have in the curtheir principal into the availrent economy, we are expectability of school and parish The parishes of the Archdiocese of San ing an increased number of scholarships.

Francisco conducted a campaign to fund an applications; yet at the same The Archdiocese of San Educational Endowment. This campaign time, we are experiencing Francisco continues to look was known as the TSTL: Today’s Students, a decrease in the spending for opportunities for systemTomorrow’s Leaders. Although this camfrom the endowment to 10 wide grants and endowpaign officially came to a close in percent of the past ment funds. The Educational 2006, the Educational Endowment year. Very few of even Endowment funds are all open Fund that was created is still open ‘Generations of students and the poorest families and accepting direct donations and accepting direct donations will receive funds in and estate gifts which are then and estate gifts. This Educational their families have and will this coming year. Our Annette Brown distributed in perpetuity to our Endowment campaign raised more future ability to offer than $16.5 million in endowed funds receive assistance because of the tuition assistance through endow- students. In the past six years, more than that are distributed annually to stument spending is dependent upon the $4.6 million was distributed in 5,450 awards for tuition assistance. dents who live in the Archdiocese generosity of the parishioners in market recovery.

We are especially grateful to all donors who attend Catholic elementary and April 15 is the deadline for subhigh schools. mitting all information to the third who contributed to these Educational It is this fund, combined with the Archdiocese of San Francisco.’ party need evaluation company that Endowments. The B.A.S.I.C. Fund is not an the resources of other endowments we use to collect the financial data endowment-based fund, but raises funds each and funds, created by other generous Unfortunately, these endowments have from our families. Late applications cannot year, and has awarded $14.4 million in more donors, that last year reached $25 million, dropped below principal, and the terms of be considered. Students must live in San than 11,000 grants during the same six-year enabling us to fund approximately $1 mil- the endowments do not allow us to spend Mateo, San Francisco or Marin Counties. We timeframe. We respectfully request their and lion in Archdiocesan Family Grants and funds if the value drops below the principal expect to announce the awards to students’ your continued generosity to fund and encourage future generations of Catholic Students.

Scholarships to our families on a need-basis. investment. For school year 2009-10, we families at the end of May.

BETHESDA, Md. (CNS) – First lady Laura Bush, who has visited countless schools in the

SAINT IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREPARATORY San Francisco’s Jesuit School Since 1855 Inspiring Leadership, Integrity & Service FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL, VISIT US AT WWW.SIPREP.ORG

U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Schools Award last fall in recognition of its academic achievement. “That’s really a wonderful accomplishment,” she said. “Congratulations on being such smart kids.”

Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl introduced Bush and noted the first lady was “no stranger to education and no stranger to our schools.”

Her visit was to commemorate Catholic Schools Week, the annual observance which

this year will be celebrated Jan. 25-31 with the theme: “Catholic Schools Celebrate Service.”

Bush told the school assembly that as a former librarian and a teacher she has always been interested in education. She noted that many of the first schools in the United States were Catholic schools. She also urged members of the school community to take time during Catholic Schools Week to talk to government leaders about the importance of Catholic education.

January 23, 2009

Catholic San Francisco

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Catholic Schools Week 2009 Catholic schools are certainly worth celebrating

By Maureen Huntington Superintendent, Department of Catholic Schools Archdiocese of San Francisco On the final Sunday in January each year, students, teachers, principals, parents, pastors and parishioners in Catholic communities initiate a week-long national celebration acknowledging the gift our Catholic schools are to our country, our communities and especially our Church. This year the theme of Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools Celebrate Service.”

In January 2009 we find ourselves in a precarious situation.

The national economy has experienced a significant downturn leaving many members of our community without jobs, homes or means to support their families. Our government agencies have reduced the number of services they are able to offer. Charitable organizations, such as Catholic Charities, are receiving greater demands on their already limited resources.

The need for services has increased while the service providers have been hit hard with reduced revenues and support.

Catholic schools are faced with many of these same chal-

lenges. More and more families need tuition assistance. Families Each of our Catholic schools has a unique character are moving from the Bay Area to secure jobs in other parts of and personality. Even though the school serves a particular the country or to find housing in areas that are community, it nurtures the students in the more affordable. As the demand for assistance same faith, traditions and teachings of our increases, the resources decrease and are harder Catholic Church. The history and tradition of to obtain. Every school and family looks for ways our Catholic schools – to serve and support to conserve resources and make decisions that are our school families – must be maintained. The prudent for the present and for the future. question remains, how? How do we continue the work of Catholic school education and During the past 14 months, the Catholic extend it into the future? What opportunities elementary schools in the Archdiocese have does the current economic environment offer been engaged in a study on the current and future us? How do we take advantage of these new health of our schools. The individual school opportunities to continue our mission to serve reports are now in the final stage of delivery. the students and families in our community?

Over the next semester, members of our Catholic community will be engaging in a “think tank” Maureen Huntington Many questions need answers.

I ask you to take some time this week and consider the process to generate creative ideas about the proposed strategic actions and ways to implement them. At the conclusion of the gift Catholic schools are to our San Francisco community work of the “think tank,” a Strategic Action Committee will be and to you personally. Think about the gift and the benefits formed to hone the results of the process and develop a strategic you received because of your Catholic education. I think you will agree, it is something worth celebrating! plan that would bring us to at least 2015.

Give Your Child a Catholic School Education OPEN HOUSE / TOUR DATES SCHOOL OF EPIPHANY: Tours by appointment.

ST. PHILIP: Open House - Jan. 25, 10:30am Mass; 11:30am Open House. Tours by appointment.

MISSION DOLORES: Open House – Jan. 25, 10 am Mass; Open House 11am - 2pm.

Tours by appointment.

ST. ANTHONY–IC: On-going Tues. Tours at 9am.

Personal Tours available by appointment.

ST. FINN BARR: Open House - Jan. 25, 10am Mass; 11am - 1pm Tour.

1 Mission Dolores School 3371 16th St. San Francisco, 94114 www.missiondolores.org

4 Saint Finn Barr School 419 Hearst Ave. San Francisco, 94112 www.stfinnbarr.org

Principal: Ms. Andreina Gualco School Phone: 415.861.7673 Grades: K through 8 School Fax: 415.861.7620 E-Mail: mdschool@missiondolores.org Pastor: Fr. Arturo Albano Church Phone: 415.621.8203 3321 16th St., San Francisco, 94114

Principal: Mr. Tom Dooher School Phone: 415.333.1800 Grades: K through 8 School Fax: 415.452.0177 E-Mail: t.dooher@stfinnbarr.org Pastor: Fr. Jose Corral Church Phone: 415.333.3627 415 Edna St., San Francisco, 94112

2 Saint Anthony-IC School

5 Saint James School

299 Precita Ave. San Francisco, 94110 www.saicsf.org

321 Fair Oaks St. San Francisco, 94110 www.saintjamessf.org

Principal: Mr. Dennis Ruggiero School Phone: 415.648.2008 Grades: K through 8 School Fax: 415.648.1825 E-Mail: druggiero@saicsf.org Pastor: Fr. Gabriel Flores Church Phone: 415.647.2704 3215 Cesar Chavez St., San Francisco, 94110

Principal: Sister Mary Susanna Vasquez, O.P. School Phone: 415.647.8972 Grades: K through 8 School Fax: 415.647.0166 E-Mail: sms@saintjamessf.org Pastor: Fr. Jerome P. Foley Church Phone: 415.824.4232 1068 Guerrero St., San Francisco, 94110

3 Saint Elizabeth School

6 School of the Epiphany

450 Somerset St. San Francisco, 94134 www.stelizabethsf.org Principal: Mrs. Gene Dabdoub School Phone: 415.468.3247 Grades: K through 8 School Fax: 415.468.1804 E-Mail: saintelizabethschool@usa.net Pastor: Fr. Charito Suan Church Phone: 415.468.0820 449 Holyoke St., San Francisco, 94134

600 Italy Ave. San Francisco, 94112 ww.sfepiphany.org/home.html Principal: Mrs. Diane Elkins School Phone: 415.337.4030 Grades: K through 8 School Fax: 415.337.8583 E-Mail: office@sfepiphany.org Pastor: Fr. Eugene D. Tungol Church Phone: 415.333.7630 827 Vienna St., San Francisco, 94112

ST. JAMES: Tours Thurs. & Fri. mornings, 10am until noon.

Open House Jan. 29: 5 - 7pm.

ST. CHARLES BORROMEO: Open House - Jan. 25, 9:30 am Mass; Open House: 10:30am – 1pm.

Tours by appointment.

ST. ELIZABETH: On-going Tues. Tours at 11am.

Open House - Jan. 25: 9:30am Mass; Open House 10:30am – 1pm.

Tours by appointment.

7 Saint Philip School 665 Elizabeth St. San Francisco, 94114 www.saintphilipschool.com Principal: Ms. Remy Everett School Phone: 415.824.8467 Grades: Pre-K through 8 School Fax: 415.282-0121 E-Mail: reverett@saintphilipschool.com Pastor: Fr. Tony LaTorre Church Phone: 415.282.0141 725 Diamond St., San Francisco 94114

8 Saint Charles Borromeo School 3250 18th Street San Francisco, 94110 www.sfstcharlesschool.org Principal: Mr. Daniel Dean School Phone: 415.861.7652 Grades: K through 8 School Fax: 415.861.0221 E-Mail: ddean@sfstcharlesschool.org Pastor: Fr. Moises Agudo Church Phone: 415.824.1700 713 South Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, 94110

415-614-5546

Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

(PHOTO BY JAY MASUNAGA)

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Ceramic artpiece donated Members of Advanced Ceramics Class at Marin Catholic High School surround a ceramic mural they created displaying the school crest against an image of Marin County’s Mt. Tamalpais. Mark Jaeger teaches the class. “The students consider the mural a gift to the campus and to the entire Marin Catholic Community,” said Jay Masunaga, new director of communications at the school. The piece stands in Marin Catholic’s Margaret F. Desmond Memorial Science Wing. Standing from left: Brandon Ugarte, Sam Peterson, Nick Traugot, Brooke Bralye, Jake Siefert, Naomi Welch, Mark Jaeger, Kendra Reay. Bottom from left: Chip Harder, Trent Taylor, Molly Scheufler, Connor Leonlini, Brad Butler, Hanne Nagatani

School launching solar power grid San Domenico Schools in San Anselmo will inaugurate a solar power system Jan. 30 expected to save 85 percent of the sites current energy costs.

The project involves 2,300 photovoltaic panels. “After several years of research, San Domenico is excited to move ahead with the solar installation,” said Dominican Sister Gervaise Valpey, a former president of the schools.

The kickoff Jan. 30 will include a “throwing of a switch” and other such rites, said Anyra Papsys, communications manager.

For more information about the project, visit www.sandomenico.org.

SI students and faculty attend inaugural in Washington D.C. Several students and faculty members from St. Ignatius College Preparatory of San Francisco were among the tens of thousands attending the Jan. 20 inaugural ceremonies in Washington, D.C. for President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden.

Senior Peter Quinn attended as a chaperone for the San Francisco Boys Chorus which performed for the event.

Junior Christine Neville sang with the San Francisco Girls Chorus at the inaugural.

According to school spokesman Paul Totah, other seniors who attended included Sam Arabian, Natalie Dillon, Annie Kutzscher and Buck Aldana. Among SI juniors were Jamil Burns, Brook Carter, Claire Holl and

Stuart Christoph. Holl is the niece of 1955 SI graduate state Attorney General Jerry Brown, former California governor.

Sophomore Samantha Scuetz and freshmen Lamar Marshall-

Randall and Matthew Nikovitz, also attended, Totah said.

Faculty participants included English teacher Shaharazarde Williams and Byron Philhour, physics teacher and science department chair.

OUR LADY OF LORETTO SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE January 25, 2009 • 10am–11:30am

1811 Virginia Ave., Novato, CA 94945 (415) 892-8621 Novato’s neighborhood Catholic School for 50 years

A BIG ‘no’ to drugs Students at Our Lady of Loretto School in Novato “Say No to Drugs” in a big way at rites ending observance of National Red Ribbon Week in October. Principal is Susan A. Maino. Father William McCain is pastor.

Saints Peter and Paul Salesian School

St. Paul’s School

1690 Church St. 415-648-2055 www.stpaulsf.net

A Catholic, friendly, warm learning environment in San Francisco’s Noe Valley where the sun shines daily School Tours and Classroom Observations by appointment Grades K – 8th Extended Care Available The Catholic community provides a caring atmosphere designed for academic achievement and faith formation.

660 Filbert Street San Francisco, CA 94133 (415) 421-5219 ❖ fax (415) 421-1831 www.stspeterpaul.san-francisco.ca.us “

Education is a matter of the heart.”

Come to our Open House!

Saturday, January 31, 2009 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

St. John Bosco

Pre-K to Grade Eight

Now Accepting Applications

January 23, 2009

Catholic San Francisco

Offering excellent Catholic education in a nurturing environment...

Holy Name Parish School 1560 40th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94122 415-731-4077

St. Anne School

www.holynamesf.com

1320-14th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94122 (415) 664-7977 www.stanne.com Visit our website for school tour dates.

Open House: January 28, 2009 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Tours on Wednesdays by appointment

Educating students in the Catholic tradition since 1920

Saint Cecilia School 940 Laguna Honda Blvd.

San Francisco, CA 94127 415-731-2665 sbs@stbrendansf.com www.stbrendansf.com

“Developing Active Christians, Life-long Learners, and Responsible Citizens”

(415) 731-8400 WWW.StCeciliaSchool.org office@stceciliaschool.org

Excellence in Catholic Education Since 1947

SAINT GABRIEL SCHOOL

660 Vicente Street San Francisco, CA 94116

ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL

Catholic Education Since 1948

2550 Forty First Avenue San Francisco, CA 94116

office@stgabrielsf.com www.stgabrielsf.com

(415) 566-0314 (415) 566-3223 Fax

A challenging yet supportive environment Open House – January 27, 2009 Tours 8:30, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

St. Thomas More School 50 Thomas More Way • San Francisco 94132 (415) 337-0100 Pre-K to Grade Eight www.StThomasMoreSchool.org

401 Eucalyptus Drive San Francisco, CA 94132 (415) 664-8331 www.st-stephen.org The Children Are Our Future!

Many thanks to the faculty and staff in each of our Catholic schools, who work so hard to provide our students with the best education possible!

