February 1, 2008

Catholic san Franciisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Lenten message: Almsgiving conquers temptation of wealth VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Almsgiving helps Christians conquer the constant temptation to become slaves to wealth and material goods, Pope Benedict XVI said in his 2008 message for Lent.

The practice of almsgiving “represents a specific way to assist those in need and, at the same time, an exercise in self-denial to free us from attachment to worldly goods,” the pope said in the message, released at the Vatican Jan. 29.

The theme of the message is “Christ Made Himself Poor for You.” Lent begins Ash Wednesday, which this year is Feb. 6. Easter is March 23.

Jesus recognized that material riches possess an enormous “force of attraction,” but he was resolute in confirming “how categorical our decision must be not to make of them an idol,” the pope said.

“Almsgiving helps us overcome this constant temptation, teaching us to respond to our neighbor’s needs and to share with others whatever we possess through divine goodness,” he said.

The Lenten season is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, which aid in an “inward cleansing” that allows the Christian to welcome Easter with renewed spirit, he said.

The pope said he wanted this year’s message to reflect on almsgiving so that it would not be an empty, loveless gesture of philanthropy or an egotistical attempt for attention or applause.

“There is little use in giving one’s personal goods to others if it leads to a heart puffed up in vainglory,” he said. Christian almsgiving must be hidden and, as everything, “must be done for God’s glory and not our own,” he added.

He said countries where the population is mostly Christian have an even more urgent call to share “since their responsibility toward the many who suffer poverty and abandonment is even greater.”

“To come to their aid is a duty of justice even prior to being an act of charity,” he said.

The pope made special mention of those who particularly feel burdened by “the weight of the evil they have committed.”

Sinners can often “feel far from God, fearful and almost incapable of turning to him,” the pope said, but by reaching out to others through almsgiving “we draw close to God” and this can lead to “authentic conversion and reconciliation” with God and one’s neighbors.

Presenting the Lenten message at a Jan. 29 press conference, Cardinal Paul Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, said this year’s papal message for Lent underlined the importance of the intentions, feelings and spirit of the person doing the giving.

“The value of our donation is not measured according to the numbers printed on the money,” he said. The value “does not hinge on the size of the wallet it comes out of, but on the thoughts and intentions that prompted the giving,” said the cardinal,

(CNS PHOTO/CROSIERS)

By Carol Glatz

The practice of almsgiving is illustrated in a window at the Shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre in Quebec City. whose office promotes Catholic charitable giving and distributes aid in the pope’s name.

Cardinal Cordes asked that donors also be aware of how much of their contribution goes to the intended project and how much goes to cover overhead and administrative costs. Better transparency is needed, he said, since some nonprofit charitable organizations might have “surprisingly high” overhead costs.

While Christians are urged to give to their favorite causes, whether they are Catholic agencies or secular nongovernmental organizations, church-based organizations almost always can keep administrative costs low, he said.

However, Catholic charities have something more to give than just handouts, Cardinal Cordes said; they also pay witness to God’s loving mercy.

Faith-based and secular charities can build needed shelters and feed the hungry, “but we can never overcome all the misery” that is out there, he said.

A kind of misery lies at the root of all poverty and neglect that only God’s word and Christian love can conquer, he said. Bringing true justice and peace through Jesus “is a dimension that only we Christians can bring to the world,” the cardinal said.

The text of the pope’s Lenten message can be found on the Vatican website: www.vatican.va.

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Rite of Election. . . . . . . . . . 6 Jesuit leader talks. . . . . . . . 7 Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Mission Dolores School: enrollment balancing act

Internet safety: ‘Wise freedom’ is one approach

Annual Chinese dinner draws 650 participants

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February 1, 2008

SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

Classified ads . . . . . . . 14-15 Travel ideas . . . . . . . . . . . 16

www.catholic-sf.org VOLUME 10

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No. 4

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Catholic San Francisco

February 1, 2008

On The Where You Live

by Tom Burke

Kate Favia, left, Harumi Nicholas; Sacred Heart Sister Hilda Bamwine, former provincial of her congregation’s Uganda/Kenya province; and Nancy McCallister all enjoyed a Jan. 11 bingo night at Stuart Hall High School.

Members and moderators of the Raising Awareness and Diversity Club at St. Timothy School in San Mateo: front, Joey Ruggiero; sitting, from left, Anne Marie Angeles, Lauren DaCorro, Julia Gallegos and Gabby Filice; standing, from left, Mark Miller, Christina Fregosi (moderator), Natalia Nealon, Ana Sciutto, Mackenzie Williams, Eddie Garcia, Kelsey MurphyAngeli and Teri Marconi (moderator).

