November 4, 2005

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Cardinal calls Rosa Parks a prophet of civil rights equality

By Catholic News Service

(CNS PHOTO FROM REUTERS)

Members of the U.S. National Guard carry the casket of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks into the Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, where a memorial service was held Oct. 31.

DETROIT — Rosa Parks, the civil rights pioneer who became the first woman to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, “changed the history of our nation” and “forced us to recognize the dignity of every person,” said Cardinal Adam J. Maida of Detroit.

“She was a prophet — a common instrument of God inviting us and challenging us to a new vision of solidarity, equality and justice,” the cardinal said of Parks, who prompted a more-than-yearlong bus boycott in Montgomery, Ala., after her arrest on Dec. 1, 1955, for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man.

Parks died Oct. 24 at the age of 92. President George W. Bush ordered the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff over all public buildings Nov. 2, the day of Parks’ funeral and burial.

Cardinal Maida had urged priests to include in the prayer of the faithful: “As we give thanks to God for the humble and courageous witness of Rosa Parks, we ask you, Lord, for the strength to resist any form of racial prejudice in our minds and hearts; renew our desire to create a nation where the dignity and value of every person will be respected and affirmed, we pray to the Lord.”

An estimated 30,000 people passed by Parks’ casket during its eight hours in the Capitol Rotunda over two days. Parks also was only the second African-American to lie in honor at the Capitol, the first being Capitol Police Officer Jacob J. Chestnut, killed in the line of duty in 1998.

Parks, a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church for her entire life and a resident of Detroit since 1957, attended an interfaith prayer service in St. Louis led

by Pope John Paul II at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis in 1999. She met the pope privately afterward, rising from her wheelchair to shake the pope’s hand.

But it was “in her own simple way,” as Cardinal Maida put it, that Parks sparked the boycott that led to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1956 order integrating Montgomery buses and gave impetus to the civil rights movement in the South.

In her 1992 autobiography, “Rosa Parks: My Story,” she said many believe she did not give up her seat because she was tired from working, but that was not true.

“I was not tired physically, or no more tired than I ROSA PARKS, page 7

Voter turnout key to parental notification initiative — Prop. 73

By Maurice Healy Voter turnout in California’s Nov. 8 Special Election is likely to be the key factor in determining the fate of Proposition 73, which mandates that parents receive notice of at least 48 hours before their daughter undergoes an abortion. The initiative provides for a judicial bypass for minors who need such protection.

Vickie Evans, pro-life coordinator for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, said “Most polls show a close contest and voter turnout will be crucial to the success of Prop. 73.”

A recent SurveyUSA poll showed 60 percent of Californians support Prop. 73 with 38 percent opposed, but several other polls indicate a more narrow difference of sentiment among voters.

If Prop. 73 is approved by California voters, the state would join the ranks of 34 other states, which have similar parental consent or parental notification laws in effect.

California did, in fact, put a parental notification statute into law in 1987, requiring parental consent before a minor’s abortion. This statute was prevented PROP. 73, page 7

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Center for women . . . . . . . 3 Supreme Court nominee . . 5 Awards to local groups. . . . 6 Commentary . . . . . . . . 12-13 Scripture and reflection . . . 14 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

News-in-brief ~ Page 4 ~ November 4, 2005

Immaculate Conception Academy ~ Pages 10-11 ~

‘Dreamer’ movie review ~ Page 17 ~

SIXTY CENTS

Classified ads . . . . . . . . . . 19

www.catholic-sf.org VOLUME 7

•

No.34

2

Catholic San Francisco

November 4, 2005

On The

In touch but not in the same place at the same time since the day they entered the Salesians of St. John Bosco in 1940 were, from left, Fathers Arthur Lenti, Joseph Occio, Salvatore Giacomini, John Malloy, Armand Oliveri, and Larry Lorenzoni. That all changed recently at Alioto’s Restaurant on Fisherman’s Wharf. “It’s the first time we’ve all been together in 65 years,” said Father Armand, who now serves at St. Peter and Paul Church in North Beach.

Where You Live

by Tom Burke Always ready to help new singers on their way is Licia Albanese, a major classical voice of the 20th century having sung many leading roles at the New York Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, London’s Covent Garden and, closer to home, the San Francisco Opera. Licia, now 93, flew in from her home in NYC to hold a Master Class for 35 student singers at Notre Dame de Namur University in August. Ada Regan, a longtime parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena Parish and a personal friend of Licia’s for many years, sponsored the artist’s appearance. “Ada is an active part of our opera program at Notre Dame,” said Debra Lambert, director. The grand event filled the summer night with arias and advice and featured the talents of singers Ann Assarsson, Mary Garcia, Patricia Urbano, Laurin Kendrick, and Kathleen Moorehead, all current or former students in the Notre Dame program. The class was, by all estimations, a huge success. Comments by students in attendance included thanks and testimony of how the experience with Licia benefited them. “You are an inspiration,” said one. “What a treasure you are,” said another. “I’ve learned the importance of bringing passion into our music,” said a third. Licia, who made

her musical debut in 1935, sang a Farewell Concert at New York’s Town Hall in 1970 but it hardly stopped her. She continued to sing well beyond the date including taking a role in a concert presentation of Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies” – truly a favorite of mine among his many shows. Upcoming shows at Notre Dame include “Fiddler on the Roof” as well as the seasonal treasure now in its 20th year, “A Christmas Carol.”…Welcome aboard at Archbishop Riordan High School to new Development Director, Audrey Magnusen.

Audrey grew up in Daly City and completed graduate studies in Public Administration at San Francisco State. She has formerly managed fundraising and other programs for Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City and the California College of Podiatric Medicine. “I will aggressively search to identify,

Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School has a new Science room and Science teacher, Jeanette Swain, here assisting 6th graders, Taylor Light and Tommy Barry, in the use of the microscope.

Ada Regan, left, Licia Albanese, and Debra Lambert.

LIVING TRUSTS WILLS ●

DONATE YOUR OLD AUTO To help St. Denis Catholic High School in Uganda Father Joseph tells us 60% of his students are orphans from AIDS and need your love and help!

Classics to Clunkers, running or not.

We do everything for you and you’ll receive a tax deduction for your car.

Please give us a toll free call today. God Bless!

800-511-4409 www.unchildren.org • United Fund For Children, Inc.

LOWEST RATES AVAILABLE! “NO MONEY DOWN LOANS”

●

PROBATE

MICHAEL T. SWEENEY ATTORNEY AT LAW 782A ULLOA STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127

(415) 664-8810

www.mtslaw.info FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

McCoy Church Goods Co. Inc. Competitive Prices & Personalized Service

For experience, knowledge & integrity call

C O R P

The Symbol of Very High Customer Satisfaction

GIVE US YOUR CAR AND WE’LL GIVE THEM HOPE Donate to SV

DP

St. Vincent de Paul Society Marin – San Francisco – San Mateo Serving the poor since 1860 Donate your Car, Boat or RV

1-800-YES-SVDP

St Philip The Apostle School Located in the heart of Noe Valley

Small classes in K-8 Low teacher student ratios Mobile technology laboratories a.m & p.m extended care A wide variety of after school programs,

WE WILL PROVIDE THE LOWEST INTEREST RATE FOR YOU!

GUARANTEE MORTGAGE

research and appeal for the needs of the school for capital expansion and greater endowment for tuition assistance to ensure that Archbishop Riordan High School is the school of choice for our families in San Francisco and the surrounding cities,” Audrey said…. I’m thinkin’ there might be room out there for a donut shop called Hole Foods. Whatta’ ya’ think?… I also think there should be a humanitarian award for that guy who sells $1,000 worth of knives for “three payments of $8.88.” How does he do it? … Remember this is an empty space without ya’!! The email address for Street is 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. You can reach me at (415) 614-5634.

Kara Fiore

including language, sports league and the arts

650-212-5050

For more information or to schedule a tour, call Sr Ann Cronin B.V.M., Principal (415) 824 8467

Extension 878 We offer

• “NO COST” Home Loans • FREE Pre-Approval • 100% Financing • No Documentation Loans • 100% Equity Lines Serving the Peninsula Since 1986 E-Mail Address kfiore@gmwest.com Web Site: www.GMMortgage.com

Real Estate Broker, Calif. Dept. of Real Estate (tel. 915-227-0931). License #00930036

1010 Howard Avenue San Mateo, CA 94401

(650) 342-0924

Providing Excellence In Education Since 1938

Catholic San Francisco

November 4, 2005

3

Saint Vincent de Paul to honor battered women benefactors “Every time a woman calls our 24-hour crisis line, it’s a measure of our success,” says Jennifer Grant, Program Director at the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Riley Center for battered women and their children.

Last year over a thousand women found a safe refuge at one of the Riley Center programs – but many more were turned away due to lack of space. “For our 75 beds we turn away many times that number,” says Grant who oversees programs at the Riley’s Rosalie House emergency shelter and Brennan House transitional shelter.

In no small way, those women owe their emergency beds to local Vincentians, foremost among them Maryanne and John Murray. Started in 1984 with help from San Francisco’s Holy Name Parish and the Junior League, Rosalie House was founded by long-time Saint Vincent de Paul supporter Frank Brennan when John Murray was President of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society Board.

Maryanne helped with major fundraisers during John’s tenure as President and both continue to be active, contributing on several committees and to fundraising events. This year the Murrays will be awarded the prestigious Frank Brennan Award for Service to the Poor at the Society’s annual Brennan Dinner on November 17.

Like Grant, the Murrays wonder just why battered women still make up the number one cause of female homicides in this country, and why San Francisco has the second highest numbers of domestic violence in large Californian cities.

Surprisingly, until the seventies there were no shelters for abused women in the United States. Now there are, but most

(PHOTO BY CATHERINE BARRY)

By Elgy Gillespie and Catherine Barry

Maryanne and John Murray

allow stays of no more than ninety days and have other restrictions. The Riley Center has both emergency beds at Rosalie House and transitional beds at Brennan House and accommodates not only battered victims and their children, but sometimes their extended family members - older offspring and mothers - too.

All too many battered women end up on the street, often with their children, and over half of the cases of domestic violence against women involve child abuse, according to the Children’s Defense Fund.

“Every battered woman I’ve ever talked to thinks, ‘How can I get out?’” says Rita Smith, executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “At some point, probably all of them will make some attempt. The question is what’s in place to help her? And it’s often very limited.”

The Murrays are third and fourth-generation Irish San Franciscans, proud grandparents with a long record of helping the community. Formerly with the San Francisco Police Department and now a busy practicing lawyer, John Murray served as past President of the St. Vincent de Paul Society from 1983 to 1989. He found himself working with the homeless together with Maryanne after listening to their friend Frank Brennan, a co-founder of the Riley Center along with Jim Riley.

“It was Frank who hooked us into it; he talked to us about these issues that really needed to be addressed,” says Maryanne.

“And of course for us there is the spiritual aspect too – to see the face of God in the faces of the poor, the needy and the desperate.”

“But it’s been a rocky road,” Maryanne adds. In 1989 Rosalie House moved, and

“A Doctor’s Confession to San Francisco . . . ” And why, despite all, I still do what I do . . .

Dear friend,

C

onfessions are tough. Real tough. But, sometimes a confession can set the record straight, and I want to give credit where credit is due. Before I talk about my confession, though, let me say a few other things first.

Let me start by explaining the photo in this letter. You know, when I meet people in town they usually say, “Oh, yeah, I know you, you’re Dr. Leung. I’ve seen your advertisment with that picture of you and the cute little baby.”

Well, I’m the guy on the right.

Years ago something happened to me that changed my life forever. Let me tell you my story.

“Back then I was a student just about ready college, when my younger brother developed a painful leg condition known as ‘sciatica.’ In his case it came on suddenly. The pain in his leg was so intense that he couldn’t walk without limping, and sometimes he couldn’t straighten his legs to put on his socks. I remember him telling me it felt like someone was stabbing his leg with a screwdriver. He was afraid that he would be confined to a wheelchair if the disability continued. It all happened so fast, one week he was competing as an athlete at the national level and the next week he could barely take care of himself. He was devastated.

After considering surgery (that was the only option, according to the surgeon) he decided against it. I remember feeling so helpless, I wish there was something I could do for him. It was a very scary time . But there’s more . . .

A friend of mine convinced me to have my brother give their doctor a try. This new doctor did an exam, took some films, and then ‘adjusted’ his spine. He told me that the adjustment didn’t hurt, it actually felt good. He got relief, and he can use his legs again. Oh, did I mention that this doctor is a chiropractor? It worked so well for my brother, and I’m so impressed with the other ‘miracles’ I see in this doctor’s office, that

I eventually go to chiropractic school myself.

And that’s how it happened!”

Now for my son Rion (pronounced Ryan), who is the baby in the photo. He’s not old enough to know how chiropractic works, but he loves to get his spine adjusted. Along with making sure that his spine develops properly, spinal adjustments keep Rion’s immune system working at its best. Rion rarely gets sick. That seems like a small thing, but it makes a huge difference to him. It seems like only a new puppy will be able to keep up with his energy.

It’s amazing how life is, because now people come to see me with their sciatica problems.

Also they come to me with their headaches, Forty-eight million Americans no longer migraines, chronic pain, neck pain, shoulder/ have health insurance, and those who do have arm pain, whiplash from car accidents, backfound that their benefits are reduced. That’s aches, ear infections, asthma, allergies, numbwhere chiropractic comes in. Many people find ness in limbs, athletic injuries, just to name a that they actually save money on their health few. care expenses by seeing a chiropractor. Another Several times a day patients thank me for way to save . . . studies show that a chiropractor helping them with their health problems. But may double your I can’t really take immune capacity, the credit. My Here’s what some of my patients had to say: naturally and withconfession is that “Body building takes toll on my neck and back. out drugs.

I’ve never healed Dr. Leung keeps me tuned up so I can be at my best.”

The immune anyone of any(Daryl Gee, marketing rep. for nutritional supplements) system fights colds, thing. What I do is the flu, and other perform a specific “No more migranes and no more neck pain!” sicknesses. So you spinal adjustment (Petra Anderson) may not be to remove nerve running off to the pressure, and the “I feel better than I have in a long time!” doctor as much. body responds by (Cathy Cheung, CPA) This is especially healing itself. We important if you are self-employed. And an get tremendous results. It’s as simple as that! entire week of care in my office may cost what Being a chiropractor can be tough, because you could pay for one visit elsewhere. there’s a host of so-called experts out there.

You Benefit from an Amazing Offer – Look, They tell people a lot of things that are just it shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg to correct plain ridiculous about my profession. But the your health. You are going to write a check studies speak for themselves, like the Virginia to someone for your health care expenses, you study that showed that over 90% of patients may as well write one for a lesser amount for who saw a chiropractor were satisfied with chiropractic. When you bring in this advertisement their results. That’s just incredible!

Maryanne and her group took on the Rosalie Improvement Plan; their “Adopt a Room” painting program was run with over sixty local women taking turns to decorate each family room in the shelter.

Maryanne then put Rosalie Relocation in motion, working with realtors, developers and local pols, and driving all over the city looking for sites. She found one in time for the new millennium, only to find out they had to relocate again. Again, she worked with groups and the Archdiocese, and once more was successful, thanks to community support.

The new Rosalie House has 25 beds for emergency cases plus the 24-hour crisis line, sheltering up to three months, with food and clothing, social services and counseling for women with or without children. The Brennan Center takes in longerstay battered women and their children for a year and a half, together with support services, case management, and much needed children’s programs.

After and their children leave Brennan, the Riley Center Community Office offers follow-up support, finds transitional housing programs and provides domestic violence prevention education and referral services plus volunteer training and coordination for the public.

THE BRENNAN DINNER AND AUCTION takes place on Thursday, November 17 at Saint Mary’s Cathedral Patrons Hall.

All are invited. Tickets are individually priced at $150 with table sponsorship opportunities. Proceeds will benefit programs for the poor and homeless.

Cocktails and silent auction begin at 6 p.m. Gala dinner begins at 7:30 p.m.

