December 19, 2008

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

2008 Christmas Message May the Good News continue to be ‘Homeless Family Found In Shed’ After 2,000 years the birth of Jesus Christ continues to be news. For the Christian believer, it is the Good News of salvation. This birthday is also “in the news” each December because of the music, the decorations, the gift giving, the celebrations, the commercialism and even the church services surrounding Christmas day.

What headline best captures the birth of Christ for us Catholics? “Savior Born For All Nations” certainly expresses our faith in the meaning of Jesus. “Messiah Born In Bethlehem” connects this birth with the Old Testament tradition which prepared its way. No brief caption says it all, but let me suggest a headline that tells an important truth about the birth of Jesus Christ, a truth that easily gets lost in a month of buying and spending. The headline? “Homeless Family Found In Shed.”

INSIDE Christmas liturgies .12-17 Scripture . . . . . . . . 16, 17 Bioethics document . . 18 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Classified ads . . . . .26-27

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I am not trying to hijack the birth of Christ for political or economic commentary, nor to trivialize this mystery of divine love. However, in a time of economic turmoil, with so many people worried about losing their jobs and their homes, and putting food on the table, we need to remember the special love of God, our Father, and of Jesus, his Son, for the poor of this world.

The birth of Jesus in poverty was not an accident but a part of God’s plan. While she was pregnant Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth and prayed the Magnificat, in which she praised God who “has lifted up the lowly” and “filled the hungry with good things.” Later on, much of the teaching of Jesus sprung from his love for the poor and his own experience of poverty. He pointed out the generosity of the poor widow; he told parables about people headed toward debtors’ prison; he bothered with penniless beggars, when few others did. When Jesus described the final divine judgment of all women and men, it was in terms of whether or not they had fed the hungry, given drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, sheltered the homeless, welcomed the stranger and visited prisoners and the sick. Jesus made it clear that, as judge, he was not watching their behavior like an Olympic official in a box above the rink. He identified himself with the poor and the needy: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”

Jesus was not a social activist but a savior from sin, a giver of grace and eternal life, as well as the supreme expression of God’s love for us. Still, as Lord he did teach that we cannot receive or return God’s love unless we share it daily and concretely with one another, especially those most in need of our loving.

True, Jesus was most compassionate toward a kind of

SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

homelessness that is different from having no roof over our heads. The Son of God emptied himself and took on human homelessness so that all of us could come home from the evil of sin to the welcoming arms of the Prodigal Father.

Through our Catholic faith, Jesus Christ relieves our hunger and thirst with his Body and Blood in Eucharist; he covers our spiritual nakedness with the garments of faith and truth and wisdom; he visits and frees and forgives us when we are imprisoned or sick in our sins; he makes brothers and sisters out of strangers in the community of the Church. We are the homeless family and the roof Jesus puts over our heads is his Catholic Church, welcoming all.

But Jesus who was born in a stable is concerned with all human suffering, physical as well as spiritual. We cannot honor his birth if we cosmeticize the stable and observe his birthday with a spending spree. The carols, the lights and the beautifully carved figures in the crèche honor Christ only if they lead us to imitate his generous love for the most needy among us. Jesus became poor to make us rich in God’s life, now and forever. We complete the circle of that love when we share what we have with our neighbors in need.

May God bless all of you and your families in this Christmas Season, and give you joy and closeness to him in the new year. May your celebrations and your quiet times be filled with a sense of closeness to the Infant of Bethlehem.

And may the Good News continue to be “Homeless Family Found In Shed.”

Most Rev. George H. Niederauer Archbishop of San Francisco

VOLUME 10

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No. 39

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Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Jack and Jerry are both 95 – Jack born June 2, 1913 and Jerry born Nov. 18 of that year - and “grew up across the street from each other on 29th as very good childhood friends,” Jerry told me, asking me to make sure that I report he was “born in St. Paul’s, baptized at St. Paul’s, made my first Holy Communion at St. Paul’s and was confirmed at St. Paul’s.”

Hats off to both for their long years and love of their roots….

Also 95 years old is Jesuit Father William Maring who marked the milestone with a Mass of Thanksgiving at St.

By Tom Burke Rita Parish in Fairfax in November. Father Maring used to assist with Masses or serve “supply,” as it’s known, at All Souls Parish in South Thanks to Jack Shea San Francisco where St. Rita for calling this column and pastor, Father Ken Weare, noting that his being born is a former parochial vicar, five and a half months before and where Auxiliary Bishop Jerry Gallagher makes him William Justice, who was the oldest living graduate principal celebrant of the we know of from St. Paul birthday Mass, is a former Elementary School and not pastor…. As an altar boy Jerry as previously noted in Philly, I remember our here. Now homebound, Jack being assigned each year said he is “very grateful for to keep company with the the visits from Father Mario Blessed Sacrament during 40 Farana,” St. Paul pastor.

Hours Expositions. Three“He is one of the greats. at-a-time we knelt in front The best you can get,” the A highlight of Our Lady of Loretto School’s 50th year was of the monstrance equipped retired Post Office inspector an alumni dinner dance. Taking part in the cake cutting with prayer intentions and, said. Jack still gets in two were Our Lady of Loretto pastor, Father William McCain; of course, an edition of crossword puzzles a day and event chair, Darcy Aman Quinn; principal, Susan Maino; “Lives of the Saints.” Well, reads a book a month, he told hats off to fourth graders at me. His daughter is active St. and school alum and parish administrator, Patrick Reeder. San Domenico Schools who Paul’s parishioner Annette have taken learning about Schubert. His sister is the late Sister Frances Shea, a those who might be called the best of us to a new level.

On The

Where You Live

Students at St. Anne Elementary School celebrated St. Anne pastor Father Raymund Reyes’ 20th year as a priest in October with prayer and song. A visit from Archbishop Jose S. Palma of the Philippines also brightened the day. Front from left: Ashley Jow, Ashley Henning, Alexandra Lee, Marissa Louie, Amanda Loo, Emily Starkes and Kimberly Wong with, back from left, Thao Vo, Tyler Chin , Anthony Wong, Eileen Shi, and Sarah Plunkett with Archbishop Palma and Father Reyes.

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Commemorating All Saints/Souls Day in November, the students hosted a “wax museum.” Each dressed as a saint and came to life with well-prepared instruction on their characters when passing viewers pressed their ‘start’ buttons ….No CSF Dec. 26 or Jan. 2! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!….This is an empty space without you!

Send items and pictures via e-mail to burket@sfarchdiocese. org. Mailed items should be sent to “Street,” One Peter Yorke Way, SF 94109. Pix should be hard copy or electronic jpeg at 300 dpi. Don’t forget to include a follow-up phone number. Call me at (415) 614-5634 and I’ll walk you through it.

Father Hugh O’Donnell, ordained in 1958, was honored on the occasion of his 50th year as a priest at Mater Dolorosa Parish where he served as pastor from 1987 until retiring in 2005. At right is Father Brian Costello, Mater Dolorosa pastor and ordained in 2000. Father Michael Padazynski, ordained in 1988, resides at Mater Dolorosa and serves as archdiocesan chancellor and is director and judicial vicar of the San Francisco Metropolitan Tribunal.

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Catholic San Francisco

3

(PHOTOS BY DAN MORRIS-YOUNG AND MIKE O’LEARY)

December 19, 2008

In photo at left, Msgr. Harry Schlitt visits with a make-up artist. Pictured centrally in the top-center photo are director Chris Salvador and Angela Alioto, vice chair of the Renaissance Restoration Project at the National Shrine of St. Francis. In the middle photo below are vocalists and harpist, from left: Paul Psarras, Aimee Miles, Justin Marsh and Jieyin Wu.

National Christmas TV special anchored at Porziuncola A one-hour television Christmas special set at the Porziuncola Chapel Shrine at the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in San Francisco was taped earlier this month and will be distributed to ABC affiliates nationally.

KGO TV 7 in the San Francisco Bay Area will air the program – titled ““Christmas Eve at the National Shrine of Saint Francis” – Christmas eve at 3 p.m. and Christmas Day at 5 a.m.

Msgr. Harry Schlitt hosts the program. Vicar for adminis-

tration and moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese, Msgr.

Schlitt is a well-known broadcast media veteran.

Produced by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the non-commercial program will feature a Billy Budd claymation reenactment of Jesus’ birth narrated by Christopher Plummer, Christmas carols sung at the Shrine, a video segment on the Trappist Monastery of Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina which houses 350 crèches from around the

Christmas season programming on EWTN includes D.C. and Rome The Eternal Word Television Network will be providing live and encore telecasts of Christmas season events from the Vatican and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., as follows: • Pope Benedict XVI offering Midnight Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Dec. 24 at 3 p.m. (live), with encore telecasts Dec. 25 at 5 a.m. and 1 p.m.

• The pope delivering his Christmas message to the world, live from St. Peter’s Square, Dec. 25 at 3 a.m., with encores Dec. 25 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 26 at 12 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• The choir of the Catholic University of America presenting its annual Christmas concert in the Basilica of the National Shrine, Dec. 23 at

8 p.m., with an encore Dec. 25 at 11 a.m.

• Choral meditations and the Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve, live from the National Shrine, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m.

In addition, Pope Benedict will preside over the First Vespers of Thanksgiving at the year’s end in St. Peter’s Basilica, Dec. 31 at 9 a.m., with an encore Dec. 31 at 2 p.m.

EWTN also will feature an array of Christmas programming for children, including “The Story of the Selfish Giant.” Based on a tale by Oscar Wilde, it tells how an ill-tempered ogre is transformed into a caring giant, Dec. 20 at 7:30 a.m. and Dec.26 at 1 p.m.

Another featured program will be “Siempre Navidad,” a concert by the San Juan Children’s CHRISTMAS EWTN, page 4

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world, and background on the Porziuncola itself.

Opened and blessed on Sept. 27, the Porziuncola Shrine is an exacting replica of the famed Porziuncola church of St. Francis of Assisi located near Assisi, Italy.

Chris Salvador of New Group Media in Indiana, the production company chosen for the project, is director.

The program is underwritten by the national Catholic Communications Campaign.

4

Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

Timing, tone and appropriateness of mayor’s remarks cause ‘dismay’ During his Nov. 25 prayer breakfast remarks to about 400 at the Cathedral Hill Hotel, the mayor highlighted the A Dec. 11 letter from the San Francisco Interfaith Council role of the Catholic Church in his criticism of the passage Board of Directors to its members expresses “dismay” that of Prop 8. At one point the talk was greeted with a standing San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom had used the Annual ovation by a majority of those present.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Breakfast on Nov. 25 to vent “his Maurice Healy, director of the Archdiocese’s Department displeasure with some members of the religious community of Communications and Outreach, attended the breakfast. He for their support of Proposition 8 in the Nov. 4 election.” called the mayor’s speech “an intemperate attack on those During a Dec. 4 meeting, the letter said, the SFIC board religions and people of faith who supported Proposition 8.” members discussed disappointment that the mayor had “The mayor said those who supported the initiative sought to “used this occasion to express his frustration with those who deny rights to others. He did not give any respect for people holdsupported Proposition 8 rather than to honor the efforts of ing religious beliefs about the nature of marriage,” Healy said. the religious community in DeLange and SFIC vice alleviating the suffering of the chair Rita Semel co-signed hungry and poor in our city.” to San Francisco ‘Our mission is to provide a safe aA rletter “We had no idea or warnchbishop George ing that the mayor would shortly after the place where religious people can Niederauer make these remarks,” the prayer breakfast in which letter stated. they conveyed regret over the sit at the table and freely air “While some of us can mayor’s remarks. understand his frustration and In response, DeLange all of us support his right to their differences’ – SFIC letter said, the Archbishop had sent express it, we regret that Mayor them a letter assuring them of Newsom chose this occa“his continuing commitment sion….,” the directors’ letter said, adding: “Many were deeply to the work of the Interfaith Council.” offended and hurt and for that we sincerely apologize.”

Both DeLange and Semel told Catholic San Francisco Passage of Prop 8 on Nov. 4 amended the California they opposed Proposition 8, but that the Interfaith Council constitution to establish “marriage as the exclusive right of was dedicated to “the need to dialogue more than ever opposite gender couples,” the SFIC letter noted. before,” in the words of Semel.

The letter concludes with an invitation to the mayor “and SFIC Executive Director Michael Pappas echoed to those who disagree with him on Proposition 8” to enter the SFIC board’s concerns. Seated at the same table as into dialogue.

Archbishop Niederauer during the breakfast, Pappas said SFIC chair, the Rev. James DeLange, told Catholic San his “heart sank” when the mayor’s remarks strayed “from Francisco on Dec. 13 that a formal invitation to the mayor what we had worked so hard to highlight – the good works or others had not been formally issued but that “a committee of those agencies” providing sustained outreach to the is being formed to work on it.” hungry “especially in this kind of economy where budgets “We felt a responsibility to first communicate with our are being cut.” own constituency,” he said, “but we do plan to reach out to “My hope was that the mayor would have stayed on the mayor” and to work toward establishing “a safe place message,” Pappas said. where people with opposing views can come together.”

Local media have quoted some government officials who Where, when or in what format that dialogue might take attended the breakfast as strongly supporting Newsom’s place are yet to be determined, DeLange said. speech, notably state Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) In the letter, the SFIC directors wrote, “Our mission is and San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Duffy. to provide a safe place where religious people can sit at the Requests to the mayor’s office for comment were not table and freely air their differences.” acknowledged as of press deadline Dec. 16.

Christmas EWTN . . .

■ Continued from page 3 Choir of Puerto Rico. It will air Dec. 20 at 6 a.m., Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. and Dec. 27 at 1 p.m.

All times listed are Pacific Time. EWTN is carried 24 hours a day on Comcast Channel 229, Astound Channel 80, San Bruno Cable Channel 143, DISH Satellite Channel 261, and Direct TV Channel 370. Comcast airs EWTN on Channel 70 in Half Moon Bay and on Channel 74 in southern San Mateo County.

Visit www.ewtn.com for more information.

(PHOTO BY DREW ALTIZER)

By Dan Morris-Young

Cahill saluted More than 350 family, friends and colleagues of Brian Cahill (center) gathered at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco on Dec. 1 to celebrate the retiring executive director of Catholic Charities CYO’s 40 years of service to those in need. Hosted by Janet Reilly, the dinner raised more than $115,000 for CYO Camp scholarships. Pictured with Cahill are CCCYO board of directors president Cecilia Herbert and Archbishop George Niederauer, chair of the board. “Through his consistent record of action on behalf of the marginalized and his authentic concern for his employees, friends and the community, Brian has shown us that in dedicating our lives to the service of others, we can make a most enduring contribution to humankind. We will miss him and wish him well in his retirement,” Herbert said.

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5

(PHOTOS BY ARNE FOLKEDAL)

December 19, 2008

San Mateo pro-life pilgrimage Nearly 50 pro-life advocates braved the rain and cold to take part in the annual December San Mateo Pro Life march from St.Gregory Church, where Msgr. Edward McTaggart, above, blesses them, to the Planned Parenthood clinic one mile away.

Participants prayed the rosary during the walk to and from the clinic, as well as in front, left. The event was held under the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the pro-life movement. For more information on San Mateo Pro Life, call (650) 572-1468.

Pope calls for reflection on ecumenism’s past to identify way forward

By Cindy Wooden

in “consolidation and growth of ecclesial fraternity.”

“It is consoling to note how a sincere spirit of friendship between Catholics and Orthodox has been growing in these years,” he said.

Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Christian unity council, told the pope that, while council members had identified “many good fruits” produced by the ecumenical dialogues, “we cannot close our eyes to the

current situation, to new difficulties and challenges.”

“We have identified new problems and looked for ways to face them,” the 75-yearold cardinal said.

“We also are convinced that recent difficulties cannot be a motive for slowing down or abandoning our commitment; rather, they must be a stimulus for reinforcing and intensifying it and for seeking new ways and

methods to bring it to completion,” he said.

Without mentioning any specific ecumenical difficulties, such as the differences with the Anglican Communion over homosexuality and the ordination of women bishops, Cardinal Kasper said one of the chief barriers to Christian unity is differences in the way Christians interpret the word of God and the weight they give to Christian tradition.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Now is the time for a “broad, precise and detailed” reflection on what the ecumenical movement has achieved, where it has stalled and what is needed to move the search for Christian unity forward, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“One could say that we find ourselves ‘on the way,’ at an intermediate stage, where it appears useful and opportune to examine objectively the results obtained,” the pope said Dec. 12 during a meeting with members of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

The council was holding Christmas Day: The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ; its plenary meeting at the Vatican, focusing on how 10:00AM High Mass with Schola Cantorum; 12:15 PM Chant Mass ecumenical agreements New Years Day: The Octave of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ; have been received by the January 1, 2009 —— 10:00AM High Mass with Schola Cantorum Catholic Church and looking at new possibilities for Every Sunday: 12:15 High Mass with Schola Cantorum moving forward.

It included the presentation of what the council Holy Rosary Chapel called a “harvest project,” looking at agreements at St. Vincent’s School for Boys, 1 St. Vincent’s Drive, Marinwood, California reached over the past 40 20 Miles North of the Golden Gate Bridge, years with the Lutheran 2½ Miles North of Central San Rafael, 14 Miles South of Central Petaluma World Federation, the World Methodist Council, Information: (415) 479-3331 or St. Isabella’s at (415)-479-1560 the Anglican Communion Holy Rosary Chapel is a Mission of St. Isabella’s Roman Catholic Church and the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.

Pope Benedict told the Directions council, “While you have Golden Gate Bridge/101 to Marinwood/ St. Vincent’s Drive, turn right/East to Church outlined that which, with the help of God, already Southbound 101 to Marinwood/St. Vincent’s Drive, turn left over 101 Freeway has been achieved in mutual Less than a mile between 101 and St. Vincent’s School/Holy Rosary Chapel understanding and in identifying elements of convergence, you have not avoided identifying with great honwith the Approbation of esty that which remains to be done.”

