December 10, 2004

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Mission San Francisco de Asis (Dolores) founded Oct. 9, 1776 is the oldest building in San Francisco and the 6th of 21 California Missions.

Legislation giving grants to repair missions faces lawsuit

By Patrick Joyce Only one thing stands between the California’s historic missions and $10 million in federal preservation funds: a lawsuit filed last week in by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a longtime adversary of the Catholic Church.

Last year, AUSCS opposed nearly $700,000 in federal grants to preserve two historic buildings that still serve as houses of worship: the Episcopal Old North Church in Boston and Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, the oldest synagogue in the nation. However, the AUSCS did not go to court to block those grants.

The organization, originally known as Protestants and Other Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, is taking a much tougher approach now that Catholic missions are in line for similar grants.

Last week, AUSCS asked the U.S. District Court for the

District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. to block the funding for the missions.

The organization has a long history of opposing the Catholic Church. Since its founding in the 1940s it has opposed government aid to Catholic schools. In 1958, it called for revoking the citizenship of American cardinals who participated in the conclave at which John XXIII was elected pope. In 1967 it went to court to stop distribution of a Madonna and Child postage stamp because the group claimed in promoted the Catholic faith.

Protestants and Other Americans United for Separation of Church and State has changed its name and according to Joe Conn, a spokesman for the AUSCS, it has changed its ways. When asked by Catholic San Francisco last week if its efforts to block funding for the missions was “just some old-fashioned Catholic-baiting,” Conn said, “No. We just don’t have enough money

to sue in every case.” But the organization will find the money when the Catholic Church is involved.

The $10 million in federal funding would be provided by the California Missions Preservation Act, which was signed into law by President Bush Nov. 30. The money would go to the California Missions Foundation, a secular organization.

The law requires that the foundation match the federal funding dollar for dollar with private or state contributions.

The foundation would decide how to spend the $20 million.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Sam Farr of Carmel and Senator Barbara Boxer, won broad bipartisan support in Congress but was strongly opposed by AUSCS. After the bill received final approval from the Senate Nov. 17, AUSCS executive director Barry W. Lynn, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ said his group would challenge the law in court. “Taxpayers should MISSIONS, page 18

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Religious discrimination . . . . 3 Bioethics conference . . . . . . . 6

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Lay associates movement ~ Page 5 ~

Pope on laity. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 School of Pastoral Leadership. 11 Scripture and reflection . . . . 14

Refugees and immigrants

Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Classified ads . . . . . . . . . . . 19

~ Page 10 ~ December 10, 2004

SIXTY CENTS

www.catholic-sf.org VOLUME 6

•

No. 40

2

Catholic San Francisco

December 10, 2004

On The Where You Live

by Tom Burke

Novato’s Our Lady of Loretto Parish installed its Pastoral Council for 2004-05 November 14. Father William McCain, pastor, presided. Front from left: Nazario Ayala, Jean Nelson Paul Prudhomme, Carmen Chalfant, Father McCain. Back from left: Deacon Bill Mitchell, Dave Furnanz, Steve Morris, Bob Cretti, Larry Mazzotta, Tom Berg. Unavailable for the photo were Al Angulo, Ray Irving, Cathy Timmer. Thanks to Kris Wiley for the good news.

Back from a gathering of their now more than 30-member family – including their 8 children, 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren - are Beth and Ray Phillips of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Burlingame. It all took place in Southern California on the spread of youngest son, Peter, and grandson, Marek. Highlights of the trip included celebration of Beth’s birthday July 23rd and the 33rd wedding anniversary of daughter, Kathleen Royce and her husband Chris. “It was amazing to get that many of us together,” Beth said.

“Everyone was so happy.” Beth and Ray are married 57 years January 3rd…. Happy birthday to Catherine Faulkner Murphy, 90 years old November 14th and a longtime parishioner of St. Anne of the Sunset now residing at Marian Care Center in Burlingame. Catherine’s daughter is Mercy Sister Anne Murphy, now part of the congregation’s leadership team, and formerly a faculty member at Our Lady of Angels Elementary School as well as schools in Southern California.

Remember that the Sisters of Mercy celebrate their 150th year in the West tomorrow at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

“All friends, co-workers of the Sisters, and those whose lives have been touched by the Sisters of Mercy are invited,” said Liz Dossa, Director of Communications. Considering the reach of the Sisters’ good work that probably includes all of us methinks!!…Also congrats of the 150th kind to St. Ignatius

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Official newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Francisco

Most Reverend William J. Levada, publisher Maurice E. Healy, associate publisher & editor Editorial Staff: Jack Smith, assistant editor; Evelyn Zappia, feature editor; Tom Burke, “On the Street” and Datebook; Patrick Joyce, contributing editor/senior writer; Sharon Abercrombie, reporter Advertising: Joseph Pena, director; Mary Podesta, account representative Production: Karessa McCartney, manager; Tiffany Doesken Business Office: Marta Rebagliati, assistant business manager; Virginia Marshall, advertising and promotion services; Judy Morris, circulation and subscriber services Advisory Board: Jeffrey Burns, Ph.D., Noemi Castillo, James Clifford, Fr. Thomas Daly, Joan Frawley Desmond, James Kelly, Deacon William Mitchell, Kevin Starr, Ph.D., Sr. Christine Wilcox, OP. 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: jpena@catholic-sf.org Catholic San Francisco (ISSN 15255298) is published weekly except the Fridays after Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas and the first Friday in January, twice a month during summer 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, California.

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.

A plaque with the exhortation, “Life, a Gift from God,“ was donated to Mercy High School, Burlingame by the Respect Life Committee of Knights of Columbus Council 1346 at ceremonies commencing the new school year. From left, Konrad von Emster, Gloria Gillogley, Laura Held, Mercy principal; Father Frank Murray, Ray Peterson, Claudio Suarez, Don Rottinghaus, Don Torre.

College Preparatory!! The revered Jesuit school, which five children, their spouses and 10 grandchildren. “Except opened its doors October 15, 1855, began a year-long cele- for Simone, the 6 month-old grandchild, all 9 grandchildren bration of its sesquicentennial December 4th. A mural by SI are enrolled in Catholic schools” including two granddaughters alum, Boris Koodrin, class of ’67, is at the University of Notre Dame, among commemorations currently in Paul said. Paul let me know that howthe works and will be blessed at a ever former it is we are indeed newmajor anniversary event June 4th. digs colleagues. “My office was on The long family tradition of the the second floor of your present school was highlighted last month at building when I was employed at the close of SI’s annual fashion show.

NCR,” Paul told me. “I worked for Several families with attendance at NCR for 25 years and have fond the school dating back to the ‘30s and memories of when I was manager at ‘40s were recognized. Present and Peter Yorke Way.” Paul and Mary accounted for were John have been parishioners of Our Lady Monaghan, ’37, with his son, Rob, of Mount Carmel in Mill Valley for ’76 and grandchildren, Colleen, ’03, all but one year of their married and Sean a senior; Jack Grealish, life…. It only takes a moment to let ’44, with his son John, ’79 who is us know about a birthday, annivernow an assistant principal at the sary, special achievement, or speschool, and granddaughter, Laura, a cial happening in your life. Just jot freshman; Neil Kelleher, ’44, with down the basics and send with a folhis son Dan, ’75, and grandchildren, low-up phone number to On the Jeremiah, a senior, and Madison, a Street Where You Live, One Peter Mary and Paul Vogelheim freshman; and Frank Kelly, II, ‘44, Yorke Way, SF 94109. You can also with his son, Frank III and granddaughter, Lizzie, a sopho- fax to (415) 614-5633 or e-mail, do not send attachments more….Happy anniversary to Mary and Paul Vogelheim except photos and those in jpeg please - to tburke@catholicwho celebrated 50 years married September 18th with their sf.org. You can reach Tom Burke at (415) 614-5634.

LIVING TRUSTS WILLS ●

●

PROBATE

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

(415) 664-8810

www.mtslaw.info FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

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

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

1-800-YES-SVDP

AUFER’S

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

Classics to Clunkers, running or not.

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

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

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

West Coast Church Supplies 369 Grand Avenue South San Francisco

1-800-767-0660 Easy access: 3 blocks west of 101 Bibles, Books, Rosaries,Statues, Jewelry, Medals, Crucifixes, Baptism and Christening Gifts

Mon – Fri 9:30 to 5:30 Sat 9:30 – 5

DP

RELIGIOUS SUPPLIES

Serving The Catholic – Christian Community since 1904

Kaufer’s is your source for custom work.

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

December 10, 2004

Catholic San Francisco

3

By Carol Glantz and Cindy Wooden ROME (CNS) — Fighting discrimination against Jews and Muslims must not come at the expense of protecting the rights of Christians, a top Vatican official told European foreign ministers.

Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, the Vatican’s foreign minister, said discrimination and intolerance must be faced “in an objective and peaceful way.”

He made his comments Dec. 6 as head of the Holy See’s delegation to the annual session of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, known as OSCE, held Dec. 6-7 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Some 55 countries, including the United States and Canada, are members of the OSCE, which addresses European security issues and crisis management.

Archbishop Lajolo told participants, “Christians, who constitute the religious majority in the territory covered by the OSCE, in some countries are also affected by discriminatory norms and behavior.”

While anti-Semitism and growing violence and discrimination against Muslims have been the focus of many European efforts, the archbishop warned that injustices against Christians must not be ignored.

“Anti-Semitism, discrimination against Muslims and discrimination against Christians must never be placed in a kind of hierarchy,” he said.

“It would be paradoxical to ignore the existence of discriminatory measures against Christians while intending to fight discrimination,” he said.

Archbishop Lajolo told the ministers that the OSCE “will have to treat openly, justly and adequately ... the problem of discrimination against Christians.”

In a Dec. 3 speech to a Rome conference on religious freedom sponsored by the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican, Archbishop Lajolo said perfect religious freedom does not exist in any country in the world.

“Even in states in which the right to religious freedom is taken very seriously,” he said, perfection is missing, often because a concern for church-state separation leads to penalizing religious activity in the public sphere.

Archbishop Lajolo was the keynote speaker at a Dec. 3 conference in Rome sponsored by the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican.

While the conference focused on major violations of religious freedom around the world, particularly in China and the Middle East, Archbishop Lajolo said limits on religious freedom exist almost everywhere.

For instance, he said, government and taxation policies may limit the rights of parents to choose a religious education for their children or may penalize the charitable work of the church by not recognizing its nonprofit status.

Attempts to ban religiously motivated positions from public policy debates are also infringements on religious freedom, he said.

Archbishop Lajolo and other speakers at the conference also voiced concern about the increasing threats to Christians in Iraq and in other countries with a Muslim majority following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

“It should be recognized that the war against terrorism, even though necessary, had as one of its side effects the spread of ‘Christianophobia’ in vast areas of the globe,” the archbishop said.

In many places, he said, “Western civilization or certain political strategies of Western countries are considered to be determined by Christianity or, at least, not separated from it.”

Archbishop Lajolo said the Vatican has asked the U.N. Commission on Human Rights to condemn “Christianophobia” along with “Islamophobia” and anti-Semitism.

Speaking to reporters later, the archbishop said anti-Christian or anti-Catholic sentiments are found not only in Muslim countries, but in other nations where church-sponsored educational or charitable work is seen as a thinly veiled attempt at proselytism or where Christianity is seen as Western colonialism or interference in the life of a nation.

John V. Hanford III, the U.S. ambassadorat-large for international religious freedom,

(CNS PHOTO BY SEAN SPRAGUE)

Vatican’s foreign minister warns of widespread discrimination based on religion

Catholics attend Mass in the central Chinese province of Shaanxi.

told the conference, “Far too many people continue to suffer for their faith. In fact, over half of the world’s people live under governments that restrict religious freedom.”

He said the U.S. State Department continues to list Myanmar, China, Iran, North Korea and Sudan as “countries of particular concern” for their restrictions on religious liberty, and this year the government added Eritrea, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam to the list.

“It has been joked that the only countries that come off our CPC list are countries we’ve invaded,” he said, but the fact is that the U.S. government has seen enough improvement in Afghanistan and Iraq to remove them from the list.

Still, Hanford said, the U.S. government is concerned about new threats against Christians in Iraq and the growing exodus of members of the country’s Christian communities.

Hanford also said the decrease in the number of Christians arrested in China over

the past year “is a statistical fluke” after several years of a strong crackdown on religious activity.

Paolo Carozza, a professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School, and Jesuit Father Daniel Madigan, director of the Institute for the Study of Religions and Culture at Rome’s Gregorian University, spoke of the need to take a holistic approach to promoting the dignity and human rights of all people.

“Interreligious dialogue,” Carozza said, “is critical for promoting the common good, for allowing each person and group to grow and flourish.”

Tolerance for others’ religious beliefs should lead to solidarity with them, which in turn will improve the chances for peace and security for all peoples, he said.

Father Madigan told the conference that many conflicts that seem to have a religious root are, in fact, conflicts in which religious differences are manipulated to defend economic or political power.

Take advantage of the financial benefits that come with age. Give yourself more financial stability through our Oblates Gift Annuity Program and at the same time help those less fortunate.

With an Oblates Charitable Gift Annuity of $1,000, you will receive fixed yearly payments, based on your age, from 6.7% to 12.5% for the rest of your life as well as a tax deduction. Annuities can be funded with cash or stocks.

Over 60...Call for excellent rates!

Call the Missionary Oblates Charitable Gifts Office toll free at 1-800-233-6264

Office of Charitable Gifts 9480 N. De Mazenod Drive Belleville, IL 62223-1160 www.charitablegifts.org Send me a One-life gift annuity proposal for $1,000 or more.

Name Birth Date Address City Telephone (

State

Zip

)

Amount Considered Two-life annuity rates are available upon request.

SF 12/10/04

4

Catholic San Francisco

NEWS

December 10, 2004

in brief

WASHINGTON — Father Robert Cannon, a U.S. military chaplain stationed in Iraq, recalled being summoned to a military hospital to tend to a wounded soldier. The priest was handed a note written by the soldier, who could not speak: “Please send for a Catholic priest, and please tell my mother that she is my best friend in the whole world.” Father Cannon recalled that encounter as “one of the most precious moments” of his current tour of duty. The priest, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, is seeking donations for wounded U.S. troops and for school and medical supplies for Iraq’s children and impoverished citizens. He said he was seeking emergency clothing for recently wounded troops arriving at the U.S. military hospital in Baghdad.

When soldiers arrive at the hospital, “they arrive just with the clothing that they are wearing, since often they are away from their gear and base when they are wounded or injured,” he told Catholic News Service via e-mail. Father Cannon said clothing donations would help augment the clothing the hospital already has in stock. He said that often the soldiers are in and out of the hospital so quickly and sent to medical facilities in Europe or the United States that they do not have time to retrieve their belongings.

University center seeks to bring Catholic values to U.S. culture PORTLAND, Ore. — The University of Portland will establish a new center to study Catholic life and American culture.

The university, run by the Holy Cross Fathers, will use a $1 million endowment from Silvio and Mary Garaventa of Concord, Calif., to establish the Garaventa Center for Catholic Intellectual Life and American Culture. Its first executive director will be Margaret M. Hogan, who holds the university’s McNerneyHanson chair in ethics. The center will have as its goal bringing Catholic values to bear on the development of American culture by integrating studies in the various colleges with the public and personal lives of students, faculty, staff, alumni and others.

Officials said, “The center seeks no less than to contribute significantly to the transformation of culture in America.”

Missouri pro-life Democrats urge party to emphasize moral issues ST. LOUIS — The Democratic Party needs to take a long look at its position on moral issues before the next election, according to several pro-life Democrats in the Missouri state Legislature. State Sen. Patrick Dougherty and Reps. Patricia Yaeger, Belinda Harris and Thomas Villa, a few of the estimated 25 to 35 pro-life Democrats in the Legislature, said the Democratic Party needs to reassess its positions as it looks to the future. Dougherty termed the reassessment “soul-searching.” Others said they believed that the 2004 Democratic candidate for governor, state auditor Claire McCaskill, would have won the election if she had not taken a position in support of keeping abortion legal. “Look at who won and who lost” the Nov. 2 elections, Yaeger said. Democrats lost three seats in the state Senate and seven in the state House of Representatives.

Republicans control the Senate 23-11 and the House 97-66.

(CNS PHOTO FROM REUTERS)

U.S. military chaplain in Iraq seeks help for wounded troops

Filipino villagers carry relief goods to the town of General Nakar in the Quezon province of the Philippines Dec. 7. Residents were fleeing some flooded towns as food and drinking water ran short and fears of disease spread days after back-to-back storms left a trail of destruction and death.

Leading priest sees need to change Pope praises efforts clergy image in wake of abuse crisis to eliminate land mines CHICAGO — In the wake of the clerical sexual abuse crisis, the Catholic Church must find a way to move forward, but perhaps with a different view of the priesthood, said Father Robert Silva, president of the National Federation of Priests’ Councils. “We see a world in need of evangelization,” Father Silva said. “It’s a multiethnic world, a multigenerational world, it’s a transgenerational world.

