October 10, 2008

Catholic san Francisco

Festival of Flowers

Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Arab Christians can be ‘bridge of peace,’ says Israeli lawmaker

V

(PHOTOS BY PAMELA J. © 2008)

isitors to St. Mary’s Cathedral’s Second Annual Festival of Flowers last weekend were treated to a wide range of examples for employing floral displays to enhance worship and sacred space.

Above, Presbyterian minister Rev. William McMillan of Northern Ireland, an internationally acclaimed floral art expert, and his assistant, artist Janan Green-Shannon of Half Moon Bay and London, work on the arrangement that graced the Cathedral’s Holy Spirit at Pentecost shrine. (Additional coverage slated for next week.)

Arab Christians are uniquely placed to moderate tensions in Israeli society and advance peace and justice despite the lack of progress toward a two-state solution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, Nadia Hilou, Israel’s first female Arab Christian national legislator, told a conference Oct. 4.

“We wish to become an ever-more courageous voice of moderation” amid the complexities and turbulence of Israeli society, Hilou said in a speech to the annual meeting of the Holy Land Education Committee of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Northwest Lieutenancy.

Hilou was on a panel with Msgr. Robert L. Stern, secretary general of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, a papal humanitarian and pastoral support organization. The event was Nadia Hilou held at the Claremont Hotel and Resort in Oakland. ”We all know the final solution is two states or two nations but neither side knows the formula how to achieve it,” said Hilou, who comes from a Palestinian Catholic family that remained in Jaffa when Israel was established 60 years ago.

ARAB CHRISTIANS, page 15

(PHOTO BY RICK DELVECHIO)

By Rick DelVecchio

October: Respect Life Month

By Michael Vick There are children and even teenagers today who probably don’t know that they owe their lives to a booth at the San Mateo County Fair.

For two decades, passersby at the San Mateo County Fair have seen booth workers dedicated to ending abortion. Members of the 30-year-old group, San Mateo ProLife, use the opportunity afforded by the large gathering to spread their message to those who might not ordinarily hear it.

Cheryl Amalu, SMPL board member and mother of six, told Catholic San Francisco the booth work is both rewarding and challenging. Ultimately, she said, the message is paramount.

“We witness to the reality of what pre-born life is, what it looks like,” said Amalu, a member of St. Gregory Parish in San Mateo. “It’s not a blob of nothing.”

The group displays fetal models showing the development of an unborn child from the embryonic stage to seven months. Amalu said the models are particularly popular with pregnant mothers and young children. The group gives away models of a 12-week fetus.

One example of the models’ impact is especially memorable for Amalu. A man came to the booth and asked for a model, she said, explaining that he had picked up one the previous year. He told Amalu he had shown the model to a young woman RESPECT LIFE MONTH, page 6

(PHOTO BY JESSICA MUNN)

Pro-life advocates use county fair booth to share message

Juanita Gutierrez,left, and Cheryl Amalu take a shift at the San Mateo Pro-Life booth at the San Mateo County Fair.

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Schwab honored . . . . . . . . . 3 Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Assumpta Awards . . . . . . . 19

Church offers wide range of vocations ~ Pages 9-13 ~ October 10, 2008

St. Anthony Foundation clients share thoughts ~ Page 15 ~

Author: ‘Everyone has argument with Church’ ~ Page 20 ~

SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Classified ads . . . . . . . . 22-23

www.catholic-sf.org VOLUME 10

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No. 30

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Catholic San Francisco

October 10, 2008

On The Where You Live

by Tom Burke ‘Twas a privilege to speak recently with Dr. Ann Marie Meagher, a 40-year member of St. Hilary Parish in Tiburon and a proud participant in the Oct. 11 Public Square Rosary Crusade. Mary’s prayer will be recited at noon tomorrow at more than two dozen locations in San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties. “It’s a national campaign and people will gather at more than 3,350 venues across the country to say the rosary,” the retired psychiatrist told me. “My son, Daniel Rosenberg, is leading a group in Tampa.” If you have a few minutes to spare for the hours of peace you’ll probably gain from the experience, visit www. americaneedsfatima.org for a locale near you. While retired from medicine, Dr. Meagher remains busy as a volunteer mostly in prayer outreach and encouraging “devotion to Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”…The Class of 1950 from Star of the Sea Academy celebrated their 58th reunion Sept. 11 at San Francisco’s United Irish Cultural Center.

“Thirteen of us were there to celebrate our 58th year as graduates of one of the finest Catholic girls schools existing at that time in San Francisco,” said classmate, Helen Austin.

Member of the class, Dominican Sister Bernice Garcia, was honored for her many years in ministry, most recently as director of religious education at St. Gabriel Parish in San

Jessica Soracco as Queen Isabella

Holy Name of Jesus students who pitched in at San Francisco Food Bank included Zeph Seher, Ryan Lynch, Angel Guan, Nathalie Nicolas, Michelle Zhang, Michelle Chen, Sea-jin Kim, Pamela Wong, Kimberly Beach, Brittany Tabel, and Christine O’Connor.

Zach Seher missed the photo op as did chaperone, Alice Seher.

Francisco, and her recent retirement….Congrats to student winners of this year’s superior performance in writing acknowledgements from the National Council of Teachers of English. Let me lead a Knowing-How-to-Use-the-Partsof-a-Sentence-Well salute to Gianna Puccinelli, St. Ignatius College Preparatory, Teresa Attridge, Mercy High School, San Francisco, and Joanna Milner and Alexander Siegel, Sacred Heart Preparatory, Atherton. Almost 1,800 students were nominated for the national honor with 525 getting the nod. A special note of thanks to Paul Totah, an SI alum and longtime getting-the-word out expert at the Sunset District school, for fillin’ us in. As we step off into the new school year, please let me thank Paul and all of our school PR folks who keep this column informed. Great work and keep it comin’!….

Jessica Soracco has been named Queen Isabella for this year’s Columbus Day/Italian Heritage Parade to take place Oct. 12 in San Francisco. Her Majesty, currently studying at Sonoma State University, is a graduate of Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary School in North Beach and Sacred Heart Cathedral Class of 1950 from Star of the Sea Academy: back, from left: Carol Wagner Spiller, Preparatory. Jessica will Noreen Farley Murphy, Carol Rickards Emery, Ethne Hughes Grottau, Sue Sperry ride on the parade’s main Stephenson, Lucille Chong Chan, Peggy Concannon Tiernan, Ann Heaney float. Proud parents are Smyth, Loretta Gonzales. Front, from left: Mary O’Donnell Elkington, Yvonne – longtime kinderHelen Wilkey Austin, Marilyn Coeuille Day, Sister Bernice Garcia, OP. garten teacher at Sts. Peter

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and Paul – and Joe, and sibs are Kevin and Mia. Dad is a member Young Men’s Institute Council #613 as are granddad, Cosmo Amato and uncle, Mike Amato. The parade will “mark the 140th year Italian Americans have been celebrating Columbus Day,” Uncle Mike told me….Thanks to Judy Cosmos, new principal at Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School, for getting the word out about students’ good work at San Francisco Food Bank. The boys and girls put in “three hours” of hard work prepping items for those who would receive them, Judy said. “It was a great experience and more kids should try to volunteer,” she exhorted.

The charity’s website is www.sffoodbank.com…. Thanks to Barbara Harrington, extended care director at St. Elizabeth Elementary School, for the good news about students there who helped care for a newborn homeless kitten. It was an opportunity to learn new importance for “all Pip Squeaks God’s creatures great and small,” Barbara said. “It was lots of work and love with a great ending” when “Pip Squeaks” was adopted by the family of St. Elizabeth fifth grader Anthony Rodriguez, Barbara said…. “Welcome aboard” at St. Pius Parish in Redwood City to new youth minister and confirmation coordinator, Elaine Rachko….This is an empty space without you! Send items and pictures via e-mail to burket@sfarchdiocese.org.

Mailed items should be sent 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.

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Catholic San Francisco

October 10, 2008

3

Local pro-life pioneer honored by NCCW

By Tom Burke Mary Ann Schwab, a longtime parishioner of St. Brendan Parish and a pioneer in Respect Life activities in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, has been recognized with the Our Lady of Good Counsel Award from the National Council of Catholic Women.

Schwab received the honor at the NCCW’s General Assembly in Salt Lake City, Utah Sept. 24-28. She is a former president of the San Francisco Council of Catholic Women, and served as NCCW president from 1983-85.

A major qualification for the national award is upholding the mission of the NCCW and its branches throughout the country that includes supporting, empowering and educating Catholic women, especially in the areas of spirituality, leadership and service.

“In my conversations with Mary Ann, I quickly understood her love for seeing women step out of the shadows of the Church and into more visible and active roles in the Church,” said Andrea Schellman, communications manager for the NCCW. “Mary Ann is a woman of vision with strong organizational skills and a deep love for her Catholic faith,” San Francisco Archbishop George H. Niederauer said in a letter recommending Schwab for the award. “She not only understands the Church’s teaching on social

issues affecting the poor, the unborn and the vulnerable among us, but she has also acted effectively and competently, putting her faith and knowledge at the service of the Church.”

Archbishop Niederauer additionally called her “a tireless volunteer in support of life.”

“I’m proud and grateful to receive the award, an affirmation of my work through the years with the councils of Catholic women, an organization I have served first and foremost,” Schwab told Catholic San Francisco. Schwab, who holds a graduate degree in social work from St. Louis University, pointed out that most of her Church work has grown from her connection to the councils. “I’m still going and have no plans to quit,” she said with a laugh.

“In my service to the Church I have felt vital as I assisted in implementing Vatican II,” Schwab said. “Helping spread the Gospel through good work, as Christ asks us all to do, has enabled me beyond my vocation as wife and mother to live the Christian life.”

Schwab and her husband, Frank, were married just days away from 55 years when he died in 2002.

Schwab was a co-founder of the Respect Life Program in the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1974 and served as coordinator of the ministry from 1992-2000. Today she directs Project Rachel, a post abortion-healing ministry, within the Respect Life Program.

Mary Ann Schwab, third from left, with regional nominees, Rita Macewicz, left, Eileen Widmer, right, and NCCW President Bobbie Hunt at NCCW Assembly in Salt Lake City.

“Since joining the Respect Life Program several years ago, I have worked closely with Mary Ann Schwab on many projects and events,” said Vicki Evans, who coordinates the program. “Her energy is unfailing, her knowledge vast, and her speaking and writing ability formidable. Her unique skills and dedication to the Project Rachel post-abortion healing ministry have helped countless women heal emotionally and find the path to peace and reconciliation.”

“Mary Ann is a remarkable, faithful woman,” said George Wesolek, director of the Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns of the Archdiocese. “She basically started the Respect Life Program in the Archdiocese and sometimes against great

odds and amid difficulties, kept it going. And she did this as an unpaid volunteer. I have great admiration for her.”

Joan Higgins of St. John the Evangelist Parish and Cathy Mibach of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, both former presidents of the San Francisco Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, nominated Schwab for the award.

“Mary Ann is a terrific lady who supports the Church and what the Church stands for at all levels – parish, city, state and national,” Higgins said. “She is the perfect choice for the award.”

“Mary Ann has done so much and we admire her so much,” Mibach said. “She is just an amazing woman.”

Annual ACCW convention Oct. 18 The fall convention of Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women will be held from 8:45 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Gough St. and Geary Blvd. in San Francisco.

Correction Star of the Sea Academy operated in Star of the Sea Parish, San Francisco, from 1910 until 1985. It was previously reported incorrectly that the academy closed in 1986.

Speakers will address topics including “Called to Political Responsibility,” “The ABCs of Bioethical Issuse for Women,” and “Life, Truth and the Feminine Genius.”

Fee for the day is $25 and includes morning snack, coffee and lunch.

For informtaion or to reserve a spot, call Anita Provost at (415) 282-8626.

On Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m., the San Francisco Council of Catholic Women will meet at St. Cecilia’s Green Room, 17th and Vicente in San Francisco. A speaker from the League of Women Voters will talk about November ballot issues. For information, call Cathy Mibach at (415) 753-0234.

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Catholic San Francisco

October 10, 2008

in brief

NEWS

Website to highlight Synod WASHINGTON—A website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will highlight Catholics and Scripture during the current world Synod of Bishops on the Bible: www.usccb.org/synod. The Synod will meet at the Vatican through Oct. 25 and be led by Pope Benedict XVI.

Calls for suicide initiative defeat WASHINGTON (CNS) – The governance board of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability is urging rejection of Washington state’s Initiative 1000, saying the socalled Death With Dignity Act “substitutes lethal prescriptions and illusory safeguards for compassionate care.”

The proposal before the state’s voters Nov. 4 would allow physicians to prescribe lethal doses of narcotics to terminally ill patients who would self-administer the drugs. The resulting deaths would not be listed as suicides and death certificates would list the underlying illness as the cause of death, according to the initiative language. In Oregon, where a similar law has been in place since 1994, none of the 49 people who requested assisted-suicide medication last year was referred for psychiatric evaluation, the board noted.

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KC spot: ‘Vote pro-life’ (NEW HAVEN, CT) – A 30-second radio spot encouraging people to “vote pro-life” in the November elections is now running on radio stations around the United States. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, it will continue to air in several markets until the Nov. 4 election, a KC news release stated. The ad features the sound of an unborn baby’s heartbeat at 10 weeks, and the voice of a woman saying, “Listening to this makes me wonder why anyone would question that her life has begun?” It concludes with the words, “Vote your heart. Vote Pro Life.”

The spot can be heard and downloaded from the Knights of Columbus website, www.kofc.org.

Robotic heart surgery initiated Daly City – Seton Medical Center has announced the only Cardiac Robotic Surgery Program in Northern California.

Using the state-of-the-art daVinci S Robotic Surgical System, Seton’s Cardiac Robotic Surgery Program is part of the comprehensive Robotic Surgery Center, “placing Seton Medical Center on par with only a few other programs in the country,” a news release stated.

Seeks U.S.-Muslim relations WASHINGTON (CNS) – A new report calling for stronger diplomatic relations between the United States and Muslims around the world is a step toward peace, said Auxiliary Bishop Denis J. Madden of Baltimore. “It offers a very good approach to what can be done” and also stresses that the divide between the United States and the Muslim world is “not as wide as people make it out to be,” said the bishop, one of 34 American leaders who produced the 146-page document “Changing Course: A New Direction for U.S. Relations With the Muslim World.” The report was created by the Leadership Group on U.S.-Muslim Engagement, which included representatives from religious, business, military, foreign policy, academic, foundation and nonprofit circles. The group released the report Sept. 24.

cation, inequality, child and maternal health, HIV/AIDS and the environment. The goals were accepted by 189 member nations and reconfirmed by 45 nations in a 2007 call to action.

Attacks continue in India

Cardinal’s body disintegrated

BHUBANESWAR, India (CNS) – One woman was axed to death and 10 people were wounded as anti-Christian violence in Orissa entered a sixth week. The Sept. 30 killing raised the number of confirmed deaths to 47 in the violence that began in the eastern Indian state Aug. 24. In the predawn attack, groups of armed Hindu extremists descended on Gadaguda and Rudangia villages in Orissa’s Kandhamal district and selectively attacked Christian homes, Father Leo Parichha, the parish priest, told the Asian church news agency UCA News.

Millennium goals lagging UNITED NATIONS (CNS) – Industrialized countries are falling behind in their progress toward achieving the U.N. Millennium Development Goals because “we are suffering from an acute poverty of imagination,” said a Honduran cardinal who is president of Caritas Internationalis. Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa spoke at the United Nations Sept. 25 at a forum for world leaders. The event was called to review progress, identify gaps and commit resources to meet the global objectives of the Millennium Development Goals. The eight goals, established in 2000 and intended to be reached by 2015, address hunger, edu-

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Editorial Staff: Dan Morris-Young, editor: morrisyoungd@sfarchdiocese.org; Rick DelVecchio, assistant editor: delvecchior@sfarchdiocese.org; Tom Burke, “On the Street”/Datebook: burket@sfarchdiocese.org; Michael Vick, reporter: vickm@sfarchdiocese.org

Bishop Cosme Hoang Van Dat waves during his episcopal ordination ceremony in Bac Ninh, Vietnam, Oct. 7. He became the first Jesuit bishop in Vietnam more than 400 years after Portuguese Jesuit missionaries set foot in the country.

Vietnam has 8 million Catholic believers, the second largest community in Asia after the Philippines.

LONDON (CNS) – English officials exhuming the body of Cardinal John Henry Newman in preparation for his likely beatification discovered that his body had disintegrated completely.