Students of St. Timothy Elementary School stepped right up and “write” up when asked to have a hand in the adoption the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne and its troops serving in Iraq. “I received a letter of invitation in October to participate in a campaign to provide care packages to 101st Airborne troops,” said Evelyn Nordberg, principal.

“The troops were deployed to Iraq on Sept. 20, 2007, and will be away for 15 months.” The school’s Raising Awareness and Diversity Club took on the charity chore happily, Evelyn told me, preparing 55 care packages that were shipped before Christmas.

Donations came from school families and included everything from grooming products to playing cards and powdered Gatorade drink mix and Ramen noodles.

Students also wrote cards and letters included in each care package. Money Maureen Castro was also collected for the

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postage. Big among the helpers was school mom Stacy Miller. “I thank you for the package,” said Lt. J. Barber in a note to the school. “I appreciate your continued support.

We all say, ‘Thank you.’”… Congrats to Maureen Castro, new director of marketing communications at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Maureen was born in Chicago, raised in Los Angeles and moved here to attend the University of San Francisco. “Working at St. Mary’s has returned me to my old stomping grounds,” Maureen told me. “I know the neighborhood and this cold windy hill well.” Maureen makes her home in Alameda and has a cat named, Downtown. “One of the things I love about San Francisco is its exciting frontier history and the Sisters of Mercy were a part of that as I learned during our recent 150th anniversary planning. It’s a rare and great opportunity to work somewhere with both a rich history and a promising future.”… Bingo night brought students from San Francisco’s Stuart Hall High School closer to visiting a

Sacred Heart sister school in Uganda this June. The trip is an on the job trek, you might say. “They will work on construction projects at our sister school, the Sacred Heart Primary School,” said Devi Kane Zinzuvadia of the school’s publicity department. Calling of the letters and numbers went to faculty member Shuja Khan. Among those who had the opportunity to intone the “Bingo!” refrain were winners Jolie Bastable, Katie Budge, Gus Harb, Michael Cione, Claire Pesiri, Nancy Bolmeier Fisher, Marian Zizzo, Pat Mooney, Gina Ghorbari, and O La Mar Misiy. More than 70 people were on board for the event raising $2,500. ….This is an empty space without ya!! The e-mail address for Street is 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.

Junipero Serra High School seniors Tim Allen, left, Connor Reidy, Andrew Carrillo, Alex Moraros, Liam Grosshauser, Scott Daulton, Kyle Perri, and John Dutto try their hands and feet at “Texas skis” on their recent class retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains. “’Texas skis’ are a communitybuilding tool of two long pieces of wood with rope handles and places for eight people to stand,” said school campus minister Kyle Lierk.

“They each hold a rope with each hand. All of them must take a step together or the piece of wood will not move under their feet.”

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February 1, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

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O’Leary appointed director of development for Archdiocese

By Tom Burke Michael O’Leary has been appointed director of development for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. O’Leary has served as assistant director of the office since 2002. He holds an undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University in Radio and Television Production and a partial graduate degree in Arts Administration from Golden Gate University.

O’Leary told Catholic San Francisco he is ready for and glad about his new appointment. “The role of director of development is a gear in the machinery of the Archdiocese,” O’Leary said. “It helps propel the important work that the Archdiocese achieves, that the individual parish could not do itself. The Archdiocese helps shepherd the parishes but it is the parish where our faith is truly lived.”

The Archbishop Riordan High School graduate said his biggest challenge “will be to curb my enthusiasm. I have worked for the Catholic Church throughout my career. I love our Church, our faith and the people who are the Church.”

O’Leary succeeds Deacon John Norris who recently took the reins of the new Office of Children and Protection in addition to directing the Office of Pastoral Ministry.

The Development Office oversees the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, which has just begun for 2008. This year’s theme is “Whatever you do for one of these…you do for me.” The funds are used for parish and school ministry support, archdiocesan direct ministry, centralized ministry, clergy support and support for the universal Church. The campaign goal is $5,696,639.

According to O’Leary, AAA funds are spent with thoughtfulness and stewardship. “So much good gets

Robert Dalton

Michael O’Leary

done that most people don’t realize or see,” he noted.

“Cecilia Arias, for example, works tirelessly in the Spanish-language parishes helping parishioners build their faith,” O’Leary said. “Suzanne Liu works at her station carefully keeping the records of payroll for all archdiocesan employees. Patrick Vallez-Kelly plans the liturgies and music for ordinations, helps parishes with their liturgical environments and much more. Lance Padilla helps to ensure that parish money stays strong and safe. Father Tom Daly nurtures the men who are considering priesthood and helps those in the seminary. The list of people who make our Church alive in the Archdiocese is extensive and each of them is committed to supporting our Catholic Church community.”

