November 21, 2008 by Catholic San Francisco

(PHOTOS FROM “THE HOLOCAUST BY BULLETS”)

Elderly eyewitnesses to mass murders of Jews told their stories to Holocaust expert Father Patrick Desbois.

Priest unearths forgotten chapter of Holocaust By Michael Vick Auschwitz. Treblinka. Birkenau. Names etched forever into the consciousness of a world reeling from the horror of the Holocaust. Around six million died as a direct result of the Nazi’s planned extermination of the Jewish people. But before the death camps, before the gas chambers, before the crematoria, before the mechanization of mass murder, the killing took place face-to-face. Between 1941 and 1944, in the villages and towns of Ukraine, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Western Russia, mobile death squads called Einsatzgruppen slaughtered Jews by the thousands. All told, an estimated 1.5 million perished, fully one-quarter of all Jews killed during the period of genocide. The Einsatzgruppen buried the bodies

in mass graves and strove to remove all evidence. After the war, tensions between the West and the Soviets, along with Soviet anti-Semitism and the unique history of the genocide, conspired to prevent the knowledge of Nazi atrocities from reaching the outside world. Thanks in part to the efforts of French diocesan priest Father Patrick Desbois,

the story of one of the earliest and leastknown chapters of Holocaust history is being told. While visiting San Francisco for a talk on his new book, “The Holocaust by Bullets,” the priest spoke with Catholic San Francisco about his investigation. “War is never finished until we bury the last victim,” Father Desbois said, quoting a Russian proverb. “But time is against us.

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

We have to pass from Poland to Ossetia. It’s the whole continent. It’s like if you say there are mass killings from New York to San Francisco, and you have five years to find all the mass graves. There are mass graves in almost every village.” Father Desbois’ fascination with the Holocaust began in childhood. Born after the war, the priest heard stories about the hard times faced by his family and all of France during the Nazi occupation. His grandfather had been among 25,000 French classified as political enemies and deported to a prison camp near Rawa-Ruska, a Ukrainian town on the border with Poland. “He didn’t want to speak of that,” Father Desbois said. Still, as a young boy the priest was ever curious about what had happened to his grandfather at the camp. Finally, his HOLOCAUST, page 20

U.S. bishops cite abortion concerns in statement BALTIMORE (CNS) – Fears about laws and changes in regulations on abortion that might advance under a new Democratic-run Congress and White House are the central focus of a statement approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Nov. 12 during its annual fall meeting. The majority of the 830-word, untitled statement focuses on concerns about the possible passage of the Freedom of Choice Act, calling it “an evil law that

would further divide our country” and adding that the Church “should be intent on opposing evil.” It warns against interpreting the outcome of the Nov. 4 elections as “a referendum on abortion” and says “aggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans.” (The text of the statement is carried on Page 16.) The statement was crafted during the bishops’ meetBISHOPS’ CONCERNS, page 11

Rome journey, Part III Underground encounter with the apostle Peter By Rick DelVecchio ROME – Msgr. Christopher Nalty, a Diocese of New Orleans priest on assignment for the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy, doubles as a tour guide in the 2,000-year-old necropolis under St. Peter’s Basilica. He was our leader on a sweltering trip through the underground streets of what had been a Roman and early Christian graveyard on the high ground known as Vatican Hill. At the close of the tour Msgr. Nalty led our international pilgrim group in a subterranean Our Father, Hail

Mary and Glory Be, and a petition to St. Peter for a safe journey home. By then all of us were wilting in the damp heat and some were holding ourselves back from leaning on the ancient walls. We held back because we had heard the monsignor warn that touching the antiquities could get us tossed out on the street unless we could explain ourselves quickly in Italian. And we had heard him add that if touching the walls were to get out of hand on these carefully controlled tours, the authorities would not think twice about closing the scavi to the public. The underground Vatican, we were learning, ROME JOURNEY, page 24

Actions at a Glance Key actions taken by the U.S. bishops’ conference at its fall general assembly r Warned the new administration and new Congress that lifting existing federal abortion restrictions would alienate tens of millions of Americans and could be seen as an attack on religious freedom.

r Overwhelmingly approved a liturgical service in English and Spanish for blessing children in the womb.

r Issued a statement on the economic crisis saying the church will continue to reach out to those in need.

r Set goals on priority issues ranging from strengthening marriage to cultural diversity in the church.

r Approved another section of the English translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal.

r Chose the Revised Grail Psalter from Conception Abbey over the Revised New American Bible translation of the Book of Psalms for liturgical use.

r Approved a $144 million budget and a list of plans and programs for 2009.

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Simbang Gabi . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Bestsellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Catholic schools study is complete ~ Page 3 ~ November 21, 2008

Gracenter provides a home and healing ~ Page 5 ~

Charities share their Christmas wish lists ~ Pages 12, 13, 18 ~

SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Classified ads . . . . . . . . 26-27

NEXT ISSUE DEC. 5 VOLUME 10

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No. 36

Catholic San Francisco

November 21, 2008

puter programs at the Belmont school. This weekend the parish is abuzz with a fashion show as well as a holiday boutique with all the trimmings including pictures with the North Pole’s “Himself.” See Datebook. Sandra Larragoiti is IHM principal. Father Stephen Howell is pastor. …. San Francisco’s St. John Elementary School pulled out all the stops for an earthquake drill in October. “We simulated injured students, By Tom Burke missing children and panicking parents,” said Kenneth Willers, principal, who donned a hardhat and bullhorn for the event. Please let me lead a “Heart in the “All 275 students and 25 staff members took Right Place” salute to Kristina Cullinane part,” he said. School mom, parent group and Jeanne Maciejewski, freshmen at president, and US Army Major Christine St. Ignatius College Preparatory, who Borgognoni was chief organizer of the eschewed gifts for themselves for their possibility-of-plight practice. Her daughters October birthdays instead asking those are third-grader, Natalie, and kindergartner, Kenneth Willers remembering them to donate to the Susan G. Chloe. “Christine briefed the faculty and Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The young women raised staff in responding to an `incident’ and in coordinating a more than $1,300 for the cause. “It was a very unselfish act response center,” Ken said. Observers included SFPD and and we are so proud of them,” said mom, Lisa Cullinane for paramedics…. Catholic San Francisco’s seasonal listing herself, Kristina’s dad, Kevin, and Jeanne’s dad, Peter…. of Advent Opportunities opens up in Datebook this week. Immaculate Heart of Mary School is in the green thanks Solemn Vespers at 4 p.m. at the National Shrine of St. to 80 golfers working it up on the green Oct. 18 at the fifth Francis with music by the Shrine Schola, and an organ annual IHM School Golf Tournament and the additional concert by music director, Christoph Tietze, at St. Mary’s 40 or so supporters who turned out for the event dinner Cathedral, at 3:30 p.m. open the pre-Christmas period in the parish’s St. Michael Hall. Proceeds from the links Nov. 30. An Advent Lecture Series on globalization begins outing – this year $9,000 – help fund art, sports and com- Dec. 1 at St. Rita Parish in Fairfax and moms of alums,

On The

Where You Live

Greg Weinman holds the check representing funds raised at recent IHM School Golf Tournament. Also proud of the effort are additional golf committee members, Donald Von Tobel, left, Mike Fadelli, Jeff Margolis, Todd Finato, Larry Firpo and Jamil Haddad.

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

students and former students of Our Lady of Angels School will gather Dec. 11 for an afternoon promising a chance to “renew dear friendships” and reminisce over lunch and chat. There are many more listings, too, and they’re sure to grow over coming weeks. Get out your calendar and see Datebook…. No CSF Nov. 28. Happy Thanksgiving! This is an empty space without you! Send items and pictures via e-mail to burket@sfarchdiocese.org. Mailed items should be sent to “Street,” One Peter Yorke Way, SF 94109. Pix should be hard copy or electronic jpeg at 300 dpi. Don’t forget to include a follow-up phone number. Call me at (415) 614-5634 and I’ll walk you through it.

Congrats to the eighth grade volleyball team from San Domenico schools on taking first in their CYO West Division. San Domenico Panthers are, back from left: Isabelle Salama, Sasha Nagler, Stella Culhane Karjalainen, Annika Hoy, Chandlen Rich, Tiffany Yin, and Brittany Bauman; front from left: Hailey Falk, Paige Connaughton and Morgan Rich. Team members Lauren Monahan and Sarah Mosley were unavailable for the photo.

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Catholic San Francisco

Archdiocesan schools study sent to Archbishop School communities will be receiving individual reports shortly collected. Using both qualitative and quantitative data provides an objective assessment. Based on common characteristics exhibited by successful Catholic schools nationwide, the elementary schools The Council of Priests of the Archdiocese of San were reviewed in light of their Catholic spirit, leadership Francisco in the fall of 2007 commissioned a compre- (pastor and principal), excellence in education and their hensive study of the archdiocesan elementary schools. To quantitative and temporal life. Each school received a facilitate this process a Catholic School Study Committee score on each characteristic. The total score was rated as of the Council of Priests was formed. The commit- a Level 1 – 5, from strong to low or nonviable. tee reviewed the The data collection and analysis have been completed. A work of several master report has consulting firms been delivered to and decided to George … the Catholic community … Archbishop engage the serH. Niederauer, vices of Catholic of San (will) engage in a ‘think-tank’ Archbishop Education Francisco, and to Consulting me as superintenprocess to generate creative Services, LLC dent of Catholic (CECS). The job schools. Each was to assess the Catholic elemenideas about strategic actions status of each tary school pastor parish and arch- Maureen Huntington and ways to implement them. and principal will diocesan elemenbe receiving a copy tary school, develop criteria for The results … will be passed along of the school’s the viability of the school and specific report recommend strategic action shortly. plans that could ensure the to a strategic action committee…. After each pasfuture of Catholic school edutor and principal cation in the Archdiocese. has had an opporCECS began its work by collecting and analyzing both tunity to review their individual school report, the local qualitative and quantitative data from the 2007-08 school and archdiocesan work begins. Archbishop Niederauer, in year. Researchers developed a “characteristics profile” collaboration with the Council of Priests and Department of successful schools and applied research techniques to of Catholic Schools (DCS), will select a group of people assess each school and rate its viability. The qualitative from the Catholic community to engage in a “think-tank” data was derived from interviews, surveys, observations, process to generate creative ideas about strategic actions assessments of relationship, and historical perspective and ways to implement them. The results of this process information. Qualitative data provides additional per- will be passed along to a strategic action committee to spective and wisdom. begin implementation of the recommendations and action Quantitative data was based on statistics. The steps. This committee will be made up of representatives knowledge and understanding of demographics, enroll- of the Council of Priests, pastors, DCS, school adminment trends, economic projections, financial statistics, istrators from each county, the Archdiocesan Board of accounting practices and facility assessment data were Education and members of the Catholic community.

By Maureen Huntington Superintendent of Catholic Schools Archdiocese of San Francisco

Fall 2008

At the same time, each Catholic elementary school community will be reviewing and acting on recommendations from the study that pertain to their specific school. No school has been targeted to close based on the study. Schools and their communities who have been rated as Level 5 will have an opportunity to identify needed changes and time to make them. Much will depend on the capacity of the Archdiocese, parishes and schools to face the fiscal issues which have been identified, including facility challenges. As this process proceeds, additional information and reports will appear in Catholic San Francisco. The prayers of the entire Catholic community are needed as this very critical project moves forward.

A little goes a long way here Each day the St. Vincent de Paul Society renews the lives of thousands of men, women and children throughout the Bay Area. We place homeless families into housing. We prevent utilities from being shut-off. We help people break free from addiction or rebuild their lives after prison. We shelter abused women and children escaping life-threatening violence. We offer a fresh change of clothes for a crucial job interview. Sometimes we just provide a clean bed or a hot meal that allows a person to get through the day. Your gift helps more than you know.

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Holy Father sends blessing Archbishop to celebrate Simbang Gabi Mass Dec. 13 By Rick DelVecchio Filipino-American Catholics in the San Francisco area are planning their most expansive Simbang Gabi novena ever, with a Dec. 13 â&#x20AC;&#x153;commissioning Massâ&#x20AC;? to be celebrated by Archbishop George Niederauer at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral as participants go forth to their parishes to make the Christmas tradition an Archdiocese-wide event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the first such Mass in the Archdiocese to usher in Simbang Gabi, a novena that begins Dec. 15 (if in the evening) or Dec. 16 (if in the morning),â&#x20AC;? organizer Nellie Hizon said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For Nanette and Louie Gaerlan (left photo) of St. Stephen Parish, San Francisco, and Carmelita Aoay (right) several years, individual parishes have taken part in past parol lantern making workshops. celebrated Simbang Gabi quite in isolation, with no formal recogniHizon, a member of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, preparation is the perfect time to ponder how this light inflution on the archdiocesan level. It was a plain novena of Masses. Held in most parishes at odd â&#x20AC;&#x201C;too early â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hours, it said all parishes were informed of the event this year and ences our thoughts, actions and spiritual lives.â&#x20AC;? Simbang Gabi, or Mass at Dawn, is a nine-day novena 27 are participating in the novena. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The idea is to have nonalmost seemed like an underground church activity.â&#x20AC;? Filipinos be aware of a beautiful spiritual tradition from the to prepare for Christmas. Traditionally, the novena begins Dec. 16, as early as 4 a.m. Philippines,â&#x20AC;? she said. Translated literally, Simbang Gabi means Mass at Night, Adding to the interest in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Simbang Gabi, Hizon received an answer to a letter she wrote Pope Benedict XVI for it is dark as night when this Mass is celebrated. In or about 1587, the Spanish missionary friars in the asking that he send his special blessings to Filipinos for their devotion to the Christmas tradition. She wrote the letter before Philippines held a series of Masses outdoors to prepare for traveling to New York last April to hear the pontiff speak at Christmas. Celebrated in the early morning hours when Yankee Stadium. Through a contact who attended a reception roosters crow, the Mass became known as Misa de Gallo, Dec. 15-23, (evening): meaning Mass of the Rooster. This gave the farmers and with the pope, the letter found its way into his hands. â&#x20AC;˘ 6:30 p.m: St. Veronica fishermen a chance to hear Mass before setting out for the The archdiocesan chancellor, Father Michael Padazinski, â&#x20AC;˘ 7 p.m: Epiphany, Corpus Christi, St. Andrew, St. fields or upon returning from the sea. wrote Hizon June 5 on behalf of the Vatican Secretary of Augustine, St. Elizabeth, St. Paul of the Shipwreck, Worshipers at the commissioning Mass will bring parols, State. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Know that the Holy Father has asked that I convey to at St. Matthew with St. Bartholomew, St. Catherine, or Filipino lanterns, which are traditional Christmas symthe Filipino community of the Archdiocese of San Francisco St. Gregory, St. Luke, St. Mark, St. Timothy bols in the homeland. Also on Dec. 13, the annual Filipino his prayerful support and Apostolic Blessing in anticipation â&#x20AC;˘ 7:30 p.m: Holy Angels, Our Lady of Mercy lantern festival and parade will be held in downtown San of the upcoming celebration of Simbang Gabi,â&#x20AC;? he wrote. Dec. 16-24 (morning): The commissioning Mass will be â&#x20AC;&#x153;the first such celebra- Francisco. â&#x20AC;˘ 5:30 a.m.: Holy Name of Jesus, Our Lady of A parol is a traditional Filipino Christmas decoration, tion in the Archdiocese and will give all who attend a chance Perpetual Help to be inspired by this very prayerful and joyous celebration,â&#x20AC;? a five-pointed star originally made of thin bamboo frames â&#x20AC;˘ 6 a.m.: St. John the Evangelist, St. Patrick (San said Doug Benbow, the cathedralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director of liturgy and and covered with colored cellophane or rice paper. It can Francisco), at St. Stephenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with St. Anne of the have two tails that serve as the rays of the star and remind Christian initiation. Sunset, St. Brendan, St. Cecilia, St. Emydius, St. Benbow continued: â&#x20AC;&#x153; The most important thing for those Filipino Christians of the star of Bethlehem. Finn Barr, St. Gabriel, Star of the Sea. Today, parols have become more colorful because of the who attend this event is to take away the notion of each twinkling bulbs in dazzling patterns lighting each lantern. individual being a reflection of the light of Christ â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in their Partial observation: A parol symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, and homes, at work or school and where they recreate. Building â&#x20AC;˘ St. Bruno: (triduum) 5 a.m. on Dec. 22, 23 and 24 evokes the shared faith and hope of humankind. the kingdom of God is what we are commissioned to do, by â&#x20AC;˘ Mater Dolorosa: (triduum) 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 21, 22 For more information on the Dec. 13 Mass, contact reflecting the light of Christ, which has led us since the day and 23 Doug Benbow at (415) 567-2020 or Nellie Hizon at (415) of our baptism and will continue to lead us until we stand â&#x20AC;˘ All Souls: 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 21. in the presence of that light in eternity. This time of Advent 699-7927.