It’s a world that yearns and struggles. We need not be afraid.

We need to go forward with hope.” Father Silva made his comments recently at Loyola University in Chicago. To go forward, Father Silva said, priests must see themselves as belonging to the communities they serve, rather than as “men set apart.” “If you live in this world where it’s you and Jesus, you and God, and you’re not like the rest of men, you’re setting yourself up for a big fall,” Father Silva said.

Eucharistic adoration has great value, papal preacher says VATICAN CITY — Eucharistic adoration may seem like a waste of time to beginners, but experience demonstrates that it yields great spiritual gifts, said the preacher of the papal household. “To engage in eucharistic contemplation means, in concrete terms, establishing a heart-to-heart contact with Jesus, who is truly present in the host,” Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa told Pope John Paul II and top Vatican officials. The preacher began his annual series of Advent sermons for the pope and his aides Dec. 3, saying he would focus on the Eucharist during the current eucharistic year. As a guide, the papal preacher was using the lines of the traditional church hymn, “Adoro te devote” (I adore you devoutly). Father Cantalamessa said eucharistic adoration and the Mass — contemplation and celebration — should complement each other in the lives of Catholics. He said the value of eucharistic adoration was not found in theological explanations but in the experience of many, many Catholics who have felt its profound effects.

VATICAN CITY — Pope John Paul II praised countries committed to the eradication of land mines, weapons he called “the terrible scourge of modern times.” In a statement read Dec. 2 to participants at an international conference on antipersonnel mines in Nairobi, Kenya, the pope called for continued efforts to remove mines from affected countries and destroy stockpiles of the weapons. Special attention should be given to the innocent victims of land-mine explosions, he told the conference, the first convened to review compliance with the 1999 Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty, which bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines. The United States, which is not among the 143 countries that have ratified the agreement, did not participate in the conference. A copy of the pope’s statement was released by the Vatican. The statement was read by Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the Vatican representative at the conference.

Peruvian bishops warn of trade agreement’s negative effects LIMA, Peru — Three bishops from one of the most impoverished regions of Peru’s southern highlands warned that a free trade agreement with the United States could have a negative impact and called for public consultation. “If some limits aren’t set on what is being negotiated between a country as large as the United States and one as small as Peru, the poor will get eaten up,” said Bishop Juan Godayol Colom of Ayaviri. “If the negotiators pay attention to issues such as health, education and ecology, it could be very positive, but if not, it could be disastrous.” Peru began negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the United States in early 2004. The most recent round of talks was held in late November in Arizona. While supporters of the pact say it will open up the enormous U.S. market to Peruvian goods, critics warn that Peruvian producers will not be able to compete with less expensive U.S. exports, particularly subsidized agricultural products.

– Catholic News Service

New Beginnings Built on 130 Years of Tradition Elder Care Alliance Communities

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

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

Call us for a needs assessment

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

Elder Care Alliance is a nonprofit faith centered organization sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Regional Community of Burlingame, and the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Incentive.

AlmaVia of San Francisco

■

Assisted Living

■

Dementia Care

Large one bedroom and alcove apartments 24-hour staff and state-of-the-art security systems Spiritual care services Assisted living and dementia care programs

Call Today for More Information!

One St. Thomas More Way (Off of Brotherhood Way)

Special Needs Companion Services

ASK ABOUT Us About Our OAsk UR NEW BRIDGE Member AVEN PROGRAM HCharter

■

San Francisco, CA

415.337.1339 ■ www.almavia.org RCFE Lic # 385600270

December 10, 2004

Catholic San Francisco

5

Lay Mercy Associates are part of growing movement in United States

By Sharon Abercrombie

MISSION NEWS

Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, a worldwide religious community that cares for the sick and the poor, came by her compassion naturally. She inherited it from her father, James McAuley, a wealthy builder during the latter part of the 17th century, who was known throughout Dublin, Ireland for his works of charity.

Today, more than 150 years later, the community founded by Catherine McAuley has come full circle, back to the generous spirit of her Catholic father. Lay people, both men and women, known, as the Mercy Associates have become a companion group to the Sisters, augmenting and expanding their mission.

Ann King expresses it this way: “We are a larger group doing the works of mercy.”

Mrs. King is one of 126 Associates throughout the Mercy Sisters’ BurlingameAuburn region. Nationwide the Sisters of Mercy have more than 2,600 associates, said Sister Felice Sauers, co-director of the western region. “We’re healthy and growing.”

Ann King’s description of her group’s purpose as expanding the charism of a religious community, could rightly define the work of other lay associates who belong to 300 religious communities, throughout the United States and Canada. According to the North American Conference of Associates and Religious (NACAR), there are an estimated 20,000 members in the United States and another 11, 000 in Canada.

The lay associate movement took root as a result of the Vatican II call to the laity to take responsibility for helping to make the Church a viable healing force throughout the world.

Jean Sonnenberg, director of the Bon Secours Association in Marriottsville, Maryland, has referred to the lay associate movement as “a plot on the part of the Holy Spirit.”

Sister of Charity Ellen O’Connell, codirector of NACAR, believes that associates are “part of the critical mass that will continue religious life.”

And continue it they do. Not all in lockstep ways, though. Associates who are men

are drawn more to the ministries of the Institutes and a desire to work with the vowed members and communities.

In the women’s communities, associates are more drawn to the desire for a deeper spirituality, and seek opportunities for prayer and faith sharing with others. They tend to minister where they are, according to their interests.

Mercy Associates definitely fit that description.

Gloria Krzyzanowski works in the accounting office of the Mercy Sisters in Burlingame.

She appreciates the prayer network among associates. Last year, she had knee surgery, “I was very afraid, but just knowing I had their prayers helped me to be less fearful.”

Last year, Mrs. Krzyzanowski introduced her five-year old grandson, Jarret, to the literal quality of Mercy. She took him shopping to pick out some little toys and candy, to send to Samaritan House, a group that provides gift shoeboxes to children in third world countries.

It was a real learning experience for the little boy to find out that “many children throughout the world do not have a mommy and a daddy like he does, and that some children live on the streets,” said his grandmother.

An alumna of St. Peter’s High School in San Francisco, Gloria Krzyzanowski has been around the Sisters of Mercy for much of her life, but it wasn’t until 2002 that she discovered the community had an association for lay people.

“The flyer sat on the edge of my desk for a year, until a friend suggested we go see what it was all about.” She decided to go through the nine-month discernment process for associates, and then made a three-year commitment.

Associates meet the first Sunday of every month at Mercy Center in Burlingame for prayer and discussion. “It’s a unique bonding. We give one another a lot of support.”

The organizer and planner for the monthly meetings is Linda Gilsdorf, alumna of Mercy High School in Burlingame. Her oldest sister is Helen Marie Gilsdorf, a Mercy sister who teaches music at St. Peter’s in San Francisco.

Ann King is also a sibling.

Ms, Gilsdorf began her journey to the associates in February 1994, when she started volunteering at Mercy Center. Being

“W

hat they need is food, medicine, and clothes, and, most of all, lots of love — the love of Jesus.”

Angela and Kisse are two of the orphans lovingly cared for

by Sisters in Tanzania. Their parents died from the AIDS virus. Other children in the Missions are left orphans from war or civil strife.

Some parents are so poor they need help caring for their little ones. ✧ Sisters throughout the Missions reach out with the love of Christ to serve the needs of these children, offering them the great “Good News” proclaimed by the angel that first Christmas: “a savior has been born for you.” ✧ This Christmas, won’t you offer a gift to our mission family, through the Propagation of the Faith, to support those who, through their words and actions, reveal Christ’s love and peace to the suffering and the poor?

The Society for THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH …A Pontifical Mission Society

Most Rev. Ignatius C. Wang One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109 • Dept C My Christmas gift to the Missions

❐ $100

❐ $50

❐ $25

❐ $10

❐ Other $_______

Name_______________________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________________ City______________________________________________State__________Zip__________

www.worldmissions-catholicchurch.org

Mercy Associates Gloria Krzyzanowski and Joan Ryan with a bust of Mercy founder Catherine McAuley given as a gift from the Associates to the Sisters.

within the hubbub of the Center’s rich retreat offerings, Ms. Gilsdorf found herself being exposed to “the variations of spirituality” – centering prayer, mindfulness practices and Zen meditation.

By 1999, she had made her commitment to the association, and has since taken an active role in carrying out the corporal works of mercy. She has held bake sales to raise money for food, and clothing at a Catholic Worker House. Last year, after she learned that an 89-year old friend of her dad could no

longer afford to live in the apartment he had stayed in for 27 years, Ms Gilsdorf moved the old gentleman to her dad’s place, where he lived for the next year while she searched for a place he could afford.

“I live the life of mercy, of Catherine McCauley. “ Ms. Gilsdorf said she has discovered that by doing works of charity, she experiences perfect peace “doing what God has called me to do.” What she does should not be unique, believes Ms. Gilsdorf. “All people are called to MERCY ASSOCIATES, page 9

Our roots

are 150 years deep.

When Mary Baptist Russell and seven other Sisters of Mercy arrived in California on December 8, 1854, little did they know they would plant the seed for what would grow to become Catholic Healthcare West, the eighth largest health care system in the nation.

Shortly after arriving, the Sisters founded St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco and later Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento. The Sisters cared for the suffering during earthquakes and floods, and typhoid, smallpox, cholera and influenza epidemics.

At Catholic Healthcare West, we are inspired by the indomitable spirit of Mary Baptist Russell and the Sisters of Mercy who cared for the poor and sick, and spoke for those who had no voice. These pioneer Sisters have left a legacy of truly exceptional people the people of Catholic Healthcare West who perform extraordinary acts of caring and healing every day.

6

Catholic San Francisco

December 10, 2004

Scientists hopeful of finding moral way to use embryonic stem cells

By Agostino Bono WASHINGTON (CNS) — Speakers presented the President’s Council on Bioethics Dec. 3 with two experimental lab techniques for obtaining human embryonic stem cells that seek to overcome moral objections about destroying embryos in the process.

Sharply divided U.S. opinion on the use of human embryonic stem cells is prompting scientists to look for ways of getting such cells that are morally acceptable to a broader spectrum of people, the speakers said.

One technique would be similar to cloning an embryo, except that the nucleus from the donor cell with its chromosomal DNA would be genetically altered prior to being placed in a recipient egg, which has had its nucleus removed. The alteration would be such that the resulting egg with the new nuclear material would be incapable of developing into an embryo. But the entity would live long enough to create harvestable stem cells. This technique is called “altered nuclear transfer,” or ANT for short.

The other technique would harvest still living stem cells from embryos that are declared dead according to a clinical definition, much in the same way living organs are taken from fully developed humans judged to be “brain dead.”

This technique would use frozen embryos produced by in vitro fertilization.

The scientists who presented the ideas said that both are theoretically possible but still in the experimental stage.

Catholic officials and others who believe that human life begins at conception oppose embryonic stem-cell research because the embryos are destroyed, but favor research with adult stem cells.

Richard Doerflinger, deputy director of the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, gave cautious support for further experimentation to determine the feasibility of altered nuclear transfer.

The church is open to any technique that would extract human embryonic stem cells without destroying embryos, he said in floor comments after scientists presented the two approaches. Doerflinger added that the church would not object to experimentation with animal cells to see if such a technique is feasible, but would oppose experimentation with human cells.

If the technique proves to be workable, further ethical examination would have to be done regarding how the human eggs would be obtained, he said.

Doerflinger did not comment on the dead embryo approach, saying that he needed to study it in detail.

Opposing altered nuclear transfer was the International Center for Technological Assessment.

“This technique actually produces embryos, albeit defective embryos, through a combination of cloning and human germ-line genetic engineering,” said Jaydee Hanson, the center’s director for human genetics policy, in floor comments. The Washington-based center analyzes the impact of technology on society.

Hanson said that altered nuclear transfer would be the first step toward “legitimizing the genetic engineering of human embryos for other purposes.”

Michael Gazzaniga, council member and director of Dartmouth College’s Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, supported current techniques for extracting embryonic stem cells and questioned why a lot of money should be spent on experimenting with new procedures.

Many people have no moral problems extracting stem cells from 14-day-old embryos, he said. Experimenting with unproven techniques would only siphon money from proven techniques, he said.

“All this proves is that we need more stem cell lines.

Why are we torturing ourselves?” said Gazzaniga.

Stem cells are undifferentiated basic cells that are capable of perpetuating themselves as stem cells and of differentiating into one or more specialized types of cells. They are believed to be key to developing therapies for a wide range of illnesses like Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and heart disease. Many scientists hold the disputed view that stem cells derived from embryos hold more medical potential than those obtained from adults.

The bioethics council was appointed by President George W. Bush to advise him on bioethical issues.

Currently, no federal funding is available for research with human embryonic stem-cell lines created after Aug. 9, 2001. There are no restrictions on private funding of embryonic stem-cell research.

The developer of altered nuclear transfer, Dr. William Hurlbut, a member of the bioethics council, said the main

moral point of his approach is that the genetic alteration would be done prior to the transfer of the cell nucleus to the egg so that the entity produced would not have the potential to become an embryo.

“The entity is brought into existence with a genetic structure insufficient to generate a human embryo,” said Hurlbut, biology professor at Stanford University.

The entity would, however, continue to grow for a limited period and produce stem cells, he said.

This is “morally analogous to the fact that we can grow skin in a tissue culture and may one day grow whole organs or limbs,” he said.

Hurlbut added that he believes human life begins at conception.

He cited several genes that could be removed to prevent embryo formation. These genes would be reinserted into the stem cells after they have been extracted, he said.

“Just as we have learned that neither genes, nor cells, nor even whole organs define the locus of human moral standing, in this era of developmental biology we will come to recognize that cells and tissues with ‘partial generative potential’ may be used for medical benefit without violation of human dignity,” he said.

Hurlbut added that his technique is similar to a natural phenomenon. In nature not every fertilization produces an embryo because of such factors as imperfect transfer of genes or chromosome configurations, yet it produces an entity with a potential for limited growth.

The “dead embryo” approach was presented by two Columbia University medical professors, Drs. Howard Zucker and Donald Landry. They proposed that an embryo be declared dead if cleavage — or cell division — does not occur after 24 hours. Part of their ethical framework would be to get prior consent to extract stem cells from the next of kin, in most cases the biological parents of the embryo.

They said that frozen embryos produced in vitro but not destined for implanting are a good source because there is little chance that the embryo will live without being implanted in a womb after being thawed.

Several council members criticized the 24-hour limit for cleavage, saying that in some cases the embryonic cells do not divide until 48 hours.

Advance Your Teaching Career www.interfaithbooks.com

with a Teaching Credential*and a Master’s in Education in as little as 12 months.

Great selection of Catholic Books, Religious Articles, Bibles, Advent and Christmas Gifts and Church Supplies

• Start classes in Spring 2005 and have your Master’s degree by January 2006 • Convenient evening and on-line classes available • Receive a one time tuition discount of $500.00 from your first class.

• Competitive tuition and financial aid available *Bachelor’s degree required.

Apply Now. Spring Semester begins January 2005 Visit www.alliant.edu/oh for Open House dates

Laura K Designs P l 23B l t

20% off

With this ad

Laura K Designs www.Psalm23Bracelet.com

Visit our New Website. Mention this ad in the comments area of the shopping cart order form to receive 20% off your order!

For Advertising Information Please Call

531 College Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95404 Phone: (707) 525-8221 • Fax: (707) 525-8255

(Does not apply to sale items, church appointments, and church supplies)

TOLL FREE: (800) 951-9531

Vist our Website: interfaithbooks.com • Email: interfaithbooks@sonic.net

415.955.2136 • www.alliant.edu/gsoe One Beach Street, Suite 100, San Francisco, CA 94133

Alliant International University Program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Alliant is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is an equal opportunity employer and educator.

415-614-5642

Make this the year to advance your career.

SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE Degree Programs for Working Adults

A Great Holiday Gift!

The Uptown Singers Holiday Show “Bells and Bows”

“Belles and Beaus”

Employers value the Saint Mary's degree– and the person who earns one. Get the confidence and credentials you need to take your career to the next level.

Convenient evening and weekend classes throughout the Bay Area.

Programs starting in January, 2005: Bachelor of Arts in Management– On site or Online Bachelor of Arts in Law Studies Bachelor of Arts in Human and Community Services Paralegal Certificate Master of Arts in Leadership – Online

Apply now.

For more information, talk to an admissions counselor today:

Sunday, December 12th, 2004

VILLA D’ESTE RESTAURANT 2623 Ocean Avenue

●

San Francisco

A Fabulous Night of Traditional Holiday Songs and Your Favorite Arias, Shoe Tunes, International Pop, Neapolitan Songs Four Course Dinner & Show – $50 (tax + tip included) Dinner Seating 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Show 7:00 p.m.