O’Leary restated his affection for the faithful. “The people in the pews are the Church and their presence makes this job possible and meaningful,” he said. “It is so important that every parishioner has the opportunity to participate in the life of our

Church. I aspire to keep the strong connection to the parishes and the departments within the Archdiocese alive and growing.”

O’Leary’s time with the Archdiocese of San Francisco dates to 1976 when he worked as a radio and television producer, ministry he served through 1990 when his expertise took him to a production management job in Europe. He later worked as development director and producer for St. Louis University’s Sacred Heart Program, where he oversaw a department that did fundraising across the nation.

In 1994, he took over leadership of a Catholic television station on Long Island in New York. “This was a non-profit station with a small diocesan subsidy and required a significant amount of fundraising to operate,” O’Leary said.

In 1999, he became producer at the NBC affiliate at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. “I worked with clients to produce documentaries, corporate video and live satellite television programs,” he said. “Each project required either underwriting or a negotiated contract with a client.”

Robert Dalton has been appointed assistant director of development. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, a graduate degree in theology and global missions from Truett Seminary at Baylor University, and a graduate degree in business from the University of South Carolina, Moore School of Business.

“I’m looking forward to joining the Office of Development and use my skills and abilities to aid the work of the Church,” Dalton said. “What I anticipate enjoying the most is knowing that my work will aid the services and efforts of the Church in bringing the good news of Christ in its many forms to the Bay Area.”

St. Francis Center of Redwood City opening new facility St. Francis Center of Redwood City will hold an open house to celebrate its new facility at 151 Buckingham Ave., Feb. 10 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Founded in 1986, St. Francis Center provides training, counseling, food, clothing, shower and laundry facilities. It also operates a mother and child literacy program, a 24-unit low-income apartment building, and a community garden.

Its focus is the working poor.

At Christmas, the center distributes more than 5,000 gifts to needy children. Staff includes two women reli-

gious and 99 volunteers.

“The new center is a warm and comfortable three-story, Spanish-style building that serves as a beacon of hope and renewal in the Fair Oaks neighborhood,” said board member Tim Rea, in a press release.

“This is a very big event in

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the life of many Catholics in South San Mateo County.”

Dominican Sister Christina Heltsley is the center’s executive director. “We have been blessed with help from so many in the community and it has been their generosity that has built the new St. Francis Center. I love the center. This is a huge gift to the people and a huge gift to me. I can see that through this our clients will have expanded opportunities to become self-sufficient members of the community.”

Call (650) 365-7829 for information. The St. Francis Center website is www.stfrancisrwc.org.

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Catholic San Francisco

NEWS

February 1, 2008 heads the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

in brief

‘Origins’ now fully searchable WASHINGTON (CNS) — Every document published

by Origins, the documentary service of Catholic News Service, is now accessible online. The four-year digitization process of transferring printed texts online was completed in January. The fully searchable database at www.originsonline.com now includes more than 8,500 articles dating to 1971 when the service began.

Exhort religious freedom

(CNS FILE PHOTO)

Greek Orthodox leader dies

Orthodox Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens is pictured with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in this file photo from Dec. 14, 2006. The leader of the Greek Orthodox Church died Jan. 28 at his home in Athens after suffering with cancer. He was 69.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI offered his condolences to the Orthodox Church of Greece on the death of Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens, who “opened a new era of cordial cooperation” between Catholics and Orthodox. Archbishop Christodoulos, the 69-year-old primate of the Greek Orthodox Church, died Jan. 28 in Athens after a long struggle with intestinal and liver cancer.

In a telegram to Orthodox Metropolitan Seraphim of Karystia and Skyros, Pope Benedict called Archbishop Christodoulos a “distinguished pastor” and praised him particularly for welcoming Pope John Paul II to Greece in 2001, a visit that was opposed by many Orthodox bishops and priests.