Many parishes schedule Simbang Gabi novena:

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Â&#x192;Â&#x203A; Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192; Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2022;ÇŁ What is Happening in History? History and Hope

Inspiring a Wholehearted Faith in a Half hearted Age

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FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Author and lecturer Gil Bailie is a Catholic layman who draws on the work of RenĂŠ Girard to affirm the uniqueness and universality of Christian faith, and to encourage the catechetical revitalization that Girardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work makes possible. WWW.CORNERSTONE FORUM.ORG/EMMAUS Č&#x2039;ÍşÍ¸Í¸Č&#x152; ÍˇÍ˛Í¸ÇŚÍˇÍśÍˇÍł

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Newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Francisco

Most Reverend George H. Niederauer, publisher Maurice E. Healy, associate publisher & executive editor Editorial Staff: Dan Morris-Young, editor: morrisyoungd@sfarchdiocese.org; Rick DelVecchio, assistant editor: delvecchior@sfarchdiocese.org; Tom Burke, â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the Streetâ&#x20AC;?/Datebook: burket@sfarchdiocese.org; Michael Vick, reporter: vickm@sfarchdiocese.org

Production: Karessa McCartney-Kavanaugh, manager Business Office: Marta Rebagliati, assistant business manager; Julio Escobar, circulation and subscriber services Advisory Board: Fr. John Balleza, Deacon Jeffery Burns, Ph. D., James Clifford, Fr. Thomas Daly, Nellie Hizon, James Kelly, Sr. Sheral Marshall, OSF, Deacon Bill Mitchell, Teresa Moore.

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 Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 21, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

Gracenter: recovering women enjoy a home for holidays By Julie Benbow Home for the holidays! The phrase conjures up heartwarming images of families and friends celebrating the season together. For persons in recovery, however, holidays can be either one of the most difficult or rewarding emotional experiences of their lives. And for the women residents at San Francisco’s Gracenter this might be their first holiday sober (and clean) for years – or even since childhood. Established in 1984 by the Good Shepherd Sisters, this state-licensed sixmonth residential treatment center is for women ages 18-35 recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Gracenter is home to 13 residents of varied religious, social and economic backgrounds. Many are referred through city and county agencies. When they reach Gracenter, most have little emotional support and few financial resources (program costs average $4,500 a month). They feel hopeless and alone. Gracenter offers them an opportunity and tools to move from addiction to sobriety, independent living and employment. This can lead to renewed, healthy relationships with their children and others, and the strength to break the cycle of addiction, abuse and homelessness. To secure a place at Gracenter, a woman is required to make a full commitment to the program. While based on the12-steps recovery regime, the program offers an holistic recovery experience that encompasses spirituality, therapy, education and life skills. All are firmly based on the four values of the Good Shepherd Sisters: compassion, reconciliation, zeal and mercy. Founder, Sister Mary Euphrasia, taught, “A person is worth more than the world.” The Sisters live by this and the recovery experience is firmly based upon it. The Sisters, led by Sister Elizabeth Schille (“Sister Liz”), number seven from five countries. Licensed Sisters work directly with the residents, but all imbue the program with their mission: awakening in each one a sense of their own unique worth and inestimable value; and creating programs and environments where each person can grow and reach their full potential. There are few residential recovery facilities for the significant number of young women from all socio-economic

A Gracenter resident works on a banner for a recent “Rally for Recovery” event in San Francisco.

backgrounds suffering from alcohol and/or substance abuse, and the picture is growing worse. Programs are closing due to lack of funding. Often jail becomes the default option. Embarking on the journey to recovery requires faith and courage. Many of the women entering Gracenter feel they have neither. After completing the six-month program, many have both and more. Recently, on the day before her graduation from the program, a vibrant 27-year-old reflected on her life before Gracenter: “I was using and drinking all the time. I was really, really tired of going to jail, tired of sleeping on the street, of feeling like I was never going to be able to get out of the rut that I was in. I was hopeless and out there so long – two years. I felt like this is my life now. I’ll never accomplish anything. I’ve lost my daughter, lost my place and my job. I was stewing in my guilt, shame and self pity.” Today, she has been clean and sober for eight months, has a job, is in contact with her daughter and is moving into transitional housing. She readily admits not being quite ready to live independently, but is looking forward to keeping in contact with her new friends at Gracenter by attending weekly meetings as part of the three-month after-care program. An important part of Gracenter residency is a commitment to this transitional program that allows graduates to stay connected and supported, and to act as mentors to current residents. GRACENTER, page 26

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Catholic San Francisco

November 21, 2008

Sister Maria Hsu to speak on China

Guadalupe event set at St. Thomas

The San Francisco County Council of Catholic Women will meet Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Cecilia Parish’s Green Room, 17th Ave. at Vicente in San Francisco. The evening’s speaker will be Canossian Sister Maria Hsu, director of the Office of Ethnic Ministry for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. She will address “The Catholic Church in China.” Parking is available in schoolyard. For more information, call Cathy Mibach at (415) 753-0234.

A Mass and reception honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, 40th Ave. and Balboa St. in San Francisco, will take place Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. The liturgy and evening will include music by mariachi musicians, Aztec dancers, and food. The feast day for Our Lady of Guadalupe is Dec. 12. For more information, call (415) 387-5545.

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Posadas kicks off at Dec. 16 event Posadas Christmas celebration at Mission Dolores Basilica, 16th St. at Dolores in San Francisco is scheduled Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. A mariachi band and holiday song with candy-filled piñatas for the children will be among highlights of the evening. Tamales, pastries and snacks will be served. Parking is available in schoolyard. For more information, call Bob or Kati Huerta at (415) 2399107 or Gloria DeLeon at (415) 334-3549. Beginning Dec. 16 and ending Dec. 24, Posadas is a yearly tradition for many Catholic Mexicans and other Latin americans and symbolizes the trials which Mary and Joseph might have endured before finding a place to stay and where Jesus could be born.

Cistercian to speak Well-known author and lecturer on prayer, contemplation and meditation, Trappist Father Thomas Keating will offer a public lecture from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, as a kickoff to a weekend workshop Dec. 13-14. The $15 lecture will be at the California Institute for Integral Studies, 1453 Mission St., San Francisco. The workshop (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday) will be at the San Francisco Womens Building, 3543 18th St.; cost is $195 and includes lecture. For more information, visit www.ciis.edu.

Bishop Gumbleton starts off Advent lecture series Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, an internationally known peace activist and the founding president of Pax Christi USA, will speak at 7 p.m. at St. Rita Parish, 100 Marinda Dr., Fairfax, on Dec. 1, the first lecturer in an Advent series at the parish. For more information, call Noele Kostelic at (415) 456-4815. The bishop is the retired auxiliary of Detroit, Mich.

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November 21, 2008

CCHD grants announced; collection set this weekend By Michael Vick The Catholic Campaign for Human Development has awarded $25,000 grants to three Bay Area groups as part of its annual nationwide fund distribution to charities focused on root causes of poverty. One organization was chosen for each of the three counties in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The annual CCHD collection will be taken in parishes of the Archdiocese this weekend. One fourth of the collection stays with the Archdiocese and 75 percent goes to the national CCHD effort. In San Mateo County, the award went to Nuestra Casa, a community education

organization working to increase civic participation and economic self-sustainability in the Latino immigrant population in East Palo Alto. The Chinese Progressive Association, a San Francisco-based group, works to improve living and working conditions for low-income workers in San Francisco’s Chinese community. The award in Marin County went to the Marin Organizing Committee which has built a coalition of religious, labor and civic institutions with the goal of shaping public policy to reflect the common good. All three organizations have received CCHD funding in past years.

St. Ignatius College Preparatory presents

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Annual Guadalupana Pilgrimage and Mass to take place on Dec. 6 pal celebrant of a Mass for pilgrims scheduled at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral. Pilgrims will include Auxiliary Bishop William Justice and Father John Balleza, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Redwood City and chaplain to the Guadalupana Crusade. Return shuttles from the Cathedral to All Souls will run from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. For further information, call (415) 333-4868.

The Annual Guadalupana Pilgrimage from All Souls Church, 315 Walnut St. in South San Francisco to St. Mary’s Cathedral, Gough and Geary Blvd. in San Francisco, will take place Dec. 6. The pilgrimage commences at approximately 6 a.m. following morning commemoration of Our Lady of Guadalupe and blessing of the pilgrims at All Souls. Archbishop George H. Niederauer will be princi-

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Walk for Life 2009 organizing continues Youth participation in the 5th Annual Walk for Life West Coast on Jan. 24 is being emphasized by organizers who have scheduled a Dec. 14, 4-7 p.m., “planning party” for high school youth, parents and educators. For information, call (415) 664-2100, e-mail highschools4life@gmail.com, or visit www.walkforlifewc.com. More than 30 volunteers met Nov. 8 at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, San Francisco, to work on the organization and implementation of the 2.5-mile pro-life pilgrimage from San Francisco’s Justin Herman Plaza and to the Marina Green. The event drew 25,000 participants last year. Volunteers pictured are, left to right, kneeling: Sarah Massell, Grace Meihaus, Trina Abayon, Kimberly Ruiz, Jacqueline Lee, Dolores Meehan (founder), Emily Massell and Mary Meihaus; middle: Laura Violetti, Eileen Bellamy, Gerald and Grace Hill, Kelly Connelly, Edie Black, Karen Hodel, Eva Muntean (founder), Almudena Fernandez, Poischa Sanders and Judy Parcher; back: Joe Devenley, Michael Wilmer, Richard Perez, Tom Schoellhammer, Vasu Murti, Steve Hagarty, Ralph Desimone and Mark Walsh.

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Now I… x appreciate the transportation she has to medical appointments, the pharmacy, shopping and outings. x eat lunch with mom at Vintage Golden Gate. x know that housekeeping and home maintenance is taken care of. x have peace of mind that she is taking her medications. x rest assured that she is socializing and making new friends. x enjoy the time I spend with mom.

Catholic San Francisco

November 21, 2008

Sister Miriam: ‘Remember me with prayers and a smile’ also helped out. “When you look into Sister’s eyes you know you’re looking at a saint,” John Farrell There’s no doubt about it. Sister Miriam Walsh, said. “She is a wonderful woman, kindness at work. soon to retire from an almost 30-year pastoral care When you meet someone like Sister Miriam with ministry at Laguna Honda Hospital, will be missed. such a passion for what she does there is nothing Sister Miriam began at Laguna Honda as a volunteer better in the world.” joining the pastoral care staff in 1981. Since that “Sister Miriam Walsh was the first and founding time she has helped oversee a pastoral program to chaplain for the Laguna Honda Hospice when it patients (often numbering more than a thousand at opened in 1988,” said Dr. Derek Kerr of the hospital’s a time with stays for many at longer than five years) Hospice and Palliative Care Service. “Her understandand a volunteer corps of more than 300. ing and affinity for the feelings of distressed and A member of the Mission Helpers of the Sacred bereaved family members was exceptional. She also Heart of Baltimore, Md., the Brooklyn native and San had a remarkable calling for working with the elderly Francisco transplant entered religious life in 1949. and brought much personal warmth and sunshine into “I’m from Brooklyn,” Sister Miriam told their last days. However, she had no qualms about Catholic San Francisco. “That’s where I get my ministering to our younger and sometimes rowdier pigheadedness,” she added with a laugh. patients. There was always a sparkle of joy and love She and her family moved to San Francisco with Sister Miriam’s interactions, no matter how in 1944. After several years with a local bank, gloomy or testy the situation.” she chose religious life, a commitment her sister, “For decades Sister Miriam Walsh has been a Maura, had already made. Sister Maura now resides tireless advocate for San Francisco’s seniors,” said in retirement at the Mission Helpers’ Baltimore Dr. Maria Rivero, an attending physician at Laguna motherhouse. Honda. “Sister Miriam counseled and consoled “I decided to be a Sister in the third grade,” residents and families, organized volunteers and made Sister Miriam, 82, recalled happily, “even though sure that Catholic residents went to Mass, received God knows I wasn’t a holy Joe. I wanted to spend Communion and anointing of the sick. She was availSister Miriam Walsh, left, and Kay Bromley have been friends since my life helping others.” able 24 hours a day, seven days a week when needed. Bromley’s mother, now deceased, was admitted to Laguna Honda Though Sister Miriam joined Laguna Honda On the Spanish Focus Community, many residents Hospital in the mid-nineties. “I visited my mom and suddenly I was a three decades ago, her good work started long before and families benefited from her calm and reassuring with assignments in Arizona, Colorado, New York, presence and her ability to communicate with our resivolunteer,” Bromley said. “No one can turn down Sister Miriam.” Central America and Puerto Rico. “What attracted dents in Spanish. Her devotion to the frail elderly and me to the Mission Helpers was that they used to disabled at Laguna Honda will be dearly missed.” knock on doors, visit homes and reach out to people.” Her thousands who have struggled with the serious ailments that Sister Miriam admits it is hard to leave the place she’s work included showing catechists how best to communicate come with advanced age. I know I join many, many priests called home and the people she’s called friends for three the faith. “It’s different than a regular subject,” she said, “and of the Archdiocese in thanking her for her loving response decades. “I’ll miss the warmth of the patients and the to those in need.” not just memorizing the Catechism.” people I’ve come to know,” she said, continuing to resound Sister Loretta Cornell, Mission Helpers president, will her call for volunteers. “We need eucharistic ministers and Sister Miriam holds a certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education from North Carolina’s Duke University and attend Sister Miriam’s retirement reception Dec. 7 at Laguna others, too.” began in chaplaincy at a South Carolina facility. “In doing Honda. Retirement will keep Sister Miriam in San Francisco for “Sister Miriam Walsh is a passionate person and very the near future. “I’m going to stay in the City at least until that work and my field work at Duke I realized how well I related to visiting the sick. I thought that was where the hard working,” Sister Loretta told Catholic San Francisco. May.” She might be back at the hospital as a volunteer if “She would keep on going if her body would let her. She her health, now somewhat complicated by a recent small Church should be.” Archbishops John Quinn, William Levada and now loves the people at Laguna Honda. Sister Miriam is a witness stroke, allows. George Niederauer have led the Archdiocese of San of how The Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart spread the “Please remember me with prayers and a smile,” Sister Francisco during her tenure. “Each of them has come here love of Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit with zeal and fire. Miriam said. “I love San Francisco and I love Laguna Honda, to say Mass and get to know the program,” Sister Miriam How blessed the people at Laguna Honda Hospital are to especially the patients who show great courage through their have her as an advocate and how blessed we are to have her illness and disabilities.” said, “and they all have been very supportive of me.” “Sister Miriam Walsh has been tireless in her commit- as a Mission Helper of the Sacred Heart.” A reception honoring Sister Miriam will take place at Claudette and John Farrell, longtime members of St. Laguna Honda Hospital, 375 Laguna Honda Blvd., Dec. ment to Laguna Honda,” said Auxiliary Bishop William J. Justice. “She is well known for her work at the hospital Brendan Parish, have volunteered in Sister Miriam’s program 7 from 1 – 4 p.m. in the facility’s third floor library. The over the years including her responsibility in recruiting and for the last six years. Daughters Stephanie and Kristin have public is invited. training volunteers; working with Father Te Van Nguyen and Independent Living | Assisted Living all other past and present chaplains in coordinating Masses; answering staff questions regarding the needs of Catholic Memory Care | Skilled Nursing patients; organizing annual events; and her daily visits with residents. Sister has truly been an ardent advocate for the