The pope said it was under the provisions of the Motu Proprio “Summorum Pontificum” essential to review the past to “identify new paths to “What was once Sacred, remains Sacred, and great for us, too.” follow, trying to overcome and with the Concurrence of together the differences that unfortunately still remain His Excellency , HIS EXCELLENCYGeorge GEORGENeiderauer NIEDERAUER, in relations among the disArchbishop of ciples of Christ.”

ARCHBISHOP OF San SAN Francisco FRANCISCO Looking particularly at relations with the Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Father William W. Young, Celebrant, Priest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco churches, Pope Benedict said significant steps forward had been made in theological dialogue and

The Extraordinary Rite of The Roman Catholic Mass

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

Catholic San Francisco

NEWS

December 19, 2008

in brief

Bishop joins Facebook LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CNS) – The days of Facebook only being for college and high school students are long gone. Little Rock Bishop Anthony B. Taylor is believed to be the first U.S. Catholic bishop to join the popular website.

As of Dec. 11, he had 894 friends worldwide and counting.

Started in 2004, Facebook rivals MySpace as one of the largest social networking sites on the Internet. Shortly after being ordained as Little Rock’s bishop in June, Bishop Taylor said he was told a fan club had been created about him on Facebook. When he went online to look at the page, he realized he had to sign up to see it, so he did. Not long after posting his information and a photo, the word spread fast and before long he had more friend requests and group invitations than he could keep up with. “I want to be available

Catholics on Immigration

Death penalty on decline

Would you support or oppose U.S. government assistance and trade policies that would create jobs abroad in order to prevent immigrants from coming here illegally to seek employment?

Executions, as well as imposition of death sentences, are in historic decline, according to the Death Penalty Information Center 2008 Year End Report. This is particularly true in California, where according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, there were only 14 new death sentences in 2008 as of Nov. 17. In 1999 the annual total was 42. The DPIC report says there was a record low in executions nationally, from 98 in 1999 to 37 in 2008. The number of death sentences has decreased 60 perecent since the 1990s.

In June, the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice found that California annually spends approximately $137.7 million dollars on the death penalty.

Cardinal Dulles remembered

BELMONT – Notre Dame de Namur University has received a $1.5 million grant from the Kalmanovitz Foundation of California in support of a $1.7 million project to renovate one of the University’s main instructional buildings. The project calls for renovation of classrooms, science labs and other facilities in St. Mary’s Hall as well as improving accessibility to the building which was erected in 1952. All of NDNU’s science laboratories are located in St Mary’s.

Earlier this year, the school received a $400,000 grant from the Fletcher Jones Foundation of Los Angeles as well as a $150,000 grant from the Bill Hannon Foundation of Los Angeles to help renovate St. Mary’s.

Philippine land-reform urged MANILA, Philippines (CNS) – Philippine Catholic officials have issued a letter asking legislators to pass Senate and House bills to extend and amend the country’s land-reform program, set to expire at the end of December.

“It is a matter not only for the rural poor who are set to be bereft of their land and their dignity as persons; it is also a matter for our people residing in urban areas who would bear the burden of accommodating landless farmers in our cities,” they said in the letter released by the Asian church news agency UCA News Dec. 15

Vatican solicits AIDS drug funds VATICAN CITY (CNS) – “Light a star on the tree of life” by helping the Vatican provide antiretroviral drugs to people with AIDS in the world’s poorest countries, said Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan. The Mexican cardinal is president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry, which oversees the Vatican’s Good Samaritan Foundation and its efforts to provide AIDS drugs to Catholic health-care centers, mainly in Africa.

“We are a bridge. Anyone who sends us, say, 10 euros ($14), that 10 euros goes immediately to Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe or Zambia because we have innumerable requests

25 RUSSIA AVENUE SAN FRANCISCO Since 1937

www.iascf.com

60%

oppose

75%

agree

25%

disagree

Telephone survey conducted among 1,000 Catholic adults in the U.S. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.

©2008 CNS

The majority of U.S. Catholic adults agree the church has a moral obligation to help provide for the humanitarian needs of immigrants regardless of their legal status.

to help AIDS patients who are dying,” the cardinal told Vatican Radio Dec. 15. So far in 2008, he said, the foundation had sent $119,000 to Vatican nuncios in Africa to purchase the antiretroviral drugs. The foundation’s e-mail address – goodsamaritan@hlthwork.va – can be used to request information.

Hits Iraq religious freedom WASHINGTON (CNS) – A U.S. watchdog group monitoring international religious freedom said Iraq should be named one of the world’s worst violators. In a report released Dec. 16, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said Iraq deserved the severe designation “in light of the ongoing, severe abuses of religious freedom and the Iraqi government’s toleration of these abuses, particularly abuses against Iraq’s smallest vulnerable religious minorities.” The commission said “the situation is especially dire for Iraq’s smallest religious minorities,” including Chaldean Catholics and other Christians.

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SCRIPTURE SEARCH QUALITY HOME CARE SERVING THE BAY AREA SINCE 1996

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WASHINGTON (CNS) – Cardinal Avery Dulles, a Jesuit theologian who was made a cardinal in 2001, was remembered by friends and admirers for his brilliant mind as well as for his “simplicity and sense of wonder.” Cardinal Dulles died Dec. 12; he was 90. An evening wake was scheduled for Dec. 16 and 17 at Fordham University Church, followed by the celebration of Mass each evening. A funeral Mass for the car- Cardinal Avery Dulles, SJ dinal was scheduled for Dec. 18 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, followed by burial at the Jesuit Cemetery in Auriesville, N.Y. Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired Washington archbishop, and a fellow member of the 2001 class of cardinals, described the Jesuit scholastic he first met 60 years ago as even then being “an imposing personality with his twang, his razor-sharp intellect and, perhaps more than anything else, his obviously profound dedication to his faith.” “He was one of the truly great American theologians, constantly renewing and deepening his commitment to the truth,” said Cardinal McCarrick in one of many statements issued by Church leaders, friends and colleagues.

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December 19, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

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Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

Church opposes considering homosexuality a crime its opposition to discrimination against homosexuals, which is clearly stated in the Catechism VATICAN CITY (CNS) – A Vatican of the Catholic Church. spokesman said the Catholic Church is clearly “There is no question that the Church is against considering homosexuality a crime, but contrary to legislation that criminalizes homois wary of international declarations that use sexuality,” Father Lombardi said. the issue to promote a political agenda based The Church’s position stems from its on sexual orientation. respect for the rights and The spokesman, Jesuit dignity of every person, and Father Federico Lombardi, explicitly excludes “any unjust made the comment Dec. 11 discrimination on the basis in response to questions at a of homosexuality,” Father Vatican press conference.

Lombardi said.

In early December, a The spokesman noted that leading Vatican diplomat Archbishop Migliore’s com– who will deliver an address ments were made in response Dec. 22 in the San Francisco to a question about a draft decArchdiocese – drew criticism laration that had yet to be prefrom gay-rights groups when sented at the United Nations or he said the Vatican opposed a in any public forum. proposed U.N. declaration to He said Archbishop endorse the universal decrimiMigliore’s point was that it’s Archbishop Celestino nalization of homosexuality. one thing to argue against disMigliore will speak at The diplomat, Archbishop crimination and criminalizaSt. Rita Parish, Fairfax, Celestino Migliore, the tion regarding homosexuality, Vatican’s apostolic nuncio to but another to contend that on Dec. 22. the United Nations, said such anyone who makes a distinca declaration might be used to put pressure on tion based on sexual orientation is considered or discriminate against countries that do not an adversary of human rights. recognize same-sex marriage.

Specifically, Archbishop Migliore expressed Archbishop Migliore is scheduled to be the fear that the draft declaration could lead to a the last speaker in an Advent lecture series situation in which “states that do not recognize at St. Rita Parish, 100 Marinda Dr., Fairfax, same-sex unions as ‘marriage’ will be pilloried on Monday, Dec. 22. His 5 p.m. talk is titled and put under pressure” to do so.

“Leadership Is Responsibility to Protect.”

A draft declaration, drawn up by France and Father Lombardi, in his latest comments to endorsed by the European Union, was to be reporters, said the Vatican was not conducting a presented to the U.N. General Assembly Dec. battle against the United Nations or weakening 10. It condemns discrimination based on sexual

(PHOTO BY DAN MORRIS-YOUNG/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

By John Thavis

A group of about 80 persons took part in a Dec. 10 vigil and prayer service at the Pink Triangle Park and Memorial in San Francisco during which they protested passage of Proposition 8 on Nov. 4 and reported Vatican opposition to a United Nations resolution on decriminalization of homosexuality.

Proposition 8 amended the California state constitution to define marriage as only valid between a man and a woman.

orientation and gender identity.

Archbishop Migliore told the French news agency I.Media Dec. 1 that adding these “new categories (to be) protected from discrimination” would create in turn “new and inflexible (forms of) discrimination.”

For example, he said, “states that do not recognize same-sex unions as ‘marriage’ will be pilloried and put under pressure” to do so.

Because of this, Father Lombardi said, fewer than 50 U.N. member states have endorsed the

draft declaration and more than 150 have not signed on.

“The Vatican is not alone” in its opposition to the proposal, Father Lombardi added.

Almost 80 countries have laws prohibiting homosexual activity and several nations include the death penalty as a form of punishment for such activity.

On Dec. 10, the U.N. General Assembly also was to be presented with a petition to make abortion a universally recognized human right.

More women leaders needed at Vatican, declares speaker

By Carol Glatz ROME (CNS) – The Catholic Church would benefit from having more women in senior-level positions at the Vatican, Cherie Blair said during a Rome conference on the Church’s role in defending women’s rights.

“Just as diversity between and within the sexes enriches human life and strengthens our civil society, so, too, I believe would it strengthen the Church if we could see more women in leadership roles within it,” she said.

Blair – a lawyer who specializes in human rights and the wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair – spoke Dec. 12 at a conference organized by Rome’s Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, also known as the Angelicum.

Titled “Women and Human Rights,” the one-day conference was held to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Blair’s participation in the Church-sponsored conference had been criticized by some websites and prompted calls for the pontifical university to rescind its invitation to her. Sites critical of Blair, who is a Catholic, said she was a pro-abortion public figure who did not live out Church teachings.

The Angelicum refused to cancel Blair’s engagement despite hundreds of complaints.

During a question and answer segment after giving her talk, Blair said she has been a practicing Catholic her whole life, adding, “It would be rather strange if I didn’t adhere to the teachings of the Church.”

In her speech she quoted Article 3 of the Church’s Charter of the Rights of the Family, which outlines a married couple’s right to decide on the number of their children and spacing DONATE YOUR VEHICLE of their births while excluding the use of contraception, TAX DEDUCTION FOR YOUR

sterilization and abortion.

She said she is “on record as having had difficulties with accepting the current teaching on responsible parenthood,” presumably referring to artificial contraception.

She spoke of “the wonderful surprise of becoming a mother again for the fourth time at the age of 45” and the keen sense WOMEN LEADERS, page 10

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December 19, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

9

St. Mary’s Cathedral was the site Dec. 13 for the first archdiocesan commissioning Mass for the Filipino Christmas devotional tradition of Simbang Gabi, typically celebrated as a novena of early morning (or evening) Masses leading up to Christmas. Nearly 30 parishes will celebrate the devotion which features highly decorative traditional lanterns called parols (seen in all photos) that represent the light of Christ.

Archbishop George Niederauer (upper left) was principal celebrant. A Simbang Gabi schedule is carried on Page 7 of last week’s Catholic San Francisco.

Help change a life this Advent Season Committed to the spiritual well being of our residents I will make my gift of $ to support those in need with: • a check, payable to Catholic Charities CYO • my Visa, Mastercard, or American Express Card Number

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10

Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

Catholic Relief Services is providing work and material support for Afghan farmers in the Ghor Province.

By Rick DelVecchio Catholic Relief Services has begun an emergency intervention in rural Afghanistan in hopes of averting a collapse of village economies and a resulting refugee crisis.

Andy Schaefer, program manager for CRS in Afghanistan’s Ghor Province, briefed Catholic San Francisco on the situation during a visit to the Bay Area last week.

Schaefer said the intervention began in December and will extend through the

Women leaders . . .

■ Continued from page 8 of loss when she miscarried a fifth child two years later.

The Church “rightly makes a clear distinction between controlling fertility and terminating a life once conception has occurred,” Blair said.

“There is a real danger in this debate if we align abortion and contraception as the same,” she said.

The Church “needs to engage in this issue properly,” Blair said, because “the church has a strong moral message which deserves to be heard” and continues to evolve.

summer harvest, supporting farmers in Ghor and other provinces in central and eastern Afghanistan.

“This is in response to the increase in world food prices,” Schaefer said. “From May of last year to May of this year the price of wheat , which is the staple, has tripled.

This tripling has been exacerbated by drought and years of conflict and has had a negative impact on the livelihood of rural farmers.”

The overseas relief agency of U.S. Catholics, CRS is supporting farmers by After Blair’s talk, Dominican Father Bruce Williams, a professor of moral theology at the Angelicum, publicly apologized to Blair and said that after hearing her speech it was “crystal clear” the accusations against her were “rash and outright calumnious.”

During her speech on the importance of basing human rights on natural law, Blair often cited Pope John Paul II’s teachings on the essential richness of women and the importance of bringing women’s special gifts to society.

“In fact, it’s the very different qualities that women bring to the challenges in the world that makes it so vital we tackle discrimination between the genders” so that goals of global peace and harmony can be achieved, she said.

providing them with opportunities to make money working for the agency. For example, farmers can earn $2 a day repairing canals and clearing snow from mountain roads.

CRS provides vouchers to elderly and disabled residents who are unable to work.

“The program works to blanket the entire village,” Schaefer said. “What we’re seeing is we can’t just support the poorest of the poor.”

The economic lift is designed to hold up village economies until the August harvest.

This works partly by providing farmers paid work so they will not have to sell off their herds to be able to afford wheat.

“One goat or one head of livestock used to be able to get you four bags of wheat,” Schaefer said. “Now, because of the food crisis, farmers are trying to unload some of their herds. Now there’s a glut in the market, causing prices to drop. One head of livestock will get you about a bag of wheat. Our concern is that if rural farmers and communities are not provided

(PHOTO BY RICK DELVECCHIO)

CRS emergency response helping Afghan farmers

Andy Schaefer with these basic staples, it will cause mass displacement, forcing people to urban centers, which will be an even bigger crisis because the infrastructure of Afghanistan’s largest cities is unable to accommodate these people.”

ST. IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREPARATORY BASEBALL CLINIC for GRAMMAR SCHOOL COACHES Saturday, January 17, 2009 9:00 AM TO 2:00 PM Lunch will be provided

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Presented by the St. Ignatius Baseball Coaches & Players

For further information or to sign up, e-mail rvergara@siprep.org

This interactive event is an opportunity for you to network and share tips, strategies, and ideas with your colleagues. Centered upon “table topics”, each table will have a moderator to keep “on focus” what are sure to be lively and informative discussions.

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Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

Young essayists address Catholic principles’ use Paulo Mesaros, an eighth grade student at St. Matthew School in San Mateo, is the winner of this year’s St. Thomas More Society essay contest.

Lauren Hain, an eighth grade student at St. Dunstan School in Millbrae placed second. Sophie Connelly, an eighth grade student also of St. Matthew’s placed third.

The first prize award is $500, second place $300, and third place $200.

Each of the winners’ schools received a like amount.

St. Thomas More Society President Terrence J. Coleman presented Mesaros with the award and scholarship check at an awards luncheon Dec. 4.

Mesaros read his essay at the award ceremony and again on Dec. 8 at St. Thomas More Church in San Francisco where Msgr. Labib Kobti, society chaplain, is pastor. Msgr.

Kobti presented Mesaros with additional prizes including a St. Thomas More Parish Queen of Peace award and $200.

Mesaros’ parents, Adriana and Michael, were in the audience for both readings.

The essay topic asked entrants: “What Catholic principles and actions do you believe young Catholics should learn and follow to help solve some of the economic and social justice issues of today?”

“All of the participants expressed a deep sense of compassion and charity for those whose fathers and mothers are threatened with the loss of their jobs and families on the brink of losing their homes,” said Hugh Donohoe, essay contest chair.

Donohoe noted how the essayists “expressed their faith, the need for prayer, generosity to our poor and homeless and personal sacrifice as the means to equalizing society’s imbalances and solving the economic and social crises of our times.”

More than 400 students representing 15 schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco participated in the contest.

Finalists, in addition to the winners, included Alexandra Cotroneo, Fiona Blumenthal, Kenneth Ravelo and Gina Tocchini, St. Robert School in San Bruno; Andrew Kelleher, Kathryn Burke, Jessica Mangual, Alexandria Mullings,

St. Thomas More essay contest winner, Paulo Mesaros, with Hugh A. Donohoe , St. Thomas More Society past president and essay contest chair; and St. Thomas More Society chaplain, Msgr. Labib Kopti.

VISIONS OF Sourdough DANCE IN OUR HEADS

Jordan Coffey and Christine Rice, St. Matthew School in San Mateo; Brian L. Wuerstle, Peter Tarka and Chris Doran, Good Shepherd School in Pacifica; Jake Nunes, Austin Hellpap and Danielle Griffith, Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Belmont; Kyle Kabasares, Jennifer Barrantes and Marie Tuite, St. Cecilia School in San Francisco; Lucas Guslani and Sydney Flak, St. Charles School in San Carlos; Robert Almendares and Brianna Woo, St. Finn Barr School in San Francisco; Annie Fox, St. Thomas the Apostle School in San Francisco; Jimmy Stasko, St. Philip School in San Francisco; Faye Tan, Corpus Christi School in San Francisco; Kassandra Ferrante, Sts. Peter and Paul School in San Francisco; Adriana Suarez, St. Stephen School in San Francisco; Lauren Kemmeter, St. Raphael School in San Rafael.