Call for details and Ticket Purchase: 415.334.0580 (Eligible for Raffle after show Prize: Dinner for two with Wine) ●

1-800-538-9999

Visit www.kathyholly.com “Uptown Singers!”

Bookings: Contact Kathy Holly Music 415.648.7531 ●

●

For details, visit www.extendednews.com

December 10, 2004

Catholic San Francisco

7

California diocese reaches settlements with alleged victims of sexual abuse

By Catholic News Service LOS ANGELES — The Diocese of Orange in southern California reached a financial settlement with 87 alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse Dec. 2.

Judge Owen Lee Kwong, who oversaw the settlement, ordered participants on both sides not to discuss details of the settlements, but The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times, citing anonymous sources, said it was $100 million, which exceeded the previous record of $85 million that the Boston Archdiocese paid out last year to settle abuse claims by 541 people.

Emerging from the civil courthouse in Los Angeles shortly after 11 p.m., Orange Bishop Tod D. Brown called the settlement “fair and compassionate.”

He said he planned to write each victim personally, “seeking forgiveness and reconciliation.”

The Orange settlement was the first major group settlement in California, where dioceses faced a total of more than 800 cases. Most of the cases were brought forward in 2003 under a law that created a special one-year suspension of the state’s statute of limitations for suing institutions whose staff members sexually abused

minors. About 500 lawsuits are in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

Father Joseph Fenton, diocesan spokesman, told Catholic News Service that more details would be released only after the settlement was fully finalized, with all parties signing on to it. He said the AP and Times reports on the approximate amount of the settlement were correct but declined to elaborate.

Father Fenton said Bishop Brown received a standing ovation from diocesan priests Dec. 3 after he reported to them on the settlement.

“He feels good about the decision. He feels it was the right decision,” Father Fenton said. He added, however, that “it will be difficult for the diocese” to make the adjustments needed to carry the settlement out.

Asked about speculation that the Orange settlement would be viewed as a benchmark for settlements in other California dioceses, Father Fenton said others will certainly be looking at what was done in Orange, but ultimately what is done in each diocese will depend on what resources that diocese has, not what kind of settlement was reached elsewhere.

The Orange Diocese, formed in 1976 by breaking

Orange County off from the Los Angeles Archdiocese, has 56 parishes serving about 1.2 million Catholics.

Bishop Brown said the deal reached will “fairly compensate the victims in a way that allows our church to continue its ministry of service to the entire community.”

Since the Boston settlement involved more than six times as many claimants, those who sued the Orange Diocese will receive, on average, at least six times as much as the average Boston claimant.

As with other group settlements around the country, the amount received will vary from one victim to the next, based on factors such as the nature of the abuse, the victim’s age at the time and the seriousness of the harm done.

Attorney Paul Gaspari, who represents the Archdiocese of San Francisco in lawsuits filed by plaintiff attorneys, said, “Orange County demonstrates that plaintiffs and defendants can negotiate a reasonable value for claims. I hope that in the months ahead, the parties involved in clergy abuse cases in northern California will begin a process of evaluation with the goal of reaching fair and reasonable settlements.”

Catholic San Francisco staff contributed to this story.

Archdiocese sponsors criminal justice film; debut at USF Dec. 15 A short documentary exploring Catholic perspectives on restorative justice will be premiered at the University of San Francisco Dec. 15 before national distribution. Titled, “Restorative Justice: A Catholic Perspective,” the film seeks to encourage dialogue about all aspects of the criminal justice system through a Catholic lens according to George Wesolek, director of the Archdiocese of San Francisco Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns, which sponsored and produced the film.

The film is narrated by Wesolek and includes discussion with inmates, the families of victims and inmates, a San Quentin chaplain, and a local prosecutor, all Catholics. “It isn’t just a single narrow focus on the inmate,” Wesolek said. Wesolek hopes that distribution of the film through parishes and detention ministry programs will entice viewers to reflect on the U.S. Bishops’ pastoral, “Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration,” and encourage them to become informed and involved.

Janet’s Residential Facility For The Elderly Alzheimer’s/Wheelchairs Licensed and able to meet many of the dependent needs of the elderly Janet Spires, R.N. Owner/Operator

Call Today 415-759-8137 2970-25th Ave.(Near Stonestown) San Francisco, CA 94132

Since 1985 C.S.L. # 380540408

Nationwide, nearly 1.5 million men and 100,000 women are in prison, but those numbers don’t reflect the millions more who are affected by the criminal justice system including crime victims, families of victims and inmates, prosecutors, legislators, detention ministers, and prison guards, Wesolek said. The film and discussion it engenders is aimed to get more people involved in detention ministry and more legislators and criminal justice professionals interested in “rehabilitation rather than just punishment,” he said.

Wesolek also hopes that society and the Church will become more interested in the needs of victims and their families who “are really forgotten and must relive the crime in court and for a long time after,” often with little support.

Speaking in the film on restorative justice, former San Quentin Assistant Chaplain, Deacon George Salinger says, “It is a way of returning men to society in a meaningful way – restoring the soil so something can grow.” San Mateo County District Attorney

Tom Fox believes in the aims of restorative justice, but says the criminal justice system has “never had adequate resources for rehabilitation and there is no legislative mandate for it.” Victims’ and inmates’ families also speak about the need for support, faith and reconciliation.

The film points viewers to a website that will be running in late December (www.restorejustice.com).

Wesolek said the site will include resources for all classes of people affected by crime and the criminal justice system including information on support groups and discussion forums on “best practices” in the criminal justice system.

A reception begins in the Pacific Rim Conference Center on USF’s Lone Mountain Campus at 5:30 p.m.

Film is at 6:00 p.m. followed by a short panel discussion. The event is free and open to the public, but donations will be gladly accepted in support of the archdiocesan detention ministry program. Call 415614-5567 for more information.

OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR

ACE PHARMACY HOME CARE SPECIALISTS

Serving San Francisco Since 1933 Reasonable Rates – Quality Service Mon-Sat 9 to 6:30 – Sun & Holidays 10 to 4 Prescriptions • Crutches Diabetic & Convalescent Supplies • Canes & Wheel Chairs Prompt City-Wide Delivery

731-3535 2505 Noriega at 32nd Ave.

Free Time Time Out for women for men Come in and have your feet measured. We have a large selection of sizes and widths to fit your foot in SAS Shoes.

SAS SHOES 280 METRO CENTER, 9 COLMA BLVD. COLMA, CA 94014 ● (650) 991-2330

Specializing in residential elder adult physical therapy

Geriactive

Private – Skilled – Quality – Results If you are interested in improving mobility and quality of life for you or a loved one, call Geriactive.

(650) 592-8006 Carlos R. Sanders PT, GCS *Member of the Better Business Bureau*

THE BROADMOOR Welcome to the Security, Comfort & Elegance of America’s Finest Retirement Hotel Centrally Located

●

Overlooking Cathedral Hill

(415) 771-9119 1499 Sutter Street

●

San Francisco, CA 94109

SL e i nv i i o n r g

THE AVENUE was developed by and is part of San Francisco Assisted Living copyright 2004, SFAL, Inc. PENDING RCFE#:385600277

8

Catholic San Francisco

December 10, 2004

Pope John Paul II addresses theme of laity in talk with U.S. bishops Below are excerpts from remarks Pope John Paul II made Dec. 4 to a group of U.S. bishops, who were making an ‘ad limina’ visit.

As we continue our reflections on the ministry of governance entrusted to the successors of the apostles, I would like today to consider some specific aspects of your relationship with the lay faithful.

I wish first of all to express my profound appreciation for the outstanding contribution which the laity have made, and continue to make, to the growth and expansion of the church in your country, a contribution which I have personally witnessed and admired during my visits to the United States. I am convinced that, because “the renewal of the church in America will not be possible without the active presence of the laity” (“Ecclesia in America,” 44), an essential part of your pastoral governance must be guiding and supporting them in their efforts to be a leaven of the Gospel in the world.

As the Second Vatican Council clearly stated, the exercise of the episcopal “munus regendi” by its very nature requires a recognition of the contribution and charisms of the lay faithful and their proper role in building up the church’s unity and carrying forward her mission in the world. Each bishop is called to acknowledge the “essential and irreplaceable role” of the laity in the church’s mission and to enable them to carry out their proper apostolate, “guided by the light of the Gospel and the mind of the church, and impelled by Christian charity.”

In your ministry of governance, you should consider it a clear pastoral priority to assist the lay faithful in understanding and embracing the “munus regale” which they have received by their baptismal incorporation into Christ. As the church’s tradition affirms, this kingly office is expressed first in that “royal freedom” which enables the faithful to overcome the reign of sin in their own lives and, “by serving Christ in others ..., to guide them to that king whom to serve is to reign” (“Lumen Gentium,” 36). The lay faithful, however, exercise this kingly office in a specific way through their efforts to extend the kingdom of God in and through their secular activity, so that “the world will be imbued with the spirit of Christ and more effectively attain its purpose in justice, in love and in peace.”

It follows that lay men and women must be encour-

aged, through sound catechesis and continuing formation, to recognize the distinctive dignity and mission which they have received in baptism and to embody in all their daily activities an integrated approach to life which finds its inspiration and strength from the Gospel.

This means that the laity must be trained to distinguish clearly between their rights and duties as members of the church and those which they have as members of human society, and encouraged to combine the two harmoniously, recognizing that “in every temporal affair they are to be guided by their Christian conscience, since there is no human activity — even of the temporal order — that can be withdrawn from God’s dominion” (“Lumen Gentium,” 36).

A clear and authoritative reaffirmation of these fundamental principles of the lay apostolate will help to overcome the serious pastoral problems created by a growing failure to understand the church’s binding obligation to remind the faithful of their duty in conscience to act in accordance with her authoritative teaching. There is urgent need for a comprehensive catechesis on the lay apostolate which will necessarily highlight the importance of a properly formed conscience, the intrinsic relationship between freedom and moral truth, and the grave duty incumbent upon each Christian to work to renew and perfect the temporal order in accordance with the values of God’s kingdom. While fully respecting the legitimate separation of church and state in American life, such a catechesis must also make clear that for the faithful Christian there can be no separation between the faith which is to be believed and put into practice (Cf. “Lumen Gentium,” 25) and a commitment to full and responsible participation in professional, political and cultural life.

Given the importance of these issues for the life and mission of the church in your country, I would encourage you to consider the inculcation of the doctrinal and moral principles underlying the lay apostolate as essential to your ministry as teachers and shepherds of the church in America. I also invite you to discern, in consultation with members of the laity outstanding for their fidelity, knowledge and prudence, the most effective ways of promoting catechesis and clear-sighted reflection on this important area of the church’s social teaching.

An appreciation of the distinct gifts and apostolate of

the laity will naturally lead to a strengthened commitment to fostering among the laity a sense of shared responsibility for the life and mission of the church. In stressing the need for a theology and spirituality of communion and mission for the renewal of ecclesial life, I have pointed to the importance of “making our own the ancient pastoral wisdom which, without prejudice to their authority, encouraged pastors to listen more widely to the people of God” (“Novo Millennio Ineunte”).

Certainly this will involve a conscious effort on the part of each bishop to develop, within his particular church, structures of communion and participation which make it possible, without prejudice to his personal responsibility for decisions he is called to make by virtue of his apostolic authority, “to listen to the Spirit who lives and speaks in the faithful” (cf. “Pastores Gregis”).

More importantly, it calls for the cultivation, in every aspect of ecclesial life, of a spirit of communion grounded in the supernatural “sensus fidei” and the rich variety of charisms and missions which the Holy Spirit pours out upon the whole body of the baptized in order to build them up in unity and fidelity to the word of God (cf.

“Lumen Gentium,” 12). An understanding of cooperation and shared responsibility which is firmly rooted in the principles of a sound ecclesiology will ensure a genuine and fruitful collaboration between the church’s pastors and the lay faithful, without the danger of distorting this relationship by the uncritical importation of categories and structures drawn from secular life.

Senior Living QUALITY 24 HOUR HOMECARE

A Referral Agency Elderly Care/Housekeeping

QUALITY HOME CARE REFERRAL SERVICE SERVING THE BAY AREA SINCE 1995 We provide:

• Attendants • Companions • Hospice/Respite Care • Housecleaners Competitive Rates.

All Service Providers carefully screened We are insured and bonded

NURSING RESOURCES

Locally owned company. Managed by an RN 24/7

• No Minimum hourly rate • Personal care by the hour, sleep overs and live ins • Alzheimer’s Trained, Experienced and RN Supervised Companions • R.N.’s/L. V. N.’s/Therapists • Pediatric and Geriatric Care

CALL FOR OUR BROCHURE OR FREE IN HOME ASSESSMENT

650 - 403 - 1100

For more information:

• Licensed by the California Department of Health Services

Tel: (415) 759-0520 Fax: (415) 759-8924 549 Taraval Street • E-Mail: IrishHlp@aol.com

• Accredited by JCAHO • Member NPDA, NCPDPN, CAHSAH, BBB

Order your government approved medications from a local Arizona company, that secures your purchase and guarantees delivery to your door!

SAVE UP TO

70%

ON YOUR MEDICATIONS Direct to you...

• No Insurance?

• Don’t trust ordering on the Internet!!!

• Nervous about going to Mexico for medications!!! ant Get an inst one ph e th er quote ov edication on your m

website website www.PDCLLP.COM www.pdcmeds.com

s!

6

Call PDC toll FREE 1-888-794-5377

Offices in Scottsdale Sun City and Mesa, Arizona

Toll Free: 800-990-6877 927 So. El Camino Real San Mateo, CA 94402

TO SENIOR CITIZENS:

Don’t live alone!

Don’t spend your precious remaining years in terrible loneliness. Why not live where you can choose friends from 150 active men and women sharing a fashionable address – and sharing fun of planned and unplanned social activities?

We’ll prove to you that living in lovely surroundings, dining tastefully and being pampered costs no more. A single monthly payment (starting at $995 a month) provides three meals per day seven days a week, including holidays . . . room cleaning service . . . sunny rooms (most with baths), suites, too, in a 10-story concrete building . . . 24hour desk attendant . . . physician on call . . . color TV . . . hobby rooms . . . card games and parties . . . a splendid location on major bus lines, only blocks from Union Square . . . and much more. Managed by the West’s specialists in residence hotel hospitality.

Visit us today or call for brochure.

FOR DISTINGUISHED SENIOR CITIZENS

Introductory Offer Get Acquainted

$10 Off

Your First Order with this Ad! 1 coupon per household

1000 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California 94109 Corner of Sutter and Hyde • (415) 673-2511 • www.granadasf.com

December 10, 2004

Mercy associates . . .

■ Continued from page 5 live spiritual lives by sharing in prayer and ministry,” she said.

Ann King, notes that living the life of mercy is “doing whatever you can do” to help the poor. Mrs. King even gets her San Francisco workplace involved each year, when the Mercy associates collect blankets and jackets for the homeless.

Joan Ryan had lived within walking distance of the Sisters’ Burlingame motherhouse for 38 years. Two of her daughters went to Mercy High School. When her five children were grown, Mrs. Ryan saw her life changing. Now was her chance to become “something more than just a Sunday Catholic.” So she began receiving spiritual direction at Mercy.

As her spiritual journey unfolded, she began exploring the possibility of affiliating with an associate group. She tried several, but none of them seemed to fit. When Mrs. Ryan checked out the Mercy group, however, everything clicked. “In 1999, when I walked in the meeting room, I had this funny feeling like I knew them all.”

As she began the discernment process, Mrs. Ryan felt herself sinking deeper into her prayer life. She has developed deep friendships with other associates, as well.

Her works of mercy include volunteering at the San Mateo District Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, helping with holiday food distributions and doing home visits at St. Dunstan parish in Millbrae.

“The Mercy Associates have given a center to what I do,” said Mrs. Ryan.

Catherine Regan is not surprised by her colleague’s assessment. When Mrs. Regan, a psychotherapist, and alumna of Mercy High School in Burlingame, came back to Mercy in 1992 for spiritual direction, she says, “I began seeing how God works through the Sisters in beautiful ways. I saw their exclusivity, their responses to the needs of the world with Mercy.” Mrs. Regan said she also discovered her own contemplative spirit, and as a result, became inspired to go through Mercy’s three-year spiritual direction certification program, so she too, could become a spiritual director.

Mrs. Regan now does spiritual direction as well as her psychotherapy practice in the City.

One of her specialties is teaching mindfulness practice.

“Within the Buddhist tradition, this means being fully awake and present,” Catherine Regan explained. “In Christianity, it means seeing God in all things, slowing down the rush of life to what is here right now, and bringing the spirit of kindness and charity to everyone.”