By Tom Burke

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Bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concern . . . ing in Baltimore and involved a total of nearly three hours of discussion during executive and public sessions Nov. 11. Under USCCB policies, statements drafted outside the usual committee approval process may be issued by the conference president on behalf of the bishops. Among other meeting actions, the bishops approved a statement on the economy, a blessing for children in the womb and a second section of the Roman Missal translation. They gave five task forces the authority to develop Church priorities up to 2011 on issues ranging from strengthening marriage to addressing cultural diversity. They also approved a budget of $144 million, a 2.25 percent increase from 2008, and they elected a conference secretaryelect and chairmen-elect for five committees: pro-life activities, cultural diversity, communications, doctrine and national collections. In their statement on the economic crisis, approved Nov. 11, they reminded people that â&#x20AC;&#x153;we are our brothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and sistersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; keepers. We are all in this together.â&#x20AC;? Adopted in a voice vote, the brief statement released by Cardinal George on behalf of the bishops noted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;hard times can isolate us or they can bring us together.â&#x20AC;? (See text, Page 13.) â&#x20AC;&#x153;As pastors and bishops, we see the many human and moral consequences of this crisis,â&#x20AC;? the statement said. Though the impact of the crisis is greater in some regions of the country, families all across the nation are losing their homes, workers are losing their jobs and health care coverage, retirement savings are threatened and people are losing the sense of hope and security, it continued. Despite some continued criticism that the latest English translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal is plagued by obscure wording and sentences that are too long, the bishops approved another lengthy section of the translation Nov. 11. Needing affirmation by two-thirds of the 264 Latin-rite U.S. bishops, or 176 bishops, the heavily amended translation of the Proper of the Seasons â&#x20AC;&#x201C; made up of the proper prayers for Sundays and feast days during the liturgical year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; received 189 votes in favor and 30 against. During the bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meeting in Orlando, Fla., in June, the document failed to receive a required two-thirds majority. The translation now goes to the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments for confirmation. The first section of the missal came before the bishops in 2006 and was

(CNS PHOTO/NANCY WIECHEC)

â&#x2013; Continued from cover

Coadjutor Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento speaks from the floor Nov. 11 at the annual fall meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.

confirmed by the Vatican earlier this year. To fill a gap in existing prayer books, the U.S. bishops overwhelmingly approved a liturgical service in English and Spanish for blessing children in the womb. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., praised the new blessing as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a tangible way to witness pastorally and sacramentally to the life of the unborn childâ&#x20AC;? and said it could also serve as an opportunity for parishes to bring together expectant couples for mutual support. The document also must be sent to the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. The bishops later chose the Revised Grail Psalter produced by the monks of Conception Abbey in Missouri for liturgical use in the U.S. The decision also must be confirmed by the Vatican. In a report to the bishops Nov. 11, Auxiliary Bishop Roger P. Morin of New Orleans explained that the Catholic Campaign for Human Development cut off funding earlier this year to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, known as ACORN, for reasons unrelated to the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current troubles over voter registration and partisan politics. Bishop Morin, chair of CCHD subcommittee, said the bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; domestic anti-poverty program in June suspended $1.13 million in previously authorized grants to ACORN affiliates. The

Catholic San Francisco

annual CCHD collection in the Archdiocese of San Francisco is this weekend. Bishop Morin explained that the CCHD action followed the revelation June 2 that Dale Rathke, the brother of ACORN founder Wade Rathke, had embezzled nearly $1 million from the organization. In an action related to key priorities established earlier by the bishops, the prelates agreed to grant five task forces the authority to address a wide range of issues.The task forces are on faith formation and sacramental practice; strengthening marriage; the life and dignity of the human person; cultural diversity in the Church, and the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. The task forces are expected to come back to the 2009 fall general assembly with detailed reports.

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Catholic San Francisco

NEWS

November 21, 2008

in brief

(CNS PHOTO/FINBARR O’REILLY, REUTERS)

Address suffering, says pope VATICAN CITY (CNS) – More must be done to remedy the poverty, conflicts and neglect that lead to the suffering or death of millions of children around the world, Pope Benedict XVI said. The pope said he hoped the gross imbalances between developed and underdeveloped countries and the rich and poor would be “repaired as soon as possible with resolute action in favor of our smallest brothers and sisters.” Many children around the world urgently need help, the pope said Nov. 15 during a private audience with participants of a Vatican-sponsored conference on “The Pastoral Care in the Treatment of Sick Children.”

Father Vitale detained TUCSON – Franciscan Father Louis Vitale, former pastor of St. Boniface Parish in San Francisco, was one of three taken into custody at Ft. Huachuca in Arizona Nov. 18 during a protest against torture. More than 200 people gathered at the fort, home of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center, to protest inhumane treatment and abuse of detainees from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Father Vitale entered the base to deliver a letter denouncing torture to fort commander Maj. Gen. John Custer. The priest was released with a formal letter barring him from entering the base for one year. Father Vitale had earlier been arrested at a similar 2006 protest and served five months in prison. The priest will be a featured speaker at an Advent lecture series at St. Rita Parish in Fairfax Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.

Faith, family can overcome LOS ANGELES (CNS) – During this period of “severe economic downturn,” Christians must focus on faith and family rather than fear, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los

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A severely malnourished infant hangs limp from her mother’s back at a Catholic mission feeding center in rebel-held Rutshuru, 50 miles north of Goma, in eastern Congo, Nov. 13. Aid workers began feeding tens of thousands of people who had gone hungry during fighting in rebel-held areas of eastern Congo.

Angeles said in a brief pastoral letter titled “Worrisome Times.” The cardinal said the economic crisis offers families an opportunity to return to the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas this year and on networking.

‘Educate Catholics in politics’ VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Catholic Church must strengthen efforts to educate and assist lay Catholics involved in politics so the positions they hold and the policies they promote reflect the values of the faith they profess, Pope Benedict XVI said. Meeting members of the Pontifical Council for the Laity Nov. 15, the pope emphasized the need to educate lay Catholics to play their proper role in building a world of justice, charity and protection of human rights. “In a special way, I reaffirm the necessity and urgency of the evangelical formation and pastoral accompaniment of a new generation of Catholics involved in politics, that they would be coherent with their professed faith,” morally upright, professional and passionate about serving the common good, he said.

White powder mailed to KCs NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CNS) – A mailroom and printing plant at the Knights of Columbus headquarters in New Haven remained closed Nov. 14 while the local FBI office investigated a white powder contained in an envelope mailed from California. David Rhieu, chief division counsel at the FBI office in New Haven, said he

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Army returns Baghdad college VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The U.S. Army has returned the Pontifical Babel College for Philosophy and Theology in Baghdad to the Chaldean Catholic Church, promising to repair or replace anything damaged while U.S. soldiers occupied the buildings, Vatican Radio reported. The seminarians, students and staff left the complex in January 2007, temporarily moving the college programs to northern Iraq because the students and staff were not safe in the college’s neighborhood in Baghdad. Three months later, the U.S. Army occupied the buildings as a “combat outpost.”

Vatican: ‘attack on life’ VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Withholding nutrition and hydration from a woman in a persistent vegetative state is a serious, inadmissible attack on life, said two Vatican officials. Italy’s top appeals court refused Nov. 13 to overturn a lower-court decision allowing the withdrawal of the nasogastric tube that has kept Eluana Englaro alive for more than 16 years. For years, Englaro’s father had been pursuing a legal battle to allow his daughter to die.

Father Bourgeois defies Vatican WASHINGTON (CNS) – Despite being threatened with excommunication by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois said he would not recant his belief that women should be ordained as Catholic priests. “There’s nothing that Rome can do to me to take away the peace, the clarity I have on this issue,” Father Bourgeois told Catholic News Service Nov. 12. “No matter what the consequences, I feel I am doing the right thing.” Father Bourgeois sent a letter to congregation officials Nov. 7 outlining his stance on women’s ordination. The 69-year-old priest said his letter was in response to an Oct. 21 notice from the Vatican congregation, headed by Cardinal William J. Levada, that gave him 30 days to recant his belief and public statements about the ordination of women or be excommunicated.

Remarks on Obama repudiated WASHINGTON (CNS) – The administrator of the Diocese of Charleston, S.C., said a pastor who told parishioners they should refrain from receiving Communion if they voted for President-elect Barack Obama did not “adequately reflect the Catholic Church’s teaching” on abortion and conscience. “Any statements or comments to the contrary are repudiated,” Msgr. Martin T. Laughlin said in a Nov. 14 statement. Father Jay Scott Newman of St. Mary’s Church in Greenville, S.C., said in a letter to parishioners Catholics who voted for Obama, who supports legalized abortion, would have to be reconciled through the sacrament of penance before receiving Communion again.

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could not comment on whether the letter containing the powder could be linked to similar envelopes received at the national headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City and a Mormon temple in Los Angeles.

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November 21, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Solidarity at a Time of Economic Crisisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Following is the text of a statement titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Solidarity at a Time of Economic Crisisâ&#x20AC;? adopted Nov. 11 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As the Catholic bishops of the United States gather in Baltimore and as servants of Jesus our hope, we bring with us our concern for people in our dioceses, and we want to express our active support and solidarity with

all those who are being hurt by the current economic crisis. As pastors and bishops, we see the many human and moral consequences of this crisis. Clearly, the impact is greater in some regions than others. However, across our nation families are losing their homes; retirement savings are threatened; workers are losing jobs and health care; and many people are losing a

California bishops: marriage basic to well being of humanity Following is the text of a statement issued by the Catholic bishops of California on Nov. 11 addressing the passage of Proposition 8 on Nov. 4. The recent vote on Proposition 8 and the reaction by some of those who opposed it make it very clear that there is a fundamental difference in the understanding of marriage between those who voted â&#x20AC;&#x153;yesâ&#x20AC;? and those who voted â&#x20AC;&#x153;no.â&#x20AC;? We believe that marriage, which predates both Church and government, is an institution that arose from the reality that the union of a man and a woman is necessary for the continuation of the human race. Those opposed to Proposition 8 believe marriage to be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;civil rightâ&#x20AC;? analogous to the right to vote. As we said in our original statement of support for Proposition 8, same-sex unions are not the same as opposite-sex unions. The radical change in the definition of marriage to include same-sex partners discounts both history and biology and ignores how deeply marriage â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as the union of a man and a woman â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is embedded in our culture, language, and laws and how foundational it is for the well-being of children and the flourishing of society. To change the definition of marriage to include any two adults diminishes the institution to mean only a legal partnership. Under present law domestic partners continue to have the rights and benefits of married couples in the State of California. It is our conviction that it is not necessary to change the definition of marriage to protect those rights and benefits. It is our hope that all those engaged in discourse on this issue will do so respectfully and in a civil manner.

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sense of hope and security. This disturbing and complicated situation brings home a universal truth: we are all children of God. We are our brothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and sistersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; keepers. We are all in this together. Hard times can isolate us or they can bring us together. The Catholic community will continue to reach out to those in need, stand with those who are hurt, and work for policies that bring greater compassion, accountability and justice to economic life. Pope Benedict XVI has outlined our goals in his 2008 World Day of Peace message: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The family needs to have a home,

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employment, and a just recognition of the domestic activity of parents, the possibility of schooling for children, and basic health care for all.â&#x20AC;? He also insists that society and public policy should be â&#x20AC;&#x153;committed to assisting the family in these areas.â&#x20AC;? We offer our prayers for the families and individuals, our sisters and brothers, who are hurting, anxious or discouraged in these difficult times. We also pledge our prayers for our wounded nation and suffering world. We pray that, working together, we can find the courage, wisdom and ways to build an economy of prosperity and greater justice for all.

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Catholic San Francisco

November 21, 2008

Local charities’ Christmas wish lists T

he following organizations welcome your help this holiday season and year-round. For reasons of confidentiality and privacy, several of the groups (see Drop-off site) ask that donors contact them before delivering a donation. Mailing addresses shown at top of listings can accept monetary and gift certificate donations without having to visit the site. Please visit the groups’ websites to make donations on-line. For more information, contact the individual groups at the numbers and/or e-mail addresses shown.

St. Anthony Foundation 150 Golden Gate Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 592-2700 • www.stanthonysf.org St. Anthony Foundation provides a network of lifesustaining services to San Francisco’s poor and homeless residents and helps with longer-term issues like mental health, drug and alcohol recovery, and job retention. In community with volunteers, donors and guests, we work on long-term solutions to homelessness and hunger. Christmas and Thanksgiving weeks 121 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. weekdays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. weekends Call (415) 592-2737 All other times 801 Mission St., San Francisco Call (415) 592-2700

WISH LIST Socks and underwear: new and unopened Shampoo and hand lotion Toothpaste and toothbrushes Blankets Gloves Rain ponchos 25 lb. bags of rice, beans and flour Turkeys, large hams and other meats Home-sized canned meat, soup, and vegetables 2009 date books

A guest enjoys the daily meal at St. Anthony Dining Room in San Francisco, perhaps the most well known facet of the St. Anthony Foundation.

BIG REQUESTS 1,800 new cold-weather hats for Christmas bags Annual piano tuning at the Madonna Senior Residence

Good Shepherd Gracenter 1310 Bacon St. San Francisco, CA 94134 (415) 577-5765 • www.gsgracenter.org charee@gsgracenter.org Good Shepherd Gracenter, owned and operated by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, is a State licensed 501(c)3 residential addiction treatment facility for women between the ages of 18 and 35. Most clients are in their early 20s. Our young women arrive with addictions to alcohol, drugs, and a variety of eating disorders. Because of their young age, recovery can have a lasting, positive impact, not only on their lives, but also the lives of their children and family.

The effective work of Gracenter has meant ongoing recovery for hundreds of women with addiction and eating disorders.

DELIVERY SITE (Please call first) 1310 Bacon St., San Francisco, CA 94134 (415) 577-5765 Charee Lord, executive director

WISH LIST New or gently used sofa and love seat for facility’s family room New/replacement windows to help reduce utility costs Solar heating hot water to help cut utility costs Art supplies (paints, craft supplies, poster board, quilt making supplies)

Catholic Charities CYO (main office)

The Epiphany Center / Mt. St. Joseph-St. Elizabeth

180 Howard St., Suite 100 • San Francisco, 94105 www.cccyo.org/wishlist • (415) 972-1200

100 Masonic Ave. (near Geary) San Francisco, CA 94118 (415) 567-8370 • www.msjse.org

DELIVERY SITES In San Francisco County: Catholic Charities CYO (main office) 180 Howard St., Suite 100, San Francisco 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Disposable cameras or digital cameras for our women’s “story books” Scholarships to provide stipends to speakers / out side trainers Qualified volunteers to teach make up, dance therapy, resume writing Yoga mats

Adopt one of our 13 bedrooms for a “make over” to include new mattress / box springs, headboard, lamps, bulletin board and bedspread

In San Mateo County: San Carlos Adult Day Services 787 Walnut St., San Carlos Between 10 a.m. – 4:30 a.m.

In Marin County: St. Vincent’s School for Boys One St. Vincent Dr., San Rafael Between 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (at the main administration building reception desk)

WISH LISTS FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES Rita da Cascia Body lotion Towels Canal Family Support Program Art supplies (paints, paper, pencils, markers, colored pencils, giant coloring books, jewelry making supplies) Athletic equipment (playground balls, soccer balls, soft balls, footballs, tetherballs, ball bags, jump ropes) 10 pairs of swim goggles Mission Day Care Emergency – radios (with light) Commercial toaster TV set

DELIVERY SITES

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Comforters Lego sets for kids

Art supplies for kids

Board games Walkie-Talkies Digital video camera Children’s books (for 1st – 5th graders) Educational games Gift certificates (Target, Safeway, Toys R Us, Ross, United Market, Borders)

Raffle prizes for Spirit of the Holidays Party Recorders/musical instruments Bus transportation for a field trip Rollable TV Stand All-in-one TV/DVD CD Boom box Projector Clothing iron

DVD-player Emergency umbrellas for field-trip-days Microwave oven

Digital-photo cameras. Art supplies (Tempera, color-pencils, color-paper, crayons, glue-markers)

Young mothers and their children have been the focus of The Epiphany Center/ Mt. St. Joseph St. Elizabeth for more than 150 years.