Please call (415) 977-1279, extension 3021 for further information.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

(by November 23rd, 2005) you will receive my entire new patient exam for $27. That’s with consultation, orthopedic and neurologic exams, x-rays and the second day Report of Findings . . . the whole ball of wax. There are never any hidden fees at our office.

This exam could cost you $275 elsewhere.

And further care is very affordable and you’ll be happy to know that I have affordable family plans. You see I’m not trying to seduce you to come see me with this low start-up fee, then to only make it up with high fees after that.

Further care is very important to consider when making your choice of doctor. High costs can add up very quickly. By law, this offer excludes Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

Great care at a great fee . . . Please, I hope that there’s no misunderstanding about quality of care just because I have a lower exam fee.

You’ll get great care at a great fee. My qualifications . . . I’m a Cum Laude graduate of Life College West who has been recognized by the California State Assembly for community service. I’ve been entrusted to take care of tiny babies to other health professionals such as Nurses, Physical Therapists, Dentists, Surgeons and Attorneys. I have been practicing in West Portal for four over years. I just have that low exam fee to help more people who need care.

My assistants are Angela and Josephine.

They are really great people. Our office is both friendly and warm and we try our best to make you feel at home. We have a wonderful service, at an exceptional fee.

Our office is called West Portal Family Chiropractic and it is at 380 West Portal Avenue (at 15th Avenue).

Our phone number is (415) 564-1741.

Call Angela or Josephine for an appointment.

We can help you. Thank you.

– Kam Leung, D.C. P.S. When accompanied by the first, I am also offering the second family member this same examination for only $10.

P.P.S. “If you don’t feel that coming to us exceeded your expectations then your first visit is at no charge.”

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Catholic San Francisco

November 4, 2005 their employment as housekeepers, hotel maids, or caregivers for the elderly or sick. In his first message for the annual World Day for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Benedict highlighted the changing face of migrants today, noting that more and more women were crossing “the border of their homeland alone in search of work in another country.” The text for the 2006 message, titled “Migrations: A Sign of the Times,” was released during an Oct. 28 press conference at the Vatican.

in brief

NEWS

(CNS PHOTO FROM REUTERS)

4

Bishops to address professional lay ecclesial ministry in church life WASHINGTON — This fall the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops plans to issue a major resource document on lay ecclesial ministry, a phenomenon of growing importance in the church. When the bishops meet in Washington Nov. 14-17, they will vote on the proposed document, “Co-workers in the Vineyard of the Lord: Resource for Guiding Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry.” The introduction calls the document a “pastoral and theological reflection on the reality of lay ecclesial ministry,” an “affirmation of those who serve in this way,” and an attempt to pull together the current “best thinking and practice” in that field. The document discusses the appropriate human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation of those who seek to engage in lay ministerial leadership in the church. It also addresses the role of lay ecclesial ministers in the church community, their relationship to the church’s ordained leaders, guidelines and procedures for authorizing lay people to enter such roles and concerns that should be dealt with in the ministerial workplace.

New study finds lay ecclesial ministry growing in America WASHINGTON — A new national study reports that there are now nearly 31,000 paid lay parish ministers and more than 2,000 others who work in parish ministry at least 20 hours a week on a volunteer basis. It found that since 1990 there have been major improvements in pay for the paid ministers. It also found striking advances since 1990 in the involvement of dioceses in the training, screening, certification and commissioning of lay parish ministers, in providing them with continuing education and in setting employment standards and salary ranges for them. “For the first time in the

An Iranian protester shouts slogans against the U.S. and Israel during a Jerusalem Day demonstration outside the University of Tehran before Friday prayers Oct. 28.

The Vatican issued a statement the same day condemning "certain statements, particularly serious and unacceptable, in which Israel's right to exist is denied." Two days earlier, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."

history of our country, there are more paid professional lay ministers in our parishes than there are priests,” said Father Eugene F. Lauer, director of the National Pastoral Life Center in New York, which conducted the study. It was commissioned by the Committee on the Laity of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and funded by the Lilly Endowment.

Pope condemns sexual violence against women, culture that fuels it VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI condemned sexual violence against women and the hedonistic and profit-hungry culture that fuels such exploitation. He also called on Christians to help alleviate the suffering of asylum seekers and refugees as well as to work for “just treatment for migrant women” who often lack workers’ rights and protections in

AUFER’S

HELPLINES FOR CLERGY/CHURCH SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS

RELIGIOUS SUPPLIES

Pope says Catholics, Jews must give common witness of faith VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI said Catholics and Jews not only must respect and understand one another, they must give the world a common witness of faith in God and in his commandments. In a message read at a Vatican commemoration of the 40th anniversary of “Nostra Aetate,” the Second Vatican Council declaration on relations with non-Christians, Pope Benedict called for “an ever more compelling shared witness.”

The pope particularly urged joint efforts for the protection of “the sanctity of life, the promotion of human dignity, the rights of the family and the need to build a world of justice, reconciliation and peace for future generations.” The Oct. 27 event, sponsored by the Vatican’s Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, looked at progress made in Catholic-Jewish dialogue and on paths to follow for the future.

Pope calls beatified priests, nun ‘heroic witnesses’ of faith VATICAN CITY — Seven Spanish priests and a nun martyred in 1936 were “heroic witnesses of the faith” and showed the true meaning of priesthood and consecrated life, said Pope Benedict XVI. The pope prayed before the relics of the eight Spaniards Oct. 29 after they were beatified in St. Peter’s Basilica during a Mass celebrated by Portuguese Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. The seven priests from the Diocese of Urgell were killed “during the religious persecution in Spain out of fidelity to their priestly ministry,” the pope said. The seven beatified were: Fathers Jose Tapies Sirvant, Pascual Araguas, Silestre Arnau Pascuet, Jose Boher Foix, Francisco Castells Brenuy, Pedro Martret Moles and Jose Perot Juanmarti. Sister Maria de los Angeles Ginard Marti was a member of a religious order dedicated to eucharistic adoration; her devotion to Christ helped her “offer her life as a supreme expression of love for Christ,” the pope said.

West Coast Church Supplies 369 Grand Avenue South San Francisco

Serving The Catholic – Christian Community since 1904

415-614-5506 This number is answered by Barbara Elordi, Archdiocesan Pastoral Outreach Coordinator.

This is a secured line and is answered only

by Barbara Elordi.

Kaufer’s is your source for custom work.

1-800-767-0660

Statues, Woodwork, Marble, Refinishing and Repairs 55 Beverly St., San Francisco 415-333-4494 • FAX 415-333-0402 e-mail: sales@kaufers.com www.kaufers.com

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

Easy access: 3 blocks west of 101 Bibles, Books, Rosaries,Statues, Jewelry, Medals, Crucifixes, Baptism and Christening Gifts

Mon – Fri 9:30 to 5:30 Sat 9:30 – 5

130 Years of Caring for Seniors

Special Needs Companion Services The Choice of Discriminating Families for Assisted Living at Home ● ● ●

Assisted Living

•

Dementia Care

•

Skilled Nursing

Mercy Retirement & Care Center Oakland • 510.534.8540 w w w . m e r c y r e t i r e m e n t c e n t e r. o r g An Elder Care Alliance Community Elder Care Alliance is cosponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Regional Community of Burlingame and the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. RCFE Lic # 015600255 SNF Lic # CA020000237

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Official newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Francisco

Most Reverend John C. Wester, publisher Maurice E. Healy, associate publisher & executive editor Editorial Staff: Jack Smith, editor; Evelyn Zappia, feature editor; Tom Burke, “On the Street” and Datebook

●

Personalized and compassionate Caregivers are carefully selected, trained and employed by us Locally owned and operated by Jeannie McCullough Stiles, R.N. Services include: meal preparation, light housekeeping, daily exercise, medication reminders, shopping, and assistance with bathing

Call us for a needs assessment

(415) 435-1262 E-Mail: info@specialneedscompanionservices.com www.specialneedscompanionservices.com

Advertising: Joseph Pena, director; Mary Podesta, account representative Sandy Dahl, advertising and promotion services Production: Karessa McCartney, manager Business Office: Marta Rebagliati, assistant business manager; Judy Morris, circulation and subscriber services Advisory Board: Jeffrey Burns, Ph.D., James Clifford, Fr. Thomas Daly, Joan Frawley Desmond, James Kelly, Deacon William Mitchell, Kevin Starr, Ph.D.

Special Needs Companion Services

Catholic San Francisco editorial offices are located at One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109. Tel: (415) 614-5640;Circulation: 1-800-563-0008 or (415) 614-5638; News fax: (415) 614-5633; Advertising: (415) 614-5642; Advertising fax: (415) 614-5641; Advertising E-mail: penaj@sfarchdiocese.org Catholic San Francisco (ISSN 15255298) is published weekly (four times per month) September through May, except in the week following Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, and twice a month in June, July and August by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco, 1500 Mission Rd., P.O. Box 1577, Colma, CA 94014. Periodical postage paid at South San Francisco, CA. Annual subscription price: $27 within California, $36 outside the state.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Catholic San Francisco, 1500 Mission Rd., P.O. Box 1577, Colma, CA 94014 If there is an error in the mailing label affixed to this newspaper, call 1-800-563-0008. It is helpful to refer to the current mailing label.

November 4, 2005

Catholic San Francisco

5

Alito would be fifth Catholic on U.S. Supreme Court WASHINGTON (CNS) — If Judge Samuel Alito Jr. is confirmed as a U.S. Supreme Court justice, it would be the first time in history that the majority of justices on the nation’s highest court are Catholic.

President George W. Bush Oct. 31 nominated Alito, a former U.S. attorney in New Jersey and for the past 15 years a judge on the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He is widely regarded as a strong conservative on an appellate court that is considered among the most liberal in the country.

The 55-year-old judge is likely to face strong Democratic opposition because on the appellate court he opined that it was constitutional to require wives to notify their husbands before having an abortion. That opinion came as a minority dissent in Planned Parenthood vs.

Casey, a landmark case contesting Pennsylvania’s 1989 Abortion Control Act. The Supreme Court in 1992 upheld most of the Pennsylvania law but agreed with the appeals court majority in striking down the spousal notification provision. In the Supreme Court’s ruling the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist quoted Alito in his dissent against striking down the spousal notification portion of the law.

On the other hand, in 2000 Alito joined in a ruling striking down a New Jersey partial-birth abortion law as unconstitutional. In his concurring opinion he said Supreme Court precedents required a health exception for the mother to make the law constitutional.

In a case of church-state interest, Alito wrote the majority opinion of the appellate court in ACLU vs.

Schundler, upholding a New Jersey city’s holiday display that included a Nativity scene and menorah, on the

Budget Blinds has a style for every point of view!

Shutters â—? Draperies â—? Wood Blinds â—? Honeycomb Shades â—? Roller Shades â—? Vertical Blinds â—? Silhouettes Woven Wood and more!

â—?

Professional Measuring & Installation San Francisco

415-334-5900

In his nomination speech Bush called Alito “one of the grounds that it also displayed secular symbols including most accomplished and respected judges in America.�

Frosty the Snowman.

Alito was born April 1, 1950, in In another religion-related case, Trenton, N.J. His late father, Samuel he ruled in 1999 that the Newark, Alito Sr., was an Italian immigrant.

N.J., police department could not His mother, Rose, who turns 91 later bar Muslim police officers from this year, was a public school teacher. wearing beards for religious reaAfter graduating from Princeton sons, since the city permitted other University, he attended Yale Law officers to wear beards for medical School, where he was editor of the reasons.

Yale Law Journal and earned his law If confirmed, Alito would be the degree in 1976.

11th Catholic in U.S. history to sit on After a year clerking for U.S. 3rd the Supreme Court and would Circuit Judge Leonard Garth, Alito become the fifth Catholic justice on spent four years as assistant U.S. the current court, forming for the first attorney for the District of New time a majority of Catholics on the Jersey. He went on to become assisnine-member court. tant to the U.S. solicitor general in Other Catholics currently on the 1981, deputy assistant U.S. attorney nation’s highest bench are recently general in 1985 and U.S. attorney for appointed Chief Justice John Roberts the District of New Jersey in 1987. and Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy and Clarence Thomas.

He was only 39 when he was appointPast Catholics on the Supreme ed to the federal appeals court in 1990.

U.S. appeals court Court included two other chief jusBush said that with 15 years on that court Judge Samuel Alito Jr. tices, Roger Taney, 1836-64, and Alito “has more prior judicial experience Edward White, a justice from 1894 to 1910 and chief jus- than any Supreme Court nominee in more than 70 years.� tice, 1910-21. Other former Catholic justices were Joseph Alito’s wife, Martha, was a law librarian when they met.

McKenna, Pierce Butler, Frank Murphy and William They have two children: a son, Philip, in college and a Brennan Jr. daughter, Laura, in high school.

Alito was named to take the place of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who last summer announced her plans to retire as soon as a successor is confirmed.

(CNS PHOTO FROM REUTERS)

By Jerry Filteau

Become a MENTOR for a homeless youth. Local nonprofit seeks volunteers to mentor homeless/formerly homeless youth.

Make a difference, become a mentor.

Call 415-561-4621 mentor@homeaway.org I did it so can you!

Sponsored by: John Clifford McGuire Real Estate jclifford@mcguire.com

Catholic Publications

You turn to them for news about your faith....

Now they’re turning to you for help.

The Catholic Press Association has established the

Disaster/Emergency Publication Relief Fund

Performance.

to aid Catholic publications devastated by recent Gulf Coast storms.

Contributions may be sent to: Catholic Press Association 3555 Veterans Highway, Unit O Ronkonkoma, N.Y. 11779 Or visit our website at www.catholicpress.org

Share your Opinions Share in the excitement of market research by participating in focus group discussions with Schlesinger associates San Francisco’s newest market research company It’s fun, easy and painless.

Earn $75 to $125 just for sharing your opinions Call 415.781.2603 ext. 409 or 404

We are currently looking for the following: � Diabetics � Cat Owners � Fashion Forward Females, ages 21 to 35 � People with Sensitive Skin Give us a call at 415.781.2603 ext. 409 or 404. We’ll need to ask you a few key questions to see which upcoming discussion best you and the products you use.

Other ways to participate: Join our database at www.shlesingerassociates.com

Shape the product and services of tomorrow by sharing your opinion today.

Friendship, Family & Faith At Archbishop Riordan High School our students know how to get results. Archbishop Riordan men work hard and play hard. Their performance is proof of their determination to get things done.

Do you know a young man ready to live with pride, purpose and performance?

Alma Via of San Francisco 415.337.1339

6WLU /V\ZL 5V]LTILY

WYVNYHT ILNPUZ H[ ! H T (YJOIPZOVW 9PVYKHU /PNO :JOVVS 7OLSHU (]LU\L :HU -YHUJPZJV *( ^^^ YPVYKHUOZ VYN

,K\JH[PUN TLU PU [OL 4HYPHUPZ[ ;YHKP[PVU ZPUJL

w w w. a l m a v i a . o r g

Retirement • Assisted Living • Dementia Care An Elder Care Alliance Community Elder Care Alliance is cosponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Burlingame Region and the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. RCFE Lic # 385600270

6

Catholic San Francisco

November 4, 2005

Bishops’ campaign honors local community organizers

By Jack Smith The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the national anti-poverty campaign of the Church in the United States, held an awards ceremony Oct. 28 to honor 2005 San Francisco area recipients of CCHD grants. The dinner was sponsored by the Archdiocese of San Francisco Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns.

San Francisco Apostolic Administrator John C. Wester opened the evening with prayer and remarks of thanks for those working in organizing and acting against poverty in the Bay Area. “Our desire to build a just society comes from you,” he said, “It is your spirit that sustains our efforts.”

CCHD Associate Director Tom Chabolla spoke on the scope of the problem his agency seeks to correct. “Katrina and Rita brought forward to us a reality – the intractable nature of poverty in the United States,” he said. Chabolla explained that if each person living in poverty were gathered in one state, “It would be the largest state in the union with more than 37 million people.”

CCHD, founded in 1969 by the U.S. Catholic Bishops, focuses on social change versus social service. As the U.S. Bishops’ anti-poverty project, it works by supporting people working for social change; encouraging solidarity between poor or at risk and non-poor communities; and by managing an annual Sunday Collection. The collection funds projects around the country and disproportionately benefits agencies in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Last year, parishes in the Archdiocese of San Francisco contributed slightly more than $85,000 to the CCHD collection.