Mrs. Regan became an associate four years ago. Her relationship in this capacity with the Mercy sisters, she said, gives her the opportunity to learn from them.

“They are doing an incredible amount of working, keeping their community alive to the spirit,” said Mrs. Regan.

“They listen to one another. They stay present to one another. Associates are learning how to do this as well and “we take it to the places where we work and live.”

EWTN Christmas programming EWTN will air a one-hour Christmas concert from Catholic University Dec. 19 at 10:30 a.m. and Dec. 25 at 12 noon. Johann Bach’s Christmas Oratorio airs Dec. 25 at 1 p.m.

For children, “The First Christmas,” an animated story of the birth of Jesus, airs Dec. 20 at 2:30 p.m., Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. and Dec. 25 at 11 a.m. “The Legend of the Christmas Flower” Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.

Midnight Mass from Rome with Pope John Paul II airs

Dec. 24 at 3 p.m. Christmas Day Mass from the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. airs Dec. 25 at 9 a.m.

EWTN is carried on Comcast Digital Channel 229; RCN Channel 80; DISH Satellite Channel 261; and Direct TV Channel 422. Comcast airs EWTN on Channel 54 in the Half Moon Bay-Coastside area and on Channel 74 in southern San Mateo County.

Senior Living In San Mateo, California

THE GIFT OF FREEDOM Members of the Peninsula Regent, freed from the responsibilities of managing a household, discover precious new freedoms from the burdens of meal planning, housekeeping and security. Life at the Peninsula Regent offers its members freedom to spend time in any way that pleases them as well as the oppourtunity to enjoy home ownership and comprehensive heath care.

Come in to discuss the six new freedoms and s e e f o r y o u r s e l f . C a l l f o r a p r i v a t e t o u r.

The Peninsula Regent One Baldwin Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401

(650) 579-5500 FAX (650) 579-0446 www.peninsularegent.com RCFE #410508359

Probates, Conservatorships, Guardianships and Adoptions

MARGARET LAUGHLIN MARTIN ATTORNEY AT LAW Telephone (650) 340-1166 Facsimile (650) 342-9560

The Westlake Building 520 South El Camino Real Suite 700 San Mateo, CA 94402-1720

Confidential Consultation and Referrals • protection for loved ones of all ages • suggestions for managing a difficult relative • guidance in closing down or selling a home • assistance with trust transfers and probate • mediation of elder care and/or visitation disputes

Our History is Your Future The historic Shriners hospital — known to its newest residents as BridgePoint at San Francisco — is fulfilling “I tell my doctor its promise of integrating every time I see a place of history into him how much I current realities. love my new home at BridgePoint offers BridgePoint” independent and assisted living in a fully renovated Willard Spencer, community, with services BridgePoint resident and Mason and amenities designed in the best interest of residents and their families.

Call today for more information on BridgePoint senior living.

(415) 664-6264 1601 19th Avenue, San Francisco www.kiscoseniorliving.com • License 3385600148

Call today to schedule your personal tour

Catholic San Francisco

9

obituary

Father Martin Avila Father Martin Avila, former pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in North Fair Oaks, San Mateo County, died December 4, 2004, at Nazareth House in San Rafael. He was 75 years old. Father Avila had been in the care of the Poor Sisters of Nazareth since a serious stroke in 1999.

Father Avila was born in British Honduras, and was ordained for the Diocese of Belize in 1957. His ministry in the San Francisco Archdiocese began in the late 1960s at Saint Mary’s Cathedral. In 1978 he was assigned as parochial vicar to Saint Michael Church in San Francisco. He went on to minister in the same capacity at Saint Anthony Church in Menlo Park the following year, and was named pastor there in 1980, the year he became a priest of the Archdiocese.

Following his six-year term at St. Anthony’s he was assigned to assist at Church of the Visitacion in San Francisco. In 1989, he began an appointment as administrator at Our Lady of Guadalupe, and was named parochial vicar at Church of the Epiphany in 1992. After ministering for two years as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Loretto Church in Novato, Father Avila retired on March 1, 1998, and remained in residence at the parish until his move to Nazareth House.

Father Avila is survived by a sister, Sister Mary Felicia, an Oblate Sister of Providence, a brother Jose still of British Honduras, and a niece, Silvia David of San Francisco. A funeral Mass will be celebrated December 13, 2004 at St. Mary’s Cathedral with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma.

Remembrances may be made to the Priests Retirement Fund, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco 94109.

Reverse Mortgages Mary.J.Lafaye@wellsfargo.com Reverse Mortgage Consultant 650-726-8934 •Call to schedule a free Informational talk to your group at your location.

• Ask about our Sharing Advantage Contributions for your non-profit organization www.reversemortgages.net

10

Catholic San Francisco

December 10, 2004

Bishop John Wester says Church is called to ministry and advocacy for refugees, immigrants

By Patrick Joyce Bishop John Wester’s mission to Asia early this year was billed as a fact-finding trip on the plight of people who have been driven from their homelands by hunger, war and repression, but the trip also proved to be a moving spiritual experience.

“I felt the Spirit was moving in me to reflect on Jesus, Mary and Joseph fleeing into Egypt, into a foreign land, a young couple with a little infant – they were refugees, Bishop Wester said. “I felt a spiritual call to identify with Christ the Refugee and to see him in these refugees” to whom the Church ministers and for whom the Church is an advocate.

In China, the San Francisco auxiliary bishop learned about the suffering of North Koreans who fled their country because of hunger and repression. In Thailand, he visited Hmong and Burmese refugee camps and in the Philippines, he met with refugees from Vietnam. During a stop in Vietnam, Bishop Wester visited Montagnards, or mountain people, who wish to escape the repression of that country and join their families and friends who have already settled in the United States.

The Catholic Church plays a major role in resettling refugees in the United States, Bishop Wester said, and one purpose of the trip was “to discover the needs of the refugees who are coming to us, so we can serve them better. We met in Thailand with the Hmong and we were able to discover their concerns, fears and hopes, what they were looking for in the United States.”

Another goal was to gain firsthand information about refugees. “That helps us to be advocates for them with Congress and the Administration,” he said. A report on the trip entitled, “Mission to Asia 2004” contains detailed recommendations about how the U.S. government and international agencies can help the refugees.

Bishop Wester, a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, was accompanied by Kevin Appleby, policy director for the bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services, and Lacy Wright, a consultant to the USCCB. In China, the group traveled to an area near North Korea where thousands of refugees, driven largely by hunger, are in hiding. The Americans’ task was complicated by the Chinese government’s confusing attitude toward North Korean refugees. “From time to time, they send some of them back to North Korea – to appear to be cooperating – but the Chinese government largely acts as if the refugees are not there,” Bishop Wester said.

Thousands of these refugees are living in hiding in Northeast China, near the border with the their homeland. While the main goal of the USCCB group was to learn about the plight of the refugees, Bishop Wester said, “We couldn’t visit them specifically because that would have jeopardized their safety but we visited Father Philip, the pastor in Shenyang and his associate, a Maryknoll priest, Father Henry. Father Henry had served in Korea and speaks fluent Korean. Father Philip has Korean ancestry but is Chinese by birth.”

“Both are saintly men,” Bishop Wester said. “Father Philip had just completed a year’s house arrest. He was making passports to help the refugees get placed in other countries. If they are sent back to North Korea, they are executed or put into a hard labor prison. Even just being sent back to their homes is a difficulty because many in North Korea are starving to death.”

Because of the Chinese government’s unpredictable policy, the USCCB group found it difficult to frame recommendations that would be most helpful to these refugees.

“If you make a clamor – ‘Don’t send these people back.’ – and call attention to the situation, the Chinese might feel they have to go more stridently against them.” Bishop Wester said. “On the other hand, if you accept the position that the Chinese government is not looking the other way, that if it caught them it would send them back, then you have nothing to lose and might as well call as much attention to the situation as much as you can.”

The report’s final recommendations call for China to halt deportations and to allow United Nations protection for the North Korean refugees. It also asks the U.S. government seek a humanitarian solution to the refugee problem.

In Vietnam, the group met with government and Church leaders in Ho Chi Minh City, “which everybody still calls Saigon,” Bishop Wester said. The visit to the American consulate there had special meaning for Lacy Wright, a former State Department employee who had worked in the U.S. embassy in Saigon during the war.

In 1975 as North Vietnamese troops closed in, “Lacy was one of the last to get on a helicopter out of the U.S. embassy grounds,” Bishop Wester said. “The embassy was razed after the war but the consulate is on the same site. It was a poignant trip for him – to go back to that site in Vietnam after all those years.”

In the Central Highlands of Vietnam, smiling Montagnard children welcome Bishop Wester and USCCB officials during a visit.

Bishop John Wester shown with Father Nguyen Thanh Lien, Vicar General of the Diocese of Kontum, and clergy and religious.

Lacy Wright, USCCB Consultant on Refugees is shown at right.

The fate of the Montagnards, many of whom fought alongside American troops during the war, was the top priority in Vietnam for Bishop Wester’s delegation. “We were also interested in how the Catholic Church was doing there. The church is very repressed there. The government tells them how many seminarians. When the seminarians finish their studies, the government determines if and when they can be ordained.”

“Many Montagnards are already in the U.S. We have a strong Montagnards concentration in North Carolina, but many are still in Vietnam. Our main goal is to reunify families and our special emphasis is the reunification of children with their parents.”

“Government officials told us everything was fine – the Montagnards could get their papers and go to the United States —but in fact we know it is not that easy. So we politely disagreed, . . .

Our big push there was for the Montagnards to come to the U.S. if the wanted to.”

“They are not allowed to practice religion with complete freedom, and the conditions in which they live are by our standards primitive but they are very family-oriented people,” he said. Bishop Wester celebrated Mass with Bishop Michael Hoang Duc Oanh of Kontum for 3,000 people.

“After we left, there was a big uprising by the Montagnards,’ he said. “It’s hard to know what happened because they don’t allow journalists in there. All the indications are that the uprising was put down and the real possibility that some were hurt and killed.”

In their report, the delegation called on the governments of Vietnam and the United States to ease the way for Montagnards to come to the United States. They also called on the United States to protest against Vietnamese repression of the Montagnards and they asked Vietnam to allow impartial observers to investigate the uprising and its aftermath.

In Thailand, Bishop Wester’s group visited two very different groups: Hmong refugees who were preparing to come to the United States and Burmese who were hoping to return to their nearby homeland.

“We went to the Mae Sot refugee camp on the border with Burma, now called Mynamar,” Bishop Wester said. “As recently as two or three years ago, the Mynamar government was lobbing mortar shells into the camp. The camp was a huge forested area, little dirt roads and waterways running through. The people have built huts with bamboo floors. Many of them have been there 20 years. The children born in the refugee camp have never known anything else.”

“The elders of the camp told us they don’t want to come to the United States. They want to go back to Burma. That may or may not be a realistic dream depending on political fortunes. They’re waiting for a change of regime.”

Closer to Bangkok, the delegation visited a camp for Hmong refugees who were preparing to come to the United States. Speaking through an interpreter, Bishop Wester said, “We explained who we were and told them the Catholic Church would be involved in a lot of resettlement. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know them a bit, to hear their concerns.”

In its report, the USCCB delegation recommended the United States and international organizations act to resettle Burmese political dissidents and vulnerable refugees, single mothers and children. It also urged the Thai government to halt the forced return of refugees to Burma.

Finally, in the Philippines, the American group met with a delegation representing about 1,700 Vietnamese refugees now living there. “It’s a complicated issue because the Church in the Philippines has been very helpful to the Vietnamese refugees, eager to help them to assimilate into the Filipino culture and to live there if they wanted to,” Bishop Wester said. “The Church took them in when they came to their shores, taking children who were orphaned and adopting them.”

Bishop Wester came away from the meeting, however, with the “distinct impression, that most of the Vietnamese there do want to come to the United States.” As a result, the delegation recommended that the U.S. government move to resettle them in the United States. Three months after the delegation’s visit, the Philippine and U.S. government agreed on a resettlement plan.

The mission to Asia was a way of responding to “ the Gospel mandate to reach out to all people and bring Christ’s peace to them whether or not they’re Catholic,” Bishop Wester said.

“We’re very much concerned with social justice, reaching out to all peoples and especially refugees, and especially children and women who have been separated from families.”

Bishop Wester pointed out that most Americans are immigrants, including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, or the children of immigrants. “What saddens me is that quite often we see legislation aimed against migrants. That reflects a lack of understanding. People say, ‘They’re going to take our jobs.’ The statistics prove otherwise. Immigrants take those jobs that our people will not take.”

Bishop Wester added, “We take an active role is assisting refugees and immigrants any way that we can because that’s what Christ told us to do, but we don’t take sides with politicians. We do take sides on issues. The church cares about anyone who is suffering.”

December 10, 2004

Catholic San Francisco

11

SCHOOL OF PASTORAL LEADERSHIP WINTER 2005 SEMESTER (January – April 2005) SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO ST. VERONICA SCHOOL (434 Alida Way, South San Francisco, 94080) TUESDAY CLASSES 7:30 – 9:30 PM Catholic Moral Teaching Dr. Michael Torre 12-week course ($100) Dates: Jan 11, 18, 25; Feb 8, 15, 2; March 1, 8, 15, 29; April 5, 12 This course will provide an overview of Catholic moral teaching. Topics to include: the moral life as freedom in Christ; the life of grace; the nature of the human person; natural moral law; the Ten Commandments; the formation of conscience; the practice of virtue; and some contemporary issues in light of Catholic teaching.

SAN FRANCISCO ST. MONICA CHURCH (470 24th Ave, San Francisco, 94121) THURSDAY CLASSES 7:30 – 9:30 PM The Fathers of The Church: An Introduction to the First Six Centuries of Christianity Mr. Stephen Cordova 12-week course ($100) Dates: Jan 13, 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17; April 7, 14

(CNS PHOTO FROM REUTERS)

In this course, students will examine the development of the Church from the times of the first successors to the Apostles, up to the pontificate of Gregory the Great. In a combination of lectures and directed discussions of texts, students will discover what the people of the early Church believed, practiced and taught.

KENTFIELD MARIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Kentfield, 94904) THURSDAY CLASSES 7:30 – 9:30 PM

Angels flank the Rockefeller Center's Christmas tree, a seven-story tall Norway spruce set aglow with more than 30,000 lights in New York at the start of Advent.

Catholic Apologetics Mr. Mark Brumley 12-week course ($100) Dates: Jan 13, 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17; April 7, 14

The School of Pastoral Leadership invites you to a “Ceremony of Lessons and Carols”

This course will provide an introduction to Catholic apologetics, which studies the reasons for Catholic beliefs in order to understand them more deeply and explain them more effectively.

Special emphasis will be placed upon those Catholic beliefs that are most commonly misunderstood. Students will study common objections as well as answers to those objections. Various methods for apologetics will be examined and evaluated. Students will learn how to defend the Catholic Faith without being defensive, how to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15).

A beautiful Advent tradition of Scripture readings and sacred music, to prepare for the coming of the Savior.

Music performed and led by

The Schola Cantorum From the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi Mr. John Renke, Director

Please join us on

Saturday, December 11, 2004 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

A Popular History of the Liturgy, Part Two: The Classical Period (4th – 9th centuries) Rev. David Anderson 12-week course ($100) Dates: Jan 13, 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17, 24; March 3, 10, 17; April 7, 14 This will be the second in a series of three offerings on the history of the liturgy. This course will examine the development of distinct liturgical traditions: Rome, Jerusalem, Constantinople, and Alexandria --- with special emphasis on the Roman and Byzantine traditions. Topics will also include: the sanctification of life (the sacraments or mysteries); the sanctification of time (the Liturgy of the Hours and the Church Year); the liturgical expression of the central Christian doctrines; the influence of monasticism; the flowering of art, music, and architecture; and the crisis of iconoclasm in the East. (Note: It is not necessary to have taken the first course in the series --this class will begin with a brief summary of material covered in the first course.)

COURSE REGISTRATION FORM

(Followed by refreshments in Auditorium 4:00 to 5:00 pm)

Please complete this form and mail it with a check or money order (made payable to “Archdiocese of San Francisco”) to:

St. Vincent Chapel

School of Pastoral Leadership One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco CA 94109

1 St. Vincent Dr., San Rafael Marinwood Exit from 101 North

Free Admission Please make your reservation by completing this form and mailing it to: School of Pastoral Leadership, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109-6602.

(Ceremony of Lessons and Carols 2004)

Phone: (415) 614-5546 ● Email: mccutchend@sfarchdiocese.org

Fax: (415) 614-5543 ● Website: www.splsf.org

Cost: $50.00 for a 6-week course; $100.00 for a 12-week course; $200.00 for a 24-week course Please PRINT: NAME: ADDRESS:

Number of attendees _________ Name _______________________________________________________

PHONE:

Address __________________________ City _____________ Zip _______

EMAIL:

Phone_____________ Fax _____________ Email _____________________ Or you can also make reservations by Phone, FAX, or E-mail: Phone: 415-614-5546 Fax: 415-614-5543 Email: mccutchend@sfarchdiocese.org

PARISH/AFFILIATION: NAME OF COURSE:

12

Catholic San Francisco

December 10, 2004

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Guest Commentary My Christmas Wish for You

By Father Eugene Hemrick Catholic News Service Sometimes I wish I never had studied history! For what a person learns is that history repeats itself when it comes to battles and war.