DELIVERY SITE (Please call first)

St. Joseph’s Fmily Center Baltic Birch two-child Art Center Target gift certificates 10 – 15 toys (for 2-4 years old) (can be found in Small toys for boys – 10 – 15 toys (5-9 years old) Discount School Supply) less than $20 each 4 chairs with adjustable 10-Tub Storage Gift certificates appropriate for teens height range of 24”-31” (can be found in ($20-$25 denominations each to Old Movie theater gift certificates Discount School Supply) Navy, Amazon.com, Apple Store, etc.) Walgreens gift certificates ($10 each) Rectangular art table Chilren’s Village Child Development Center Digital cameras 4 Large aquariums for plants and animals Twelve Instructional grade classroom xylophones or marimbas with mallets (to enhance our science curriculum) Commercial grade laminator (for music curriculum) with laminating film San Francisco Boys’ & Girls’ Home 50- $25 gift cards to Walmart 100- $10 BART gift cards 4 Laptop computers 40- $25 gift cards to Safeway 20- $20 gift cards to Ross Treasure Island Supportive Housing Gift cards for families (Target, Walmart, Safeway, K-Mart, etc) REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT SERVICES 16 Safeway gift cards for $25-$50 each 1 Target card for $100 for newly 2 Target cards for $50 for each newly arrived Vietnamese refugee family 30 Safeway gift cards for $35-$50 each arrived Iraqi refugee family (4 kids) 20 phone cards of $20 each HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAMS 20 Safeway gift cards for $25 each for food 20 Bed, Bath and Beyond gift cards for $50 each for move in furnishings SENIOR SERVICES San Carlos Adult Day Care Large, dry-erase Large-print word search board presentation easel booklets for adults Portable multimedia projector 3 to 5 disc CD player OMI Senior Center Sponsorship of a community Sponsorship of entertainment for outing for participants – special events for participants – up to six a year up to six a year San Francisco Adult Day Services Sponsorship of entertainment for 1 Wii (to enhance physical activities special events for the participants – for the participants) up to six a year Sponsorship of a community outing for the participants – up to six a year ASSISTED HOUSING AND HEALTH SERVICES

Epiphany Center/Mt. St. Joseph-St. Elizabeth is an agency with a 156-year history working to strengthen life for at-risk families in San Francisco. Facility offers outpatient and residential drug treatment programs for women and children, in-home services including parenting support program, as well as pediatric clinic, and a children’s mental health clinic. Donations benefit the more than 200 families assisted each year. All live below the poverty line with many homeless or struggling to maintain housing. Donations support them in working toward self-sufficiency.

Laptop computer

1 Wii (to enhance physical activities)

DVD musical movies for participants viewing

Derek Silva Community Household items Computers/printers Microwave (pots, pans, utensils, etc.) Bedding Winter coats TV/DVD players Gift cards Leland House Jewelry supplies (beads in particular) (Beads themselves or gift certificates to Flat-panel TV for for our Jewelry Creativity group a supply shop would be most welcome) the community room CYO Camp Sponsorship of new elements Laptop computer for presentations Donation of work hours in our of our challenge course to schools and parents organic garden and trail restoration Rototiller for our organic garden LCD projector Camping and backpacking supplies (tents, backpacks, stoves, lanterns etc.) Gardening tools and supplies Sports equipment: softball, basketball, volleyball, kickball Sponsor a child at CYO summer camp 36” TV/DVD combination

Epiphany Center 100 Masonic Ave. (near Geary), San Francisco, CA 94118 (415) 567-8370 Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sharleen Harty, development director

WISH LIST For women, families and children: Irons, ironing boards Small household fans Tupperware containers Dishes, cookware, silverware

Blankets, sheets, towels High chairs TV - DVD player Microwaves Vacuum cleaners

Heavy-duty blenders Women’s clothing (jackets, sweat pants, hoodies, socks in all sizes) Children’s clothing for newborn to 5 years

Holy Family Day Home 299 Dolores St. San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 565-0504, ext. 203 www.holyfamilydayhome.org kdugan@holyfamilydayhome.org Holy Family Day Home’s provides affordable, high quality early educational child care in a stable and nurturing environment, thereby offering children of working poor families a sound foundation for lifelong development, continuing a tradition established by the Sisters of the Holy Family. Comprehensive services are also provided parents/guardians to help them secure stable housing, employment and affordable healthcare. Donations give economically disadvantaged families gifts they would otherwise not be able to afford for their children or themselves this holiday season.

A volunteer reads to children at Holy Family Day Home in San Francisco’s Mission District.

DROP-OFF SITE 299 Dolores St., San Francisco Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5:30p.m. Kelly Dugan, development assistant

WISH LIST Educational toys Educational storybooks (with tapes) for our new library Child-size dresser (two or four drawers) for dramatic play area Plastic bins for organizing supplies

Shoes for children 6 months through 3 years Puzzles appropriate for young children Diapers (newborn to 2.5 years) and other infant items: bibs, hats, gloves, bottles, blankets, strollers, etc.

Safeway and Target purchase cards Clothes for infants and children of all sizes, including new boys and girls underwear, infant, toddler and pre-school size sweat-pants BART and Muni passes

St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County P.O. Box 150527 San Rafael, CA 94915 (415) 454-3303, ext. 12 for information/donations www.vinnies.org • cpaquette@vinnies.org SVdP operates Marin County’s only free dining room, open to the public 365 days of the year, and has been for 27year. Each year, 130,000 healthy, hot meals are served to Marin’s elderly, disabled, low-income families, people without shelter, and many others. These meals are served in a compassionate and caring environment; hungry neighbors are greeted as friends and treated with dignity and respect.

DROP-OFF SITE Free Dining Room 820 B St., San Rafael 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 7 days per week

WISH LIST Meats for the dining room, especially ham, ground beef and fish Grocery-store gift certificates or cash gifts to purchase food and other supplies for the dining room

BIG REQUESTS Large, flat-screen television for volunteer orientations, special events and community presentations.

The Free Dining Room of St. Vincent de Paul Society in San Rafael keeps hundreds of people from hunger daily. CHARITIES’ WISH LISTS, page 18

Catholic San Francisco

November 21, 2008

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Bishops’ president voices hope, foresees challenges Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, voiced hope for the Obama Administration but pointed to possible challenges in a Nov. 12 statement at the end of the annual fall assembly of the USCCB. The text of his statement follows. “If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor; if the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil.” (Psalm 127, vs. 1) The bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States welcome this moment of historic transition and look forward to working with Presidentelect Obama and the members of the new Congress for the common good of all. Because of the Church’s history and the scope of her ministries in this country, we want to continue our work for economic justice and opportunity for all: our efforts to reform laws around immigration and the situation of the undocumented; our provision of better education and adequate health care for all, especially for women and children; our desire to safeguard religious freedom and foster peace at home and abroad. The Church is intent on doing good and will continue to cooperate gladly with the government and all others working for these goods. The fundamental good is life itself, a gift from God and our parents. A good state protects the lives of all. Legal protection for those members of the human family waiting to be born in this country was removed when the Supreme Court decided Roe vs. Wade in 1973. This was bad law. The danger the bishops see at this moment is that a bad court decision will be enshrined in bad legislation that is more radical than the 1973 Supreme Court decision itself. In the last Congress, a Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) was introduced that would, if brought forward in the same form today, outlaw any “interference” in providing abortion at will. It would deprive the American people in all 50 states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry. FOCA would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars. It would counteract any and all sincere efforts by government and others of good will to reduce the number of abortions in our country. Parental notification and informed consent precautions would be outlawed, as would be laws banning procedures such as partial-birth abortion and protecting infants born alive after a failed abortion. Abortion clinics would be deregulated. The Hyde Amendment restricting the federal funding of abortions would be abrogated. FOCA would have lethal consequences for prenatal human life. FOCA would have an equally destructive effect on the freedom of conscience of doctors, nurses and health care workers whose personal convictions do not permit them to cooperate in the private killing of unborn children. It would threaten Catholic health care institutions and Catholic Charities. It would be an evil law that would further divide our country, and the Church should be intent on opposing evil. On this issue, the legal protection of the unborn, the bishops are of one mind with Catholics and others of good will. They are also pastors who have listened to women whose lives have been diminished because they believed they had no choice but to abort a baby. Abortion is a medical procedure that kills, and the psychological and spiritual consequences are written in the sorrow and depression of many women and men. The bishops are single-minded because they are, first of all, single-hearted. The recent election was principally decided out of concern for the economy, for the loss of jobs and homes and financial security for families, here and around the world. If the election is misinterpreted ideologically as a referendum on abortion, the unity desired by President-elect Obama and all Americans at this moment of crisis will be impossible to achieve. Abortion kills not only unborn children; it destroys constitutional order and the common good, which is assured only when the life of every human being is legally protected. Aggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion. This statement is written at the request and direction of all the bishops, who also want to thank all those in politics who work with good will to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us. Those in public life do so, sometimes, at the cost of great sacrifice to themselves and their families; and we are grateful. We express again our great desire to work with all those who cherish the common good of our nation. The common good is not the sum total of individual desires and interests; it is achieved in the working out of a common life based upon good reason and good will for all. Our prayers accompany President-elect Obama and his family and those who are cooperating with him to assure a smooth transition in government. Many issues demand immediate attention on the part of our elected “watchman.” (Psalm 127) May God bless him and our country.

Headlines belie truth I found your Oct. 24 headlines about local Catholic school enrollment very misleading. In bold print: “High Schools full.” The facts make this headline untrue. There are 14 Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese that are reported in the five-year enrollment study. Seven of the 14 for this current year are at their largest enrollment in the past five years: Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, St. Ignatius, Marin Catholic, Serra, Mercy, Burlingame, Sacred Heart Prep (Menlo Park) and Woodside Priory. The remaining eight schools are below their highest enrollment over the past five years: Archbishop Riordan (down 181 students), Convent of the Sacred Heart (down 16 students), Immaculate Conception Academy (down 27 students), Mercy, San Francisco (down 67 students), Stuart Hall (down 7 students), San Domenico (down 56 students), Notre Dame, Belmont (down 54 students) . According to the statistics from the five-year enrollment study of the Department of Catholic Schools, there is a net loss of 164 students or 2.7%. On the elementary school level, San Francisco shows a drop of 1,039 students over the past five years, a decrease of 6.2%. Marin County shows a drop of 115 students, a decrease of 2%. San Mateo County shows a loss of 632 students, a decrease of 7.2%. This equates to 1,786 fewer students than five years ago, a decrease of 6.2%. I would hardly call this a “slight decline.” The cold and hard reality is that enrollment is dropping on both levels. The Council of Priests asked for a study of our Catholic schools. The study was conducted by the Catholic Education Consulting Services. There have been preliminary results given to the Council and the final report awaits the Archbishop’s approval. Each school is supposed to receive a copy of the specific recommendations for that school. There are many factors which affect enrollment. The demographics in the city continue to change. The economics of the times make Catholic school tuition less and less affordable. There are a number of schools with current enrollments under 200 students. Most would say the breakeven point is around 225 students. We need a plan to help stabilize enrollment, especially in the City. Something needs to be done. It must begin with honest dialogue. I believe the Catholic San Francisco headlines painted an unrealistic picture of the enrollment crisis which affect schools. To me this rhetoric is not the way to begin the discussion. Msgr Bruce Dreier Pastor, St. Robert Church San Bruno

World War II under the command of Admiral Nimitz and did not realize he was buried at the national cemetery in San Bruno, where I make my home. And two, as students, Tom Constantino and his twin brother Paul co-wrote the very popular outdoor column for the San Mateo Times, while I was sports editor of that newspaper after World War II. Thanks for the memories. Jacob Bluth San Bruno

Need fresh approach Since so many of our elected representatives disparage religion in the matter of abortion and same-sex marriage, I would like to appeal to science to help us in our choices. Natural sciences acknowledge that the product of human conception contains the complete basic elements of a human being, which makes it very valuable in many programs. Do we look at the embryo as a developing person worthy of protection and life or as someone to be exploited or discarded? The term marriage from the beginning of time has described the complementary union of a male and female with the power to ensure continuous human life on earth. Same-sex marriage is essentially different in that sense and should be clarified as such with a new title. Margaret Welsh Pacifica

L E T T E R S

‘Sixteen stars’ lauded Congratulations to Tom Constantino and Catholic San Francisco (Nov. 7) for the best tribute I’ve read in five years on Veteran’s Day, “Sixteen stars.” It captures the true meaning of Armistice Day as my late father, who served with the American Expeditionary Force in France in WWI, called it. It was far superior to the articles in the big city dailies. Jack Russell. WWII Vet Belmont

Thanks for memories Rick DelVecchio’s Veteran’s Day story concerning USMC retired Colonel Thomas L. Constantino and U.S. Navy Admiral Chester Nimitz was especially interesting to me on two counts. One, I served in the Pacific Theater of

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: morrisyoungd@sfarchdiocese.org

Taxing question

I disagree with Thomas Notaro’s Nov. 14 letter that the Catholic Church’s support of Proposition 8 violates the separation of church and state and that this should change its tax status. Going back to the Constitution, it states that the legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Taxing the Catholic Church would be such a prohibition and hence unconstitutional. Second, he characterizes the Church “like all other well-heeled political businesses.” What can this mean? Although I admit I am not a scholar of IRS rules, all churches, even non-Catholic churches which I may disagree with, speak of man’s relationship to God and man’s relationship to each other. Endorsing or decreeing moral issues is one responsibility of all churches. Paul Dankoski Redwood City

Church teaching constant In regard to the Nov. 7 letter “Changing times” and those who think this way: Times may change, but the Church does not have to change her magisterium because of the times. Did you read Catholic San Francisco lately? And, if so, did you absorb anything at all? Your opinion about gay marriage and abortion cannot be comprehended unless it is from someone who is not Catholic or from someone with a “invincible” ignorance who doesn’t get it, but could with the proper information. Marriage is the natural right to “mate,” physically possible only between a man and a woman. And a baby in the womb is not the mother’s body. Even the courts accept that fact when a pregnant woman’s killer is charged with a double murder. Fernando F Lavin Rio Vista

Bishops applauded Please forward my profound appreciation to the California bishops for their support and efforts to pass Proposition 8. We cannot allow the opponents of Proposition 8 and the threats and anger of the protestors to soften our resolve to make sure this referendum is implemented in the State of California and continues as the law of the state. There is no loss here of any civil rights and no unfairness in our defending the sacrament of marriage. I have nothing but love and compasLETTERS, page 21

November 21, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

Spirituality for Life

Old and new struggles Today a lot of people are struggling with the Church and this is more complex than first meets the eye. Statistics show that in the last 50 years there hasn’t been a huge drop-off in the number of people who say they believe in God. Surprisingly, too, there hasn’t been a huge drop-off in the number of people who name a church or a denomination to which they claim to belong. The huge drop-off has come mostly in one area, actual church-going. People still believe in God and their churches even when they don’t often go to church. They haven’t left their churches; they just aren’t going to them. We aren’t so much post-Christian as we are post-ecclesial. The problem is not so much atheism or even religious affiliation, but participation. Liberals like to think this is because the Church has been too slow to change and that it is unhealthily out of step. Conservatives like to think the opposite, that people have grown disenchanted with the Church because it has changed too much and been too accommodating to the culture. There is some truth in both views, but analysts suggest there are other reasons, reasons to do with the general breakdown of family and public life. It is not just church-life and parish-life that are in trouble today. Declining church attendance is paralleled everywhere. Families and neighborhoods are dissipating and breaking down as people guard their privacy and individuality more and more. Civic organizations and clubs are finding it hard to function as there is simply less of a sense of community everywhere. No wonder churches are struggling. Churches and par-

ishes are, by definition, communities not based upon private intimacy; that is, they are not made up of people who choose to relate to each other on the basis of being like-minded. Rather churches and parishes are, by definition, made up of people who are called together despite their differences to meet around Christ and a set of values that molds them into a community beyond private preference. That is not easily understood in a culture that believes meaningful community can only be formed on the basis of private choice and a personal need for intimacy. Today we don’t just bowl alone, we also do spirituality alone. People today tend to treat their churches in the same way they treat their families; they want them to be there for them, for rites of passage, for special occasions, and for the security of knowing they can be turned if needed, but they don’t want them to interfere much in their actual lives. They want to participate in them on their own terms. People no longer feel they need the Church. They admit their need for God and for spirituality, but not their need for the Church. Hence, we have the popular notion that says: I want spirituality but not the Church. Finally, there is too the notion that the church as an institution is too flawed, too fraught with compromise, too narrow, too judgmental, and too hypocritical to be credible, to be the institution that mediates salvation. Jesus is pure, but the church is flawed, goes the logic. Hence, a lot of people choose to relate to the church very selectively and very sporadically. I have never found a better answer to that than the one given by Carlo Carretto, the Italian spiritual writer who

loved the Church deeply but was honest enough to admit its faults. Late in his life, he wrote this ode: “How much I must criticize you, my Church, and yet how much I love you! You have made me Father suffer more than anyone Ron Rolheiser and yet I owe more to you than to anyone. I should like to see you destroyed and yet I need your presence. You have given me much scandal and yet you alone have made me understand holiness. Never in this world have I seen anything more compromised, more false, yet never have I touched anything more pure, more generous or more beautiful. Countless times I have felt like slamming the door of my soul in your face – and yet, every night, I have prayed that I might die in your sure arms. No, I cannot be free of you, for I am one with you, even if not completely you. Then, too, where would I go? To build another church? But I could not build one without the same defects, for they are my defects. And again, if I were to build another church, it would be my church, not Christ’s Church. No, I am old enough; I know better.” That’s an insight that can help all of us, both those of us who are going to church and those of us who aren’t. Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser can be contacted through his website: www.ronrolheiser.com.