The St. Thomas More Society of San Francisco, the oldest fellowship of Catholic lawyers and judges in the West, was founded in 1937. Learn more about the group at www. stthomasmore-sf.org.

The text of Paulo Mesaros’ winning essay was scheduled to be available on the Catholic San Francisco website’s local news section under “More News”: www.catholic-sf.org.

(sugar plums, too)

JOIN US FOR OUR CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER December 25th, 2008 Noon - 9pm

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Archdiocesan Catholic High Schools Open House Calendar

ST. IGNATIUS COLLEGE

8 – 2009

PREP

CHOOL D HEART HIGH S CONVENT OF THE SACRE H IGH S CHO OL

M ERC Y B URL ING AME

The campaign involved extensive phone work, faxing and mailing to all the campaigns for parental-notification 1,100 Catholic parishes Propositions 73 and parental rights. state, campaign spokesmathroughout the Both propositions 85 in 2005 and 2006. that a doctor The measure would require were defeated by small notify n Jim Holman margins. said in an e-mail. He members, not just her a minor’s family said disproportionately from signatures came “The other surprise abuse is reported. The parents, if parental the southern four was many more (arch)dioceses– San to avoid the problem change is designed Diego, Orange, San signatures from Hispanic, Vietnamese of abusive parents, Bernardino and Los and Angeles – but isolated Chinese voters than ever before,” Holman well as teens’ exploitation by older as parishes in every see men wrote, who noting use secret abortions that multilingual materials contributed.

Evangelical churches on the crimes of statutory rape, to cover their – especially might www.FriendsofSarah.com website according to the Calvary Chapel, First campaign’s website. have played a role.

Assembly of God and First Baptist– provided In a shift from Propositio Parental notification laws are in force ns 73 and 85, in 30 times as many signatures two to three backers of the new states and have contribute initiative as they had in on d to fewer the welfare of minors are focusing pregnancies and abortions rather than on according among minors, to the website.

PAPAL

ST

OUR HOPE’

Bishop-elect Justice praises papal address

~ Page 5 ~

April 25, 2008

Seminary rector: pope ‘masterful’ ~ Page 8 ~

Young adults attend Yankee Stadium Mass

~ Page 9 ~

SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

Catholic Lobby Day .......3 School construction . . . 10-11 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Datebook . . . . . . . . ......

. 21

Classified ads . . . . . . . . 22-23

www.catholic-sf.o VOLUME 10

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It is a scaled-down replica of the small church near Assisi Italy which St. Francis himself helped renovate and which today (above) sits within the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, about three fromusAssisi.

Christi milesCorp

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITIO N

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15 that same- court’s 4-to-3 ruling rn way for the peoplamendment is the only to have the sex couples have the May Supreme Court e to override the four right redefi state desig judges who unions as marri nate their civil Ron ne marriage for our entire want to Prentice, CEO The sponsorsage. society,” maintain that of Fami the ly Coun cil California the issue and chair man of ALL OR NOTH ING, page 6

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Catholic high schools graduate near ly 2,000 ~ Pages 16-1 7~ SEVENTY-FI

STUART HALL HIGH SCHOOL

(PHOTO

BY GREG

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The Sarah’s Law for a state constitutiinitiative campaign onal amendment requiring family notificatio ing a minor’s pregnancy n before endgathered enough names appears to have to qualify for the Nov. 4 ballot.

The campaign submitted nearly 1.2 million signatures to county elections officials last week for verification. That number is expected to margin of valid names net a comfortable over the 696,000 needed to qualify.

TARCZYNSKI

Father Juan Lopez

Abortion notifica tion initiative app ears headed for ball

By Rick DelVecchio ot

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AR CH BI SH OP RI OR DA N OL HI GH SC HO

-11 Pages 10

Catholic High Schools Information Booklet

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd Yankee Stadium after as he departs celebrating Mass in New York April 20.

Bishop W illiam J. Ju stice orda ined May 28

Newly orda ined Archbisho p George H. San Francisco Aux iliar y Bish Joining in Niederau op William er, left, to the the cong J. Just Father Stev congratulations are en additionally, regation attending ice, second from left, and Salt Lak Lopes (secretar y his May 28 is introduc from left, to Car e City Bish ed as such op John West dinal William Leva seminarian Hansel ordination rite at St. Mar y’s by Tomanen da, prefect er, formerly Cath g, Ren of San Fran cisco auxiliarthe Congregation for o Bishop Randolp edral. h Calvo, the Doctrine y bishop. See of additional coverage on the Faith), pages 12-1 4.

Newly orda ined Father Juan Lopez rejoi with his moth ces er,

By Rick DelV ecchio Benita, should be An initia June 7 at decided by judges. voters, not California tive to ban gay marriage cola has qualified by St. Mar in Califo Polls show that a major The Porziun y’s 4 ballot, as for the rnians favor ity of Cath at the issuing marricounty clerks are to Nov. tution of marri s restricting the instiedra Chapel begin coupl age to oppos shor tly after l of couples to age licenses to samees. ite-gender al Shrine his comply with sex Nation Supreme Court The measu ordination a new state ruling Assisi of to Constitutio re would amend the .

Secretary of St.theFrancis n priesthood State Debra union betwe to define marriage state ified the Califo Bowe co as n en qualFrancis a a man rnia Marriage inbySan Archbisho Act after a Protection Twenty-six states have and a woman. p amendments voter signat county-by-county check constitutional willgebeH. Geor (left) or ures verified more gathered by the spons of same-sex marri similar prohibitions Niederau by its on ted er. ors than the 694,3 comple required to If enacted, age 54 names make Also blessing canceled only the amendment could the The initia the ballot. formalsee be by another not back cover. coalition of tive, prop osed by a ing by court or legislative initiative and 27.

150 organ day, Sept. action Prote

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T SACRED HEARARA TORY CATHEDR AL PREP

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In the process of his lished his own identity April 15-20 visit, the 81-year-old pope estabin a sense came out in a country that did not know him well of the shadow of the late Pope John Paul and “I feel like I know II. his best to reach out him a lot better. I learned that he is trying to all of Yonkers, N.Y., said the youth,” 18-year-old Gabriella Fiorentino at Did she understand a youth rally April 19. trying to get across? what the pope, a scholarly theologian , was “Jesus’ message of hope – that is his message,” The pope addressed she said. clerical sex abuse on beginning with his encounter five different occasions with reporters Rome. He spoke from aboard his plane from, the heart about the shame, Church and the suffering the damage to the He also spoke with of the victims. sure perpetrators are familiarity about the Church’s efforts to out make of would-be priests. of ministry and to implement better screening At one point, he mentioned case histories of the that when he read victims, could betray his mission he found it hard to imagine how a priest These were far more to be an agent of God’s love. detailed and direct than were ever made

by Pope John Paul II, comments on the issue Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, and there was a reason: As gation, which took over Pope Benedict headed the doctrinal congrethe handling of abuse cases in 2001.

What Cardinal ERRA Ratzinger saw in thosesexfiles led him to denounce POPE IN U.S., page , 9 CHOOL

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NEW YORK (CNS) Benedict XVI achieved – On his first trip to the United States, Pope critical to the pastoral three objectives that could be considere future d First, the pope brought of the American Church. a certain closure to the scandal that has shaken priestly sex abuse his personal shame at the Church for more than six years, expressing what happened and praying with the victims.

Second, he set forth on issues ranging from a moral challenge to the wider U.S. culture economic justice to abortion, coming across as doctrinair but without Third, to a Church that e or bullying. liberal camps, he issued often seems divided into conservative and a firm appeal to “set unite to effectively evangelize aside all anger” and society.

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No. 19

ziuncola Shrine s of Assisi Blessing of the Por ine of St. Franci at the National Shr tember 27, 2008 t San Francisco – Sep er, principal celebran

H. Niederau Archbishop George Levada, presiding Cardinal William J.

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Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

Pope: Christmas decorations a reminder of new life

By Cindy Wooden

(CNS PHOTO/ALESSANDRO BIANCHI, REUTERS)

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The traditional decorations of Christmas are reminders that the light and love of Jesus Christ bring new life to all who wait in darkness, Pope Benedict XVI said.

The pope spoke about Christmas trees as symbols of new life Dec. 12 when he met a delegation from Austria, which donated the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square, and he spoke about Nativity scenes as reminders of God’s love for humanity when he blessed figures of the baby Jesus Dec. 14 before reciting the Angelus.

“Before the Nativity scene, we experience Christian joy, contemplating in the face of the newborn Jesus the face of the God who drew near to us out of love,” the pope said during his Angelus address.

The day’s reading from St. Paul, he said, called on Christians to rejoice because the Lord is near.

Although the Catholic Church believes in the second coming of Christ, there is no need for “alarmism,” he said. “The nearness of God is not a question of space or time, but a question of love. Love is drawing near.”

In the blessing for the Nativity scene figures, which Roman children brought to St. Peter’s Square for the occasion, the pope prayed that the figurines would be signs of the presence of Jesus’ love in people’s homes and families.

“Open our hearts so that we can receive Jesus in joy, that we always can do what he

People walk in the rain in front of the 108-foot-tall Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Dec. 13.

asks of us and that we can see him in all those who need our love,” the pope prayed.

In his Dec. 12 meeting with the Austrian pilgrims – including the bishop of Sankt Polten, the governor of Lower Austria and the mayor of Gutenstein – the pope noted that the 120-year-old, 108-foot-tall spruce was the tallest to ever stand in the center of St. Peter’s Square.

CHRISTMAS LITURGIES CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 901 OCEANA BLVD., PACIFICA, CA 90444

Merry Christmas Merry Christmas

“In the coming weeks, the Christmas tree will give joy to Romans and to many pilgrims from every part of the world who will come to the Eternal City,” the pope said.

“I will be able to see it from my window and will enjoy it.”

“Its soaring form, its green and the lights on its branches are signs of life,” the pope said.

Christmas Schedule Reconciliation: Saturday, December 20 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Installation of Father Charles Puthota as Pastor

By Most Reverend William J. Justice Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.

St. Veronica Church 434 Alida Way South San Francisco California, 94080 (650) 588-1455

Christmas Schedule 2008

December 25, 2008 Christmas Day

December 24, 2008 Christmas Eve 5:00 PM-Family Mass 8:30 Christmas Carols 9:00 PM-Mass There is No Mass at Midnight

The tree is a reminder that “Christ, the son of God, brings new hope and new splendor to the dark, cold and unredeemed world into which he was born,” he said.

In the midst of a rainstorm Dec. 13, hundreds of people joined Vatican officials and the Austrian dignitaries for the tree-lighting ceremony, which ended with the singing of “O Tannebaum.”

Masses Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24 5:00 p.m. Children’s Mass, & 9:00 p.m.

Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25 6:45, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, December 31 Prayer Service - 10:30 p.m.

“Midnight Mass” - 11:30 p.m.

New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1, 2009 at 9 a.m.

9:00 AM 12:00 NOON January 1, 2009 New Year’s Day 9:00 AM

ST. DOMINIC’S CATHOLIC CHURCH CHRISTMAS Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24 Advent Masses: 6:30 a.m. & 8:00 a.m.

Christmas Eve Masses: 5:30 p.m. Family Mass & 11:15 p.m. Carols followed by Mass at Midnight (solemn)

Please Celebrate Christmas With Us! ¡Ven y celebra Navidad con nosotros!

December 24th – 8 p.m.

With Gospel Choir Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Innes & Hawes Streets and 11 p.m. With Samoan Choir All Hallows Chapel – Newhall & Palou December 25th – 9 a.m. All Hallows Chapel

Christmas Day, Thurday, December 25 Masses: 7:30 a.m. (organ), 9:30 a.m. (family), 11:30 a.m. (solemn), 1:30 p.m. (en español) (No confessions today & no Masses at 5:30 or 9:00 p.m.)

Solemnity of the Holy Family, Sunday, December 28 Masses: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.; 1:30, 5:30 & 9:00 p.m.

Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, Thurday, January 1, 2009 Parish Mass at 9:30 a.m. (No other Masses this day) Vigil Mass on Wednesday, December 31 at 5:30 p.m.

Solemnity of the Epiphany, Sunday, January 4, 2009

ST. PATRICK CHURCH 756 Mission Street (between 3 rd & 4 th Sts) San Francisco, CA 94103

C HRISTMAS E VE & C HRISTMAS D AY S CHEDULE December 24, 2008 – Christmas Eve 6:00 am 8:00 am 12:10 pm

Misa de Gallo Mass Mass

4-5 pm

Confessions (All priests of SPC)

7:00 pm 8:00 pm

Christmas Concert “Midnight” Mass

Masses: 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.; 1:30, 5:30 & 9:00 p.m.

The Word on Wednesday, Wednesday, January 7, 2009 7:30 p.m. / Lady Chapel, Sr. Pat Farrell, O.P. leads us in a prayer service to prepare our hearts and souls for the New Year On Steiner at Bush St. parking available; (415) 567-7824; www.stdominics.org

December 25, 2008 – Christmas Day (Holy Day of Obligation) Sunday Mass Schedule 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 (Sung Latin) am; 12:15, 5:15 pm

December 19, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

13

Advent: season of caring Leland House ‘saved my life,’ says client

By Kevin Cunz Seven years ago, Kevin Deffenbaugh, addicted to drugs and HIV positive, was living on San Francisco’s streets. He was depressed and dangerously close to death.

On March 7, 2001, he woke up in a doorway and decided he was ready for a change. His health had deteriorated, he was spending $1,200 a month on drugs, and doctors told him he probably only had weeks to live.

Deffenbaugh checked himself into San Francisco General Hospital, where he attempted suicide. He was transferred to the psychiatric emergency wing. There he was introduced to Lynn Robinson, a case manager from Leland House, a program of Catholic Charities CYO, which provides housing and intensive case management for individuals living with debilitating HIV. Growing up in an abusive family, Deffenbaugh was a victim of unimaginable trauma.He was forced to leave home at 16 which, coupled with the emotional scars of past abuse, led him to a life on the streets. He had tried to address his issues in different programs, but without success.

That began to change when he met Robinson and agreed to move into Leland House.

“Lynn made me very comfortable,” Deffenbaugh says. “I could trust her. She listened to every word I said and didn’t make me feel used.”

Over time with the help of program staff and services, Deffenbaugh stopped using drugs and stabilized his health. The program’s case management system provides a support network for clients that anticipates their physical and psychological needs. “There are lots of appointments that go on while you’re in residence,” he says. “Doctors’ visits, psychiatrists’ visits, medications to take. The case managers help with everything.”

He credits his mental and physical transformation to Leland House, It “completely saved my life,” he insists.

A caring community atmosphere stands out at Leland House, say Deffenbaugh and others.

Today, Deffenbaugh lives in his own apartment in San Francisco, cares for a 94-pound dog named Karma that he rescued, and devotes the majority of his time to San Francisco nonprofits that care for the homeless — especially those in the same situation he once was. He is a devoted and effective advocate for the homeless and those suffering from AIDS and HIV. “A lot has been done for me, so it’s only fair for me to help others,” he asserts. He volunteers at three different nonprofits, including Martin De Porres, a house of hospitality inspired by the Catholic Worker movement. “ want to make it clear that homeless people are the same as people who work, except they’ve had some bad luck. They are human beings, too, and deserve the same dignity as everyone else.” he says.

Deffenbaugh still feels supported by monthly Leland House check-in visits.

While close encounters with death have made him less fearful of dying, he admits, “I’m afraid of dying alone, with nobody in the room.” At Leland House, nobody is left alone. The program provides the support and sense of caring community that allows clients, even the terminally ill and those long troubled by sickness and addiction, to maintain a sense of peace and dignity.

Leland House cares for close to 50 residents and incurs annual costs of approximately $40,000 per resident.

Kevin Cunz is the program director for Leland House, a program of Catholic Charities CYO. For more information on CCCYO’s programs, visit www.cccyo.org/seasonofcaring.

CHRISTMAS LITURGIES

Kevin Deffenbaugh and Karma

2008 Christmas Schedule HOLY NAME OF JESUS PARISH, SAN FRANCISCO, CA.

CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES Wednesday, December 24

NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS Thursday, January 1 9:30 AM Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God (Not a Holy Day of Obligation)

5:00 PM (Family {Children’s}Mass) 7:00 PM (Vietnamese Mass) 11:30 PM Christmas Carols Holy Name Choral Ministry 12:00 MIDNIGHT Pontifical High Mass Most Reverend Ignatius C. Wang, Main Celebrant CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES Thursday, December 25 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM

Confessions Saturday, December 13, 2007 4:30-5:00 PM Sunday, December 14, 2008 ½ hour before 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM Masses Saturday, December 20, 2008 4:00 – 5:00 PM

1555 39 th Ave. • SF, CA 94122

December 24 5:00pm December 25 Midnight, 7:00am, 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:30am New Year’s Eve, 4:00pm New Year’s Day, 8:00am, 10:00am Confessions are heard all year long every: Saturday 4:00-4:45pm Wednesday 7:15-7:45pm

St. Augustine Church 3700 Callan Blvd.

S. San Francisco, CA 94080

CHRISTMAS 2008 Novena of masses (Simbang Gabi) December 15-23 – 7:30 P.M.

Christmas Vigil: Wednesday, December 24 4:00 P.M. Vigil Mass 7:30 P.M. Children’s Caroling 8:00 P.M. Children’s Mass 11:00 P.M. Caroling 12:00 A.M. Midnight Mass

Christmas Day: December 25 7:00 A.M., 8:15 A.M., 9:30 A.M., 11:00 A.M., 12:30 P.M. NO 5:30 P.M. Mass

New Year’s Day 2009 Schedule of Masses: 8:40 A.M. & 5:30 P.M.