Church officials planned to transfer the cardinal’s remains from a secluded cemetery in the suburbs of Birmingham to a marble sarcophagus in the Birmingham Oratory, where he could more easily be venerated by pilgrims. But when undertakers opened his grave Oct. 2, they found nothing in it. “The absence of physical remains in the grave does not affect the progress of Cardinal Newman’s cause in Rome,” said Peter Jennings, press secretary for Cardinal Newman’s cause. “The Birmingham Oratory has always been in possession of some actual physical remains of Cardinal Newman. These consist of some locks of hair.”

In an Oct. 4 statement, Jennings said both the cardinal’s body and his wooden coffin had rotted away; not even any bones or teeth remained. All that was left were the brass handles of the coffin and a few tassels from the cardinal’s red hat. Also recovered was a brass plate with a Latin inscription, which reads in English: “The Most Eminent and Most Reverend John Henry Newman Cardinal Deacon of St. George in Velabro Died 11 August 1890 RIP.” Cardinal Newman’s sainthood cause was opened in 1958.

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October 10, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

5

Preaching should change lives, inspire, U.S. bishop tells Synod

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – After the current Church year dedicated to St. Paul, the Catholic Church should dedicate a year to the art of preaching, Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., told the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible.

“Unfortunately, preaching in our day can lose its savor, become formulaic and uninspired, leaving the hearer empty,” Bishop Kicanas, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told Synod members meeting to discuss “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.”

Bishop Kicanas and Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, USCCB president, were among the 23 synod members to address the assembly Oct. 7. Each member submitted a summary of his talk, which was released to the press Pointing to an account in Chapter 20 of the Acts of the Apostles, Bishop Kicanas said that even St. Paul “on occasion was known to talk on and on.”

“We are told that Paul was preaching in Troas on the first day of the week and one of his listeners – the young lad Eutychus – was sitting on the windowsill listening. He became drowsier and drowsier and finally fell asleep,” the bishop said.

“He fell from the third-story window to his death,” he said. “God, through Paul, brought the young boy back to life.”

The bishop said that while people still tend to nod off during a boring homily no one usually dies.

The liturgy should build people up, he said. Preaching is supposed to comfort, heal, bring hope, inspire, challenge, teach and confront. “Through grace, it changes lives.”

Bishop Kicanas said preaching in the Catholic Church must improve, and he asked what would happen if the Church dedicated a year to improve preaching. Bishops and priests, working together, should study what makes a homily effective in “this distracted world,” he said. They should ask laypeople what matters to them and what they would suggest to improve homilies.

With a global, concerted effort to improve preaching,

“the new springtime for Christianity, about which the Holy Father speaks, could burst forth and bloom throughout our church,” Bishop Kicanas said.

Cardinal George spoke to the Synod about the importance of pastors working to ensure that biblical texts become part of the lives of believers, something that is more difficult today when biblical language and imagery are disappearing from popular culture.

“A generation ago, the world of art and theater were replete with biblical images,” for example, the good Samaritan or references to Sodom and Gomorrah, he said.

“Those images have now disappeared” and so has “the image of God as an actor in human history,” the cardinal told the Synod. People are losing an understanding of the world as the place where the Holy Spirit is active, where angels and demons are present, where people must seek to do God’s will.

Cardinal George urged Synod members and all Catholic pastoral workers to teach the art of lectio divina, a prayerful, meditative way of reading the Bible in groups as well as individually.

Rabbi challenges Synod leaders to speak out, defend Israel

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Israeli Rabbi Shear-Yashuv Cohen, the chief rabbi of Haifa, asked Pope Benedict XVI and top Catholic leaders to continue learning to appreciate the Jewish people and to speak out to defend Israel.

“I thank God who has kept us alive to be together and work for a future of peace and coexistence the world over,” the 80-year-old rabbi told the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible.

With Pope Benedict sitting nearby, Rabbi Cohen addressed Synod members Oct. 6, telling them of the centrality of the word of God in Jewish life and prayer and its continuing relevance in responding to modern concerns, including promoting the dignity of human life, fighting promiscuity and secularism, and encouraging tolerance and peace.

But Rabbi Cohen made a veiled criticism of plans to beatify Pope Pius XII, who the rabbi and others say did not speak out strongly enough in defense of the Jews during World War II. “We cannot forget the sad, the painful fact of how many, including great religious leaders, did not raise a voice in the effort to save our brethren, but chose to keep silent and help secretly,” said the rabbi, the first nonChristian to address a world Synod of Bishops.

The rabbi also asked Catholic leaders to speak out against anti-Semitism and attacks on Israel. “We hope to get your help as religious leaders – as well as the help of the entire free world – to protect, defend and save Israel, the one and only sovereign state of the ‘people of the book,’ from the hands of our enemies. Being here with you makes me feel that we can expect your help,” he said.

Rabbi Shear-Yashuv Cohen

ST. CECILIA PARISH FESTIVAL Beach Party

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER! CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

* Tons of indoor and outdoor games * * Huge silent auction * Over $5,000 in cash prizes * * 25¢ Bingo * Enjoy lunch or dinner * Family fun for all ages * HOURS:

October 10, 11, 12, 2008 Fri.: 6-10pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday Sat.: 12-4pm & 6-10pm Sun.: 12-6pm

www.scfestival.com

18th Avenue and Vicente Street

th

5 Annual Pilgrimage for Saint Jude Thaddeus Saturday October 25, 2008 Holy Rosary: 8:00 am, St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church.

Assisted Living | Memory Care

You’re Invited…

To a celebration for AlmaVia of San Francisco’s

5th Anniversary

Duration of walk: 9:00 am – 12:45 pm (7 miles approx.)

Location: Walk starts at 9:00 am from St Paul of the Shipwreck Church, 1122 Jamestown Ave. at 3rd St., San Francisco; ending at 12:45 pm at St. Dominic’s Church, 2390 Bush Street, San Francisco.

Parking: Available at St. Dominic’s Church parking lot.

Transportation: Provided from St. Dominic’s Church to Saint Paul of the Shipwreck Church from 6:30 am to 8:30 am only.

Solemn Mass: 1:00 pm, St. Dominic’s Church.

Special Guests: Fr. Emmerich Vogt, O.P (Provincial) Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, O.P. (St. Dominic’s Pastor) Fr. Paul Gawlowski, OFM (St. Paul’s Pastor) Fr. Martin Walsh, O.P. (Director St. Jude Shrine) Fr. Thomas Hayes, O.P., Fr. Francis Goode, O.P. Fr. Paul Scanlon, O.P., Fr. Felix Cassidy, O.P. Fr. Anselm Ramelow, O.P., Fr. Anthony Rosevear, O.P. Fr. Michael Hurley, O.P., Deacon Chuck McNeil

Route: Starting at Jamestown Ave. cross 3rd St., right on Bayshore Blvd., left on Cortland Ave., right on Mission St. to Van Ness Ave. Left on Pine St. and Left on Steiner.

For information please contact the Shrine office: (415) 931-5919 Mon-Fri 9:30 am – 3:30 pm Jaime or Rosa Pinto at: (415) 333-8730 Please be advised that the Shrine of St. Jude, as sponsor of this event, will photograph and video record this event. The photographs or video recording may be used in St. Jude Shrine publications and posted on their website, for educational and religious training purposes, and/or for other non-commercial uses. By participating in this event, participants are deemed to have given their consent and approval to the St. Jude Shrine to use a photographic or digital likeness or reproduction of themselves and any minors in their custody or control without further permission or notification.

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 | 3PM-6PM Program at St. Thomas More Church followed by a reception at AlmaVia of San Francisco Thank you for all the support we have received over the years.

Please RSVP by October 17th.

415-337-1339

“Residents are the heart of our community.”

One Thomas More Way, San Francisco, CA

www.almavia.org AlmaVia of San Francisco, an Elder Care Alliance community is cosponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas West Midwest Community & the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

RCFE Lic # 385600270.

Catholic San Francisco

October 10, 2008

(PHOTOS BY JESSICA MUNN)

6

Knights of Columbus Ted Cordano, left, and Luis Vega take their turn at sharing pro-life message at San Mateo Country Fair.

Respect Life Month . . . ■Continued from cover considering an abortion, an abortion she did not have as a result. “Every year it’s gotten more and more positive,� Amalu said.

Fellow SMPL member Mary Beaudry said her experience this year was also positive. A woman whom Beaudry said was in her 60s came to the booth and thanked her for the work she was doing. The woman told her that at 17 she had almost aborted her daughter, but her pregnancy was too far along. She gave the child up for adoption. The daughter later found her and the two became close. The woman told Beaudry she now has two grandchildren and was grateful for having chosen life. “It’s terrible to end a child’s life without giving them a chance,� Beaudry said.

Fifteen years ago Beaudry was an admitting clerk at a clinic. Early in the job, she was asked to admit a girl seeking an abortion.

Beaudry found a brief opportunity to be alone with the girl and tried to persuade her not to have

the abortion. When the nurses and doctors found out about Beaudry’s attempt to derail the procedure, she was sternly reprimanded.

Then a woman burst through the clinic door and started yelling at the nurses, the doctor and at the girl whom Beaudry had tried to counsel. The girl was the woman’s daughter. The distressed mother took the girl by the hand and led her out of the clinic. “I don’t know who was crying more, me or the mother,� Beaudry said. “I often wonder about what happened to them.�

Beaudry quit the job, went back to school and now works as a nurse in rehabilitative medicine.

Retired doctor and SMPL member Eugene Bleck said pro-life ideas are decidedly foreign to the dominant medical culture in America. Still, he said, there is no logical alternative to the pro-life position. “The whole person is formed at the time of conception,� said Bleck, a parishioner at St. Bartholomew Parish in San Mateo. “Everything you are and hope to be is fixed in the cells very early in the first weeks of pregnancy.�

Bleck said his background in pediatric

The De La Rosa Family staffs the San Mateo Pro-Life booth as a unit; from left: Deacon Ramon, wife Cynthia, and daughter Kristy.

orthopedic surgery made him particularly mindful of the struggles of the disabled, many of whom are aborted in the womb simply because they are disabled. “If you look historically at the Nazi doctors, the program that led to the extermination of the Jews started as a eugenics program, getting rid of the ‘unfit,’� Bleck said, likening the present situation with that faced in the 1930s and 1940s. “It’s quite a scandal that a doctor would support that.

How a doctor could is beyond me.�

Beaudry said while working at the booth this year, she encountered a woman whose story illustrated the modern-day eugenics movement. The woman, now middle-aged, told Beaudry that as a newly married and expecting mother, her doctor recommended she obtain an abortion because he believed her child was mentally disabled.

The diagnosis was based on a uterine test that showed an abnormally high protein count. The doctor recommended performing the abortion immediately, but the woman refused. She wanted to wait for the results of the sonogram. Those results revealed that the woman was not

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE

carrying one mentally disabled child, but healthy twins.

SMPL chair Jessica Munn said the group looks for opportunities to present the pro-life message. In addition to their work at the fair, SMPL has had booths at the public colleges in San Mateo County and has done outreach at Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo.

Echoing other SMPL members, Munn said negative reactions to the group’s efforts have waned. “Years ago, people would come by occasionally and start arguing, some vociferously,�

Munn said. “My husband always liked that, because he said it gets boring otherwise.�

Munn said she has seen a marked increase in the number of pro-life people responding to the booth. She also said the resources the group hands out go quickly, particularly the fetal models. “We went through 500 fetal models in two days,� Munn said. “The 500 cost us $225, but it’s worth it if it saves even one life.�

For more information about San Mateo Pro-Life, contact Jessica Munn at (650) 5721468 or themunns@yahoo.com.

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510.534.3637 | Oakland www.salemlutheranhome.org

AlmaVia of Union City 510.489.3800 | Union City www.almavia.org

AlmaVia of San Rafael 415.491.1900 | San Rafael www.almavia.org

AlmaVia of San Francisco 415.337.1339 | San Francisco www.almavia.org

“residents are the heart of our community�

Elder Care Alliance, a non-profit organization, is cosponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Regional Community of Burlingame & the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. RCFE Lic # 015600255, SNF Lic # CA020000237, RCFE Lic # 015600254, SNF Lic # CA020000442, CCRC Lic #178, RCFE Lic # 015601209, RCFE Lic # 216801868, RCFE Lic # 385600270

October 10, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

7

Local choir performs for Benedict XVI Notre Dame High School’s choir was among groups that entertained and helped lead prayer at World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia in July. The young women choristers performed for several events including a Mass at which Pope Benedict XVI presided and an assembly of more than 300,000 worshippers. Kristin Pfeifer directs the Belmont group.

Lake Merced walk aids St. Vincent de Paul

Nearly 250 people took the path around Lake Merced in San Francisco at the “Friends of the Poor Walk” Sept. 27, sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Among those present were, pictured above from left: Maryanne Murray, John Murray, Joan Anton, Walt Mordarski, Maddy Davies, Katie Burke, Mark Schwabl, Katherine McCarron, Sean Noonan, Tom Bartley, Ian Anton, Jay Davies and Lois Baldocchi. Participants raised more than $33,000 for SVdP ministry.

Preparing Young Women for Life Since 1851

The Knights of Saint Francis of Assisi 700 Montgomery Street San Francsico, CA. 94111 925-719-4126 or 510-847-9195

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED At the Porziuncola The Porziuncola is an exact replica of the chapel built by Saint Francis of Assisi in Italy

Notre Dame High School, Belmont

OPEN HOUSE

As a one of the founding members of The Knights of Saint Francis of Assisi, along with fellow Knight, Ms. Virginia Munoz, we come to you with this notice of request asking for your assistance.

October 19, 2008

We are in dire need of building a volunteer database to serve as guardians for the Porziuncola and keep it open from 10am until 6pm, Tuesday through Sunday. The Porziuncola will not be allowed to remain open without a minimum of four volunteers.

We are asking volunteers to work a minimum of one, four hour shift per month.

Guided Tours 10 a.m. and 1p.m.

(Reservations Recommended)

Performances and Information Gathering 12 noon - 1:00 p.m.

Shadow Program Sept. 22, Oct. 1 and 27, November 5 and 24

www.ndhsb.org

Information Night

(650) 595-1913 x315

November 18

As you may have heard or read, this past September, 27, 2008, his eminence, Cardinal William Levada, Archbishop Emeritus of San Francisco and Prefect, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Archbishop George H. Niederauer officially opened and blessed the Porziuncola, located adjacent to the main church at the National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi in the North Beach section of San Francisco.

1540 Ralston Ave., Belmont 94002

You can help us greatly by advising your parish administrators to either request from us a flyer that can be inserted in your weekly bulletin or by pasting it into the parish’s weekly on-line bulletin. We are also hoping that you can copy or enter the information as soon as possible. Please know that you are more than welcomed to take our information and use it to make a customized announcement in your bulletin. Flyers can also be posted around the parish. If you decided to insert the bulletin we are also asking for your assistance in printing the flyer. We incurred many expenses to build the Porziuncola, so, your contribution of printing the flyer is greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in helping us by volunteering, please call at 415-983-0213 or email us at stephenkosf@yahoo.com or virginiakosf@yahoo.com. Thank you for helping us keep the Porziuncola open.

PAX et BONUM Stephen Baccari Virginia Munoz

8

Catholic San Francisco

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH IS 25:6-10A On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM PS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6 R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.

R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that In 1999, before I was ordained as a permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, I sat down with my wife to decide who should be invited to the celebration after the ordination. A major issue was the limited space in the hotel where we had booked our party. After a lengthy and difficult discussion, we decided to invite everyone from our family and the Tongan Catholic community of the Bay Area, and pray that they would not all show up. Luckily, there was another party (a Tongan Catholic wedding) in another hotel nearby, on the same date.

About half of our guests from the Catholic communities went to that wedding celebration. Our prayers were answered. We booked for 300 and 304 showed up.

In the first reading from Isaiah, he put the wedding in an eschatological context where God provides abundantly for all those invited, where death is destroyed, tears are wiped away, and there is rejoicing and gladness in being saved. The parable in the Gospel is referred to as the “Messianic banquet.” However, it is not just any banquet to which the guests are invited. It is a king who sent out invitations to a feast for his son’s wedding. The invitation indicated a special and personal relationship to the king.

Imagine, then, the shock and the scandal at a refusal! To reject the invitation could be equated with a rejection of the friendship.

Jesus intended his parable for the Jews of his time. Ages before, they had accepted God’s invitation to be his chosen people – his special guests at the banquet of the Kingdom

October 10, 2008

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 25:6-10a; Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14 give me courage.

R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.

R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

A READING FROM THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS PHIL 4:12-14, 19-20 Brothers and sisters: I know how to live

in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need.

I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.