Grants returning to agencies in the Archdiocese based on last year’s national collection total $162,000. Local CCHD coordinator Tim Kortenkamp said the difference can be attributed to relative levels of poverty and social dissolution in the Bay Area; the large number of people working for social change locally; and the work of Archdiocesan staff.

Tom Chabolla also gave thanks for the agencies represented at the awards ceremony. “CCHD tries to take pictures of poverty and exchange them for pictures of hope,” he said, “and you people in this room create portraits of hope.”

Two types of grants are made to Archdiocese area agencies: national and local. Local grant selection is done from the “bottom up” and priority is given to agencies with strong local support and the best chance of succeeding. Those receiving grants must make semi-annual reports on their progress, which is tracked by the local diocese.

Local grant committee member Terry Oertel said “There are no bad groups that come before us.” Choosing between them, “is the most difficult thing we do,” he said. However, there is great satisfaction “in seeing what happens in all the different communities. . . It is really amazing.”

National grants are made on a competitive basis in two broad categories, community organization and economic development.

Community organizing grants support grassroots projects of and for low-income people working for institutional change on a community or social issue. Economic development grants have a similar goal but vary in that they are focused on job creation, worker ownership and worker participation in a business or project.

National grant recipients this year are: Chinatown Coalition for Better Housing (CCBH) - $30,000.

CCBH is a collaborative of five grassroots community organi-

DEC 2-3

Slowing Down – Caring for the Caregiver Retreat for Health Care Professionals - Mrs. Judy Zolezzi

DEC 2-4

The Voice of Prophecy Bible-Prayer Retreat for Men/Women - Fr. Joseph J. Fice, S.J.

DEC 7 (Wed)

Advent: A Time for Gathering Advent Day of Recollection for Men/Women - Fr. Peter F. Filice, S.J.

DEC 9-11

The Unconditional Love of God Recovery Retreat for Men - Fr. Fred Reynolds, S.J.

DEC 14-18

Silent Individuality – Dirceted Retreat Preparation for Christmas for Men/Women - Fr. Thomas J. Carroll, S.J., Fr. Joseph J. Fice, S.J. Fr. Peter F. Filice, S.J., and Fr. James R. Hanley S.J.

DEC 30 JAN 1

A Sober and Serene Celebration of the New Year Recovery Retreat for Men/Women - Thomas Weston, S.J.

JAN 6-8

Celebrate What is Right with the World Recovery Retreat for Women - Fr. Gavin Griffith, O.F.M.

Call (650) 948-4491 for information / flyer 300 Manresa Way, Los Altos, CA 94022 E-mail: retreat@elretiro.org

Web: www.elretiro.org

Spiritual Retreats for Men and Women

zations that have been working for over 30 years to improve the quality and availability of affordable housing in the Chinatown neighborhood of San Francisco, to improve housing conditions, and advocate for quality affordable housing. CCBH brings tenant advocates together to work on grassroots housing campaigns and to organize poor and disenfranchised residents to fight for tenants’ rights and issues that affect their lives.

Bay Area Organizing Committee (BAOC) $25,000. BAOC member institutions include Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and Islamic churches and mosques, as well as other religious, civic and labor Leaders of the Chinese Progressive Association speak at the CCHD award dinner. organizations. These mediating institutions work to eliminate the root causes of poverty by Archdiocese of San Francisco on numerous projects related to empowering the poor, disadvantaged, and marginalized to cre- affordable housing, health care, schools and other issues. ate institutional change and positively affect policies in both the Low-Income Families’ Empowerment through public and private sectors. Among the leadership of BAOC’s Education (LIFETIME) - $30,000. LIFETIME’s goal is to successful efforts is Father Donald D’Angelo, Holy Name of empower low-income parents to enroll in, continue and Jesus Pastor. successfully complete higher education and training proThe Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) - $20,000. CPA grams, while organizing for public policies that will help is a membership-based social justice organization that empowers lift their families and communities out of poverty. the Chinese community in San Francisco and promotes justice Local grants for 2005 are: and equality for all people. CPA’s programs and campaigns work San Francisco Association of Community to improve the living and working conditions of low-income Organizations for Reform Now (SFACORN) - $2,000 – immigrants and give ordinary community members a stronger SFACORN is currently working on an initiative to reduce voice in the decision-making processes that affect them. youth violence in the Oceanview neighborhood of San Marin Organizing Committee (MOC) - $25,000. MOC Francisco through a campaign for increased community evolved from discussion between religious groups includ- policing and for increased programs for youth. ing, St. Raphael Parish, San Rafael Dominican Sisters, St. Nuestra Casa - $10,000. Nuestra Casa works for the ecoPaul’s Episcopal Church, First United Methodist Church, nomic self-sustainability of immigrant communities in East Congregation Kol Shofar, and the San Rafael Canal Palo Alto. The group is currently working on a project to inform Ministries. It is currently organizing with the help of the and educate parents in the Ravenswood School District about Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF). their rights and opportunities with respect to the school system.

San Francisco Organizing Project (SFOP) - $20,000. SFOP The CCHD collection is November 19-20. For more inforwas founded in 1982 as a faith-based, grassroots organization. mation on CCHD projects contact Tim Kortenkamp at 415-614SFOP represents 40 congregations in 17 neighborhoods 5570 or visit the website of the Archdiocesan Office of Public throughout San Francisco. It has worked closely with the Policy and Social Concerns, www.sflifeandjustice.org.

R ETREATS VALLOMBROSA CENTER Conferences and Meetings Retreats and Spirituality Programs NOVEMBER 1, 2005 “Behind, Before, Above and Below: Saints All Around” $35 including lunch, 10:00-4:00 Sister Toni Longo, ASC All the “Saints of God” are invited to spend this day together, exploring the gift of holiness in everyday life. Our day will include time for prayer, reflection, input and the celebration of Eucharist.

NOVEMBER 11-13, 2005 Weekend of Prayer for Father Dick Bain Carol Fowler $170 for a single room; $150 for a shared room This weekend of prayer for Father Dick Bain will be led by Carol Fowler. This will be a silent retreat with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and daily celebration of Eucharist.

NOVEMBER 17, 2005 A Retreat Day for Widows Father Kevin Kennedy $25 including lunch and materials 9:00 -2:30 This day will offer spiritual input, the sacrament of penance, the celebration of Eucharist and an opportunity to be supported and encouraged by others.

NOVEMBER 18-20, 2005 “Women in the Hebrew Scriptures Tell Their Story” $170 for a single room; Toinette Eugene, PhD $150 for a shared room Through, prayer, silent meditation, art and music, we will ponder the lives of these biblical women and their dramatic stories for meaning and encouragement in our own spiritual lives today.

DECEMBER 8, 2005 “Mary, Woman Wrapped in Silence” Sister Toni Longo, ASC $35 including lunch and materials 10:00-4:00 Let us gather together and reflect on the ways God touches our lives deeply as we become men and women wrapped in silence. Mass will be celebrated, and there will be time for prayer and reflection as well as some short presentations.

VALLOMBROSA CENTER

250 Oak Grove Avenue (650) 325-5614 Menlo Park, CA 94025 Fax: (650) 325-0908 E-mail: host@vallombrosa.org Web: www.vallombrosa.org

ST. CLARE’S RETREAT Santa Cruz

2381 LAUREL GLEN ROAD SOQUEL CA 95073

2005 Nov. 11 - 13

Spanish Men and Women Father Alberto Cabrera

Dec. 2 - 4

Pre-Christmas Retreat Fr. Patrick Crowley, SS. CC

All reservations require a $10 deposit per person. Weekend retreats start with dinner at 6:45 p.m. Friday and end Sunday at noon. Reservations must be made by mail and will be confirmed with directions and brochure. Suggested retreat donation $100.00 private room; $90 per person double occupancy. $10 deposit required.

Please write or call for more details.

(831) 423-8093

November 4, 2005

Presentation Sisters 150th Anniversary Celebration Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM) will mark the end of a year-long celebration of the religious order’s 150th anniversary of service in the Archdiocese of San Francisco with a liturgy at St. Agnes Church, 1025 Masonic Ave. in San Francisco, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at the Presentation Motherhouse. For more information, call Sister Stephanie Stull at (415) 422-5020.

Rosa Parks . . .

■ Continued from cover usually was at the end of a working day,” Parks wrote. “I was not old, although some people have an image of me as being old then. I was 42. No, the tired I was, was tired of giving in.”

Born Rosa Louise McCauley on Feb. 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Ala., she twice quit school to care for ailing relatives but eventually earned her high school diplo-

Catholic San Francisco

7

from going into effect because of an appeal

by Planned Parenthood, but in 1996 the California Supreme Court eventually upheld the constitutionality of the law.

However, when two justices retired and were replaced by pro-choice activists, the state’s Supreme Court reversed this position and ruled the law unconstitutional in 1997.

Persistent support for parental notification eventually led to the successful effort to qualify a “Parents Right to Know” initiative on the ballot. The initiative qualified for the ballot with more than one million signatures.

In September, the California Catholic Bishops issued a statement in support of Proposition 73, and San Francisco Bishop John C. Wester sent a personal message to

pastors urging parishes and schools to support the “Parents Right to Know” initiative.

The formal title of Prop. 73 is “Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy.

Waiting Period and Parental Notification.

Constitutional Amendment Initiative.”

Opponents of Proposition 73, which has raised more than $3 million – much of the money from Planned Parenthood – began a last-minute television advertising campaign Oct. 27. The premise of the 30-second commercials is that fear of being forced to discuss an abortion with a parent can drive some girls to desperate measures.

Proponents of Prop. 73, claim the purpose of the measure is simply to let parents know when their daughter is considering a major decision like having an abortion.

They point out that while public schools must obtain parental approval for field trips or sports participation, a public school offi-

cial can arrange for a minor to leave the campus and have an abortion during school hours without her parents’ consent. Under current California public school policy a girl as young as 12 can obtain an abortion without her parents being notified.

Prop. 73 advocates also state a concern for the health of minors. They cite a study of 46,000 pregnancies of California schoolage girls, which found that more than twothirds of the minors were impregnated by men whose mean age was nearly 23 years.

According to backers of Prop. 73, investigations have shown that secret abortions on minors in California are rarely reported to child protective services, although these pregnancies are evidence of statutory rape and sexual abuse. This non-reporting, they argue, leaves girls vulnerable to further sexual abuse, rapes, pregnancies, abortions, and sexually transmitted disease.

ma in 1933, a year after marrying barber Raymond Parks. He died in 1977.

After her arrest and payment of a $14 fine, Parks lost her job as a seamstress at a Montgomery department store. Her husband quit his job after his employer banned any talk of Rosa Parks’ case in the workplace. The family moved in 1957 to Detroit. Parks worked there as a seamstress and then, from 1965 to 1988, she worked as a staff assistant to U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich. She retired in 1988.

In a 1993 interview with Catholic News Service, Parks cited two Detroit Catholics —

Father William Cunningham, co-founder of Focus: Hope, and Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton — as among those carrying on the civil rights struggle for a new generation.

“These are two outstanding (Catholic) people that I know of,” she said. Sadly, she added, “there was none in Alabama” at the time of the Montgomery bus boycott.

Parks received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, in 1996 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999. Other honors bestowed on her included the Spingarn Award of the National

Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1979; the Martin Luther King Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize in 1980; the Eleanor Roosevelt Women of Courage Award in 1984; and honorary doctorates from some 40 colleges and universities.

Earlier this year, she received the Cardinal John Dearden Peace Medal for her contributions to civil rights in the United States.

Parks was to be remembered at a Mass Nov. 3 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit marking the feast day of St. Martin de Porres, the patron saint of social justice.

Prop. 73 . . .

■ Continued from cover

The Best Checking Account in the City . . .

JUST GOT BETTER! Your Choice Checking

2.50% APY*

WITH DIRECT DEPOSIT

FREE - ATM Card FREE - Checking Card FREE - Online Banking and Bill Pay FREE - 5 Foreign ATM Transactions And you won’t be hassled with Minimum Balance Fees, Monthly Service Charges or Per-Check Fees.

All This PLUS THE BEST RATE IN THE CITY!

Founded 1984

Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is effective as of 9/22/05 and is subject to change without notice. Balances of $500 or more earn an APY of 2.50% if the account has direct deposit (direct deposit limited to payroll, social security, pension and the like). Balances without direct deposit may earn a lower APY. Fees may reduce earnings if the average minimum balance of $500 is not maintained. The minimum balance to open is $500. Free foreign ATM withdrawals are limited to five within a statement cycle. Sterling Bank & Trust, San Francisco, California.

Your Real Estate Bank

w w w . s t e r l i n g b a n k . c o m

5498 Geary at 19th Ave. 415-379-6990

2045 Van Ness St. 415-674-0200

600 Montgomery, 40th Floor 415-658-2888

3951 Alemany at 19th Ave. 650-991-3275

825 Irving at 9th Ave. 415-682-2250

2122 Market at Church 415-437-3860

Burlingame–1210 Broadway 650-685-6430

3800 24th St. COMING SOON!

8

Catholic San Francisco

November 4, 2005

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Nun Relocates Families Forced to Live, Work On Deadly Dumpsites Sr. Joan Clare’s voice trembles a bit when she explains her reasons for hating the Philippines’ city dumps — and the fact that so many poor families are forced to live and work there in order to survive.

“It’s terrible that so many poor people have no other option than to pick through the garbage for food, used clothing and scraps to sell. Dumps are vile and dangerous places,” she says.

“Not long ago, two children were killed at a dumpsite near here. And it was a

shakes her head slowly as if to convey the horrible truth that tragedies like this have happened before and will probably happen again.

Sr. Joan Clare’s voice becomes resolute when she explains her reasons for wanting to put an end to this terrible way of life. She is a tiny woman with mighty determination who lives by the adage: “don’t just stand there, do something.” Unwilling to stand by while others suffered, she mobilized the nuns and novices of her order,

already underway.

“I secured a piece of land away from the dump and set up a program to build houses. I’ve also started a livestock project that will provide families with another way to generate income,” she explains. “I’ve already been able to relocate one group of families now, and I want to expand the outreach to do even more.”

The funds for the first group of houses and the initial pig-raising projects came from Cross International Catholic Outreach and its benefactors in the United States. Sr. Clare hopes additional support from Cross will allow her to “rescue” another group of families very soon.

“Thanks to Sr. Clare’s compassion and determination, these poor families living at the Naga City dump have new hope. And we want to help her continue her outreach,” says James Cavnar, president of Cross International Catholic Outreach, “We’ve already Sr. Joan shares the joyous news with a family who will be moving out of the dump area. begun to seek support on her behalf, and we will be traveling to the Philippines within the next few months horrible, senseless death. They were at Missionaries of the Poor - Sisters, and to work with her on the next stage of the dump to scout for new trucks began a major mercy ministry to the her work.” coming in with fresh loads — everyone poor families in the Philippines who Cavnar believes American Catholics wants to get there first to get the best live at the dump. Initially, the group will see the value of Sr. Clare’s work and things. The driver didn’t see the children brought food, water and other resources will wholeheartedly support her ministry. and they were crushed by the truck.” into the dump, but their long-term plans “For $2,500, we can supply a family With those last words, she pauses, then are much more ambitious. Some are

with a basic home away from the dump.

And for just $1,100, we can fund a livestock project that eliminates a family’s need to scavange. Not everyone can afford to make a donation of that size, but by combining smaller gifts we can still reach those goals. We can forever change the lives of these poor families for the glory of God! And that’s exciting!”

Readers interested in making a tax-deductible gift to help Cross International and its programs in the Philippines can use the Cross brochure enclosed in this issue of the newspaper.

Contributions can also be mailed to: Cross International Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC00305, 490 White Pond Drive, PO Box 63, Akron, OH 44309-0063.

Cross International Successfully Applies Its Church-Based Method of Helping the Poor to Bring Relief to Recent Hurricane Victims in U.S. The recent hurricane strikes in the Gulf Coast have proven that Cross International Catholic Outreach’s approach of helping needy people through a church-based method of distribution is as effective in the U.S. as it is overseas.

