Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper
Archbishop issues appeal to ‘move forward together’ Declaring that opponents and proponents of Proposition 8 “need to stop talking as if we are experts on the real motives of people with whom we have never even spoken,” San Francisco Archbishop George H. Niederauer has called on “churchgoers” to “speak and act out of the truth that all people are God’s children and are unconditionally loved by God.”
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(PHOTO BY MICHAEL O’LEARY)
In an “open letter” posted Dec. 1 on the archdiocesan website (www.sfarchdiocese. org), the Archbishop described his own role in the recent highly controversial campaign surrounding Prop 8. Its Nov. 4 passage amended the California Constitution to specify that only marriage between a man and a woman “is valid or recognized” in the state. The Archbishop also noted that the Archdiocese of San Francisco “did not donate or transfer any archdiocesan funds” to support Prop 8, strongly criticized “voices in the wider community” which charged Prop 8 backers of “hatred, prejudice and bigotry,” and defended faith communities’ involvement in the political arena.
High court to decide Proposition 8 issues The California Supreme Court has agreed to decide constitutional issues stemming from voters’ Nov. 4 approval of Proposition 8 but has denied requests to suspend enforcement of the initiative until the questions are resolved. In an order issued Nov. 19, the court directed supporters and opponents of Prop 8 to submit written arguments on three questions: • Is Prop 8 invalid because it constitutes
a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California Constitution? • Does it violate the separation-of-powers doctrine under the California Constitution? • If it is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before the adoption of Prop 8? The court issued its order in three cases protesting Prop 8 as an unconstitutional PROP 8, page 5
San Francisco Archbishop George H. Niederauer anoints the altar of the Porziuncola Chapel Shrine at the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi with sacred chrism on Dec. 2 as part of the altar dedication rite. The Porziuncola Shrine itself was opened and blessed on Sept. 27. A live nativity scene will be featured at the shrine Dec. 21, 22 and 23 in the evening. A national television documentary to be filmed at the Porziuncola will be aired at 3 p.m. Christmas Eve and 5 a.m. Christmas morning, ABC Channel 7.
Late Nite Catechism’s ‘Sister act’ in a class by itself The co-creator of the popular audience-interactive comedy “Late Nite Catechism” was inspired by her Catholic upbringing and a line from St. Lawrence, a third century martyr who is said to have quipped while being burned on a gridiron, “This side is done; turn me over and have a bite.” “If you’re going to go down, go down with a smart remark,” said Chicago actress Maripat Donovan, who co-authored “Late Nite Catechism” with fellow Chicagoan, journalist Vicki Quade, 15 years ago and continues to pen its sequels. In short, the play is a strict nun teaching a catechism class. The class is the audience. And the nun manages to nurture nostalgia for the days that “Sister ruled” at the same time making her “students” squirm a little. Donovan, who spoke with Catholic San Francisco from her office in Hollywood, said the “Sister” character grew out of her intensely religious upbringing. “We said the rosary on our knees every night,” Donovan said. “I put the time in at Mass. This is payback for that.” Donovan sought to make the play both funny and respectful toward a faith about which she cares
(PHOTO BY MICHAEL VICK/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)
By Michael Vick
Nonie Breen as “Sister” receives donations for real-life women religious after a performance of “Late Nite Catechism” at Mater Dolorosa Parish, South San Francisco.
deeply. Largely for that reason, she said, she and the other actresses who play the role have been warmly welcomed at parishes and Catholic schools across the country to perform the play. Donovan said her own Donovan Entertainment, Inc. owns and operates the show in California and Chicago, while New York-based Entertainment Events runs shows elsewhere. During its 15-year run, the show has played across the United States as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. The play was originally supposed to run for two weeks in Chicago, but ballooned in popularity and longevity – success beyond the playwright’s wildest expectations. “It’s a dream that hardly anyone ever achieves,” Donovan said. “It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.” Part of the enduring appeal of the play is an improvised segment during which the “students” may ask questions. There is a certain depth of knowledge necessary to come up with answers on the fly. Nonie Breen knows. She has played the part of Sister for seven years. Preparation for the theological questions is a major part of learning the role, she said, noting that she cracked open the Baltimore LATE NITE, page 20
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Cardinal recovering . . . . . . . 5 Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,17 Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Program fights homelessness ~ Page 4 ~ December 5, 2008
New CCCYO exec announced ~ Page 5 ~
‘Bolt’ reviewed. . . . . . . . . . . 21
Veterans honored and remembered ~ Page 9 ~ SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Classified ads . . . . . . . . 22-23
www.catholic-sf.org VOLUME 10
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No. 37