My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW MT 22:1-14 Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be

Scripture reflection DEACON FAVIA PO’OI

Steadfastness needed in ‘yes’ to God of God. But when Jesus came to announce the banquet, they rejected his invitation: no one showed up. It is clear how Jesus’ parable applied to the Jews of his day, and opened the door to sinners and the gentiles. But, how does it apply to us today? What message does it have for us in this very difficult and challenging world, a world where falsehood and culture of death is ever more popular? The message is quite clear. We have accepted God’s invitation through baptism and confirmation.

We answered, “yes” to God’s invitation, to be his guest at the eternal banquet.

As Christians, accepting God’s invitation is not a one-time commitment. It is an on-going

process that needs continuous recommitment and updating. For it is very easy to lose track and miss the banquet invitation because of the challenge we meet in daily living. Saying “yes” to God’s invitation is not a matter of saying “yes” once and then forgetting about it. When we affirm our marriage vows, we know that it is not the end of a process, but the beginning of one. Accepting God’s invitation is like graduating from college. It is not the end of one’s learning, but a stepping-stone toward further learning. Our acceptance of

likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.

He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’

Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’

The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.

The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence.

Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen.” the invitation and commitment to God must bear fruit, for if it does not, then our faith will wither and die. When we hear the word of God (the Scripture), do we try to listen carefully, to digest the words and then apply them to our daily lives? Or do we listen, enjoy and then forget once we leave Mass? As a deacon, my ministry manifests “Christ as resurrection and life” whenever I live the word of God by caring and loving others in need. I hope to inspire others to accept God’s invitation when I proclaim the Good News of the Lord.

This parable in Sunday’s Gospel is about God’s abundant grace – a gift offered to everyone to come to the banquet – a banquet to which even the undeserving are welcome.

Why, then, this devastating ending? And what is the point? The point is that God’s invitation is indeed gracious and is extended to everyone. But, it does come with a standard requirement and expectation of the guests.

The wedding garment stands for the new life, the conversion of the authentic change that grace produces. Here, in Jesus’ parable, the person without the wedding garment is like someone without a proper motivation, someone who comes in falsehood. It is clear to the king this person was a hypocrite and he was immediately thrown out.

The wedding garment to which Jesus refers stands for our loving concern for others, especially the marginalized and the SCRIPTURE REFLECTION, page 11

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October 10, 2008

✝

Catholic San Francisco

VOCATIONS

9

✝

Secular Catholics and religious orders: affiliation deepens baptismal promise Gloria Escola was a cradle Catholic who fell away from the faith when she was a young adult. But more than 20 years later, feeling empty and “left out of creation, out of the world,” she was not only attending Mass again but also deepening her commitment to the Church in ways she could not have imagined as a younger woman.

The path of her re-entry was through becoming a lay associate of a religious order – in her case, the Dominicans.

At first rediscovering the Bible and sharing in readings with other Christians, she found her faith growing yet stronger as she embraced the charisms of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans): apostolic work, community, contemplative prayer, and teaching and studying Scripture.

“I came back to Mass and then it just accelerated,” said Escola, whose Dominican Laity community meets at St. Albert the Great Priory in Oakland. “I had to start saying prayers. I was saying the Rosary. My Mom was saying, ‘I used to drag you and now you’re dragging me.’”

Like Escola, many lay Catholics who are not called to religious vocations but are seeking a deeper vein of spirituality are finding what they are looking for in the Rule of the Dominicans, the Franciscans, the Carmelites, the Augustinians -- the four secular orders active in San Francisco—or any of more than 30 other religious orders with lay branches in the Western states.

Their growing role as a bridge between the rank-and-file laity and those called to religious vocations is the focus of a conference Oct. 25 at Notre Dame High School in Belmont and of two Masses, one in the Diocese of Oakland and the other in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, planned for next year to celebrate the commonality of the lay associates of all religious orders in the two sees.

The San Francisco Archdiocese Mass is scheduled for Feb. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Parish in San Francisco.

Auxiliary Bishop William Justice is scheduled to preside.

At the Western States Conference of Associates and Religious at Notre Dame High School, Notre Dame de Namur Sister Janice Bohn of Mesa, Ariz., will facilitate

(PHOTO BY BARBARA PENNER)

By Rick DelVecchio

the day on a theme of “Association: A New Call to Prayer and Service.” For nearly 30 years Sister Bohn has been a companion to women discerning a calling to become thirdorder associates or vowed religious.

The broadening of the charisms of the religious orders to encompass lay people dates to Vatican II and continues to grow as Catholics find new meaning in the orders’ gifts, Sister Bohn said in an interview. In the case of her own order’s charisms to proclaim the goodness of God and be in solidarity with those in need, lay Catholics today are drawn to serve the poor and to protect the planet itself, she said.

“I think there’s a great flowering of all the different charisms of the different orders that is happening because of the increased participation of so many lay people,” she said.

The organizer of the conference is Kathy Noether, a lay

Four major Secular Orders serving in the Bay Area In the San Francisco area there are four major Secular Orders that participated in a special Mass last year celebrated

by Archbishop George Niederauer. The sermon was on the Presentation, the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary.

Each group presented a symbol of their order to the Archbishop: the San Damiano Cross was presented by the Franciscans to help rebuild the Church; the Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was presented by Cristo Rey, the local chapter of the lay Carmelites; the Torch of Truth, as the light of the world, was presented by the Lay Dominicans; and the gifts of bread and wine were presented by the Augustinians, who are primarily teachers and missionaries.

There are many orders that make promises to live the Gospel life. The Secular Franciscans (SFO) is the largest group in the world, with at least a half-million members. For more information on the Secular Franciscans, contact Guadalupe Gil at (415) 368-6073 or Timothy Gallagher at (415) 885-4772.

Michael Song, minister of St. Andrew Kim Korean Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans in San Francisco, can be reached at (415) 378-5991.

“Monthly we meet to share the challenges of living a Gospel life, and always seek to make God the center of our lives,” said Cindy Wesley, the regional minister for the SFO in Northern California and Nevada. “We study Scripture and the Franciscan charism together. We also are active in works of charity in the community. I am challenged as a Secular Franciscan to manifest my Franciscan calling through works of charity, social justice, environmental justice, respect for the gift of work, family life and youth, and be a bearer of peace.”

Three members of Our Lady of Angels Secular Franciscan Fraternity in Burlingame were professed on May 15. Pictured with the fraternity’s spiritual advisor, Capuchin Father Camillus MacRory (second from left), are, from left: Bernadette Lynch, Cathy Reveler and John Reber.

Cathy Reveler passed away Sept. 19.

associate of the Notre Dame de Namur Sisters and a retired teacher and administrator in the Cupertino public schools.

As Escola was drawn to the Dominican Rule through her re-discovery of Scripture, Noether teamed with the Notre Dame de Namur Sisters because of her passion for justice, peace, equality, freedom and especially literacy education.

“The Sisters of Notre Dame (de Namur) have been famous as educators,” Noether said. “This was a big drawing point for me.”

The number of associates in the order is growing, Noether said. “There are lay people who want to connect with religious life and follow it in their ministry or their service or their prayer life,” she said.

The secular Dominican community in Oakland has five new members in formation, and throughout the Western states three new secular Dominican groups are being established. At the Secular Franciscan community at Our Lady of Angels Parish in Burlingame, three new members — John Reber, Cathy Reveler, and Bernadette Lynch — were professed last May. Reveler, however, died last month.

The secular Carmelites have Friday and Saturday prayer communities affiliated with the Monastery of Cristo Rey in San Francisco. A third community, St. Elijah in Berkeley, has 15 active members.

St. Elijah member Diane Dawes said the process of formation for a secular Carmelite takes seven years and ends with promises that are similar to the vows taken by religious.

Secular communities are generally for lay people, although diocesan priests may join, she said.

“It is a vocation,” Dawes said. “One of the problems is people think it’s a pious organization. It is a vocation — a person is called as a secular to share the charism of the order.”

A lay Catholic who commits to the Rule of an order promises to live the Gospel life. The commitment has often been easiest for retirees to meet, but that is changing, said Secular Franciscan Donna Foley.

SECULAR CATHOLICS, page 12

heaven can’t wait Serra for Priestly Vocations Please call Archdiocese of San Francisco Fr. Tom Daly (415) 614-5683

Serving the Archdiocese of San Francisco Since 1854 For information, please contact:

Sister Stephanie Still, PBVM E-mail: sstill@pbvmsf.org 281 Masonic Ave. San Francisco, CA 94118

415.422.5020

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Catholic San Francisco

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October 10, 2008

VOCATIONS

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Sister Marcee Lyon, SNJM professes perpetual vows Holy Names Sister Marcee Lyon professed perpetual vows Sept. 6 at the congregation’s Convent of the Holy Names Chapel in Los Gatos. Sister Lyon first met the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary at St. Anselm Elementary School, San Anselmo, where she was a student.

“My experience with the Sisters of the Holy Names at St. Anselm’s was one of nurturing, affirming support,” Sister Lyon said in an announcement from the congregation. “The qualities I saw in the Sisters were qualities that I wanted to

incorporate into my own life.”

Sister Lyon began her discerning process as a religious in 1997 at age 50. Before that time, she had worked in fields including commercial property management.

“After experiencing life on many different levels I found that something was missing,” she said. “I have found a way of life that makes sense to me, the freedom to love without expectation or reservations, to be able to experience true forgiveness and how to express that, and to continue to deepen all of my relationships as I

grow and evolve in my own spirituality and understanding of the God within. I have developed a strong sense of who I am, what I have to offer, my strengths and weaknesses, and how I want to live and celebrate my vocation. I have to come to appreciate, develop, and nurture the characteristics and qualities that make me who I am.”

Sister Lyon currently works as office manager for Housing Choices Coalition in San Jose where she assists people with developmental disabilities find safe, affordable housing.

Sister Marcee Lyon, SNJM

(PHOTO BY SISTER GENEMARIE BEEGAN, RSM)

Mercy Sisters experiencing growth and organizational change

By Liz Dossa BURLINGAME — Sisters of Mercy candidate Taryn Stark is beginning a new life this fall, one she didn’t think was possible until a few years ago.

“When I turned 30, I decided I wanted to devote my life to working for the poor, but I thought I was too old to become a Sister,” said Stark. “Then one day I Googled the Sisters of Mercy, and I went to a vocations link that said, ‘Come and See Weekend for Ages 18 to 40!’ It was bigger than a light bulb going off for me. It was a whole stadium full of light!”

As Stark, a certified public accountant, enters religious community, the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of the Americas is experiencing an increased number of inquiries, many as a result of websites. This year 41 women are in the new membership process across the Institute, which includes those who have recently made first professions.

“There is an upswing,” said New Membership Minister Sister Carol Mucha. “Inquiries are up incredibly from women age 18 on up. A lot has to do with our online presence. Our website gives us the best response. It draws women to us.”

For the Sisters from Burlingame, much is changing. They

Taryn Stark, left, a new candidate to the Sisters of Mercy talks with Mercy Sister Joan Clarke, on Sept. 28 a few minutes before a community Mass.

are now part of the new West Midwest Community which stretches from California to Michigan. This new structure brings together the former Mercy regional communities of Auburn, Calif.; Burlingame; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Chicago, Ill.; Detroit, Mich.; and Omaha, Neb. and includes more than 850 Sisters of Mercy and 500 Mercy Associates

and Companions, living and serving in 32 states and four countries.

Sept. 24 marked the first Mercy Day as members of the new West Midwest Community. On this day, the Sisters of Mercy celebrate the founding of the House of Mercy by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1827 and look forward to wider horizons and new challenges.

“We are committed to carry on the work of our foundress,” said Sister Norita Cooney, president of the new West Midwest Community. “She worked tirelessly for those who are poor, sick and lacking education, with an emphasis on women and children. ”Today, we continue to be called to respond to critical issues that face our global society: violence, racism, the environment, women and immigration.”

“For example, we are at the U.N.,” said Stark. “We are in Washington, D.C. As Sisters, we can make such a difference.”

The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas/West Midwest Community is part of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, an international community of Roman Catholic Sisters who address efforts in education, healthcare, advocacy, housing, and pastoral and social services.

Liz Dossa directs communications for the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest, Burlingame office.

Different paths lead three women to first profession Sister Shari Roeseler beamed as she walked down the aisle of the Mercy Motherhouse Chapel on June 22 in Burlingame.

As she made her first profession as a Sister of Mercy that morning, the tall young woman in a simple black suit, stepped with assurance into religious life. To the questions from Burlingame Sisters of Mercy President Anne Murphy, “Do you desire to extend and intensify this baptismal consecration through the profession of religious vows?” her response from the altar were firmly “Yes, I do!”

One of three women taking vows as a Mercy Sister in

(PHOTO BY SAM WOOD)

By Liz Dossa Special to Catholic San Francisco

California the weekend of June 20-22, Shari left a position as vice president of resource development with Mercy Housing in Sacramento to enter the Sisters of Mercy two years ago. She and five others from across the U.S. spent 15 months at the FIRST PROFESSION, page 12

Three women made first profession as Sisters of Mercy in June, from left: Sisters Charmaine Jayawardene, Shari Roeseler and Mary Oladimeji.

Living Our Faith through Ministries of Service…

Sharing Our Lives through Community…Following a Call to Serve God

GOD

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Has Your Searching Led You Here?

With The Courage of Joseph,

Come and See Opportunities… for single Catholic women ages 18-45 For more information, contact:

The Faithfulness of Mary, and The Compassion of Jesus, Sisters of the Holy Family are Committed to Promoting Justice and Ecological

Serving the Archdiocese of San Francisco Since 1854

Sr Marianne Olives, D.C. srmariannedc@ca.rr.com 213-500-0115

Sr. Trang Truong, D.C. SrTrangTruong@dochs.org 650-949-8890

For information, please contact:

Sister Stephanie Still, PBVM E-mail: sstill@pbvmsf.org 281 Masonic Ave. San Francisco, CA 94118

415.422.5020

www.DaughtersOfCharity.com www.ChristUrgesUs.org

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especially families, for the

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October 10, 2008

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Catholic San Francisco

VOCATIONS

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Informational meeting on permanent diaconate Nov. 3 Men of the Archdiocese of San Francisco who are considering the permanent diaconate are invited to an informational meeting about the vocation Nov. 3 from 7 – 9 p.m. at the archdiocesan Pastoral Center, One Peter Yorke Way in San Francisco just across the street from St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Deacon Ed Cunningham, director of diaconate formation for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and members of the deacon community will facilitate the discussion on the roles and ministry of the deacon in the Church, specifically in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

“If a vocation is a ‘calling,’ then this evening is a first step in reaching out to our archdiocesan community with such a call,” said Deacon Cunningham, ordained in 1999 and in service at St. Anselm Parish in Ross. “Those who attend will have a chance to learn more about the permanent diaconate.”

Most Catholics are aware of the permanent diaconate, but are not sure what deacons do, Deacon Cunningham noted. “The diaconate presents another avenue of service to someone who wishes to serve the Church. The diaconate gives single and married men an opportunity to serve in a unique way. This has been the case for me. As a classroom teacher for more than 40 years, my experience and my training have been blessed by the diaconate in many ways.”

Men between the ages of 30 and 65 may apply for the program. Married applicants must be married at least five years. All married applicants need the complete support of their wives to pursue the program, Deacon Cunningham said, therefore wives are encouraged to also attend the information meeting.

Pastors are also invited to attend. An initial step in the application process is a letter of recommendation from an applicant’s pastor.

Ordained deacons are canonically authorized to preach at Mass, officiate at funerals and weddings, and perform baptisms.

Scripture reflection . . .

■ Continued from page 8 poor. The wedding garment also stands for our service to the least of our brothers and sisters. In short, we are all invited to the feast, but we must come dressed in a wedding garment of good deeds and charity. The

Permanent Deacon Class VIII completes ‘aspirancy’ Taking part in a May 9-11 retreat for the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s formation program for permanent deacons and their wives at Vallombrosa Center in Menlo Park were, left to right, front: Jose Penate, Celida Aceves, Ileana Zuniga, Ernie and Bernie Von Emster, Sonia Barreiro, Deacon Ed Cunningham, Mick Smith, Gerald Quinn and Sulpician Father Gerald Brown who is president of St. Patrick Seminary and University; middle, from left: Juan Antillon, Dawn Smith, Jeanne Moore, Dana Perrigan, Kathryn Kelly, John Murray, Miguel Barreiro and Ven Garcia; back, from left: Joseph Ramos, Mario Zuniga, Gary Moore, Tom Kelly, Richard Younkin and Nestor Fernandez.

Members of the class who are eventually ordained will join 85 permanent deacons now serving in the Archdiocese. For the last year, the group has been part of what is called an aspirancy period, which consists of study and discernment of the call to the diaconate.

obvious banquet to which we are constantly invited is the Eucharist table.