Right now the United States not only is fighting terrorism, but also a more terrifying war on corruption here and abroad. Without a doubt, if corruption could be stamped out, we wouldn’t have war. Unfortunately, this story is repeatedly told in history, and we know how the story goes.

During my lifetime, the United States has fought World War II and the Korean, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq wars, to say nothing of fighting other smaller wars. Even when wars are won, history appears to repeat itself with new battles.

In our personal lives we forever are fighting inner battles. If we are honest with ourselves, we know that the inner peace and unity we desire never fully will be achieved in this world. But when taken too seriously, this reality of our personal history might easily lead us to despair and depression.

Despair is insidious. It whispers to us: “Forget your enthusiasm for a brighter future. What you see today will be repeated tomorrow. Nothing is new, and you have no control over history, which repeats itself.”

Christmas is a time of hope. As the Hebrew nation looked forward to a Messiah, so are we Christians meant to be forward looking. But how is this forward-looking spirit cultivated?

Recently, the Catholic Church Extension Society, an organization dedicated to serving our home missions, sent me the final version of a video titled “The Invisible Church.” It is the story of bishops, priests and lay leaders who are working with have-nots in the outposts of this country.

The video reminds us that the United States still is a mission country in need of missionary work. More important, it reminds us that there are countless heroic, caring people dedicated to serving the less fortunate. As grim as the circumstances in which these missionaries’ work may be, they constantly bring hope to seemingly hopeless situations. They embody a spirit that always looks for ways to help people look forward to tomorrow and to plan ways to improve things.

Wherever we live — in a rural, suburban or urban setting — there is someone who either is helping us or helping someone around us to be forward looking and to see hope in the coming day.

This Christmas it is my wish that you be especially blessed with the gift of hope. As hopeless as things sometimes may seem, may you never lose your desire to search for that something special that will cause you to look forward to tomorrow.

May you never lose your enthusiasm for devising new plans to improve your life.

May you never lose sight of those around you whose care forever is generating new hope.

May God bless you with a caring disposition that brings hope to others, and may you never lose your belief in the God of history, who ultimately controls it.

Have a very blessed Christmas filled with the hope of the Christ Child!

Give family and friends Catholic San Francisco Catholic San Francisco – recognized as one of the best Catholic newspapers in the United States – is sent to all registered parishioners of the Archdiocese of San Francisco without charge. We are grateful for contributions to the annual appeal, direct donations and the advertising income that helps to make this broad distribution possible.

As I was reading a flurry of letters and notes from readers recently, which complimented Catholic San Francisco on its news coverage, commentaries, feature stories, layout and photographs, a thought came to me. Why not find a way for readers to share Catholic San Francisco with others?

If you have grown children, aging parents, family members or friends who do not live in the Archdiocese of San Francisco or are not registered parishioners, here is a wonderful gift idea. You can have Catholic San Francisco sent to anyone you like simply by purchasing a “non-parishioner” subscription to the newspaper.

For addresses within California, the non-parishioner subscription rate is $27. For U.S. addresses outside of California, the non-parishioner subscription rate is $36.

To arrange for a non-parishioner subscription to Catholic San Francisco for someone in your family or a friend, just send their name and full address to us – Catholic San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109 – along with a check covering the non-parishioner subscription amount. – MEH

Saints with accents I enjoyed the article on “Thérèse,” but there was just a little distraction as I read. I believe the correct accents on her name are “Thérèse,” not “Thèrése.”

It does make a difference in pronunciation.

Maybe an editor is responsible? I know I’m awfully picky, but “c’est la vie.”

Robert Pfisterer Los Angeles

All are precious I thank God for the gift of my life and I’m sure Chuck Cannon (Letters – Nov. 19) does for his.

However, I must comment briefly on his proposal that lives that differ by age or development have a different value. All souls are equally precious in the eyes of God. Our Savior proved this by His life, suffering and death which we, as Catholics, believe He accomplished for all.

Why should we, God’s creatures, have the audacity to say that the precious 101,200 souls lost in Iraq have a higher value than the precious 1.3 million souls lost to abortion in 2003 alone, and the incalculable number of precious souls whose lives are destroyed and will be destroyed by embryonic stem cell research.

Diane Dawes San Francisco

poor, health care, or civil liberties that took precedence over theses critical life issues.

Mr. Morasci stated that we needed to help people who were poor, needing jobs, healthcare and civil liberties. Isn’t it our responsibility as Catholics to “do unto others” and help the people of Iraq who were in need of the very things that seem to be of most importance to the letter writer? These people were tortured, not allowed to be educated, ruled by a barbaric dictator, were kept quiet and denied all freedoms. I hope that if we were in this situation someone would be willing to fight for us and our families.

It is a shame to be berated for voting for a President who is pro-life and who cares about the very issues that are at the heart of Catholic concern.

Kristine Flowers Hillsborough

L E T T E R S

Not ashamed I am writing in response to the letter, “For shame,” (CSF – Nov. 19) telling Catholics that they should be ashamed of themselves for having voted for President Bush solely on “support for marriage.” Mr. Morasci seems to think that voting for a President who is anti-abortion, anti-embryonic stem-cell research, for strong moral family structures, who values all life is not a good enough reason for Catholics to vote for him.

He would rather us vote for the candidate who was outspoken in his support for abortion, partial-birth abortion and embryonic stem cell research - who in his 19 years in the Senate never spearheaded any legislation to do with the

Letters welcome Catholic San Francisco welcomes letters from its readers.

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

God’s will first

Years ago the Democratic Platform presented a party for the average citizen.

However, since the Carter presidency it has degenerated to such far left ideas that it no longer reflects Christian morality.

Candidate Kerry voted 100 percent to fund abortions - In the second debate a young girl asked him what he would do for her belief that she did not want her tax dollars to pay for murdering babies.

He basically said that he respected her viewpoint but as President he had to represent the citizens who want abortions.

There in lies the key to why we who voted for George W. Bush are so happy and relieved. The majority of Americans spoke loud and clear that we want our voices heard. We want God back in our nation. We do not want liberal judges to force us to accept the radical banishment of faith from public life. We do want the 10 commandments to be alive and accepted as the standard for good, moral behavior in our culture. We definitely do not want school based clinics that provide abortions to minor, school-aged girls, without parental consent; which John Kerry supported. People of faith do not want homosexuality forced into our public school curriculum and taught as a normal life style. We also do not support euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research or cloning.

All these trends go against God’s will and against Church teachings. We must prioritize what is most important when we vote.

Mother Teresa said, when she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, that America would not have peace as long as we had legalized abortions. If we put God’s will first, other things will be given to us as well.

Claire Rogus San Mateo

Ambrose c. 340-397 feast – Dec. 7 One of the doctors of the Latin church, Ambrose was born in Germany. After the death of his father, prefect of Gaul, the family moved to Rome where he studied Crosiers law. Named a governor in northern Italy, he was an honest official. When Milan's bishop died, the people chose Ambrose, a catechumen, as bishop. He was baptized and ordained, then consecrated bishop on Dec. 7, 374. He fought the Arian heresy, advocated church rights and wrote important theological works.

His sermons are credited with converting St. Augustine.

Saints for Today

© 2004 CNS

December 10, 2004

Catholic San Francisco

13

Spirituality

Advent Hope Henri Nouwen was once asked: “Are you an optimist?” His reply: “No, not naturally, but that isn’t important. I live in hope, not optimism.”

Teilhard de Chardin once said the same thing in different words when he was accused of being overly-idealistic and unrealistic in the face all the negative things one sees in the world. A critic had challenged him: Suppose we blow up the world with a nuclear bomb, what then happens to your vision of a world coming together in peace?” Teilhard’s response lays bare the anatomy of hope: “If we blow up the world by nuclear bombs, that will set things back some millions of years, but eventually what Christ promised will come about, not because I wish it, but because God has promised it and, in the resurrection, God has shown that God is powerful enough to deliver on that promise.”

Hope is precisely that, a vision of life that guides itself

by God’s promise, irrespective of whether the situation looks optimistic or pessimistic at any given time.

Hope is not simple optimism, an irrepressible idealism that will not let itself be defeated by what’s negative; nor is it the ability to look the evening news square in the eye and still conclude, realistically, that there are good reasons to believe everything will turn out well.

Hope is not based on whether the evening news is good or bad on a given day. The daily news, as we know, is better on some days and worse on others. If we hope or despair on the basis of whether things seem to be improving or disintegrating in terms of world events, our spirits will go up and down like the stock market. Instead, hope looks at the facts, looks at God’s promise, and then, without denying the facts

or turning away from the evening news, lives out a vision of life based upon God’s promise, trusting that a benevolent, allpowerful God is still in charge of this world.

Jim Wallis, the founder of Sojourners and one of the prophets of hope in today’s world, has a wonderful way of illustrating this: Politicians, he says, are all of a kind. A politician holds up his finger in the wind, checks which way the wind is blowing, and then votes that way. It generally doesn’t help, Wallis says, to change the politicians because those who replace them do exactly the same thing. They too make their decisions according to the wind. And so - “We need to change the wind!” That’s hope’s task. The wind will change the politicians.

How does this work? Wallis uses the example of the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid was not brought down by guns or violence or even by changing the politicians, but by changing the wind. And it was changed by hope. How? In the face of racial injustice, people of faith began to pray together and, as a sign of their hope that one day the evil of apartheid would be overcome, they lit candles and placed them in their windows so that their neighbours, the government, and the whole world would see their belief.

And their government did see. They passed a law making it illegal, a politically subversive act, to light a candle and put it in your window. It was seen as a crime, as serious as owning and flaunting a gun. The irony of this wasn’t missed by the children. At the height of the struggle against apartheid, the children of Soweto had a joke: “Our government,” they said, “is afraid of lit candles!”

It had reason to be.

Eventually those burning candles, and the prayer and hope behind them, changed the wind in South Africa. Morally shamed by its own people, the government conceded that apartheid was wrong and Father dismantled it without a Ron Rolheiser war, defeated by hope, brought down by lit candles backed by prayer.

Hope had changed the wind.

During the season of advent, Christians are asked to light candles as a sign of hope. Unfortunately this practice, ritualized in the lighting of the candles in the advent wreath, has in recent years been seen too much simply as piety (not that piety doesn’t have its own virtues, especially the virtue of nurturing hope inside our children). But lighting a candle in hope is not just a pious, religious act; it’s a political act, a subversive one, and a prophetic one, as dangerous as brandishing a firearm.

To light an advent candle is to say, in the face of all that suggests the contrary, that God is still alive, still Lord of this world, and, because of that, “all will be well, and all will be well, and every manner of being will be well,” irrespective of the evening news.

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

Coming of Age

Stealing Christmas Once upon a time about a jillion years ago I was a scrawny seventh-grade kid with too much time, not enough imagination and a desperate desire to fit in. It was not a pretty picture. Trust me on this one.

One afternoon a few weeks before Christmas I tiptoed across the hall to my mother’s room to do some serious snooping in her closet. I knew she had hidden my Christmas gifts, and I was determined to find them. It didn’t take long to locate the goods, stashed behind a pile of ugly flowered hats. There were no tags but my mother discreetly had written the first initial of the recipient in the corner. She thought she could trick me, but I was too smart for her.

No sooner had I discovered this, however, I heard footsteps on the stairs below. I quickly escaped to my room without detection.

A few days later when the house was empty, I sneaked into the closet again. I grabbed all the boxes marked for me and smuggled them into my bedroom. There I spent a delightful afternoon of juvenile delinquency. I unwrapped the mood ring and the Flower Power diary and the lava lamp. I tried on the hiphugger bell bottoms and fishnet stockings, prancing around in

front of the hall mirror for full effect. I even wore the clothes for an hour or two so I could break them in. Then I carefully rewrapped my loot and returned everything to Mom’s closet.

The next day at school I was a hero. I bragged about my brazen heist and how I was the only kid in junior high to swipe all my presents right under my parents’ noses. My friends envied my fishnet stockings and I, a shy kid not accustomed to the attention, soaked up the fleeting popularity. I was sure this would be the best Christmas ever.

It was the worst Christmas ever.

When the big morning arrived, my sisters hardly could contain their excitement. They scurried back and forth, handing out presents to various family members and making a game of trying to guess what was inside. Their laughter filled everything in the room — except me.

“Regina, aren’t you excited, too?” my mother asked as I skulked in the shadows.

I was miserable. I can’t explain it, but I felt like I’d stolen Christmas, and now I had to pretend that I hadn’t. I wasn’t very good at hiding my lack of excitement. Faking joy was even harder.

While I sulked in the corner, my parents and sisters were reveling in the exchange of love.

I hadn’t chosen love at all; I had chosen myself, and that’s exactly what I got. It was a pretty small package.

M. Regina Cram I never did it again.

It’s not that I haven’t been tempted to sneak into a few closets over the years, but then I remember my seventh-grade heist. That was the time I tried to steal Christmas, and all I ended up stealing was my own joy.

So now I know. Christmas cannot be stolen, it can only be given away, and God in his mercy has done just that. He has given away Christmas, once and for all eternity.

Regina Cram is a free-lance writer from Hartford, Connecticut.

The Catholic Difference Here is John Cornwell in his new book, The Pontiff in Winter (Doubleday), on John Paul II’s Marian piety and his devotion to the icon known as the “Black Madonna:” “The greatest of Poland’s shrines was the monastery at Jasna Gora, ‘Bright Mountain,’ housing the miraculous icon of ‘The Black Madonna’ in the city of Czestochowa...On a visit to Jasna Gora, June 6, 1979, [Karol] Wojtyla, as Pope, would inform his listeners that as a schoolboy he had been granted ‘special interviews’ with Our Lady at the shrine.”

Get the picture? John Paul II is...well, he’s strange. No wonder he turns out to be a mystical authoritarian who has “muted the voices of the Church’s many saints, theologians, bishops, and laymen and women who constitute the Church’s wisdom of the present and of the ages.” What else would you expect from someone who claims to have had “special interviews” with the Blessed Virgin Mary when he was barely out of short pants?

There’s a problem here, though – the Pope didn’t say what John Cornwell says he said. Period.

What did John Paul actually say that evening? Here’s the text, a kind of valedictory prayer, as published in the English edition of L’Osservatore Romano: “Our Lady of Jasna Gora!

There is a custom – a beautiful custom – for pilgrims whom you have welcomed at Jasna Gora to make a farewell visit to you before leaving here. I remember very many of these farewell visits, these special audiences that you, Mother of Jasna Gora, have granted me, when I was still a high-school

student and came here with my father and the pilgrimage from the whole of my native parish of Wadowice. I remember the audience that you granted to me and to my companions when we came here clandestinely, as representatives of the university students of Cracow, during the terrible Occupation...”

An icon, as every educated person knows, is not a work of representational art, like Holbein’s “Sir Thomas More.”

Rather, an icon intends to “make present” the person or event depicted by the iconographer. By changing “audiences” to “interviews” and omitting the crucial, iconographic context, Mr. Cornwell tries to create the impression that the Pope is a little crazy. Yet neither the text nor the context here suggests anything other than a deep piety, expressed in terms that anyone with ears to hear can hear, easily and appreciatively.

The Pontiff in Winter is a vile book, and one comes to the end of it wondering why it was written. Cornwell adds nothing to our knowledge of John Paul II’s pre-papal biography, his actions as pope, or his teaching. Nor does The Pontiff in Winter suggest a fresh interpretive line that illuminates hitherto hidden aspects of Karol Wojtyla’s complex personality. Rather, throughout his book, Mr. Cornwell indulges in an exceptionally crude form of the good guys/bad guys, cowboys-and-Indians interpretation of modern Catholic life, much as he did in his previous work, Breaking Faith. To this, he adds the skill in sly innuendo that characterized his portrait of Pius XII in Hitler’s Pope, beginning with the dust jacket photo adorning that nasty piece of

work. The result is not biography, but pathography.

The pathologies in question involve the author, however, not his subject. For The Pontiff in Winter tells us far, far more about the personal crotchGeorge Weigel ets and ecclesiastical dyspepsia of John Cornwell than it does about Karol Wojtyla, his life’s story, and his impact on the Church and the world. Clinicians may find it of some interest; readers wanting to learn more about John Paul II will not.