The Catholic Difference

The two Americas By the dawn’s early light on Nov. 5, two distinct Americas hove into view. The two Americas are not defined by conventional economic, ethnic or religious categories. It’s not rich America vs. poor America, black America vs. white America, or Catholic America vs. Protestant America. No, what this year’s election cycle clarified decisively is that the great public fissure in these United States is between the culture of life and the culture of death. In 1995, when Pope John Paul II introduced the phrase “culture of death” in the encyclical Evangelium Vitae [The Gospel of Life], more than a few commentators coughed politely and tried to suggest, if gently, that this terminology was a bit over-the-top – too dramatic, too confrontational, incapable of being heard by those it was intended to persuade. Thirteen years later, it is obvious the critics were wrong and John Paul the Great was right. The pope saw more clearly into the future, thanks to his insight into the forces at work beneath the surface of the present. Now those forces are plainly in view, and the results are clear for all with eyes to see: The people of the United States have elected the most radically pro-abortion presidential candidate in American history, and by the largest popular vote percentage garnered by a Democrat since Lyndon B. Johnson. The people of the State of Washington have adopted, in a landslide, an act permitting the euthanizing of the sick, elderly and burdensome under the Orwellian rubrics of “death with dignity” and “physician-assisted suicide.”

The people of California have exercised their sovereign will to prevent the parents of minors from being notified if their daughter intends to have an abortion – although you may be quite certain that said parents would be consulted before said minor’s school nurse administered an aspirin tablet. And the people of Michigan have decided to authorize a wholesale slaughter of human embryos for research purposes – at precisely the moment embryonic stem-cell research has lost much of its scientific luster, thanks to developments in the reprogramming of adult stem cells. Culture of death, indeed. What is to be done? The first order of business at the national level is to prevent the new Congress from passing the federal Freedom of Choice Act [FOCA], an explicit attempt to destroy every state-based pro-life legal achievement of the past three decades. If prevention is impossible and FOCA is enacted, then it must be vigorously challenged in the federal courts. The stakes are very, very high. In addition to facilitating a greater slaughter of the innocents, FOCA, by eliminating state conscience-clause protections for pro-life health care professionals, would create a situation in which the Catholic health care system as we know it would cease to exist, within a decade at most. Then we come to adult catechesis. This year, the pro-abortion candidate carried every state in what Maggie Gallagher calls the “Decadent Catholic Corridor” – the Northeast and the older parts of the Midwest. Too many Catholics there are still voting the way their grandparents did, and because that’s

what their grandparents did. This tribal voting has been described by some bishops as immoral; it is certainly stupid, and it must be challenged by adult education. That includes effective use George Weigel of the pulpit to unsettle settled patterns of mindlessness. This year, a gratifying number of bishops began to accept the responsibilities of their teaching office; so, now, must parish pastors. We need more persuasive ideas and language in the fight against euthanasia. Yes, the good guys were outspent in Washington State by orders of magnitude – and that should cause serious examinations of conscience among Catholic philanthropies and individuals of means. But, as in the debate over embryo-destructive stem-cell research, the culture of life has yet to develop a language that trumps the invocation of “compassion” when that’s misused by the culture of death. And we need prayer – lots of it. Some demons require special powers to exorcize. As of Nov. 5, it is clear that certain of them have taken up residence in the United States of America. George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

Guest Commentary

Advent: season of caring The season of Advent, in both Catholic and Protestant faiths, is defined as period of preparation “in joyful anticipation” for the coming of, or nativity of Jesus Christ. It is an ancient tradition that has evolved and devolved over the centuries and for us Catholics, it has a powerful message. Although compassion knows no specific season, Christmas can be an emotional time of joy as well as loneliness and despair. It also calls out for unselfish giving to others. This Advent season, Catholic Charities CYO will begin a new holiday giving campaign called the Catholic Charities CYO Advent Season of Caring. In the coming days and weeks we will be sharing with you, on our website at www. cccyo.org/seasonofcaring and in the pages of Catholic San Francisco, intimate stories of the clients we serve and the ways in which their lives have been changed for the better, because of our work and the generosity of supporters.

Given the changing economic landscape, all of us are likely know someone struggling to make ends meet day to day, week to week. We might also know some who are already in the midst of homelessness, illness or extreme distress this holiday season. In fact, our case managers at Catholic Charities CYO are experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of our neighbors who are in need. Your support for the work we do is vital now more than ever. We are pleased to launch this new Advent Season of Caring in response to this growing need. All during the year, and especially at this special time, we give thanks for the compassionate response of parishioners in the Archdiocese of San Francisco who live out the Gospel values of charity and justice by supporting our work and the work of other organizations and ministries with generous contributions of volunteer time and financial

support. (See pages 14 and 15.) We hope you will be touched and impelled to action as we share stories of people for whom love and generosity have truly made a difference. For more information Marti Sullivan about the Advent Season of Caring and ways that you can help, feel free to contact me at (415) 972-1291 or visit our website. Marti Sullivan, CFRE, is director of development at Catholic Charities CYO.

Catholic San Francisco

November 21, 2008

Charities’ wish lists . . .

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Mateo County distributes new sleeping bags each winter to the county’s poor.

■ Continued from page 15

St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco 169 Stillman St. • San Francisco, CA 94107 (415) 977-1270, ext. 3018 • Fax (415) 977-1271 www.svdp-sf.org • mlierk@svdp-sf.org Founded in 1860 as a Catholic parish-based organization, the St. Vincent de Paul Society is now one of San Francisco’s major human service providers, offering a helping hand to those suffering from homelessness, poverty, addiction and domestic violence. Each year more than 72,000 people are assisted. The Society operates with a $7.2 million budget, funded by both government contracts and community support. Of every charitable dollar raised, 92 cents go to programs that directly benefit clients. Programs include the largest homeless shelter in Northern California, and the most comprehensive continuum of domestic violence shelters and services in San Francisco. The SVdP’s mission is to serve those in need through direct person-to-person service and professional social service programs designed to break the cycles of homelessness, substance abuse and domestic violence. The Vincentian Help Desk: One of only two agencies in San Francisco that distributes free clothing to the poor and homeless. The Help Desk also provides emergency food bags and small household items in a dignified and respectful environment, assisting approximately 1,200 people each month. Homeless shelters: The Multi-Service Center (MSC), Northern California’s largest homeless shelter, provides safety, support services and meals to 340 men and women every night and up to 150 during the day. Services include case management, support groups, an on-site chaplain, a computer resource room and library, and an on-site health clinic; 150 Otis St. provides drop-in services and a safe place to stay for 50 men nightly. The Riley Center for Battered Women and Their Children: The most comprehensive continuum of domestic violence shelters and services in San Francisco, and home to more than 60 percent of the domestic violence shelter beds in the city. The Riley Center offers an emergency shelter, community education programs, a 24-hour crisis hotline, special services for children and one of only two transitional housing programs for domestic violence survivors. The Ozanam Center: A substance abuse detoxification and recovery facility where low-income and homeless are helped in the struggle to fight drug and alcohol addiction. The Arlington Residence: An affordable housing facility that provides a home, community and support system for low-income and formerly homeless men and women.

DROP-OFF SITE 169 Stillman St., San Francisco Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Please indicate you are donating through the Catholic San Francisco Holiday Wish-List.) Meredith Lierk, development associate

Society of St. Vincent de Paul of San Mateo County St. Vincent de Paul District Office 50 No. B St. • San Mateo, CA 94401 (650) 373-0622 www.svdp-sanmateoco.org “Turning Compassion into Action” is the mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in San Mateo County; 1,100 Vincentian volunteers provide a safety net for those in dire need of food, helping to keep families housed and homes heated. SVdP advocates for the working poor, children, seniors and immigrants. Last year, more than 40,000 people in San Mateo County were assisted. SVdP serves daily meals to 250 homeless people at Homeless Help Centers in South San Francisco, San Mateo and Redwood City. SVdP is the vouchering agency for the few shelter beds available and distributes sleeping bags, socks, underwear, hats and gloves to those without shelter. At Thanksgiving SVdP provides dinners for 5,000 and at Christmas, along with holiday meals, distributes 4,000 Christmas gifts of clothes and toys. SVdP’s Restorative Justice Program ministers to victims of crime, the incarcerated and their families. SVdP’s Catherine’s Center offers a safe and nurturing home for women recently released from jail or prison so that they can re-establish their lives and reunite with their families.

DROP-OFF SITES St. Vincent de Paul District Office 50 No. B St. San Mateo Margaret Jung, development director 6256 Mission St. Daly City

WISH LIST Non-perishable food Winter coats (new or used; men’s especially) Socks (new) Women’s and men’s underwear (new, all sizes) Men’s clothing: jeans, jackets, shoes and shirts Hat and scarf sets Chef cooking coats (large or X-large; white) Maintenance uniforms Rain jackets Toothbrushes, toothpaste Combs Deodorant sticks (men and women) Razors Bath and body sets for women Manicure kits

Umbrellas Gift certificates to local merchants, especially Safeway Watches Perfume Datebooks New pillows and pillow cases New sets of twin sheets Bath towels (new) Cutlery, especially forks and spoons Drinking glasses (new preferable) Flat-screen television Children’s gifts (new) Educational toys Books Board games Balls Dolls Art and craft supplies

St. Dominic’s Community Service 2390 Bush St. • San Francisco, CA 94115 (415) 674-0432 • www.stdominics.org annebop@sfsafehouse.org St. Dominic’s Community Service helps people in need with food, rent, utilities, clothing and other bills when possible. The Lima Center is a small, safe, quiet place for the homeless to relax for a few hours. Guests can read books, use the computers (not Internet), watch movies and TV, and enjoy coffee, hot and cold cereal, fruit and pastries. The Lima Center also serves meals several days a week and offers shower and laundry facilities. It is necessary for guests to sign up for the services and they can do this by visiting or calling the site.

344 Grand Ave. South San Francisco 40 North B St. San Mateo 2406 El Camino Real Redwood City

WISH LIST Fund to help with rent and utility assistance Grocery gift cards New sleeping bags Bus passes Rain ponchos Gloves and knit hats Socks, underwear (men and women) Infant and children’s clothing Gift cards to Target Pre-paid phone cards Toiletries, razors and shaving cream Feminine hygiene products Toothbrushes and toothpaste

Peanut butter Instant soup mixes Individual packets of hot cocoa mix Juice and juice boxes Canned tuna or nonperishable protein-rich entrees Biodegradable paper cups and bowls (8 oz.) Plastic forks and spoons Postage stamps Laundry detergent Toilet paper and paper towels Napkins Mustard, mayonnaise and relish

BIG REQUESTS Two 100-cup coffee pots for South San Francisco Homeless Help Center and for San Mateo Homeless Help Center 8-passenger van for SVdP’s Catherine’s Center

SafeHouse for Women 559 Ellis St. • San Francisco (415) 643-7861 • www.sfsafehouse.org director@sfsafehouse.org For 10 years SafeHouse has provided shelter, resources and hope to homeless, prostituted women through its comprehensive residential treatment program. During the 18-month program, the women at SafeHouse are provided a comprehensive range of supportive services tailored to help them overcome the abuse and trauma they have suffered and find new direction in their lives. SafeHouse is an ecumenical partnership of the Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and San Francisco Network Ministries.

DROP-OFF SITE 2390 Bush St., San Francisco Tuesday – Friday 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (closed 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for lunch) Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sister Anne Bertain, OP, director

DELIVERY SITE (Please call first)

WISH LIST

Laundry soap Tube socks for men Hooded sweatshirts and pants: medium, large and X-large Men’s jeans: 32, 34 or 36 waist T-shirts and briefs: medium and large

Thermo underware: medium, large and X-large DVD movies Gift cards for coffee shops or fast-food restaurants

559 Ellis St., San Francisco (415) 643-7861 Heather Weigand, project director SafeHouse is engaging in a remodel of its facility and the following items are requested: New twin-bed comforters, sheets and shams that match New indoor/outdoor carpeting for stairway

Newer large rugs Flat-screen television for living room New commercial treadmill for gym New dishes, glasses, flatware in sets of 12 Up-to-date furniture: sofas, chairs, dresser drawers

November 21, 2008

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

RESPONSORIAL PSALM PS 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6 R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose. R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. A READING FROM THE FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 1 COR 15:20-26, 28 Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.

Scripture reflection

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17; Psalm 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Matthew 25:31-46 A READING FROM THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL EZ 34:11-12, 15-17 Thus says the Lord God: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark. I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord God. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, shepherding them rightly. As for you, my sheep, says the Lord God, I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats.

Catholic San Francisco

FATHER BILL NICHOLAS

Year in review: wrapping up liturgical year 2008

A READING OF THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW MT 25:31-46 Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

The Solemnity of Christ the King celebrates the ultimate supremacy of Jesus and looks to his triumphant Return in Glory. This is the same theme with which we will begin our new liturgical year next week, with the First Sunday of Advent. Thus we begin and end the yearly cycle with a reminder that our Advent as Christians is not the birth, but rather, the return of Christ. As such, this solemnity also marks the end of liturgical year 2008. In this not only do we celebrate Christ as our King, but also our passage through time as we move closer and closer to his return. While we observe a three-year liturgical cycle, we know that our passage of time is not an endless repetition of “the same old thing.” Rather, we are in an upward spiral as we move year-by-year, cycle-by-cycle, closer and closer toward the day when the final ushering of the Kingdom will be brought about by Christ the King. To the ancient pagan cultures this would have been a radical concept as their world and cosmic views consisted of an endless repetition of cycles – of the stars, the moon, the seasons, of life and death. The endless repetitive rotation came and went. There was no history. Rather everything repeated with the same reliable frequency as the rotation of a wheel. Then came the Jews, who, starting with Abraham, told to go forth to something totally new, ushered in a new and far-reaching view of the world, the cosmos and history itself. At the center is the idea of a covenant relationship with the divine Godhead, who is not passively detached, but as our divine Shepherd is personally involved with a people who celebrate a definitive history; not the repetitive cycle of “the same old thing,” but a specific past and a particular present looking to a future in which the people sought to grow ever closer to their God, and stronger in their covenant relationship with that God. As Christians we continue this view of time and history, now shared by the majority of cultures throughout the world. We still, however, distinguish ourselves. As a Church, we begin a five-week head start on the rest of the world as we enter into our new liturgical year, celebrating Advent and Christmas 2009. It is because of this transition from one year to another that I like to see the Solemnity of Christ the King as an opportunity to look back on the previous liturgical year to see where we have come since the beginning of Advent 2008. Where have we been in this past year? Where are we now in our present transition into Advent, 2009? Where do we hope to go as we move through the coming year in our Church’s history? How will we grow and change in our upward spiral toward Christ’s eventual return?

As a universal Church, we have spent the last few months getting immersed in the Year of St. Paul, to commemorate the 2000th anniversary of his birth and celebrate his contribution to our Scriptures and the foundations of our faith. As members of the universal Church, gathered with our local bishop under the leadership of the Holy Father, how have we thus far embraced this call to celebrate and grow under the timeless tutelage of the Apostle to the Gentiles? How have we, the priests, led our communities in observing this year? Have we gone out of our way to make this truly a Year of Paul? Or has it been so far “just another year”? As a Church in the United States, we were honored during this past liturgical year as Pope Benedict himself visited us, bringing Christ’s message of hope and healing to our American Catholic community. We witnessed President George W. Bush personally greet the Holy Father upon his arrival in Washington, D.C. (the first time a U.S. president has ever greeted a foreign dignitary at an airport of our nation’s capitol), and heard our Vice President Dick Cheney refer to Pope Benedict as “pastor to the world” as he prepared to return to Rome. In between we heard the Holy Father speak to matters of faith, hope and healing as he addressed, among others, the bishops, Catholic educators, the youth, the victims of past clergy abuse and the American people in general, whether listening or not. In the process he stirred our faith, lifted our spirits, walked with the powerful, spoke to the wounded and impressed our national media more than they are willing to admit. How have we grown in this past year as an Archdiocese? as parishes within our Archdiocese? as families within our parishes? and as individuals? Let us connect on this Solemnity of Christ the King on our role within God’s universal history of salvation, with Abraham and his descendants in faith, with Christ and his Bride, the Church. Let us reflect during this celebration of Christ the King on where we have come during the liturgical year 2008 and where we hope to go in liturgical year 2009; that we will not prove stagnant and stale, but true subjects of Christ our King, always moving in our upward spiral toward a closer relationship with our God, as we move closer to the glorious return of Christ. Father Bill Nicholas is parochial vicar at Our Lady of Loretto, Novato, and author of “I Saw the World End: An Introduction to the Bible’s Apocalyptic Literature.” Contact him through his website: www.frwcnicholas.com.