14

Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

(PHOTOS BY RICK DELVECCHIO)

Cardinal Levada to preach homily

Christmas Remembrance Service More than 200 people attended the annual Christmas Remembrance Service at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma Dec. 13. Many were mourners who lost loved ones in the past year. Mourners shared readings and lit four altar candles. A fifth candle remained unlit as a symbol of the living who are soon to join the dead. Father John Talesfore, rector and pastor of St. Mary’s Cathedral, presided. After the service, mourners came forward to hang personal remembrances on Christmas trees flanking the altar.

CHRISTMAS LITURGIES St. Bruno’s Church

2008 CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

(650) 588-2121 555 W. San Bruno Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066

2008 CHRISTMAS WEEK SCHEDULE December 22 & 23, Monday & Tuesday: 5 AM

Misa de Gallo

December 24, Wednesday: 5 6 9 10

AM PM PM PM NB

Misa de Gallo Vigil Mass (Spanish) “Search for an Inn”: A street drama Midnight Mass (Multi-lingual) Confessions: 5 PM–6PM

December 25, Thursday, Christmas Day: 8 AM 10 AM 12 NN

English Mass Spanish Mass English Mass

December 28, Sunday, Feast of the Holy Family: Blessing of Families at all masses

January 1, Thursday, New Year’s Eve: 8 AM Morning Mass 6 PM Evening Mass MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH 415-452-9634 1300 Junipero Serra Blvd.

San Francisco, CA 94132

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE International Christmas Novena 7:00 PM December 15th to the 23rd th

Wednesday, December 19 : 6:30 – 8:30 PM Confessions (continues during the Novena)

Tuesday, December 23rd: Last Day, International Novena Potluck in Carroll Hall

Wednesday, December 24th:

Christmas Eve, December 24th

Carols 4:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. Family Mass 11:00 p.m. Carols Christmas Day, Dec. 25th 12:00 Traditional Midnight Mass (English) 7:30, 9 & 10:30 a.m. Sung Masses (English) 12:00 noon Cantonese Mass New Year’s Day, January 1st 9:00 a.m. Mass (English)

St. Anne of the Sunset Church

850 Judah St., San Francisco (415) 665-1600 www.stanne-sf.org

SAINT EMYDIUS CHURCH 286 Ashton Avenue San Francisco, CA 94112 (415) 587-7066 Fax (415) 587-6690

Christ Was Born For Us Christ Is Born In Us ADVENT / CHRISTMAS / EPIPHANY SEASONS PARISH CELEBRATIONS 2008 – 2009 Sunday, December 21 Fourth Sunday of Advent – 8:30 am, 10:30 am Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Vigil Mass – 8:00 pm Thursday, December 25 Christmas Midnight Mass – 12:00 midnight Christmas Morning Mass – 10:00 am

5:30 PM – Children’s Mass 7:00 PM – Christmas Eve Mass (English) 9:30 PM – Christmas Eve Mass (Arabic) 12:00 Midnight –English Mass

Sunday, December 28 Feast of the Holy Family – 8:30 am, 10:30 am

Christmas Day, December 25th:

Thursday, January 1, 2009 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God & Octave of Christmas – 10:00 am

10:00 AM Mass for all communities No 11:45 AM (Arabic) Mass 4:00 PM Brazilian Mass 8:00 PM English Mass

Wednesday, December 31st: New Year’s Eve Party in Carroll Hall

Sunday, January 4, 2009 Solemnity of the Epiphany – 8:30 am, 10:30 am Saturday, January 10, 2009 Anointing of the Sick Mass – 10:00 am

Cardinal William Levada, prefect for the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, will preach at the 11 a.m. Christmas Day Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco, archdiocesan officials said Dec. 16.

The cardinal has been recovering in the Bay Area from back surgery performed Nov. 14.

Contemporary issues are Dec. 21 TV topic Raymond Dennehy, professor of philosophy at the University of San Francisco, talks about Catholic beliefs in contemporary culture on the television program “For Heaven’s Sake,” which will air Sunday, Dec. 21, at 5:30 a.m. on KRON-Channel 4.

Professor Dennehy, a San Francisco native, has taught philosophy for 35 years. He is the author of several books including “Soldier Boy: The War Between Michael and Lucifer,” “Reason and Dignity,” “An Anti-Abortionist at Large,” and other works including the essay, “Illusion of Freedom Separated from Moral Virtue.”

ST. PHILIP THE APOSTLE CHURCH 725 Diamond Street @ 24th Street 415-282-0141

CHRISTMAS SERVICES 2008 CHRISTMAS EVE, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 Confessions: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon Vigil of Christmas Children’s /Family Mass: 5:00 p.m.

Christmas Carols: 9:30 p.m.

Evening Mass: 10:00 p.m.

CHRISTMAS DAY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25 Mass of the Lord’s Nativity Mass: 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28 Feast of the Holy Family Saturday Vigil, 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1 Mary, Mother of God, World Day of Peace Thursday, 9:00 a.m.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 Epiphany of the Lord Saturday Vigil 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.

Traditional Christmas Music at all Masses Join us, for the Nativity Celebration of our Lord . . .

Come Home for Christmas in the heart of Noe Valley!

7 Worship with us in Westlake 7

Our Lady of Mercy Parish 5 Elmwood Dr., Daly City Between South Mayfair and Southgate Avenues, with plenty of free parking!

Mon., Dec. 15 to Tue., Dec. 23: 7:30 p.m. Simbang Gabi Masses (except for Saturday at 5:30), followed by a Reception in our Church Hall.

Wednesday, December 24: 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass with our Children’s Choir.

5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass.

11:30 p.m. Sing-Along Christmas Carols with our Parish Choir.

12:00 a.m. Midnight Mass with our Choir.

Thursday, December 25: Christmas Day Masses at 7:30 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

10:30 a.m. with our Children’s Choir.

12:00 p.m. with our Choir.

December 19, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

15

Advent: week IV May we live all year in awareness of Christmas Closing prayer: (Leader may read all, or others in the household may each read a segment) 1) Father in heaven, help us to remember that all our gifts come from you. When we think we are in charge, remind us that we are your people and that you are our God. And let us have no gods – not wealth, not power, not fame, not material things – before you.

2) God above, as you found favor in the Virgin Mary, help us live so that you find favor in our lives. Help us to be holy.

3) Help us, Lord, to follow Mary’s example of faith and trust. Along with Mary, help us, too, to say, “Yes God, I am yours.” Do with me as you want. Make me your hands on Earth.

4) Holy Spirit, inspire us to live every day as if Christmas is just a week away.

The following Advent Wreath prayer is intended to help busy households make Advent a prayerful time during the rush of Christmas preparations. The language is fairly simple to be used for personal prayer and reflection or by groups of adults or adults with children.

Leader: The fourth and final week of the season of Advent begins today. As we near Christmas we spend this moment in prayer so that we are better prepared to welcome the Christ Child into our hearts and into our lives.

Light all four of the candles on the Advent Wreath.

(Choose a different person for this task each week.)

(Optional) Read aloud 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38 (A different person might read each passage).

Leader: When we think that we are in charge and in control, that’s when we need to remember it is God who has provided everything we have and made us everything we are. This Fourth Week of Advent, the reading from

the Hebrew Bible leaves us asking, “Do I have a dwelling place for the Lord in my heart?” This week let’s ask ourselves, “Are our hearts a fitting place for the Christ Child to rest his head?”

C HRISTMAS L ITURGIES ST. BARTHOLOMEW PARISH COMMUNITY Fr. Michael Healy – Pastor

Corner of Alameda & Crystal Springs Rd. San Mateo, CA 94402 (650) 347-0701 stbarts@barts.org www.barts.org

Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church 1721 Hillside Drive, Burlingame Capuchin Franciscans 650-347-7768

2008 Christmas Schedule Confessions Saturday, December 20, 3:30-4:45 p.m.

Wednesday, December 24, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. (Children’s Mass) Midnight Mass

CHRISTMAS LITURGIES Christmas Eve, December 24th Children’s Mass 4:00 & 6:00 pm Caroling at 11:15 pm followed by Midnight Mass 12:00 am Christmas Day December 25th 8:00, 9:30 & 11:15 am

S T . M ONICA P ARISH rd

Geary Boulevard at 23 Ave, San Francisco (415) 751-5275

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2008 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20

Confessions: 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. ✩ Mass: 5:00 pm

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 Masses: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (Cantonese) 10:30 a.m.

CHRISTMAS EVE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 5:00 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Mass with children’s choir and Nativity Play 11:30 p.m. Festive music of the season with Saint Monica’s choir 12:00 a.m. Solemn Midnight Mass Haydn’s Mass in F

CHRISTMAS DAY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25 Masses: 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. with choir No Cantonese Mass ✩ No Evening Mass

NEW YEAR’S DAY THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2009 Mass: 10:30 a.m.

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2009 Masses: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (Cantonese) 10:30 a.m. Mass with Choir Evening Prayer and Benediction at 4:00 p.m.

Christmas Day 8:00, 10:00 and 12 noon New Year’s Day Masses 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.

New Year’s Day is not a Holy Day of Obligation The Capuchin Franciscans & Parish Staff wish our Parishioners and Friends Peace, Love and Hope for Christmas and the New Year

1111 Gough St., San Francisco • Tel: (415) 567-2020

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2008 Tuesday, December 23 –The Cathedral will be closed for Christmas preparations.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 7:30 p.m. Caroling with the Cathedral Choirs of Boys and Girls 8:00 p.m. – Mass 11:30 p.m. – Caroling – Cathedral Choir Midnight Mass Archbishop George H. Niederauer, Principal Celebrant

CHRISTMAS DAY Thursday, December 25, 2008 Please Note: NO 7:30 or 9 a.m. Mass on Christmas Day 11:00 a.m. – Mass with Cathedral Choir Rev. John Talesfore, Rector and Pastor, Principal Celebrant 1:00 p.m. – Misa Coro Hispano The Cathedral will close for the Day at 3 p.m.

Sunday, December 28, 2008 HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH Regular Sunday Mass Schedule

St. Dunstan Church 1133 Broadway Millbrae, CA 94030

650-697-4730 One of the greatest pleasures of the Christmas Season is the opportunity to send our thoughts and prayers to those whose friendship and goodwill we value so highly.

The priests and staff of St. Dunstan Parish join in wishing you a very blessed Christmas.

May the gift of faith, the blessing of hope, and the peace of God’s love be with you and yours throughout the New Year.

Fr. Joe, Fr. Paddy and Fr. Jim CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS Saturday, December 20 8:30 – 9:00 am 3:30 – 4:45 pm

AT

ST. DUNSTAN 2008

Confessions Confessions

Monday, December 22 6:30 am, 8:00 am & 5:10 pm

Tuesday, December 23 6:30 am, 8:00 am & 5:10 pm

Wednesday, December 24

Catholic San Francisco wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

CATHEDRAL OF ST. MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION

8:30 – 9:30 am

Confessions

Christmas Eve Masses 4:30 pm 11:00 pm 11:30 pm

Children’s Mass with Pageant Carols Singing and Scripture Readings Christmas Mass

Christmas Day Masses 7:00 am, 8:30 am, 10:00 am, and 11:30 am NO 5:00 pm Mass on Christmas Day

Saturday, December 27 – Vigil – 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, 7:30, 9, 11 a.m. and Spanish Mass at 1 p.m.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008 SEVENTH DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS Regular Daily Mass Schedule 6:45, 8 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.

Archbishop Niederauer has determined that, in accord with the practice of neighboring diocese, the obligation to attend Mass on January 1, 2009, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is dispensed.

January 1 is not a holy day of obligation Thursday, January 1, 2009 The Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God The Celebration of the Eucharist at 6:45, 8 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.

Sunday, January 4, 2009 THE SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Regular Sunday Schedule Saturday, January 3 –Vigil – 5:30 p.m.

Sunday – 7, 9, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – in Spanish 3:30 p.m.. – Epiphany Lessons and Carols

Sunday, January 11, 2009 FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD and the conculsion of the Christmas Season

Regular Sunday Mass Schedule Concert at 3:30 p.m.

16

Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008 “The Annunciation”

by Gustave Doré

Scripture reflection FATHER BILL NICHOLAS

The tradition of Annunciation tWhen we think of the Annunciation we are inclined to think of Gabriel’s visit to Mary. In the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel, this event is celebrated as a liturgical feast nine months before Christmas, and is reflected upon as the first mystery of the entire Rosary. Are we aware, however, that there are numerous annunciations throughout Scripture, only four of which concern the birth of Jesus?

Stories of divine or angelic announcement of the impending birth of a great figure are found in the Old Testament.

For example, it is to Abraham that the three visitors announce the future birth of Isaac (Gen 18:10). Sarah chuckles at the absurdity of giving birth in her old age (Gen 18:12-15). In the Book of Judges, an angel announces to Manoah and his wife that they will have a son, whom they name Samson (Jdg 13:1-25).

This tradition continues in the Gospel Infancy Narratives, where there are no less than five annunciations between the two Gospels of Luke and Matthew connected to Christ’s birth.

The first Annunciation, found in Matthew’s Gospel, is not to Mary, but to Joseph (Mt 1:20-23). In the very first chapter of the New Testament the Annunciation to Joseph, reluctant to take Mary as his wife, is received in a dream when an unidentified angel reveals that Mary’s child is conceived through the Holy Spirit. Included is the angel’s quotation of Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the virgin birth of Emmanuel. This Annunciation is read annually during the Christmas

Vigil Mass and every three years on the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year A).

At the beginning of Luke’s infancy narrative, an angel, at first unidentified, announces not the impending birth of Christ, but of John the Baptist – the Annunciation to Zechariah (Lk 1:8-22).

Like Abraham and Sarah, Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, are advanced in years. Like Sarah, Zechariah is somewhat doubtful. When Zechariah expresses his skepticism the angel dramatically identifies himself: “I am Gabriel, who stand in attendance before God” (see also Dan 8:16ff, 9:21ff).

Gabriel, now identified, then pays a visit to the Virgin Mary in the story that has developed in our tradition as the Annunciation above all annunciations (Lk 1:26-38). This passage is read in our Mass each year within the octave before Christmas, and every third year on the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year B). While it is the most familiar, this is by no means the last of the annunciations in the Gospel of Luke.

The Annunciation to the Shepherds occurs when Jesus is born. An angel appears to them and announces the birth of the Savior as they tend their sheep outside Bethlehem (Lk 2:8-14). He offers the sign of the swaddling clothes and the manger and inspires the shepherds to seek the child out; a Gospel story read at every Christmas Midnight Mass.

Finally, there is an annunciation of sorts spoken of as Luke describes the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The

CHRISTMAS LITURGIES

Annunciation to Simeon, however, is not given by an angel, but by the Holy Spirit.

While we do not read of this event first hand, it is still told in hindsight : “It was revealed to [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not experience death until he had seen the Anointed of the Lord” (Lk 2:26). After this annunciation, Simeon is on the lookout for the Christ and rejoices when he finally lays eyes on him (Lk 2:28-29).

In Luke, each of these annunciations is followed by a canticle of joy. The Annunciation to Zechariah is followed by the “Benedictus,” proclaimed by Zechariah when his tongue is loosened following the birth of John (Lk 1:67-79). After receiving her Annunciation, Mary visits Elizabeth, before whom she utters the “Magnificat” (Lk 1:46-55). The Annunciation to the Shepherds is followed by the “Gloria,” sung by the multitude of the heavenly host (Lk 2:14). Finally, after we are told of the Annunciation to Simeon, the old man holds Jesus in his arms and utters his canticle, known as the “Nuc Dimitis” – “Master, you can dismiss you servant in peace…” (Lk 2:29-32).

Annunciations are by no means lim-

St. Francis of Assisi Church 1425 Bay Road, East Palo Alto

650/322-2152

Mass Schedule For Christmas and New Year Confessions

St. Gabriel Church Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions) Saturday, Dec. 20 – 3:30 PM Communal Reconciliation Monday, Dec. 22 – 7:00 PM Communal Reconciliation

Christmas Masses Christmas Eve (Wednesday, December 24) 4:00 PM Christmas Vigil Mass. Guitar Accompanist.

5:30 PM Christmas Carols with Children’s Choir.

6:00 PM Family Mass. Children’s Choir 11:30 PM Christmas Carols with Adult Choir.

12:00 AM Christmas Midnight Mass. Adult Choir.

Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25) 7:00 AM Christmas Mass at Dawn.

8:30 AM Cantor.

10:00 AM Cantor.

11:30 AM Adult Choir.

NO EVENING MASS.

Father Bill Nicholas is parochial vicar at Our Lady of Loretto, Novato, and author of “I Saw the World End: An Introduction to the Bible’s Apocalyptic Literature.”

Contact him through his website: www.frwcnicholas.com.

St. Raymond Catholic Church 1100 Santa Cruz Avenue Menlo Park, CA (650) 323-1755

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 From 10:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm

2008 Christmas Schedule

2559-40th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94116 (415) 731-6161

Advent / Christmas 2008

ited to Christ’s birth. What reflection on Annunciation would be complete without including perhaps the most important, even if not the most widely regarded, of all angelic annunciations?

Found in all three Synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark and Luke – this angelic annunciation is found, not at the beginning, but rather at the very end. Given to the women who discover the empty tomb, this angelic message has echoed down the centuries as the very center of the Good News of Jesus Christ: “He is risen!”

For this Fourth Sunday of Advent, however, we are graced again with the annunciation story of the angelic visit to the future wife of the carpenter, in the small, seemingly insignificant town of Nazareth.