Deacon Faiva Po’oi serves at St. Timothy Parish, San Mateo, and is also the archdiocesan liaison to the Tongan community. His ministry includes religious instruction, preaching, marriage preparation and social justice.

franciscans of the

holy land Walk and Work in His Very Footsteps Think about it. What could be more honorable and more blessed than a Vocation of serving with the Franciscans of the Holy Land?

Protecting the Holy Shrines: walking and working, teaching and preaching in the very same places that Jesus did. That is the cause and the mission in the life of a Holy Land Franciscan priest.

The Franciscans of the Holy Land have been guarding this hallowed place - the most sacred of lands - and other shrines of Christianity for nearly 800 years.

Our work in the Holy Land has also expanded to include support of the schools and missions, as well as caring for refugees and other needy people of the region.

Ours is a cause rooted deeply in the heritage and behavior of Jesus Christ. Walk with us, where He walked. Work with us, where He worked.

Think about it. It’s a glorious thought. It’s a wonderful vocation.

Become a Holy Land Franciscan prophet of peace and minister of reconciliation.

Contact: Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land Office of Vocations 1400 Quincy Street, NE Washington, DC 20017 Phone: 202-526-6800 ext. 334 Email: vocation@myfranciscan.com

www.myfranciscan.com

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Catholic San Francisco

October 10, 2008

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VOCATIONS Mercy Sister wins award for sharing tech expertise “To be honored in the democratization of technology is a very humbling experience,” Sister of Mercy Patsy Harney, also known said Sister Harney, who believes being part as “cyber-nun” to many for of the digital information her enthusiastic and imaginastream is essential for everytive work with children and one, regardless of income. technology, was given the On its website, One Metcalfe Digital Opportunity Economy Corporation Award from One Economy describes itself as “a global Corporation at their San nonprofit organization that Francisco gala on Sept. 18. uses innovative approaches In her ministry as resito deliver the power of techdent services coordinator nology and information to at Mercy Housing in San low-income people….”

Francisco, Sister Harney has She has worked with made persistent efforts to One Economy to establish bring computers to residents computer labs at Mercy of the poorest neighborhoods Housing sites in the Bay in the Bay Area. Partnering Area accessible to youth and with One Economy¹s pro- Sister Patsy Harney, RSM adults. Her students learn grams, she secured equiphow to produce videos, to ment and training to help students cross the use the Internet wisely and to teach others digital divide and step up out of poverty. to be techno smart.

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By Liz Dossa

Secular orders . . .

■ Continued from page 9 “Four to five years ago, overwhelmingly it was retired folks,” said Foley, who is minister of the Secular Franciscan community at St. Elizabeth Parish in Oakland. “Over time our numbers have grown. We attract 30 to 40 people to each meeting.”

She said many are working people “yearning to anchor their lives in a form of daily prayer or a particular spirituality.”

“These are people for whom the liturgy has a great deal of meaning, but they find that in their daily lives it is helpful to make

First profession . . .

■ Continued from page 10 Mercy Institute Novitiate in Laredo, Texas, learning about religious life and testing life in community.

The new Sister feels a closeness with her fellow novices Sister Mary Oladimeji and Sister Charmaine Jayawardene. All were at the Mercy Novitiate in Laredo.

Sister Oladimeji, raised a Catholic in Nigeria, had been a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 12 years. When she came to California, she found her way to the Sisters of Mercy with the help of a Franciscan, Father Anthony Garibaldi at St. Francis Parish in Sacramento.

Sister Jayawardene, born into an academic family in Sri Lanka, had been a wife, mother and international banker living in Fairfield,

special promises and to have brothers and sisters in communities to help them sustain that throughout the week,” she said. “This is not instead of liturgy or instead of parish life.”

Escola, the cradle Catholic who fell out and later joined the Dominicans, remarked on how intense her experience has been. “It’s been one of the best things and the worst things in my life,” she said half-jokingly. “It fills my life. Lord, you can stop now!”

For more information on the conference at Notre Dame High School, contact Kathy Noether at knoether@aol.com or (408) 267-3426. Fee for the day is $30. Lunch is available at $10. Coffee and snacks will be provided.

Calif.. When her husband died, she found contemplative prayer which eventually led her to the Mercy community. Both Sisters Jayawardene and Oladimeji made their vows on June 20 at the Mercy Motherhouse Chapel in Auburn, Calif.

Born and raised a Lutheran in Watertown, Wis, Sister Roeseler found her horizons expanding at the University in Madison as she met students from all over the world. She joined the anti-apartheid movement, protesting the University’s investments in South Africa.

Moving to Washington, D.C. she worked as an assistant administrator in an intellectual property law firm and helped prepare a welcome for Nelson Mandela to the U.S. in 1991. Leaving her job, she came to California and raised funds for a Battered Women’s Center in Yolo County, her first experience of fundraising. She turned out to be very good at it, but she was continually looking for that evasive “something more.”

SERRA CLUBS

New priest now chaplain at Riordan Marianist Father Patrick McDaid, left, is welcomed to San Francisco’s Archbishop Riordan High School by its president, Marianist Father Thomas French. Father McDaid was ordained Aug. 23 in St. Louis, Mo. Father McDaid, 36, teaches religion and is campus chaplain. A native of Adrian, Mich., the new priest holds a degree in political science from the University of Dayton and a degree in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. Father McDaid professed first vows as a Marianist in 1996 and perpetual vows in 2000.

Marriage Encounter thanks priests Members of World Wide Marriage Encounter of the Archdiocese of San Francisco will be sending cards of thanks and congratulations to priests to mark World Priest Day Oct. 26.

“We have to let them know that without them we can’t go on,” said Linda Numainville, who with her husband, Tom, serves as executive director of WWME in the Archdiocese.

Last year the group sent almost 400 cards and

the number is expected to be the same this year, she said. Each card will be signed by several of the more than 75 couples involved in the ministry here.

“Today with our being so busy it’s easy to have the world pull couples apart,” Numainville said, noting she and her husband “have a good marriage and Marriage Encounter made it better.” To learn more about WWME locally, visit www.lovemoredeeply.com.

She began working for the Mercy Foundation in Sacramento where she was the major gifts officer for non-hospital gifts. Her life began to change. “I met Sisters on the staff and at Catholic Healthcare West,” she said. “I saw a way of life I hadn’t been exposed to, and it spoke to me. It was giving your whole life toward God and living out the Mercy call. I liked the communal aspect and the faith sharing, which was broader and more all encompassing than just ministry.”

Significant people began to appear in her life. Jane Graf, president of Mercy Housing California, deeply impressed Sister Roeseler.

She knew immediately she wanted to work for Graf, a charismatic, effective leader of the affordable housing organization. Dominican Sister Judy Rimby helped her begin conversations about vocation. A talk with the late Mercy Sister Diane Grassilli put her on the track to ministry.

When she broached the subject of becoming a Sister of Mercy with Sister Katherine Doyle from Auburn, Sister Doyle exclaimed, “I’m not surprised!” Sister Roeseler had become a Catholic with her confirmation at St. Francis Parish in Sacramento with Sister Doyle as her mentor.

As she looked back over her journey, she talked about the pain she experienced as she was approaching her commitment. “In 13 months, I lost three close friends (to death), one of them Sister Diane. What those losses have done is to reinforce for me the importance of living each day. As [Mercy founder] Catherine McAuley said, ‘This is your life, joys and sorrows mingled, one succeeding the other.’”

Sister Roeseler will work part time at Mercy Housing in San Francisco in the major gifts department and attend graduate school at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.

In living your life, have only one desire, to be and become the person God wills...

What is God’s desire for you?

Catholic Lay Organizations

FOSTERING VOCATIONS to the PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOU HELP US! PLEASE CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION. Thomas Egan

Martin Kilgariff

Tom O’Donnell

Marin San Mateo San Francisco 415-499-9079 415-665-4612 650-349-2489

TALK WITH A SISTER OF ST. JOSEPH OF ORANGE 480 S. Batavia Street, Orange, CA 92868 vocationcsj@csjorange.org (714) 633-8121 ext. 7108

www.csjorange.org

October 10, 2008

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Michael Quinn

Catholic San Francisco

VOCATIONS

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William Thornton

Two to be ordained transitional deacons

By Tom Burke Michael F. Quinn and William H. Thornton will be ordained to the transitional diaconate at St. Pius Church in Redwood City Nov. 8 at 10 a.m.

San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop William J. Justice, who also serves as Vicar for Clergy of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, will be the ordaining prelate.

Sulpician Father Gerald Brown, president and rector of St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, where both men studied, will be among the concelebrants. Father William Quinn, retired pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in San Francisco, will help his nephew, Michael Quinn, vest in the diaconal dalmatic at the rites.

Michael Quinn, 56, is a native San Franciscan and graduate of Most Holy Redeemer Elementary School, Archbishop Riordan High School and University of San Francisco.

“The diaconate will mean I can now actively serve the people of the Archdiocese of San Francisco which has been my goal,” Quinn, who entered the seminary at age 49, said.

Thornton, 62, is from a Navy family and says he has lived all over the country. “My father had two tours in San Francisco and we lived in Millbrae at that time,” he said. Thornton is a graduate of the law school of the University of Pennsylvania and worked in the Bank of America legal department.

“I decided to enter the seminary at age 57 though I had thought about it when I was in high school,” Thornton told Catholic San Francisco. “I’m enthusiastic about all aspects of the priesthood and have a special interest in ministry to senior citizens and shut-ins.

During his seminary years Thornton served at parishes including Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Redwood City, Mater Dolorosa in South San Francisco, St. Francis of Assisi in East Palo and Our Lady of Loretto in Novato.

Archbishop George H. Niederauer is scheduled to ordain Quinn and Thornton to the priesthood June 20 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco.

Seminarians from (arch)dioceses including San Jose and Boston will also be ordained to the diaconate Nov. 8 at St. Pius in anticipation of priestly ordination in their home sees in the spring.

Diaconal ordination Oct. 9 for Previtali Joseph Previtali, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of San Francisco studying at the North American College in Rome, was scheduled to be ordained to the transitional diaconate Oct. 9 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Bishop William Callahan, auxiliary of the Milwaukee Archdiocese, was to be ordaining prelate.

Father Thomas Daly, director of vocations for the Archdiocese, was expected to be among concelebrants as was Previtali’s grandfather, Father Francis Filice. More than two dozen other seminarians were also to have been ordained deacons at the rite.

Archbishop George H. Niederauer will ordain Previtali to the priesthood June 20 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco.

BE THE MISSION

About 400 guests took part in the First Annual Four Pillars Gala in support of St. Patrick’s Seminary and University held Sept. 19 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Nearly $40,000 was raised for the seminary at the event which will be held on Sept. 18 next year. Archbishop George Niederauer was honored for his support, commitment and contribution to the seminary’s mission. Pictured with him are the Gala Committee, from left: Maria Cunningham, event coordinator; Sulpician Father Jerry Brown, seminary rector, president and vice chancellor; Archbishop Niederauer; Deacon Christoph Sandoval, Board of Regents; and Laura Bertone, Board of Trustees.

You haven’t chosen me.

I have chosen you.”

“Tu no me has elegido. Yo te he elegido a ti.”

John 15:16

God, our Father, In Your providential love, You call each of us to a more holy and abundant life. We pray for our young people in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Open their hearts and minds to know the vocation You have planned for them from all eternity. If they are being invited to follow You as a priest, Brother, or Sister, give them a generous heart to respond to Your challenging call; the strength and courage to follow wherever You lead them. May families desire to please You by encouraging and supporting vocations within their homes. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. Amen

Please Pray Daily Do you feel God may be calling you to diocesan priesthood? “¿Te sientes atraído a servir como sacerdote diocesano?”

If you have any questions, please contact

Fr. Thomas Daly Office of Vocations www.maryknoll.us

415-614-5683 Office of Vocations • One Peter Yorke Way • San Francisco, CA 94109 E-mail: dalyt@sfarchdiocese.org or go to: www.sfarchdiocese.org/vocations/

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Catholic San Francisco

October 10, 2008

Father Ricardo Giraldo, regional liaison of Northern Colombia, South America, for the Charismatic Renewal, exhorted conference participants to share their faith.

Speaker: Like Jesus, spread the Word by doing, not only by talking Three-day charismatic conference opens hearts to the Holy Spirit Father Cerulli’s talk, “Our Eucharistic Door,” focused on Revelation 2 and 3 and repeated again and again how the Lord knocks but it is up to each person to hear him, reach for the latch and let him in.

Father Tarantino spoke of those who only pray when they want something – who try to make their relationship with God a one-way street. They ask and ask, occasionally demanding, and only offer of themselves or their treasure when expecting something in return.

In his Sunday talk, Father Tarantino said the mission of Jesus is to bring the good news of salvation to all of humanity. As Jesus called the 12 Apostles, so Jesus is calling every individual to bring about the same mission of spreading the news to all.

Photographer Arne Folkedal contributed to this report.

Song, intense prayer and spirited preaching were abundant at the recent archdiocesan Holy Spirit Conference. Above, concelebrating Mass are, from left: Bishop Mylo Vergara of the Diocese of San Jose de Nueva Ecija in the Philippines; Father James Tarantino, pastor of St. Hilary Parish, Tiburon, and liaison for charismatic renewal for the Archdiocese; Father Raymund Reyes, pastor of St. Anne of the Sunset Parish, San Francisco; and Father Ricardo Giraldo, internationallyknown charismatic renewal speaker.

(PHOTOS BY ARNE FOLKEDAL)

“Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock”, a reference to Revelation 3:20, was the theme of this year’s Holy Spirit Conference held at Riordan High School Sept. 19-21.

The speakers included Bishop Mylo Vergara of the Diocese of San Jose de Nueva Ecija, the Philippines; Carolyn Suty, a U.S. director for AGLOW international; Father Lou Cerulli, a Montreal pastor and a former management consultant; and Father James Tarantino, pastor at St. Hillary in Tiburon and liaison to Archbishop George Niederauer for the San Francisco Charismatic Renewal.

Suty’s talk, “Guarding Your Heart,” touched on the barriers people place between the Holy Spirit and themselves.

She asked those present to listen deeply and respond to the Lord, each using the special language understood by that person and God.

October 10, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

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What does St. Anthony Foundation mean to its clients?

Compiled by Michael Vick On Oct. 3, the St. Anthony Foundation celebrated its 58th anniversary with a dedication ceremony for its new social services center at 150 Golden Gate in San Francisco.

Catholic San Francisco asked those the foundation serves: What does St. Anthony’s mean to you? Information on the St. Anthony Foundation can be found on its website: www.stanthonysf.org.

(PHOTOS BY MICHAEL VICK/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

Tyrone H. calls St. Anthony Foundation’s programs a “liberating experience,” and credits them for his recovery from drug and alcohol dependence.

“St. Anthony’s provided an oasis in the long dry desert of my addiction,” says Tyrone, who has been in the program for five months.

Charles Smith poses with San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong at the opening of the St. Anthony Foundation’s new building in the Tenderloin. Just two years ago, Smith and his fiancé Shirley Roberson were living in a tent near the corner of Bayshore Boulevard and Sunnydale Avenue. Now clean and sober, the two rent a home in Oakland and are preparing to move into a new home in San Francisco.

“We’ve had some rough times,” Smith says. “When I came here (to the St. Anthony Foundation), I wanted to die. Now I have a new desire to live.” Smith is now pastor at St. Luke Baptist Church in San Francisco and runs a maintenance business, One Man, Four Hands.

Arab Christians . . .

■ Continued from cover “The tension affects our daily lives and influences the relationship between Arabs and Jews in Israel. Equal rights will be the most important issue, and the desire to achieve this in a conflict situation is getting harder.”

The leadership needed for a political solution is not in place, Hilou said, citing the weakness of the Israeli government, the uncertainty and weakness of the Palestinian Authority government on the West Bank and the fact that Hamas controls the Gaza Strip.

Amid these conditions Arab Christians in Israel are focusing on easing the harm done by both sides and working toward the full integration of Arab citizens, she said.

“Our goal is building the bridge of peace and understanding in the Middle East,” said Hilou, who was sworn in as a Labor Party member of the Israeli Knesset in 2006. “We can be a force at the crossroads between war and peace.”

Arab Christians are a tiny minority in Israel, numbering only 146,000. Three-fourths live in Galilee in Northern Israel. Christian numbers in Israel are dwindling because of emigration and a declining birthrate.

Hilou, 55, a social worker whose legislative work has focused on women and families, said Arab Christians have contributed to positive change in Israel despite their small numbers in relation to the Jewish and Muslim populations and despite a history of unequal opportunity.