Advent: week I Preparing our hearts for the birth of Jesus Christ The following Advent Wreath prayer is intended to help busy households make Advent a prayerful time during the rush of Christmas preparations. The language is fairly simple to be used for personal prayer and reflection or by groups of adults or adults with children. Leader: Today begins a special time of year for us. This week we begin the season of Advent – that period of waiting before Christmas. To help each of us prepare our own hearts for the birth of Christ, we want to take a few moments each week to pray together. • Light first candle on the Advent Wreath (Choose a different person for this task each week?)

• (optional) Read aloud Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2b-7; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37 (A different person might read each passage.) • Leader: Did you ever wonder why God didn’t make it easier for us to be good? The Bible passages the Church has chosen for this first Sunday of Advent point out two things – that we aren’t perfect, and that we could be and should be better people. The prophet Isaiah begs God for help. The evangelist Paul offers up a thank you to God for all the gifts we have. And Mark’s Gospel reminds us that the time to start living the right way is right now – this Advent – today. ADVENT: WEEK 1, page 24

Catholic San Francisco

November 21, 2008

Holocaust . . .

awaiting execution, to sort stolen Jewish clothing and valuables, and even to prepare banquets at the site of the executions. The priest said lending a non-judgmental ear to these â&#x2013; Continued from cover aging and often guilt-ridden survivors has been an important grandfather gave him a cryptic answer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He told me, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In the part of uncovering the truth. The Germans would often force the locals to participate in ways both large and small, and camp it was awful, but outside the camp it was worse.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? In 1990, the priest visited Poland to organize a pilgrimage locals had good reason to believe non-cooperation would of students to meet Pope John Paul II in Czechoslovakia. While lead to their own deaths. In his book, Father Desbois related the story of one wittraveling in the countryside near the Ukrainian border, he lost ness who said a villager had been forced to play a drum to his way. Remarkably, he was not far from Rawa-Ruska. drown out the screams of the victims. After Thus began a period of intense study in days of witnessing the murders, he saw a Holocaust history. The priest wanted to know German beating Jewish children. He threw what had happened outside his grandfatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s himself at the German. camp. He learned Hebrew, and traveled to â&#x20AC;&#x153;The drummer had not been able to take Israel to study at the University of Jerusalem it any longer,â&#x20AC;? Father Desbois wrote. The and at Yad Vashem, the Israeli national soldier shot him and threw his body into the Holocaust memorial. He later visited the sites pit with the Jews. of death camps across Eastern Europe. Ukrainian witnesses told the priest they In 2002, he returned to Ukraine to saw Jewish children thrown alive into the uncover the truth about genocide there. pits and buried by the bodies of adults and Piecing together accounts from post-war by mounds of earth and rock. In one town, Soviet archives, testimony from villagers Jews were forced alive into a cave and shut who witnessed the killings, and ballistic in, left to die of painful dehydration. evidence recovered from the sites of mass Jews were generally shot only once, to graves, the priest began to realize the horsave bullets, so many were still alive when rifying scope of the massacre. Father Patrick Desbois graves were covered. The priest said witâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Some 46,000 Jews were killed and buried in what is now a park,â&#x20AC;? the priest said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jews are nesses told him the graves moved for three days, with stillliving victims fighting a losing battle to escape death. buried in the landscape as if they never existed.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The most luscious green landscapes became exterminaThough the perpetrators attempted to cover up evidence of the atrocities, certain conclusions are inescapable. Jews tion camps, and Ukrainian children became the hired hands of were rounded up in full view of their Christian neighbors and death,â&#x20AC;? Father Desbois wrote in â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Holocaust by Bullets.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The landscape, the buildings and the children became, friends. In some cases, they were shot in remote locations, but fearing ambush in the forest, the Germans often killed in the hands of the assassins, tools to exterminate the people the Jews in or just outside town. This meant many people of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,â&#x20AC;? he said. By Jewish law, the remains of the victims are not to be witnessed the killings and mass burials. Germans also requisitioned locals to dig graves, to guard Jews disturbed, but in order to obtain corroboratory evidence, Father Desboisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; group was granted the right to excavate one site in Busk, Ukraine. Done under the supervision of Orthodox rabbinical authorities, the dig uncovered an estimated 150 separate remains. Afterward, the site was covered with a special cement to prevent looting, and the rabbi present said a prayer over the grave. 4 p.m. Saturday Vigil By recording the testimony of those who witnessed the Mass in San Francisco! genocide, the priest is aiding researchers chronicling these first stages of the Holocaust. Paul Shapiro, director of the T MYDIUS Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies at the United States

In a 2006 photo, members of a Yahad-In Unum team look for bullet cartridges that would indicate the position of gunmen and the site of a mass grave of murdered Jews.

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

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Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., told Catholic San Francisco the priestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work is opening a window to the past once thought to be boarded up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Holocaust was a Jewish tragedy with universal implications that took place on a Christian continent,â&#x20AC;? Shapiro said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To really understand what the loss is, and what the implications are, it requires that Jews and Christians work together.â&#x20AC;? To that end, Father Desbois formed the Yahad-In Unum Association, dedicated to researching the Holocaust in every village along the Eastern Front. The priest acknowledges the task is enormous, but vows to end his search only when there are no more living witnesses. Shapiroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group and other organizations, both Jewish and Christian, have set up funds to help finance the work. With witnesses dying of old age, he hopes both religious traditions will come together quickly to aid Yahad-In Unum. Ultimately, Father Desbois said the task is not just about uncovering the past, but about making sure future generations recognize and fight against genocidal hatred. The priest said racially-motivated killings will always resurface because people are sinful. Only by studying the example of the Holocaust, does the priest believe humanity can learn how to confront that sin when it appears. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We cannot give posthumous victory to Nazism,â&#x20AC;? Father Desbois wrote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We cannot leave the Jews buried like animals. We cannot accept this state of affairs and allow our continent to be built on the obliterated memory of the victims of the Reich.â&#x20AC;? For more information, visit www.yahadinunum.org/index. en.html or e-mail Father Desbois at j.etzim@gmail.com.

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November 21, 2008

obituary

Sister Doris Donaldson, PBVM taught many years in Archdiocese A funeral Mass for Presentation Sister Doris Donaldson (formerly Sister Mary Camilla) was celebrated Nov. 18 at the congregation’s motherhouse chapel in San Francisco. Sister Doris died Nov. 12. Born in 1919 in Mason City, Iowa, Sister Doris was a Sister of the Presentation for 57 years. Sister Doris earned a nursing degree at Mercy Hospital in Mason City and later moved to Los Angeles, where she worked at Queen of Angels Hospital for seven years. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation in 1951 and received an undergraduate degree and teaching credential from the University of San Francisco. Sister Doris taught second grade for 10 years in Catholic schools in San Francisco as well as schools in Oakland, San Lorenzo, San Jose and Los Angeles. From 1963 to 1991, she taught courses in physiology, child psychology, home nursing, and human sexuality as well as serving as school nurse at Presentation High School, San Francisco. Sister Doris most recently lived at the Presentation Motherhouse where she has been engaged in the ministry of prayer.

Letters . . .

Questionable priority

■ Continued from page 16

If the bishops and Catholic people of California had put half as much effort into passing Proposition 4 as they put effort into passing Proposition 8, what might have happened? How come the issue of gay marriage, which is not a life issue, trumped the pro-life issue of parental notification on abortion in the attention, energy and dollars of Catholics? Who is responsible for this obsession with denying a civil right over adding a layer of protection for fetal life? Will the Yes on 8 forces be called to account for this? Meanwhile, we have sisters and brothers and our own children denigrated with secondclass citizenship, reeling from yet another blow to their dignity. Where is the Gospel? Jim McGarry Pacifica

sion for those who seek same-sex relationships. Some members of my own family have chosen this lifestyle. I do not condemn nor shun them. I love them and pray for their immortal souls and for their salvation. The voters have spoken on this issue for the second time. If we believe in democracy and freedom, our duty is to accept the will of the people and move on, especially in this case where there is no unfairness and no loss of any civil rights. These angry demonstrators need our love, prayers and compassion for choosing a destructive and anti-social lifestyle. Tragically, politicians continue to exploit them for votes. Father Andrew Johnson, J.D. San Francisco

Shameful

Sister Doris Donaldson, PBVM

Survivors include a sister, Lois Donaldson Tracy, as well as nieces, nephews and their families, and the Presentation Sisters. Interment was at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma. Memorial contributions to the Sisters of the Presentation are preferred. Contributions can be sent to Sisters of the Presentation, Development Office, 281 Masonic Ave., San Francisco, CA 94118.

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Letter writer Mike DeNunzio (Nov. 7) gave a valid explanation to the “equal respect” given to both presidential candidates by the archdiocesan Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns and other Catholic opinion leaders over the abortion issue: they were promoting “their personal political preference.” Too often during this election cycle I heard Catholic leadership cheering for the proabortion presidential candidate and justifying it as “a matter of conscience.” God only knows how many unborn lives could have been saved with just one more prolife Supreme Court justice. Shameful. Alan J. Smith San Francisco

◆

Coverage fair As someone who opposed Proposition 8 (thinking it represents backward-looking and bigoted attitudes) I have followed and applaud your coverage of the proposition in Catholic San Francisco. I do not believe there was a single word in the articles which I could call biased or inflammatory, or even written with intention to manipulate opinion. It was merely a reporting of the facts and quotations from interested parties. I want to congratulate you on your fairness – and to note the apparent irony in the Nov. 7 closing quotation from Bill May of Catholics for the Common Good, “Nobody wants to be considered discriminatory or bigoted under the law because of their faith. Michael Williams San Francisco

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Catholic San Francisco

November 21, 2008

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Violin-piano duo provide an admirable performance By Father Basil DePinto Classical music is basically a conservative enterprise, largely recycling a familiar repertory of mainstream pieces. But on occasion, it has been more adventurous than that and engaged in a process of â&#x20AC;&#x153;globalizationâ&#x20AC;? before that term became the clichĂŠ we know today. Artists of many nations combined their skills both as composers and performers in creating new works and rearranging older ones. The subsequent enrichment of musical life could be heard in the recital on Nov. 8 by Anthony Marwood, violin, and Thomas AdĂ¨s, piano, in Herbst Hall, part of the San Francisco Performances series. Mr. AdĂ¨s (pronunced Addis), one of the foremost contemporary composers, may turn out to be for British music in this century what Benjamin Britten was in the last. So it was something of a disappointment that he programmed the music of another composer rather than his own. But given that the subject of the concert was Igor Stravinsky, there could be little cause for complaint. There was an oddity, however, in that only one piece, the Duo Concertant, was written specifically for the combination of violin and piano. This was a real highlight of the evening, showing how well Stravinsky could write for this combination, given his somewhat mysterious reluctance to take it on. The fine performance was only slightly marred by the pianistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s somewhat heavy-handed accompaniment to the rather slender playing of Mr. Marwood. The rest of the works were reductions from other musical forms. The evening began with the ingenious reworking of compositions by the 18th century composer Giovanni Pergolesi or at least inspired by him. Stravinsky mined this music for all it was worth, producing a number of different versions, culminating in the ballet Pulcinella.

What we heard at this concert was called Suite Italienne, and it largely preserved the dance forms of the original. The players invested it with the requisite elegance and liveliness, illustrating the essential bond between music and dance. Of course, to hear the thrice familiar music from the great early ballets without their lush orchestrations was disconcerting. (Aha, that old conservatism.) One missed the sparkle of the flute portraying the Nightingale and the plaintive song of the Fisherman. But this is music that never loses its charm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a quality seldom associated with Stravinsky, better known for spiky rhythms and dry wit. In â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Nightingaleâ&#x20AC;? he seems to be truly moved by the story of a dying emperor consoled by the visit of the lovely bird he once rejected. Happily, the players did not attempt to reproduce the blast of color and sound that concludes â&#x20AC;&#x153;Firebird,â&#x20AC;? but the gentle Berceuse (lullaby) from that ballet was lovingly done. The rollicking rhythms of Petrushka, too, were handily conveyed by the recitalists. Aside from the reservation noted above, Mr. AdĂ¨sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playing was admirable. He was clearly not acting as accompanist to the violin, but was one of two co-equal performers. Mr. Marwood was a sterling partner and consistently held the attention, except when he was negotiating a couple of scores printed on outsize paper. All in all this was an admirable concert, providing familiar pleasures, but still demanding concentration on the variables and novelties without which music-making would be lifeless. Mr. AdĂ¨s should return soon with some reductions from his own music â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a suite from â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Tempest,â&#x20AC;? perhaps. (Note to the San Francisco Opera: when will you join other companies in presenting this admirable work?) Father Basil De Pinto is a frequent contributor on the arts.

This list is based on publisher reports of all ordersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;including orders from general interest, Catholic and Christian storesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in the U.S. and Canada for titles published by members of the Catholic Book Publishers Association. ÂŠ 2008 Catholic Book Publishers Association, Inc.

Alexander Sung, Piano Burke Schuchmann, Cello Present

an Evening of Music by Beethoven s 3ONATE FOR #ELLO AND 0IANO /P IN & s 3ONATE 1UASI UNA &ANTASIA FOR 0IANO /P IN % &LAT s 3ONATE FOR 0IANO /P IN ! s 3ONATE FOR #ELLO AND 0IANO /P IN # Alexander Sung, winner of international competitions in Munich and Leipzig, has been an accomplished pianist and harpsichordist for more than 30 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His use of dynamic contrasts as a constructive principal proved effective on one level while his tone remained warm and sonorousâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? The New York Times

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Burke Schuchmann provided three major musical encounters and in the process showed a big warm tone, technique to burn... And the will to burn it...everything about the performance was convincingly and appealingly human.â&#x20AC;? Sacramento Bee

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Join us for our Merry Christmas Happy Hour Wednesday, December 10th 5:30-7:30pm Elkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club 450 Post Street Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss the CPBC annual Merry Christmas Happy Hour at the Elkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club. Enjoy a fun game guaranteeing youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll meet two new people, delectable hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres and no-host drinks while networking in this festive space. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss this end of year celebration!

Free for Members! Non-Members pay $20 or join CPBC for $45 & the event is free! Want more information? Go to www.cpbc-sf.org

November 21, 2008

Music TV

Catholic San Francisco

Books RADIO Film stage (CNS PHOTO/DAVID BAILEY, COURTESY RCA)

Irish priests ink major recording deal with Sony BMG By Beth Griffin NEW YORK (CNS) – Three tenors, who also happen to be diocesan priests from Northern Ireland, have been signed to a recording contract with the RCA Victor label of Sony BMG for 1 million euros (US$1.27 million). They are the Priests and their debut album, titled “The Priests,” was scheduled to go on sale Nov. 18. The Priests sing sacred music, including “Panis Angelicus” and “Ave Maria.” Their album was recorded, in part, in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, during a break from their pastoral duties. Each priest is associated with a parish in the Diocese of Down and Connor. Their arrangement with Sony BMG acknowledges the priority of their priestly duties. Their share of the proceeds will be used for their parishes and to support retired priests. Father Eugene O’Hagan, his brother Father Martin O’Hagan and Father David Delargy spoke to Catholic News Service in New York at the end of a recent promotional tour. The three began singing together in high school, where their schoolmates called them “Holy Holy Holy” because of their shared goal to enter the priesthood. They continued singing together while they studied at the diocesan seminary, St. Malachy’s College in Belfast, and took voice lessons from renowned teacher Frank Capper. When the trio attended the Irish College in Rome, Father Eugene O’Hagan continued voice lessons and the three priests sang on many occasions, including a Mass celebrated by the late Pope John Paul II. The priests, all in their 40s, said they were inspired by Pope John Paul to spread the Gospel in new ways.

Father David Delargy, Father Martin O’Hagan and his brother Father Eugene O’Hagan form the Priests singing group. The three tenors are diocesan priests from Northern Ireland.