Mr. Cornwell’s otherwise unnecessary book may serve one modest purpose, however. Let it stand, preferably on the remainder tables of the bookstores, as a valedictory: not to the Pope, but to a style of Catholic journalism that has missed the meaning of this pontificate from the outset. Why? Because it could never grasp the elementary fact that John Paul II has not been a reactionary pope against modernity, but rather a modern pope with a very different reading of modernity than that typically found among western intellectual and journalistic elites.

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

JOHN EARLE PHOTO

Mr. Cornwell misses again

14

Catholic San Francisco

December 10, 2004

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Scripture

Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10; Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 A READING FROM THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH (IS 35:1-6A, 10) The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom.

They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!

Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you.

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (PS 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10) R. Lord, come and save us. or: R. Alleluia.

The Lord God keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets captives free.

R. Lord, come and save us.

The Lord gives sight to the blind; the Lord raises up those who were bowed down.

The Lord loves the just; the Lord protects strangers.

R. Lord, come and save us.

The fatherless and the widow he sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts.

The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations.

R. Lord, come and save us.

A READING FROM THE LETTER OF SAINT JAMES (JAS 5:7-10) Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW (MT 11:2-11) When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.

And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.

Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.

Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

FR. MUNACHI EZEOGU, C.S.SP.

Taking offense at Christ Have you ever seen someone take offense at the Lord? I have. A certain lady who spent her time working for the Lord — visiting the sick and the bedridden, helping the elderly and the handicapped — was diagnosed of a knee problem needing surgery. The surgery was not a success and so left her in constant pain and unable to walk. It seemed the Lord had ignored the prayers of this woman and her friends for a successful surgery. This was a woman who considered herself a personal friend of Jesus. And was she disappointed?

Her otherwise cheerful disposition turned into sadness and gloom. One day she pulled herself together and shared with her confessor what was going on in her soul. The confessor suggested that she go into prayer and ask her friend Jesus why he has treated her this way. And she did. The following day the priest met her and saw peace written all over her face in spite of her pain. “Do you know what he said to me?” she began. “As I was looking at the crucified Jesus and telling him about my bad knee he said, ‘Mine is worse.’”

“And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” (Matt 11:6) Does John the Baptist in today’s gospel find himself in a similar situation? John has spent all his life in the Judean desert in anticipation of the Messiah who was to come. He has prepared the way for the Messiah by calling the people to a baptism of repentance.

Now he is languishing in prison because he denounced the sins of Herod Antipas. In the meantime Jesus begins his public work as the Messiah. He doesn’t go to visit John in prison or send him a word of encouragement. John hears that he is performing miracles. Why doesn’t he use his miraculous powers to set John free and vindicate him? Doesn’t prophecy say that one of the signs of the Messiah is that he will set prisoners free? Naturally John would expect to be one of the first beneficiaries. After all it was he who baptized Jesus in the first place. Some reciprocal benevolence would certainly be in order. So John sends messengers to Jesus to remind him. Jesus’

message back to John was, “Yes I am indeed the Messiah. But please do not take offence at me if all your expectations are not met.”

Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.

What is going on here? Wrong expectations. Popular theology in biblical times held that prosperity was a sign that God was with someone and adversity a sign that God was not with them. The author of Job questioned this theology by telling the story of Job who was a man of God and yet he met with adversity. But that theology has survived and is still with us today in spite of the teachings and personal example of Jesus.

In Jesus we see that the sure signs of God’s presence are not primarily material but spiritual. It is true that in the ministry of Jesus “the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised” (Matt 11:5), yet these miracles can be seen as “signs” of an inner spiritual blessing.

What does it profit a person ultimately to receive the use of physical eyes and feet if they continue to be spiritually blind and lame? No. The vital signs of God’s presence are spiritual — spiritual enlightenment (blind see, deaf hear) and empowerment (lame walk, dead raised). Of course these have inevitable salutary effects on the physical plane, but these are secondary.

Once there was a blind man who became a preacher. He drew crowds to his preaching because, even though he was still physically blind, he would often begin his preaching by declaring, “I was blind but now I see.”

In advent we are like John waiting for the coming of the Lord. What are our expectations?

Today’s gospel reminds us of the necessity to entertain expectations that are in accordance with the Lord’s priorities. Without discounting the physical and the material we are reminded that the primary domain of God’s saving work among us is the spiritual.

Fr. Munachi Ezeogu is a Nigerian priest in the Congregation of the Holy Ghost (Spiritan). Visit his website at www.munachi.com.

Pray like a Saint in 2005

By Bill and Monica Dodds Catholic News Service Consider this: 1. Children need help learning how to pray.

2. Parents need help learning how to become better at praying.

3. A parent’s job includes teaching his or her children how to pray.

4. Teachers become more proficient at a skill by teaching it.

Apparently, God has this figured out.

Heaven knows we “all” need help when it comes to praying. It’s comforting that even the disciples, aware that Jesus was a person of deep, deep prayer, realized they weren’t that hot at it.

Fortunately for us, one specifically asked Our Lord for some tips. That was when he gave them, and us, the Our Father.

After the resurrection, it was the early Christians who asked the apostles for help. Since then, each succeeding generation has been looking for tips from those who have gone before.

How can you pray like a saint in 2005? A little advice: — “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer” (Rom 12:12).

— “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God” (Phil 4:6).

— “Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise” (Jas 5:13).

— “Reflect what great happiness is bestowed upon you, what glory is given to you, namely, to converse in your prayers with God, to join in dialogue with Christ and to beg for what you wish or desire” (St. John Chrysostom, c. 347-407).

— “All that should be sought for in the exercise of prayer is conformity of our will with the divine will, in which consists the highest perfection” (St. Teresa of Avila, 1515-1582).

— “He who flees from prayers flees from all that is good” (St. John of the Cross, 1542-1591).

— “The chief exercise of prayer is to speak to God and to hear God speak in the bottom of your heart” (St. Francis de Sales, 1567-1622).

— “There is no danger if our prayer is without words or reflection because the good success of prayer depends neither on words nor on study. It depends upon the simple raising or your minds to God” (St. Jane Frances de Chantal, 1572-1641).

Take a Break St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein, 18911942) recommends pausing for a moment to pray: “God is there in these moments of rest and can give us in a single instant exactly what we need. Then the rest of the day can take its course, under the same effort and strain, perhaps, but in peace. And when night comes and you look back over the day and see how fragmentary everything has been, and how much you planned that has gone undone, and all the reasons you have to be embarrassed and ashamed: Just take everything exactly as it is, put it in God’s hands and

The Baptist in Prison – Giusto de Menabuoi, 14th century.

leave it with him. Then you will be able to rest in him — really rest — and start the next day as a new life.”

December 10, 2004

Catholic San Francisco

15

Personal Perspective I have always, since I can remember, been a “natural” that the unborn child, no matter the age or viability has convention because he Democrat. I don’t remember a time when I questioned it. no rights and, in fact, is not a person. It is a nonperson, a was pro-life. It is very clear that if you are proI grew up in a Polish-American enclave where all legal nonentity. my relatives were “new deal” democrats. As a young This extreme position is the central piece in a life, you will not have a man, I was impassioned about the civil rights movement panalopy of other issues that the Democratic Party has place in Democratic poland a strong supporter of the Kennedy’s. I worked with abandoned me on– embryonic stem cell research, physi- itics. Why should I then the United Farm Worker movement and Cesar Chavez cian assisted suicide, gay “marriage,” and, especially in be a member?

So the Democratic was a hero. I even went door to door for George California, legislative initiatives to define parts of the George Weigel McGovern and counseled young men who were explor- Catholic Church, Catholic Charities, Catholic hospitals Party has abandoned my ing conscientious objector status during the Vietnam and Catholic universities, as “secular” and not a part of children and me. It is quickly abandoning War. All of this was firmly based on my Catholic belief the Church’s mission. faithful members of the Catholic Church. It has system about the dignity and the rights of the become secular to the extreme and beholden to human person. extremist societal views that will continue to marNow I am officially, “decline to state.” And I ‘It is very clear that if you are pro-life, you ginalize it and diminish its proud history. find myself leaning toward the Republican Party.

I will continue to be pro-peace, pro immiWhat happened? will not have a place in Democratic politics.’ grant’s rights, pro workers’ rights, pro health care I don’t think that I am leaving the Democratic for all, pro economic justice and continue to work Party. The Democratic Party left me. In my view, the Democrats have gone away from preserving the The Democratic Party holds out no hope for me or for justice for the poor and marginalized in our country rights of the vulnerable and the marginalized when they my family in terms of participation in the political and around the world. I will also continue to be pro-life take up such extreme positions on abortion. They are not process. John Kerry said explicitly that he would apply a and pro family. These foundational and bedrock societal nuanced in any way. For them abortion, can and should litmus test to nominate judges. In effect, they could not issues are essential to my being a Catholic involved in the be available at any time, for any reason, no matter how be pro-life. This means that my daughters, if they should political process. The Democratic Party doesn’t want a old the unborn child. They have become extremists in wish to become judges, would be barred from that posi- person like me and they have no space for me. supporting partial birth abortion, unlimited access to tion because they are pro-life. The Democratic Party does George Wesolek is the director of the Office of abortion depending on the “health” of the mother where not allow pro-life members a national voice.

Public Policy and Social Concerns for the “health” may mean that this is an inconvenient time in Robert Casey, the former Democratic Governor of Archdiocese of San Francisco. the life of the mother-to-be. They espouse the position Pennsylvania, was denied a voice at the 1992 Democratic

Art and Culture

Kinsey confusion A few years ago I was browsing in a thrift shop and film with plenty of stupid moralizers, and he’s made up cally received because came across a curious volume titled “Ideal Marriage: Its marvelously stupid things for them to say. For example, couples found there a Physiology and Technique.” What’s that got to do with Kinsey’s dad proclaims an ice cream parlor a venue of lust, warm and eloquent “Kinsey,” the new film about sex researcher Alfred Kinsey? and calls the zipper “the most scandalous invention of them expression of the secret, We’ll get to that in a minute. all.” Lines like these ring distractingly false, in their common joys of the First, let’s look this specimen over merely in terms of its overeager attempts to render the era’s views frightening. marriage bed. It took cinematic qualities, and set aside the sexual content. If this And then we see Kinsey showing Mac a book titled “Ideal Kinsey to drag it onto was a biography of any research scientist, we’d surely give it Marriage: Its Physiology and Technique.” He opens it and the steel tables of a laba solid A for visuals: costumes, lighting, props, cinematogra- reads a few sentences, which convey prissy objections to oratory. And whatever Frederica phy, all contribute to a rich sense of environment and mood. two common items of foreplay. Kinsey is enraged and says, is studied begins to Mathewes-Green change.

A special gold star for makeup, which renders the players “It’s morality disguised as fact!”

Over sixty years we refreshingly real and un-made-up. The score is just about as You want to talk about facts? First published in 1926, good-let’s say an A-, with supple, rolling piano and violin “Ideal Marriage” was written by a Dutch gynecologist, have changed into a lines that support a tender and poignant mood. Acting, well, Theodoor Van de Velde, and may be the best-selling sex people who are exceedingly self-conscious about sex. Once we may be getting down to a B+ here, because although the manual of all time. Over half a million copies were sold in people did what came naturally, experimenting and discovleads are exceptionally gifted actors (Liam Neeson as Alfred the United States alone, and it enjoyed equal success in ering each other and keeping things, as they say, intimate.

Kinsey, Laura Linney as his wife Mac), they occasionally Europe. On pages 169-171 of the 1930 Random House edi- Today intimacy is blasted; we are compelled to talk about lapse into announcing their lines, a flaw probably attributable tion, Van de Velde takes up one of the items above, and sex incessantly, to hear about it endlessly, and it becomes ever more artificial. Overexposure has turned sex to the director’s skills rather than their own. into another bleached and packaged commodity. We And that leads us to the script, which was written are estranged from our sex lives, from our own bodby the director. Bill Condon has previously given us ‘Boomers have structured our identities ies, from each other, and there is no end to judging horror and murder mysteries, and more notably ourselves, our appearance and performance. No end “Gods and Monsters” (1998), which explored the last around the idea that we invented sex. to being judged, either; as Huw Richardson wrote in days of the director of “Frankenstein” and his coma poignant post, “Hell is a ‘Pride Parade’ where no plex erotic relationship with his muscle-bound gar- We’re addicted to the thrill of liberation, one looks at you, where no one returns your comdener. The script for “Kinsey,” however, can’t earn pliments, where no one bothers to notice you - on a more than a C+. Again, setting aside the sexual con- and it doesn’t work unless there’s someone day when egos are supposed to be full and fluffy, tent and imagining that this is about any researcher, hell is having one’s ego bashed.” The sexual revoluwe’d still have to say, Gee, Bill, could you be a little to be liberated from.’ tion has created a whole new galaxy of ways for more subtle here? We know he’s a great guy, but people, even gay people, to be rejected. you’re hitting us with a hammer. We’ve got scenes Sex is imagined to be “empowering:” we exercise power where the good doctor stands framed in a doorway, white- describes technique at length. But rather than condemn it, washed by the setting sun, while his nasty father snarls at he pronounces this activity “absolutely unobjectionable when we unveil our stunning bodies and reduce another him from the couch. Down the camera goes to the miserable, and legitimate, ethically, aesthetically, and hygienically” person to slavish lust. But very few of us have such bodies; twisted dad; up to the heroic researcher, proclaiming his (italics his). The other is treated on pages 164-168, in much for most of us, sex doesn’t mean power, but vulnerability. noble mission. Laid on a bit thick, don’t you think? While more explicit detail than anything the screen Kinsey tells It means trusting another to be kind toward imperfections Condon allows that Kinsey has a few flaws - he’s overly- his students. Van de Velde instructs husbands that if minis- and scars and sags; trusting that they will be kind because clinical and emotionally dry — as far as nobility of charac- trations such as these are not sufficiently effective, it would they love you, because they said so, because they sealed it ter goes he’s the next thing to Mother Teresa. be “both stupid and grossly selfish of the husband” to pro- with a ring. This is why marriage is where sex is most exuIn order to highlight Kinsey’s spotlessness, his oppo- ceed to intercourse (his italics, again). This is not a prude’s berantly free, and why it’s no surprise that married consernents are presented as the most benighted fools that imagi- book. Young couples who grab a used copy off the internet vative and Christian women keep topping the surveys of nation can supply. While Kinsey does everything but walk may have even as much fun with it as their great-grandpar- sexual satisfaction. “Kinsey” depicts the confusion the researcher encountered due to his dullness at understanding on water, his dad is humiliating his wife at the dinner table, ents did. shaming his daughter and younger son at the wife’s funerSo why did Condon pretend that “Ideal Marriage” says the emotional and relational aspects of sex, but not the outal, and in general exhibiting a bitterness of soul so extreme the opposite of what it really says? Because Boomers have come of his blundering opacity. He did not expand our that it strains belief. We’re eventually told that it’s all structured our identities around the idea that we invented knowledge, but contracted it, reducing an experience that because he was prevented from masturbating as a child. sex. We’re addicted to the thrill of liberation, and it doesn’t had been private, wholistic and rich into solitary or mutual Sorry, but Condon has made the dad too evil to be compre- work unless there’s someone to be liberated from. So we mechanics. There’s a lot of wisdom we’ve lost, whole genhended by such a brisk totalizing theory. It’s like the old want entertainment that shows us stuffy old moralizers and erations of it. But when we finally admit we’re not having sexual superstitions in reverse, and is applied with the same marches them around, and puts in their mouths the thrilling fun, we can begin to discover it again. hysterical force that preachers once brought against sexual things we wish they said. If we listened to what they really mischief. said, we’d have to be a little more humble about our role in Frederica Mathewes-Green is a columnist for But, come to think of it, what do we really know about sexual history.

Beliefnet.com, Our Sunday Visitor, National Review such preachers? Do we ever look up their own words, or In fact, we have plenty of reasons to be humble about and other publications. She is a regular consult what they actually said? No, we’re in too much of our role in sexual history. Van de Velde didn’t invent sex a rush to have authority figures wag their fingers at us, so either - I believe scientists now suspect it’s been going on commentator on National Public Radio. This article we can have the thrill of defying them. Condon litters the for a few centuries, at least. But his book was enthusiastioriginally appeared in National Review Online.

JOHN EARLE PHOTO

How the Democratic Party left me

16

Catholic San Francisco

December 10, 2004

Music TV

Books RADIO Film

Stage

New books explore meditation, monasticism CHRISTIAN MEDITATION: EXPERIENCING THE PRESENCE OF GOD,

by James Finley. HarperSanFrancisco (San Francisco, 2004). 304 pp., $19.95.

THE LANGUAGE OF SILENCE: THE CHANGING FACE OF MONASTIC SOLITUDE, by Father Peter-Damian Belisle, OSBCam. Orbis Books (Maryknoll, N.Y., 2004). 187 pp., $16.00.

THE INNER ROOM: A JOURNEY INTO LAY MONASTICISM, by Mark Plaiss. St. Anthony Messenger Press (Cincinnati, 2004). 127 pp., $9.95.