While the relief efforts of others were slow to develop and difficult to administer, the church’s nimble response on a “grass roots” level has been both effective and inspiring. In hard hit areas, priests and their parishes mobilized quickly and found creative ways to deal with people’s unique situations.

“We heard it over and over again.

People who were struggling to get their needs met in those early weeks after the storms said that the churches were the best source of help,” recalled Jim Cavnar, president of Cross International Catholic Outreach. “And, frankly, we weren’t surprised to hear that. We see the same thing in Haiti, Africa, the Philippines and other places where the poor struggle overseas. The church is nimble, flexible and gets things done.”

But Cavnar was quick to add that the

success of church-based ministries is only possible when the public lends its support. A parish on “the front line” may be perfectly positioned to mount a ministry outreach, but it still needs food, medicines or other resources to distribute — or funds to achieve more specific goals.

To provide this supply line of aid, Cross International Catholic Outreach assists in the purchasing and shipping of commodities or the collection and disbursement of cash support.

“Even though we don’t typically work in the U.S., we did take part in the hurricane relief effort because the disaster was so extreme. And our donors were very supportive. Their contributions allowed us to provide more than $750,000 in assistance to churches and ministries along the Gulf Coast,” Cavnar explained.

For example, immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit, Cross was able to wire a cash grant to Bishop Sam Jacobs of the hard-hit diocese of HoumaThibodaux. Those funds allowed him to

Seeing that hurricane victims were struggling to survive, parishes stocked trucks and delivered supplies into the hardest hit areas. Many families had lost everything and were “shell shocked” by their plight – but they deeply appreciated the help the churches provided. launch “Operation Starfish,” a special program to reunite displaced evacuees from New Orleans with their family members elsewhere in the country. So within days of the first storm, hundreds of people who had been frantic and alone were safe and living with supportive

families who could care for them.

“I’m always inspired by the way priests and parishes rise to the occasion — how they work quickly and tirelessly to meet a need,” Cavnar said. “We’ve seen that for many years now in our work overseas.”

November 4, 2005

Catholic San Francisco

9

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Report Reveals Hardships Among Philippines’ “Bridge People” The following is an excerpt from the field report of Mike Wilson, an international project manager for Cross International Catholic Outreach.

It contains a vivid description of poverty among the “bridge people” of the Philippines and highlights Sr. Irene Chateauvert’s efforts to help them.

Standing on the bridge road, you would never imagine what exists just below your feet — down in the nooks and crannies of the cement underpass.

There below us, unseen by those driving over the bridge, is a literal village — more than 200 poor men, women and children who have no other place to live.

As we slid down the embankment and moved into the cavernous underpass, I was struck by the smell and dankness of the place. It’s like stepping from modern civilization into some dark, primal place. On either side of a 20-foot-wide drainage canal, there are two narrow, muddy strips of land. There, under the shelter of the bridge, the area’s poorest families have created a makeshift village of tiny shanties.

At first glance, these shelters look like rows of ramshackle crates or cardboard boxes stacked up against the cement walls of the underpass.

They appear far too small to be homes for people — the ceiling

height in most of them couldn’t be more than three or four feet. An adult wouldn’t be able to kneel in one, much less stand up.

When a curious child’s head popped out of one the box-house openings, I finally understood how these people live. They don’t occupy these “homes” in the way we live in a traditional house. There’s no real door, no furniture and no space to move around. These are more like

More than 200 poor men, woman and children live under this bridge in the Philippines.

Dozens of ramshackle “houses” are stacked up on both sides of the polluted canal.

crude sleeping bags — people crawl into them for a little extra shelter at night.

I also saw how muddy the ground was under the bridge. The families who occupy the lowest shelters have no wood or cement floor. They must use old pieces of linoleum, cardboard and discarded plastic to cover the soil — otherwise, they would be sleeping directly on the wet ground.

Since these homes are so small, the few possessions families have are either stacked on makeshift shelves, sitting on the ground or — in the case of clothing — hanging from lines strung here and there. There is clearly no real privacy or security.

From this position, I could also get a closer look at the 20-foot-wide canal that runs under the bridge.

Make no mistake — this is no picturesque stream. In fact, nothing about this canal is even remotely appealing or practically useful. It’s water can not be used for drinking or cooking. In fact, the canal is so polluted that no one can traverse it.

The only way to reach your “neighbors” on the other side of the underpass, is to climb up, cross the bridge above and slide down the embankment on the other side.

Since there is no plumbing here (and I’m sure the same is true of the other underpass villages located up stream) any human waste that enters the water eventually flows through this underpass. All of this adds to the health risks for children.

Even though I’ve been to some of the worse slums in Haiti and Africa, I’m still shocked by what I saw in this community. It’s that bad. And what makes it worse is the fact that many of these families have been

living under this bridge for generations! No man or woman should have to suffer like this. And, no child should expect to grow up, live and eventually die in such poverty.

As we moved deeper into the settlement, clusters of children came out to meet us. Men and woman came too. When they saw Sister Irene was leading our group, their anxious expressions melted away. They smiled and pushed forward to greet her and welcome us. Clearly, these families know, trust and love Sister Irene Chateauvert.

I’m impressed by her too. At age 64, she could easily be “winding down” her ministry — doing something less difficult. But this “Daughter of Wisdom” is undaunted by her age or by her hard life of service in the Philippines. She is a true Champion of the Poor, and she will be a wonderful partner for Cross International Catholic Outreach.

During our visits with the families under the bridge, Sister Irene told me about her plans to help the people.

Like the other nuns and priests we help in the Third World, she has great ideas, but she lacks the resources she needs to accomplish her goals. I told

Sr. Irene brings Christ’s mercy to the poor.

her that Cross would do what we could to help her.

The first step will be to get steady supplies of food to the poorest families. Then, we might be able to work with her on new programs that will help these families obtain employment and move out of this slum and into normal housing.

She’s thrilled by that prospect. For a long time now, she’s been struggling to help these people on her own. The fact that Cross International’s donors are willing to support her has given her new hope.

How to Provide Help: Your help is needed for Cross International Catholic Outreach to bring Christ’s mercy to the poor of the Philippines. Use the enclosed postagepaid brochure to mail your gift or send it to Cross International Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC00305, 490 White Pond Drive, PO Box 63, Akron, OH 44309-0063. Thank you and God bless you!

10

Catholic San Francisco

November 4, 2005

November 4, 2005

Catholic San Francisco

11

Immaculate Conception Academy 120 years of quality, affordable, Catholic education for young women

By Evelyn Zappia

The Aloha Club has been in existence for 3 years.

Every year the club puts on a luncheon and show for students and faculty.

Physics teacher Laurel Reitmen explains a scientific gadget to students (from left) Samlecia Gaye, Cecilia Feliciano, and Raquel Payes.

I C

or more than 120 years, Immaculate Conception Academy in San Francisco has maintained a tradition of keeping tuition affordable and providing financial assistance to any young woman who wants a Catholic education.

“We will do whatever we can to make it possible,” said school principal, Sister Janice Therese Wellington. Providing quality Catholic education to young women, regardless of means, has been the commitment of the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose since the school’s founding in 1883 by Sister Maria Pia Backes.

“The majority of ICA’s working families today do not have the discretionary spending to afford the luxury of a Catholic high school education at cost,” said Sister Janice. Yet more than 95 percent of the school’s graduates continue their education at colleges or universities. Sister lauds the schools “tremendous benefactors, the best alumnae in the world, and hardworking teachers and staff” for the success of the students.

In return, “the students are expected to try their very best in all aspects academically, socially, and in service to God and neighbor,” said Sister Janice.

Each year, ICA struggles financially to achieve a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, taught by a highly qualified and experienced faculty. Extraordinary efforts of fundraising and sacrifice by teachers, benefactors, alumnae, students and others are the reason for the school’s continual success of sending over 95 percent of its graduates to colleges and universities each year. In the 2005 class, 100 percent of the graduates are enrolled in college.

ICA’s tuition is the lowest of any high school in the Archdiocese.

Tuition for 2005-2006 year is $8,200. The cost per student is $12,000, meaning that each student is subsidized by about $3,800 from various sources. An additional 55 percent of school families require additional tuition assistance.

Sister Janice said it was only in the year 2000 that the school was able to pay its teachers Archdiocesan scale. Since then the educators have been receiving steady increases, but are not paid what they should be for their services, she said. Sister was grateful for the teachers’ unlimited dedication to the students.

F

CURRICULUM ICA presents a college preparatory curriculum that takes students of varying abilities and ensures their entrance into selective colleges and universities.

Sally Mahoney, class of 1957 said, “ICA welcomes 13-year-old youngsters and honors their aspirations, and then works to raise them.

Student body officers (from left) Katrina Reyes, Jesenia Oropeza, Marlena Davis, and Britteney Sturtevant.

Career Day 2005

They are welcomed by colleges they may not have thought about four years before, and recognized with nationally important awards like the Gates Millennium Scholarships.”

Natalie Gomez and Iliana Vasquez, class of 2004, were last year’s recipients of the Gates Millennium Scholarships for academic excellence. The Class of 2004 was awarded more than $2 million in scholarships, along with other student-earned grants and financial assistance.

Nearly all of the class pursued further studies at colleges and universities throughout the nation.

Staff veteran of 33 years, Terry Hodges believes the religious foundation of the school dictates its path. Hodges said the Dominican spirit is a daily presence giving the young women a solid base of morals and values to guide them in modern day society.

The four-year-religion program at ICA includes, History of the Church, Christian Formation, Sacraments and Morality, Scripture, and Building Your Own Conscience.

“For a small school of 264 students we also have a great breadth of electives – from a full range of Advanced Placement classes to a fiveyear math program to classes such as mime, Interior Design, Independent Living and Clothing,” Hodges said. A low student-teacher ratio of 1-10 allows for greater individual attention.

Through the efforts of staff member Laurel Reitman, ICA recently received a Science and Math Improvement Grant in the amount of $11,500 from the Toshiba America Foundation in New York City for a project she created titled “Mini Bumper-Car Physics.”

“There is something about ICA that makes students comfortable in choosing things they normally would not do,” said Brittney Sturtevant, 11th grader. A shy person decides to run for school office. Another signs up for tennis but never held a tennis racquet. Others continue to challenge themselves - and improve each year.

F.L.A.M.E. PROGRAM ICA’s FLAME program (named because St. Dominic is often seen with a torch and viewed as “the light of the Church.”) stands for Focus Learning for Academic Motivation and Excellence.

It started as an added tutorial session to assist four students suffering academically, two with identified learning needs. At the end of the first year, the four students were no longer in academic probation.

Sister Janice took the success story of the four students and “ran with it to the school’s board of directors.” The board generously gave the school permission to hire a faculty member who would focus on the students needing additional academic support.

Amy Hastings, a ten-year veteran special needs teacher from a 3,000

student Virginia high school was hired as director of the new FLAME program. As FLAME director, Hastings makes certain “the program seeks to ensure that all students have the academic support and services that they need to reach their highest potential.”

FLAME provides a myriad of services for participants seeking assistance: individual tutoring, individual instructions in study skills, testing strategies, critical thinking, interpersonal skills development, help with research projects, and much more.

Inside room 205, artists, pre-calculus students, dancers, kids taking top-level courses are all working and supporting each other. What started as a program for a small percentage of the school’s students needing tutorial assistance became a room filled with students eager to study together and rally around their peers.

Sister Janice explained, “It helps the kids that need help. It challenges the kids that came into the school academically on top of their game. It also embellishes what was already in existence - kids supporting one another.”

TWO PROMISES “A young lady can expect from ICA to graduate ready for the 21st century with great confidence in herself and her abilities to be: a Woman of vision; a Woman of community; a Woman of leadership; a Woman of learning, and a Woman of faith,” said Sister Janice.

She can also expect to have fun in her four years here Sister added, “We believe in having fun.”

Jocelyn Pulido crowns the Blessed Mother at the traditional Rose ceremony.

A Principal Sister Janice Therese Wellington, OP (MSJ).

Seniors dangle donuts as they challenge Freshmen to eat their breakfast on Freshman Orientation Day.

Happy graduates enter St. James Church for Baccalareate Mass.

ICA seeks funds for future ICA is conducting a major capital campaign to raise $10 million. Immaculate Conception Academy’s 21st Century Capital Campaign is seeking $6 million to provide additional needed funds for long-term tuition assistance and scholarships, ensuring Catholic education is available to all young women who desire it.

The second phase of the capitol campaign will raise $4 million to keep students competitive in the academic and business worlds by providing access to the latest technologies. It will also enhance programs in the fine arts, science, social science, and mathematics.

Immaculate Conception Academy’s commitment of making Catholic education accessible to those who desire it began in 1883 when Sister Maria Pia Backes, founder of the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of the Queen of the Holy Rosary of Mission San Jose, opened the doors for San Francisco’s newest settlers, the children of German-speaking Catholics.

Donations or inquiries may be made to Immaculate Conception Academy, Attn: Patricia Cavagnaro, Development Director, 3625 – 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 or by calling (415)824-2052.

12

Catholic San Francisco

November 4, 2005

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Guest commentary Supreme Court and ‘privacy’

By Douglas W. Kmiec In evaluating nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court, some Senate members seem greatly concerned with the right to privacy. Since the text of the Constitution doesn’t mention the term “privacy,” what is this about?

The standard White House answer is the need to avoid justices who will legislate from the bench; the equally standard Democrat answer is the desire to select the opposite — justices who will legislate from the bench, at least with respect to abortion.

Neither side of course mentions the A-word, but everyone knows that privacy has long been abortion’s political disguise.

The legal root of the privacy-abortion nexus is claimed to be the case of “Griswold v. Connecticut” (1965). Fairly read, Griswold did no more than invalidate a statute prohibiting the use of contraceptives. Connecticut sought to justify the law as a reasonable means of discouraging infidelity — not a bad objective, but a highly unworkable means.

No one could envision police in the marital bedroom looking for signs of contraceptive use.

While there is much wandering about in the opinion regarding privacy and rights formed from the “penumbras” of other rights, Griswold was more pro-marriage than pro-privacy. Religious instruction could and should promote fidelity, but, the court speculated, the most state law could be expected to do is regulate the sale or manufacture of contraceptives, not interfere with the internal marital union itself.

John Roberts proclaimed Griswold “settled law,” and that’s why — besides charm and talent — he is now chief justice.

Harriet Miers, who now has withdrawn from consideration for the court, was treated far less kindly. Not surprisingly, she was faulted for not clearly proclaiming Griswold fealty. Her hesitation may have been that of a practical lawyer who knows that while Griswold itself is unproblematic, the opinion has been greatly misused, and its most profound misapplication is as a prop for abortion.

The president’s Oct. 31 nomination of Judge Samuel Alito, Jr. to be associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court means the issue will be on the table during Senate Judiciary Committee hearings.

Griswold was first misapplied in “Eisenstadt v. Baird” (1972) to strike down a Massachusetts law penalizing the distribution of contraceptives to unmarrieds.

Suddenly marriage was no big deal. Out of nowhere, Justice William Brennan asserted that “the marital couple is not an independent entity, but ... two individuals,” and individuals have a right to be free of “government intrusion.”

The argument has some obvious flaws, not the least its potential for elevating individuals over law and community generally; all one needs is an unelected judge who thinks a democratically chosen law is “too intrusive.”

Of course, Eisenstadt hardly followed precedent. As then Chief Justice Warren Burger pointed out in dissent, Griswold, dealing with marriage and a limitation on use, hardly could be “controlling authority” for unmarrieds and a law regulating distribution.

The very next year the court invented the abortion right in “Roe v. Wade” (1973).

Without analysis, out came Griswold’s penumbras again, with Justice Harry Blackmun finding this pro-marriage decision to stand for a right of sexual privacy or liberty; he didn’t know which, but he was darn sure the right is “broad enough to encompass a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.”

The penumbras of Griswold in defiance of its actual holding roll on. Today this obscure and dated “privacy ruling” has been used to sanction homosexual sodomy and, perhaps ironically given its actual pro-marriage beginning, same-sex unions.

