Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper
(PHOTOS BY ANGELA BANCHI)
USCCB provides health care reform message to parishes nationwide
Floral arrangements at the “Festival of Flowers” at San Francisco’s Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption included this display above the baptistery at the entrance of the cathedral. See story page 6.
WASHINGTON (CNS) – The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has sent bulletin inserts to almost 19,000 parishes across the country in an effort to urge Catholics to prevent health care reform from being derailed by support for abortion funding. “Health care reform should be about saving lives, not destroying them,” the insert states. It urges readers to contact Senate leaders so they support efforts to “incorporate long-standing policies against abortion funding and in favor of conscience rights” in health reform legislation. “If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed,” it adds. The insert highlights an amendment sponsored by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., which “addresses essential pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights.” “Help ensure that the rule for the bill allows a vote on the amendment,” the insert states. “If these serious concerns are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed.” The insert also directs Catholics to the Web page www.usccb.org/healthcare. Parishes also were receiving suggested pulpit announcements and petitions in support of this effort. Bulletin inserts were distributed to dioceses Oct. 29, the day House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other House leaders unveiled an $894 billion health care reform bill called the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The inserts – expected to be placed in parish bulletins in early November – contain information about how HEALTH CARE REFORM MESSAGE, page 11
Vocations focus: St. Raphael Parish event marks ‘Year for Priests’ By Deacon Eugene Smith It’s the “Year for Priests,” called by Pope Benedict XVI from June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010, and it was celebrated prayerfully and lovingly at St. Raphael Parish October 27. Parishioners Anita and Phil Garcia were so enthused they sent the following e-mail at dawn the next morning. “Congratulations to the Vocations Committee for a most successful celebration last evening”. On Tuesday night, the parish campus was filled with grateful parishioners who came to pray, enjoy a light meal and hear from a panel of St. Raphael priests as well as Father Tom Daly, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The goal for the evening was to recognize priests and to foster the work of vocations to the religious life and the priesthood, said Al Cuthbert, co-chair of the St. Raphael Vocations Committee led by Father Ngoan Van Phan.
Parishioners were challenged to listen to the panel of priests speaking of their call to the priesthood and to pass on what they heard with their families, especially their children and grandchildren. Father Paul Rossi, pastor, shared his thoughts. “I found I had good priestly role models in my life when I was a student here at St. Raphael School,” Father Rossi said. “I think Monsignor McAllister, Father George O’Meara and Father John Petroni along with the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael were good models of faith and service for me. My father also brought me to Mass every Sunday and even when I went on vacation with my maternal grandparents, who were not Catholic, they would always make sure they got me to Mass on Sunday morning.” Father Rossi said, “I see that the only High Priest is Jesus Christ and I share in his priesthood. I feel that priesthood is not primarily a life style or can be reduced ST. RAPHAEL EVENT, page 9
Father Ngoan Van Phan, Precious Blood Father David Matz; St. Raphael pastor, Father Paul Rossi and Father Tom Daly, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION ‘Voices of Peace’ . . . . . . . . . . 3 Women religious thanked. . . 6 Catholic Charities CYO . . . . 8 ‘God’s Geese’ . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Commentary & letters . 14-15
News in brief Berlin Wall anniversary ~ Pages 4-5 ~ November 6, 2009
Vatican honors Jesuit missonary ~ Pages 12-13 ~
Marin Catholic’s new student center ~ Page 18 ~
ONE DOLLAR
Scripture & reflection. . . . . 16 Books & Datebook . . . . 20-21
www.catholic-sf.org VOLUME 11
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