GRACE IN THE DESERT: AWAKENING TO THE GIFTS OF MONASTIC LIFE,

by Dennis Patrick Slattery. JosseyBass/Wiley (San Francisco, 2004). 154 pp., $22.95.

Reviewed by Mitch Finley Catholic News Service A modern audience for books on Christian monasticism, meditation and contemplation was discovered in 1948 with the publication of Father Thomas Merton’s best-selling autobiography, “The Seven Storey Mountain.”

Today that audience has been increased by the many modern readers who are intrigued by the implications of Eastern religions for mainline Christianity. These four books are addressed to that modern audience.

James Finley’s new book, “Christian Meditation: Experiencing the Presence of God,” draws on many traditional wells for insights. Finley (no relation to this reviewer) is best known for his book, “Thomas Merton’s Palace of Nowhere.” He is a psychological and spiritual counselor living in California.

Finley says that people who think they must turn to Eastern religions in order to learn meditation couldn’t be more mistaken.

Christian meditation is hardly anything new; the practice goes back to Christian men and women who lived in the deserts of Syria and Egypt in the third and fourth centuries and, indeed, can be traced to Jesus himself.

With a clear, informative and captivating style Finley explains for both beginners and the more experienced the basics of meditation and what makes Christian meditation Christian, with frequent references to the New Testament. Often along the way, Finley enriches his discussion by sharing with the reader his own experiences.

This is, without a doubt, one excellent book, a perfect guide for spiritual seekers and spiritual guides as we move into an uncertain 21st century.

“The Language of Silence: The Changing Face of Monastic Solitude,” by Father PeterDamian Belisle, a Camaldolese Benedictine hermit, is a first-rate discussion of the history and practice of solitude in Christian monasticism. It’s not just a book for celibates living in monasteries, however. Solitude can — perhaps even should — be a part of any healthy adult Christian spirituality and way of life.

This book is part of the “Traditions of Christian Spirituality” series published by Orbis. Father Belisle covers solitary personages in the Old and New Testaments and down through Christian history even through the 20th century.

Finally, he discusses the solidarity of the solitary with all of humankind: “Authentically lived, monastic solitude breaks through human barriers of isolation and speaks a silent word of universal love and solidarity with all life.”

In “The Inner Room: A Journey Into Lay Monasticism,” Mark Plaiss — a medical librarian living in Indiana who is married and has two sons — shares with the reader his vocation to “lay monasticism.” Plaiss

Catholic Radio Hour Highlights – Dec. 13-17 Weeknights at 7:30 p.m. – KVTO 1400 AM Radio Pray the Rosary – hosted by Fr. Tom Daly One half-hour of prayers, reflections and music Monday: Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary; Sunday Soundbite; Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent: Loren Dwyer; Scripture Commentary: Fr. Adelmo Dunghee.

Tuesday: Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary; Fact of Faith; Saint of Day: St. Nicholas.

Wednesday: Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary; Ask a Franciscan; Minute Meditation.

Thursday: Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary; Devotions.

Friday: Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary; Rome Report.

Prayers requests are welcome. You can help keep the rosary on the air by sending a donation to Catholic Radio Hour, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109.

TRAVEL GUIDE

LAKE TAHOE RENTAL

Pilgrimage Tour to Europe 15 Days, June 8 - 22, 2005 Fr. Jack Russi, S.M., chaplain at Archbishop Riordan High School will be leading an adult pilgrimage-tour to France and Spain with visits to Marian Shrines. The tour will start out in Paris, go to Bordeaux, then to St. Jean de Luz, Lourdes, Our Lady of the Pillar in Saragossa Spain, Barcelona and visit the shrine of the ‘Black Madonna’ in Montserrat Spain.

Please contact Fr. Jack at 415-586-9399.

Vacation Rental Condo in South Lake Tahoe.

PACIFIC I’NTL TRAVEL AGENCY

Sleeps 8, near Heavenly Valley and Casinos.

CHINA • INDIA • PHILIPPINES VIETNAM • INDONESIA • THAILAND KOREA • JAP AN • TAIWAN JAPAN AIWAN • EUROPE EUROPE

Call 925-933-1095

DISCOUNTED BUSINESS CLASS TRAVEL GOING HOME? VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR SPECIALS

FOR ALL YOUR TRAVEL NEEDS SPECIALIZING IN

PACIFICTRAVEL.COM CST # 1010514

See it at RentMyCondo.com#657

800-886-5944 580 MARKET STREET SUITE 250, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104

describes his meaning this way: “The lay monastic dons no habit, wears no distinguishing ornament, lives not in a monastery.” While not living in a monastery, the lay monastic manages to live a life faithful to the spirit of monasticism which is a life centered on God, who cannot be separated from neighbor.

“The Inner Room” covers considerable territory, from the author’s journey into the Catholic Church to his discovery and adaptation of the monastic life to lay life. It’s a fascinating, rich and rewarding book with great potential to nourish faith whether the reader senses a call to lay monasticism or not. Not to be missed.

In “Grace in the Desert: Awakening to the Gifts of Monastic Life,” Dennis Patrick Slattery casts a wide net. He recounts his three-month pilgrimage to 12 Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox

and Buddhist monasteries and retreat centers.

Focused on discovering a deeper understanding of his identity as a husband and father, a teacher and believer, as well as the life and death of his father, Slattery’s quest took him to locations in California, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. In each monastery or retreat center he describes the way of life he finds there and the discoveries he made about his own life and life in general.

The pages fly by, and in the end Slattery discovers the simple yet profound meaning of it all: “Now I can let all of my childhood wounds evaporate. I no longer need them for support. The feeling of liberation reflects a moment of grace unconditionally given.

Forgiveness is at the heart of it — I swear.”

Catholic San Francisco invites you

to join in the following pilgrimages ITALY January 11, 2005 Departs San Francisco 11-Day Pilgrimage

only

$

1,999

with Fr. Chris Crotty and Fr. Louis Caporicci Visit: Rome, Orvieto, Assisi, Loreto, Lanciano, Mt. St. Angelo, San Giovanni, Foggia, Pompeii, (Papal audience if Holy Father is home)

St. Paul Outside the Wall

FATIMA SPAIN and LOURDES May 15, 2005

Departs San Francisco 11-Day Pilgrimage

only

$

2,399

Fr. Martin Gillespie Spiritual Director Visit: Paris, Lisbon, Lisbon, Fatima, Coimbra,Alba De Tormes, Avila, Segovia, Burgos, Garabandal, Santander, Loyola, Pamplona, Sanguesa, Lourdes

Lourdes

For a FREE brochure on these pilgrimages contact: Virginia Marshall – Catholic San Francisco

(415) 614-5640 Please leave your name, mailing address and your phone number California Registered Seller of Travel Registration Number CST-2037190-40 (Registration as a Seller of Travel does not constitute approval by the State of California)

December 10, 2004

Advent Opportunities

2005

official directory

ORDER FORM Name City Credit Card #: Signature:

17

of 2000, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04 from 1 – 3 p.m. in school’s new Student Life Center. “Catch up with old friends and teachers over light refreshments,” said Gregg Franceschi, Director of Alumni Relations and a ’94 grad. Call (415) 775-6626, ext. 636.

We are on a Star Search for graduates of Star of the Sea Academy, Class of ‘55. A 50th Reunion is in the planning stage. Let us know where you are.

Contact Patricia Lawless Sack at 415-472-5732.You won’t want to miss this one!

Datebook

Retreats —— VALLOMBROSA CENTER —— 250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park. For fees, times and details about these and other offerings call (650) 325-5614. Presentation Sister Rosina Conrotto, Program Director.

Dec. 31: Welcoming in the New Year, an opportunity to reflect on the gifts of the past year and look forward to gifts yet to come with Father Patrick Collins.

The evening retreat includes two conferences and Mass followed by ringing in of the New Year.

Single, Divorced, Separated

More than 75 golfers teed off October 16th in support of Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School in Belmont. The Golf Outing raised more than $7,000 for school programs including art and technology. Accepting the day’s proceeds from event finance head, Tom Runkel, is IHM principal Margaret Purcell-Briskin. “A Family Christmas,” a holiday celebration of scripture and song, comes to IHM December 11th at 7:30 p.m. and December 12th at 3 p.m. The ensemble includes almost 100 voices from the parish adult, teen and children’s choirs under the direction of music director, Teri Marconi. Admission is free. Goodwill offerings accepted. “This is a family event, so all ages are invited to attend,” Teri said. enjoy. A candlelight reception will follow the concert.

Tickets are $25.00 for reserved orchestra, $15.00 general and $12.00 student/senior. The Basilica is located at 16th and Dolores in San Francisco. Free parking available. For more information call 415-621-8203.

Dec. 20, 21: Do You Hear What I hear? A Christmas Concert featuring the voices of the Our Lady of Loretto and St. Anthony of Padua parish choirs as well as a children’s ensemble. “The music will be inspiring and joy filled,” said Cathie Peters, music director at St. Anthony.

Richard Elliott directs the music program at Our Lady of Loretto. The curtain goes up on the holiday songfest at 7: 30 p.m. Dec. 20th at St. Anthony, 1000 Cambridge Rd., and Dec. 21st at Our Lady of Loretto, 1806 Novato Blvd. Call (415) 883-2177. A $10 donation is requested.

At St. Mary’s Cathedral The following events are taking place at or are coordinated by the cathedral of the Archdiocese located at Gough and Geary St. in San Francisco.

Call (415) 567-2020 for more information.

Sundays: Concerts at 3:30 p.m. Call (415) 5672020 ext. 213. Open to the public. Admission free.

Dec. 12: Organ Recital by Vytenis Vasyliunas from Germany. December 19: Organ Recital by Christoph Tietze. December 26: Organ Recital by David Hatt The Cathedral Autumn Group welcomes men and women 55 years and older. Call Mercy Sister Esther McEgan at (415) 567-2020, ext. 218.

Reservations required for all events. Dec. 16: Christmas Luncheon at San Francisco’s Four Seasons Hotel.

Food & Fun Dec. 11: Annual Mt. Carmel Holiday Home Tour of five beautiful homes in the Redwood City Mt. Carmel neighborhood that are splendidly decorated for the season. Refreshments, entertainment, and holiday gift boutique too. Tickets $20/$25 at door.

Benefits OLMC Elementary School. Call (650) 3663802 or Joni Reicher at (650) 568-9359.

3rd Wed.: All you can eat Spaghetti Luncheon at Immaculate Conception cafeteria, 1550 Treat St., SF. $7 per person includes salad and French bread.

All you can eat from noon on! Reservations not required. Call (415) 824-1762. Proceeds benefit St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception School.

3rd Sat.: Handicapables gather for Mass and lunch at St. Mary Cathedral, Gough and Geary St., SF, at noon.

Volunteer drivers always needed. Call (415) 585-9085.

4th Sat.: Handicapables of Marin meet at noon in the recreation room of the Maria B. Freitas Senior Community adjacent to St. Isabella Church, Terra Linda, for Mass, lunch and entertainment. Call (415) 457-7859.

Reunions Dec. 12: Sisters of Mercy, Burlingame Region invite all members, former members, and associates of the community to events celebrating the Mercy Sisters’ 150 years in California. Contact Sally O’Connell at (650) 340-7437 or soconnell@mercyburl.org.

Dec. 17: Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory School’s Annual Young Alumni Reunion for classes

Dec. 18: Annual Potluck Christmas Party and Ornament Exchange sponsored by Separated and Divorced Catholics of the Archdiocese at St. Mary’s Cathedral Conference Center, Gough and Geary St., SF at 6:30 p.m. Call Vonnie at (650) 873-4236.

Separated and Divorced support groups meet 3rd Sat. at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, call Pat at (415) 492-3331; and 1st and 3rd Wed. at 7:30 p.m. at St. Stephen Parish Center, SF, call Gail at (650) 591-8452.

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

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

San Mateo County: St. Catherine of Siena, Burlingame. Call (650) 344-6884; Our Lady of Angels, Burlingame. Call Louise Nelson at (650) 343-8457 or Barbara Arena at (650) 344-3579. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Redwood City. Call (650) 366-3802; Good Shepherd, Pacifica. Call Sister Carol Fleitz at (650) 3552593; St. Robert, San Bruno. Call (650) 589-2800.

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

Marin County: St. Isabella, San Rafael. Call Pat Sack at (415) 472-5732. Our Lady of Loretto, Novato. Call Sister Jeanette at (415) 897-2171.

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

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

Ministry for parents who have lost a child is available from Our Lady of Angels Parish, Burlingame. Call Ina Potter at (650) 347-6971 or Barbara Arena at (650) 344-3579. Young Widow/Widower group meets at St. Gregory, San Mateo. Call Barbara Elordi at (415) 564-7882.

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.

ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO 2005 DELUXE DIRECTORY

of

Archdiocese San Francisco

Dec. 10, 12: The Messiah in both concert and sing-along forms. The St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir will perform the Handel classic Friday at 7 p.m. at the cathedral. All are invited to a mass singing of the “wouldn’t be Christmas without it” piece Sunday at 3 p.m. at St. Raphael Church, 1104 5th Ave. in San Rafael. Sing-alongers may reserve a spot and purchase a score. Tickets $15/10 for both. Call (415) 567-2020, ext. 213 for more information.

Dec. 10: The St. Charles 3rd Annual Christmas Concert at 7:30 p.m. “Please join in this celebration in song with the Adult and Children’s Choirs of St. Charles Church, “ said Claire Giovannetti, parish music director and conductor. St. Charles is at 880 Tamarack Ave., San Carlos. Free will offerings will be accepted. Call (650) 591-7349, ext. 32 for more information.

Dec. 11: Training for New Lectors at Marin Catholic High School, 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Kentfield. Sat., 9am-3: 30 p.m. Please pre-register at (415) 614-5585.

Dec. 11: The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Saturday Morning of Prayer series continues 9:30 11:30 a.m. with “Blessed are the Lowly: People who are Poor” with prayer and reflection based on the universal message of Our Lady of Guadalupe in light of the poor.

Presenters will be Sister Rosa Dolores Rodriguez, Director of Casa de la Cultura, a resource center for Spanish-speaking population in Pajaro (Watsonville) and Sister. Theresa Linehan, formerly a health and diabetes care provider at Casa de la Cultura. Takes place at Notre Dame Province Center, 1520 Ralston Avenue in Belmont across from Ralston Hall on the campus of Notre Dame de Namur University. Information: 650-593-2045 X277 or www.SistersofNotreDameCA.org.

Dec. 11: All are invited to Mass and reception honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe – Mother of the Americas – at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 40th Ave. and Balboa St. SF at 6 p.m. Mariachis lead song at Mass and reception follows. Fine food will be served. You may bring a dish to share if you like.

Come and bring family and friends.

Dec. 12: Christmas Praise Extravaganza featuring the voices of the Sacred Heart Gospel Choir at Sacred Heart Church, Fillmore at Fell St. in San Francisco at 3 p.m. Buffet Dinner and social follows at 5 p.m. Everyone invited. Free admission.

Dec. 12: Reflections of Christmas, an afternoon of prayer, readings, songs and organ solos at St. Veronica Church, 434 Alida Way, South San Fracisco at 3 p.m.The Advent/Christmas program is a way to thank all who contributed to the fund used to purchase the new church organ as well as welcome others. Christopher Lindstrom, church organist and music director, has served at St. Veronica’s for 18 years and has enjoyed helping enrich the parish music program. Call (650) 588-1455.

Dec. 12: The school band, choir and dance groups of Holy Angels Elementary School in Colma entertain at Serramonte Center in Daly City from 2 – 4 p.m.

Dec. 12: The Community of St. Philip the Apostle Church, 725 Diamond St., presents a Christmas Concert at 5 p.m. featuring The Messiah – Part I, the Prophecy – under the direction of Carlton White with Chamber Orchestra from the San Francisco Conservatory. Traditional carols and the St. Philip Children’s Choir, too. Suggested donation is $10 adult/$5 children. Call (415) 824-2158.

Dec. 15: St. Gabriel Parish, 40th Ave. between Ulloa and Vicente, invites all to an evening of Advent Reflection and Music with Dan Schutte, whose compositions include Here I am Lord and other popular hymns, at 7 p.m. Call (415) 731-6161.

Dec. 18: A Christmas Play in St. Boniface Church Theater, 135 Golden Gate Ave., SF at 2 p.m. Free admission. Call (415) 447-9860.

Dec. 19: The Mission Dolores Basilica Choir will perform their 13th annual Candlelight Christmas Concert at 7pm. Under the direction of Jerome Lenk, and accompanied by a chamber orchestra and organ, the world traveled choir will perfrom traditional European and American carols and will conclude with their very popular sing-a-long of familiar carols for everyone to

Catholic San Francisco

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. . . .