Reflecting on the abuse of Griswold and the overstated abortion-privacy claim that sprung from it, the one-time Earl Warren clerk and Stanford Law Dean John Hart Ely wrote: “[Roe is] a very bad decision. ... It is bad because it is bad constitutional law, or rather because it is not constitutional law and gives almost no sense of an obligation to try to be.”

Of course, Ely can say that openly now because he’s dead and hasn’t been nominated for the Supreme Court.

Professor Douglas W. Kmiec holds the endowed chair in constitutional law at Pepperdine Law School. He previously served as dean and St. Thomas More Professor of Law at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and for nearly two decades, on the law faculty at the University of Notre Dame.

On the constitution “The makers of our constitution undertook to secure conditions favorable to the pursuit of happiness. They sought to protect Americans in their beliefs, their thoughts, their emotions and their sensations. They conferred, as against the government, the right to be let alone, the most comprehensive of the rights and the right most valued by civilized men.”

Justice Louis D. Brandeis (1856-1941) US Supreme Court Justice …..Olmstead v. United States, 1928

Appreciate the lesson I want to thank Catholic San Francisco for publishing Denver Archbishop Chaput’s article on the death penalty (CSF – Oct. 28).

I must admit that this teaching has been a source of great internal struggle for me. I have always voted against the death penalty, but only out of obedience to the Church, not as a matter of personal conviction.

I had always argued that the death penalty wouldn’t be necessary if we really did send serious criminals away for life without chance of parole. It terrifies me to think that Charles Manson could be released on parole.

Archbishop Chaput’s thoughtful and complete explanation of the Church’s reasons for being against capital punishment in our time, and his clarification that capital punishment is not morally equivalent to life issues like abortion or euthanasia has helped me to accept this teaching in my heart.

As a Catholic I can work for laws that keep dangerous criminals in prison for life without parole instead of looking to the death penalty as a solution. As a pro-lifer when I have to choose between a candidate that is pro-life and one that is anti-death penalty, I can in good conscience vote for the pro-life candidate while doing all I can to end the death penalty. As Archbishop Chaput explained, “War can sometimes be legitimate…the same can apply, in extraordinary circumstances, to the death penalty. But euthanasia is always an inexcusable attack on the weak. …And abortion is always a deliberate assault on a defenseless and innocent unborn child. It can never be justified. It is always - and intrinsically gravely wrong.” I appreciate the accurate way Archbishop Chaput deals with the moral hierarchy of life issues.

Cheryl Amalu Belmont

ject under investigation. Shaw’s article is full of careless definitions and generalizations that lead him to foist poor conclusions upon his readers.

Science, as a discipline, examines observed and experimental evidence and evaluates conclusions that may be drawn. Science is not involved in value judgments beyond the strength of evidence upon which conclusions and theories are based. Need one say that “Science Bashing,” as Shaw practices it, is both wrong and outright evidence of bad thinking?

To blame mistakes of some scientist on the whole discipline of Science is a gross generalization.

Scientists who aided Hitler are no different than politicians who aided Hitler or even those who had the opportunity to preach against Hitler and did not. Hitler gradually duped people into making wrong ethical conclusions and then act on them.

The headline “Science vs.

Ethics” implies incompatibility between two disciplines. This is an error. Everyone should be trained to some extent in both the disciplines of science and ethics. Scientists trained in ethical principles are less likely to make mistakes involving ethics. Ethicists trained in scientific principles are less susceptible to bad thinking. A journalist who dares to write about both science and ethics needs first to understand both.

Continued training of scientists, and others in the pews, in ethics needs to come from the pulpit.

Alex M. Saunders, MD San Carlos Ed. Note – The euthanasia and sterilization of “defectives” was advocated and performed by the German medical establishment prior to the adoption of Adolph Hitler’s official policies. Testifying to this history, former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said in 1992, “I am convinced that in the 1930s the German medical sentiment favoring euthanasia (even before Hitler came to power) made it easier for the Nazi government to move society along the slippery slope that led to the Holocaust.”

L E T T E R S

We all need training The guest editorial by Russell Shaw (CSF – Oct. 28) points out how much we need Science as a discipline. A scientist is taught repeatedly about the fallacies of generalization, and to define carefully the sub-

Letters welcome Catholic San Francisco welcomes letters from its readers.

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

Help and pray Recently, we witnessed a mother throwing her children into San Francisco Bay. How could anyone do such a thing?

That same day, hundreds of abortions were performed. Were these mothers also throwing their children away?

Let us work and pray to save the lives of all children and to help mothers with problem pregnancies find ways to save their children.

Gloria Gillogley-Acosta San Mateo

Pope Leo the Great c. 400 - 461 feast – November 10 A Roman deacon who advised two popes, Leo was elected pope in 440 while on a diplomatic mission to Gaul, now France. He is one of three popes called “the Great.” His title was earned for his teachings, in 143 letters Crosiers and nearly 100 sermons that survive, and his administration, in which church governance was consolidated, the primacy of Rome stressed, and liturgical, pastoral and canonical uniformity urged. He also persuaded Attila the Hun not to sack Rome and was named a doctor of the church.

Saints for Today

© 2005 CNS

November 4, 2005

Catholic San Francisco

13

Family Life

Eavesdropping in the dark as son breaks speech barrier I am standing in the hallway outside my son’s bedroom door, listening. OK, I’m eavesdropping — but it’s the only way I’m going to find out what’s really going on in his life.

Not that I don’t ask him directly. Every afternoon in the van at the end of a long school day, I pitch questions such as, “What made today fun?” or “What happened that surprised you today?”

I’ve read parenting articles that recommend asking open-ended questions rather than those that can be answered with a simple “yes,” “no” or the most meaningless reply, “fine.” So, instead, I ask things that should elicit a thoughtful response.

Unfortunately, the answer I get from my son these days is “nothing.”

How is this possible? He leaves the house before 8 a.m. and doesn’t climb into the car until after 3 p.m. It’s inconceivable to me that in more than seven hours away from home, nothing happens that is even remotely remarkable.

Yet, ever since he started sixth grade, I’ve noticed a change in my son. The boy who can talk for seven or eight minutes without a breath about last week’s soccer game or last night’s Yankees game or the last frozen waffle in the refrigerator is suddenly mute about middle school.

When I ask, “Who did you hang with at recess?” the answer is, “My friends.”

If I probe with, “Tell me about your classes,” I get, “They’re boring.”

Once I asked, “So, do you have a girlfriend?”

He said, “No. Should I?” This felt like a conversational victory.

“Of course not,” I said. “I just wanted to see what you’d say.”

It seems unlikely that overnight my son has developed the male propensity for uncommunicativeness. His voice

hasn’t even started to crack, so it’s too early for him to bury his face behind a newspaper and ignore the woman asking what he might like for dinner.

Besides, what I hear while standing in the dark is proof he’s still talking. He’s just not talking to me.

The whispered voices and muffled laughter are a sharp contrast to the busy, businesslike tone my son and I have adopted lately. Our time together is always short, often hectic — we interact in staccato, sharing cryptic messages to convey the bare essentials. It isn’t talking so much as debriefing.

“Homework?” I ask.

“Science, lit, and vocab,” he says.

“Got your gym clothes?”

“In my locker.”

“Trombone?”

“Music room.”

“Peanut butter?”

“Turkey. Cheese. No mayo.”

It’s not unfriendly, but it lacks depth, that’s for sure.

That is why I’m so surprised when I hear the conversation between my husband and our son.

I’m in his room, hustling him along because he is well past his 9:30 bedtime. I grouse about the clothes on the floor, reminding my son to bring his dirty laundry downstairs with him in the morning. I make a nagging comment about the pile of stuff on his desk and also about the unfinished book on his night table. I ask if he brushed his teeth and set his clock.

Then I tuck and kiss with maternal efficiency, already thinking about the chores that await me before I, too, can climb into bed.

Just before I leave the room, I pick a towel off the floor and head toward the bathroom to hang it on the towel rack.

As I walk out, my husband comes in to say goodnight.

That’s when I hear, “Sit down for a minute, Dad. I

want to tell you about my day.”

Unseen in the shadows, I freeze against the wall and listen to the animated, enthusiastic dialogue I have craved for nearly a month. Words tumble from my son’s lips as he tells his dad Marybeth Hicks everything I long to know about — the plot of the book he loves from literature class, a quiz he aced in math, a test to come in social studies — all the details that gave his day meaning and purpose. He did not do “nothing” but enjoyed a day filled with interesting ideas and challenging work.

When their conversation ends and their goodnights are said, I slip back into my son’s room and sit on the edge of his bed. I tell him I understand why he likes to talk to his dad, who is a great listener.

I tell him that our relationship is changing as he grows, as it should. It’s natural for him to be closer to his dad as he gets older.

I remind him that he still can talk to me, too, even if most of our time together is rushed, our speech the familiar shorthand of daily conversation.

He gives me a hug, and we choke back a few tears. We both know it’s inevitable that he will become the man he’s meant to be, not the little boy who’ll live forever in his mother’s heart.

Then again, in the still of darkness, I discover there is much this boy will tell me when I stop and really listen.

Marybeth Hicks is a columnist for the Washington Times.

The Catholic Difference As the Roberts hearings vividly demonstrated, and as any confirmation hearing between now and January 2009 will similarly demonstrate, Roe vs. Wade did not settle the abortion debate. Neither did Casey vs. Planned Parenthood, the 1992 decision affirming Roe’s “central finding,” in which three Supreme Court justices instructed the American people to stop fretting the issue. The American people declining to be so instructed, the debate has not only continued but intensified, even as the federal judiciary’s contortions over Roe have continued to distort our law and warp three-plus decades of American politics.

At his hearings, and irrespective of whether John Roberts was being quizzed on a constitutional “right to privacy,” his views of judicial precedent, or his philosophy of judging, Roe was lurking just beneath the surface. Some senators looked for clues that a Roberts Court would reverse what Justice Byron White (a Kennedy Democrat) called in 1973 an exercise in “raw judicial power.” Others sought assurance that a Roberts Court would do no such thing. But whatever the euphemisms, it was Roe that was on everyone’s mind. Future nominees can expect more of the same.

The arguments and the surrogate-arguments and the pseudo-arguments about Roe have been recycled so many times that it seemed, these past several months, as if there were nothing new to say on the subject (or, in the case of Senator Joe Biden, try to say – in correct English). Shortly after Chief Justice Roberts was confirmed, though, a friend sent me the following from Signposts in a Strange Land, a col-

lection of novelist Walker Percy’s occasional essays – which, if it doesn’t say anything precisely new, does put the old truths in a new light, thanks to Percy’s keen eye and mordant wit: “There is a wonderful irony here. It is this: the onset of individual life is not a dogma of the Church but a fact of science. How much more convenient if we lived in the thirteenth century, when no one knew anything about microbiology and arguments about the onset of life were legitimate.

Compared to a modern textbook of embryology, Thomas Aquinas sounds like an American Civil Liberties Union member. Nowadays it is not some misguided ecclesiastics who are trying to suppress an embarrassing scientific fact. It is the secular juridical-journalistic establishment.

“Please indulge the novelist if he thinks in novelistic terms. Picture the scene. A Galileo trial in reverse. The Supreme Court is cross-examining a high school biology teacher and admonishing him that of course it is only his personal opinion that the fertilized human ovum is an individual human life. He is enjoined not to teach his private beliefs at a public school. Like Galileo, he caves in, submits, but in turning away is heard to murmur, ‘But it’s still alive!’

“To pro-abortionists: according to opinion polls, it looks as if you may get your way. But you’re not going to have it both ways. You are going to be told what you are doing.”

The dance around Roe will continue, because the politics of the moment do not permit an honest confrontation with the

facts: the biological facts, the constitutional facts, and the moral facts. Perhaps, when the dance finally ends, Roe’s implausibility as constitutional doctrine will bring it down. Perhaps a Robert Court, affirming George Weigel the work of state legislatures on partial-birth abortion, clinic regulation, informed consent, and parental notification, will hollow-out the “abortion liberty” to the point where it comes to mean virtually nothing. Perhaps.

Whatever the ultimate judicial outcome, the task of pro-life American citizens will remain the same: to remind our fellow-citizens, our legislators, our governors, our president, and our courts of the facts of the matter. The scientific fact is that a unique human life exits from the moment of conception. The constitutional fact is that Roe was wrongly decided. The moral fact is that the willful taking of an innocent human life is always a grave evil. These are the facts.

Those who deny the facts must be told what they are doing.

George Weigel is a senior fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

Spirituality

Our struggle for community We all ache for community and tend to be dissatisfied with what we’re actually experiencing in our lives. Everywhere, it seems, people are looking for community and complaining that their families, churches, and workplaces are disappointing them.

There is a general frustration about community, at every level. Today, it seems, community everywhere is in trouble. Marriages, families, religious communities, associations, and even business and civic communities that sustain themselves over the long-range are the exception more than the rule. As well, many people have tried to start new communities and in almost every case have failed, despite much initial passion and good will.

Why is that? Why, when we so desperately want community, do we find it so hard to achieve and sustain?

Perfection is the enemy of the good and what we overidealize will invariably disappoint and frustrate us. And that’s exactly our difficulty with community - with mar-

riage, with family, with church, with friendship, with civic community. Simply put, we’re often unable to sustain community because we have false notions and false expectations as to what constitutes it. An overly romantic notion so much clouds our vision that we rarely even recognize real community when we see it. Allow me an example: Several years ago, I was serving as spiritual director to a very idealistic young man. He was a member of a religious order, but spent a lot of energy complaining about his particular community. Constant was his gripe that there wasn’t enough intimacy within the community, that people didn’t share deeply enough with each other, that the real issues were never addressed, and that he felt lonely and isolated.

No doubt there was some truth in this. Active religious communities tend to be addicted to their work and ministry and they often sacrifice the needs of the community to the demands of ministry. As well, at a point, all communities

(including marriages) struggle with real, heart-to- heart, sharing.

Tiredness, fear, distrust, private wound, and every kind of reticence conspire together to generally keep the table conversations focused Father more on sports, the Ron Rolheiser weather, current events, fashion, and entertainment than on what’s really on our minds. I didn’t doubt the substance of this young man’s complaint.

But, at one stage, worn out by his complaining, his ROLHEISER, page 18

JOHN EARLE PHOTO

Dancing around the issue

14

Catholic San Francisco

November 4, 2005

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Wisdom 6:12-16; Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 or 4:13-14; Matthew 25:1-13 A READING FROM THE BOOK OF WISDOM (WIS 6:12-16) Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.

She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire; Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate.

For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence, and whoever for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (PS 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8) R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.

R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you.

R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.

As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.

R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. I will remember you upon my couch, and through the night-watches I will meditate on you: You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.

R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF SAINT PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS (1 THES 4:13-18 OR 4:13-14) We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

Thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Therefore, console one another with these words.

A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW (MT 25:1-13) Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’

While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’

Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Scripture FATHER PHIL BLOOM

Is salvation guaranteed?

I cannot read parable of the bridesmaids without thinking of my classmate Mike McCaffrey. A seminarian from Texas, he was ordained a deacon with the rest of us on April 22, 1971. However, a couple of weeks later, on May 8, he died tragically.

Mike had a typical Southern drawl and Northerners sometimes mistook slow talk for slow wit. Once a rather haughty New Englander hit him with a rapid-fire argument. After a pause - and with elaborate courtesy - Mike asked a question which demolished his opponent.

But I remember Mike most because in the year before his death he researched the parable of the ten virgins for his thesis.

Often at breakfast he would tell us an insight he discovered about why some were foolish and others wise. Or he would announce that a certain commentary was “worthless.” It had focused so much on wakefulness that it ignored verse 5: “all became drowsy and fell asleep.”

The crucial difference between the wise and foolish has to do not with staying awake but with having sufficient oil.

Foreseeing that the bridegroom might delay, the wise bridesmaids brought flasks of oil, while the foolish neglected the task. (v.3) Even though they all succumbed to sleep, only the wise had made the proper preparations. Salvation involves more than simply joining the wedding party. Let me illustrate.