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Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

Alliance supported

(PHOTO BY DAN MORRIS-YOUNG/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

Msgr. Mickey McCormick, left, asked that gifts in honor of his 50th anniversary of priesthood be used to support the work of the Alliance of Mission District Catholic Schools, directed by Notre Dame de Namur Sister Maureen Hilliard, center above.

The Bay Area Cursillo Movement honored the retired former pastor of Mission Dolores Parish at a gathering of more than 500 at St. Cecilia Parish last November at which more than $15,000 was raised. Ron McNaughton, right above, representing Cursillo’s Rooster Boosters presented a check for the amount to the Alliance recently at Mission Dolores School surrounded by students of the parish school. Those students were, center from left: seventh graders Elizabeth Soto, Tesfom Mehari and Angelica Palacios; and, front, kindergarteners Amelie and Isleen Justo.

In addition to the November event, more than $10,000 has been donated to the Alliance in honor of Msgr. McCormick.

THE THE THE THE THE

CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OF SOUTHERNELEMENTARY SAN MATEO COUNTY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF OF SOUTHERN SAN MATEO WELCOME YOU COUNTY SOUTHERN SAN MATEO COUNTY SOUTHERN SAN MATEO CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF WELCOME YOU COUNTY BURLINGAMEYOU WELCOME WELCOME YOU COUNTY SOUTHERN SAN MATEO CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF THETHE CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BURLINGAME BURLINGAMEYOU BURLINGAME SOUTHERNWELCOME SAN MATEO COUNTY

SOUTHERN SAN MATEO COUNTY WELCOME YOU WELCOME YOU BURLINGAME

Our Lady of Angels • Gr. K-8 1328 Cabrillo Avenue, Burlingame (650) 343-9200 • Fax (650) 343-5620 E-mail: angelsk8@olaschoolk8.org Website: www.olaschoolk8.org Open House: January 29 • 6-8pm Tours available at Open House

St. Gregory • Gr. K-8 2701 Hacienda Street, San Mateo (650) 573-0111• Fax (650) 573-6548 E-mail: lpaul@stgregs-sanmateo.org Website: www.stgregs-sanmateo.org Open House: January 25 • 10-11:00am Tours by appointment

BURLINGAME

BURLINGAME SAN MATEO

St. Catherine of Siena • Gr. K-8 1300 Bayswater Avenue, Burlingame (650) 344-7176 • Fax (650) 344-7426 E-mail: office@stcatherineofsiena.net Website: www.stcos.com Open House: January 25 • 10am-1pm Tours by appointment

SAN MATEO SAN MATEO SAN MATEO St. Matthew • Gr. K-8 SAN 910 S. El Camino Real,MATEO San Mateo (650) 343-1373 • Fax (650) 343-2046 Website: www.stmatthewcath.org Open House: January 25 • 12 noon-1:30pm Tours by appointment BELMONT

SAN MATEO BELMONT

St. Timothy • Gr. K-8 1515 Dolan Avenue, San Mateo (650) 342-6567 • Fax (650) 342-5913 E-mail: sttimothyoffice@earthlink.net Website: www.sttimothyschool.org Open House: January 28 • 7-8:30pm Tours by appointment Kindergarten Testing in February

BELMONT BELMONT Immaculate Heart of Mary • Gr. K-8 Notre Dame Elementary • Gr. 1-8 1000 Alameda de Las Pulgas, Belmont 1200 Notre Dame Avenue, Belmont BELMONT (650) 593-4265 • Fax (650) 650-593-4342SAN MATEO (650) 591-2209 • Fax (650) 591-4798 E-Mail: ihmschool@ihmschoolbelmont.com Website: www.nde.org Website: www.ihmschoolbelmont.com Tours by appointment Open House: January 25 • 10:30am-1pm Testing for Grades 1-7 on March 2, 2009 Tours by appointment SAN CARLOS REDWOOD CITY SAN CARLOS St. Charles • Gr. K-8 SAN CARLOS SAN CARLOS 850 Tamarack Avenue, San Carlos (650) 593-1629 • Fax (650) 593-9723 SAN CARLOS Website: www.stcharlesschoolsc.org Open House: January 25 • 10am-12pm Tours by appointment

REDWOOD Our Lady of Mount Carmel • Gr.REDWOOD K-8 301 Grand Street, Redwood CityREDWOOD (650) 366-8817BELMONT • Fax (650) 366-0902 REDWOOD E-mail: development@mountcarmel.org Website: www.mountcarmel.org Open House: January 25 • 10am-12:30pm Tours by appointment Applications available online

CITY St. Pius • Gr. K-8 CITY CITY 1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City (650) 368-8327 • Fax (650) 368-7031 CITY E-mail:office@stpiusschool.org Website: www.stpiusschool.org Open House: January 25 • 10:30am-12pm Tours: 1/28 & 2/5 or by appointment

BELMONT MENLO PARK

SAN CARLOS

Nativity • Gr. K-8 1250 Laurel Street, Menlo Park (650) 325-7304 • Fax (650) 325-3841 Website: www.nativityschool.com Open House: January 25 • 11am-1pm Tours by appointment

MENLO PARK MENLO PARK MENLO PARK MENLO PARK

St. Raymond • Gr. K-8 1211 Arbor Road, Menlo Park (650) 322-2312 • Fax (650) 322-2910 Website: www.straymond.org Open House & School Tour: January 25 • 11am-1:30pm

REDWOOD CITY

OF

January 23, 2009

D a l y

C i t y

Catholic San Francisco

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C o l m a

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School

Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School

Holy Angels Elementary School

80 Wellington Avenue Daly City 94014 (650) 755-4438 Fax: (650) 755-7366 e-mail: olphdc@yahoo.com www.olphdc.org – Call for school visit – Open House: Sat., Jan. 31 2:00–4:00 pm

7 Elmwood Drive, Daly City 94015 (650) 756-3395 Fax: (650) 756-5872 www.olmbulldogs.org e-mail: olmdc@yahoo.com School tours by appointment Open House and Curriculum Fair Sun. January 25 1:00–3:00 pm

20 Reiner Street Colma 94014 (650) 755-0220 Fax: (650) 755-0258 www.holyangelscolma.com Open House: Sunday, January 25 11:00 am – 2:00 pm School tours by appointment

South San Francisco

All Souls Elementary School 479 Miller Avenue So. San Francisco 94080 (650) 583-3562 Fax: (650) 952-1167 www.ssfallsoulsschool.org e-mail: info@ssfallsoulschool.org Open House: Sunday, January 25 10:00 – 11:30 am Prospective Parent Information Evening: Monday, January 26, 7pm

CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF NORTH SAN MATEO COUNTY

South San Francisco

St. Veronica Catholic School 434 Alida Way So. San Francisco 94080 (650) 589-3909 Fax: (650) 589-2826 www.stveronicacatholicschool.org Open House: Sunday, January 25 beginning with the 9:30 am Mass until 1:00 pm

P a c i f i c a

S a n B r u n o

M I L L B R A E

Good Shepherd Elementary School

St. Robert Elementary School

St. Dunstan Elementary School

909 Oceana Boulevard Pacifica 94044 (650) 359-4544 Fax: (650) 359-4558 www.goodshepherd-school.org e-mail: goodsheppac@hotmail.com Open House: Tuesday, January 27 8:30 am. Call for a reservation or for additional school visit dates

345 Oak Avenue San Bruno 94066 (650) 583-5065 Fax: (650) 583-1418 e-mail: stroberts@sanbrunocable.com Open House: Thursday, January 29 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm School tours by appointment

1150 Magnolia Avenue Millbrae 93030 (650) 697-8119 Fax: (650) 697-9295 www.st-dunstan.org Open House: Sunday, January 25 Beginning with Mass at 10:00 am, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Tour Call for additional school tours & visit days

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Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

January 23, 2009

Catholic San Francisco

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Conference provides local teachers a global horizon

By J. A. Gray

Eboo Patel, Ph.D., founder and director of Interfaith Youth Core based in Chicago, addresses participants in the Huether Lasallian Conference last November. Patel will speak from noon-2 p.m. Jan. 29 at the University of San Francisco’s McLaren Hall (Room 252) on “Acts of Faith: Interfaith Leadership in a Time of Religious Crisis.”

Saint Raphael School 1100 Fifth Avenue Kindergarten through Eighth Grade

Teachers and staff from Lasallian schools in the Bay Area - including San Francisco schools De Marillac Academy and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory – attended the annual Huether Lasallian Conference in St. Louis, Mo. Nov. 20-22 and returned home with a renewed understanding of the global reach and impact of the Lasallian educational mission.

Katie Norris, director of campus ministry at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco said, “What most impacted me was the understanding that I am part of hundreds of years of traditions with thousands of educators from the past and in the present. I felt connected to people I had never met before purely because we work toward the same mission of Lasallian Catholic education.”

Amanda Borda agreed. The fourth grade teacher at De Marillac Academy in the Tenderloin said, “The 2008 Huether Lasallian Conference was my first experience interacting with the larger global Lasallian network. I found the participants, who worked in all facets of education, to be extremely inspiring. They have a global vision and they act upon it.”

Themed “Global Learning and Social Responsibility Through Lasallian Education,” the conference featured speakers including Maryknoll Father Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, current president of the United Nations General Assembly; Jesuit Father Drew Christiansen, editor-in-chief of the weekly magazine America, and Eboo Patel, Ph.D., an American Muslim who is founder of the Interfaith Youth Core in Chicago.

The annual conference is named for Christian Brother Francis Huether, the De La Salle Christian Brother who initiated it in 1973.

The opening session this year featured live video links to Lasallian educators in Rome, Bethlehem, Nairobi, Manila, and Mexico City. The Superior General of the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría, who is a Costa Rican, spoke to the conference from Rome.

“Globalization is a phenomenon not only of integration into markets but also of knowl-

edge,” he told those assembled. “The dilemma of tomorrow will not be so much between the haves and the have-nots, but rather between those who know and those who do not know.

The key to the future is education, and we have an enormous potential in our hands.”

The De La Salle Christian Brothers sponsor educational apostolates in 84 countries.

These serve some 900,000 students. In the United States alone there are more than 100 Lasallian apostolates in 24 states, offering a wide spectrum of educational services, including 54 secondary schools and seven universities. The western province (called the District of San Francisco with provincial offices in Napa) sponsors a dozen schools in California, Oregon, Washington and Arizona, and supports Lasallian outreach in Mexico, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Africa and Bethlehem.

In his remarks to the conference, Father Christiansen spoke about the challenges of educating for justice and praised the Christian Brothers for his own early education at St. Peter High School in New York. He emphasized the study of Catholic social teaching and the nurturing of empathy and organizational skills in students. “By and large,” he said, “the people who effect change are not singular prophets but leaders of movements and builders of institutions.”

Patel addressed the need to develop interfaith leadership among young people. He spoke of faith formation in a world of diversity and cited service projects involving several faiths as key to developing “religious pluralism.”

Father d’Escoto Brockmann, the former foreign minister of Nicaragua and current U.N. General Assembly president, underscored the role of Lasallian educators as natural and strategic partners in achieving international peace and justice. “You must concentrate your efforts to move students from the logic of ‘you and I’ to ‘we and ours’,” he said. “Solidarity and social responsibility must be the guiding principles of all human activity,” he said.

Participants had particular praise for Patel’s presentation on the need for young people of different faith traditions to understand one another. Scott Drain of La Salle High School in Concord said, “Patel’s work in developing

Open House: Sunday, Jan 25th 10:30am – 2:30pm Conveniently located downtown San Rafael

www.straphaelschool.com Ph 415.454.4455 – Notice of Non Discriminatory Policy as to Students – All Souls School, So. San Francisco; Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco; Convent of the Sacred Heart Elementary School, San Francisco; Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, San Francisco; Corpus Christi School, San Francisco; De Marillac Academy, San Francisco; Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires, San Francisco; Good Shepherd School, Pacifica; Holy Angels School, Colma; Holy Name School, San Francisco; Immaculate Conception Academy, San Francisco; Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Belmont; Junipero Serra High School, San Mateo; Marin Catholic High School, Kentfield; Megan Furth Academy, San Francisco; Mercy High School, San Francisco; Mercy High School, Burlingame; Mission Dolores School, San Francisco; Nativity School, Menlo Park; Notre Dame Elementary, Belmont; Notre Dame High School, Belmont; Our Lady of Angels School, Burlingame; Our Lady of Loretto School, Novato; Our Lady of Mercy School, Daly City; Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Redwood City; Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Daly City; Our Lady of the Visitacion School, San Francisco; Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco; Sacred Heart Preparatory, Atherton; Saint Anne School, San Francisco; Saint Anselm School, San Anselmo; Saint Anthony-IC School, San Francisco; Saint Brendan School, San Francisco; Saint Brigid School, San Francisco; Saint Catherine of Siena School, Burlingame; Saint Cecilia School, San Francisco; Saint Charles Borromeo School, San Francisco; Saint Charles School, San Carlos; Saint Dunstan School, Millbrae; Saint Elizabeth School, San Francisco; Saint Finn Barr School, San Francisco; Saint Gabriel School, San Francisco; Saint Gregory School, San Mateo; Saint Hilary School, Tiburon; Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, San Francisco; Saint Isabella School, San Rafael; Saint James School, San Francisco; Saint John School, San Francisco; Saint Joseph School, Atherton; Saint Mary Chinese Day School, San Francisco; Saint Matthew School, San Mateo; Saint Monica School, San Francisco; Saint Patrick School, Larkspur; Saint Paul School, San Francisco; Saint Peter School, San Francisco; Saint Phillip School, San Francisco; Saint Pius School, Redwood City; Saint Raphael School, San Rafael; Saint Raymond School, Menlo Park; Saint Rita School, Fairfax; Saint Robert School, San Bruno; Saint Stephen School, San Francisco; Saint Thomas More School, San Francisco; Saint Thomas the Apostle School, San Francisco; Saint Timothy School, San Mateo; Saint Veronica School, So. San Francisco; Saint Vincent de Paul School, San Francisco; Saints Peter & Paul School, San Francisco; San Domenico Middle, San Anselmo; San Domenico Primary, San Anselmo; San Domenico Upper School, San Anselmo; School of the Epiphany, San Francisco; Star of the Sea School, San Francisco; Stuart Hall for Boys, San Francisco; Stuart Hall High School, San Francisco; Woodside Priory High School, Portola Valley; Woodside Priory Middle School, Portola Valley; admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color or national origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administrated programs.

interfaith leaders in his community is inspiring. It is clear that helping our students develop these skills will be vital to their effectiveness in the coming years. I have already begun to re-evaluate the curriculum I use in my religion class and I’m also looking at a number of the clubs that I work with and how interfaith skills can be added to their training. I agree with Dr. Patel that when students learn to interact with people of different faiths, it really helps them to understand and appreciate their own faith in a richer way.”