Without the work of Christian communities, she said, “Perhaps the situation would be worse.”

Hilou outlined an ambitious agenda for

Arab Christians, focusing on economic and social justice. Arab Christians are developing schools and cultural institutions, a TV network and a research park in Galilee to provide skilled jobs and counter flight from the country. There is much promise in Arab Christians’ involvement in Christian tourism to the Holy Land, she said.

In closing, Hilou said Arab Christians in Israel are in need of international support.

“I am personally convinced our community will not be able to fulfill its mission without the support of Western Christianity,” she said.

“We humbly admit to feeling so isolated, so neglected and forgotten, so unimportant to the Christian world generally.”

Msgr. Stern urged Christians looking in from outside on the Israeli-Palestinian struggle not to be distracted by the drama but to understand what motivates each side.

“I think the first step in peacemaking is understanding people,” he said. “Besides standing in another person’s shoes, you’ve got to communicate, get in touch. Don’t be charmed to death by the extravagant Arab politeness and cordiality because it might not be, deep down inside, as cordial as it seems. Don’t be put off by the bluntness of Israelis and take that for arrogance, because it isn’t that, either.”

After communication, the next step in peacemaking is pardoning, Msgr. Stern said.

“One of the things we seem to forget sometimes is mercy,” he said. “Mercy means abstaining from demanding what’s your just right. You have to moderate revenge, justice, retaliation.

“If we have a conflict and we don’t forgive we are holding the other person under a constant cloud of accusation and retaliation.”

Chris Vincent says the opportunity to learn computer skills, receive job counseling and see a doctor at St. Anthony Foundation’s clinic has benefited him beyond measure. “You get rid of that terrible feeling you had when you were out on the street,” says Vincent, with the program for seven months. “You feel like you’re somebody again.”

Dinner with Bishop Justice

October 14th Presented by The Catholic Professional & Business Club About Bishop Justice CPBC is blessed to have Bishop Justice as our presenter at our October meeting. Most Reverend William Justice was named auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco in April 2008. He has been pastor of Mission Dolores Basilica in San Francisco since 2003, and archdiocesan vicar for clergy since 2006, a post held previously by Bishop John Wester before he became Bishop of Salt Lake City. Bishop Justice was ordained a priest from the San Francisco Archdiocese in 1968 and then went on to obtain a Masters in Applied Spirituality at the University of San Francisco.

He later pursued post-graduate language studies in Spanish in Guadalajara, Mexico. He has served in several parishes in the archdiocese and brings a generous pastoral spirit to his work as Vicar for the Clergy.

The Topic: Faithful Citizenship Our nation faces political challenges that demand urgent moral choices. We are a nation at war, with all of its human costs; a country often divided by race and ethnicity; a nation of immigrants struggling with immigration. We are an affluent society where too many live in poverty; part of a global community confronting terrorism and facing urgent threats to our environment; a culture built on families, where some now question the value of marriage and family life. We pride ourselves on supporting human rights, but we fail even to protect the fundamental right to life, especially for unborn children. We bishops seek to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with the truth, so they can make sound moral choices in addressing these challenges. We do not tell Catholics how to vote. The responsibility to make political choices rests with each person and his or her properly formed conscience.

Event Details – Event Date: Tuesday, October 14th Event Location: Ceasar’s Italian Restaurant, 2299 Powell Street at Bay Street Parking: Easy street parking or $6.00 valet parking Format: Registration begins at 5:30pm followed by networking. Program begins at 6pm, ending by 7:30pm.

Includes delicious dinner and dessert. No host beverages.

About the Catholic and Professional Business Club (CPBC) CPBC is comprised of a group of Catholics who come together and share our common faith, network, hear speakers on pertinent topics, and discuss ways to incorporate our Catholic spirituality and ethics in the workplace. We meet on the second Wednesday of the month. We’d love for you to become a member of the CP&BC of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. To become a member, fill out the form below or visit our website at www.cpbc-sf.org.

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Yes, I would like to attend the Event on 10/14/08. – Deadline Oct. 10, 2008 Check one:

$37 _______ I am a member . Event cost is $37 per member $47 _______ I am Not a member. Event cost is $47 per non-member $18 _______ I am a non-member but want to join CPBC. Please make your check for $58.00. Annual Membership is $45.00 per person with this special evening at half price.

NAME: _______________________________________________

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ADDRESS: _________________________________________________________________________________________ E-MAIL __________________________________________________ PARISH: _______________________________ Mail this form & a check payable to “CPBC-ADSF” by 10/10/08 to: CPBC, Attn: Mike O’Leary, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

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Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming CPBC Programs: November 12 - Breakfast Meeting with Susan Todaro - Stewardship: Animating Our Faith December 10 – CPBC Merry Christmas! Happy Hour

16

Catholic San Francisco

October 10, 2008

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Helping pregnant minors: ‘Yes on Proposition 4’ The simple idea behind Proposition 4 on the California ballot in November is that it makes good sense and good public policy to encourage a minor girl faced with a serious decision like an unexpected pregnancy to go to her parents or family for their love, counsel and help.

Proposition 4 – “Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy” – is a constitutional amendment initiative that requires notification of a parent, guardian, or, in the case of alleged parental abuse, other adult family member of a minor 48 hours before she obtains an abortion, unless a judge determines that such notification places the minor in danger.

While Proposition 4 provides the benefits of parental notification that have been evidenced in many other states with similar laws, it also provides protections for teens who may have reason to fear parental involvement.

Under the proposition, parental notification would not be required if a medical emergency arises, if a judge finds no notification is in the teen’s best interest, or if a parent waives notification before the child turns 18.

In the great majority of cases, a parent or other adult family member who is notified of a minor’s planned abortion can counsel her to make sure she understands and has considered all her options, rather than leaving the girl to make the decision alone, or worse, as often happens, under pressure from others who don’t have her best interests in mind.

The parent or family member can ensure the doctor gets a complete medical history of the minor and is informed of any allergies or adverse reactions to medications. They can also be alert for and respond quickly to post-abortion complications, such as infection and hemorrhage, that left untreated can quickly become serious and even life-threatening. A minor trying to keep her abortion secret from her parents is likely to ignore or try to hide symptoms of such complications until it is too late.

Parental notification also alerts parents or other close relatives to a sexual relationship their daughter is in, often with an older adult male, which may be abusive, coercive, or detrimental to her physical and emotional well-being. Abortion providers rarely report sexual abuse or statutory rape to authorities. Adult boyfriends often encourage and coerce young girls to have secret abortions to cover up evidence of statutory rape.

A study of more than 46,000 births to school-age girls in California found that over two-thirds were impregnated by adult men whose mean age was 22.6 years. Notification provides parents an opportunity to intervene to protect their daughter. Without parental involvement, girls — victims of rape – may continue to be victimized and may have one abortion after another.

It is a good public policy that parents or family be notified of a minor’s request for an abortion whether or not she chooses to consult them.

Society will benefit because similar involvement laws in other states have the effect of discouraging irresponsible sexual behavior and teenage pregnancies. In addition, individual rights and unborn babies will be protected because a minor girl will be afforded support in the unfortunate circumstance that she is being coerced to have an abortion.

In the newspaper’s endorsement of Proposition 4, the San Diego Union-Tribune said the measure effectively responds to critics who say that a girl abused sexually, physically or emotionally by her parents won’t risk notifying them and might turn to dangerous alternatives.

But if a patient alleges parental abuse, a physician may notify not her parents but any of several adult family members. The abuse must also be reported to Child Protective Services, which can take steps to protect the child.

In every way, Proposition 4 should be considered a protection amendment for teenage girls who find they are pregnant.

In voicing their support for Proposition 4, the Catholic bishops of California state, “We are convinced that the Church must be committed to the task of educating and supporting policy makers and administrators of justice, so that our society’s laws will reflect those principles and moral values which advance the common good. And we believe that society’s common good is enhanced when parental responsibility is respected, family integrity is honored and nascent human life is preserved.

“We encourage Catholics in our state to share their time and treasure in promoting Proposition 4 as good public policy, and in exercising their citizenship in voting for it in November.”

MEH

Accent on appreciation I am writing in response to the Sept.

19 letter from Rob Grant of the Northern California Lay Convocation. Mr. Grant mentions an official accent-reduction program for non-native priests that he hopes will be inaugurated because of his organization’s efforts.

While I am sure some priests might welcome such a program, it seems to me the very idea may make others uncomfortable, and that would be unfortunate. When I encounter a priest with an accent, I think about how I would fare if I had to give a talk in Russia or India or Zambia. Then I make an extra effort to understand, and I find I am even more attentive than usual to the homily or words of the Mass. Often these priests offer very deep insights and say Mass with great reverence.

We are blessed that they are here.

The priests who come to us from other countries are leaving their family, friends and familiar culture to serve our spiritual needs.

The least we can do is to appreciate these generous sacrifices and make the small effort required to listen carefully, rather than being critical or implying they need speech therapy.

Carolyn Rae Lemon San Francisco

Brutal abuse at issue

Listen to bishops This letter is in response to reader John Kovacevich’s Sept. 26 letter in which he states he is “deeply saddened by the California Catholic bishops’ support of Proposition 8” and viewed the Church’s involvement as “heavyhanded” and “troubling.”

Letters welcome Catholic San Francisco welcomes letters from its readers. Please: ➣ Include your name, address and daytime phone number. ➣ Sign your letter. ➣ Limit submissions to 250 words. ➣ Note that the newspaper reserves the right to edit for clarity and length.

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

Monogamy is good Proposition 8 will ban same sex couples from forming stable monogamous relationships recognized by the state. One issue that’s brought up in discussions I have with friends and family is the definition of marriage. To many, marriage is between a man and a woman for the procreation of children and no other definition counts.

This proves difficult for couples who marry out of love and have no children. Also, the word marriage is tricky because the word is used by the church and the state.

However, we all know that going to a judge for a marriage license does not replace a ceremony performed by a priest in the eyes of God. Consequently, I don’t see how encouraging gay men and lesbians by law to stay monogamous and to solidify the relationships they already have would be a threat to the sanctity of a Catholic marriage.

Daniel Roddick San Francisco

L E T T E R S

Gratitude is due to Father Bob Cipriano, rector, National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, who included in his Sept. 26 editorial the hope that we share the love of St. Francis “with everyone you meet (here comes the unique addition)...including the animals.”

We read and hear, justifiably, a great deal from Catholic sources to support Propositions 4 and 8, parental notification and traditional marriage, but nothing about Proposition 2. Test: know what it is?

Proposition 2 would rectify inhumane farming practices, the abuse of God’s creatures prior to their landing on our dinner plates.

The appalling videos of sick, fallen cows, prodded electrically to rise into the slaughter line, sickened most viewers, aside from consumers exclusively concerned about its effect on personal digestion or intestinal distress.

Pet owners who cringe at mistreatment of Fido or Fluffy are regrettably apathetic when it comes to these least of God’s creatures, the manner in which they are caged, confined and dealt with prior to winding up on our tables.

I celebrate my Church which each year schedules a Blessing of the Animals. We are given dominion over them by our Creator.

It comes with an obligation. We are not to indulge in selective compassion. Vote yes on Proposition 2.

Blanche F. Smith Atherton

Send your letters to:

The job of our bishops is to inform, enlighten and guide. They help us to use our reason, coupled with our faith, to live in reality. In the real world the relationship between a man and a woman universally characterized as “marriage” is beautifully precise and entitled to affirmation and defense. The concept “same-sex marriage” plays with words and defies reality. Catholics need to listen to the bishops’ courageous voices in drawing attention to this flawed thinking.

Colleen Rettig Larkspur

Moral dilemmas?

Modern society plagues us with many ethical dilemmas. Because of our knowledge attained from the fall into sin in the Garden of Eden, we are forced to make ethical decisions. The emotionally charged issues plaguing us today are gay marriage, abortion, contraception and end-of-life issues.

These, however, are not moral dilemmas. The Church comes from a position of authority and speaks directly to these matters. God is speaking through the Church from a position of authority. God does not care about cultural sensitivity. He is simply telling us what is right or wrong. If you believe in God, then you will do what he says is right.

Since the fall of Adam and Eve, we have been in a battle between good and evil. Many do not realize just how horrible evil can be. Many do not understand exactly what is going on. This is occurring because evil has a way of deceiving us and sanitizing evil, so to speak. For example, take the word abortion. Read the word and one might be indifferent to its meaning. What if the word meant “ritualistic satanic sacrifice”? Would you react to this word differently? Well, this is exactly what satanists do not want us to know. If the public found out what abortion really meant, do you think they would endorse it?

How about gay marriage? Translation: destruction of the family. And euthanasia, simply put, is murder. We have to be vigilant to deception because evil can sanitize sin in such a way that we can fall into its trap.

When we vote this November, let us do so knowing we must constantly battle for good. When we battle for good, it is also God’s battle. This election involves a vote regarding gay marriage and abortion. These are not moral dilemmas. These are sins. To legalize sin is to pass God’s judgment upon ourselves.

Virginia Enrico South San Francisco

Defies science and God In response to the Sept. 26 letter “Disservice to Pelosi,” Raymond Donohue’s critique of the Archbishop’s invitation to Speaker Pelosi for a discussion, I’ll briefly say Speaker Pelosi is a fine politician and she might be given the benefit of the doubt that no one briefed her on the new scientific LETTERS, page 18

October 10, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

17

Spirituality for Life

Struggling with congenital inadequacy It is hard to measure up. In our lucid moments we admit this. Rarely is there a day when we could not echo these words by Anna Blaman: “I realized that it was simply impossible for a human being to be and remain good or pure. If, for instance, I wanted to be attentive in one direction, it could only be at the cost of neglecting another. If I gave my heart to one thing, it left another in the cold. No day and no hour go by without my being guilty of inadequacy. We never do enough, and what we do is never well enough done, except being inadequate, which we are good at because that is the way we are made. This is true of me and of everyone else. Every day and every hour brings with it its weight of moral guilt, as regards my work and my relations with others. I am constantly catching myself out in my human failings and, in spite of their being implied in my human imperfection, I am conscious of a sort of check. And this means that my human shortcomings are also my human guilt. It sounds strange that we should be guilty where we can do nothing about it. But even where there is no set purpose, no deliberate intention, we have a conviction of our own shortcomings, and of consensual guilt, a guilt which shows itself all too clearly in the consequences of what we have done or left undone.”

Henri Nouwen expressed similar feelings: “There is

a nagging sense that there are unfinished tasks, unfulfilled promises, unrealized proposals. There is always something else that we should have remembered, done, or said. There are always people we did not speak to, write to, or visit. Thus, although we are very busy, we also have a lingering feeling of never really fulfilling our obligations. A gnawing sense of being unfulfilled underlies our filled lives.”

When we are in touch with ourselves, we can relate to these expressions of inadequacy. At the end of the day, we cannot measure up and cannot not disappoint others and ourselves. Generally the fault is not that we are not sincere or that we do not put out the effort. The fault is that we are human. We have limited resources, become tired, experience feelings we cannot control, have only 24 hours in our day, have too many demands on us, have wounds and weaknesses that shackle us, and thus know exactly what St. Paul meant when he said: “Woe, to me, wretch that I am, the good I want to do, I cannot do; and the evil I want to avoid, I end up doing.”

That may sound negative, neurotic and stoic, and it can be those things, but, appropriated properly, it can generate hope and renewed energy. To be human is to be inadequate, by definition. Only God is adequate and the rest of us can safely

say to ourselves: Fear not you are inadequate.

But a God who made us this way surely gives us the slack, the forgiveness and the grace we need to work with this. I take consolation from the Gospel parable of the 10 Father bridesmaids who, while Ron Rolheiser waiting for the bridegroom, all fell asleep, wise and the foolish alike.

Even the wise were too human and too weak to stay awake the whole time. Nobody does it perfectly. And accepting this, our congenital inadequacy, can bring us to a healthy humility and perhaps even to a healthy humor about it.

But it should bring us to something more: prayer, especially the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is, among other things, a vigil of waiting.

When Jesus instituted the Eucharist he told the disciples to keep ROLHEISER, page 22

The Catholic Difference

Campaign 2008: the Supreme Court factor Justice John Paul Stevens is 88. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 75. Justice Anthony Kennedy is 72. Justice Stephen Breyer is 70. Justice David Souter is 68. Given those demographics, the next president of the United States will likely nominate at least one, and perhaps several, justices to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Once upon a time, that would have been considered a non-issue in a presidential election. Things have changed.

The court now plays a major, substantive role in our national political life that would have surprised, and perhaps dismayed, the Constitution’s framers. Indeed, the combination of its own assertiveness and the Congress’s pusillanimity has turned the Supreme Court into the cockpit of the American culture war.