In a blog about their experiences in Rome, Father Eugene O’Hagan wrote: “This has been a privileged time for us in many unexpected ways. We are, each of us, mindful of the exhortation of the late Pope John Paul II to ‘put out into the deep’ where, leaving the security of the familiar shoreline, we may have the chance of helping those at risk of being swept along by perilous currents and tides, mindful to avoid being caught up in them ourselves. This is a challenge made to every follower of Christ in every era and no less urgent in today’s modern world.” Father Eugene O’Hagan said Bishop Noel Treanor of Down and Connor “is delighted that he has three priests putting the diocese on the map.” While in New York, the Priests sang at a private Sony BMG reception held in their honor at Providence, a New York nightclub, which was the Manhattan Baptist Church from the 1920s to

the 1960s. Its cathedral ceiling, arched windows and exposed beams are still intact. The acoustics in the place are so good it was the home of Media Sound Studios in the 1970s and 1980s, hosting recording sessions for Jimi Hendrix, Billy Joel, John Lennon, the Rolling Stones, James Taylor and other legendary rock performers. The Priests, wearing clerical garb and standing with their hands at their sides, sang five songs from a small, unadorned platform. The cover art for their album, a Celtic cross on a white background, was projected on the windows on either side of the stage. Their performance was introduced by Nick Raphael, managing director of Sony’s Epic Records. “This is not a religious project. It’s a project of passion,” he said. “These guys are passionate about what they do.” Richard Palmese, executive vice president for promotion for RCA Music Group, said that as an executive he is “excited about the great music and the vocal talents of our three artists.” “As a Catholic I’m proud to be able to support their ministry,” he said. “It’s a celebration of popular spiritual music and a celebration of the priesthood. The priests are bringing a message to millions through the ministry of song.” Father Delargy said the three priests were grateful for the encouragement of their confreres, whom he described as “a very strong fraternity of priests. They are delighted for us and very supportive.” The O’Hagan brothers added that their 93-year-old father is “over-the-moon” happy for them and convinced their recently deceased mother “is having words with God” to assure their success. (The Priests’ website, www.ThePriests. com, has samples of their music.)

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‘Damien’ set Dec. 5 “Damien -The Leper Priest of Molokai” will be performed at the Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, 43326 Mission Blvd. in Fremont, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Dan Cawthon, founder of the Performing Arts Department at Moraga’s St. Mary’s College stars in the title role. Cawthon’s performance has been widely acclaimed, according to information promoting the show, noting his portrayal has been called a “powerful treatment of an uncompromising play.” Now retired, Cawthon serves with the Eugene O’Neill Foundation’s Playwright’s Theater. Tickets are $10. Call Dominican Sister Katherine Jean Cowan at (510) 657-2468 or (510) 9336322.

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Catholic San Francisco

November 21, 2008

Advent: Week 1 . . .

Holy Spirit, guide the choices we make throughout this week so that we choose to do what honors our creator and what shows our love of others. Father in heaven, we offer thanks to you for the many gifts and talents you have given to all the people on the Earth, to our family and friends, to the neighbors we know and the neighbors we have yet to befriend. Lord Jesus, we wait in joyful hope for you. Come into our hearts, so that when the time comes, we will be prepared to join you in everlasting joy.

■ Continued from page 19

Rome journey. . . ■ Continued from cover

may look like a work site but it is treated as every bit as sacred as the basilica above. Our prayers sounded unusually fervent as they echoed in the cave-like space where we had gathered. It charged the atmosphere that, faintly from above, we could hear music from the grottoes where most of the recent popes are buried. But no doubt the main reason for the prayerful moment was that it was the first time that in praying to St. Peter we were also looking at him. Ahead through a plate-glass window we could see part of an excavated structure. In it was a cavity that contained a number of small white objects: bones. Msgr. Nalty had hinted at the beginning of the tour that the archaeological and historical evidence leans compellingly to the conclusion that the bones are St. Peter’s, but he would not give the story away. He would rather we saw it for ourselves. We had many questions along the way but not so many at the end when Msgr. Nalty Tourup90404 summed as we stood in the presence of the tiny bone fragments as chant drifted in Departs San Francisco from the papal grottoes. We knew that high 10-Day Pilgrimage above in a straight line was the dome of St. $ Peter’s with the inscription from Matthew only ($2,799 after Sept. 21, 2008) 16, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will Fr. Larry Young, Spiritual Director build my church. ... I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven....” Visit: Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Tiberias, “This is as literal as it gets,” Msgr. Nalty Upper Galilee, Jerusalem, Masada Garden of Gethsemane said. “This Church was built on top of St. Peter.” April 29-May 10, 2009 The most powerful evidence Msgr. Nalty described is the consistency and intensity of Tour 90502 Christians’ veneration of this one spot in a giant Roman graveyard as the burial place of Departs San Francisco St. Peter, who was martyred in A.D. 64. The site had been marked with a memorial 10-Day Pilgrimage shrine as early as A.D. 160. Over this shrine later Church fathers had built ever-more speconly $ tacular monuments, culminating with the dome ($2,399 if deposit is not paid by Oct. 2, 2008) of the new St. Peter’s Basilica in 1590. “When archaeologists got here they Fr. Chris Crotty C.P.M., found the stones worn down by the feet of Spiritual Director Rome the pilgrims,” Msgr. Nalty said. “We’re just the latest ones.” Visit: Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Bari, Mt. St. Angelo, San Giovanni, St. Peter was buried on Vatican Hill Lanciano, Cascia, Assisi, Orvieto Rome (Papal audience) because the spot was next to Nero’s circus, where he and other Christians were publicly tortured and killed as scapegoats for a fire that destroyed much of Rome, Msgr. Nalty said. “This was the first place Christians were killed by the full force of the Roman government,” he said. Departs San Francisco St. Peter was first buried in a gable-style 12-Day Pilgrimage grave covered with six tiles. Before A.D. 150 a wall was built around the grave, probonly $ ($4,349 after Jan. 19, 2009) ably to protect it from erosion. Soon after, a columned memorial of the type Romans Fr. Ron Williams, Spiritual Director usually built to enclose urns was carefully Includes outside cabin and shore excursions placed over the gabled tomb. Visit: Athens, Istanbul, Mykonos, Patmos, Kusadas, The memorial was inscribed to St. Peter and Athens Rhodes, Heraklion, Santorini, Piraeus, Corinth pilgrims soon began streaming to it, some tying

Closing prayer: (Leader may read all, or others in the household may each read a segment) Dear God, help us accept that we are the clay and you are the potter. Throughout this first week of Advent, help us remember we are your people and you are our God. Help us set our priorities correctly and put the most important things first – loving God and loving our neighbor.

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pieces of cloth to sticks and dropping them into the grave to touch the martyr’s remains. In the 4th century, Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman emperor, built a marble mausoleum over the memorial. He also put up two buttressing walls, which provided significant evidence when 20th century excavators found them covered with Christian graffiti. Determined to worship in a church built over the founder’s tomb, Constantine then cut off the top of Vatican Hill and moved a million cubic feet of dirt to create the foundation for the first St. Peter’s Basilica. It is said that he himself carried 12 bags of dirt, one for each apostle. Thanks to Constantine’s patronage, the holy site grew in popularity. The archeological evidence indicates that while the church was being built, pagans began moving their family graves out as Christians began moving in “to be buried close to Peter,” Msgr. Nalty said. “We know that many people always wanted to be buried near saints,” Msgr. Nalty said. “Bodies were buried on top of each other in competition to be as close as they could to Peter.” Excavators, authorized by Pope Pius XII, reached the site in early 1940s. Digging under one of Constantine’s graffiti-covered buttressing walls, they located the 2nd century memorial and found bones at the bottom of the burial shaft. They were disappointed when the bones turned out to be the remains for two men and a woman, all younger than Peter had been when he died. “Later on they found a crack in the graffiti wall and they enlarged the crack and they found built into the wall a marble-lined cavity, and inside that marble-lined cavity another set of bones was found,” Msgr. Nalty said. The second set of bones belonged to one person – a male, short and stout. They were covered with the type of dirt found on the surface of Vatican Hill, indicating the burial had originally been in the ground near Nero’s circus. A third clue: they were found wrapped in a type of purple cloth that signified the deceased person was of high standing. Finally, the bones came from every part of the body but the feet and ankles. Was this a clue that the deceased person had been, like Peter, crucified upside-down and his feet severed when he was removed from the cross? Msgr. Nalty, nearing the close of the tour, lingered over that possibility and the meaning of martyrdom for all Christians. The martyrs in Nero’s circus, Msgr. Nalty said, citing the Roman historian Tacitus, showed the people who came to watch the display that Christians truly believed that if their faith did not break they would receive the promises of the Lord. The pagan spectators were stirred morally, regarding Nero’s behavior with disgust and the Christians’ with respect. “The full weight of the Roman Empire coming down on Christianity should have ended it,” he said. “It should have been over but instead the blood became the seed for the Church.”

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November 21, 2008

Advent Opportunities Sundays, 3:30 p.m.: Concerts featuring local and musical artists from around the world at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Gough and Geary Blvd. in San Francisco. Open to the public. Free-will offering helps support Cathedral’s music ministry. Nov. 30: Christoph Tietze, organist. Dec. 7: David Brock, organist. Call (415) 567-2020, ext. 231. Nov. 26, Dec. 3, 10, 17, 7:30 p.m.: Take time for the real meaning of the Advent season. The Dominican Sisters invite women interested in life as a religious for Lectio Divina - Scripture Faith Sharing at the main parlor of the motherhouse, 43326 Mission Blvd. in Fremont. Focus will be the Gospel for the upcoming Sunday. For more information, contact Sister Beth Quire, OP at (510) 657-2468 or beth@ msjdominicans.org. Nov. 30, 4 p.m.: Solemn Vespers with song led by the Shrine Schola at the National Shrine of St. Francisco of Assisi, 610 Vallejo St. at Columbus in San Francisco. “English psalms and canticles will be sung to Gregorian Chant settings in prayer for peace and hope in the coming years,” the shrine said. For more information, call (415) 983-0405. Dec. 1, 8, 15, 7 p.m. and Dec. 22, 5 p.m.: “World Peace, World Economy: The Challenge of Globalization,” an Advent lecture series at St. Rita Church, 100 Marinda Dr. in Fairfax. Speakers are, in order of appearance, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, founding president of Pax Christi U.S.A.; Franciscan Sister Mary Litell, non-violence educator; Franciscan Father Louis Vitale, former pastor of St. Boniface Parish in San Francisco and well-known peace advocate; and Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Vatican nuncio to the United Nations. Archbishop Migliore’s talk will be followed by a fundraising dinner at Deer Park Villa. For more information about the talks or tickets to the dinner, contact Noele Kostelic at (415) 456-4815 or nkostelic@sbcglobal.net. Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 7:30 p.m.: “Spiritual Reflections on the Christian Experience of Hope,” with Father David Pettingill at St. Emydius Church, Ashton and DeMontfort St. in San Francisco; $20 donation includes all four talks. Call (415) 587-7066. Dec. 5, 6, 7:30 p.m.: Christmas Concert at Notre Dame de Namur University’s Cunningham Chapel, 1500 Ralston Ave. in Belmont. Tickets are $20/$10 students and seniors. For more information, call (650) 508-3729 or e-mail concerts@ndnu.edu. Dec. 6, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: “A Time of Preparation and Celebration of Promises,” an Advent Retreat at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 39th Ave. and Lawton in San Francisco. Day begins with Mass and ends with opportunity for Sacrament of Reconciliation. Deacon Mike Quinn will facilitate. Fee of $25 includes meal and materials. Register by calling Sister Stella Negri at (415) 664-8590. Dec. 6, 7 p.m.: Concert by Mission Dolores Basilica Choir at St. Gabriel Church, 40th Ave. at Ulloa in San Francisco. Tickets are $15. Parking available. Call (415) 621-8203 or visit www.missiondolores.org. Dec. 6, 7: The Paulist Center at Old St Mary’s, 614 Grant Ave. in San Francisco, hosts author, Alice Camille, who will sign her new “Forgiveness Book” following the Saturday 5 p.m. vigil Mass and Sunday’s 8:30 and 11 a.m. Masses. For information, call (415) 288-3845 or 288-3850. Dec. 11, 11 a.m.: “Thanks for the Memories,” a celebration of mothers of graduates, students and former students of Our Lady of Angels School in Burlingame. Afternoon includes hosted wine reception, lunch and time with “dear friends and precious memories,” event coordinators said. Tickets are $40. For more information, call Anne Hahn at (650) 3425044, Pat Stecher at (650) 342-4680, Jean Flanagan at (650) 342-5479 or Diana Hicks at (650) 343-3422. Please respond by Nov. 30. Dec. 12, 13, 7:30 p.m.: Mater Dolorosa Parish, 307 Willow Ave. at Miller in South San Francisco, presents the renowned Hallelujah Choir and the Cherubim Children’s Choir in a Christmas choral presentation of “Good Tidings of Great Joy,” directed

Food & Fun

Datebook

Nov. 21, 22, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Sisters of Mercy at Marian Convent Holiday Boutique features numerous holiday items including homemade jams and jellies, gift baskets, crocheted items, all-occasion handmade cards, baked goods, candies, fudge and plants. Preparing strawberry jam for the event are Mercy Sisters Regina Sutton, left, Estelle Small and Joseph Mary Galli. “Jam is one of the big sellers and it’s very good,” said Liz Dossa, communications director for the Sisters. All takes place at Marian Convent, 2300 Adeline Dr., Bldg. D, Burlingame. Follow Lower Road on Mercy Campus to Marian Convent. For information, call Debbie Halleran at (650) 340-7426. by Angelita Pasamba. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Call (650) 583-4131 for more information or e-mail Frances@mdssf.org. Dec. 13, 5:30 p.m. Simbang Gabi Commissioning and Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Gough and Geary Blvd. in San Francisco, welcoming the Filipino tradition that is prayed the nine days before Christmas. Archbishop George Niederauer will preside. “Experience the spirituality that speaks to all people of every ethnicity,” said Nellie Hizon, a coordinator of the devotion. Contact Nellie at (415) 699-7927 or Doug Benbow at (415) 567-2020. Dec 13, 14: Paulist Father Larry Boadt, president of Paulist Press, will sign his new book “Life of Saint Paul” at The Paulist Center at Old St. Mary’s, 614 Grant Ave. in San Francisco, following the Saturday 5 p.m. vigil Mass and Sunday’s 8:30 and 11 a.m. Masses. For information, call (415) 288-3845 or 288-3850. Dec. 14, 5 p.m.: 17th Annual Candlelight Christmas Concert by Mission Dolores Basilica Choir, 16th and Dolores in San Francisco. Tickets are $25, $18 and $15. Parking available. Conductor is Jerome Lenk. Call (415) 621-8203 or visit www. missiondolores.org. Dec. 14, 4 p.m.: “Lessons and Carols” at St. Cecilia Church, 17th Ave at Vicente in San Francisco, featuring the St. Cecilia Choir under the direction of Russell Ferreira. Parking available. Call (415) 6648481 for more information. Dec. 16 to 24, 6 a.m.: “Simbang Gabi” at St. Stephen Church, Eucalyptus at 23rd Ave. by Stonestown in San Francisco. Now on its 12th year, eight parishes help sponsor the novena: St. Anne of the Sunset, St. Brendan, St. Cecilia, St.

Catholic San Francisco

Emydius, St. Finn Barr, St. Gabriel, St. Stephen and Star of the Sea. Liturgies include scenes from the Gospel of the day. Archbishop George Niederauer will celebrate Mass Dec. 24 followed by a “Pasko sa Baryo” potluck Christmas party with cultural dances, music and festival. Contact Nellie Hizon at (415) 699-7927.

St. Mary’s Cathedral Gough and Geary St. in San Francisco – (415) 567-2020. Ample parking is available free of charge in the Cathedral lot for most events. Dec. 13, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Silver Bells Arts and Crafts Fair featuring items from 60 artists representing Asia and the Pacific Islands. For more information, call (415) 931-2294. Third Tuesdays through September 2009, 7:15 p.m.: The Year of St. Paul Lecture Series features Professor Stephen C. Córdova of the St. Anthony of Padua Institute, and Conventual Franciscan Father Francisco Nahoe of the Franciscan Spirit and Life Institute. Talks are free. Information and lecture dates are available online at www.stanthonypaduainstitute. org/stpaul.pdf

Special Liturgies Nov. 29, 5:30 p.m.: Thanksgiving Mass for the Divorced and Separated of the Archdiocese of San Francisco at St. John of God Church, 5th Avenue at Irving St. in San Francisco. A potluck reception will follow with hors d’oeuvres and desserts. For information, contact Jesuit Father Al Grosskopf at (415) 422-6698, Susan Fox at (415) 752-1308, or Gail Castro at (650) 591-8452.