Drain’s colleague at De La Salle High, English teacher Cindy Adrian, says that the international reach of the educational mission will enrich her “Global Voices” curriculum in which students read literature from several cultures and do research, exploring contemporary issues in politics, landscape, family/relationships, economics, traditions, religions, and social constructs. “I will be asking my Global Voices students to make video presentations regarding their African research projects and show the links between their research and the literature,” she said.

‘The dilemma of tomorrow will not be so much between the haves and the have-nots, but rather between those who know and those who do not know. The key to the future is education, and we have an enormous potential in our hands.’

– Christian Brothers’ Superior General Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría Lasallian schools in the United States already have a 15year history of international solidarity through the “Twinning Program” that pairs a U.S. school with a Lasallian school in Kenya, Nigeria, Eritrea, Ethiopia or South Africa. The American schools raise funds to help support their African counterparts, which generally serve very poor populations. Students also engage in projects involving the transnational sharing of art, music and writing.

Brett Klement of De La Salle High summed up the effects of the Huether Lasallian Conference: “Reconnecting with my Lasallian family from all over the U.S. has the blessed effect of renewing both mind and spirit. To feel the power of the Christian Brothers’ charism energizes my passion for teaching and for the legacy of St. John Baptist De La Salle. It is the Brothers’ example and our shared heritage as Lasallian partners that makes possible the miraculous educational experience each of our institutions offers the world over.”

(The full text of Father Christiansen’s keynote address, “Education for Faith and Justice: Some Modest Proposals,” was published in the Dec. 4 issue of Origins documentary service.)

John A. Gray directs the Office of Communications for the De La Salle Institute based in Napa. For more information, visit www.delasalle.org.

Megan Furth Academy 2445 Pine Street San Francisco, CA 94115 Tel. 415-346-9500 Fax. 415-346-8001

Megan Furth Academy Open House Sunday, January 25, 2009 9AM-12PM Tour the school and secure your child’s place on the Road to Excellence: ∞ Student to teacher ratio of 10:1 ∞ Affordable tuition; $3000 annually with financial aid available ∞ Full day Kindergarten hours are 8AM-1:45PM ∞ Morning and Evening Care is available from 7AM-6PM daily ∞ Technology, drama, art, music and physical education classes ∞ Megan Furth Academy is located at St. Dominic’s Church ∞ Diverse, college preparatory school in the Catholic tradition ∞ 75% of our graduates attend San Francisco’s best private high schools: SHCP, Riordan, Mercy, ICA, Stuart Hall to name a few!

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Maryknoll Father Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann exhorted participants in the Huether Lasallian Conference to embrace “solidarity and social responsibility” as the “guiding principles of all human activity.”

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CS10

Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

Reach out to wounded Seventh grade students at Nativity Elementary School reached out with a handmade “card of hope” to a young man they have never met and may never meet who was seriously injured in Iraq and is now being treated at the Veterans’ Administration Hospital in Palo Alto.

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Last school year’s seventh grade students from now-closed Mater Dolorosa School gathered recently at Mater Dolorosa Parish Hall where they commemorated a faux graduation and celebrated at a dinner and dance with many parents, Father Brian Costello (pastor), and former teacher Jim Geyer.

Most of the students had been together since kindergarten and would have graduated eighth grade together this year if low enrollment had not forced the school’s closure. Most of the students now attend All Souls, Holy Angels or St. Veronica schools. One student said enthusiastically, “Mater Dolorosa may have closed, but1209 we have brought Howard Avenue Suite 200 three schools together.” Pictured standing, left to right: Father Brian Costello, MathewBurlingame, Pavin, AthzitiCA 94010 Sanchez, Kristofer Iacolino, Marcus Roman, 650 Andrea . 401 . 6140 Rodriguez, Jim Geyer (teacher), Vivian Gao, Tiffany Nguyen, EllieJo Tulio, Aaron PlantzBuckleyedgroup.com and Justin Japitana; seated, from left: Christina Martinez, Nicole Camacho, Akayla Caparro, Jacqueline Singh, Angelina Cowan, Raisa Sayed and Eddie Mallegni.

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Catholic San Francisco

CS11

A CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE! ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Challenging college preparatory curriculum with over 98% continuing on to college Education which provides ethical and moral foundation of Christian values Education which addresses personal growth of the whole person Education in a supportive family atmosphere Education for service, justice and peace Athletic programs affording a wide range of team and individual participation Programs which foster leadership in community service Dedicated faculty, staff and administrators committed to Catholic education Variety of extra curricular activities provide opportunity for individual interests

All schools are committed to serving children who desire an excellent Catholic education. Substantial scholarship and financial aid programs for students and families who qualify are available.

A Catholic high school can make all the difference in your child’s teenage years and for the rest of their lives!

ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL 175 Phelan Avenue San Francisco, CA 94112 (415) 586-1256 Web Site: www.riordanhs.org

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL 1540 Ralston Avenue Belmont, CA 94002 (650) 595-1913 Web Site: www.ndhsb.org

CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL 2222 Broadway Street San Francisco, CA 94115 (415) 292-3125 Web Site: www.sacredsf.org

SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL PREPARATORY 1055 Ellis Street San Francisco, CA 94109-7795 (415) 775-6626 Web Site: www.shcp.edu

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ACADEMY 3625 - 24th Street San Francisco, CA 94110 (415) 824-2052 Web Site: www.icacademy.org

SACRED HEART PREP HIGH SCHOOL 150 Valparaiso Avenue Atherton, CA 94027 (650) 322-1866 Web Site: www.shschools.org

JUNÍPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL 451 West 20th Avenue San Mateo, CA 94403 (650) 345-8207 Web Site: www.serrahs.com

SAN DOMENICO SCHOOL 1500 Butterfield Road San Anselmo, CA 94960 (415) 258-1905 Web Site: www.sandomenico.org

MARIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 675 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard Kentfield, CA 94904 (415) 464-3800 Web Site: www.marincatholic.org

ST. IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREPARATORY 2001 - 37th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94116 (415) 731-7500 Web Site: www.siprep.org

MERCY HIGH SCHOOL – BURLINGAME 2750 Adeline Drive Burlingame, CA 94010 (650) 343-3631 Web Site: www.mercyhsb.com

STUART HALL HIGH SCHOOL 1715 Octavia St. (at Pine) San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 345-5812 Web Site: www.sacredsf.org

MERCY HIGH SCHOOL – SAN FRANCISCO 3250 – 19th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94132 (415) 334-0525 Web Site: www.mercyhs.org

WOODSIDE PRIORY SCHOOL 302 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA 94028 (650) 851-8221 Web Site: www.WoodsidePriory.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SCHOOLS CELEBRATING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK!

CS12

Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

St. Elizabeth . . .

St. Elizabeth Vice Principal Diane Bahr works on spelling with a pupil.

■ Continued from cover Can St. Elizabeth adjust in time to win the Archbishop’s long-term confidence and quiet critics who say the Archdiocese must do something about schools that are running deeply below financial break-even? Or will the parish school face unwanted changes as early as the 2009-10 school year?

No doubt adding to that concern is recent notification from the Schools Department that tuition-assistance monies available for the upcoming school year will be dramatically reduced because of the economic free-fall.

An increasing number of families will be hard pressed to afford Catholic elementary school tuitions and fees which average $6,300 in the Archdiocese. (See commentary on Page CS2.)

Dabdoub said she does not feel the Archdiocese plans to close the school, but there is concern that financially weak schools could be forced to combine classes to save money.

Archdiocesan schools Superintendent Maureen Huntington stressed that none of the lowest-scoring schools are slated for closure.

“That’s not a recommendation anywhere,” she told Catholic San Francisco. “But there are several schools that are fragile and they need to take some strong inter- need a plan to help stabilize enrollment, especially in the city,” he wrote. “Something needs to be done.” vention steps to turn themselves around.”

The Council of Priests sought a study with concrete The first such step would be to combine grade levels at two schools while keeping the schools independent. recommendations so that action could be taken to bring The cost savings could help the schools improve their the school system in line with economic reality. That reality reflects changes in the demographics of many prospects and ease the stress on parish finances.

“I think there are things we can do in the interim to parishes, as Asian, Hispanic and other ethnic groups are buy the schools some time and give time for the economy not enrolling their children in Catholic schools.

“A great concern for all schools is the declining to turn around,” Huntington said. presence of the middle class, The consultant’s draft report is heretofore the ‘backbone’ of the blunt about closures as a possible Catholic School,” the consultant’s long-term outcome for a handful draft report states. of schools whose strengths are Can St. Elizabeth rise from not enough to overcome their a 40 percent enrollment deficit? weaknesses. The Archbishop and Not immediately, but advocates superintendent should evaluate believe they can rebuild if given the six lowest-ranking schools the chance. and plan for closure at the end The goal for September is of a school year -- the report 180, the first step toward an ideal does not specify a year -- “if it is 270 by 2015, Dabdoub said. determined that a school cannot be “We want to be able to show a moved into a positive position.” clear path to next year and what it Eleven schools, including will take to get it above the tipping seven in San Francisco, are in point of 225,” said parishioner the “tipping point” category and Alan Maffei, whose two daughters should be monitored, according are St. Elizabeth graduates. to the consultant’s report card.

The enrollment campaign is Nineteen are listed as stable and one of the tasks the St. Elizabeth 18 as good. community has assigned to a task No schools earned the 540force made up of administrators, point minimum needed to be clasfaculty, alumni and families. sified as strong.

Already teachers have fanned out The St. Elizabeth community to neighboring parishes that do is not dwelling on the consultant’s St. Elizabeth School Principal not have schools of their own. The numbers. Its focus is on a different Gene Dabdoub hopes to goal is to recruit from the Catholic figure: 161. That is the school’s boost enrollment to 180 by fall. community throughout the southenrollment, a dramatically low ern end of San Francisco. number against the 225-pupil A “bigger and better” open enrollment that is the usual yardstick for a school’s ability to generate enough revenue house is scheduled for Jan. 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30, opening with a family Mass for the student body at to cover costs.

Such disparities have reached the critical stage, Msgr. 9:30.

GALA AUCTION EVENTS Another committee is focusing on the school buildBruce Dreier, pastor of St. Robert Parish in San Bruno, wrote in a recent letter to Catholic San GALA AUCTION EVENTSFrancisco. “We ing. The west wall needs resurfacing and painting.

The boiler, flagged in the consultant’s report, is old but volunteers have determined that it is serviceable.

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Both Dabdoub and Maffei stressed the commitment and longevity of St. Elizabeth’s administration and faculty.

“The love that we have for what we do for our families, the nurturing environment that we provide and the honor that we share among us – these values are palpable and continue to grow,” Dabdoub said.

Maffei said the education his daughters enjoyed in grades six through eight at St. Elizabeth has been a factor in their current success at a Catholic high school.

“If you talk to any of the educators you are going to find without exception individuals who are passionate about what they do,” he said. “You can’t find that dedication everywhere, but the skill sets some of these educators are lacking are as administrators. They don’t necessarily have the resources available to market the school. They don’t necessarily have the resources to manage the school.

“It probably doesn’t paint the best picture from a financial standpoint, but when you’re dealing with individual schools you have to look beyond that,” he said.

“I don’t think you can attach a monetary value to that.

Closure would be a tragedy.”

St. Elizabeth may be one of the best-kept secrets on the south side. But, Maffei said, “I don’t want it to be a secret anymore.”

(PHOTOS BY RICK DELVECCHIO)

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Catholic San Francisco

CS13

(PHOTOS BY MICHAEL VICK/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

January 23, 2009

Catholic school teachers lectured on liturgy Father David Pettingill, left, delivers a lecture on liturgy for Catholic school teachers from the Archdiocese of San Francisco at a Jan. 8 seminar at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Other instructors included Timothy Mullner, right, regional vice president for Catholic field sales with McGraw-Hill Education, who led a class on Christology and sacraments, and Doug Benbow, the cathedral’s director of liturgy, not pictured, who spoke on faith and creed. The training was offered as part of the certification process for religion teachers in Catholic elementary schools. More than 60 teachers took part. Catechist workshop events are held in all three counties of the Archdiocese throughout the year.

Holy Bible factoid: most translated book The Holy Bible is the most translated book in the world. We have 2,426 versions in more than 6,500 languages. The Bible is the only published work with such a diversity of readers varying by culture, ethnicity, age, and level of education. This Biblical translation information was reported by Valdo Bertalot, secretary of the Bible Society of Italy at an ecumenical convention in Rome. (Courtesy of Brother John Samaha, SM)

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Author speaks at SI San Francisco author Ruthanne Lum McCunn spoke at St. Ignatius College Preparatory Jan. 14. The writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pieces of Goldâ&#x20AC;? has been translated into 11 languages and published in 22 countries. She has taught at schools including Cornell University and the University of San Francisco. She and her husband, Don, are regular volunteers at San Francisco Martin de Porres House of Hospitality. In this picture she continues her conversation on writing with juniors, Zach Malinski, left, Daine Daniels, and Kyle Graycar.

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DEMARILLAC SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT Thursday, March 12th 6:00 PM Recep on, Dinner & Student Performance The Wes n St. Francis Hotel Alexanderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the 32nd Floor Honorary Chairs Suzanne and Lou Giraudo Mary Kay and Stephen Leveroni Master of Ceremonies NBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diane Dwyer For informa on and to RSVP, contact: (415) 552-5220 x21 or visit www.demarillac.org/celebrate De Marillac Academy serves low-income and at-risk children in the Tenderloin neighborhood through a unique and comprehensive 4th through 8th grade program.

De Marillac is the only tui on-free Catholic school in San Francisco and is co-sponsored by the Daughters of Charity and De La Salle Chris an Brothers. De Marillac is open to children of all faith and cultural backgrounds, and includes a lifelong commitment to students through a dynamic alumni support program.

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CS14

Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

A RCHDIOCESE OF S AN F RANCISCO C ATHOLIC E LEMENTARY S CHOOLS D IRECTORY SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY

M ar ke t

27 13

31

19 Holloway

18 24 21

Phelan St.

15

20

Guererro

5

Church St.

3

12

16 24th

4

25

29th

30 Mi ssi on

5 Mission Dolores Elementary School 3371-16th St. 94114 (415) 861-7673 Fax: (415) 861-7620 Web Site: www.missiondolores.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

10

29

19th Ave.