Several years ago a minister over on the Olympic Peninsula (Washington State) murdered his wife. Not realizing who had committed the crime, the community naturally felt sorry for the widower. However, an investigation identified the husband himself as the murderer. The news shocked the town. But some members of the congregation had a curious reaction. They said that, since their minister had accepted Christ as his Savior, his salvation was assured - no matter what he did.

Now, I do not want to scoff at those who believe their justification is a once and for

all event. They have their reasons.

However, even though it is reassuring to feel ones salvation is guaranteed, I do not think the Bible gives mortals such assurance. Today’s parable points to something more than initial acceptance. We have to maintain a supply of oil so that we can trim (prepare) our lamps when the bridegroom returns.

A man does not get up and say, “Looks like a good day to murder my wife.” A lot of neglect prepares for such an act: clinging to grievances, laziness in communication, small – and perhaps large – infidelities.

Similarly, no one performs an heroic deed without smaller decisions paving the way.

For us Christians there is only one way to have sufficient oil for our lamps – prayer.

Each Christian must place himself before the Lord. Parents of small children can imagine that, if they do everything right, their child will naturally become a believer. But God has no grandchildren only children. Today’s parable makes clear you cannot just hand on salvation to another person - like an inheritance. The wise virgins may appear selfish for not sharing their oil, but in reality they could do nothing else. We are not talking about an external possession, but internal character. This “oil” is inalienable; it may not be transferred. A man must do certain things for himself. The most important is preparation to receive the bridegroom, Christ.

For my friend Mike McCaffrey the parable had been a yearlong preparation for his own death. I remember going into Mike’s room the day after he died. I was always impressed by how orderly he kept his room.

Papers cluttered my desk, but on his was a single sheet containing a few notes. He had left his Bible opened to Matthew 25. When I went to look, my eyes fell on the verse, “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”

Father Phil Bloom is pastor of Holy Family Parish in Seattle.

Prayer of Saint Charles Borromeo Feast Day – November 4 Almighty God, you have generously made known to human beings the mysteries of your life through Jesus Christ your Son in the Holy Spirit.

Enlighten my mind to know these mysteries which your Church treasures and teaches.

Move my heart to love them and my will to live in accord with them.

Give me the ability to teach this Faith to others without pride, without ostentation, and without personal gain.

Let me realize that I am simply your instrument for bringing others to the knowledge of the wonderful things you have done for all your creatures.

Help me to be faithful to this task that you have entrusted to me.

Amen.

The Wise and Foolish Virgins (detail) - Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale (1871-1945), undated.

November 4, 2005

Catholic San Francisco

15

Naked: Into the waters of vulnerability at Lourdes To bathe or not to bathe. That was the question. Here I was, for the second time in Lourdes, and the first time as a pilgrim with my diocese. Last time, I had been too busy reporting on Pope John Paul’s spectacular finale to his travelling papacy; now, the queues, at least for the men, were not onerous. The most lourdais of rituals beckoned.

But why do it? The long wait, the undressing, the waiting damply in semi-nakedness, the plunge into freezing water while muttering an Ave Maria—all this, regulars cheerfully admit, is extremely unpleasant. The idea, it seems, is penance.

But not all sacrifices are salvific, a matter which God cleared up when he asked to be excused from tedious liturgies and sacrifices involving the incineration of cattle (see Amos, ch 5 et seq). And I had already done, the day before, a Stations of the Cross on the hill above the Grotto, atoning (yes, in the heat and dust) for my own transgressions and not a few of the globe’s.

And just whose idea was it, this ritual? Our Lady asked Bernadette to “go drink at the spring and bathe in its waters”, but “wash yourself” is just as good a translation, and rather more easily carried out under one of the grotto taps with a few wet slaps on the cheeks. And what of Our Lady also instructing Bernadette to kiss the ground and eat the grass? Only popes do the first, and no one ever suggests that pilgrims to Lourdes should Sick people in Lourdes, France, are assisted by caretakers. chew the fields.

The sick come to Lourdes from all over the world seeking a cure from their ailments.

But then I pondered the story. The earth, when Bernadette obeyed on 25 February 1858, was muddy; the grass was bitter; the water brackish. Onlookers who he is far from passive. He can refuse to be moved, or he once said—and he should know. So I melt mine by ponaccompanied her up to this, the ninth apparition, were can ask to be. We are all paralysed and crippled by our dering my intentions: a friend’s imminent baby; frail appalled to see her scratching the ground and acting self-righteous autonomy. We all need to trust, to let our- and elderly relatives; a despairing friend.

“Any tips, Sean?” I ask a friendly “Red Cap”, as the like an animal. If these were the scandalous instructions selves be moved, to allow ourselves to become dependwheelchair-pushing volunteers are known. of the Mother of God, for which she was slapped and ent.

“It’s humiliating and unpleasant,” says Sean, grinPrima volta? I ask my Italian neighbour. He came led before the Public Prosecutor, who was I to object?

The message transformed the young asthmatic seer, once before, 15 years ago, he tells me. Right now, twice ning. “But think of the fact that since the 1850s millions of people before you have done the same. And you’re who thenceforth began to pray for the conversion of in 15 years seems excessive.

A boy on a stretcher-chair has his hands in the air, somehow connected with all of them.” sinners.

Inside, my parish priest leaves one cubicle and a finSelf-abasement, after all, is God’s chosen method of twisted grotesquely in the classic sign of the severely ger protrudes from the next one, motioning for me. saving humanity. We Catholics believe in human digni- disabled.

Laudate, laudate, laudate Maria, a man is urging us Four young men in blue overalls—brancardiers in the ty, but only because we can embrace, like our Master, to sing.

Lourdes argot—and four men sitting in their underhuman indignity.

“What language is that?” an Englishman behind me pants on chairs. I get the idea, and divest. An elderly I was wobbling, you see. And then, over a biere forman in a wheelchair is brought in. “So what we’re midable, I had found myself convinced by Fr Chris asks.

“That’s Latin,” his friend ventures. going to do,” the English broncardier gently tells him, Vipers, the diocese’s charismatic Lourdes pilgrimage “Oh, really?” “is to remove your shoes and socks. Then your director.

The stretcher carts are lined up now, contraptions trousers. Then your shirt.” He taps each of the articles.

“It’s about becoming a child again,” he told me.

“Trusting others. You’re naked and dependent, at that from a bygone age. One is occupied by a very frail old “But we’re going to leave your underpants on—for the moment, on others to hold you and immerse you. It’s man, his hands purple and gnarled. As the rosary moment.”

In the chair next to me, an old man is asked if he about admitting your vulnerability. It’s about trust. And switches to German, one of our number bottles out, leaving quickly, shame-faced. Perhaps he has lost touch wants just to be splashed, or dropped all the way in. surrender.”

“I’ve been coming here since 1950,” he answers, The prototype Gospel of Lourdes is Luke’s account with his inner child. I am tempted, for a moment, to folblimpishly. “I want to go right in. All the way.” of the paralytic being lowered through a roof by his low him. This trust stuff is demanding.

Hell Merry, fool of grease, zee lawd is weez you, Right in? All the way? How deep is this thing? friends into the healing presence of Jesus. That is how The wheelchair-bound man was gently disrobed, the sick come to Lourdes—with enormous difficulty, comes a voice over the loudspeaker.

“Is that Latin too?” the voice behind me asks. until all was left were his underpants and a catheter tied carried by others, trustingly. But not long is needed to “No, I think that’s English” to a bag of urine strapped to his pallid, blue-veined left realise that what the malades accept, as it were, faute de “Oh, really?” leg. I shuddered for a moment at the description of the mieux, is what the rest of us pilgrims are invited to Out comes a Down’s syndrome boy, face creased bath water in Lourdes, Emile Zola’s bestselling antiembrace too, spiritually speaking. Healing happens when, like Bernadette, we put aside our ego-armoured with smiles. He gives us all a thumbs-up. Nothing to clerical tract.

As some hundred patients passed through the same selves and trust in our Creator. Hence the baths: they worry about, fellahs, he seems to say.

The Catholic Church is nowhere better represented water, you can imagine what a horrible slop it was at have emerged, over time, as the essential physical ritual of Lourdes, one that opens the heart and mind to grace. than here, at this moment. The boundaries between the end. There was everything in it: threads of blood, The bath is not a sacrament, but it is sacramental, an act physical and spiritual are collapsed, and the Kingdom sloughed-off skin, scabs, bits of cloth and bandage, an of immersion in much the same way as the Eucharist is breaks out: the disabled mingle with the able-bodied, abominable soup of ills ... The miracle was that anyone the nations mix, and we tap into God’s goodness by emerged alive from this human slime. an act of incorporation. physical acts which we are My turn. A deep stone bath, tiled in the Virgin’s blue, Thus theoried up, I confident are not meaning- with (phew!) clean water, all overseen by the found myself queuing in less. Our literal age has lit- Immaculate Conception. Three more broncardiers. Turn the hot sun, elbowed by Self-abasement, after all, is tle time for this stuff, which to the wall, I was told, and remove your underpants. As Italians even shorter than shrivels under the cold I did so, a freezing wet towel was put round my waist. me, and then shuffling God’s chosen method of saving glare of rationalism. But The shock of the cold made me turn round too soon, and along a bench which the sacramental imagina- a broncardier to shield his eyes in mock horror. snaked round towards the humanity. We Catholics believe tion is bigger, deeper and I stepped in, and was told to make a prayer to Our entrance of the baths. Every wider.

Lady. A humble child I was; defenceless, powerless, time eight men disappear in human dignity, but only All I have done is move borderless. A moment of great psychic and physical inside we move closer, in down a pew or two, but I vulnerability, but I trust these strangers. the manner of an old-fasham much closer to what this I rattle off a Hail Mary, forgetting my intentions. ioned confessional queue. because we can embrace, like is all about. Our unconArms grip me. Down I go. Splash—the shock of the The malades, along with scious grasps what our eyes cold. Then up. Pants back on. Out. Change. No towel, the clergy, are fast-tracked our Master, human indignity. cannot. Who are they, in the because by tradition the water is deemed unwet. in: they enter on crutches chariots in front of us now?

Back into the sun, and the pious chaos of the Grotto. and in chariots, in the comOur fears—deformation, paralysis, fragility—but also I find a patch of sun-kissed grass. The water has dried, pany of cheerful hospitaliers. our glory: the Spirit of God, assuring us of human soaking me in peace.

Gloria patri et filio ...

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Here we all are, some sixty men from the Euro- empathy and supernatural transcendence. Healing is Catholic belt, mostly middle-aged, but a smattering of collective; we are in need of others. The fellow in the young, grunting the rosary, staring at our feet as if middle with the purple fingers could go at any time, but Austen Ivereigh is director for Public Affairs awaiting a test for testicular cancer. In 2004, more than what better way than like this, carried by gentle young of the Archbishop of Westminster, twice as many women (266,583) as men (121,715) helpers, into the arms of God? Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, and former A young Westminster priest sits on the fast-track took up the Virgin’s invitation. Hence the disparity in deputy editor of the Catholic weekly, The Tablet. facilities: there are 17 baths in total: 11 for women and clergy bench. His open breviary reminds me to stop takThis article first appeared in The Tablet ing notes and be present to the moment. There is a sliv6 for men. er of ice in the heart of every writer, Graham Greene (www.thetablet.co.uk). Reprinted with permission.

A paralysed man, it occurs to me, cannot move, but

(CNS PHOTO FROM REUTERS)

By Austen Ivereigh

16

Catholic San Francisco

Food & Fun Nov. 13: Rock’n Bowl with LCA Juniors at Brentwood Bowl in South San Francisco from 3 – 5 p.m. Adults $15/Children $10. Includes 2 games plus pizza and soda. Benefits Catholic Charities CYO. Call (415) 9721243 or contact info@littlechildrensaid.com.

November 12: Scrumdidilyumptious, an evening benefiting St. Matthew Elementary School in San Mateo beginning with a silent auction at 6 p.m. followed by dinner, live auction and dancing at Peninsula Golf and Country Club. Tickets are $125 per and $175 per person. Attire is Black Tie. Auction items include 49’er and Giants, Disneyland Club 33 package for 4, Paris vacation, vintage wines. For more info go to www.stmatthewcath.org/auction.

Nov. 12: Oldies but Goodies Dance at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, 1122Jamestown at 3rd St. in San Francisco from 8 p.m. – midnight. Tickets $30 per person in advance only. No tix sold at door. 21 and over please. Call (415) 468-3434. Proceeds benefit parish youth programs.

Nov. 12: Fundraising Hawaiian Dinner Dance sponsored by St. Emydius Church Fil-Am Unity Club.

Dinner 6:30 -8:00pm. Dance till midnight. Father O’Reilly Center, 255 Jules Ave., San Francisco.

Donation $25.00. Ticket must be paid by October 31st to reserve seat. Call Jose or Bea Delgadillo (415) 239-0632 or Cora Cabal – (415) 469-0311.

Nov. 12, 13: 2nd Annual Holiday Crafts Sale at St. John of God Church Hall, 1290 5th Ave. at Irving St., San Francisco. Sat: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sun.: 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Nov. 12, 13: All Souls Women’s Club Craft Fair/Luncheon/Breakfast with Santa. More than 35 vendors, free face painting and raffles on the hour.

Doors open 9 a.m. both days. For details on lunch, pix with Santa and prices call Emerita at (415) 5847794 or Dolores at (650) 588-0810. Takes place at All Souls parish/school, Miller and Walnut Ave., SSF. Through Nov. 17: St. Anselm School is excited to announce an all new, on-line auction, full of heavenly getaways, delicious restaurant gift certificates, event tickets, parties and more at www.stanselmauction.cmarket.com – shop for yourself, your children or a friend! The money raised benefits St. Anselm School, so stop by the Web site to browse, shop, or just show your support.

Nov. 18, 19: Sisters of Mercy Annual Holiday Boutique at Marian Care Center 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Numerous Holiday items for sale including Gift baskets, jams, jellies, baked goods, candies and fudge at 2300 Adeline Drive, Bldg. D in Burlingame. Follow Lower Road on Mercy Campus to Marian Care Center. Call Debbie Halleran (650) 340-7426 Nov. 19: It’s Crab Bash Time again at Holy Name of Jesus Parish! Evening includes cracked crab dinner with wine and other tasty accompaniments beginning at 6 30 p.m. in Ryan Hall on corner of 40th Ave. and Lawton. Entertainment is by Images featuring Laura and Victor Flaviani. Tickets $30 per person with tables of 8 for $205. Children age 6 – 12 $10. Call (415) 664-8590.

Nov. 19: ICA 2005 Holiday Boutique benefiting Immaculate Conception Academy, 24th St. at Guerrero in San Francisco from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. “Handmade crafts and gifts for everyone on your list will be available,” the school said. Refreshments and Santa Claus, too. Watch especially for Gourmet Olive Oil and Fruitcakes made by Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, the congregation that founded the school in 1883. Call (415) 824 2052.

November 19: Holiday Boutique benefiting Mercy High School, San Francisco beginning at 10 a.m. in Nov. 9: An Evening of Music benefiting hurricane relief at St. Paul Church, Valley St. near 29th in San Francisco at 7 p.m. Concert features Alta Loma Middle School Jazz Ensemble, the St. Paul Youth Choir and Mercy High School, San Francisco Music Club, and harpist Lori Walker. Deacon Jim Myers serves as master of ceremonies. Donations of any amount accepted. Call (415) 648-7538.

November 4, 2005 and deepen the gift of hope in our lives. Call (650-5932045 x277 or go to www.SistersofNotreDameCA.org.