Christmas Masses Wednesday, December 24, 2008 6:00 pm Bi-lingual Children’s Mass Midnight Bi-lingual Mass

Thursday, December 25, 2008 Masses 7:30 am English 9:30 am Spanish 11:30 am English 1:30 pm Spanish

New Year Masses Thursday, January 1, 2009 Masses 7:30 am English 9:30 am Spanish 11:30 am English 1:30 pm Spanish

Christmas Eve (Vigil) – December 24 Christmas Concert 4:30pm Mass 5:15 pm Christmas Day – December 25, Thursday 12:00 am, 8:00 am & 10:00 am Mass

THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHRISTMAS December 24, 2008 11:30 PM Carols & Preludes with the Schola Midnight Mass with Bishop William Justice

MOST HOLY REDEEMER 100 Diamond Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 Tel. (415) 863-6259

Christmas Schedule Wednesday _ 9 pm Dec. 24, 2008 10 pm

Readings and Carols Christmas Vigil Mass

Thursday 8 am Dec. 25, 2008 10 am

Christmas Mass Christmas Mass

Wednesday Dec. 31, 2008

8 am

Thursday Jan. 1, 2009

10 am

Octave of Christmas Mass (No Evening Mass)

Mass of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Not a Holy Day of Obligation)

God’s Inclusive Love Proclaimed Here!

610 Vallejo Street (415) 983-0405

December 25, 2008 11:45 AM Carols & Preludes with the Schola 12:15 PM Christmas Mass Rev. Robert P. Cipriano, Rector

December 19, 2008 A READING FROM THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL 2 SM 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16 When King David was settled in his palace, and the Lord had given him rest from his enemies on every side, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!” Nathan answered the king, “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.” But that night the Lord spoke to Nathan and said: “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Should you build me a house to dwell in?’

“It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel.

I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 R. Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

The promises of the Lord I will sing forever;

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

A READING FROM THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS ROM 16:25-27 Brothers and sisters: To him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the

1000 Cambridge St., Novato, CA 415.883.2177

MASSES 5:00 PM Children’s Mass 7:30 PM Mass 10:00 PM Mass No Midnight Mass

Christmas Day ~ December 25 7:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM Mass 11:00 AM Mass

New Year’s Day ~ January 1, 2009 9:00 AM Mass Please let us know of any parishioners that should be visited for the Sacraments.

ST. MATTEW CATHOLIC CHURCH

SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS 2008 May the peace of the Lord Be yours today And His love abide With you forever!

Devotedly in Christ Rev. Anthony E. McGuire Rev. William J. Ahlbach Rev. Dominic S. Lee Rev. Juan M. Lopez Rev. V. Mark R. Reburiano Deacon James Shea Deacon Rafe Brown

A Welcoming Parish Sacrament of Reconciliation Wednesday, December 17 9am to 7pm

Mater Dolorosa Church

If you have been thinking about going to Confession, this may be the day for you.

Confessors are available through the day. All are welcome.

307 Willow Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080

Individual Confessions: Saturday, Dec. 20th, 4:15 to 4:45 p.m.

Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24 Liturgies of the Nativity of the Lord 5:00 pm Children’s Liturgy with Children’s Choir 10:00 pm Christmas Vigil with Choir, Woodwinds, Harp, Strings and Brass

Simbang Gabi Masses

Christmas Eve ~ December 24

Sunday, December 21st, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, December 22nd, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 23nd, 7:30 p.m.

Christmas Masses

Christmas Day Thursday, December 25 Liturgy of the Nativity of the Lord 10:30 am with Choir, Woodwinds, Strings and Brass There is no 8:30 am or 6:00 pm Liturgy

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24th: Caroling begins at 4:30 p.m.

5:00 p.m. (Children’s Mass) Caroling begins at 9:30 p.m.

10:00 p.m. (Midnight Mass) Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25th: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12 Noon

New Year’s Day Thursday, January 1, 2009 Solemnity of Blessed Virgin Mary Liturgy at 10:30 am

New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 31st

1025 Masonic Avenue, San Francisco (415) 487- 8560 www.saintagnessf.com

Pot Luck Gathering beginning at 10:30 p.m. in Parish Hall (Followed by Mass at 12:15 a.m.)

New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1st 12:15 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 12:00 Noon

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE CONFESSIONS Sat., Dec. 20, 10 a.m. – 12 Noon Penance Vigil: Community Preparation followed by individual confessions Mon., Dec. 22, Chapel Tues., Dec. 23, Chapel 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Wed., Dec. 24, Main Church 11 a.m. – 12 Noon, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.

MASSES Wed. – Christmas Eve, Dec. 24: 5:30 p.m. Family Mass, 7 p.m. (Spanish) and Midnight Christmas Carols begin at 11 p.m.

Thurs. Christ Day, Dec. 25: 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m.

(Spanish), 10:45 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

NEW YEARS’ DAY –THURS. JAN. 1, 2009 Is not a Holy Day of Obligation but a day of special devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. You are encouraged to begin the New Year under her patronage.

Thurs., Jan. 1, Masses: 6:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 10 a.m. (Spanish), 12:05 p.m.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE LK 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Saint Agnes Church

CHRISTMAS LITURGIES Hi# 6ci]dcn

17

revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.

For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

R. Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.”

R. Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior.’

Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm.”

R. Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Catholic San Francisco

Parking is available in our Oak Street Lots.

Inclusive + Diverse + Jesuit

4th Sunday of Advent Masses Reconciliation (Confession) 3:30 – 4:20 p.m.

Saturday 4:30 p.m. (Sunday Vigil) 8:00, 9:30, 11:30 a.m. & 6:45 p.m.

Simbang Gabi Masses 6:00 a.m. December 16th thru 24th Christmas Eve Masses 4:30 p.m. Family Mass 12:00 a.m. Midnight Mass Christmas Day Masses 8:00, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m.

No evening Mass on Christmas Day Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Masses Regular Sunday Mass Schedule Saturday 4:30 p.m. (Sunday Vigil) 8:00, 9:30, 11:30 a.m. and 6:45 p.m.

January 1st Mass Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 9:30 a.m.

Traditional Christmas Music at All Masses

Saint Stephen Catholic Church 451 Eucalyptus Drive @ 23rd Avenue (near Stonestown Mall) 415.681.2444 www.saintstephenSF.org

Christmas Celebrations 2008

Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

A cloned embryo at the blastocyst stage is pictured in an undated handout photo from Stemagen, a small biotech company in La Jolla, Calif. A new Vatican instruction strongly condemns human cloning.

A teenager receives a vaccine to immunize her against hepatitis B in St. Clair Shores, Mich. Dignitas Personae allows vaccinations for children from lines developed illicitly, but with some provisos.

Dignitas Personae outlines biotech’s moral challenges

(CNS PHOTO/DON BLAKE, THE DIALOG)

(CNS PHOTO/JIM WEST)

(CNS PHOTO/STEMAGEN)

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Erin Smith, 2, was conceived in a petri dish through in vitro fertilization and adopted as an embryo. Dignitas Personae condemns in vitro fertilization and addresses adoption of frozen embryos.

(CNS ILLUSTRATION/EMILY THOMPSON)

Embryologist Ric Ross removes frozen embryos from a storage tank at the Smotrich IVF Clinic in La Jolla, Calif. Dignitas Personae rejects procreation that separates it “from the conjugal act in marriage.”

An illustration depicts a human fetus in a womb. The Vatican document Dignitas Personae rejects as immoral recent efforts to use animal eggs to reprogram human cells to extract embryonic stem cells.

(CNS PHOTO/SANDY HUFFAKER)

A frozen embryo is removed from storage. A new Vatican instruction says certain recent developments in stem-cell research, gene therapy and embryonic experimentation violate moral principles.

(CNS ILLUSTRATION/EMILY THOMPSON)

(CNS PHOTO/SANDY HUFFAKER)

A pro-life demonstrator stands outside the U.S. Supreme Court in this Oct. 6 file photo.

A new Vatican instruction on bioethics closes with an appeal not to see Church teaching as a series of prohibitions.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – A new Vatican document warns that certain recent developments in stem-cell research, gene therapy and embryonic experimentation violate moral principles and reflect an attempt by man to “take the place of his Creator.”

The latest advances raise serious questions of moral complicity for researchers and other biotech professionals, who have a duty to refuse to use biological material obtained by unethical means, the document said.

The 32-page instruction, titled Dignitas Personae (“The Dignity of a Person”), was issued Dec. 12 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Pope Benedict XVI personally approved the text and ordered its publication.

The document represented an updating of the congregation’s 1987 instruction, Donum Vitae (“The Gift of Life”), which rejected in vitro fertilization, human cloning, surrogate motherhood and nontherapeutic experiments with human embryos.

The new instruction expanded on those teachings or presented new ones in the following areas: ● Stem-cell research. The document recognized that stem cells have opened new prospects in regenerative medicine. It said it is morally acceptable to take stem cells when they do no serious harm to the subject, as is generally the case when tissues are taken from an adult organism, from the umbilical cord at the time of birth or from fetuses that have died from natural causes.

On the other hand, it said, it is always “gravely illicit” to take stem cells from a living human embryo, because it invariably causes the death of the embryo. ● The morning-after pill and other anti-implantation methods. The document said an embryo is constituted after fertilization of the egg, and drugs and techniques that prevent its implantation in the uterine wall are morally illicit because they intend to cause an abortion – even if they don’t actually cause an abortion every time they are used.

Anyone who seeks to prevent the implantation of an embryo that may have been conceived, and who therefore requests or prescribes such a drug, generally intends abortion, it said. The use of such anti-implantation methods “falls within the sin of abortion” and is gravely immoral, it said. ● Gene therapy. It said genetic engineering that aims to correct genetic defects by intervening on nonreproductive cells, a process called somatic-cell gene therapy, is in principle morally acceptable. The effects are limited to a single person.But is it not permissible to make genetic modifications that seek to transmit the effects to the subject’s offspring, called germline cell therapy, because of potential harm to the progeny, the document said. It said that “in the present state of research” germ-line cell therapy in all its forms is morally illicit. ● Embryo manipulation and “adoption.” The document repeated earlier condemnations of the in vitro creation of human embryos, a technique often used in fertility treatment, first because it separates procreation from the conjugal act in marriage, and second because in practice unused embryos are often discarded, thus violating the principle that “the human being is to be respected and treated as a person from the moment of conception.”

Freezing such embryos is itself a violation of ethics, because it exposes them to a serious risk of death or harm, the document said. Most of such embryos remain “orphans,” it said.

Despite the good intentions of people who have suggested a form of “prenatal adoption” to allow unused frozen embryos to be born, such a proposal would be subject to medical, psychological and legal problems, it said. ● Freezing of human eggs. The freezing of oocytes, immature human egg cells, has been introduced as part of an in vitro fertilization technique, in which only those eggs to be transferred to the mother’s body are fertilized. The document said the freezing of oocytes for this purpose is morally unacceptable. ● Human-animal hybrid cloning. The document rejected as immoral recent efforts to use animal eggs to reprogram human cells to extract embryonic stem cells from the resulting embryos. These efforts represent a grave offense against human dignity by mixing animal and human genetic elements capable of “disrupting the specific identity of man,” it said.

Use of the resulting stem cells would expose humans to unacceptable risks, it said.

In a section titled “The use of human ‘biological material’ of illicit origin,” the document examined the ethical questions posed for people who, in research or the production of vaccines or other products, deal with cell lines that are the result of a procedure the Church considers immoral.

In cases where there is a direct connection, such as embryonic experimentation that inevitably involves the killing of the human embryos, such acts “always constitute a grave moral disorder,” it said.

It said the situation was more complex when a researcher works with cell lines produced apart from his research center or obtained commercially. The document rejected the “criterion of independence,” as formulated by some ethics committees, which argues that using such biological material would be ethically permissible as long as there is a clear separation between those causing the death of embryos, for example, and those doing the research.

The document said it was necessary to distance oneself in one’s ordinary professional activities from the injustice perpetrated by others, even when immoral actions are legal, in order not to give the impression of “tacit acceptance of actions which are gravely unjust.”

In the wider framework, it added, there are differing degrees of responsibility, and grave reasons may in some cases justify the use of such “biological material.” For example, it said, the danger to the health of children could permit parents to legitimately use a vaccine that was developed using cell lines obtained illicitly. In such a case, it noted, parents have no voice in the decision over how the vaccines are made.

DIGNITAS PERSONAE, page 26

An illustration depicts a human embryo following union of an egg cell and a sperm cell. Dignitas Personae teaches that human beings are “to be … treated as a person from the moment of conception.”

(CNS PHOTO/EMANUELA DE MEO, CATHOLIC PRESS PHOTO)

(CNS/KEVIN LAMARQUE, REUTERS)

By John Thavis

A copy of Dignitas Personae is pictured at a Dec. 12 Vatican press conference.

The document warned that certain recent developments reflect an attempt by man to “take the place of his Creator.”

December 19, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

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Irish leader’s visit and insurance glitch put USF in headlines

By Chaz Muth

(PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANICSCO)

WASHINGTON (CNS) – The University of San Francisco has angered some Catholics by presenting Irish President Mary McAleese an honorary degree.

In the past, McAleese has publicly supported gay rights and the ordination of women in the Catholic Church.

A university official defended the honor, however, stating McAleese did not address any partisan or religious themes during her acceptance speech on campus Dec. 11.

He said the college’s Catholic identity remains strong.

The Jesuit-run university was also recently criticized for supplying student health insurance that provides abortion coverage. University officials apologized and said they plan to remove the provision. A Catholic organization complained, however, the same benefit continues to be offered to university employees.

Patrick J. Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society, – a Virginia-based Catholic college watchdog group – praised the university’s swift response to the student insurance coverage, but he called on school officials to drop abortion coverage from the employee plan as well.

Gary McDonald, USF assistant vice president of communications and public affairs, said the school was in the process of negotiating with its insurance carrier to drop the abortion coverage for employees.

“USF offers two options for employee health insurance, Blue Cross and Kaiser Permanente,” McDonald told Catholic News Service in a Dec. 15 e-mail. “Our Blue Cross claims procedure excludes coverage for surgical abortion. When USF negotiated its contract with Kaiser, we were unable to opt out of the plan’s provision for termination of pregnancy.

“USF decided to offer the Kaiser plan because Kaiser is widely considered to be the highest-quality HMO in Northern California,” he said. “It is USF’s strong desire to offer its employees the best health care possible. USF is in the process of working with Kaiser to see if the contract can be renegotiated and the provision eliminated.”

The student health coverage abortion provision was overlooked when officials signed the insurance agreement, McDonald said.

“It was not the university’s intention to offer this coverage,” he said. “USF supports the Catholic Church’s views on the sanctity of life, at all stages, and we will remove this provision from our student health plan.”

“We regret this mistake, and we take full responsibility for not adequately reviewing the contract,” McDonald said. “We are grateful to those who brought this issue to our attention.”

Some Catholics also questioned USF’s awarding McAleese an honorary doctorate of humane letters in a special ceremony despite her public dissent on Church teaching that only men may be priests.

Nearly 700 people filled the USF McLaren Conference Center to take part in the event.

“In honoring President McAleese for her steadfast commitment to the promotion of peace and unity in her homeland of Ireland and around the world, USF underscores its mission to fashion a more humane and just world,” said USF President Jesuit Father Stephen A. Privett. “She is a leader who exemplifies a dedication to reasoned discourse and working for the common good – two skills we strive to instill in our students.”

Following the presentation of the degree, McAleese

Nearly 700 people filled the McLaren Conference Center on the USF campus for the presentation of an honorary doctorate of humane letters to Irish President Mary McAleese on Dec. 11.

delivered a public address on “Ireland: Challenges and Opportunities in a Global Community.”

In the address she said Ireland’s current peace and economic prosperity are due, in part, to its extended Irish family the world over, particularly in the United States, who have sought out higher education.

She thanked USF for its longstanding relationship with Ireland’s Trinity College, Dublin law school, at which McAleese was a professor, as well as for USF’s budding ties to the National University of Ireland in Maynooth.

“Thankfully, and in this place it is important to say it, one of the reasons our narrative has changed is largely thanks to widened access to education. That has made a huge, big difference to us,” McAleese said. “I can say, without fear of contraction in this university, that peace really began to be constructed and to emerge with the best educated and most accomplished generation in our history. It came to us as a feature of our education, of being able to critique ourselves and also construct more imaginative outcomes.”

In the mid-1990s, the Irish president criticized the Church’s stand on the ordination of only men, saying, “If I truly believed that Christ was the authority for the proposition that women are to be excluded from priesthood by virtue simply of their gender, I would have to say emphatically that this is a Christ in whose divinity I do not and will not and cannot believe.”

McAleese was also a legal adviser to the Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform, an Irish group credited for pushing the Irish parliament to pass a law legalizing same-sex activity in 1993.

In 2004 the U.S. bishops stated that “Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”

Cardinal Newman Society spokesman Adam Wilson

charged that USF’s choice of McAleese violates that bishops’ policy.

Since McAleese did not speak on any subject contrary to Church teaching, McDonald said, the school’s Catholic identity remains solid.

As a 1996 member of the Catholic Church delegation to the North Commission on Contentious Parades, and a 1984 member of the Catholic Church episcopal delegation that participated in the New Ireland Forum, McAleese has demonstrated leadership as a representative of the faith, McDonald said, making her an appropriate choice to “share her views and experiences with members of the USF and San Francisco community.”

The Cardinal Newman Society has policed U.S. Catholic colleges and universities during the past 15 years and publicly objected when any have held events or honored people it views as offensive or diverging from Church teaching, Wilson said.

In the past year the group publicly denounced Jesuit-run Fordham University law school’s choice of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer for its prestigious ethics prize, because of the judge’s support for legal abortion. It also protested Catholic-run University of San Diego’s choice of feminist theologian Rosemary Radford Ruether for a key appointment, because of her membership with a Catholic organization that supports legal abortion.

“USF’s Irish roots run deep. Since the school’s founding in 1855, Irish immigrants and their descendants have served as Jesuit priests, trustees, faculty and staff,” said a university press statement. “Among USF alums of Irish heritage, the university counts three California Supreme Court justices, a lieutenant governor, a U.S. senator, and thousands of leaders in the legal, business, political, educational, religious, philanthropic and professional communities of the city, state and nation.”

(Catholic San Francisco contributed to this story.)