4 St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception Elementary School 299 Precita Ave. 94110 (415) 648-2008 Fax: (415) 648-1825 Web Site: www.saicsf.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

6

Pine

Ellis

37th Ave.

3 Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School 1560 40th Ave. 94122 (415) 731-4077 Fax: (415) 731-3328 Web Site: www.holynamesf.com Grades: K-8, Extended Care

14

8

32

23

26 22

Broadway

Mi ss ion

2 Epiphany Elementary School 600 Italy Ave. 94112 (415) 337-4030 Fax: (415) 337-8583 Web Site: www.sfepiphany.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

Octavia

28 11 9

ss Van Ne

1 Corpus Christi Elementary School 75 Francis St. 94112 (415) 587-7014 Fax: (415) 587-1575 Web Site: www.corpuschristisf.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

1

17 2

7

6 Notre Dame des Victoires Elementary School 659 Pine St. 94108 (415) 421-0069 Fax: (415) 421-1440 Web Site: www.ndvsf.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

16 Saint Charles Borromeo Elementary School 3250 18th St. 94110 (415) 861-7652 Fax: (415) 861-0221 Web Site: www.sfstcharlesschool.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

25 Saint Peter Elementary School 1266 Florida St. 94110 (415) 647-8662 Fax: (415) 647-4618 Web Site: www.sanpedro.org Grades: K-8

7 Our Lady of the Visitacion Elementary School 785 Sunnydale Ave. 94134 (415) 239-7840 Fax: (415) 239-2559 Web Site: www.olvisitacion.com Grades: K-8, Extended Care

17 Saint Elizabeth Elementary School 450 Somerset St. 94134 (415) 468-3247 / 48 Fax: (415) 468-1804 Web Site: www.stelizabethsf.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

26 Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School 660 Filbert St. 94133 (415) 421-5219 Fax: (415) 421-1831 Web Site: www.stspeterpaul.san-francisco.ca.us Grades: K-8, Extended Care

8 Megan Furth Academy 2445 Pine St. 94115 (415) 346-9500 Fax: (415) 346-8001 Web Site: www.meganfurthacademy.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

18 Saint Finn Barr Elementary School 419 Hearst Ave. 94112 (415) 333-1800 Fax: (415) 452-0177 Web Site: www.stfinnbarr.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

27 Saint Philip Elementary School 665 Elizabeth St. 94114 (415) 824-8467 Fax: (415) 282-5746 Web Site: www.saintphilipschool.com Grades: K-8, Extended Care

9 Convent of the Sacred Heart Elementary School 2222 Broadway St. 94115 (415) 563-2900 Fax: (415) 563-0438 Web Site: www.sacredsf.org Grades: K-8, Girls, Extended Care

19 Saint Gabriel Elementary School 2550 41st. Ave. 94116 (415) 566-0314 Fax: (415) 566-3223 Web Site: www.stgabrielsf.com Grades: K-8, Extended Care

28 Saint Vincent de Paul Elementary School 2350 Green St. 94123 (415) 346-5505 Fax: (415) 346-0970 Web Site: www.svdpsf.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

10 DeMarillac Academy 175 Golden Gate Ave. 94102 (415) 552-5220 Fax: (415) 621-5632 Web Site: www.demarillac.org

20 Saint James Elementary School 321 Fair Oaks St. 94110 (415) 647-8972 Fax: (415) 647-0166 Web Site: www.saintjamessf.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

29 Saint Thomas the Apostle Elementary School 3801 Balboa St. 94121 (415) 221-2711 Fax: (415) 221-8611 Web Site: www.stthomasapostle.pvt.k12.ca.us Grades: K-8, Extended Care

21 Saint John Elementary School 925 Chenery St. 94131 (415) 584-8383 Fax: (415) 584-8359 Web Site: www.stjohnseagles.com Grades: K-8, Extended Care

30 Saint Thomas More Elementary School 50 Thomas More Way 94132 (415) 337-0100 Fax: (415) 333-2564 Web Site: www.StThomasMoreSchool.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

22 Saint Mary Chinese Day School 910 Broadway St. 94133 (415) 929-4690 Fax: (415) 929-4699 Web Site: www.stmaryschinese.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

31 Saint Stephen Elementary School 401 Eucalyptus Dr. 94132 (415) 664-8331 Fax: (415) 242-5608 Web Site: www.st-stephen.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

23 Saint Monica Elementary School 5950 Geary Blvd. 94121 (415) 751-9564 Fax: (415) 751-0781 Web Site: www.stmonicasf.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

32 Star of the Sea Elementary School 360 9th Ave. 94118 (415) 221-8558 Fax: (415) 221-7118 Web Site: www.starsf.net Grades: K-8, Extended Care

11 Stuart Hall For Boys Elementary School 2222 Broadway St. 94115 (415) 563-2900 Fax: (415) 292-3165 Web Site: www.sacredsf.org Grades: K-8, boys, Extended Care 12 Saint Anne Elementary School 1320 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 14th Ave. 94122 (415) 664-7977 Fax: (415) 661-6904 Web Site: www.stanne.com Grades: K-8, Extended Care 13 Saint Brendan Elementary School 940 Laguna Honda Blvd. 94127 (415) 731-2665 Fax: (415) 731-7207 Web Site: www.stbrendansf.com Grades: K-8, Extended Care 14 Saint Brigid Elementary School 2250 Franklin St. 94109 (415) 673-4523 Fax: (415) 674-4187 Web Site: www.saintbrigidsf.org Grades: PreK-8, Extended Care 15 Saint Cecilia Elementary School 660 Vincente St. 94116 (415) 731-8400 Fax: (415) 731-5686 Web Site: www.stceciliaschool.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

24 Saint Paul Elementary School 1690 Church St. 94131 Grades: K-8 (415) 648-2055 Fax: (415) 648-1920 Web Site: www.stpaulsf.net Grades: PreK-8, Extended Care

January 23, 2009

Catholic San Francisco

CS15

A RCHDIOCESE OF S AN F RANCISCO C ATHOLIC E LEMENTARY S CHOOLS D IRECTORY MARIN COUNTY 1 Saint Rita Elementary School 102 Marinda Dr., Fairfax 94930 (415) 456-1003 Fax: (415) 456-7946 Web Site: www.strita.edu Grades: K-8, Extended Care

4 Saint Anselm Elementary School 40 Belle Ave., San Anselmo 94960 (415) 454-8667 Fax: (415) 454-4730 Web Site: www.stanselmschool.com Grades: K-8, Extended Care

2 Saint Patrick Elementary School 120 King St., Larkspur 94939 (415) 924-0501 Fax: (415) 924-3544 Web Site: www.stpatricksmarin.com Grades: K-8, Extended Care

5 Our Lady of Loretto Elementary School 1181 Virginia Ave., Novato 94945 (415) 892-8621 Fax: (415) 892-9631 Web Site: www.ollnovato.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

3 San Domenico School 1500 Butterfield Rd., San Anselmo 94960 (415) 258-1910 [Primary] (415) 258-1908 [Middle] Fax: (415) 258-1901 Web Site: www.sandomenico.org Grades: PreK-8

6 Saint Raphael Elementary School 1100 Fifth Ave., San Rafael 94901 (415) 454-4455 Fax: (415) 454-5927 Web Site: www.straphaelschool.com Grades: PreK-8, Extended Care

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7 Saint Isabella Elementary School 1 Trinity Way, PO Box 6188, San Rafael 94903 (415) 479-3727 Fax: (415) 479-9961 Web Site: www.stisabellaschool.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

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8 Saint Hilary Elementary School 765 Hilary Dr., Tiburon 94920 (415) 435-2224 Fax: (415) 435-5895 Web Site: www.sainthilary-school.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

SAN MATEO COUNTY

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3 Notre Dame Elementary School 1200 Notre Dame Ave., Belmont 94002 (650) 591-2209 Fax: (650) 591-4798 Web Site: www.nde.org Grades: 1-8, Extended Care

13 Nativity Elementary School 1250 Laurel St., Menlo Park 94025 (650) 325-7304 Fax: (650) 325-3841 Web Site: www.nativityschool.com Grades: K-8, Extended Care

4 Our Lady of Angels Elementary School 1328 Cabrillo Ave., Burlingame 94010 (650) 343-9200 Fax: (650) 343-5620 Web Site: www.olaparish.org Grades: PreK-8, Extended Care

14 Good Shepherd Elementary School 909 Oceana Blvd., Pacifica 94044 (650) 359-4544 Fax: (650) 359-4558 Web Site: www.goodshepherd-school.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

5 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary School 80 Wellington Ave., Daly City 94014 (650) 755-4438 Fax: (650) 755-7366 Web Site: www.olphdc.org Grades: K-8

15 Woodside Priory School 302 Portola Rd., Portola Valley 94028 (650) 851-8221 Fax: (650) 851-2839 Web Site: www.woodsidepriory.com Grades: 6-8

6 Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School 16 Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School 1000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont 94002 301 Grant St., Redwood City 94062 (650) 593-4265 Fax: (650) 593-4342 (650) 366-6127 Fax: (650) 366-0902 Web Site: www.ihmschoolbelmont.com Web Site: www.mountcarmel.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care Grades: K-8, Extended Care

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7 Saint Catherine of Siena Elementary School 17 Saint Pius Elementary School 1300 Bayswater Ave., Burlingame 94010 1100 Woodside Rd., Redwood City 94061 (650) 344-7176 Fax: (650) 344-7426 (650) 368-8327 Fax: (650) 368-7031 Web Site: www.stcos.com Web Site: www.saintpiusschool.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care Grades: K-8, Extended Care

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8 Holy Angels Elementary School 20 Reiner St., Colma 94014 (650) 755-0220 Fax: (650) 755-0258 Web Site: www.holyangelscolma.com Grades: K-8, Extended Care

18 Saint Charles Elementary School 850 Tamarack Ave., San Carlos 94070 (650) 593-1629 Fax: (650) 593-9723 Web Site: www.scharlesschoolsc.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

9 Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School 7 Elmwood Dr., Daly City 94015 (650) 756-3395 Fax: (650) 756-5872 Web Site: www.olmcath.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

19 Saint Gregory Elementary School 2701 Hacienda St., San Mateo 94403 (650) 573-0111 Fax: (650) 573-6548 Web Site: www.stgregs-sanmateo.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

1 All Souls Elementary School 479 Miller Ave., So. San Francisco 94080 (650) 583-3562 Fax: (650) 952-1167 Web Site: www.ssfallsoulsschool.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

10 Saint Joseph Elementary School 50 Emilie Ave., Atherton 94027 (650) 322-9931 (MAIN #) Fax: (650) 322-7656 Web Site: www.shschools.org Grades: PreK-8, Extended Care

20 Saint Matthew Elementary School 910 South El Camino Real, San Mateo 94402 (650) 343-1373 Fax: (650) 343-2046 Web Site: www.stmatthewcath.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

2 Saint Veronica Elementary School 434 Alida Way, So. San Francisco 94080 (650) 589-3909 Fax: (650) 589-2826 Web Site: www.stveronicacatholicschool.org Grades: K-8

11 Saint Raymond Elementary School 1211 Arbor Rd., Menlo Park 94025 (650) 322-2312 Fax: (650) 322-2910 Web Site: www.straymond.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

21 Saint Timothy Elementary School 1515 Dolan Ave., San Mateo 94401 (650) 342-6567 Fax: (650) 342-5913 Web Site: www.sttimothyschool.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

12 Saint Dunstan Elementary School 1150 Magnolia Ave., Millbrae 94030 (650) 697-8119 Fax: (650) 697-9295 Web Site: www.st-dunstan.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

22 Saint Robert Elementary School 345 Oak Ave., San Bruno 94066 (650) 583-5065 Fax: (650) 583-1418 Web Site: www.saintroberts.org Grades: K-8, Extended Care

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CS16

Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

In partnership with our Catholic Elementary Schools Marin Catholic celebrates

Catholic Schools Week Sunday, January 25th through Sunday, February 1st

Pictured (left to right) with Marin Catholic Principal Chris Valdez and President Father Thomas A. Daly are seniors: MEGAN ZUTTER — Graduate of St. Patrick.

Defense Attorney for Mock Trial Team.

Volunteer at Marin General Hospital.

RICHARD GECK — Graduate of St. Isabella.

Early Admission to Duke.

Student Body Treasurer.

SOBEYDA MONTEROSSA — Graduate of St. Raphael.

Attendee of the Global Young Leaders Conference in Budapest.

Secretary of the Respect Life Club.

Visit www.marincatholic.org for more information on all the schools featured below.

Our Lady of Loretto — Novato Open House - January 25th from 10 AM to 11:30 AM

St. Anselm — San Anselmo Open House - February 1st from 12 PM to 1:30 PM

St. Hilary— Tiburon Private Tours Available

St. Isabella — San Rafael Open House - January 25th from 10 AM to 12:30 PM

St. Patrick — Larkspur Open House - March 8th from 11 AM to 1 PM

St. Raphael — San Rafael Open House - January 25th from 10 AM to 2:15 PM

St. Rita — Fairfax Open House - January 25th from 10 AM to 1 PM

San Domenico — San Anselmo Private Tours Available

January 23, 2009

Catholic San Francisco

9

Of Grace and Sippy Cups

Laundry, treasured time and life I remember the first time I folded my son Matthew’s laundry. It was a month before his due date, and I was pre-washing the gifts from my baby shower. As I snipped plastic tags from the green and yellow clothes (we didn’t know his gender, so friends were carefully neutral in their gifts), I was watching – of all things – the 1950s classic “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” a DVD I’d borrowed from my neighbor.

As I sorted through the sleepers decorated with placid chicks and gentle giraffes, I knew that soon there would be a day when my own world would stand still, a day when I would meet the little being who was both so alien and so known to me.

Weeks later, Matthew was born, a blue-eyed boy with a full head of dark hair. Months passed; the green and yellow sleepers were replaced by larger ones in shades of blue, printed with fire trucks and racecars. Soon I was folding stiff little jeans and big-boy sweatshirts and socks for the toddler feet that ran excitedly throughout the house.

There is something so prayerful about folding children’s clothes. It’s a pause, a moment to reflect on the little bodies

that inhabit the shirts and shorts and socks. It’s bittersweet, too. Now that I’ve seen Matthew grow from newbornhood to toddlerhood, I know how achingly fast the time passes.