Nov. 15: Do You Have What the Job Market Wants? with Jonathan Ogden White, Executive Search Consultant, as part of Notre Dame de Namur University’s Distinguished Speaker Series at 7:30 p.m. in Ralston Hall Mansion located on the NDNU campus at 1500 Ralston Avenue in Belmont. Free and open to the community. Call (650) 508-3726 or e-mail at sbm@ndnu.edu

Datebook

Young Adults Office of Young Adult Ministry and Campus Ministry: Connecting late teens, 20s and 30s, single and married to the Catholic Church. Contact Mary Jansen, 415-614-5596, jansenm@sfarchdiocese.org Nov. 19: Annual Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Program, 9 a.m. – noon, from St. Vincent de Paul Church, Steiner at Green in San Francisco. Meet in the Church parking lot to help sort and deliver 100 complete Thanksgiving meals to families in need throughout San Francisco. More than 300 people will be helped. Contact youngadults@svdpsf.org,

Consolation Ministry

Come be a valuable part of a team assisting employees to further the mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters of Mercy is a not-for-profit religious organization that has served the San Francisco area for over 150 years. A variety of volunteer opportunities are available on their spacious and beautiful campus in Burlingame. Please call the HR/Volunteer Coordinator at (650) 340-7417 or email: cmoore@mercyburl.org for more information. Mercy volunteer, Kathleen Castro, left, enjoys some reading with retired Mercy Sister Martha Kiening at Marian Care Center, the Mercy Sisters’ skilled nursing facility in Burlingame.

Mercy’s Catherine McAuley Pavilion. Day includes many vendors selling beautiful, handmade crafts plus a silent auction and raffle with tickets at only $1 each.

Admission is free. Holiday Beverages will also be available with complimentary sweets to nibble on and lots more to pique your interest. If you would like to be a vendor, call the school for an application. (415) 334-0525.

Nov. 19, 20: Christmas Boutique benefiting the work of St. Gabriel’s Ladies Sodality from about 5:30 p.m. on Sat. and after all Masses on Sunday. Baked goods, handmade items and a raffle. Call (415) 731-6161.

Nov. 19: Bal de Paris 2005, an evening of dinner, dancing and silent and live auctions benefiting San Francisco’s Notre Dame Elementary School. Chocolate and chocolate makers are the evening’s theme. The wares of 22 chocolate chefs will be provided for all those attending.

Tickets are $110 per person. Call (415) 421-0069 Dec. 3, 4: It’s a Wonderful Life, Christmas Boutique benefiting St. Brendan Elementary School, 234 Ulloa at Laguna Honda Blvd., SF. Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. One stop shopping for all your holiday needs. Free admission. Call (415) 731-2665.

Reunions Nov. 5: Alumni Social for graduates and former students of St. James Elementary School, SF, 7 – 9 p.m., at St. James, 321 Fair Oaks St. No-host bar.

Alums are asked to bring a favorite finger-food or appetizer large enough for 6 – 8 people. Cake and coffee will be served. Call Marie Driscoll at (415) 642-6130 to let ‘em know you’ll be there!

Nov. 6: Graduates and former students of St. Peter schools now and in earlier times are invited to an annual Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. in the parish church, 1200 Florida St. in San Francisco. Buffet

brunch follows. Tickets $15 adults/$5 children.

Parking in schoolyard and lot. Call Sylvia Rodriguez at (650) 992-5122 or Irma Vargas at (415) 846-5966.

Special honorees include classes of ’55 and ’80.

Nov. 12: Class of ’65 from St. Emydius Elementary School at the United Irish Cultural Center at 2700 45th Ave., San Francisco.For reservations, please contact one of the following people: Christine Terry (Hutson) at (408) 298-7676; Dennis Warde at (510) 208-4811 or Emmet Monahan at (415) 586-4588.

Nov. 12: Classes of ’64 and ’65 from Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School at SSF Conference Center, 235 So. Airport Blvd. Tickets are $70 per person. Evening includes dinner and dancing.

Begins with no-host cocktails at 6 p.m. Contact Helen Sigmund Fisicaro, ’65, at (650) 994-6724 or Andi Laber Heintz, ’64, at (650) 888-1400 Nov. 18: Archbishop Riordan High School’s Annual Downtown Luncheon at Sir Francis Drake Hotel. $60 per person. Guest Speaker: Football’s Ronnie Lott.

For information email vrassam@riordanhs.org Nov. 19: Class of ’80, Presentation High School, San Francisco at Caesar’s Italian Restaurant, Bay and Powell, SF. Contact Bernadette Sallaberry Hurley at (650) 359-8218 or jbjnhurley@aol.com.

Marin Catholic High School announces upcoming reunions for class of’95, Nov. 26. Contact LeAnn Tarrant at (415) 464-3843 or ltarrant@marincatholic.org.

Prayer/Lectures/Trainings Nov. 12: To Live in Hope in Today’s World, part of the Saturday Morning Prayer series at Notre Dame Province Center, 1520 Ralston Avenue, Belmont from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. This time of prayer and meditation, led

by Cynthia Mennie Vrooman, is an invitation to reflect on

RICHARD J. HUNT, G.R.I. Broker Associate

(415) 682-8544 richhuntsr@cs.com Homes & Income Properties Sales and Exchanges

Construction

MARCHETTI

CONSTRUCTION INC.

Serving the needs of the San Francisco Archdiocese Since 1969

650-588-3893

Do you have a few hours each week to spare? St. Anthony Foundation can use your help. For more than 54 years, St. Anthony Foundation has worked to provide for the physical and emotional needs of the poor and homeless. A staple of its12 programs is the support of more than 300 volunteers. If you are interested in sharing the gift of time with St. Anthony Foundation in its free Dining Room or other programs, please call (415) 241- 2600 for more information. Weekday volunteers are especially needed - www.stanthonysf.org.

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.

Financial Advisor

Mortgage loans

MARILYN PRINGLE

M.L.S.

FINANCIAL ADVISOR CA INSURANCE LICENSE #OD59853

MORTGAGE LOAN SPECIALIST A MORTGAGE CORPORATION

Brennan J. Newsom, Jr.

▼

Senior Loan Consultant

▼

OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE 1390 Noriega Sreet San Francisco, CA 94122

Volunteer Opportunities

For Advertising Information Please Call 415-614-5642

Business Card Directory Real Estate Sales

Groups meet at the following parishes. Please call numbers shown for more information.

San Mateo County: St. Catherine of Siena, Burlingame. Call (650) 344-6884; Our Lady of Angels, Burlingame. Call Louise Nelson at (650) 343-8457 or Barbara Arena at (650) 344-3579. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Redwood City. Call (650) 366-3802; Good Shepherd, Pacifica. Call Sister Carol Fleitz at (650) 355-2593; St. Robert, San Bruno. Call (650) 589-2800.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Belmont. Call Ann Ponty at (650) 598-0658 or Mary Wagner at (650) 591-3850.

Marin County: 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.Gabriel. Call Barbara Elordi at (415) 564-7882. St. Finn Barr in English and Spanish.

Call Carmen Solis at (415) 584-0823; St. Cecilia. Call Peggy Abdo at (415) 564-7882 ext. 3; Epiphany in Spanish. Call Kathryn Keenan at (415) 564-7882. St. Dominic. Call Margaret Passanisi at (415) 931-5241.

Ministry for parents who have lost a child is available from Our Lady of Angels Parish, Burlingame. Call Ina Potter at (650) 347-6971 or Barbara Arena at (650) 3443579.Young Widow/Widower group meets at St. Gregory, San Mateo. Call Barbara Elordi at (415) 564-7882.

Information about children’s and teen groups is available from Barbara Elordi at (415) 564-7882.

▼

199 Moulton Street San Francisco, California 94123 Office (415) 443-3775 ● Fax (415) 440-3887 ● (800) 326-BANK ●

Heating • Air • Ventilation Innovative Mechanical, Inc.

SEAN McGEE

Insurance products offered through insurance companies not affiliated with Waddell & Reed.

catering

LIC # 468809

80 TANFORAN AVENUE, #7 SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94080 TEL. (650) 583-8222 FAX (650) 583-4761 WEBSITE innovativemech.com

PROJECT MANAGER/ESTIMATOR

▼

1810 Gateway Drive Personal Financial Planning Suite 340 Mutual Funds San Mateo, CA 94404-4001 Tax Planning Strategies 650-349-2274 x105 www.marilynpringle.wradvisors.com Retirement Plans

HEATING VENTILATION AIR CONDITIONING GENERAL SHEET METAL

CATERING San Francisco 415-822-3710 Fax 415-822-3711

Redwood City 650-366-6540 Fax 650-366-6799

www.arguellocatering.com

November 4, 2005

Catholic San Francisco

17

Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story Clichés are usually clichés because they’re true, and formulas are generally formulas because they work. Dreamer, the new equestrian movie from DreamWorks, is loaded with enough clichés and formulas to choke a horse. But truly, it works. Kids who haven’t seen many other horse movies will find the story thrilling; adults will likely find it engaging in a nostalgic sort of way.

Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) has the only horse farm in Kentucky that is devoid of even a single horse. Hard times have forced him to sell off the property, piece by piece, and all he has left is the land his house and ramshackle barn stand on. With no animals of his own, Ben is forced to use his gift for horse training to produce winning racers for Nasty Rich Guys (including a petulant prince obsessed with finding horses to beat his brother’s stallion). The whole state of affairs has Ben distracted and more than a little grumpy. His long-suffering wife Lily (Elizabeth Shue) seems willing to roll with the punches (and take extra shifts at the local diner to help make ends meet), but Ben’s young daughter Cale (Dakota Fanning) is a bundle of worry and longing. She wants a horse on the Crane Farm almost as desperately as she wants a relationship with her dad.

Estranged family relationships come naturally to Ben, who is barely speaking to his own father (Kris Kristofferson), even though they live side-by-side on the same bit of remaining Crane property. Both men have the horse business in their blood, both have been burned by it, and neither one is willing to stop blaming and avoiding the other. The only common ground they can admit to is their love for Cale.

The family’s fortunes begin to change the morning Cale insists that her father take her to work with him. It happens to be the day of a big race, and Ben is overseeing the wellbeing of a horse with enormous promise name Sonador (Sonya for short). Sonya has a very good shot at winning the day’s race, but something is wrong. She’s favoring a knee and acting skittish, and after Ben has a good talk with her (think The Horse Whisperer), he becomes convinced that she shouldn’t race. He’s overruled by his arrogant and opportunistic boss, Mr. Palmer (David Morse), and tragedy ensues. When Sonya goes down with an apparently careerending injury, Palmer orders her destroyed. Not wanting Cale to witness the procedure, Ben delays and eventually refuses his bosses’ wishes, losing his job in the process.

Against his better judgment (and swayed by the heartbroken compassion of his daughter), he negotiates the right to keep Sonya as part of his severance pay, and before he knows it the Crane Horse Farm has a very injured horse in its stables. The miraculous recovery of the horse—and of

(CNS PHOTO FROM DREAMWORKS)

Reviewed by Carolyn Arends

Dakota Fanning stars in a scene from the movie "Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story."

the family who loves her—provides the predictable but effective narrative arc of the rest of the movie.

John Gatins, an experienced screenwriter (Coach Carter, Hardball), makes his directorial debut with Dreamer.

Gatins points to the true-life comeback of an injured racehorse named Mariah’s Storm as his inspiration, but most of

the plot twists in Dreamer seem to come from the pantheon of previously-told horse stories. An injured but courageous animal … A trainer/owner who needs to believe in dreams again … A talented but traumatized jockey who may never return to the track … Dreamer is virtually surprise-free, and DREAMER, page 18

One child. One sponsor.

One hope.

Nutritious food, a good education, clothes and medical care, children need these essential things to grow and reach their potential. They also need love, encouragement and hope, gifts of the heart.

When you sponsor through Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, you give your support and your heart to a child, youth or aging person in a developing country. Your sponsored friend will benefit from the chance to overcome the obstacles of poverty and from the knowledge that someone cares.

You’ll be blessed with an ongoing relationship as you get to know your sponsored friend through letters and photos. And you’ll be able to write your new friend to share your prayers and encouragement.

CFCA sponsorship is grounded in Catholic social teaching, and offers a way for people of good will to actively participate in the call to walk with the poor and vulnerable in our world.

Make a difference in the life of a child, youth or aging person by becoming a sponsor today.

Simply complete the form below and mail it to CFCA, call us toll-free at (800) 875-6564 or sponsor online at www.cfcausa.org.

Selena, 7 years old - Guatemala Thanks to the generous support of someone like you, Selena receives benefits including family food baskets, vitamins, educational enrichment classes, school supplies, clothing, health care and spiritual formation.

O f f e r i n g h o p e . R e s t o r i n g d i g n i t y. Wo r l d w i d e . w w w. c f c a u s a . o r g

YES, I’ll sponsor: I’ll contribute:

T Most in need T Girl T Boy T Teenager T Aging T Monthly $20 T Quarterly $60 T Semi-annually $120 T Annually $240

Payment method: T Enclosed is my first contribution of $________________(Payable to CFCA) T I authorize CFCA to charge my credit card: __ Monthly __ Once only Choose credit card: __ MasterCard __ Discover __ Visa __ Amex Amount $_________.00 Exp. date______/______ Card #________________________________________________________ Name on Card _________________________________________________ Signature______________________________________________________ T I can’t sponsor now but here’s my gift of $_________.

T Please send me more information about sponsorship.

23650

Your Name _________________________________ Address ____________________________________ City _______________________________________ State/Zip __________________________________ Daytime Phone ( ) __________________ E-mail (optional) ____________________________

Mail to:

C H R I S T I A N F O U N D AT I O N FOR CHILDREN AND AGING P. O . B o x 8 0 5 1 0 5 K a n s a s C i t y, M O 6 4 1 8 0 - 5 1 0 5 8 0 0 - 8 7 5 - 6 5 6 4 • w w w. c f c a u s a . o rg

18

Catholic San Francisco

November 4, 2005

Rolheiser . . .

■ Continued from page 13 community sent him to a psychologist. After delivering his regular litany of complaints, the young man was surprised at the psychologist’s reaction. Instead of re-enforcing his theories about how dysfunctional the community was, the psychologist told him, gently but firmly: “What you’re looking for you won’t find inside a religious community because what you’re looking for is a lover - not a religious community!”

This is a parable, of sorts. It points out what real community is by flushing out some of the things that it isn’t.

What is community?

There are many kinds of community - of which being lovers is in fact one kind. However community as Christ defined it - Christian community, apostolic community, life together in the Holy Spirit - is, as this psychologist made clear, something quite other than what the romantic imagination spontaneously imagines. What is it? Before defining

Dreamer . . .

■ Continued from page 17 it’s tempting to re-subtitle the film Inspired by a True Story and Also That Seabiscuit Movie. But, to be fair, long before Seabiscuit, there were three National Velvets and no less than five Black Stallion films. It seems there are some stories we don’t mind hearing again and again.

If Gatins’ familiar (and sometimes oddly plodding) script is salvaged by the reliable power of any good Underdog Story, it’s elevated by an exceptional cast. Originally written as a boyand-his-horse tale, Dreamer was adapted in order to feature Fanning (and secure studio support in the process). Fanning (War of the Worlds, Cat in the Hat) has taken the place of the

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

it positively, we need first to dissociate it from some of the things with which it is commonly confused.

By a certain via negativa, one might say that Christian community is not: Mutual compatibility, like-minded individuals gathering together on the basis of liking each other.

Huddling together in fear or loneliness, lonely or scared people ganging up against a cold and hostile world.

People rallying around a common task or cause, people brought together because they share a common passion or ideal.

Family, understood in the romantic sense, people brought together through psycho-sexual attraction.

Family, understood in the biological sense, people bonded through blood.

A common roof, people brought together because they live in the same house, eat at the same table, or sleep in the same bed.

None of these are bad and each in fact makes for a certain kind of community. However none of them touches the essence of Christian community. What is that?

Simply put, it is a gathering around the person of Christ

in a way that displaces our selfishness so that we begin to live in a charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, long-suffering, faith, constancy, mildness, and chastity that make it possible to precisely live with each other beyond differences, fears, and incompatibilities.

The kind of bond that withstands the test of time within marriage, family, religious community, civic community, and friendship, is ultimately rooted in something beyond liking each other, huddling in loneliness, working for a common cause, feeling erotic attraction for each other, or sharing a blood-line, a neighbourhood, a house, or even a bed.