Beginning with the Everson decision in 1947, the Court has read the First Amendment in ways that seem to imply an establishment of secularism in American public life. Supreme Court decisions upholding racial quotas and defending a “right to pornography” (including Internet child pornography) have incensed many Americans, of all races, classes and religions. The Court’s abortion jurisprudence since the early 1970s has imposed a radical regime of abortion-on-demand on the entire country, Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s confusions on the facts here notwithstanding. The recent Boumediene decision on the alleged habeas corpus rights of alien terrorist suspects held abroad inserted the Court into the national security debate in an unprecedented way.

The Court acquired considerable moral authority in 1954 by its wise decision in Brown vs. Board of Education, which accelerated the nation’s journey to equality before the law (while effectively reversing the mistake the Court made

in Plessy vs. Ferguson, the 1896 case in which segregation laws were held constitutionally permissible). Some would argue, and not without reason, that that moral authority has now decayed into potentially dangerous forms of judicial arrogance. Mistaken decisions are bad enough; to have nine unelected lawyers instructing more than 3 million Americans to fall in line and stop criticizing the Court’s work raises grave questions about the health of our democracy.

This trend toward the judicial usurpation of politics — which is widespread throughout the federal judiciary, and culminates in the Supreme Court acting as an unelected and unaccountable national legislature — has been challenged intellectually by notable legal scholars, whose work has now borne fruit in a genuine debate, within the federal courts and on the Supreme Court, over the limits of the judiciary’s role in our public life.

That debate, in turn, has begun to have real effect in some federal judging. Yet things are now balanced on a knife’s edge, such that the next president could well determine whether, for the foreseeable future, the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts play a more modest role in settling controverted issues or become an even more dominant force in both domestic and foreign policy.

Thus Catholic voters may wish to pose several questions to both major presidential candidates: 1) In the encyclical Centesimus Annus, the late Pope John Paul II wrote that the Church’s regard for democracy rests in part on the possibility of citizens participating in governance, and in part on the democratic system’s public accountability.

Are you concerned that the increasing role played by federal courts in adjudicating hotly contested questions of public policy threatens the moral texture of our democracy, and indeed the entire demoGeorge Weigel cratic process?

2) Recent Supreme Court opinions have cited foreign and international legal materials in interpreting our Constitution. What role, in any, should contemporary foreign law play in American legal reasoning?

3) Does the Constitution mandate a “naked public square,” shorn of religiously-informed moral argument?

4) Was Justice Byron White (appointed to the Court by President Kennedy) correct in describing Roe vs. Wade as an exercise in “raw judicial power”?

5) How do you regard recent Supreme Court thinking on the rights of alien terrorists in U.S. custody?

6) Has the Supreme Court’s acceptance of certain types of racial and gender quotas advanced or impeded the project of “liberty and justice for all”?

7) Does the Supreme Court have the authority to impose same-sex “marriage” as a constitutional right?

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

Twenty Something

Forgiving yourself is hard to do I bought a dress that didn’t fit in hopes it would on the day of my friend’s wedding.

It seemed, at the time, like a powerful incentive to shed a few pounds. But as the wedding approaches, I’m starting to wonder whether it’ll make its grand debut or if it’ll stay in the closet.

I’ve succeeded in exercising more, but the Halloween candy is doing me in, particularly those innocuous seeming fun-sized candy bars. They should carry a fine-print caution: You can eat one after another with ease and quickly consume a King-sized number of calories.

That happened to me the other night with Butterfingers.

I went to bed with a stomach ache and a stinging guilt. How would the dress fit now? How could I let myself go like that?

I’m generally pretty good at forgiving others. Forgiving myself is another story. I hold myself to high standards and I’m bitterly disappointed when I don’t meet them. St. Francis de Sales once instructed, “Deal gently and lovingly with your heart, raising it up when it falls and longing ardently for its perfection.”

What an important reminder for us high-reaching, goalsetting Americans, strivers who cancel social events and forgo hard-earned vacations days to achieve more because “losing is not an option.”

But losing is an option. And we’re rarely losing when we chose to rest or adjust an unreasonable expectation.

We’re winning, gaining wisdom, maturing.

When our hearts fall, we must raise them up – a mission we have never been taught, a mandate no textbook can explain. We must develop our own devices, crafting customized formulas that lift spirits and nurture wounds.

It begins by being patient – with God and with self.

We learn this from the infinitely patient French saint. St. Francis waited years and years to pursue his religious vocation. When he attempted to convert the Calvinists back to Catholicism, he experienced defeat after defeat, door after door. Still, he pressed on. And the prolific correspondent never let a heap of unanswered letters unhinge him.

“I have more than 50 letters to answer,” St. Francis noted one day. “If I tried to hurry over it, I would be lost. So I intend neither to hurry nor to worry. This evening, I shall answer as many as I can. Tomorrow I shall do the same, and so I shall go on until I have finished.”

I find that simple approach incredibly instructive in this era of high-speed Internet and multi-tasking. One by one.

No sooner, no later. Inhale, exhale. Repeat.

Being gentle and loving with our hearts means acknowledging that sometimes we take on too much. We must give myself permission to occasionally miss the mark, to take a break, to cancel a meeting.

This is not an excuse for laziness or mediocrity.

The second half of St. Francis’ advice urges that, when our hearts are high, we must long ardently for their “perfection.”

But some of us need to be reminded about the first Christina half, the gentle bit.

Capecchi Right now, I’m sipping my second cup of chai tea, wrapped in a worn quilt. A cinnamon candle is burning and I’m breathing easy. I’m not worrying about the Butterfingers or the uncrossed tasks on my to-do list. I’m focusing on the many tasks I have crossed off. I’ve accomplished a great deal.

God loves me unconditionally, readily forgiving me and bearing with me at all times. Out of deference to him, I ought to show myself a small measure of that goodness.

Christina Capecchi is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

E-mail her at christina@readchristina.com.

18

Catholic San Francisco

October 10, 2008

Cardinal urges Congress to reject Freedom of Choice Act Americans to subsidize abortion with tax dollars and overturn “modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry” in all 50 states.

An analysis of the proposed legislation by the bishops’ Office of the General Counsel said its provisions could invalidate “a broad range of state laws if challenged,” including informed consent laws, parental notification laws, laws promoting maternal health if they raise the cost of abortions, safety regulations affecting

WASHINGTON (CNS) – Declaring that “we can’t reduce abortions by promoting abortion,” the chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities has urged members of Congress to reject the proposed Freedom of Choice Act. In a Sept. 19 letter, Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia said the legislation “would counteract any and all sincere efforts by government to reduce abortions in our country,” force all

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abortion clinics, and government programs and facilities that pay for, provide or insure childbirth or health care services generally, but not abortion.

Also likely to be overturned would be laws protecting the conscience rights of health care providers or institutions; laws prohibiting partial-birth abortion; laws requiring abortions to be performed by a physician; and “quite possibly laws preventing the implantation of an existing cloned embryo for purposes of bearing the child,” the analysis said.

“No one who sponsors or supports legislation like FOCA can credibly claim to be part of a good-faith discussion on how to reduce abortions,” he added.

The Freedom of Choice Act was introduced in both the House and Senate April 19, 2007,

the day after the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act in Gonzales v. Carhart. The proposed law states that “every woman has the fundamental right to choose to bear a child, to terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability, or to terminate a pregnancy after fetal viability when necessary to protect the life or health of the woman.”

Although no action has been taken in either house since then, “the Catholic bishops of the United States are gravely concerned about any possible consideration” of the legislation in the final weeks of the 110th Congress, Cardinal Rigali said.

“Pro-abortion groups and some of the bill’s congressional sponsors have said they want this legislation enacted soon,” he added.

Letters . . .

they not, not vote for a person because he or she is a person of color. In this election, it is the opportune moment for Americans to have their desire for hope and for change and to cast their vote not based on one’s race, gender or religion, but to use this opportunity to choose the ideal candidate who is intelligent, best suited and more qualified to tackle this crisis and get us out of this mess and to restore our confidence in the system.

This election may again make history.

The last time it was done is when we voted a Catholic as president who at election time said, “I am not a Catholic candidate for president. I am the Democratic Party’s candidate for president, who happens also to be Catholic.”

Lenny Barretto Daly City

■ Continued from page 16

Tour 90404

truths that proved that DNA is there since the instant of conception.

Speaker Pelosi, and perhaps the writer, might have forgotten that during the Visitation the unborn St. John the Baptist identified the Messiah who had to have been an early embryo since Mary, the Virgin, had left immediately for her cousin Elizabeth’s Garden of Gethsemane home after the Annunciation by Gabriel.

A polemic with a pro-abortion apologist April 29-May 10, 2009 is of no interest to me.

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GREECE • TURKEY CRUISE

As the American economic and financial system stumbles and the United States economic situation is getting out of hand, more and more Americans are beginning to take their politics personally.

However, lots of people say they will not vote for an African American. This is disgusting and abhorrent. Based on the American dream, race, gender or religion should no longer be a barrier to zsuccess.

I am not advocating for the electorate to vote for a person of color, but I am asking

y e k r u T

Work of Jesus Thanks to Father Brian Costello, Deacon Alex Aragon, Margarita Lee and 45 other volunteers, we feed through Second Harvest more than 180 seniors and disabled every Tuesday from Mater Dolorosa Parish Church in South San Francisco. We are grateful to be the “hands and feet” of Jesus in feeding the poor in our community.

Mary Beaudry South San Francisco

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October 10, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

19

Assumpta and Patron Awards announced

Louis Phillip Jimenez, Ph.D.

Rita Semel

By Tom Burke Archbishop George Niederauer will present the annual Assumpta Award and Patrons Awards at St. Mary’s Cathedral Oct. 16.

The Assumpta Award, named for the patroness of the cathedral, St. Mary of the Assumption, is now in its 20th year. Winners are chosen for their leadership and service to the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The Patrons Awards, instituted four years ago, are named for the patrons of the Archdiocese of San Francisco – St. Francis and St. Patrick – and St. Joseph, patron of the universal Church.

They are presented to persons deemed to embody the characteristics of the saints.

The 2008 Assumpta Award winners are Paula and Bill Zappettini, longtime members of Church of the Nativity Parish in Menlo Park. Bill Zappettini, a graduate of the University of San Francisco, is known nationally for his work as a florist. Many will recall his “Flower Man” on KCBS radio in the 1980s. His work has been seen at countless churches and charity events.

Bill and Paula Zappettini, a graduate of San Jose State University, “are being recognized for their extraordinary generosity of their time, their talents and their material contributions to innumerable civic and religious communities,” information from the cathedral promoting the award event said.

USF prof leads trafficking fight University of San Francisco professor David Batstone and 10 USF students met with congressional leaders including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and congresswoman Jackie Speier in Washington, D.C. Oct. 9 to discuss human trafficking. The USF delegation joined with about 175 like-minded advocates to lobby for passage of the Trafficking in Human Persons Act Batstone, author of “Not for Sale,” an exposé of global human trafficking, recently produced a documentary on the subject,

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“Call + Response.” The film will premiere in San Francisco tonight, Oct. 10, at the Roxie Theatre, 3117 16th St., at 6:15 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. A lantern vigil will be held outside the Roxie tomorrow beginning at 8:30 p.m., followed by the film’s 9:45 p.m. screening. For additional show times, visit www.roxie.com.

It is estimated that approximately 27 million people suffer in situations of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. For more information, visit www.notforsalecampaign. org and www.callandresponse.com.

CST # 2082730-40 580 California Street, Suite 500 San Francisco, CA 94104 Phone: 415-358-6804 Fax: 415-358-6805 Toll Free: 1-866-352-5952

Glory Tours specializes in overseas pilgrimage sites that have a distinct Catholic and Christian interest.

• We serve churches, organizations, group leaders, travel agencies on wholesale basis and also help individuals join our tours.

• Glory Tours personally runs and controls the tour operation.

• Our strength is in quality control and in our low prices.

• We organize our tours and pilgrimages to fit budgets, cover pilgrimage destinations wanted and fulfill special tour request of the groups.

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND with Rev. Fr. Dominador Corrales, Associate Pastor St. Andrew Church Jan 22-31, 2009 $2,390. plus air taxes THE HOLY LAND & EGYPT WITH NILE CRUISE March 5-21, 2009 $3,890 + air taxes GREECE, GREEK ISLAND AEGEAN CRUISE & TURKEY with Rev. Fr. Alex L. Legaspi, Pastor St. Andrew Church Footsteps of St. Paul, Virgin Mary’s House in Ephesus March 10-21, 2009 $2,790 + $95. port charges + air taxes

Julio Escobar

Bill and Paula Zappettini, Assumpta Award winners

The couple is known, too, for their work with the Order of Malta and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

Patrons Awards winners are Rita Semel, Louis Phillip Jimenez, Ph.D., and Julio Escobar.

Semel, executive director emeritus of the San Francisco-based Jewish Community Relations Council, has been singled out for her “outstanding services to the community performed in the true spirit of St. Francis of Assisi,” the cathedral notice explained.

Co-founder of the San Francisco Interfaith Council, she is widely known for her ability to “bring people together to build understanding and cooperation,” according to cathedral citation.

Jimenez, winner of the St. Joseph Patron Award, is a former member of the cathedral’s Board of Regents and helped develop the Cathedral School Docent Program. The award is given to “someone who helps to build and develop the Church in San Francisco,” the information from the cathedral noted.

Jimenez has taught at San Jose State

University, Hayward State University, and Golden Gate University. He now serves as president of the Knights of Columbus Foundation for Developmentally Disabled Children and Adults and sits on the board of directors for the Janet Pomeroy Center, which also serves the handicapped.

Escobar is the 2008 winner of the St. Patrick Patron Award, given to a person in recognition of “evangelization performed in the true spirit of St. Patrick who fearlessly and tirelessly spread the word of God,” the cathedral announcement said. Escobar is active with Communidad San Dimas, a ministry to young Latinos caught in the world of gangs and drugs. He also teaches a violence prevention program showing parents and others basic elements of child development and how to spot and react to negative behaviors.

The awards are presented in the context of the Assumpta Award Dinner to be held Oct. 16 in the rooms of the St. Mary’s Cathedral Conference Center. The Cathedral website is www.stmarycathedralsf.org.

20

Catholic San Francisco

October 10, 2008

Music TV

Books RADIO Film stage

Author says ‘everybody has an argument with Church’ WASHINGTON (CNS) – As a lifelong Catholic and longtime international human rights activist, Kerry Kennedy sometimes could not reconcile the faith that motivated tremendous acts of courage against oppression with an institutional Church that would not permit her three daughters to serve as altar girls at her northern Virginia parish.

Although the Diocese of Arlington, Va., changed its policy on altar girls in 2006, her frustration with that dichotomy and others in the Catholic Church led Kennedy, 49, to conversations with 37 Catholics or former Catholics about their experiences in the Church and to a “wonderful discovery.”

“Everybody has an argument with the Church,” Kennedy told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview Sept. 25. “It’s part of being Catholic.”

This rang true for everyone from the most observant Catholics, “to the more lax Catholics, to someone who’s against religion altogether, like Bill Maher, ... and everyone in between,” she said.

Kennedy recounts those conversations in a new book, “Being Catholic Now: Prominent Americans Talk About Change in the Church and the Quest for Meaning,” published in September by Crown Publishers.

Those she interviewed ranged in age from 19 to 86 and included a mix of backgrounds – actors, historians, politicians, university professors, writers and what Kennedy called “professional Catholics,” like Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, the retired archbishop of Washington; Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister; and Father J. Bryan Hehir, a Harvard University professor who is also secretary for social services and president of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Boston.

Kennedy said she was pleased to hear Pope Benedict XVI say during his U.S. visit in April that a pillar of Catholicism is “seeking the truth.”

“If we seek the truth we are going to ask tough questions of the status quo,” Kennedy said. “That started with

(PHOTO BY BOB KNIGHT, COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO)

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien

Kerry Kennedy spoke at the San Francisco Commonwealth Club Oct. 2 on her new book, “Being a Catholic Now: Prominent Americans Talk about Change in the Church and the Quest for Meaning” (Crown Publishers). Kennedy was the 2007 University of San Francisco School of Law commencement speaker and received an honorary degree, pictured here at the graduation event with law student Kelly M. Metters.

Jesus, who argued with the Pharisees and the scribes and the Jewish elders.”

One of the things that surprised Kennedy during the

‘Religulous’: ‘spurious documentary’ (CNS PHOTO/LIONSGATE)

raised Catholic until the age

By Harry Forbes of 13, when his family left NEW YORK (CNS) – the Church over its position “You’re a grown man and you on birth control, much to believe in a talking snake?”