I love seeing him expand his repertoire of skills, growing more verbal and more boylike, but it’s honestly painful, too. The hours that slip by in a haze of endless mothering chores are actually incredibly precious. These days don’t last forever, even if, in my weariness, it sometimes seems that they do. And once Matthew outgrows his clothes, he will never wear them again. To some things, there truly is an end.

Of course, now I’m a mom for the second time, and the cycle is repeating itself. Shortly before Luke’s birth, the box came down from the attic, and I once again started laundering the green and yellow sleepers. It was a treat to hold them to my face, these soft little outfits. It was even more prayerful the second time around.

But our burly little Luke has already outgrown the 0-3 month clothes. I’ve been passing them along to a pregnant friend, and I do so with an ache in my chest. There are a few items I’m literally unable to part with: a tiny red T-shirt, a sleep-

er that says MOMMY AND ME. I just can’t let everything go.

But it’s not really the clothes I want to keep forever. It’s this age, the beautiful baby months when Luke smiles his gummy smile, learns Ginny to hold his rattle, and Kubitz Moyer laughs with the glee of the very new.

I love it, this sweet time when he fits perfectly against my shoulder, when his little body smells of warmth and sleep and babyhood.

No, I can’t make the earth, or time, stand still.

But, like all moms, I’d give anything to try.

Ginny Kubitz Moyer is the author of “Mary and Me: Catholic Women Reflect on the Mother of God.” Contact Moyer via her blog at www.maryandme.org.

Spirituality for Life

Read anything interesting lately?

“What have you read lately that’s interesting?” Since readers of this column sometimes ask me this question, I want to highlight some of the more interesting novels I have read this past year. I will focus on novels (with one exception, a book of essays by a novelist) because most of us look for guidance in the area of contemporary literature which, like contemporary music, is a rich mine-field, full of golden nuggets, but mixed too with a lot of dirt.

Since my undergraduate years, I have always had a good novel within reach and this has been an important complement to my reading in theology and spirituality. There are certain insights into the soul you only get from good literature. When I was doing my doctoral studies, I was lucky enough to sit in on some classes by Antoine Vergote, the renowned psychologist. Not infrequently, especially when we were examining particularly complex issues (obsessions, jealousy, emotional depression), he would refer us to various novelists and their insights.

Through the years, I’ve developed a list of contemporary novelists whose books I buy on sight. I try to read a select number of classic and modern-classic writers, too, but, as you know, the classics require a bit more concentration, sometimes more than one can muster on an airplane.

My list of favorites is heavily weighted by British women: Iris Murdock, Anne Byatt, Doris Lessing, Anita Brookner, Susan Howatch, to name a few. American and Canadian women feature highly, too: Toni Morrison, Alice Munro, Joyce Carol

Oates, Annie Dillard, Jane Urquhart, Marilynne Robinson, Barbara Kingsolver, Mary Gordon, Margaret Atwood.

The men? Michael Ondaatje, Milan Kundera, John Irving, John Updike, Khaled Hosseini, John MaGahern, Guy Vanderhaeghe, James Carroll, Don DeLillo, Philip Roth, Chaim Potok, and (yes) Andrew Greeley for his ability to tell a story.

My favorite novels this past year? Great literature or not, these novels touched me: Khaled Hosseini’s “Kite Runner” touches you deeply with sadness and hope and tells a painful story sensitively without undue sentimentality. It also provides insight into the various factions within the Islamic world.

Michael Ondaatje’s “Divisadero” stands out. The story doesn’t stand out, the writing does. This is art, the best writing I’ve read this past year. I was sorry to see last page.

Mary Doria Russell’s “The Sparrow” is a stunning read, if not always an easy one. A futuristic novel, it posits the discovery of a new planet containing self-reflective life and she has the Jesuits send a mission team there. I’m not sure her vision of future space ships will check out, but her insights into love and ecclesiology are extraordinary.

Annie Dillard’s “The Maytrees” has little action except that which takes place inside the human heart wherein she highlights the anatomy of forgiveness and redemption. A tough, worthwhile read.

Kent Haruf’s “Plainsong and Evensong,” two novels with

one story, are wonderfully crafted, warm-hearted, but with enough of a dark side to avoid sentimentality, Haruf reminds me of the Irish novelist, John McGahern. His characters have the same warmth, become real inside of Father you in the same way, Ron Rolheiser and become people you would like to meet.

William Young’s “The Shack” is novel about loss, bitterness, forgiveness and God. Young might not always and everywhere please people with what he says about religion and the churches, but the concept of God that emerges is wonderfully healthy and biblical.

Marilynne Robinson’s “Home” was not nearly as well acclaimed by critics as her previous novels such as “Gilead.”

I disagree. This is a story that works at several levels. Among other things, it is the biblical story of a prodigal son and compassionate father, except Robinson’s version is messier and emotionally more complex than the Gospel story. She treats the intricacies of faith, love, loneliness, loss, forgiveness, not to mention happiness, with some of the nuances they deserve (and seldom receive). It is because of books like this that my ROLHEISER, page 14

The Catholic Difference

In praise of George W. Bush The following is best appreciated if read aloud in the best Irish accent you can manage: Paddy, the local scoundrel, was dead. The entire population of the village where he spent a lifetime making others miserable attended the funeral Mass – some, doubtless, to make sure he was really gone. Knowing the congregation’s sentiments, the wise old pastor said to his people, before the final commendation, “Now, dear brothers and sisters, before we commit our brother to the sod, it would be an act of charity if one of you were to come forward and say a good word about ‘im.”

No one moved. “Come, now, brothers and sisters,” the pastor pleaded, “surely there’s someone who can say a good word for the man.” Total silence. “My dear people, I’ll be tellin’ the sacristan to lock the door in a minute, and not a one of you’s goin’ to leave this church until someone comes forward to say a good word for this departed brother.”

Finally, an ancient villager got up, shuffled to the side of the casket, turned his back to the pastor, and said in a clear voice, “I think his brother was even worse.”

As he leaves office, George W. Bush could be forgiven for feeling like Paddy, were he a man given to self-pity.

Happily, he isn’t. And it’s emphatically not in the spirit of, “Well, James J. Buchanan and Herbert Hoover were even worse” that I should like to praise President Bush at the end of his two terms. For what, you ask? For many things that ought to count for Catholics.

I should like to praise him for his steadfast support of

the pro-life cause, domestically and internationally. Thanks to President Bush, we have two more Supreme Court justices who likely know that Roe vs. Wade was terrible constitutional judging, and dozens more federal district court and appellate court judges with similar convictions. Thanks to President Bush, the U.S. government drew an important moral line in stem cell research, even as the administration accelerated bioethically sound research strategies that have produced real results.

Internationally, the Bush administration stood firm against the Gadarene rush to use international law to declare abortion an international human right and a necessary component of the emancipation of women. As one senior Vatican official put it to me, a year ago, “We know we’re never going to have another American administration as supportive of our core issues as the Bush administration has been.”

I should like to praise the president for his work to rid Africa of the plagues of AIDS and malaria and to relieve the suffering of those afflicted with those awful diseases.

George W. Bush may be an object of ridicule in certain U.S. zip codes; he is the subject of veneration among those in the “bottom billion” whose lives his policies have saved or enhanced.

I should like to thank the President Bush for offering Pope Benedict XVI such a warm welcome on the South Lawn of the White House on April 15, 2008 – a welcome that ought to have put paid, once and for all, to the notion that there is something incompatible between robust Catholic

faith and a mature gratitude for the political miracle of American democracy.

I should like to thank President Bush for his personal decency, manifest in his (unpublicized) George Weigel personal attention to our wounded and to the families of the fallen; in his refusal to become bitter in the face of outrageous slander; and in his calm amidst tribulations that most of us can’t imagine. I should like to thank him for his unapologetic confession of Christian faith, and for his testimony to the importance that prayer plays in his life.

And I should like to thank him for not giving a hoot about the mockery that such a witness draws from a secularized mass media, from American high culture, from cretins like Michael Moore, and from Euro-secularist snobs who spent eight years sneering at the evangelical cowboy in the White House while their continent was dying from spiritual boredom.

Thank you, Mr. President.

George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

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Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22; Psalm 117:1bc, 2; I Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 16:15-18 A READING FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS ACTS 22:3-16 Paul addressed the people in these words: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. I persecuted this Way to death, binding both men and women and delivering them to prison. Even the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify on my behalf. For from them I even received letters to the brothers and set out for Damascus to bring back to Jerusalem in chains for punishment those there as well.

“On that journey as I drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from the sky suddenly shone around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ I replied, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.’

“My companions saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who spoke to me. I asked, ‘What shall I do, sir?’

The Lord answered me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything appointed for you to do.’ Since I could see nothing because of the brightness of that light, I was led by hand by my companions and entered Damascus.

“A certain Ananias, a devout observer of the law, and highly spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me and stood there and said, ‘Saul, my brother, regain your sight.’ And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him.

Then he said, ‘The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard. Now, why delay? Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away, calling upon his name.’”

(AN ALTERNATIVE READING IS ACTS 9:1-22.)

Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.”

The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.

For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank.

There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on

him, that he may regain his sight.”

But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.”

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel, and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength. He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus, and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. All who heard him were astounded and said, “Is not this the man who in Jerusalem ravaged those who call upon this name, and came here expressly to take them back in chains to the chief priests?” But Saul grew all the stronger and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM PS 117:1BC, 2 R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples!

R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.

For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.

R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.

A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 1 COR 7:29-31 I tell you, brothers and sisters, the time is running out. From now on, let those having wives act as not having them, those weeping as not weeping, those rejoicing as not rejoicing, those buying as not owning, those using the world as not using it fully. For the world in its present form is passing away.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK MK 16:15-18 Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Scripture reflection FATHER CHARLES PUTHOTA

St. Paul’s conversion reverberates yet today

by Caravaggio in the “Conversion on the Way to Damascus.”

God takes the initiative in any change of heart. Paul possesses the integrity to respond to that initiative by letting go of self-seeking ways. It is a marvelous meeting point of God’s grace and Paul’s openness. God alone can bring about true conversion.

However, even in conversion, God builds on natural gifts. Saul had been well-educated, eloquent, courageous, zealous, sophisticated and persuasive. Now converted, Paul is invited to employ his personal gifts for the daunting task of bringing Christ to the whole world, as Jesus commands the disciples in the Gospel.

Preaching “Christ crucified,” Paul boldly cuts through the complexity between the old and the new, embracing the centrality of Jesus who has replaced the old dispensation.

Hence, the requirements for new life will be not circumcision, nor the dietary laws, nor the sacrificial offerings, but faith in Jesus, the Savior of the world.

Paul’s conversion to Christ makes him an internationalist. Going beyond his Jewish tradition, Paul enters the world of gentles to announce Jesus Christ. He thus preaches to the “whole world” of different cultures and religions, fulfilling his Master’s mandate. Thanks to Paul’s bold and pioneering mission, we are Christians “The Conversion on the Way to Damascus” today.

by Caravaggio in the Cerasi chapel, Following Paul’s footsteps, we are to preach the good Santa Maria del Popolo Church, Rome. news to the world of multi cultures and religions, people The greatest challenge in life is to of all kinds of beliefs and persuasions. change oneself. Often we want to change We preach Jesus through our words, but others. At times, we think the Gospel even more through our concrete deeds of demands of conversion are meant for compassion and kindness, our love turned others, not for ourselves. If only others service, so that the Church in the modern changed, we imagine, we would be happy world may truly address the longings of or the world would be better. If everyone the peoples.

Even though Paul had never physiwanted to change the world without changing oneself, the world could never cally met Jesus in life, his spiritual change. Societal change without personal encounter on the way to Damascus was change is impossible. Peace, justice and sufficient nourishment for his conversion progress are unattainable without per- and mission. It is a sign of hope for us sonal transformation. Hence Gandhi’s who encounter Jesus through his Spirit. words: “Be the change you wish to see Though we have never seen Jesus as did the apostles, we too can be transformed in the world.”

Contemplating St. Paul’s conversion, into great apostles like Paul, as Jesus we realize that through personal change, insists on encountering us on the way to he shaped a brave new world. Paul had our Damascuses.

In Paul’s conversion, as in Matt. 25, wanted to change the world in a certain way. But when he finally accepted change Jesus identifies with people: “I’m Jesus for himself, he was so totally transformed whom you are persecuting.” Paul goes that he could become an influential instru- on to develop a theology and praxis of ment of God’s grace, capable of inspiring one body, one spirit, with Jesus at the change in large numbers of people of his heart of the community. Our conversion time. The principles and implications of can be genuine to the extent we too can his conversion are valid even today for the identify with others, especially those most vulnerable. Our conversion to Jesus will Church and the world at large.

Paul does not induce change in him- always entail our conversion to the poor self. His conversion happens despite we are called to serve. himself. Jesus encounters him on the Father Charles Puthota is pastor way, and literally throws him off his of St. Veronica Parish, high horse, a scene painted powerfully South San Francisco.

A young man prays to God for courage to change the world. Years pass. Now middle-aged, realizing he has changed no one, he prays to be able to change at least his family and friends. Again, years pass.

Now an old man, he sees he has changed no one even among his family. He now prays for grace to change himself, and regrets not making this prayer in the beginning. At least he would have been a changed man a long time ago.

January 23, 2009

Catholic San Francisco

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Jubilee Year of St. Paul Plenary and partial indulgences for Archdiocese offered, explained

By Patrick Vallez-Kelly Following the decree announcing special indulgences for the jubilee year honoring the 2000th anniversary of the birth of St. Paul the Apostle from the Holy See, Archbishop George Niederauer has recently announced opportunities to receive indulgences locally. While one hopes that such an announcement would be warmly received, the opposite is often the case. Connected to the doctrine and practice of indulgences are unfamiliar terminology, an often-misunderstood theology, a history of abuse, and a detailed set of conditions. At their core, however, indulgences are about a bountiful gift of God’s mercy received because one has united himself or herself more closely to Jesus Christ and the communion of saints.

This is most appropriate for a jubilee!

Terminology and theology Is it easier to understand the phrase “lingering consequences” instead of “temporal punishments” or “perturbation in the universal order”? The terminology often used to explain indulgences is the most theologically accurate, but it is unfamiliar to many. So here’s a quick glossary before we dive into the definition: • Remission: relief or cancellation • Expiation: making amends • Temporal punishment: (see above) • Plenary: full The Church’s authoritative definition of an indulgence is: “... a remission before God of the temporal punishment for sins, whose guilt is forgiven, which a properly disposed member of the Christian faithful obtains under certain and clearly defined conditions through the intervention of the Church, which, as the minister of Redemption, dispenses and applies authoritatively the treasury of the expiatory works of Christ and the saints.”