Please send me

copies of the Directory Address Zip Code

Copies @ $17.50 Each: $ Includes Postage and Handling

Method of Payment: ❑ Visa ❑ Mastercard Exp. Date: ❑ Check ❑ Money Order

Catholic San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

18

Catholic San Francisco

December 10, 2004 Once the law goes into effect, the missions foundation will have two major challenges: raising matching funds and determining where and how the money will be spent. “The $10 million in federal funding will encourage some donors to contribute,” Mellon said, “but to succeed 100 percent we will have to raise $10 million. If we do, the missions will get $20 million.”

Before any federal money is distributed, an assessment of the needs of each mission will be made. Mellon will then pull together the assessments. The foundation’s board of directors will set priorities and ask the Department of Interior for the federal funds.

After the missions foundation began in 1998, it made a rough estimate that $50 million was needed to repair the missions.

The actual need today is much greater.

“You could do a lot with $50 million but that’s not going to be enough,” Mellon said.

“San Miguel Mission near Paso Robles is highest on our priority list. The figures are between $25 and $30 million just for San Miguel.” That mission was badly damaged in an earthquake last December and has been closed since then.

Other high priority missions include, San Diego, San Juan Bautista, San Gabriel, Soledad and Mission Dolores in San Francisco Since it began in 1998, the foundation has raised between $2.5 million and $3 million and now has about $500,000 of its own money.

“We get a lot of small donations – and we’re thankful for everything – but you simply cannot fix the missions up, given the condition they’re in today, with $5 and $10 donations,” Mellon said. “We need an infusion of substantive of money, in the millions of dollars range. That’s why this $10 million is so important. It’s a start to that process.”

The historic significance of the

Missions. . .

■ Continued from cover never be forced to maintain houses of worship.”

Supporters of the California missions believe AUSCS will lose in court. “The bill includes an amendment which states that the Attorney General must certify that any allocations of moneys to the California Missions Foundation for passage to individual missions would not be in conflict with the First Amendment,” Knox Mellon, executive director of the missions foundation, said. “We feel that we can meet that requirement.”

“The Save America’s Treasures program has the same provision, and the Attorney General did certify in the case of the Old North Church in Boston – an AnglicanEpiscopal church that holds religious services regularly. The important thing was that it is a landmark. There was also the case of Touro synagogue in Rhode Island which got Save America’s Treasures money. It was a landmark, too.”

“We are not funding religious services,” Mellon said. “What we are funding is the stabilization and rehabilitation of California and national historic landmarks.”

While the missions continue to serve a religious purpose, they are also historically significant because of the role they played in the secular development of the state, Mellon said. The history of modern California dates to the construction of the missions, he said.

“The missionaries came along and established incredible structures – missions were the biggest structures in California. I like to think of the missions as being California’s pyramids,” Mellon said. “They laid the foundation for commerce, trade and transportation. El Camino Real still runs up and down the state.”

S E R V I C E

Interior, Mission Dolores.

California missions is undisputed. Seven are national historic landmarks, and all have the status of state historic landmarks.

The state of California owns two missions, San Francisco Solano in Sonoma and La Purísima Concepción in Lompoc. The others are owned by Catholic dioceses or religious orders.

Missions largely rely on income from gift stores, donations for admission and fund raisers for their operations, and lack the ability to finance multimillion-dollar repairs.

San Francisco’s Mission Dolores needs

up to $1 million to prevent a new infestation of the beetles that had threatened to destroy the mission’s historic wooden statutes four years ago, curator Andrew Galvan said. “The problem has been arrested,” Mr. Galvan said. “now we need to ensure that the beetles do not return.”

Mission Dolores’ needs are very real, he said, but San Miguel Mission on the Central Coast must have “priority status” he said. That mission was closed after it was badly damaged by an earthquake last year. It needs up to $30 million in repairs.

D I R E C T O R Y

For Advertising Information Call 415-614-5642 • E-mail: jpena@catholic-sf.org

Religious jewelry

PARISH CD’S “Have you ever wanted to make a recording of your choir, band, orchestra, conference?

Were you overwhelmed by the thought?”

Since 1997 Splendid Productions has been working with schools, churches and businesses around the Bay making professional, affordable recordings.

Go to www.splendidsound.com and read what our customers are saying and listen to audio clips or call Stephan Duffy at 510-329-7020.

Over 600 Pieces of Crosses, Patron Saints Medals in Gold & Silver.

Fine Workmanship!!! www.crossesonline.com

COUNSELING 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

SOUND SYSTEMS Intelligent Sound and Communications Solutions Since 1985

KANSORA COMMUNICATIONS

CHURCHES – SCHOOLS – THEATRES COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS – SPORTS FACILITIES

1537 Franklin Street • San Francisco, CA 94109

PAINTING & REMODELING John Holtz

Ca. Lic 391053

General Contractor

Since 1980

(650) 355-4926

Home Services All purpose: Painting, Fencing, Carpenter, Small Roofing Repairs, Skylight Repairs, Demolition Work, Rain Gutter Repair & Cleaning, Landscaping, Gardening, Hauling, Moving, \Janitorial.

Call (650) 757-1946

Painting & Remodeling

not a licensed contractor

Interiors Exteriors Kitchens Baths

HANDYMAN

Contractor inspection reports and pre-purchase consulting

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

Se habla Español & Tagalog.

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

For Advertising Information Please Call 415-614-5642

not a licensed contractor

CONSTRUCTION

PLUMBING

REPAIRS & PRESSURE WASHING

Plumbing • Fire Protection • Certified Backflow

Leaks, Dryrot, Decks Mike: (650) 355-8858

John Bianchi

Lic #: 778332

Phone: 415.468.1877 Fax: 415.468.1875 Lic. No. 390254

Expert Plumbing Repairs General Repairs Clean Drains & Sewers Water Heaters ●

●

SANTI PLUMBING & HEATING

FAMILY OWNED

415-661-3707

Lic. # 663641

LCSW, ACSW Adult, Family, Couple Psychotherapy, LCS 18043 Divorce resolution, Grief resolution, Supportive consultation.

Substance abuse counseling, Post trauma resolution, Family Consultation.

Support and help a phone call away!

415-289-6990

4000 Geary Blvd., Suite 201, San Francisco, CA 94118

24 HR

PLUMBING HOLLAND

Plumbing Works San Francisco ALL PLUMBING WORK PAT HOLLAND CA LIC #817607 BONDED & INSURED

415-205-1235

●

Sound Systems Digital Carillons / Bells

●

●

Intercoms / Paging Systems Cable TV & Data Systems

415-453-2898

WWW.KANSORA.COM CA LICN # 747210

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

Healing Your Inner Child Lila Caffery, MA, CCHT Christian Family Counselo r

St. Dominic’s Parishioner

•Individuals, Couples, Family •Addictions; Food, Chemical, Love •Enneagram Personality Work •Spiritual Direction• Sliding Scale

415-337-9474 • 650-888-2873 www.innerchildhealing.com Barbara Elordi, MFT Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Therapist.

Offers individual, couple + family and group counseling.

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

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

– Senior Discount –

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

●

415-239-8491

●

PAULA B. HOLT,

IT’S A SAFE BET! You Can Reach 90,000 Catholic Households with this Ad!

Call

415-614-5642

BUILD YOUR BUSINESS Advertise in Catholic San Francisco

Services Directory This Size Ad Costs Just $80 Week* Call Today

(415) 614-5642 *One year agreement

AUTO SALES Wally Mooney Auto Broker

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

St. Robert’s Parish San Bruno

Catholic San Francisco

December 10, 2004

NOVENAS PUBLISH A NOVENA Pre-payment required Mastercard or Visa accepted

Cost $25

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

Name Adress Phone MC/VISA # Exp. ❑ Prayer to the Blessed Virgin ❑ Prayer to the Holy Spirit

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

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

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail.

Most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assist me in my need. Help me and show me you are my mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to help me in this need. Oh Mary, conceived without sin.

Pray for us (3X).

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

Say prayers 3 days. L.P.A.

Most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assist me in my need. Help me and show me you are my mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to help me in this need. Oh Mary, conceived without sin.

Pray for us (3X).

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

Say prayers 3 days.

C.T.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

St. Jude Novena

\

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless pray for us.

Say prayer 9 times a day for 9 days.

Thank You St. Jude.

Never known to fail.

You may publish.

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

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

St. Jude Novena

\

Coordinator of Youth Ministry

IMMEDIATE JOB OPENING HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT P/T benefited position (24hrs) responsible for providing administrative support to the HR Dept. such as coordination of education of resources, training and orientation logistics, records management, compliance tracking of various administrative processes, employment verification and reference checks, HRIS data input. Must possess excellent skills in oral and written communications, interpersonal relationships and organization. Must be flexible, detail-oriented, and systematic. Must have the ability to work in an evolving environment, maintain confidentiality and interact effectively with a wide range of people.

At least two years college education and two years Human Resources experience or a combination of both required. Computer know-how in Miscrosoft Office Suite and HR/Payroll system a plus.

Clothing Alterations

Lt. Housekeeping and care for elderly lady. $10 per Hr 3 Hrs per day 3 days per wk ph 239-1471.

George

CLOTHING ALTERATION AND REPAIR. Hemming pants, skirts and jackets.

CALL MARIA (415)643-5826

Cemetery Room for Rent Plot MT. OLIVET CATHOLIC CEMETERY, SAN RAFAEL. Companion plot.

Current Value $2390–$2700.

Sell for $1500.

Seller will pay transfer fee.

Call (928) 522-9096

Home Aid CERTIFIED GERIATRIC HOME AID. 14 years experience. Excellent references. Seeks caregiver position with elderly woman.

(415) 252-8312

1 bdrm. $550.00 Share: Kitch., living rm., 2 bathrooms, formal dining, yard with fruit trees. Near Silver Ave. & San Bruno Ave. Quiet.

Gift Ideas GIFTS FOR THE SPIRIT

CALL 468-8178; 519-2210

Organist

House Sitting

ORGANIST WEDDINGS • FUNERALS Worship Services, Catholic Experience Marie DuMabeiller 415-441-3069, Page: 823-3664 VISA, MASTERCARD Accepted

Mt. Carmel parishioner wishes to housesit to be near grandkids in Mill Valley or houseswap (San Deigo). Free/loc ref

Please confirm your event before contracting music!

415-888-2047

Logos, books, and icons at Our Lady of Fatima Byzantine Catholic Church 101 - 20th Ave. San Francisco, CA 94102 Holiday Hours: Saturdays Only Nov. 26, Dec. 4th, 11th & 18th 12 Noon to 5 p.m.

Work At Home

Help Wanted

Are you being paid what you’re worth?

ADVERTISING SALES

Catholic/professional husband & wife are seeking people who want to transition into being their own boss by partnering with a successful INC 500 wellness co. Low Investment-Tax Deductible-Money Back Guarantee-Unlimited Income. NO MLM. NO Inventory. NO Order Taking.

NO delivering. FREE training. Famed Rich Dad author, Robert Kiyosaki, calls us the “perfect business”. This business is lots of fun & is based on teaching people & enhancing lives!

Read about us at: www.milestoneopportunity.com or call: 415-614-1908 for more info.

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

• Generous Commissions

Qualified applicants may send their resume to SISTERS OF MERCY, ATTN: HR DEPT.,

2300 Adeline Dr. Burlingame, CA 94010 or fax to (650) 373-4509 or e-mail cthibodeaux@mercyburl.org

SECRETARY TO THE LEGAL OFFICE REPORTS TO: Archdiocesan Legal Counsel Dept.

STATUS:

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

• Minimal Travel • Stong Office Support • Work in Your Community

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

Provides Professional secretarial and administrative support to the Archdiocesan Legal Counsel as well as to the Associate Legal Counsel.

Help Wanted

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

\

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless pray for us.

Say prayer 9 times a day for 9 days.

Thank You St. Jude.

Never known to fail.

You may publish.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless pray for us.

Say prayer 9 times a day for 9 days.

Thank You St. Jude.

Never known to fail.

You may publish.

L.H.

M.G.

O Infant Jesus, I have recourse to Thee. I beg of Thee through Thy Holy Mother, to assist me in this necessity (_); for I believe firmly that Thy Divinity can assist me. I hope with all my heart, and all the strength of my soul. I repent sincerely of my sins and I beg of Thee, O good Jesus, to give me strength to triumph over them. I make the resolution never to offend Thee again and I offer myself to Thee with the disposition of suffering everything rather than to displease Thee again. Henceforth, I will serve Thee with fidelity. For the love of Thee, O Divine Jesus, I will love my neighbors as myself.

Child full of power, O Jesus, I beg Thee again to help me in this circumstance (_) grant me the grace to possess Thee eternally with Mary and Joseph in heaven, and to adore Thee with the Holy Angels. Amen.

L.H.

Most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assist me in my need. Help me and show me you are my mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to help me in this need. Oh Mary, conceived without sin.

Pray for us (3X).

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

Say prayers 3 days.

P.P.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail.

Most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assist me in my need. Help me and show me you are my mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to help me in this need. Oh Mary, conceived without sin.

Pray for us (3X).

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

Say prayers 3 days.

A.L.

Most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assist me in my need. Help me and show me you are my mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to help me in this need. Oh Mary, conceived without sin.

Pray for us (3X).

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

Say prayers 3 days.

H.T.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail.

Regular, F/T (37.5 hrs per week)

• Excellent Benefit Package

G.G.

St. Jude Novena

Help Wanted

All Saints Parish, a dynamic and diverse Catholic community located in Hayward, California, is seeking a full time candidate for the position of “Coordinator of Youth Ministry”.We are seeking an enthusiastic candidate to be a part of an exciting ministry whose role will be to foster the personal and spiritual growth of the Parish’s youth by drawing them into various ministries of our Church. Additionally, the candidate will direct the Parish’s Confirmation Program and implement Junior and Senior High School faith formation programs.The candidate will be given the opportunity and necessary resources to lead the program in a highly professional and effective manner.The positon will remain open until filled. For a job description or more information, please contact Tom Passanisi ( passfam5@comcast.net).

Elderly Care

19

Special Needs Companion Services We are looking for you.

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

● ● ●

Work Full or Part-time in San Francisco – Marin County • Provide non medical elder care in the home • Generous benefit package

● ●

Fax your resume to: Jeannie McCullough Stiles, RN 415-435-0421

●

Send your resume: Jeannie McCullough Stiles, RN Special Needs Nursing, Inc. 98 Main Street, #427 Tiburon, Ca 94920

●

●

● ●

Special Needs Nursing, Inc. RNs or LVNs We are looking for you.

Work FULL or PART time while your children are in school.

Nurses are needed to provide specialized nursing care for children in the San Francisco Public School setting.

Generous benefit packages for generous nurses.

Fax your resume to: Jeannie McCullough Stiles, RN 415-435-0421 Send your resume: Jeannie McCullough Stiles, RN Special Needs Nursing, Inc. 98 Main Street, #427 Tiburon, Ca 94920

Minimum of 3-5 years secretarial experience with proven administrative ability.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ability to produce accurate coorespondence on time.

Excellent interpersonal skills needed.

Proficient in the use of a PC, MS Word.

Dictaphone experience a plus.

Must type at least 65 w.p.m.

Must have ability to maintain confidentiality in all matters.

Demonstrated ability to follow priorities and organize work effectively and efficiently, including maintenance of established record-keeping systems.

Ability to compose routine correspondence.

Ability to handle daily office administrative matters.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Prior legal secretarial experience a plus but not required. ● Practicing Catholic with general knowledge of Church terminology is a plus but not required. ●

PLEASE SUBMIT RESUME, COVER LETTER AND 2 REFERENCES TO: Archdiocese of San Francisco Office of Human Resources, Attention: Patrick Schmidt One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco 94109 E-mail: schmidtp@sfarchdiocese.org

20

Catholic San Francisco

Sisters of Mercy

December 10, 2004

2004

San Francisco

150

TH

A N N I V E R S A RY of the

Sisters of Mercy in San Francisco

Everything they needed to build a great hospital fit into one small boat.

First light of dawn. December 8, 1854.

A group of seven Irish nuns walked off the Cortes shortly after it docked in San Francisco. They had been at sea for over three months. The possessions they brought from Ireland were few, and the bricks and mortar needed to build St. Mary’s Hospital were nowhere to be found.

But what they did carry with them on that gray, chilled morning were ample supplies of courage, determination, and a commitment to furthering the healing mission of Jesus on a new continent.

Everything needed to ensure the building of a great hospital.

Today, this 150-year legacy is lived out every day at St. Mary’s Medical Center where compassionate, personalized care is combined with state-of-the-art technology and medicine. A great deal has changed since that December morning a century and a half ago. But the faith and mission carried in that small boat remains unaltered.

“Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.”

450 Stanyan Street • San Francisco, CA 94117

For more information on the commitment that became a hospital, visit

www.stmarysmedicalcenter.org