Community means staying together even when we don’t like each other, aren’t attracted to each other, and struggle with hopeless differences. Only when we understand and accept this will romance, a beautiful thing in itself, cease being an obstacle to real community.

now-relatively-aged Haley Joel Osment as Child-Actor-DuJour, and she would run the risk of over-exposure if she weren’t so freakishly good in every role she plays. (Her recent turn in a very different movie, Nine Lives, placed her opposite consummate actor Glenn Close—and Fanning held her own in every respect). Fanning is Dreamer’s emotional center and manages to be an empathetic and endearing protagonist without any cloying cutesy-ness. Russell is equally compelling, and Kristofferson is an inspired choice as his father—when both actors are in the same shot, it’s hard to believe that they aren’t actually related. Shue brings more warmth to Lily than the flimsy script deserves, and even the horse is effective. (Sonador is actually played by three horses and several other stunt-double animals, but the portrayal is convincing.)

Early in the movie Cale learns that Sonador is Spanish for

“dreamer,” and the film gives a lot of dialogue time to the idea that dreams—whether they’re obtainable or not—are essential to the human spirit. Again, Gatins is covering some pretty familiar territory. But a more compelling theme developed in Dreamer is the power found not in dreaming a dream, but in sharing it with the people you love. When Cale and her dad and her crusty old grandpa all let themselves hope for the same thing, and when they work hard toward achieving it together, the story’s magic and the film’s best moments happen. We are reminded that it is the dreams that take us outside of ourselves and unite us to each other that matter most. Maybe we’ve heard that before, but it’s an idea worth hearing again.

COUNSELING Barbara Elordi, MFT Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Therapist.

Offers individual, couple + family and group counseling.

AUTO SALES Wally Mooney Auto Broker

650-244-9255 Spells Wally 650-740-7505 Cell Phone All Mfg. Warranty: Rebates and Special Dealer Finacing goes to Registered Owner/s P.O. Box 214 San Bruno, CA 94066

St. Robert’s Parish San Bruno

PLUMBING Plumbing • Fire Protection • Certified Backflow

John Bianchi

The Peninsula Men’s Group, now in it’s 7th year, is a support group which provides affordable counseling in a safe and nurturing setting. Interested candidates may call for a free brochure.

(650) 591-3784 974 Ralston Ave. #6, Belmont, CA 94002

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

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

1537 Franklin Street • San Francisco, CA 94109

Do you want to be more fulfilled in love and work – but find things keep getting in the way?

Unhealed wounds can hold you back - even if they are not the “logical” cause of your problems today. You can be the person God intended.

Inner Child Healing Offers a deep spiritual and psychological approach to counseling:

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

❖ 30 years experience with individuals, couples and groups ❖ Directed, effective and results-oriented ❖ Compassionate and Intuitive ❖ Supports 12-step ❖ Enneagram Personality Transformation

Lic. No. 390254

SUPER ROOTER, INC. YOUR PAYLESS PLUMBING

Lila Caffery, MA, CCHT

OUR

FAMILY AND OUR EMPLOYEES MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO GIVE EACH CUSTOMER A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE.

LIC. #747796

• DRAIN-SEWER CLEANING SERVICE • WATER HEATERS • TOILETS • COPPER REPIPING • SEWER REPLACEMENT • GAS PIPES

PROMPT AND UNPARALLELED SERVICE

(415) 668-1960

OR

(650) 342-7556

EMAIL ADDRESS: SUPERROOTERINC@AOL.COM

Expert Plumbing Repairs ●

General Repairs Clean Drains & Sewers Water Heaters ●

●

SANTI PLUMBING & HEATING

FAMILY OWNED

415-661-3707

Lic. # 663641

24 HR

HOLLAND Plumbing Works San Francisco

San Francisco: 415.337.9474 Belmont: 650.888.2873 Complimentary phone consultation www.InnerChildHealing.com

REAL ESTATE Joe Kurpinsky & Annemarie Kurpinsky Parishioners, St. Brendan’s, S.F. Realtorsspecializing in Probate & Trust Sales www.georgedevinerealtor.com (415)661.4853

SPECIALIZING IN SAN MATEO COUNTY REAL ESTATE If I can be of service to you, or if you know of anyone who is interested in buying or selling a home, please do not hesitate to call me . . .

BONDED & INSURED

415-205-1235

* Parishioner of St. Gregory’s Church, San Mateo

Tell our advertisers you saw their ad in Catholic San Francisco!

Painting & Remodeling

PHOTO RESTORATION

John Holtz

Ca. Lic 391053 General Contractor Since 1980

(650) 355-4926

Painting & Remodeling •Interiors •Exteriors •Kitchens •Baths Contractor inspection reports and pre-purchase consulting

Construction REPAIRS & PRESSURE WASHING

zappia imaging photo restoration and design

•Photo Restoration Repair worn, torn, faded or otherwise imperfect photos.

• DVD Slideshows Put your photos to music and watch them on your television.

• DVD Home Movies Add special effects to make your videos look professional.

GREAT GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS www.zappiaimaging.com

415-205-9971

CHIMNEY CLEANING CALL 415-485-4090

Leaks, Dryrot, Decks, Safety grab bars Mike: (650) 355-8858 Lic # 778332

– Senior Discount –

CHIMNEY CLEANING SPECIAL!

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

Call (650) 757-1946 Cell (415) 517-5977

SPIRITUAL HEALING

NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR

ALL PLUMBING WORK PAT HOLLAND CA LIC #817607

This review originally appeared in Christianity Today Online. Reprinted with permission.

Confidential • Compassionate • Practical (415) 921-1619

Phone: 415.468.1877 Fax: 415.468.1875

COMPANY MISSION

• Relationships • Addictions

Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a theologian, teacher and award-winning author.

Today

MIKE TEIJEIRO Realtor (650) 523-5815 m.teijeiro@remax.net

Handyman Carpentry, Cabinetry, Painting,Refinishing Floors and Furniture, Door & Window Instal.,Cement Work.

Se habla Español & Tagalog.

Serving also the East Bay, Contra Costa,&Marin Counties

415-239-8491 not a licensed contractor

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:

Contractors State License Board 800-321-2752

FLOORS

November 4, 2005

Catholic San Francisco

Classifieds

Elderly irish Care caregiver ORI’S ELDER CARE AGENCY Personal care companion.

Help with daily activities; driving, grocery shopping, doctor appts. Required: CNA, Nurse’s Aid, Certificate, honest, reliable, excellent refs, bonded.

Call Ori 415-713-1366

Many years experience, excellent local references, responsible and reliable.

Available days and nights.

Please call for info 415-374-6495.

ORGANIST WEDDINGS • FUNERALS

Email: penaj@sfarchdiocese.org

Worship Services, Catholic Experience Marie DuMabeiller 415-441-3069, Page: 823-3664 VISA, MASTERCARD Accepted Please confirm your event before contracting music!

DENTAL DIRECTORY

Helper available for shopping, errands and babies, one day a week plus afternoons.

Call (415) 587-9463

Tahoe rental

Piano lessons Piano Lessons

FOR RENT

By a Conservatory Graduate

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY

SAN MATEO COUNTY

WILLIAM L. GALLAGHER, D.D.S.

MISSION PLAZA DENTAL

FAMILY DENTISTRY 2345 Noriega Street

(415) 731-0816

WEST PORTAL FAMILY DENTISTRY Caring For and Enhancing Your Smile

– FAMILY DENTISTRY – Fillings Root Canal Therapy

REY P. JOVES, DMS 6879 Mission St., Daly City

650-869-5479

(650) 756-8400

FAMILY DENTISTRY

(650) 756-6968

DOUGLAS D. BOUCHER, D.D.S. 825 OAK GROVE AVE., MENLO PARK (650) 325-8030

and comfort come together

General Dentist

MONTEREY DENTAL OFFICE Cosmetic & Family Dentistry Modern, State-of-the-Art Office Special Discounts for Seniors, Low Income Families & Students

749 Monterey Blvd.

San Francisco, CA 94127 (415) 239-9140

A DENTAL SPA 801 Brewster Avenue, Suite 255 Redwood City, CA 94063 650.367.4967 www.drbarthman.com

THIS SIZE AD COSTS ONLY: 32 per month – 12x $ 41 per month – 8x $ 50 per month – 4x $ 60 one time $

DENTISTS: Reach over 215,000 readers of Catholic San Francisco in our monthly Dental Directory.

Call Mary Podesta (415) 614-5644 or e-mail: podestam@sfarchdiocese.org

Cost $25

If you wish to publish a Novena in the Catholic San Francisco You may use the form below or call 415-614-5640

Specializing in Cosmetic Procedures including Invisalign Invisible Braces, and Zoom!

2 Teeth Whitening.

EDWARD JEAN E. BARTHMAN, D.D.S. WALTER, DDS Where beauty, health,

(415) 563-2717

Pre-payment required Mastercard or Visa accepted

DIANE POOLER, D.D.S.

FAMILY DENTISTRY

2427 Chestnut Street San Francisco, CA 94123

PUBLISH A NOVENA

Smiles are a gift in any language.

RICHMOND DENTAL CARE

415.752.5605

Yearly Recitals At Clarion Hotel $50 mo. once a week lesson

66 San Pedro Rd., #B Daly City, CA 94014

Invisalign Braces Dentures Natural Looking Implants Crowns & Bridges Professional Oral Dental Hygienists Surgery Evening & Saturday Appointments

Children of all levels

Evenings & Weekend Appointments Most Insurance Accepted

26 West Portal Ave., #4 San Francisco (415) 661-7779 In the heart of the Richmond District at 4312 Geary Blvd.

Adult Beginners

Crowns Bridges Dentures Bonding New Patients Welcome

Lake Tahoe large 4 bedroom house sleeps 15. Minutes from Heavenly and casinos, close to all other ski resorts. Great winter or summer for large groups and family reunions.

Still available Thanksgiving and Christmas. Wood burning fireplace, brand new hot tub, in Tahoe Keys, has boat dock.

Ski packages can be arranged. www.tahoevacationhouserentals.com 480-380-3688

Your prayer will be published in our newspaper

Name Adress Phone MC/VISA # Exp.

The Catholic Professional & Business Club of the Archdiocese of San Francisco invites you to its monthly meeting!

Wednesday, November 9, 2005 7:00 to 8:30 a.m.

George Wesolek

Restorative Justice: Hope for the Criminal Justice System George Wesolek was educated in Michigan and Rome, receiving advanced degrees in theology. He also holds an MA in Clinical Psychology.

He has worked at the Archdiocese of San Francisco since 1985. First as Executive Director of the Justice and Peace Commission. Later, as the overall planner and coordinator of the four year Pastoral Planning process, culminating in the promulgation of the plan: A Journey of Hope Toward the Third Millennium. Presently, he is the Director of the Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, which includes issues on the total spectrum of catholic social teaching.

He has written numerous articles for Newspapers and Magazines and is a regular contributor to the Catholic San Francisco. He gives workshops on catholic social teaching nationally and internationally. He is a founding member of California People of Faith Working against the Death Penalty.

About the Catholic Professional & Business Club (CP&BC) You are invited to become a member of the CP&BC of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The CP&BC meets for breakfast on the second Wednesday of the month. At our meetings, Catholic business people come together to share our common faith, to network, and to hear speakers discuss how we can incorporate our spirituality and uphold our ethics in the workplace.

To register as a member of the CP&BC, or to make a reservation for the breakfast meeting, please visit our website at www.cpbc-sf.org. Or fill out the form below, and send it along with your payment.

Questions? Call (415) 614-5579.

SALES MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY

Help Wanted The Brothers and Priests at Riordan are looking for a part time cook for three hours a week from Monday through Friday.

Contact Fr. Russi at (415) 586-8200 ext. 226

Part time Theology Teacher wanted at Junipero Serra High School.

One semester position beginning January 3, 2006.

Please Call 650.345.8207

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

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

Lic.# OB 27214

ADVERTISING SALES This is a Career Opportunity!

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

Please return form with check or money order for $25 Payable to: Catholic San Francisco Advertising Dept., Catholic San Francisco 1 Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

Dear Jesus,

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

I adore You and thank You for being always available to me. I am sorry for my shortcomings and ask Your help in being a witness to You. Only You know what I need. Please assist me in my need.

One Our Father, One Hail Mary. Publication may be made as soon as your favor is granted.

J.Q.

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.

J.P.

We are: One of the largest marketers of financial products in North America, looking for people who want to succeed.

We offer an excellent educational system to teach you our business, a comprehensive support network, and competitive products that are highly desirable to most consumers. Candidates should: Desire an excellent income, be committed to working hard, and posses a strong desire to succeed.

For more information, contact Primerica Financial Services N. Margriet Rensch 866-247-2466

Special Needs Companion Services We are looking for you.

• Honest • Generous • Compassionate • Make a Difference • Respectful

Work Full or Part-time in San Francisco – Marin County • Provide non medical elder care in the home • Generous benefit package Fax your resume to: Jeannie McCullough Stiles, RN 415-435-0421 Send your resume: Jeannie McCullough Stiles, RN Special Needs Nursing, Inc. 98 Main Street, #427 Tiburon, Ca 94920

CLASSIFIED AD INFORMATION

Northern California's Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Saint Mary’s Cathedral San Francisco

For The Largest Publisher of Catholic Church Bulletins

Select One Prayer: ❑ St. Jude Novena to SH ❑ Prayer to St. Jude

19

Monthly Meeting

Helper Organist available

For Information Call: 415-614-5642 Fax: 415-614-5641

Catholic San Francisco

DEADLINE FRIDAY 12 NOON

TO PLACE AN AD: By phone, call (415) 614-5642 or (415) 614-5640 or fax (415) 614-5641 or e-mail: jpena@catholic-sf.org; Mail or bring ads to Catholic San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109; Or by (please include credit card number & expiration date).

COMMERCIAL ADS: 20 words or less $15.00. Extra words 50¢ each. Applies to Businesses,

PRIVATE PARTY ADS: 20 words or less $10.00. Extra words 40¢ each. Applies to Individuals

by telephone, mail, or fax. ONLY VISA or MASTERCARD ACCEPTED.

Services, Real Estate, buying or selling for profit and transportation deales.

PAYMENT: All ads must be paid in advance. Money order, or imprinted checks. Credit Cards

Only: Garage Sales, Help Wanted, Transportation / Vehicles.

CITY METHOD OF PAYMENT

ZIP

❏ CHECK

Classified display ads may be prepaid or billed.

TOTAL ENCLOSED:

ADDRESS

NAME

PHONE

❏ MONEY ORDER

$

❏ VISA

❏ MASTERCARD

CREDIT CARD #

EXP. DATE

SIGNATURE

REFERENCE # leave blank please

RATES: CLASSIFIED DISPLAY $

25 per column inch – 1 time / $20 per col. inch – 2 times

TERMS

We reserve the right to reject or cancel advertising for any reason deemed appropriate. We want our readers to know that it is not always possible to verify promises made by our advertisers.

20

Catholic San Francisco

November 4, 2005

HOLY C RO S S C AT HOL IC C E M E T E RY, C OL M A

Invites you to join us for VETERANS’ DAY MEMORIAL SERVICE (No Mass)

Friday, November 11, 2005 Veterans’ Section Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery – 11:00 a.m.

Chaplains from the Archdiocese of San Francisco in uniform will conduct the memorial ceremony along with the Travis Air Force Base Military Honor guard with taps.

Dear Veterans, There is a beautiful area of Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery dedicated to our courageous men and women in uniform. Flags from all branches of military service stand in honor at the entrance to the Star of the Sea Section. Our Veterans’ Day Memorial Service is held in front of these beautiful flags.

In this current world situation, it is especially important that we gather to remember and honor our military personnel and their families. You are cordially invited to join us in prayer on this special day.

We would also like to let you know that there are gravesites available including cremation graves at a special Veterans’ price in this section. The military memorial is provided by the Veterans’ Admininistration at no charge to the family. We will gladly provide additional information upon request.

Please join us in remembrance of our Veterans and to pray for world peace.

Sincerely,

Holy Cross Cemetery Staff

The Catholic Cemeteries Archdiocese of San Francisco Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery 1500 Mission Road, Colma, CA 94014 650-756-2060

Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery Intersection of Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025 650-323-6375

Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery 270 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, CA 94903 415-479-9020

A Tradition of Faith Throughout Our Lives.