(Manual of Indulgences, norm 1).

A couple of key points: First, an indulgence is granted to one who is properly disposed to receive it, which eliminates me if I just think of it as a free pass because I go through the motions correctly. In the case of a plenary indulgence, not only does the proper disposition include having received absolution of sins through the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation), but one must be “truly repentant” and in a “spirit of total detachment from any inclination to sin.”

We receive an indulgence through God’s mercy when we are truly turning our lives around – away from sin and toward the Gospel. That’s a great offer, but it’s not like we’re picking it up at the bargain bin. The Church, as steward of Christ’s promises of mercy, extends the

pledge of mercy through the indulgence granted, but ultimately it is God who judges each person’s heart to determine true contrition.

Second, indulgences are about being freed from punishments that we may justly deserve either in this life or the next because of the sins we have committed up to the present. They are not a means of having sins forgiven, which requires repentance and confession.

They also do not apply to punishment for sins we might commit in the future.

Indulgence details outlined in letter from Archbishop In a letter to the faithful of the Archdiocese of San Francisco dated Jan. 12, Archbishop George Niederauer wrote: “By virtue of the Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary given May 10, 2008, regarding Jubilee Year special indulgences conceded to the faithful within the Archdiocese of San Francisco, the Plenary Indulgence will be granted to ‘each and every truly repentant individual member of the Christian faithful’ who devoutly takes part in a sacred liturgy or a pious devotion in honor of St. Paul” at the following times and churches: • St. Paul Church, 221 Valley St., San Francisco, from Saturday, Jan. 18, 4 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 25, 6 p.m. in observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

• St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, 1122 Jamestown Ave., San Francisco, from noon on Saturday, Feb. 14, through Sunday, Feb. 15, to celebrate with that parish its titular Solemnity of St. Paul of the Shipwreck.

• All churches of the Archdiocese of San Francisco from 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, through Monday, June 29, in observance of the solemn closing of the Pauline Year.

To receive the plenary indulgence through a pilgrim visit, a person must receive absolution through the sacrament of penance and receive Communion within a week of the visit; offer prayer for the intentions of Pope Benedict XVI; and recite the Lord’s Prayer and Creed during the visit.

A partial indulgence is also granted through the end of the Jubilee Year, June 29, for the recitation of the “Pauline Year Prayer” in any other following churches for the intention of Christian unity: St. Paul, San Francisco; St. Paul of the Shipwreck, San Francisco; Sts. Peter and Paul, 666 Filbert St., San Francisco; St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco; St. Timothy, 1515 Dolan Ave., San Mateo; or Mission San Rafael Archangel, 1104 Fifth Ave., San Rafael.

Text of the “Pauline Year Prayer” has been distributed on cards to all parishes and is also available online at http://sites.google.com/site/sfworship/. For other information, contact the Office of Worship at (415) 614-5586.

Abuse and correction Indulgences can be difficult to explain because they bring to mind abuses in the Church’s history. In the early centuries of Christianity, long penances could be imposed for those who had publicly sinned. But because, as Pope Benedict XVI has explained, “in the spiritual field, everything belongs to everyone,” it was accepted that others could take on the penance of another through the traditional means of prayer, fasting or almsgiving. However, in the days of the early Renaissance, when Pope Julian II offered an indulgence to those who contributed alms for the restoration of St. Peter’s Basilica, the corruption surrounding that particular offer and others like it was a contributing cause for Protestant reformers.

Ultimately, the Church has made two notable changes in the discipline of indulgences. These changes brought them away of the error of spiritual bean counting and toward true contrition, love for Christ, and concern for others’ salvation. First, the Council of Trent prohibited any collection of money in connection with an indulgence. Second, the Church no longer assigns a determination of days or years to a partial indulgence.

Conditions The detailed conditions that are attached to indulgences also make sound-bite explanations very difficult.

The conditions are meant to ensure that superstition, ignorance and irreverence surrounding the discipline of indulgences are avoided. Connected to the Pauline Year plenary indulgence is a pilgrim visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls of Rome or one of the local churches named by our Archbishop for a public devotion or liturgy in honor of St. Paul.

Also required are the usual conditions of 1) reception of Holy Communion; 2) sacramental confession and absolution within a week of the pilgrim visit and 3) praying the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed and offering prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father. Like a canopy over all of these concrete acts is the condition of JUBILEE YEAR OF ST. PAUL, page 14

Pope Benedict: St. Paul calls Christians to full communion This Sunday, Jan. 25, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, is also the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. It also concludes the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This confluence of celebrations invites us to reflect on their meanings and significance as we celebrate the Jubilee Year of St. Paul.

On June 28, 2007, Eve of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, when Pope Benedict XVI declared that June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009 will be celebrated as the Pauline Jubilee Year, the head of the Eastern Orthodox Communion, Patriarch Bartholomew I, joined him during the solemn event. The Holy Father pointed out that the Year of St. Paul would be a privileged year for Christians to pray over and study the life, letters and legacy of the Apostle. Symbolized by the presence of the Patriarch, the Pope stated that it should be marked by its important “ecumenical dimension.”

The two leaders were together again during the formal opening of the Jubilee Year last year. Highlighting its ecumenical significance, the Bishop of Rome pointed out that “the Apostle of the Gentiles, who dedicated himself to the spreading of the good news to all peoples, spent himself for the unity and harmony of all Christians.” Benedict XVI prayed that the Pauline Jubilee Year “help Christian people renew the ecumenical commitment, and may there be an intensification of joint efforts on the journey to the full communion of all Christ’s disciples.”

As a way of joining in this papal prayer for the Jubilee Year, we can look back with gratitude, and hope for the future, to the unfolding ecumenical quest.

Observed annually by many Christian communities from Jan. 18 to 25, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was originally called the Church Unity Octave. Commemorated between the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter (then observed on Jan. 18, now on Feb. 22) and the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, it was first celebrated in 1908.

The dawn of the 20th century gave birth to ecumenism.

The movement grew with the desire among Christians to restore the unity that was lost in the 11th century East-West

(CNS PHOTO/TONY GENTILE, REUTERS)

By Father Thaddeus Noel G. Laput, CM

Pope Benedict XVI embraces Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople during Mass marking the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul last June 29 at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Schism (Catholic-Orthodox split) and the 16th century Reformation (Catholic-Protestant split). Early ecumenical dialogues and initiatives made by Protestant, Orthodox and Evangelical churches resulted in the founding of the World Council of Churches in 1948.

While initially hesitant in joining the movement, the Catholic Church fully embraced ecumenism with the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). The Council’s Decree on Ecumenism (1964), Unitatis Redintegratio, teaches that the one Church of Christ already exists, though in a divided state.

It sees as the purpose of ecumenism to seek ways of restoring that lost unity and of coming closer together in Christ.

At the Council’s culmination, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I repealed the mutual excommunications that had divided Catholics and Orthodox Christians for centuries.

Pope John Paul II reaffirmed the Catholic commitment to ecumenism in 1995 with his encyclical, On Commitment to

Ecumenism, Ut Unum Sint. He invited all Christians to help him seek new ways to exercise the Petrine ministry to hasten Christian reunion. A contemporary ecumenical response to this papal challenge can potentially mirror Paul’s account in his letter to the Galatians of how he confronted and criticized Peter when he was wrong.

The Reformation happened with a significant Pauline flavor as Martin Luther relied heavily on Paul’s letters to the Romans and the Galatians to expound his doctrines, particularly on the justification by faith, with which he criticized Catholicism resulting in his break from the Church and the birth of Protestantism.

In 1999, after decades of dialogue, officials of the Roman Catholic Church and the Worldwide Lutheran Federation issued the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.

They have declared that the mutual excommunications relating to the doctrine of justification do not apply to the teachings of their churches. The World Methodist Council also adopted the document in 2006.

Looking at this ongoing ecumenical journey, we can pray in a special way for Christian unity during this Year of St. Paul.

We take insight and inspiration from Paul’s call to unity to the Christians in Corinth where discord had arisen. Speaking about this episode in the Apostle’s letters to the Corinthians during the opening of the Jubilee Year, Pope Benedict XVI said: “St. Paul does not hesitate to address a strong call for them all to remain in agreement, for there to be no divisions among them, for them to unite in the same mind and purpose…. St. Paul reminds us that full communion between all Christians has its foundations in ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism.’”

Vincentian Father Thaddeus Noel G. Laput is parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Daly City. He will deliver a free, public lecture, “The Life, Letters and Legacy of St. Paul,” on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 1:30 p.m. at the parish, 15 Elmwood Dr., Daly City.

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Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

Music TV

Film RADIO Books stage

Local Sister’s book reveals art’s insights into St. Paul “FACING THE APOSTLE: PAUL’S IMAGE IN ART,” by Sister Armanda Santos, FSP. Pauline Books. Paperback, 144 pages. $16.95.

By Audrey Cabrera Amort

(PHOTO BY MARTA REBAGLIATI/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

The Daughters of St. Paul in Redwood City, whose mission is to spread the Gospel through books and media, have a new author in their midst. Daughter of St. Paul Superior Sister Armanda Santos has written a book that combines her expertise in religious art and the life of St. Paul.

The book was released at the end of 2008 after Sister Armanda completed her master’s degree in theology at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley.

Sister Armanda concentrated on religion and the arts. Her idea for a book discovering the apostle through art started out as her thesis.

Each chapter includes an icon or a painting from a scene in the life of St. Paul. Sister Armanda explains the symbolism and detail of the artwork, facts about the artist and his work and a spiritual reflection to help the

reader draw closer to God. The end of each chapter closes with a prayer corresponding to its image and reflection.

Sister Armanda chose her blood sister, Daughter of St. Paul Sister Germana Santos, who also belongs to the Redwood City congregation, to write the prayers for each of the 13 chapters. “She’s really a great writer for prayers,” Sister Armanda said. “Instantly, I just thought of her.”

The second of five children, Sister Armanda followed her older Sister Germana into the congregation even though she felt the religious calling first. “I was the one who always wanted to be a nun since my First Holy Communion,” Sister Armanda said.

Extraordinarily, Sister Armanda was four when she received her First Holy Communion.

Sister Armanda was born and raised in the Azores. In the 1960s, when she was 11, her family moved to the United States to settle in San Leandro. No one speaking a word of English, her father, who had been a policeman, had to work in a factory. None of the children were accepted in a Catholic school.

Communicators talk communications Maurice Healy, left, director of communications and outreach for the Archdiocese of San Francisco and executive editor of its newspaper, Catholic San Francisco, is the guest on “Mosaic” Feb. 2 at 5 a.m. on KPIX CBS 5. Tom Burke, right, is host.

The conversation includes Catholic San Francisco’s 10th anniversary in 2009 as well as the importance and development of communications in the Catholic Church today. “Mosaic” is a co-production of the Office of Communications of the Archdiocese and KPIX.

Couples Weekend Workshop Feb. 7 & 8 Day 1: Developing closeness and friendship Day 2: Managing conflict and communication skills St. Patrick’s Seminary grounds, Menlo Park

Dr. Robert Navarra (Certified Gottman Therapist)

Today, Sister Armanda’s devout elderly mother, who had once dreamed of becoming a nun herself, suffers from Alzheimer’s and Sister Germana takes care of her. Sister Armanda’s parents met when her father was suffering from tuberculosis and her mother was a nurse.

“As a family we’ve always been close,” Sister Armanda said. “I was always very close to my dad.”

The book is dedicated to her father, who died in 2001.

“The idea (of the book) is to look at art, not just as something that’s to be admired, which it should be, but to look at art also from a contemplative stance and to see what we can learn from this artwork in terms of the life of St. Paul,” Sister Germana said.

She explained that her sister, the author, had a capacity to look at a piece of art and beauty and see things that others do not.

“I would say it’s for the everyday person who enjoys reading and wants to know about St. Paul,” said Sister Germana, adding that the book is written in an accessible style even though the background is theology.

The art in the book comes from Caravaggio, Raphael, Rembrandt and nine other artists.

The first chapter, “A Heart Transformed,” discusses Caravaggio’s image of St. Paul on the ground after falling off his powerful white horse (see photo on Page 10). Sister Armanda writes: “We who daily set out in pursuit of Christ would do well to remind ourselves that Jesus longs for our encounter with him even more than we do. This encounter with Christ must flourish into a relationship that will transform us, just as it did Paul.”

The prayer that accompanies the image emphasizes what is most important: “Lord Jesus, I meet you in so many ways, sometimes in silence and prayer, or by stumbling to the ground of my existence….

Like Paul, let me know how to be companioned by others, led by those around me who can point out the way, because the journey is very lonely without them.”

Audrey Cabrera Amort is a Catholic San Francisco intern.

Capsule movie reviews…

NEW YORK (CNS) – Following are recent capsule movie reviews by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“Hotel for Dogs” (Dreamworks/ Nickelodeon) Wholesomely enjoyable canine caper in which an orphaned brother and sister (Jake T. Austin and Emma Roberts) shelter their dog, along with a motley group of strays, in an abandoned hotel, outwitting their neglectful foster parents (Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon) and causing complications for their genuinely caring social worker (Don Cheadle). Director Thor Freudenthal’s cuddly adaptation of Lois Duncan’s 1971 children’s book sees the affectionate siblings working together and with friends to care for their expanding pack. A couple of crass words. The USCCB classification is A-I – general patronage. The Motion Picture

Association of America rating is PG – parental guidance suggested.

“Paul Blart: Mall Cop” (Columbia) Good-natured slapstick comedy relies on the physicality of Kevin James, who, in addition to co-writing the script, portrays the plus-size security guard defending a New Jersey mall from acrobatic thieves on the busiest shopping day of the year. Because the hapless hero embodies qualities infrequently championed on-screen nowadays – including chivalry, diligence and honesty – any moderately untoward moments in director Steve Carr’s effort are eclipsed by a positive message concerning respect for those not usually deemed successful or attractive. Some suggestive humor, instances of crude and crass language, and one sequence involving alcohol use. The USCCB classification is AII – adults and adolescents. The MPAA rating is PG – parental guidance suggested.

How to Deepen Your Love Relationship: 7 Essential Principles This presentation will provide an overview of Dr. John Gottman’s 35 years of ground breaking research with over 3500 couples on what works in relationships. We will cover what the “Masters of Marriage” are doing right to increase intimacy, romance, and emotional connection.

Adding a few easy steps can make a big difference over time in our relationships.