San Rafael-based Roots of Peace honored at D.C. dinner

By Tom Burke Roots of Peace, a now internationally known work helping eliminate landmines around the world, joined with the U. S. State Department in hosting a “Harvest of Hope” dinner Dec. 3 at the State Department in Washington, D.C. The evening acknowledged the effort’s success. Roots of Peace was founded by Heidi Kuhn of St. Raphael Parish in San Rafael in 1997. Among the group’s guiding words are “mines to vines” as it retools land with sustainable crops where the explosives had once been buried.

Specially honored at the “Harvest of Hope” event were Sayid Tayeb Jawad, Afghanistan’s ambassador to the U.S., and Gillian Sorensen, former assistant secretary general of the United Nations.

Much of the effort of Roots of Peace is based in the fields of Afghanistan. It also works in Cambodia, Croatia and Iraq.

Sorensen is noted in information about the event as an early supporter of Kuhn’s

Taking part in the “Harvest of Hope” dinner on Dec. 3 in the nation’s capital were, from left: Christian Kuhn, an eighth grade student at St. Raphael Elementary School; Kyleigh Kuhn, a senior at UC Berkeley; and Tucker Kuhn, a graduate student at the University of San Francisco.

endeavor who helped turn “ideas into reality.”

Kuhn’s children, particularly daughter Kyleigh, 21, are behind Pennies for Peace that has raised more than $250,000 to help build schools and soccer fields in Afghanistan. Kuhn and her husband, Gary, are also parents of Christian, 13, Tucker, 23, and Brooks. 25.

“Peace is a family business,” Kuhn says.

“The work of Roots of Peace will one day be accomplished when every landmine is removed from the earth and seeds of hope and change are firmly planted in the ground,” Kuhn told Catholic San Francisco in an e-mail.

“Heidi Kuhn has a vision of peace that she and her family put into action every day through her work to bring vines to replace the landmines in war-torn countries,” said George Wesolek, director of the Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Website for Roots of Peace is www. rootsofpeace.org.

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Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Theological continuity American Cardinal and Jesuit Avery Dulles died this past week at the age of 90, after a distinguished career as a Catholic theologian and teacher.

Despite his prominence, he retained a disarming humility. He once noted, “Developments of doctrine always involve a certain continuity; a reversal of course is not development.” Below are excerpts from his writing.

From an article in America magazine, “A Eucharistic Church,” Dec. 20, 2004: “’The Didache of the Twelve Apostles,’ written about the end of the first century, contains the petition: ‘As this piece [of bread] was scattered over the hills and then was brought together and made one, so let your church be brought together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.’ In the Eucharistic Prayer 3 we ask that ‘we who are nourished by Christ’s body and blood may become one body, one spirit’ in him.

“Thomas Aquinas calls the Eucharist the ‘sacrament of ecclesiastical unity’ and the ‘sacrament of the unity of the Mystical Body.’ He also quotes St. Augustine, who calls it ‘the sign of unity and the bond of charity.’

“For the Eucharist to function as a sacrament of unity, a measure of unity must already exist among those who partake of it. They must not only be baptized but must be one among themselves. They must have a will to be in unity and peace with the whole Church. If anyone were to receive this sacrament of unity while intending to remain apart from the body and its visible head, in a situation of heresy or schism, the meaning of the action would be contradicted by the contrary disposition. It would be wrong for anyone to say, ‘I do not want to belong to your community, but I want to receive Communion with you.’ Nor could they properly say, ‘I do not accept your pastors and doctrines, but I want to partake of your sacraments.’”

From a 2004 article in First Things Magazine, “The Rebirth of Apologetics”: “Over the centuries, Christian theology has exerted itself to keep the proper balance. Faith, besides being a gracious gift of God, is also a free and responsible decision on the part of the believer. God’s grace does not circumvent or suppress our native powers, but guides them so that they may act more perfectly. The believer has motives for believing that would not be present were it not for the light of grace. In his great encyclical Fides et Ratio, Pope John Paul II repeatedly declares that faith, by sharpening the inner eye of the mind, enables reason to rise above itself and in no sense diminishes it.

Reinforcing reason, faith enables it to transcend its normal limits.

“Faith, therefore, is not a simple achievement of reason. It is the work of reason submitting to the word of God, which comes by way of revelation.

God, as the infinite source of all that is or can be, lies immeasurably beyond all that we can infer from the created order. His inner essence and intentions are known only to himself unless he chooses to reveal them. For our sakes he has revealed something of himself and his saving plans so that we may love and serve him better. God’s great and unsurpassable revelation of himself is his Son, his eternal Word, who has become flesh in Jesus Christ. The Christian clings to that living and incarnate Word, in whom salvation is to be found.”

From a Feb. 4, 2002 America article, “Christ Among the Religions”: “Rightly pursued, dialogue is one of the most auspicious paths for the growing encounter of the great religions. It does not have to start with the most sensitive and disputed issues. The parties will generally do better to begin with topics on which there is promise of achieving a significant measure of consensus. Paul VI in his encyclical Ecclesiam Suam (1964) suggested that common ideals such as religious freedom, human brotherhood, sound culture, social welfare and civil order might be taken as themes of interreligious conversation. It might also be possible to conduct dialogues on some properly religious themes, such as the value of prayer and the nature of mystical experience, which seems to occur in similar ways in different religious traditions. Authors such as Bede Griffiths and Thomas Merton have described how the experience of mystical prayer can be a bond of union among members of different religious communities. One could imagine very fruitful dialogues about suffering and happiness, life and death, speech and silence. The most important result of such encounters would be for the participants to get to know and respect one another.

Friendship among qualified representatives of different religions could help to overcome some of the accumulated hostility and to restore trust.”

From a Sept. 28, 2004 article in the University of Notre Dame magazine, “Challenges to Moral and Cultural Renewal”: “Christian faith and morals, though they appeal to all that is best in human nature, normally encounter no little resistance. Without considerable help from on high, humanity cannot rise to its full stature, especially because it labors under the burden of original sin. It is to be expected therefore that people will generally be more inclined toward self-indulgence than toward loving self-sacrifice. They will have difficulty believing the Gospel of Christ, which seems foolish to those who judge by the standards of the world. Christians should always expect to encounter a measure of rejection and opposition.

The very absence of hostility may be a sign that the Church has fallen short of her mission and yielded to the standards of the world.”

Axioms scrutinized Mr. Peter Mandell’s Dec. 12 letter characterizing George Weigel and Francis Cardinal George as “intellectually dishonest” for using the term “pro-abortion” instead of “pro-choice” does not stand scrutiny. To be “pro-choice” on abortion is, by default, to be pro-abortion. The “pro-choice” position is a conclusion deduced from a belief in the axiomatic value of free human choice. The “pro-choice” position says: abortion becomes legitimate once the mother of the killed child chooses to kill it. But who would attempt to categorically defend the legitimacy of actual human choices made based on the axiomatic value of free human choice?

No one. It would be senseless.

To claim to be “pro-choice” without considering what is being chosen is senseless.

The “pro-choice” position is in fact a demonic denial of reality.

One either thinks the unborn child is human or not. If not, one can be pro-abortion without apology. If one thinks so, one is compelled to be anti-choice on abortion (Vice President-elect Biden notwithstanding). The difference is that the argument for the humanity of the unborn child is a deduction, not from an unexamined axiom, but from observed evidence. Understanding this clearly, our Catholic bishops rightly say: “We are committed, no matter how long it may take, no matter the sacrifices required, to bringing about a reversal of this tragic Supreme Court decision.”

Gibbons J. Cooney San Francisco

Fear FOCA

both shut down any dissent. By applying it to “every federal, state and local statute, ordinance, regulation, administrative order, decision, policy, practice, or other action,” I fear FOCA is trying to do the same.

Paul Dankoski Redwood City

Bravo, Archbishop Bravo to Archbishop Niederauer for speaking out against the vociferous attacks on the Church for her support of Proposition 8. There is no apology necessary when our shepherd defends the teachings of the Church in the public square. He made it very clear that although ours is always a mission of love, sometimes it’s “tough love” as with the defense of marriage, family and human life.

I especially appreciate that the Archbishop made a strong show of support of the Mormon community, toward whom so much of the hate has been directed. We owe a great debt to them.

I encourage everyone to thank the Archbishop for his leadership, and I especially ask for the intercession of St. John Fisher, bishop and martyr, who made a stand for the truth, the Church and the protection of marriage as an ever-binding union between one man and one woman.

Thank you, your Excellency, for making the voice of the Church heard above all of the rest.

Dolores Meehan San Francisco

L E T T E R S

Salt in wounds

Letters welcome

Archbishop Niederauer’s recent “open letter” did nothing but rub salt in the wounds for at least two members of his flock. My husband and I do not think we are alone.

We support his constitutional right to speak out on a political issue. We agree with his duty to teach his flock.

We strongly disagree with the premise that Prop 8 was not meant to attack or deprive any group of its civil rights.

If the members of the coalition the Archbishop helped form had reputations as sanctuaries for individuals who have endured grade school games of “smear the queer” and communities whose members have worn pink triangles and been bashed like Matthew Shepard, we might be wrong. If these same churches had spent millions of dollars in the past to protect our jobs, homes and hospital visits, or had publicly supported domestic partnerships, we might be wrong.

We agree that name-calling must stop now. Voicing our disappointment and hurt does not prevent our focusing attention on the reality that the hungry need food, the homeless need shelter and the unemployed need jobs.

We strongly disagree that as domestic partners we can expect the same rights and treatment when we visit married family members out of state as they can when they come to California.

We strongly believe the 14 words of Prop 8 do nothing to safeguard even one straight couple’s marriage.

It feels that for now, the Church in San Francisco is more comfortable imitating the Prodigal Son’s brother than in being his father.

Michael Vargas Martin Bednarek San Francisco

Catholic San Francisco welcomes letters from its readers. Please:

Stay strong

Vague laws are worse than useless.

They mean lawsuits, more power transferred to subjective judges, and more uncertainty in society in general. A bill coming before Congress falls into this category, the Freedom of Choice Act. It would weaken our country.

Unfortunately, this bill is wrapped around a divisive, polarizing moral issue, abortion. Whether you agree or disagree with a woman’s right to have an abortion, the language of abortion laws should be precise.

FOCA is vague. Example: FOCA “defines” viability in terms of “reasonable likelihood of sustained survival of the fetus outside of the woman.” These are vague, squishy words. And if “particular medical facts” are important, then get a panel of doctors to agree on specific medical factors.

If you believe this law should pass (which I don’t), at least agree on objective criteria to define a baby’s viability.

Furthermore, FOCA’s scope includes “other purposes.” It says, “An individual aggrieved by a violation of this section may obtain appropriate relief (including relief against a government) in a civil action.” The words “aggrieved,” “appropriate,” and “civil action” are not defined. What if someone holds up a sign against abortion? Has he or she “aggrieved” someone? If people walk in a peaceful march protesting abortion, can they be thrown in jail by the vagueness of this bill? If you are going to permit a freedom to choose abortion, you should also allow people the freedom to dissent.

Dictatorships and communism can

➣ Include your name, address and daytime phone number. ➣ Sign your letter. ➣ Limit submissions to 250 words. ➣ Note that the newspaper reserves the right to edit for clarity and length.

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

When will we as a nation look in the mirror, like Jesus forced the Sanhedrin to, and ask, “Do you like who you see? Does God?” Selfcenteredness is ruining our nation. So many have difficulty seeing beyond their own noses.

They can’t even consider how their excessive individuality affects the common good.

All the letters to the editor that say, “I have a nephew, aunt, son, etc. . . who is gay and the Church’s decision hurts them” are all about feelings. They do not consider their own hurtfulness toward anyone who disagrees with their point of view. Their logic offends the vast majority of the world who defines marriage as between a man and woman, legally or culturally. Don’t redefine what is common sense.

Re-evaluate how you relate to the other.

LETTERS, page 23

December 19, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

21

Spirituality for Life

Checkered background to Jesus’ birth God writes straight with crooked lines. We know that expression, though we rarely apply it to sacred history or to the birth of Jesus. We should. The Christmas story is written with some pretty crooked lines.

The renowned biblical scholar, Raymond Brown, writes a particularly insightful piece on the origins of Jesus as described in Matthew’s Gospel, where Matthew, in a text we like to ignore, traces the lineage of Jesus from Abraham to Mary. What Matthew reveals in his list of people begetting other people is, as Brown highlights, quite a checkered story.

Jesus’ family tree contains as many sinners as saints and his origins take their roots, too, in the crooked lines written by liars, betrayers, adulterers and murderers. Jesus was pure, but his origins were not.

Matthew begins his story of the origins of Jesus with Abraham, who fathers Isaac and then sends his other son, Ishmael, and his mother packing into the desert to be rid of them. Not quite what you would expect from the great patriarch.

Then Jacob steals his older brother’s blessing from Isaac (just as Israel itself seized the land of Canaan from a people who had a prior claim). Next, among all the sons of Jacob, Joseph is clearly the most worthy, but he is not the one chosen. Judah, who had sold Joseph into slavery out of jealousy and then impregnated his own daughter-in-law, taking her to be a prostitute, is the one chosen. It is fair to ask, “Why Judah?”

Then Matthew lists the names of 14 kings who are part of Jesus’ family tree. Of them, only two (Hezekiah and Josiah) were considered faithful to God as judged by the Book of Kings. The rest, in Brown’s words, were “adulterers, murderers, incompetents, power-seekers and harem-wastrels.”

And then there is David, the great king, from whose lineage the Gospels proudly proclaim Jesus descends. Admittedly, David was a great man, humanly and spiritually; he united the community and wrote the psalms, but he was also an adulterer who covered sin by murder.

Finally there is the question of which women are named as significant in Jesus’ lineage. Instead of naming Sarah, Rebekah and Rachel, Matthew names Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba, before finally naming Mary, as Jesus’ mother. A curious selection: Tamar was a Canaanite woman who, because she had been left childless by two of Judah’s sons, disguised herself as a prostitute and seduced Judah himself. Rahab was a real prostitute, though her kindness protected Israel’s spies during the conquest of the promised land. Ruth, like Tamar, was a foreigner, and Bathsheba, as we know, was the woman David seduced before he had her husband killed. The scandal of their affair and the death of their illegitimate child didn’t prevent her from scheming to insure that one of her children became heir. Each of these women had marital issues of irregularity or scandal and yet each was an instrument in God’s birth on this planet. Clearly Matthew highlights their names to set the stage for Mary, whose pregnancy is also irregular, since Jesus had no human father.

The last part of the genealogy contains mostly names of unknown persons. That, too, is important. If unknown persons contributed significantly to Jesus’ origins, then we, too, are not too insignificant or anonymous to contribute to the continuation of that story.

God writes straight with crooked lines. Nowhere is this more evident than in the birth of Jesus. There is an important challenge in this. To quote Raymond Brown: “If the

beginning of the story involved as many sinners as saints, so has the sequence. ... The God who wrote the beginning with crooked lines also writes the sequence with crooked lines, and some of those lines are Father our own lives and witRon Rolheiser ness. A God who did not hesitate to use the scheming as well as the noble, the impure as well as the pure, men to whom the world hearkened and women upon whom the world frowned – this God continues to work with the same mélange.”

Perhaps the real challenge comes to those of us who want only an idealized portrait of Jesus’ birth, one with only straight lines, no impurities, no dark colors. But, despite our struggle to digest this, it is important that we do because what is highlighted by the Gospels in the birth of Jesus throws light on all subsequent Christian history and on our own lives.

Grace is pure, but we who mediate it often aren’t. Still, God’s love and God’s plan aren’t derailed by our infidelities, sin and scheming. God’s designs for grace still somehow work. This, Raymond Brown points out, is not a lesson in discouragement, but in encouragement.

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

Twenty Something

Maria Louise and Christina Marie Growing up six miles from a cousin who was born six weeks after you offers a fertile foundation for friendship. Ours didn’t disappoint.

Maria and I attached quickly, and we publicly broadcast that bond with matching attire. Identical sun dresses. Duplicate necklaces. And twin magenta visors that Grandma decorated with puff paint. Even our names had a similar ring: Maria Louise, Christina Marie.

In spite of those saintly selections, we wanted to be bad.

We saved our coins to buy candy cigarettes, flicking them in slow, dramatic puffs.

We wanted to be brave, but when we camped out in a backyard tent, a strange sound paralyzed us. We screamed bloody murder and nearly sent my aunt into cardiac arrest.

Above all, we wanted to be together. That, we were.

Our parents didn’t let us watch “Grease,” but we adored the “Sound of Music,” and our viewing approaches were in sync. We fast forwarded through “Climb Every Mountain” and rewound “Sixteen, Going on Seventeen,” replaying the gazebo kiss a third time for good measure. Oh, to be 16!

Our cousins were all younger, which gave us license to be a bit bossy. Under our expert tutelage, the Capecchi cousins reenacted “So Long, Farewell” in basements at birthday parties.

As directors, Maria and I enjoyed the prerogative of casting ourselves in the prime roles, which meant we alternated as Leisel, yearning for champagne. “Yes?” “No!” Over the years, our interests and appetites advanced along

a similar arc. We played varsity soccer against each other.

We carpooled and contributed to the same teen publication.

(Although, after watching Maria perform willowy solos at ballet recitals, I conceded that, in one arena, we would diverge.)

And then, before we knew it, we were both packing up and moving off to college to be noble English majors: Maria north, me, south.

We stayed in close touch. Frequent e-mails. Some letters. And occasional visits, when we whispered in our dorms until someone nodded off. More than ever, it seemed, there was so much to discuss. We were trying to uncover God’s will for our lives, untangling it from others’ expectations and our own fears.

We were still joyful, but life had managed to become more complicated. It was helpful to talk it through, knowing, for once, there was no need to censor raw emotion and halfformed thoughts. I knew I could solve any problem with Maria.

As friends and cousins, our effortless understanding has been a steady source of comfort.

Maria began grad school right after college and then got a job. I started with a job, then moved on to grad school. When she visited me, she saw my exhaustion and validated it. If she had survived to tell her own horror stories, I knew I would, too.