Maher’s delight as he found challenges comedian Bill Mass “boring.”

Maher, the host of HBO’s The principal Catholic “Real Time” to anyone voices – Vatican astronomer inclined to take the Adam and Jesuit Father George V. Eve story at face value.

Coyne, who confirms the Such is the tenor of selfChurch’s acceptance of evodescribed agnostic Maher’s lution, pointing out that there highly personal brand of is no science in Scripture, Bill Maher stands outside the reportage in “Religulous” and chatty Carmelite Father Vatican in the movie “Religulous.”

(Lionsgate), wherein Reginald Foster, princiChristians, Jews and Muslims pal Latinist for the pope, all come under sneering ridicule, as he argues that religion encountered in the piazza outside St. Peter’s Basilica, who “must die so that man can live.” cheerfully explains the Church’s figurative interpretation of Though Maher doesn’t actually deny God’s existence, Bible stories like Jonah and the whale (which comes in for his film, as directed by Larry Charles (“Borat”), which Maher’s repeated scorn) – come off rather well. sees Maher traveling the globe interviewing officials and Maher’s conversation with Father Foster, by the way, foladherents of various faiths, pulls no punches in attacking lows his being unceremoniously booted from the Vatican when spiritual beliefs and institutional religion, the heads of which he shows up unannounced to interview anyone at hand. he labels “intellectual slave masters.”

Maher also filmed his late mother, Julie Maher – who, to He tours offbeat venues such as the chapel of Truck her credit, seems reluctant to join her son in equating God Stop Ministries, the Holy Land Experience theme park in to Santa Claus – and his sister, Kathy Maher, at their former Orlando, Fla. and the Kentucky Creation Museum. He also parish, Our Lady of Mercy in Park Ridge, N.J. visits Israel, England, the Netherlands and Italy in his quest After a century during which militantly atheist regimes to mock religious beliefs. murdered millions, one can only be amazed at the obtuseHe converses with such colorful Christian leaders as ness with which Maher blames human misery on people dapper Jeremiah Cummings, former Harold Melvin and the of faith. Ignoring the good done by religious people and Blue Notes singer and now pastor of Amazing Life World institutions, Maher seeks out a parade of extremists who Outreach in Raleigh, N.C.; good-natured Jose Luis de Jesus make all-too-easy targets.

Miranda of Growing in Grace Ministry, who matter-ofHe also spares himself the effort of grappling with factly claims lineage from Jesus; and Pastor John Westcott fundamental questions about the origins and destiny of of Calvary Assembly Exchange Ministries in Winter Park, the human person and the serious answers provided by the Fla., a former homosexual who insists, much to Maher’s great religions. skepticism, that he has truly changed his orientation.

The film contains a consistently irreligious tone, rough He also talks to rabbis, writers, street preachers and language, crass expressions and some profanity, brief politicians. Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark) squirms under Maher’s sexual references and imagery, and upper female nudity. interrogation about the Ten Commandments. Mormons and The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification Scientologists come in for particular skewering. is O – morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association Among Catholic beliefs explicitly disparaged are the of America rating is R – restricted. virgin birth of Jesus, the Immaculate Conception and the Forbes directs the U.S. bishops’ real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Born of a Jewish mother and Catholic father, Maher was Office for Film & Broadcasting.

interviews – all of which took place face to face – was “how often people I am politically at odds with, how deeply moved I was by their sense of faith.” As examples, she named conservative political commentators Peggy Noonan and Andrew Sullivan.

“I was also surprised by how often I found myself laughing,” she said. Actress Susan Sarandon’s story about receiving glow-in-the-dark rosary beads that she didn’t know were glow-in-the-dark still gets a little giggle from Kennedy.

When the beads started to glow, Sarandon, then 7, thought she was about to have a vision of Mary.

But Kennedy was most moved by faith journeys like that of actor Martin Sheen, who recalled his return to Catholic practice in 1981 in Paris. After banging on the door of a Paris church, he told the priest whose lunch he had interrupted that he wanted to make a confession after many years away from the church.

“He looked at me and something behind his eyes said, ‘You came to the right place,’” Sheen recounted. “He knew that it was an important moment for me. He got it instantly.

It was the most extraordinary confession. All my brokenness poured out and he said, ‘Welcome back.’”

Kennedy said the Catholic Church as experienced by her daughters – twins Cara and Mariah, 13, and Michaela, 11 – is very different from the institution she grew up with as the seventh of the 11 children of Robert and Ethel Kennedy.

She and her siblings “woke up each day, got down on our knees and consecrated the day” to Jesus and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary; read the Bible aloud after dinner; and said the rosary together every night. It was a Church of “mantillas and white gloves,” incense and Latin.

But Kennedy said she wants her girls to know that “the essence of Catholicism” is “not candles, incense, and bishops and the Vatican.”

Rather, she said, it is about “a loving and just God and seeking the truth, and building a community where we love one another.”

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October 10, 2008

St. Mary’s Cathedral Gough and Geary St. in San Francisco. Call (415) 567-2020. Ample parking is available free of charge in the Cathedral lot for most events.

Oct. 18, 5:30 p.m.: Cathedral’s annual Gospel/Jazz Mass featuring the San Francisco Bay Area Gospel Choir under the direction of Rawn Harbor. Archbishop George H. Niederauer is the principal celebrant. Reception follows in the Cathedral Event Center downstairs.

Everyone is invited to this spirit-filled celebration of liturgy and music.

Third Tuesdays beginning Oct. 21 through September 2009, 7:15 p.m.: The Year of St. Paul Lecture Series features Professor Stephen C. Córdova of the St. Anthony of Padua Institute, and Conventual Franciscan Father Francisco Nahoe of the Franciscan Spirit and Life Institute. Talks are free. Information and lecture dates are available online at www.stanthonypaduainstitute.org/stpaul.pdf Oct. 26, 3:30 p.m.: “Mass for Those Affected by Crime, Abuse or Violence.” Archbishop George Niederauer will preside. This is a Mass for persons who have been victimized in any way through crime, abuse or violence. It is also for secondary victims including families and friends of those traumatized. Sponsored by the Restorative Justice Board for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Call (415) 614-5570 or e-mail ribeirop@sfarchdiocese.org or mfelix@ihmbelmont.org for more information.

Good Health Oct. 11, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: “Crossing the Threshold to Adulthood in a Healthy Manner,” a day-long session for youth and their families with opportunities for health screenings and dialogue with physicians. Takes place at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, Third St. at Jamestown in San Francisco. Day includes raffles and lunch plus entertainment by a Gospel Youth Choir. Every part of the day is free and includes medical check-ups for everyone in the family. Minors must be accompanied by parent or guardian to take part in health screenings from 1 – 4 p.m. Sponsored by St. Mary’s Medical Center, St. Paul of the Shipwreck Parish, the San Francisco Giants and others. For more information, call (415) 750-5683.

Special Liturgies Oct. 18, 5 p.m.: St. Luke’s Mass and Banquet at St. Cecilia Church and Collins Center, 17th Ave. at Vicente St. in San Francisco. Tickets are $70. Attorney Wesley J. Smith will speak on “Assisted Suicide and the Corruption of Palliative Care” and be honored with the group’s annual award. Copies of Smith’s book, “Forced Exit,” will be available for purchase. Contact George Maloof, M.D., at gemaloof2003@yahoo.com or (415) 305-2408. Sponsored by San Francisco Guild of the Catholic Medical Association.

Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m.: Breast cancer Awareness Mass at St. Dominic Church, Bush St. at Steiner in San Francisco. Survivors of the disease as well as family and friends of survivors and those lost to the disease are invited. Parking available. Call (415) 929-9242 or e-mail martid528@comcast.net for more information.

Oct. 25, 9 a.m.: Serra Club of San Francisco: Mass followed by continental breakfast, with report by district governor Anthony Schunk. St. Cecilia Church, 17th Ave. at Vicente in San Francisco. Non-members welcome. Call Paul Crudo at (415) 566-8224 or e-mail pecrudodds@aol.com.

Nov. 2, 3 at 6 p.m.: Anniversary Prayer Liturgy and Celebration for Alma Via of San Francisco Residence 1300 Junipero Serra Blvd. at Brotherhood Way in San Francisco, now in its fifth year. Prayer of Thanksgiving at 3 p.m. at neighboring St. Thomas More Church with reception following. The public, residents, families and friends are invited to attend the celebration. Registration is requested. Call (415) 337-1339.

Arts & Entertainment Oct. 11, 12: “They Killed Sister Dorothy,” a new feature-length documentary film following events in the aftermath of the murder of Notre Dame Sister Dorothy Stang in the rainforests of Brazil in 2005, will be shown at the Mill Valley Film Festival. For ticket and other information visit www.mvff.com or call (877) 874-MVFF. To learn about the film and view a trailer visit www. theykilledsisterdorothy.com.

Oct. 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 26 at 2 p.m.: “Hotel Paradiso” plays at Notre Dame de Namur University Theater at 1500 Ralston Ave. in Belmont.

Tickets are $10. For more information, call (650) 5083456 or e-mail box office@ndnu.edu.

Oct. 26, 3 p.m.: Concert featuring “The Jeduthun” and “Chorus Paulinus” of the Philippines under the musical direction of Father Arnold Zamora at St. Brendan Church, 29 Rockaway Ave. just off Laguna Honda in San Francisco. Proceeds benefit St. Brendan Church Altar Servers’ Society and retired priests of the Philippine’s Bohol area. Tickets are $15. For more information, call Sister Necy at (415) 681-4225.

Food & Fun Oct. 10, 11, 12: All Souls Parish Festival, Spruce and Walnut Ave. in South San Francisco: Friday 6 – 10 p.m..; Saturday noon – 10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Games, rides, prizes, music and food. Call (650) 871-8944.

Oct. 18, 19, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: St. Anne Elementary School Flea Market in the school cafeteria, Funston at Judah St. in San Francisco. Proceeds benefit school’s junior high trip to Washington, D.C. in May. Food will be available for purchase.

Oct. 19, 5 – 8:30 p.m.: St. Mark’s Knights of Columbus Council will sponsor an evening of dining, dancing and raffles benefiting San Mateo Pro-Life at St. Mark’s Church, Father Flanagan Parish Center, 325 Marine View Ave., Belmont. Gloria Gillogley-Acosta, founder of San Mateo Pro-Life, will be honored. Guest speaker is Bill May, chair of Catholics for the Common Good. Tickets are $25/adult; $5/children 5-12 yr. For information and reservations, call (650) 342-7161.

Oct. 25, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.: Fright Fest at Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School, 39th Ave. at Lawton in San Francisco. Admission is free. Tickets for food and

Datebook

Oct. 19, 3 p.m.: “Vivaldi at San Domenico” by the Orchestra da Camera of San Domenico Schools will be performed at San Domenico’s Hall of the Arts, 1500 Butterfield Rd. in San Anselmo. Concert marks 31st anniversary of school’s Virtuoso Program that has placed students in some of the finest music schools in the country. World famous musicians including Isaac Stern and Yehudi Menuhin have held master classes at San Domenico. Reception, hosted by families of orchestra members, follows. Tickets are $50. For information, call (415) 258-1921. games available for purchase. Enjoy food, carnival games, bingo, raffle, fun house and haunted house.

Proceeds benefit the Holy Name of Jesus School. For more information, call (415) 731-4077 or visit us at www. holynamesf.com.

Oct. 25, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.: St. Thomas More Elementary School Halloween Carnival at 50 Thomas More Way in San Francisco. Spooks, games, teen music/game center, train ride, pumpkin patch, haunted house, food – including tri-tip sandwiches - and fun await all who attend. Plenty of parking. Visit www.stthomasmoreschool.org or call (415) 905-4669, voice box 20.

Oct. 29, 11:30 a.m.: Octoberfest Luncheon and Bingo Party of the Good Shepherd Guild at the Basque Cultural Center. Tickets are $40. For more information, contact Beverly Desmond at (415) 587-5354.

Nov. 8, 6 p.m.: “Annual Bal de Paris” benefiting Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires in San Francisco.

Evening includes dinner dance, silent and live auctions, live music. Black tie optional. Tickets are $125.

For more information, call (415) 421-0069 or visit www. ndvsf.org Nov. 14: Twelfth Annual Vincenzo Wine tasting and Auction at San Francisco’s Bently Reserve benefiting Catholic Charities CYO’s St. Vincent School for Boys.

Event includes gourmet dinner, select wines, and an auction. For ticket information, call (415) 972-1233 or visit www.vincenzo.org.

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, 6 p.m.: 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 offered other Friday evenings at 6 p.m. For further information, call (650) 322-2152.

TV/Radio Sunday, 6 a.m., WB 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.

Trainings/Lectures/Respect Life Oct. 14, 21, 28, 6:30 p.m.: “Let Paul Speak to the Nations,” a series looking at the life and letters of St. Paul with Father David Pettingill at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, Third St. at Jamestown in San Francisco.

Registration fee $25. Bring a Bible. For registration information, call (415) 468-3434.

Oct. 14, 21, 28, 3-4:30 p.m.: “Family Caregiver Mini-Sabbatical,” a series for persons helping an older spouse, parent or sibling, especially someone with increasing memory loss. The Tuesday afternoon sessions will be held at Catholic Charties CYO’s San Carlos Adult Day Services, 787 Walnut St., San Carlos. Cost is $25, but a sliding scale fee is available. Respite care can be arranged. For information, call (650) 592-9325 or e-mail mvargas@cccyo.org.

Oct. 14, 15: Jim Forest is coming to the St. Agnes Spiritual Life Center, 1611 Oak St. at Masonic in San

Francisco. Forest is the author of several award-winning books, including “Love Is the Measure: A Biography of Dorothy Day.” Tuesday at 1 p.m., Jim will present The Pilgrimage of Illness and on Wednesday at 7 p.m. he will talk about The Way of Peacemaking. Parking is available. Contact Rosemary Robinson at rosemary@ saintagnessf.com or (415) 487-8560 if you plan to attend either or both events. Admission is free. Good will offerings gratefully received. Copies of Forest’s books will be available for sale. Cash or check accepted.

Oct. 15, 3:30 p.m.: Lecture by Dominican Father Michael Morris, professor of religion and the arts and collector and expert on film posters from Bible-inspired films, at 252 McLaren Conference Center at University of San Francisco. Reception follows in Thatcher Gallery where a display of such posters, “The Celluloid Bible,” continues until Dec. 14. For more information, call (415) 422-204 or visit www.usfca.edu/library/thacher Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m.: Msgr. Robert McElroy, Ph.D., pastor, St. Gregory Parish in San Mateo and recently named to the 2008 Loschiavo Chair in Catholic Studies and Social Thought at the University of San Francisco, will speak on the U.S. Catholic bishops’ “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” at Notre Dame de Namur University’s Taube Center, located at the entrance of the school off Ralston Ave. in Belmont.

All are welcome as guests of the university. For more information, call Notre Dame Sister Roseanne Murphy at (650) 508-3551.

Oct. 30, noon: Sylvia Marcos will lecture on “Feminist Theology and the Zapatista Movement: A Report from Chiapas” at the Handlery Dining Room 100 at the University of San Francisco’s Lone Mountain campus.

Marcos is an internationally recognized professor of religion and sociology.

Taize/Chanted Prayer 1st Friday at 8 p.m.: Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline Dr., Burlingame with Mercy Sister Suzanne Toolan.

Call (650) 340-7452; young adults are invited each first Friday of the month to attend a social at 6 p.m. prior to Taize prayer at 8 p.m. The social provides light refreshments and networking with other young adults.

Convenient parking is available. For information contact mercyyoungadults@sbcglobal.net.

Tuesdays at 6 p.m.: Notre Dame Des Victoires Church, 566 Bush at Stockton, San Francisco with Rob Grant. Call (415) 397-0113.

2nd Friday at 8 p.m.: Our Lady of the Pillar, 400 Church St. in Half Moon Bay. Call Cheryl Fuller at (650) 726-2249.

Vocations Oct. 17 and subsequent third Fridays, 8 p.m.: Refresh your soul with a moment of peace and quiet away from the busyness of life. Listen to beautiful music and join others in prayer and song around the cross at Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, Motherhouse Chapel, 43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont. For further information, contact Maria Shao, (408) 839-2068, or maria49830@aol.com or Sister Beth Quire, OP (510) 449-7554 or beth@msjdominicans.