Presented by Robert Navarra, Robert is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in private practice in the Bay Area for over 27 years. He is a Certified Gottman Therapist and Couples Workshop Leader trained by Drs. John & Julie Gottman. Additionally, Robert has worked as an adjunct faculty at Santa Clara University, Notre Dame de Namur University, and St. Patrick’s Seminary where he taught Pastoral Counseling for 8 years. For more info: www.robertnavarra.net

February 11, 2009: 5:30-7:30pm Caesar’s Italian Restaurant, 2299 Powell Street at Bay Street Format: Registration begins at 5:30pm followed by networking. Program begins at 6pm, ending by 7:30pm.

Includes Caesar’s antipasti appetizers served throughout the evening. No host beverages.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, I would like to attend the “Change Will Happen” event on 2/11/09.

650-593-8087 www.robertnavarra.net robertnavarra@sbcglobal.net Based on Dr. John Gottman’s 35 years of research on what works in relationships.

Check one:

$20 _______ I am a member . Event cost is $20 per member $30 _______ I am Not a member. Event cost is $30 per non-member FREE _______ I am a non-member but want to join CPBC with my first event free! Please make your check for $45.00. Annual Membership is $45.00 per person including your first event complimentary.

NAME: _______________________________________PHONE: _______________________________ ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________________ E-MAIL _________________________________________PARISH: ___________________________ This information is for CPBC only and will not be used for any solicitation. Mail this form & a check payable to “CPBC-

ADSF” to: CPBC, Attn: Mary Jansen, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

January 23, 2009

Tridentine Mass The traditional Latin Mass according to texts and rubrics from before Vatican II is celebrated at locations and times below.

Sundays at 12:15 p.m.: Holy Rosary Chapel at St. Vincent School for Boys. For more information, call St. Isabella Parish at (415) 479-1560.

First Friday: Latin High Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1425 Bay Road at Glen Way, East Palo Alto. Mass is followed by the Litany of the Sacred Heart and Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament until midnight. Confessions are heard before Mass. Low Mass in Latin is also offered every Friday evening at 6 p.m. For further information, call (650) 322-2152.

Arts & Entertainment Jan. 25, 12:30 p.m.: Organ concert by Father Paul Perry at St. Sebastian Church, Bon Air Rd. and Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Kentfield. Free admission. Onehour program includes music by Bach, Franck, Max Reger and others.

Jan. 25, 3 p.m.: Concert by Michael S c h m i t z , d i re c t o r of piano studies, at Notre Dame de Namur University, Ralston Hall Mansion Ballroom, 1500 Ralston Ave. in Belmont.

A reception follows the performance. Tickets are $20 and $10 for seniors Michael Schmitz and students. Call (650) 508-3729 or e-mail concerts@ndnu.edu.

Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.: “The Gospel of Mark” performed

by Michael Reardon and directed by Patrick Lane at Notre Dame des Victoires Church, 566 Bush St. in San Francisco. Reardon and Lane have performed the spellbinding proclamation of Scripture more than 1,000 times around the world. A meet-the-artists reception follows the play. Admission to the two-hour event is free though free-will offerings will be accepted. Call (415) 397-0113 for more information. Visit www.gospels.org for more about the group.

Food & Fun Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m.: CYO Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner in the Father O’Reilly Catholic Charities CYO Center at St. Emydius gym, Ashton at DeMontfort St. in San Francisco. Tickets are $75. Call Meghan Livingston at (415) 972-1213 or visit http://athletics.cccyo.org/home/ halloffame09.php Jan. 24, 5 – 9 p.m.: Wine and cheese tasting benefiting Immaculate Conception Academy, 24th and Guerrero St. in San Francisco. Event includes silent auction. Entrance fee of $25 includes commemorative wine glass. Adults only admitted -21 years of age and older. Call (415) 824-2052 or visit www.icacademy.org.

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of the Shipwreck Parish, 1122 Jamestown Ave. at 3rd St in San Francisco. Adults only, 21 years of age and older.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Free dance lessons 7 – 8 p.m. with Olivia Guillory. Music by Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic. Call (415) 374-6698 or (925) 522-8727.

Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m.: Annual “All You Can Eat” Crab Feed sponsored by Serra Club of San Francisco at St. Anne Parish’s Moriarty Hall, Judah at Funston in San Francisco. Tickets are $45. No-host bar. Call Joan Higgins at (415) 333-2422 or e-mail at jhigg2390@ aol.com.

Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m.: Cioppino Dinner and Silent Auction benefiting St. Thomas More School in the new gym, St. Thomas More Way and Brotherhood Way in San Francisco. Tickets are $40 and include appetizers, complete dinner and wine. Visit www.stthomasmoreschool.org March 1, 5:30 p.m.: Columban Fathers Annual Dinner and Raffle at United Irish Cultural Center, 45th Ave. at Sloat Blvd. in San Francisco. Guests of honor are Nora Mullane and Terry and Dan Kelleher. Tickets at $40 include pot roast or chicken pomadora dinner.

Call Pam Naughton at (415) 566-1936 or Anne Quilter at (415) 586-8017.

Datebook

TV/Radio Sunday, 6 a.m., KOFY Channel 20/Cable 13 and KTSF Channel 26/Cable 8: TV Mass with Msgr. Harry Schlitt presiding.

Saturday, 4 p.m.: Religious programming in Cantonese over KVTO 1400 AM, co-sponsored by the Chinese Ministry and Chinese Young Adults of the Archdiocese.

1st Sunday, 5 a.m., CBS Channel 5: “Mosaic,” featuring conversations on current Catholic issues.

3rd Sunday, 5:30 a.m., KRON Channel 4: “For Heaven’s Sake,” featuring conversations about Catholic spirituality.

KSFB Catholic Radio 1260 AM offers daily Mass, rosary and talk on the faith – visit www.ihradio.org.

EWTN Catholic Television: Comcast Channel 229; Astound Channel 80; San Bruno Cable Channel 143; DISH Satellite Channel 261; Direct TV Channel 370. For programming details, visit www.ewtn.com.

Catholic San Francisco

Trainings/Lectures/Respect Life

Jan. 25, 12:45; Jan. 31, 5 p.m.; Feb. 28, 6 p.m.: Rites commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Salesian Sisters’ service in the United States at (Jan. 25) Corpus Christi Parish, Santa Rosa at Alemany Blvd. in San Francisco and (Jan. 31) Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, 666 Filbert St. on Washington Square in San Francisco. North Beach liturgy includes concert as well as slide show chronicling the Sisters’ work in the local Church. Call Frank Lavin at (415) 276-2166 for more information. The Feb. 28 event is a gala dinner at San Francisco’s Westin St. Francis Hotel. For ticket information, call Russ Gumina at (415) 397-3068. Pictured are Salesian Sisters Ann Cassidy, left, Jean Erickson, Margaret Natal, Antionette Pollini, Kathleen Gibson and Phuong Nguyen.

Jan. 25, 5:30 p.m.: Evening benefiting SVdP’s Catherine’s Center’s at Kohl Mansion in Burlingame and honoring longtime volunteers and supporters, Ann and Bill Regan. Evening includes champagne reception and entertainment by the classical music ensemble, Musica Sacra. Dessert and Irish coffee reception closes the event. Tickets are $100. The center relies on donations to cover its operating expenses of $24,000 a month.

For more information, call (650) 373-0637. Catherine’s Center welcomes volunteer support. For more information, call (650) 246-1520 or e-mail svdpcatherine@ yahoo.com.

Jan. 31, 8 p.m. – midnight: Mardi Gras Zydeco Dance at St. Finn Barr’s Goode Hall, 415 Edna St. at Hearst in San Francisco. Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 at door.

Call (415) 585-4524 or (415) 333-3627.

Jan. 31: St. Elizabeth School, 450 Somerset St. in San Francisco, holds its Famous Crab Feed Dinner featuring, raffle prizes, special entertainment, and dancing the night away with DJ Bruce Jolly. Menu includes Dungeness crab or roasted chicken, appetizers, antipasto, pasta, salad, coffee and dessert. All proceeds benefit St. Elizabeth School. Tickets are $40.

Call (415) 468-3247.

Feb. 6, 7 a.m.: Catholic Marin Breakfast Club meets at St. Sebastian Church, Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Bon Air Rd. in Greenbrae for Mass with breakfast and talk following. Guest speaker is Father Tom Daly, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of San Francisco and president of Marin Catholic High School. Members breakfast $7/visitors $10. Call (415) 461-0704 weekdays or email sugaremy@aol.com Feb. 7, 6 p.m.: 13th Annual Holy Name Crab Cioppino

Dinner, Ryan Hall 40th Ave. at Lawton in San Francisco.

Tickets are $45 each /$40 seniors/$10 for children age 6 – 12. Menu includes Father Don D’Angelo’s “Heavenly Garlic Bread” as well as appetizers, crab cioppino, dessert, with hosted bar and live music for dancing.

Call (415) 664-8590 or visit parish center, 38th Ave. at Lawton.

Feb. 7, 5:30 p.m.: Crab Cioppino Dinner Extravaganza benefiting Mercy High School, San Francisco In Barrett Hall, 3250 19th Ave in San Francisco. Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple. Call (415) 334-7941 or e-mail events@mercyhs.org.

Feb. 7, 7 – 10 p.m.: Little Children’s Aid Junior Auxiliary honors Karen Leach, a member of St. Stephen Parish and active member of the LCA Juniors for more than 25 years, with its annual Alice Phelan Sullivan Award at Forest Hills Club House, 381 Magellan Ave. in San Francisco. The honoree teaches kindergarten at St. Brendan School in San Francisco and is a past president of the LCA Jrs. Evening includes silent auction, hosted bar, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment by the Hot Frittatas. Tickets are $75. Contact Mary Rotunno at (415) 310-1315.

Feb. 12, noon: Reunion lunch for class of ’57 from St. Ignatius, Sacred Heart and Archbishop Riordan high schools at Caesar’s Restaurant, Bay St. at Powell in San Francisco. Tickets at $35 include lunch, tip and contribution to Riordan scholarship fund. Contact John Strain, SI, at (415) 492-3310 or e-mail bigstrains@ sbcglobal.net; Tom Doonan, SH, at (415) 621-6324 or e-mail tobenapa@aol.com; Mike Farrah, Riordan, at (415) 681-0300 or e-mail FarrahRE@aol.com.

Feb. 14, 7 p.m.: Valentine Zydeco Dance at St. Paul

First Saturdays: San Mateo Pro-Life prays the rosary at Planned Parenthood, 2211 Palm Ave. in San Mateo at 9 a.m. and invites others to join them at the site. The group is also open to new membership. Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month.

Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m.: Annual Interfaith Prayer Service for the Sanctity of Human Life at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Gough and Geary Blvd. in San Francisco. Rev. Aris Metrakos, pastor, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, San Francisco; and a representative of the Sisters Father Aris for Life of New York are scheduled to speak.

Metrakos Former San Francisco Archbishop John R. Quinn who instituted the event 22 years ago has been invited to speak. Reception follows the rite in the Cathedral’s downstairs rooms.

Call (415) 664-3590 for more information. Sponsored by the Interfaith Committee for Life.

Jan. 24, 11 a.m.: Fifth Annual Walk for Life West Coast begins at San Francisco’s Justin Herman Plaza lawn at the Embarcadero. To organize groups or get further information e-mail info@walkforlifewc. com or call (415) 586-1576.

Jan. 28, 7 p.m.: The Daughters of St. Paul celebrate the Pauline Year with local author Sister Armanda Santos, who will guide participants in reflecting more deeply on the figure of St. Paul as illustrated in her new book: “Facing the Apostle: Paul’s Image in Art.” Sister Armanda’s talk, “Images of Paul in Art,” will take place at Pauline Books & Media 2640 Broadway, Redwood City (650) 369-4230.

Datebook is a free listing for parishes, schools and non-profit groups. Please include event name, time, date, place, address and an information phone number. Listing must reach Catholic San Francisco at least two weeks before the Friday publication date desired. Mail your notice to: Datebook, Cavtholic San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, S.F. 94109, or fax it to (415) 614-5633, or e-mail burket@sfarchdiocese.org.

ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO 2009 DELUXE DIRECTORY INCLUDES: Archdiocesan Officials and Departments, Catholic Charities, Parishes & Missions, Parish Staff Listings. Latest E-mail Addresses, Phone Directory Yellow Pages, Mass Schedules. Schools: Elementary, High Schools, Universities & Colleges.

Religious Orders, Religious Organizations, etc. . . .

ORDER FORM

Please send me

copies of the Directory

Name

Address

City

Zip Code

Credit Card #: Signature:

Copies @ $20.00 Each: $ Includes Postage and Handling

Method of Payment: ❑ Visa Exp. Date:

❑ Mastercard

❑ Check ❑ Money Order

Phone #:

C ATHOLIC S AN F RANCISCO , O NE P ETER Y ORKE W AY , S AN F RANCISCO , CA 94109

14

Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

Rolheiser . . .

■ Continued from page 9 psychologist-professor told us to read more novels.

Barbara Kingsolver’s “Small Wonder,” essays rather than a novel, helps you to get know Kingsolver, the woman behind the novels. The essays are mostly autobiographical. They are also sensitive commentaries on terrorism, global warming, living simply, raising kids, handling adulation and hatred, science and religion, family life, and gardening. And Kingsolver’s

exceptional writing skills are ever present. This is art rather than journalism.

There is always a subjective element in assessing literature.

Your tastes might not agree with mine. Moreover, and I say this upfront, I tend to read more for essence than for detail so sometimes I don’t pick up on certain details that rub sensitive nerves in others. So, I can’t guarantee you’ll like these books.

I can say that I did.

Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser can be contacted through his website: www.ronrolheiser.com.

Jubilee Year of St. Paul . . .

■ Continued from page 11 total detachment from any inclination to sin, something that can judged by God alone.

Archbishop Niederauer has also announced that a partial indulgence may be gained for praying the Pauline Year Prayer for the intention of Christian unity in one of six designated churches in the Archdiocese. These plenary and partial indulgence grants last until the end of the Pauline Year on June 29, 2009.

Accommodation for the homebound The indulgences offered on the occasion of the Jubilee Year of St. Paul are connected to pilgrim visits to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls of Rome or other local churches. But those who are unable to make these visits for good reasons are not excluded from the opportunity. If they have within their hearts the proper disposition (true contrition and detachment from any inclination to sin), if they join a jubilee celebration in honor of St. Paul in spirit and offer their prayers to God for Christian unity, and if they have the intention of fulfilling the usual conditions (sacramental confession and reception of Holy Communion) as soon as possible, then the plenary indulgence is also given to them.