It was a well-timed oomph up the mountain I was climbing.

And that was the other thing: We were noticing telltale signs of getting older, which, experienced together, made them a little less freaky. Like that never-ending nun

song – it had become inspirational.

Maria and I have searched “high and low” for the dreams we were meant to pursue. And today, we are kneeling at the entrance, inhaling deeply and thanking God. Christina When Maria told me she was engaged to Capecchi John, we rejoiced. It was, like so many moments before, a Visitation our own, joy shared so swiftly and fully it causes the Christ within to leap, the Holy Spirit sparking an electric current.

“For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,” Elizabeth told Mary, her heart leapt for joy.

This month when we remember Mary’s life-changing news, we celebrate friendship, the bonds that keep us warm when it’s cold outside.

I will stand beside Maria, the bride, and smile: We may not be bad, but we’re two for three: brave and together.

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

E-mail her at christina@readchristina.com.

Guest Commentary

Torn fabric in the public square The candidacy of President-elect Obama rested upon one of the most dangerous ideas threatening a culture of life within the United States. It is an idea the Catholic Church, via particularly its bishops and its social justice ministries, has been laboring to contradict for a long time.

It is the idea that it is impossible and unnecessary to hold and pursue integrally and simultaneously a social justice agenda which promotes justice for unborn human beings and born human beings. Many, many Americans, with Catholics possibly leading the way, have held for a long time that the principles animating justice for born persons – the equality and dignity of persons based upon their equal humanity, alongside the innate fragility of human persons in the world, with their need for food, clothing, shelter, health care, justice and religious freedom – easily apply to all human beings, no matter their stage of development.

Out of these ideas, Catholics and many others have expressed real skepticism for politicians or anyone who professes a “heart” for some of the dispossessed, but not all. Real skepti-

cism toward those who can’t see in the discarded bodies of the unborn anything to call upon our humanity, similar to the call that comes from the wasted bodies of the poor, the war-dead and the seriously ill, or the call that comes from the sight of lives wasting away for want of racial justice, education, family stability and economic opportunity.

About the election and the agenda of Barack Obama, we have witnessed instead, especially in the media, the very opposite of skepticism. There is rather an exulting in his youth, in his breaking of racial barriers, his rhetoric, and his repetition of a truly American mantra, “Change!”

Look where we might in the leading media outlets, and in the results of exit polling, there is almost no one wondering what to make of Candidate Obama’s shredding of an authentic, consistent ethic of life. Almost no one wondering aloud how a man who deliberately turned his back on the killing of newborns in a Chicago hospital, and who campaigned on the promise to make partial-birth abortion and all other abortion restraints

illegal, can understand the dignity of other, even desperately vulnerable persons. Instead, he is hailed as the answer to the needs of the economically downtrodden.

This is not to deny that some social problems Helen Alvare can be mitigated (though not likely cured) with the infusions of federal cash President–elect Obama has promised.

It is rather to point out that a “social justice” agenda founded on the principle that some human beings are more worthy than others is built on a foundation of sand.

Likely voters will get the benefits they demand, for sure.

But those on the margins – of life and of death – like the “bornALVARE, page 22

22

Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

Alvare . . .

principles for determining which “humans” merit social concern and which do not.

Catholics and others will simply have to work harder and smarter to reconnect the torn fabric of an agenda that is both just and inclusive of all members of society.

Helen Alvare is an associate professor of law at the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. This commentary is reprinted with permission of the Culture of Life Foundation.

■ Continued from page 21 alive” Chicago babies, will always need to prove more than their membership in the human race before their cries will be heard. They will have to be wanted by someone with the authority to preserve their lives, and they will likely also have to demonstrate the potential for a “quality of life,” that satisfies the predilections of those same someones in authority. It’s a scary and fundamentally unjust gauntlet. It has no fixed

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Letters . . .

■ Continued from page 20 This is not a legal issue (see civil unions and domestic partnership). This is not a civil rights issue. This is a social issue that at its root is the attitude of “We want what you have.”

Calling people of good will (using their Constitutional guarantees) bigots, fascists, hateful; disturbing places of worship; pushing a Yes-on-8 proponent (Phyllis Burgess, an older person in Palm Springs) are all tactics destined to fail. They have failed twice already (Proposition 22 and 8).

I wish more people would read and really reflect on the prayerful and profound words of Archbishop Niederhauer in his Dec. 1 open letter. I wish I could be so eloquent. For those who are sick of the intolerance and relativism being venomously spouted by gay marriage activists, I say stay strong and finish the race.

Christian Clifford San Mateo

Take deep breath Approval of a constitutional ban on gay and lesbian marriage raises troubling issues concerning the lines between religion and government.

Catholics and others are divided. Catholic bishops are asking people to debate the issue reasonably. However, they and others who supported Proposition 8 have made this difficult. Why? No one truly knows how many

parishioners are for or against this proposition, yet Catholic Church actions all appeared to be for Proposition 8.

Some parishioners like myself opposed the proposition and questioned the Church’s action. Bishop Stephen E. Blair, president of the California Catholic Conference, said, “The success of Proposition 8 is not meant in any way to disparage those who disagree. Same-sex couples who register as domestic partners will continue to have the same rights, protections and benefits of married persons.”

The bishop’s intentions may be good, but there is a lack of understanding how this impacts gay and lesbian people. Many do not want to be limited to domestic partnerships. James Brosnahan, author of the “Trial Handbook for California Lawyers,” wrote: “Marriage is a fundamental right in constitutional analysis. There are very few things in life more important than the ability to choose one’s partner. Marriage is not just a word; it is a status, a state of mind, a way of being. Look in any direction and you will see examples of the peoples’ respect for the institution of marriage.”

The folks denied the right to marry are children of God. They are our neighbors, our friends, our fellow workers, our relatives. Gays and lesbians are in all walks of life. They are our equals. They did not ask churches to perform these marriages or to change church stands on marriage. They asked only that the state be able to perform civil marriages. Gays and lesbians are denied this right because the religious beliefs of some now are in our Constitution. This blurs

the lines of church and state.

Is supporting Proposition 8 carrying out Christ’s commandment to love one’s neighbor?

Gays and lesbians have been told they are second-class citizens. I ask that Catholics take a deep breath and pray we do what is right.

I. Thomas Quinn San Carlos

Fourth declension O Tempora! O Mores! That a Roman theologian could become entangled in the thicket of a fourth declension Latin noun.

(See Dec. 5 “Spirituality for Life” column

by Father Ron Rolheiser.)

Back in 1940 Sister Mary Demetria, of happy memory, would have checked off “ad usam” as wrong obviously, but more pertinently as useless.

John Smith San Francisco

Bishop remembered I would like to thank you again for carrying the picture and story (Oct. 24 CSF)on the visit of my uncle, Bishop Edoardo Ricci. Sadly, he passed away on Nov. 28.

His funeral was televised on local television stations in Italy and the Mass was celebrated by 70 priests and more than 10 bishops, and more than a thousand people attended the funeral.

My son said to me, “Mom, I feel lucky he visited IHM (Immaculate Heart of Mary

23

School) and that I have my picture in the paper with him to remember, too.”

He was buried inside the Cathedral of San Miniato, Italy, where he was the bishop for over 20 years. Father (Clement) Davenport celebrated a Mass in my uncle’s memory at The Church of the Nativity in Menlo Park on Nov. 30.

Rosalie Shaw San Mateo

Trust in God I would like to add my voice to that of Juanita Douglass (Dec. 5). Just like her I was afraid of the outcome of the 2008 election, but when I opened my eyes the next morning I saw that the sky hadn’t fallen. Then an immensely comforting thought came to me. God is still in heaven!

In these changing and troubling times when white is black and black is white, and right is wrong and wrong and right, he is the one constant; forever unchanging in his love for us. He sees and knows everything. In his infinite wisdom he knows how far to let things go; we just need to place all our trust in him.

We have nothing to fear if we put God first in our lives and obey his commandments faithfully (without seeking those loopholes).

If all Catholics spent more time in prayer, reading the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and really learning the truth about their faith, we wouldn’t be in this mess.

Vivienne Beasley San Carlos

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Madeline, Bill and Dan Duggan, Duggan’s Serra Mortuary of Daly City, sponsored their Sixth Annual Remembrance Service on November 9, 2008 assisted by the Duggan’s Serra staff. The Remembrance Service was hosted at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Daly City with approximately 500 people in attendance. Families of individuals who passed away over the last twelve months were invited to participate in a prayerful manner as part of coping with the difficult and often trying times felt during the Holiday Season. It is Duggan’s Serra Mortuary’s way of providing ongoing support to the families they assisted during the year. This event was created to reach out to all, regardless of their religious affiliation, because “death and grief affects our hearts in the same manner, no matter if we are Catholics, Baptists, Greek Orthodox or without a structured religious base” as Dan Duggan stated.

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The goal of this event was to provide an essential element of “helping our families in their own individual process of grieving” as Bill Duggan of Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, remarked. In an effort to reach out to the community at large, the Duggan’s Serra Family invited families to bring canned food and new toys and added to the contributions of the families’ donations to Daly City Fire Department, Operation Santa Claus and to the North Peninsula Food Pantry and Dining Center of Daly City.

All were invited to join in fellowship for the event concluding with a lovely catered reception compliment of Duggan’s Serra Mortuary through Knight’s Catering, San Francisco that was held in Our Lady of Mercy Church Hall.

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24

Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

Music TV

Books RADIO Film stage

‘Milk’ showcases remarkable range of Sean Penn With no pretense of originality let me simply quote David Denby in The New Yorker as he asks rhetorically, �Is there an actor in Hollywood braver than Sean Penn?�

But perhaps one might better ask, “Is there an actor with a range comparable to Penn’s?� In his versatility he may be compared to Kevin Kline, but hardly to anyone else. Consider only two of his previous roles: the bitter, war-scarred soldier in “The Thin Red Line� and the loopy guitarist in Woody Allen’s “Sweet and Lowdown.�

In taking on Harvey Milk, someone well known to all San Franciscans, Penn portrays a man of extraordinary sunniness, whose public life is marked by remarkable optimism in the face of previously insuperable odds. (His private life was more problematic.) When an actor can stretch his boundaries in such diametrically opposed directions, he can easily be said to have reached the pinnacle of his art. Maybe an actor’s ego is always part the equation of his work, but Penn seems genuinely to have submerged his in service to the creation of an individual outside himself, with whom he yet seems to identify totally.

Something similar is true of director Gus van Sant.

Although his films are not so thematically varied, the intensity of his work reveals a filmmaker of unusual integrity. He works to entertain, of course, but he always remains committed to truth in all its guises. Like his star, Van Sant is also at the top of his game in this picture – a director, somewhat like Robert Altman, who is in Hollywood but not of it.

(CNS PHOTO/FOCUS)

By Father Basil DePinto

Sean Penn, center, and Diego Luna, right, star in a scene from the movie “Milk.�

“Milk� is a bio-pic, so there is no dramatic suspense entailed.

The movie starts with the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone by former Supervisor Dan White. The story unfolds as the depiction of events recorded on audio tape by Milk “in the event of my death.�

He moves from New York (Penn has the accent down pat) to San Francisco where he opens a camera shop in the Castro. From there he launches his political career and ultimately becomes one of the first openly gay public officials in the country.

The focus of the film is Milk as a committed agent of social change. He is not a gay activist but a humane and persuasive activist who is gay. He is open and unashamed of his identity and he encourages other gays to be so as well. But when he proclaims to the crowds, “I’m Harvey Milk and I want to recruit you,� he is talking about the struggle for justice and the need to come out of political inertia.

Penn’s enormous craft as an actor serves him well as he portrays Harvey’s attractive, smiling openness that draws people to him and through him to the cause.

Courage was also required of Josh Brolin. To play such an unattractive, small-minded character as Dan White could not have been easy. Brolin never flinches; without turning White into a caricature, he conveys the angst, the resentment of a man who senses that he is being passed by because of his flaws, just as Milk is exalted despite his.

The touchstone of tragedy is the fall of a great man which induces pity and fear because the audience senses, “that could be me.� Harvey Milk was no Hamlet or Lear, but his death as he reached for the heights reminds us that every prophet may receive a prophet’s reward; the priest at the altar realizes that he may be the next Oscar Romero. “Milk� is a testament to the courage of those who made it and a worthy tribute to the valiant man it remembers.

Father Basil DePinto is a frequent contributor on the arts.

Local parishioner records adventure as ‘Smuggler for the Pope’

By Dan Morris-Young The long-hidden story of Frances Yenko Chilcoat’s smuggling cardinal robes from Rome to the formerYugoslavia in 1954 during the infamous regime of Marshall Tito was first broken in the San Mateo County Times in December 1998 and then shared with the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the international Catholic Press market by Catholic San Francisco three months later.

It had taken nearly a half century for the Our Lady of Angels and Church of the Nativity parishioner to finally judge it safe and appropriate to share the tale of what could have ended in long imprisonment or even death for her.

Her story and the broader context of its significance in Post World War II Yugoslavia are now captured in book form, “Smuggler for the Pope: A True Story,� an attractive volume by Chilcoat published earlier this year.

Told in a straightforward and highly personal narrative, the adventure itself begins with a desire by Chilcoat to make good on her long-held dream to visit her ancestral Yugoslavia to visit the families of her father and mother, to set foot on the native soil that nurtured the language, songs, prayers and values she was taught as a youth by her parents, immigrant priests and countrymen who had fled to America to make a life for themselves.

A seemingly happenstance meeting and resulting friendship with a young man studying and working in San Francisco provided a key link in the chain of events that led to her flying with a friend as tourists to Rome en route to Slovenia.

At the request of a close priest friend, Father Vital Vodusek in San Francisco, Chilcoat and her husband Aaron had opened

Book on apparitions released last month WASHINGTON (CNS) – Like many stories from Africa, the story of Mary appearing to three young girls in Rwanda “wasn’t told� beyond the continent, said best-selling author Immaculee Ilibagiza. So Ilibagiza wrote the first Englishlanguage book about Mary’s apparitions in the 1980s at an all-girls Catholic high school in the remote Rwandan village of Kibeho, the only Vatican-recognized Marian apparitions in Africa. “Our Lady of Kibeho� was released Nov. 28, the anniversary of the first apparition in 1981. Calling “Our Lady of Kibeho� “the most important book I will write,� Ilibagiza told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview she remembers hearing about the apparitions from her father at the dinner table.

Ilibagiza, who has made several San Francisco Bay Area appearances, is a well-known motivational speaker. Her first book in 2006, “Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust,� recounts her survival for 91 days with seven other women during the mass murder of Tutsis while hidden in a small bathroom.

their Clement Street home to Ivan Ivankovich. Ivankovich had escaped Communist Yugoslavia. Through Ivankovich, Chilcoat was introduced via correspondence to Father Ivan Thomas, a Croatian priest working at the Vatican and well-known in Croatia, Argentina and Australia for his Croatian radio broadcasts.

A travel pass resulting from Chilcoat’s near decade of work for United Airlines made the travel itself possible.

When Chilcoat and her friend landed at Rome, Father Tomas was not only there to greet them, he was their tour guide and host for their four-day Rome stay. On their last day there, the priest paid a late-evening surprise visit, not dressed as a cleric, to the hotel where the friends were staying. In short, he convinced Chilcoat to carry formal cardinal robe in her suitcases folded to resemble a woman’s gown. The robe was destined for Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac who had been named a cardinal by Pope Pius XII in 1952, but had chosen not to travel to Rome for the consistory fearing he would not be allowed to return to Yugoslavia where he was the

popular leader of the country’s seven million Catholics and a fierce opponent of the government’s oppression.

Chilcoat did manage to enter Yugoslavia with her dangerous cargo undetected, and to hand it off to a relative who had clearly been alerted of its pending arrival.

In 1946, a Belgrade court had ruled Cardinal Stepinac guilty of collaborating with state enemies and complicity in forcing Orthodox Serbs to convert to Catholicism.

He was sentenced to 16 years in prison, but after five years was released and confined to his home parish of KraĹĄiĂŠ. In 1998, Pope John Paul II declared him a martyr and beatified him.

Today the very robe that Frances Chilcoat handed off to an aunt in Yugoslavia – and which clearly made its way to Cardinal Stepanic – hangs in a special display in the Museum bearing the cardinal’s name in Zagreb, Croatia.

(Frances Chilcoat may be e-mailed at fran.cesyc@att.net or called at (650) 697-4738.)

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Advent Opportunities Sundays, 3:30 p.m.: Concerts featuring local and international artists at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Gough and Geary Blvd. in San Francisco. Open to the public. Free will offering helps support Cathedral’s music ministry.

Call (415) 567-2020, ext. 231. Dec. 21: David Phillips, organist; Dec. 28: David Hatt, organist.

Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.: St. Charles Parish, 880 Tamarack Ave. in San Carlos, presents its annual Christmas concert including carols both old and new, some for listening and some for singing along. Adult and children’s choirs, under the direction of Claire Giovannetti will perform.

Admission is free. An offering will be taken for the support of parish music programs. Call (650) 591-7349, ext.

32 for more information.

Dec. 19 – 25, and Jan. 4: Our Lady of the Pillar Knights of Columbus Council 7534 announces its annual “Live Nativity Scene” at OLP, Kelly and Church St. in Half Moon Bay. Presentations include music and singing with special presentations Dec. 20 from 2 – 4 p.m., with the Mansfield Family and Dec. 21 from 10:30 a.m.

- 12:30 p.m. with the Our Lady of the Pillar Choir. For more information, call Mel Schwing at (650) 726-6765 or Jose Diaz at (650) 728-0274.

Dec. 20, 6:30 p.m.: Join the Divorced and Separated Catholics of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and celebrate the Christmas season with a social hour, potluck dinner and sing-a-long at St. Dominic Church, lower level, Bush and Steiner St. in San Francisco. Call for more information: Gail Castro at (650) 591-8452 or Vonnie McGee (650) 873-4236.