Oct. 25, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Western States Conference of Associates and Religious meet at Notre Dame High School, 1500 Ralston Rd. in Belmont. Notre Dame Sister Janice Bohn will facilitate the day on a theme of “Association: A New Call to Prayer and Service.” Sister Bohn has been a companion to women discerning to become third order associates or vowed religious for almost 30 years. Fee for the day is $30. Lunch is available at $10 per person. Coffee and snacks provided.

To register or more information, contact Kathy Noether at knoether@aol.com or call (408) 267-3426. For more information about WSCAR, visit the national website at www.nacar96.org.

Reunions Oct. 18: USF, class of ’68. Reunion events include campus tours, shopping in bookstore, liturgy, reception and dinner. Tickets are $68. For more information or to register, contact USF alumni office at (800) 449-4873 or alumni@usfca.edu.

Oct. 18, 6 p.m.: St. Cecilia Elementary School, class of 1988, at Maggie’s McGarry Bar, 1353 Grant Ave. in San Francisco. Tickets at $10 include

Catholic San Francisco

21

appetizers. Contact Tabitha Totah at Tabitha.Totah@ lucasfilm.com.

Oct. 18, 11:30 a.m.: St. Agnes Elementary School, class of ’46, at San Rafael Joe’s. Contact Joan Hunt at jnjhunt2003@aol.com or (818) 248-4513.

Oct. 18: The class of ‘78 from Our Lady of Angels Elementary School is planning a reunion with site to be announced. All members of the class as well as former teachers are asked to contact Julie Britton Kanzaki at kanzakis@comcast.net.

Oct. 18, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Holy Angels Elementary School Alumni Picnic. Potluck fare as well as hamburgers supplied by the school will be served. “It’s a great day of fun and chatter,” the school said. For reservations and information on providing a dish, call (650) 755-0220 or visit www.holyangelscolma.com.

Oct. 19, 9:15 a.m. registration: The San Francisco College for Women/Lone Mountain annual all-class reunion. Classes of ’38, 48, ’58, ’68 are honorees.

Day includes Mass, lunch, reception. Tickets are $45.

Contact USF alumni office at (415) 422-6431 or alumni@ usfca.edu.

Oct. 25, 6 p.m.: Presentation High School, San Francisco Class of ‘71 at Caesars Restaurant, Bay at Powell in San Francisco. For more information, contact Anne Rabbitt at (415) 892-2974 or anne@divrab.com.

Nov. 2, 2 p.m.: Mass and reception honoring the 130year history of San Francisco’s St. Peter school, 24th and Alabama St., and the service there of the Sisters of Mercy, the Christian Brothers, and lay faculty and staff.

San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop William J. Justice will preside. Call (415) 647-8662 for more information.

Pauline Books and Media Daughters of St. Paul, 2640 Broadway, Redwood City (650) 369-4230 - Visit paulineredwood.blogspot. com.

Oct. 16, 7 p.m.: The Daughters of St. Paul celebrate the Year of St. Paul with Sulpician Father Ronald Witherup. He will examine the lasting testament Paul has given to the Church. Paul’s tireless preaching and writing, extensive travels and love for Jesus Christ; all witness that conversion is not a one-time event but a lifetime commitment. Copies of Father’s three books on Paul will also be available.

Consolation Ministry Grief support groups meet at the following parishes.

San Mateo County: St. Catherine of Sienna, Burlingame; call Debbie Simmons at (650) 558-1015.

St. Dunstan, Millbrae; call Barbara Cappel at (650) 692-7543. Good Shepherd, Pacifica; call Sister Carol Fleitz at (650) 355-2593. Our Lady of Mercy, Daly City; call Barbara Cantwell at (650) 755-0478. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Redwood City; call parish at (650) 3663802. St. Robert, San Bruno; call Sister Patricia at (650) 589-2800.

Marin County: St. Anselm, San Anselmo; call Brenda MacLean at (415) 454-7650. St. Isabella, San Rafael; call Pat Sack at (415) 472-5732. Our Lady of Loretto, Novato; call Sister Jeanette at (415) 897-2171.

San Francisco: St. Dominic; call Deacon Chuck McNeil at (415) 567-7824; St. Finn Barr (bilingual); call Carmen Solis at (415) 584-0823. St. Gabriel; call Elaine Khalaf at (415) 564-7882.

Young Widow/Widower Group: St. Gregory, San Mateo; call Barbara Elordi at (415) 614-5506.

Ministry to Parents: Our Lady of Angels, Burlingame; call Ina Potter at (650) 347-6971 or Barbara Arena at (650) 344-3579.

Children’s Grief Group: St. Catherine, Burlingame; call Debbie Simmons at (650) 558-1015.

Information regarding grief ministry in general: call Barbara Elordi at (415) 614-5506.

Single, Divorced, Separated Information about Bay Area single, divorced and separated programs is available from Jesuit Father Al Grosskopf at grosskopf@usfca.edu (415) 422-6698.

Ongoing support groups for the separated and divorced take place at St. Bartholomew Parish, 300 Columbia Drive at Alameda de las Pulgas, in San Mateo, first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7 p.m. in the Spiritual Center and first and third Wednesdays of the month at St. Stephen parish hall, Eucalyptus and 23rd Ave. in San Francisco next to Stonestown Mall at 7:30 p.m. Call Gail at (650) 591-8452 or Joanne at (650) 347-0701.

Catholic Adult Singles Association of Marin meets for support and activities. Call Bob at (415) 897-0639 for information.

Oct. 17 – 19: Struggling marriages or those who have packed their bags either mentally or physically - come to a Retrouvaille, a weekend/program, with 6 post sessions thereafter. Three couples and a priest present the weekend. Call (415) 893-1005 or visit www.retrouvaille.org.

Oct. 24, 25, 26: Widowed, Divorced, Separated Weekend at Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park.

For information and a brochure, contact La Verne (650) 355-3978, Helen (415) 388-9651, Ward (415) 821-3390 or Ana (408) 230-1675, e-mail SJBeginExp@aol.com or visit www.geocities.com/sanjosebe/.

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, Catholic San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, S.F. 94109, or fax it to (415) 614-5633, or e-mail burket@sfarchdiocese.org.

22

Catholic San Francisco

October 10, 2008

Rolheiser . . .

■ Continued from page 17 celebrating it until he returned again. A biblical scholar, Gerhard Lofink, puts it this way: “The early apostolic communities cannot be understood outside of the matrix of intense expectation.

They were communities imminently awaiting Christ’s return.

They gathered in Eucharist, among other reasons, to foster and sustain this awareness, namely, that they were living in wait, waiting for Christ to return.”

I try to celebrate Eucharist every day. I do this because I am a priest and part of the covenant a priest makes with the Church at ordination is to pray the priestly prayer of Jesus, the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours, regularly for the world. But I do it, too, more personally, for another reason. The older I get, the less confident, in some ways, I am becoming. I don’t always know whether I’m following Christ properly or even know exactly what it means to follow Christ. So, I stake my faith on an invitation that Jesus left us on the night before he died: To break bread and drink wine in his memory and to trust that this, if all else is uncertain, is what we should be doing while we wait for him to return.

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

SERVICE DIRECTORY For Advertising Information Call 415-614-5642 Fax: 415-614-5641 E-mail: penaj@sfarchdiocese.org

painting and remodeling

Maintenance

When Life Hurts It Helps To Talk

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Household Junk ● Garage Clean-outs ● Construction Clean up ● Furniture ● Appliances ●

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Inner Child Healing Offers a deep spiritual and psychological approach to counseling: ❖ 30 years experience with individuals, couples and groups ❖ Directed, effective and results-oriented ❖ Compassionate and Intuitive ❖ Supports 12-step ❖ Enneagram Personality Transformation

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• Find practical solutions for some of life’s tougher problems and situations • Short-term counseling for lasting solutions.

• 20 years experience.

MUZIO & ROVERO INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. P.O. Box 1178, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (415) 388-2096

Call today for a free quote Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company AMCO Insurance Company Allied Property and Casualty Insurance Company Depositors Insurance Company Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Company Des Moines, Iowa 50391-1100

www.alliedinsurance.com Lic. # 0599101

Auto

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(415) 786-0121 • (415) 586-6748

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

(415) 242-3355 www.counselingforchristians.com

Healthcare Agency

The Irish Rose

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

For more information, contact:

Home Healthcare Agency

Contractors State License Board 800-321-2752

Specializing in home health aides, attendants and companions.

Party Rentals

Serving San Francisco, Marin & the Peninsula.

SM

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TABLES SEATING LINENS SETTINGS SERVEWARE STAGING

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

ALL PLUMBING WORK PAT HOLLAND

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

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INDIVIDUAL, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSELING

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➤ Drain-Sewer Cleaning Service ➤ Water Heaters ➤ Gas Pipes ➤ Toilets ➤ Faucets ➤ Garbage Disposals ➤ Copper Repiping ➤ Sewer Replacement ➤ Video Camera & Line locate PROMPT AND UNPARALLELED SERVICE bestplumbinginc@comcast.net Member: Better Business Bureau

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October 10, 2008

Anniversary Elderly Care Celebration

ALMA VIA OF SAN FRANCISCO

Personal care companion, Help with daily activities; driving, shopping, appointments. 27 years Alzheimer’s experience, references, bonded.

(415) 713-1366

CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO OUR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Saturday, November 2nd, 2008 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm Join us in celebrating five years of serving our senior community in the San Francisco Bay Area 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Prayer of Thanksgiving, St. Thomas More Church 1300 Junipero Serra Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94132 Reception to follow, Alma Via of San Francisco 1 Thomas More Way, San Francisco, CA 94132

RSVP by October 17th, 2008 (415) 337-1339 Elder Care Alliance is co-sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Regional Community of Burlingame and the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

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

Parish Festival St. Dunstan Parish 2008

“CALFORNIA DREAMIN” Fall Festival

Friday, Saturday & Sunday October 17th – 19th • Rides • Bingo • Games • Food & Much More!

1133 Broadway Ave. • Millbrae Ann Woolen (650) 697-4730

Apt. for Rent 2-bedroom, 1-bath, living room, kitchen, dining room, share washer/dryer, yard.

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Caregiver Room available for Rent FILIPINO MALE CAREGIVER / COMPANION Caring, Mature, Honest, Responsible, Reliable, Punctual, Speaks English, Personal Care, Help with Daily Activities, Shopping. References. Available now, Hourly (Live-Out) or 24/7 (Live-In) Call Louie at 925-658-8311 or 925-609-8843

Holy Spirit, you who make me see everything and who shows me the way to reach my ideal.

You who give me the divine gift of forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank you for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory. Amen. You may publish this as soon as your favor is granted.

H.D.

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.

L.B.

Help Hurricane Victims Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas are responding to the communities of victims affected by Hurricane Ike. The Gulf Coastal communites of both dioceses were hit hard. Both are providing emergency response. They collaborated in past storms to address the needs of the Bolivar Penninsula residents and continue to do so with Ike. Galveston-Houston is distributing food and supplies through mobile units to those most in need - filling in the gaps in the smaller communities and for those who might not have transportation to get to distribution sites. Galveston and Bolivar are within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, out of Beaumont, are collaborating with other agencies to maximize efficiency in distributing food and supplies to victims through PODS (points of distribution) and Community Resource Sites. Currently operating two sites in Jefferson County and one in collaboration with the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Chambers County. A site will be implemented in Orange County as soon as supplies are made available to distribute. The distribution of food and supplies made available to agencies to distribute in this area has been very slow in coming.

Piano Lessons Piano Lessons

by Professor Vladimir Romanenkov

(415) 587-8165

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CAROL FERRANDO. Conservatory training, masters degree, all levels of students.

CALL (415) 921-8337.

Catholic San Francisco Rummage Sale

RUMMAGE SALE Friday and Saturday, October 17th and 18th 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Little Sisters of the Poor St. Anne’s Home 300 Lake Street, San Francisco

PLEASE CALL 415-584-5307 before 10 pm.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail.

23

place a Help Wanted Ad in

$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.

NOVENAS Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Catholic San Francisco

Wide diversity of merchandise, furniture, art collection, fine & costume jewelry, books, vintage & fine clothing,

house hold furnishings, crafts, shoes, food! t

Help Wanted

heaven can’t wait

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

ADVERTISING SALES

For The Largest Publisher of Catholic Church Bulletins

This is a Career Opportunity!

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

Call 1-800-675-5051, Fax resume: 925-926-0799

ALL SOULS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Serving the diverse community of South San Francisco

Newly Created Teacher Aide Position – Starting immediately – 19.5 hours 5 days a week Salary in line with Archdiocese standards

Please call to set up an interview with Mr. Vincent Riener, Principal School Office: 650-583-3562 • Fax: 650-952-1167 Email: info@ssfallsoulsschool.org Website: www.ssfallsoulsschool.org We are looking for full or part time

RNs, LVNs, CNAs, Caregivers In-home care in San Francisco, Marin County, peninsula Nursing care for children in San Francisco schools

After the initial immediate emergency response, both agencies will transition into the Recovery phase - providing case management and financial assistance.

If you are generous, honest, compassionate, respectful, and want to make a difference, send us your resume:

If you would like to donate to this effort, you can access the website for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston www.catholiccharities.org and the website for Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas www.catholiccharitiesbmt.org. Both agencies are most appreciative of the financial support to continue Providing Help and Creating Hope, especially for those affected by the devastation left by Hurricane Ike.

Jeannie McCullough Stiles, RN Fax: 415-435-0421 Email: info@sncsllc.com Voice: 415-435-1262

24

Catholic San Francisco

October 10, 2008

OCTOBER 19, 2008

“Servants and Apostles of Christ Jesus” E-mail spof@sfarchdiocese.org

World Mission Sunday, October 19th, 2008

Dear Friends of the Missions, A great day is coming!

October 19 – World Mission Sunday – is a special day for all of us who are called, by Baptism, to be involved in the missionary work of the Church.

On that Sunday, every nation, even the poorest in the Developing World, contributes to the mission needs of the Church worldwide.

World Mission Sunday truly belongs to the world. It is celebrated in every country, in every diocese and in every parish – in a remote chapel far out in the African bush, in a predominately Muslim or Hindu area in Asia, in a poor village in Latin America. We are citizens of the world, members of the one Body of Christ, and are at best when we act lovingly and generously to our brothers and sisters in the Missions.

So this year remember that on October 19th, World Mission Sunday, the family of the Church celebrates that we are “one family in mission.” Please pray for the people of the Missions and for missionaries. I ask also for your most generous help to make Christ known.

The collection gathered for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith on that Sunday – the offerings of Catholics worldwide is vitally needed for the pastoral and evangelizing work of more than 1,150 dioceses throughout Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and remote regions of Latin America.

Throughout years of War in Sierra Leone, Bishop George Biguzzi of Makeni has never abandoned his people in their suffering.

On one occasion, he even joined others in an attempt to liberate child Sierre Leone soldiers – a devastating aspect of the fighting that took place there. Through it all, he says, “we remain filled with hope,” adding, “We thank God and all those who have not abandoned us, who accompanied our people through solidarity, prayer and love.” The Church in the Missions serves among the suffering and poor during natural disasters and times of war. Your gift on World Mission Sunday supports this service, bringing help – and hope – to your brothers and sisters in the Missions.

This young girl and her baby brother were refugees from Sudan, now living in neighboring Ethiopia. Driven from their home, the frightened pair find and hope in the loving service of priests, Religious and lay catechists. They, and other refugees, discover that no matter the circumstances of their lives, they are never alone; they have always the abiding presence of the Lord. Your gift on World Mission Sunday supports the service Ethiopia of priests, Religious and lay catechists throughout the Missions who offer to the poor the hope and compassion of our Lord.

Asking the Lord to bless you for your generous missionary spirit, I am Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Ignatius C. Wang Auxiliary Bishop Archdiocesan Mission Director Please remember The Society for Propagation of the Faith when writing or changing your Will.

In Iringa Tanzania, these orphan children are lovingly cared for by a local Religious Community.

“We are very grateful for the support we receive for our work,” says Sister Mary Rose. “We send you every blessings from Tanzania God.” Your gift on World Mission Sunday supports the service of local Religious Communities throughout the Mission.

PLEASE USE THE COUPON BELOW Yes, I want to support the Missions. Enclosed is my contribution of: [ ] $10

[ ] $25

[ ] $50

[ ] $100 [ ] $500

[ ]$1,000 [ ] Other $

[ ] I would like to become a mission benefactor.

While I can, I will support a missionary by my monthly sacrifice of $

Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Parish: Please make checks payable to Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109-6602 On behalf of our Lay missionaries, Brothers, Sisters and Priests, thank you for your support.

Please remember The Society for the Propagation of the Faith when writing or changing your Will.

.

LL I W U YO P? HEL

Be you c cause to Sh are enou gh are with Your Lov e m child ission ren need who you.