Patrick Vallez-Kelly directs the archdiocesan Office of Worship.

Party Rentals

ADVERTISING SERVICE DIRECTORY FORINFORMATION Call 415-614-5642 Fax: 415-614-5641 E-mail: penaj@sfarchdiocese.org

SM

FINE SERVICE, BETTER EVENTS.

Carpet Cleaning TABLES SEATING LINENS SETTINGS SERVEWARE STAGING

1- 800-717-PARTY

ABBEY party rents sf

411 ALLAN STREET DALY CITY, CA 94014 FAX 415-715-6914 TEL 415-715-6900

painting and remodeling John Holtz Ca. Lic 391053 General Contractor Since 1980

(650) 355-4926

Safe Non-Toxic, No Shampoo, Dry in Hours not Days

Painting & Remodeling

Commercial & Residential Serving SF & San Mateo Co. St. Charles Parishioner

•Interiors •Exteriors •Kitchens •Baths

(650) 593-5959

Contractor inspection reports and pre-purchase consulting

Plumbing BEST PLUMBING, INC. Your Payless Plumbing

(650) 557-1263 EMAIL:

bestplumbinginc@comcast.net Member: Better Business Bureau

Plumbing • Fire Protection • Certified Backflow

John Bianchi

WWW.ABBEYRENTSSF.COM

Counseling Auto Service GALA AUCTION EVENTS

Gala auctions GALA AUCTION EVENTS

BIZZARROS GALA AUCTION EVENTS GALA EVENT SPECIALISTS

TAKE YOUR GALA AUCTION TO THE NEXT LEVEL

When Life Hurts It Helps To Talk • Family • Work • Depression • Anxiety

• Relationships • Addictions

Dr. Daniel J. Kugler Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Over 25 years experience

Confidential • Compassionate • Practical (415) 921-1619 1537 Franklin Street • San Francisco, CA 94109

Bizzarros Auctions has been working with hundreds of non-profits and schools since 1984.

We provide expert consultation cutting edge technology, and a phenomenal auction team for your event.

Individual, family and group counseling for Iraqi and Afghanistan veterans and their families for “depression”, PTSD and coping and re-entry skills.

Complete Auto Repair

415-664-1735

Wednesday & Friday 10 – 4 San Francisco

“I can’t begin to thank you for the outstanding job you did for us as auctioneer at the UCSF Neinman Marcus event. We netted $145,000.”

UCSF

“You and your “gang” were great to work with and a lot of fun. We raised over $490,000” SAN FRANCISCO ZOO

Lic. No. 390254

HOLLAND Plumbing Works San Francisco ALL PLUMBING WORK PAT HOLLAND

Construction MORROW CONTRUCTION Specializing In Wood Fences

(650) 994-6892

NOTICE TO READERS Licensed contractors are required by law to list their license numbers in advertisments. The law also state that contractors performing work totaling $500 or more must be state-licensed.

Advertisments appearing in this newspaper without a license number indicate that the contractor is not licensed.

For more info, contact:

Lila Caffery, MA, CCHT

(650) 368-2001 www.BizzarrosAuctions.com bizzarros@earthlink.net

Healthcare Agency

San Francisco: 415.337.9474 Complimentary phone consultation www.InnerChildHealing.com

INDIVIDUAL, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSELING • Find practical solutions for some of life’s tougher problems and situations • Short-term counseling for lasting solutions.

• 20 years experience.

David Nellis M.A. M.F.T. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

(415) 242-3355 www.counselingforchristians.com

The Irish Rose

Home Healthcare Agency Specializing in home health aides, attendants and companions.

Serving San Francisco, Marin & the Peninsula.

Contact: 415.447.8463

Handy Man Painting, roof repair, fence (repair/ build) demolition, carpenter, gutter (clean/ repair), decks, skylight repairs, landscaping, gardening, hauling, moving, janitorial. All purpose.

Call (650) 757-1946 Cell (415) 517-5977 NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR

Contractors State License Board

800-321-2752

Painting

BONDED & INSURED

415-205-1235

S anti

Plumbing and Heating 415-661-3707 Michael T. Santi Since 1972 Ca License # 663641 24 Hour Emergency Service

Garage Door Repair Discount

GALA AUCTION EVENTS

“Please accept our heartfelt appreciation.

Our 2004 event was an overwhelming success. The event raised close to $90,000.”

SPECIAL OLYMPICS “You team helped make “Celebrate the New Sequoia Ball and Auction” extremely successful. The event netted a record breaking $ 1.2 million” SEQUIOA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

100 North Hill Drive, Unit 18 • Brisbane, CA 94005

CA LIC #817607

lic. 343633 “You made our event more successful than I would have been. I’m hoping we can book you for next year’s auction.”

HILLSDALE HIGH SCHOOL

Phone: 415.468.1877 Fax: 415.468.1875

HABELT’S AUTO SERVICE 3865 Irving St. at 40th Ave. – Since 1964 –

Lic. # 872560

➤ Drain-Sewer Cleaning Service ➤ Water Heaters ➤ Gas Pipes ➤ Toilets ➤ Faucets ➤ Garbage Disposals ➤ Copper Repiping ➤ Sewer Replacement ➤ Video Camera & Line locate PROMPT AND UNPARALLELED SERVICE

Garage Door

Repair Lic #376353

Broken Spring/Cable?

Operator Problems?

Lifetime Warranty All New Doors/Motors

One Price 24 /7

415-931-1540 0% Financing Available

Roofing

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

415-269-0446 650-738-9295

www.sospainting.net Fr ee Est imat es

(415) 786-0121 • (415) 586-6748

Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

Catholic San Francisco Classifieds

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Call: 415-614-5642 Fax: 415-614-5641 Email: penaj@sfarchdiocese.org

Room for Rent

Elderly caregiver available. Reliable and caring, with experience.

Please call Mae at (415) 412-1770

$

625/month. Quiet, Kentfield nrbrhd., Marin County. 12’x12’ room, shared K & B. Seeking mature woman, late 30’s – early 60’s, nonsmoker. $625 deposit + references.

Pls. call Pat at (415) 258-1753.

Nice rental.

PUBLISH A NOVENA Pre-payment required Mastercard or Visa accepted

Cost $26

If you wish to publish a Novena in the Catholic San Francisco You may use the form below or call 415-614-5640 Your prayer will be published in our newspaper

Name Adress Phone MC/VISA # Exp. Select One Prayer: ❑ St. Jude Novena to SH ❑ Prayer to St. Jude

Caregiver Available

❑ Prayer to the Blessed Virgin ❑ Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Please return form with check or money order for $26 Payable to: Catholic San Francisco Advertising Dept., Catholic San Francisco 1 Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

PLEASE CALL 415-584-5307 before 10 pm.

For Rent 2 new flats for rent, 2,500 each flat, 1 car garage, new appliances, 3br/2ba, London near Russia & Persia.

(415) 519-2210, or (415) 468-8178 $

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail.

Most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assistme in my need. Help me and show me you are my mother.

Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to help me in this need.

Oh Mary, conceived without sin. Pray for us (3X).

Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3X).

Say prayers 3 days. C.O.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail.

Most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assistme in my need. Help me and show me you are my mother.

Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to help me in this need.

Oh Mary, conceived without sin. Pray for us (3X).

Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3X).

Say prayers 3 days. S.G.

OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE Approximately 2,000 to 3,500 square feet of space (additional space available if needed) at One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco (between Gough & Franklin), is being offered for lease — preferably to a non-profit entity. Space available includes four enclosed offices, open work area with seven cubicles, large work room, and storage rooms on the bottom level of the Archdiocese of San Francisco Chancery/Pastoral Center. We also have mail and copy services available, as well as meeting rooms (based on availability). Space has access to kitchen area and restroom facilities. Parking spaces negotiable. Ready for immediate occupancy with competitive terms.

For more information, contact Katie Haley (415) 614-5556; email to haleyk@sfarchdiocese.org.

Mountain Retreat Rental

CLASSIFIED RATES

Room for Rent $800/mo., nicely furnished, sunny, MB in house w/stairs, for one quiet adult, shared bath & kitchen. Household: mature, quiet, working. Near Ocean K line.

Maid Services MAID CLEANING SERVICES

15

HELP WANTED PRIVATE PARTY 4 lines for 12.00 Each additional line $2.00 26 spaces per line

PER COLUMN INCH 25 1 time 20 2 time 3 time 15 minimum 1 inch $

$

$ $

Add .50¢ per column inch for website listing

Leave a space between words and/or phone numbers

CALL 415-614-5642 FAX 415-614-5641 EMAIL penaj@sfarchdiocese.org

CALL 415-614-5640 FAX 415-614-5641 EMAIL penaj@sfarchdiocese.org

I clean houses, apts & offices.

LOW PRICES – 20 yr. experience reliable

510.706.4426

Help Wanted We are looking for full or part time

Room for Rent Room for rent, $650/mo. including utilities, non-smoker, Richmond district in SF, no pets (415) 668-2690

RNs, LVNs, CNAs, Caregivers In-home care in San Francisco, Marin County, peninsula Nursing care for children in San Francisco schools If you are generous, honest, compassionate, respectful, and want to make a difference, send us your resume: Jeannie McCullough Stiles, RN Fax: 415-435-0421 Email: info@sncsllc.com Voice: 415-435-1262

Basement Apt. for Rent 2 rooms w/bath, kitchen.

Sunny, light, basement apartment, free parking for one car. $1500/mo. Household: mature, quiet, working.

PLEASE CALL (415) 584-5307 BEFORE 10 PM.

ADVERTISING SALES For The Largest Publisher of Catholic Church Bulletins This is a Career Opportunity!

• Generous Commissions • Excellent Benefit Package • Minimal Travel • Stong Office Support • Work in Your Community

Call 1-800-675-5051 Fax resume: 707-258-1195

Serra for Priestly Vocations Please call Archdiocese of San Francisco Fr. Tom Daly (415) 614-5683

PRINCIPAL JOB POSTING Immaculate Conception Academy 3625 – 24th Street, San Francisco, California 94110 Immaculate Conception Academy, a Dominican, Catholic, collegepreparatory, future Cristo Rey high school for girls in San Francisco (www.icacademy.org) is searching for qualified and dedicated individuals interested in applying for the ministry of Principal for the 2009-2010 academic year. The Principal reports to the President.

Required Qualifications: • A practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church • A valid teaching credential • A Master’s degree in educational leadership and / or an Administrative credential • Five years successful administrative experience at the secondary level (with at least three in Catholic schools) • Familiarity with and enthusiasm for the Cristo Rey work / study model for urban education of secondary students (visit: www.cristoreynetwork.org )

Desirable Qualifications: • Fluency in Spanish (speaking and writing) • Experience in administrative teamwork in the President / Principal model

Timeline: • Cover letter and resume labeled ICA PRINCIPAL APPLICANT sent electronically to: cphilbin@icacademy.org by February 12, 2009.

Sister Mary Virginia Leach, OP, President, Immaculate Conception Academy

Moon Mountain Retreat EDITOR – CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco is seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as editor of Catholic San Francisco – the official newspaper of the San Francisco Archdiocese.

Absolutely stunning views of Sonoma Valley.

150 acres of Mountain Top Peace and Serenity, 12 minutes to Historic Sonoma Plaza.

Historic Main House includes 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and incredible vistas. Also available, 2 private cottages in very private settings with vineyard and valley views with outdoor hot tubs.

Winter and Spring discounts.

Retreats and small intimate weddings

Contact Larry at 707-591-3500 Visit our Website: www.MoonMountainRetreat.com

Catholic San Francisco Editor plans newspaper content including news and feature stories; organizes and directs editorial staff, freelancers, photographers; writes and assigns stories; edits copy; selects wire service material; works collaboratively with advertising director and production manager, leads the production of each issue of the newspaper, and manages/oversees the content of the Catholic San Francisco Online website. Position reports to associate publisher/executive editor.

Desirable candidates for the editor position will have a degree in journalism and 14 or more years of newspaper experience, including 7 or more years experience as editor or assistant editor. Candidates should be faithful Catholics with a commitment to Church doctrine and teaching. They also should have a working knowledge of the U.S Catholic Church and an understanding of the universal Church. Prior diocesan newspaper experience is helpful, but not required.

Catholic San Francisco is published weekly most of the year and twice a month in June, July and August.

Please send cover letter, resume, and samples of work to schmidtp@sfarchdiocese.org.

16

Catholic San Francisco

January 23, 2009

Visit www.catholic-sf.org Wide consultation and a team effort spearheaded by Catholic San Francisco production manager Karessa McCartney has led to the recent launch of the newspaper’s redesigned website, www.catholic-sf.org. Newspaper assistant editor Rick DelVecchio will oversee the day-to-day editorial content management of the site. Significant thanks goes to Robyn

Drop-down menus offer several areas for website visitors to explore.

The multimedia link opens up to videos, audio reports and picture galleries on a wide variety of topics.

Valentine, web development consultant, for his skills and patience dealing with the nuts and bolts challenges of the website’s inner workings. The Catholic San Francisco staff hopes visitors will appreciate visiting the website and will join the newspaper in enhancing it – a work in progress – further.

What are Catholic San Francisco readers thinking?

Click here.

Movie reviews, book reviews, television programming, radio announcements, arts, DVD & CD reports and more can be found by clicking “Entertainment.”

Want to write a letter to the editor, make a suggestion, or know more about Catholic San Francisco?

Click “About us.”

Homilies, letters and other Drop-down menus from communication offer several areasNiederauer Archbishop George for website visitors are available by clicking here. to explore.

A digital version of entire Catholic San Francisco editions from the most current back to January of 2008 can be accessed.

Visitors can be quickly linked to the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s website or to a variety of other faith news and information resources.

Upcoming events in parishes, schools and other organizations can be found in the events calendar and Datebook link.

Click on almost any advertiser’s image and the visitor will learn more about that agency, business or ministry.

Also visit www.sfarchdiocese.org Launched last year, the new website for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, www.sfarchdiocese.org, offers an accessible, attractive and easy-to-navigate site for news and information about the Archdiocese and the universal Church.

The site features information about parishes, schools, administration, religious educa-

tion, young adult ministry and other ministries; links to the Vatican and U.S. bishops’ conference and other sites; as well as resources for prayer and spirituality, vocations, and becoming a Catholic.

Homilies and statements by Archbishop George Niederauer and interactive Google maps highlight the new archdiocesan website.