Vallombrosa Center The retreat center of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, 250 Oak Grove Ave. in Menlo Park.

For details and fees, call (650) 325-5614 or visit www.vallombrosa.org Jan. 24, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.: “The Body as a Healing Temple” focuses on honoring the human body as a wonderful instrument of healing. The retreat will include the use of senses, movements, yoga, breathing and intuition. Dominican Sister Joan Prohaska, who holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Loyola Marymount University, is a Healing Touch Practitioner, a certified massage therapist, an energy medicine specialist and has been leading healing prayer retreats and workshops in northern California.

Jan. 31, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.: “A Retreat for Caregivers”: As advanced medical technologies stretch out life span, more and more family members are finding themselves caring for fragile, elderly relatives. This retreat will allow participants time to recharge emotionally and spiritually, to reflect, and to receive support. Carol Kaplan, MFT, has given retreats at Vallombrosa Retreat Center on honoring elders, gardening, eco-spirituality and grief.

Tridentine Mass The traditional Latin Mass according to texts and rubrics from before Vatican II is celebrated at locations and times below.

Sundays at 12:15 p.m.: Holy Rosary Chapel at St.

25

California St. at Grant in San Francisco. Call (415) 288-3845 or 288-3850.

Jan. 24, 11 a.m.: Fifth Annual Walk for Life West Coast begins at San Francisco’s Justin Herman Plaza lawn at the Embarcadero. To organize groups or get further information e-mail info@walkforlifewc. com or call (415) 586-1576.

Datebook

Food & Fun

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

Call (650) 340-7452; young adults are invited each first Friday of the month to attend a social at 6 p.m. prior to Taize prayer at 8 p.m. The social provides light refreshments and networking with other young adults. Convenient parking is available. For information contact mercyyoungadults@sbcglobal.net.

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

3rd Friday, 8 p.m. beginning Dec. 19: Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, Motherhouse Chapel, 43326 Mission Blvd in Fremont. Contact Maria Shao at (408) 839-2068 or maria49830@aol.com or Dominican Sister Beth Quire at (510) 449-7554 or beth@msjdominicans.

Catholic San Francisco

The San Francisco Serra Club held its annual Priest Appreciation Dinner in November. More than 80 priests and Serrans took part in the evening. Jim Wyatt, longtime member of the San Francisco 49er organization spoke. Among those attending were, from left, Sulpician Father Gerald Brown, president/rector, St. Patrick’s Seminary and University; Jesuit Father Ray Allender, parochial vicar, St. Agnes Parish; Connie Mertes, who co-chaired the dinner with her husband, Chuck; and Jesuit Father Tony Sauer, retired president of St. Ignatius College Preparatory.

See Vocations for upcoming San Francisco Serra Club events. St. Patrick’s Seminary and University holds its annual Discernment Weekend for men interested in priesthood Jan. 16 – 18 on the Menlo Park campus. Contact Mary Verducci at (650) 3255621, ext. 211 or e-mail mary.verducci@stpatricksseminary.org for more information.

Vincent School for Boys. For more information, call St. Isabella Parish at (415) 479-1560.

First Friday: Latin High Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1425 Bay Road at Glen Way, East Palo Alto. Mass is followed by the Litany of the Sacred Heart and Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament until midnight.

Confessions are heard before Mass. Low Mass in Latin is also offered every Friday evening at 6 p.m.

For further information, call (650) 322-2152.

Arts & Entertainment Celtic Voices Children’s Choir is for youngsters in grades 3 – 8. The group specializes in music of Irish heritage. Rehearsals take place in San Francisco’s Sunset District Wednesdays from 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.

For more information, contact Mary McKeever at mairemusic@aol.com or (415) 379-4484.

Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m.: “The Gospel of Mark” performed by Michael Reardon and directed by Patrick Lane at Notre Dame des Victoires Church, 566 Bush St. in San Francisco. Reardon and Lane have performed the spellbinding proclamation of Scripture more than 1,000 times around the world.

A meet-the-artists reception follows the play.

Admission to the two-hour event is free; free-will offerings will be accepted. Call (415) 397-0113 for more information.

Vocations Third Fridays, 8 p.m.: Refresh your soul with a moment of peace and quiet away from the busy-

ness of life. Listen to beautiful music and join others in prayer and song around the cross at Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, Motherhouse Chapel, 43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont. For further information, contact Maria Shao, (408) 839-2068, or maria49830@ aol.com or Sister Beth Quire, OP (510) 449-7554 or beth@msjdominicans.

Jan. 8, noon: Meeting of the Serra Club of San Francisco at Italian American Social Club, 25 Russia St. off Mission Street in San Francisco. George Wesolek will speak on his recent trip to the MidEast and the Christian community in the Holy Land.

Meeting Feb. 12 features Jesuit Brother Douglas Draper, retired dean of students at St. Ignatius College Preparatory. Lunch is $16. Non-members are welcome. Jan. 24 at 9 a.m. the club meets for Mass and meeting at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 39th Ave. at Lawton in San Francisco. Contact Paul Crudo at (415) 566-8224 or e-mail pecrudodds@ aol.com.

Trainings/Lectures/Respect Life First Saturdays: San Mateo Pro-Life prays the rosary at Planned Parenthood, 2211 Palm Ave. in San Mateo at 9 a.m. and invites others to join them. Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month except August and December at St. Gregory Parish’s Worner Center, 138 28th Ave. in San Mateo at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call Jessica at (650) 572-1468.

Jan. 4, noon: Paulist Father George Fitzgerald will present a lecture on the early life of St. Paul in Hecker Hall at Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral, 660

Jan. 21, noon: Spaghetti and meatball lunch at Immaculate Conception Chapel, Folsom off Cesar Chavez/Army St. in San Francisco. Tickets are $8.

The family-style lunch includes salad, bread, pasta and homemade meatballs. The meal is served in the church hall, beneath the chapel. Call (415) 824-1762.

First Friday, 7 a.m.: Catholic Marin Breakfast Club meets at St. Sebastian Church, Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and Bon Air Rd. in Greenbrae for Mass with breakfast and talk following. Members breakfast $7/visitors $10. Call (415) 461-0704 weekdays or e-mail sugaremy@aol.com.

Jan. 17, 6 p.m.: Young Men’s Institute (YMI) Crab Cioppino Dinner at All Souls Church Hall, in South San Francisco. At the stove is chef Richard Guaraldi, of the Italian-American Social Club. Tickets are $37 before Dec. 31 and $40 after that date. Send checks made payable to YMI Grand Council, P.O. Box 281047, San Francisco or call (800) 964-9646.

Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m.: CYO Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner in the Father O’Reilly Catholic Charities CYO Center at St. Emydius gym, Ashton at DeMontfort St. in San Francisco. Tickets are $75. Call Meghan Livingston at (415) 972-1213 or visit http://athletics. cccyo.org/home/halloffame09.php

Special Liturgies Jan. 3, 11 a.m.: First Saturday Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, All Saints Mausoleum Chapel.

Call (650) 756-2060 or visit www.holycrosscemeteries.com.

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

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2008-12-08 Dec. 23: Cathedral is closed for Christmas preparation.

Dec. 24: Caroling with the Cathedral Boys and Girls Choir at 7:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 8 p.m.

Caroling with Cathedral Choir at 11:30 p.m. followed by Midnight Mass with Archbishop George H. Niedereuer presiding.

Dec. 25: Mass at 11 a.m., Father John Talesfore, pastor/rector, presiding. Mass in Spanish at 1 p.m.

Cathedral closes at 3 p.m.

Third Tuesdays through September 2009, 7:15 p.m.: The Year of St. Paul Lecture Series features Professor Stephen C. Córdova of the St. Anthony of Padua Institute, and Conventual Franciscan Father Francisco Nahoe of the Franciscan Spirit and Life Institute. Talks are free of charge. Information and lecture dates are available online at www.stanthonypaduainstitute.org/stpaul.pdf

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

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

Religious Orders, Religious Organizations, etc. . . .

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Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

Dignitas Personae . . .

obituary

Salesian Father Luna dies Dec. 13 Salesian Father Roger Luna died at Mercy Retirement and Care Center, Oakland, Dec. 13. He had been living there since 2001.

Ordained in 1957, many years of ministry were devoted to secondary education in Richmond, Watsonville, Rosemead and Los Angeles as a teacher of English and music, administrator and principal.

In later years, Father. Luna was associate pastor at St. Dominic Savio Parish, Bellflower, and pastor of St. Mary Parish, Los Angeles. His often worked in close contact with Hispanic and immigrant peoples.

Born in Highgrove (Riverside), Calif., he is survived by two sisters, Maria and

Guadalupe, and three brothers, Ralph, Richard and Raymond. He joined the Salesians of St. John Bosco in 1947 and majored in philosophy at Don Bosco College, Newton, N.J., for his undergraduate degree. Further education included a degree in music from Immaculate Heart College, Los Angeles, a master’s degree in English from USC, and a doctor of ministry in theology from St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, Md. Funeral services were Dec. 18 at the Salesian Residence, Salesian High School, Richmond. Interment was to follow in the Salesian Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Salesian Provincial, 1100 Franklin St., San Francisco 94109.

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■ Continued from page 18 The instruction repeated earlier Vatican condemnations of human cloning, whether done to produce embryos for stem cells or to define the genetic identity of an individual person, which the document called “a form of biological slavery.”

The document said couples need to be aware that techniques such as pre-implantation diagnosis, which is used in artificial fertilization and leads to the destruction of embryos suspected of defects, reflects a growing “eugenic mentality.”

It cited an increasing number of cases in which couples with no fertility problems are using artificial means of procreation to engage in the genetic selection of offspring.

The document closed with an appeal to view the Church’s teachings not as a series of “no’s” but as an effort to protect society’s weakest and most defenseless against forms of unjust discrimination and oppression.

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“There are those who say that the moral teaching of the Church contains too many prohibitions. In reality, however, her teaching is based on the recognition and promotion of all the gifts that the Creator has bestowed on man: such as life, knowledge, freedom and love,” it said.

“Behind every no in the difficult task of discerning between good and evil, there shines a great yes to the recognition of the dignity and inalienable value of every single and unique human being called into existence,” it said.

Dignitas Personae drew on a number of sources, in particular Donum Vitae and Pope John Paul II’s 1995 encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (“The Gospel of Life.”). It also cited the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI, notably his address on stem cells to the Pontifical Academy for Life in 2006.

The Vatican said the new document, as a papally approved instruction of a doctrinal nature, falls under the category of the “ordinary magisterium,” which is the Church’s teaching authority, and is to be received by Catholics “with the religious assent of their spirit.”

John Holtz Ca. Lic 391053 General Contractor Since 1980

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

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Serving San Francisco, Marin & the Peninsula.

Contact: 415.447.8463

NOTICE TO READERS Licensed contractors are required by law to list their license numbers in advertisments. The law also state that contractors performing work totaling $500 or more must be state-licensed.

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

For more info, contact:

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

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December 19, 2008

catholic san francisco’s

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classifieds Caregiver Room Elderly Caregiver Needed for Rent Needed Care Personal care companion, Help with daily activities; driving, shopping, appointments. 27 years Alzheimer’s experience, references, bonded.

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Seeking a kind, healthy, mature lady for a live-in companion, 10 hours/week of cleaning in exchange for room and private bath.

PLEASE CALL

Catholic San Francisco

27

Mountain Retreat Rental Moon Mountain Retreat

(415) 921-8337

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

For more information, contact Katie Haley (415) 614-5556; email to haleyk@sfarchdiocese.org.

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

We are looking for full or part time

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

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE LIGHT, OAKLAND CALIFORNIA 2121 HARRISON STREET, OAKLAND, CALIFONRIA 94612

(510) 271-1945 A Music Director for the new Cathedral of Christ the Light is being sought to develop a cathedral music program which will fulfill the norms and expectations contained in the decree Sacrosanctum Concilium of the Second Vatican Council and other relevant Church documents on liturgy and sacred music.

The music program is to serve as a model of liturgical and artistic excellence for the Diocese of Oakland. The program will serve both diocesan liturgical events and the regular services of the multi-cultural Cathedral parish. A detailed job description is available at the diocesan website www. oakdiocese.org and go to the link “What’s New” or e-mail pminnihan@oakdiocese.org for the complete job description.

The Deadline for application is 15 January 2009.

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Contact Larry at 707-591-3500 Visit our Website: www.MoonMountainRetreat.com

Help Wanted ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OFFICE OF PUBLIC POLICY AND SOCIAL CONCERNS Reports to Director, Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns Looking to make a difference?

We, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco, pledge ourselves to be a dynamic and collaborative community of faith known for its quality of leadership; richness of diversity of culture and peoples; and united in faith, hope and love.

The Archdiocese is seeking a qualified individual to fill the open position of Associate Director, Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns. This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Director of the Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns.

PARISH OUTREACH • To develop and coordinate grassroots leadership training in parishes. To build relationships among the lay leaders and priests and parishes of the archdiocese for effective advocacy and action on behalf of social justice based on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, using community-organizing methodology. Issues may include: affordable housing access to health care, etc.

CATHOLIC LOBBY DAY • To coordinate all aspects of Catholic Lobby Day. Recruit and train leaders from parishes in effective lobbying so that they can engage in dialogue with political representatives regarding education, health, economic justice (immigrant issues), housing and life issues (abortion, the death penalty, euthanasia, and assisted suicide).

• Recruit and train parishioners to lobby in the local districts of federal, state and local representatives.

• Recruit and train high school students for effective lobbying using the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

LEGISLATIVE NETWORK • Disseminate information, education material and legislative alerts to the 1200 Archdiocesan parishioners in an effort to provide avenues for Catholic parishioners to engage with their legislators on issues nationally, locally and globally.

• Coordinate the issues in the alert system with the Director so that alerts can be received and acted upon in a timely manner.

CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT • Coordinate all aspects of CCHD, the US Catholic Bishop’s domestic anti-poverty campaign established in 1970 in an effort to address root causes of poverty nationwide. This includes processing all requests for grants; communication with the applicants, communication with the national CCHD field director.

• Recruit and train members for the Archdiocesan CCHD Committee, chair their meetings, schedule site visits for applicant groups.

• Review all recommendations from the Committee with the Director for submission to the Archbishop.

• Promote the annual CCHD Archdiocesan collection by giving talks and putting already funded groups in relationship with parishes and parishioners.

QUALIFICATIONS • Faithful Catholic • Deep understanding and commitment to Catholic Social Teaching as it pertains to “the moment of conception until natural death.”

• Trained in Community Organizing methodology • Good public speaker, writer and communicator • Able to bring concepts of “faithful citizenship” to the civic and political communities • Knowledge of how parishes and parish life work • Experience with diverse and low-income communities • Able to work in a team environment • Some evenings, weekends and travel required

EDUCATION • College Degree or equivalent experience

• Bilingual Spanish and English preferred

Please send resume and cover letter to schmidtp@sfarchdiocese.org

28

Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2008

In Remembrance of the Faithful Departed Interred In Our Catholic Cemeteries During the Month of November HOLY CROSS COLMA Bernardina D. Aguirre Leoncia O. Alarcon Hanna I. Aranki John Barajas Corazon Benitez Virginia M. Bermingham Joe Ann Blanco Manfred Horst Bock Robert P. Bonnici Rosie C. Brengolini Katherine E. Caserta Thelma M. Casquejo Josephine T. Castrillo Kathleen A. Castro Diane Cauley Edith J. Cereghino Joseph S. Certain, Sr. Mary Collins Maureen Harte Cooney Henry Turner Croonquist

Marion J. Cunnane Eugene J. Daly Khi T. Dam Remedios C. DelRosario Victor A. DeMartini Arthur D. Dempsey Richard E. Denser Patrick Oliver Dillon E. Michael Dittler Gertrude C. Dittler Sr. Mary Camilla Donaldson, PBVM Sally Ann Donovan Kathleen P. Doyle Michael “Joe” Dudley Irineo J. Dulay Narcisa G. Duran Matthew Durkin Leticia P. Elaydo Loretta Estrada Evelyn C. Fitzgerald Georgina E. Foster John A. Garces Rosario V. Garcia Marsha J. Gonzales

Elaine Louise Grainer Gerald E. Guay Moses Guillory Francis Patrick Harrington Marie E. Holmes Richard E. Holt John Michael Howatt Andrew J. Joesten Dawson Joseph Johnson Sylvia J. Langer Paul Reinhold Lidle Don Lucero Bridie Thresea McDonagh Esa J. Mogannam Juliette Montalvo Lee C. Moran Rosa Moreno Virginia M. Morgan Brian Gantner Morris Bernice L. Muller James Patrick Murphy David T. Naufahu Monico Nevarez Barbara B. Newsom Willie Onate Philip J. O’Reilly Rosa E. Ortega Claire O’Shea Flora F. Pera Theresa Au Shuet Pui Louis Rancelli Jose Raygoza Rayo Raymond Renno

Mary V. Rozzano Robert L. Rozzano June M. Russell Cesar Ferrer Sanchez Frank Sanchez Frank M. Sanchez Frank Raymond Saucedo Margaret M. Senn Ann M. Skalko William Leo Teglia Violet L. Thomas Rose M. Toboni Andoree Troche William G. Walker Maria Salome Zepeda

HOLY CROSS MENLO PARK Robert Krost Agnes M. Nunez Benjamin G. Partee

MT. OLIVET SAN RAFAEL Neil Robert Coleman Mary L. Doherty John P. Franks Daly M. Hansen Barbara J. Perinoni Gimi J. Sessi Joseph F. Turina Maria Graciela “Chela” Wefald

HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CEMETERY, COLMA First Saturday Mass Saturday, January 3, 2009 11:00 a.m. – All Saints Mausoleum Chapel Rev. Thomas Seagrave, Celebrant

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

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

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

A Tradition of Faith Throughout Our Lives.