Nov. 22, 2 – 7 p.m.: “Viva Las Vegas” fundraiser at St. Thomas More Church, Brother Hood Way at Junipero Serra Blvd. in San Francisco. Proceeds benefit school scholarship fund. Four live nightclub acts will perform. Tickets are $40. Evening includes dinner, drinks and raffle. Call (415) 452-9634. Nov. 21, 22: Two holiday-spirited events unfold at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 1000 Alameda de las Pulgas at Ralston in Belmont. A Holiday Boutique preview with champagne takes place Friday from 5 – 9 p.m. Tickets are $15. A fashion show and luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday with tickets at $85 each. Advanced reservations required. For more information, call (650) 593-2197, ext 21 or e-mail alejandra_elam@hotmail.com Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.: A concert by South San Francisco’s St. Augustine Church’s Music Ministry in the parish church. Proceeds benefit parish projects, particularly repair of the parish hall. The performance features St. Augustine cantors and choirs. Tickets are $15. Call (650) 873-2282 for more information. Nov. 22, 5:30 p.m.: Notre Dame High School’s Athletic Boosters presents a Crab Cioppino bash at the school, 1540 Ralston Ave. in Belmont. Menu includes salad, garlic bread, crab cioppino and dessert. Tickets are $45. For reservations, contact Patsy Iannone at (650) 595-1913, ext. 445. Nov. 22, 23, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Holiday Boutique sponsored by St. Peter’s Women’s Guild, 700 Oddstad Blvd. in Pacifica. Select from holiday merchandise from more than 25 vendors. Lunch items available for purchase. Call (650) 359-4535. Nov. 22, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Mercy High School, San Francisco Booster Club’s Annual Holiday Boutique. Enjoy artisan vendors, raffles, silent auction. Contact Teresa Lucchese at (415) 334-0525, ext. 242 or tlucchese@mercyhs.org Nov. 22, 8 - 10 a.m.: Santa Claus visits Mercy High School, San Francisco, Barrett Hall, 3250 19th Ave. for pancakes and pictures. Breakfast for adults is $8/$5 children and students. Pictures with the jolly old elf are $5. Contact Teresa Lucchese at (415) 334-0525, ext. 242 or tlucchese@mercyhs.org Nov. 22, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Nov. 23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 1000 Alameda de las Pulgas at Ralston, in Belmont hosts its annual Holiday Boutique featuring gifts, handcrafted items, jewelry, Thanksgiving and Christmas crafts, a baked goods shop, photos with Santa, a Nativity raffle and a Christmas tree raffle. Attendance is free. All proceeds benefit IHM School. For more information, call (650) 593-2197, ext 21, e-mail: alejandra_elam@hotmail.com or visit www. ihmschoolbelmont.com/home/fashion2008.php Nov. 22, 6 p.m.: Crab Bash Family Dinner benefiting Holy Name of Jesus Parish and School in Ryan Hall, 40th Ave. and Lawton in San Francisco. Menu includes marinated cracked Dungeness crab, pasta, cheesecake, wine, beer or punch. Tickets are $35 with tables of eight for $260. Tickets for children ages 6 – 12 are $10. Call (415) 664-8590. Nov. 22, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Nov. 23, 9 a.m. – noon: “Noel Notions,” the Mt. Carmel Shop’s, 17 Buena Vista at Blithedale in Mill Valley, annual Christmas Bazaar. There will be many vendors. Call (415) 388-4332. Proceeds benefit Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish programs.

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

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

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November 21, 2008

Gracenter . . . ■ Continued from page 5 An average of 26 women graduate each year. Their success has much to do with the support – financial, spiritual and programmatic – from three groups: the Good Shepherd Sisters, the Ladies Guild, and the community at large. The Ladies Guild, established in 1932 to help the original University Mound School, continues to meet on a regular basis and holds a number of annual fundraising events. Guild members involve the residents in fundraisers and teach informal classes. “The Guild is a San Francisco treasure and tradition. We have an enormous community sense and spirit,” said Nora Hall, Guild president. While funds raised by the Guild are badly needed, its greatest contribution is supporting residents and letting them know people care. “This is especially important as many come from abusive families, or families that have walked away or given up on them. They need to know they are not alone,” Hall said. A resident in her fourth month says she has learned “from the program and the Sisters that I am more precious than the whole world, to give myself a chance, to have faith that better and brighter days will come. We don’t have to live in the dark.”

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Contractors State License Board

800-321-2752

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

ALL PLUMBING WORK PAT HOLLAND

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

S anti

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

BEST PLUMBING, INC. Lic. # 872560

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

GALA AUCTION

“Please accept our heartfelt appreciation. Our 2004 event was an overwhelming success. The event raised close to $90,000.” SPECIAL OLYMPICS “You team helped make “Celebrate the New Sequoia Ball and Auction” extremely successful. The event netted a record breaking $ 1.2 million” SEQUIOA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

BONDED & INSURED

415-205-1235

Your Payless Plumbing

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

(650) 557-1263 EMAIL:

bestplumbinginc@comcast.net Member: Better Business Bureau

Plumbing • Fire Protection • Certified Backflow

(650) 363-2001 www.BizzarrosAuctions.com bizzarros@earthlink.net

John Bianchi Phone: 415.468.1877 Fax: 415.468.1875 100 North Hill Drive, Unit 18 • Brisbane, CA 94005 Lic. No. 390254

Party Rentals

Counseling

Complete Auto Repair

lic. 343633

HOLLAND Plumbing Works San Francisco

Lic. # 0599101

HABELT’S AUTO SERVICE

Specializing In Wood Fences

has been working with hundreds of non-profits and schools since 1984. We provide expert consultation cutting edge technology, and a phenomenal auction team for your event.

www.alliedinsurance.com

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.

MORROW CONTRUCTION

Plumbing CA LIC #817607

Bizzarros Auctions

Insure both your home and auto with Allied Insurance and save! With Allied Insurance, more really is better.

Auto Service

Construction

TAKE YOUR GALA AUCTION TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Multi-Policy Discounts

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

415-664-1735

GALA EVENT SPECIALISTS

Insurance Services

Contractor inspection reports and pre-purchase consulting

3865 Irving St. at 40th Ave. – Since 1964 –

BIZZARROS GALA AUCTION EVENTS

NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR

FREE ESTIMATES

John Holtz Ca. Lic 391053 General Contractor Since 1980

Julie Benbow is a Bay Area non-profit consultant.

Handy Man

www.sospainting.net

painting and remodeling

The Gracenter recovery experience is well described by another resident, “When I first came here, someone said to me, ‘Let me love you until you learn how to love yourself.’ I didn’t understand what that meant. Now I understand it and appreciate it. Before I didn’t respect or love myself or have any self worth. And while I still struggle with those issues, it’s nothing like it was because I have something to work with – thanks to this program. I know that I am worth more than the world.” Gracenter receives no city or government funding. The program is funded solely by gifts, bequests, and grants from individuals and foundations, which allows staff to select women who are most serious about recovery, whatever their financial resources. A sliding-fee structure ensures no one is turned away on financial grounds. For more information about Gracenter, go to www.gsgracenter.org, or call Charee Lord at (415) 586-2845.

FINE SERVICE, BETTER EVENTS.

GARIBALDI MAINTENANCE CO. Complete Janitorial – Window Cleaning Quality Service Since 1946

TABLES SEATING LINENS SETTINGS SERVEWARE STAGING

1- 800-717-PARTY

ABBEY party rents sf

“Large Enough to Matter, Small Enough to Care”

FREE ESTIMATES (415) 441-2454 www.garibaldimaintenance.com

Fully Insured & Bonded

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

Garage Door Repair WWW.ABBEYRENTSSF.COM

Discount

Garage Door

Repair

Carpet Cleaning

Lic #376353

Safe Non-Toxic, No Shampoo, Dry in Hours not Days Commercial & Residential Serving SF & San Mateo Co. St. Charles Parishioner

(650) 593-5959

INDIVIDUAL, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSELING • Find practical solutions for some of life’s tougher problems and situations • Short-term counseling for lasting solutions. • 20 years experience.

Maintenance Services

Healthcare Agency

Broken Spring/Cable? Operator Problems? Lifetime Warranty All New Doors/Motors

One Price 24 /7

415-931-1540 0% Financing Available

Roofing

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

(415) 242-3355 www.counselingforchristians.com

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

• Relationships • Addictions

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

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

The Irish Rose

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

(415) 786-0121 • (415) 586-6748

Serving San Francisco, Marin & the Peninsula.

Contact: 415.447.8463 P LEASE P ATRONIZE O UR A DVERTISERS !

Catholic San Francisco

November 21, 2008

Fall Concert

Catholic San Francisco

ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH

classifieds

Help Wanted

Approximately 2,000 to 3,500 square feet of space (additional space available if needed) at One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco (between Gough & Franklin), is being offered for lease — preferably to a non-profit entity. Space available includes four enclosed offices, open work area with seven cubicles, large work room, and storage rooms on the bottom level of the Archdiocese of San Francisco Chancery/Pastoral Center. We also have mail and copy services available, as well as meeting rooms (based on availability). Space has access to kitchen area and restroom facilities. Parking spaces negotiable. Ready for immediate occupancy with competitive terms. For more information, contact Katie Haley (415) 614-5556; email to haleyk@sfarchdiocese.org.

PUBLISH A NOVENA Pre-payment required Mastercard or Visa accepted

Cost $26

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

LAKE TAHOE RENTAL

Your prayer will be published in our newspaper

Vacation Rental Condo in South Lake Tahoe.

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

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

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

Sleeps 8, near Heavenly Valley and Casinos.

Call 925-933-1095 See it at RentMyCondo.com#657

(650) 771-5320

Caregiver Available Personal care, daily activities, physical assistance, shopping, errands, lite housekeeping. 15 yrs. experience Call 510.706.4426

Room for Rent PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER! CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

place a Help Wanted Ad in Catholic San Francisco

DALY CITY, unfurnished master bedroom for rent w/private bath, $ 650/mo. plus utilities.

(415) 341-5427.

Room Wanted ROOM WANTED Catholic woman employed part time and studying for a career and very responsible elementary school daughter needs room with kitchen privileges in San Francisco Can pay $600.00 per month. References. Please call Zhanna at 415-310-4080

Help Wanted THE CATHEDRAL

SACRISTAN ST. MARY OF

THE

ASSUMPTION

Full time position with benefits open at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. Position would require detailed person who has the ability to relate well with people in a diverse, worship environment. The successful applicant should have some knowledge of the Roman Catholic church and it’s rituals, although training will be provided. Be able to lift up to fifty pounds, have a valid California driver’s license, fluent in English. Some custodial duties, familiarity with maintenance and cleaning, a plus.

Requires flexibility in scheduling, able to work weekends, holidays. Resumes should be sent to Liturgy Director, c/o St. Mary Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA, 94112. Fax: 415-567-2040 or, email: dbenbow@stmarycathedralsf.org, no phone calls please. Complete job description and job application, available at the Cathedral office, 1111 Gough St., lower level, during regular business hours, 9a.m.– 5p.m., Monday – Friday.

This is a Career Opportunity! • Generous Commissions • Minimal Travel • Excellent Benefit Package • Stong Office Support • Work in Your Community. E.O.E.

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

The California Catholic Conference is seeking an Associate Lobbyist focusing on Church’s public policy advocacy efforts with a special focus on Hispanic legislators, staff and community leaders. Qualifications include Legislative advocacy experience, college degree in related field, familiar with Catholic Church teachings, bi-lingual in Spanish and English oral and written. Computer literacy and valid driver’s license required. Sacramento based office with some travel required. Salary range $38,000 – 45,000 annually depending on experience. Please send letter of interest and resume to: bcaselli@cacatholic.org

GIFT SHOP MANAGER JOB OPENING The Gift Shop Manager position is available at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption to begin ASAP. The Gift Shop Manager works 4-5 days per week and requires weekend work (both Saturday and Sundays).

OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE

MEXICO. 4 complete bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 floors, garage, laundry room, solar water heater & more.

ADVERTISING SALES

For The Largest Publisher of Catholic Church Bulletins

CAROL FERRANDO. Conservatory training, HOUSE IN masters degree, V ISTA HERMOSA, all levels of students. MICHOACÁN, CALL (415) 921-8337.

Tickets available from Victoria L. Medina (415) 377-1398 or josbianca@yahoo.com

This is a full-time position with excellent health, pension & vacation benefits. Job duties include scheduling, inventory, restocking shop and running cash register. The qualified candidate will have ability to work independently, know Office Outlook and use the internet for ordering. Experience must include knowledge of Catholic faith and devotions, with prior retail, excellent customer service and managerial experience. Good English skills are essential and other languages, especially Spanish are a plus.

FI L

PIANO LESSONS BY

Also on Saturday at the Epiphany Church 845 Vienna St., San Francisco

Mexican House for Sale

Piano Lessons

THE FALL CONCERT – SONGS OF PRAISE 50 THOMAS WAY, SAN FRANCISCO

CALL: 415-614-5642

SI T

Tickets: $15 each, Children FREE

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Email: penaj@sfarchdiocese.org Fax: 415-614-5641

Presents: Music at Carroll Hall Friday November 21st at 7:30 p.m.

Please send resume with the subject line “Gift Shop Manager” to accounts@stmarycathedralsf.org, or drop your resume off at the receptionist desk.

We are looking for full or part time

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

Catholic San Francisco

November 21, 2008

In Remembrance of the Faithful Departed Interred In Our Catholic Cemeteries During the Month of October HOLY CROSS COLMA Msgr. Thomas F. Ahern Ben Aiwaz Raymond H. Alvarez Rena Arbini Della V. Bacchini Louise C. Balestrieri Archer O. Balidio Nancy Barretta Sam Barretta Frank Joseph Bei Joseph John Berni Eleanor Bohnhardt Florence McMahon Boitano Marcella M. Bondanza Margaret L. Brizzolara Albina Marie Caimotto Magdalena E. Campbell Mary Sui-Chun Chan Mary Nora Clark William P. Coen Rosita Apacible Concepcion John J. Conway Dorothy Rose Cosentino Ernest A. Cuneo Lena M. Cuneo Donald Dacanay Katherine Mares Dacanay Argentine M. Dahlberg Eleanor E. Davis Leonardo M. Del Rosario Anthony A. Del Zompo Rita L. Delnevo Elvyra E. DeVincenzi Lamberto B. Dimaano, Jr. Anne DeVincenzi Dito Claire Navarro Eckley Federico L. Elazegui, Jr. Domingo B. Espadilla

Asmat A. Estephan Vincent Figlia Roberto Luna Figueroa Michael P. Fitzgerald Dewey F. Flaherty Concepcion C. Francisco Ida L. Franko Wesley Fletcher Frick Audilia Fuentes Corinna Gai Beverly Ann Gaudette Alice L. Gilbeaux Ann Ginilo Dina Marie Granelli Lois M. Gresh Joyce J. Guldbech Little Angel Hernandez Florentina V. Hidalgo Irene M. Hilt Clifford H. Hollander Eugenia R. Jones Lenore D. Keenan Alana Kelleher Daniel A. Kerwin Renae Kline Florence J. Lee Frederick Little Margaret Mary Little Lola Lommori Thomas W. Love Susanne Mahoney Catalino Manalang Juliette A. Marcillac William Marconi Angela Sabella Marks Samuel S. Martinez Joseph F. Marty Louis (Lou) Mattioli Clara S. Maxon Kevin McTiernan Ann T. Newell

Hyun Man Oh Emmanuel R. Olarte John Ornum Jose Oropeza B. Victoriano B. Palad Daniel Palma Nicholas A. Papapietro Clarence “Buddy” Peterson James Matthew Pidgeon Louis P. Pizza Catalina Alafriz Porganan Oscar Portillo, Sr. Gerald F. Quinlan Edward Reyes Rodolfo A. Rios Armando Jose Rodriguez Mercedes Roland Frank J. Sandona Geraldo C. Sbragia Robert E. Sheehan, Jr. Leonel Enrique Silva Eugene Sincich Marcelino M. Toliao Andre Jamil Townsend Mei Kuen Tse Dolores Tully Camille J. Tuvo Maria Luisa C. Vasquez Natividad V. Velasco Patricia M. Ward Marian B. Wardlaw Vera Whelan Barbara Williams Mary S. Wood Rose Y. Yuen Angelo A. Zuniga

HOLY CROSS MENLO PARK Alba Luz Dorfmeier

MT. OLIVET SAN RAFAEL Thomas F. Dillon III Frank “Penny” Garcia William E. Harris, Jr. Kathryn Reardon Hebel Fred Mantegani Stanley Rowley Imelda C. Walsh Rosemary Woodall

HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CEMETERY, COLMA First Saturday Mass Saturday, December 6th, 2008 – 11:00 a.m. All Saints Mausoleum - Rev. Brian Costello, Celebrant

Christmas Remembrance Service Saturday, December 13th, 2008 – 11:00 a.m. All Saints Mausoleum - No Mass Rev. John Talsefore, Officiating

The Catholic Cemeteries Archdiocese of San Francisco www.holycrosscemeteries.com 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.