Protect poor, urges USCCB WASHINGTON (CNS) — As Congress prepared to weigh an economic stimulus bill brokered by House leaders and the Bush administration, the U.S. bishops’ conference urged the treasury secretary to protect the poorest families from financial hardship. “While their voices are not always heard, poor people have compelling needs that should have a priority claim on our consciences and on the choices and investments which you will make,” wrote Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., in a Jan. 23 letter to Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. Bishop Murphy

AMMAN, Jordan (CNS) — More than 250 Christian and Muslim leaders from the Middle East called for all people to uphold religious freedom and allow access to holy places for all believers. The short document was signed by participants in the third international conference sponsored by the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Center, under the patronage of Jordan’s King Abdullah II. The leaders also called for respect for all beliefs, including not desecrating religious symbols sacred to other religions. Among the signers were Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem, Melkite Catholic Patriarch Gregoire III Laham of Damascus, Syria, and Armenian Apostolic Archbishop Sebouh Sarkossoam of Tehran, Iran.

Muslim representatives came from the Palestinian territories, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel and Jordan.

Pope: media need info-ethics VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a world where the media increasingly distort facts and manipulate minds, the communication industry needs an ethics code, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Just as bioethics guide workers in the field of medicine and science to protect human dignity, “many people now think there is a need, in this sphere (of communication), for info-ethics,” the pope said in his message for World Communications Day, which will be celebrated May 4 in most countries.

LA sells chancery for $31 million LOS ANGELES – The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has sold its 12-story administrative headquarters for $31 million to help fund the $660 million clergy sex abuse settlement reached last year, reports The Tidings, newspaper of the archdiocese. The archdiocese will reportedly lease back four floors under terms of a five-year lease with the buyer, Jamison Properties.

New school in Oakland Diocese?

Fourteen months after postponing formal fund raising for a new Catholic high school in Livermore to concentrate on securing funding for the new Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland Bishop Allen Vigneron has approved plans for a steering committee to secure seed money to asses how the high school project might proceed, reported The Catholic Voice, the diocese’s newspaper, on Jan. 21.

The proposed college preparatory school would be called Pope John Paul II Catholic High School and be

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(CNS PHOTO/ABED OMAR QUSINI, REUTERS)

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A Palestinian girl attends a special Mass at Holy Family Church in the West Bank city of Ramallah Jan. 25. Prayers were offered for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where an Israeli-imposed blockade had left much of the territory without power and little access to food and other necessities.

located on 32 acres of a 122-acre parcel owned by the diocese in northeast Livermore.

Latino leaders seek dialogue SAN ANTONIO (CNS) — The new Catholic Association of Latino Leaders was launched Jan. 16 with a call to U.S. Latinos to “bring to mainstream America the blessings of the integration of faith and culture” found in Latino culture.

“Today, more than ever, our voices must be heard,” said San Antonio Archbishop Jose H. Gomez at the group’s inaugural national meeting. The organization’s goal is to engage in public debate and affect the national dialogue on matters important to Latinos. He noted that Latinos are the fastest-growing segment of the population in the United States and the Catholic Church; 71 percent of all growth in the U.S. Catholic Church since 1960 has come from the Latino community.

Msgr. Champlin dies at 77 SYRACUSE, N.Y. (CNS) — Msgr. Joseph Champlin, a Syracuse priest who was known nationally as an author, speaker and liturgist, died Jan. 17 at University Hospital in Syracuse after a long battle with Waldenstrom’s disease, a rare form of bone cancer. He was 77. His funeral Mass was to be celebrated Jan. 23 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse.

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Catholic San Francisco

U.S. and Ethiopia partners in repression, say opposition leaders Two exiled Ethiopian opposition leaders are calling for a tougher U.S. stance toward their country, saying Ethiopia’s role as a wedge against radical Islam in the Horn of Africa is coming at too high a cost in internal repression.

Hailu Shawul, chairman of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, and Bedru Adem, an elected member of the CUD’s central committee in the capital of Addis Ababa, made the charge in separate interviews in San Francisco. They were visiting allies among Ethiopian ÊmigrÊs and members of the Catholic community as part of a campaign in North America and Europe to step up international pressure on the Ethiopian government to implement democratic reforms.

The two politicians are trying to build support for HR 2003, the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007. The bill, which passed the House of Representatives last October, would reward the Ethiopian government with aid if it carries out democratic reforms and punish it by withdrawing financial support if it fails to comply. The bill also would provide U.S. aid for the rehabilitation of Ethiopian torture victims.

The measure has yet to be introduced in the Senate and, according to one group that opposes it, the Institute for Religion and Public Policy in Washington, D.C., would likely be vetoed

by President Bush even if were to survive congressional debate.

The U.S. State Department maintains that although political freedoms in Ethiopia are limited they are wider than at any time in the nation’s history. While urging the Ethiopian government to ease restrictions on political action by opponents, the State Department notes that democracy in Ethiopia is embryonic and has emerged only since a new constitution was adopted in 1994.

But the two opposition political leaders said the U.S. government faces a moral quandary over its position on Ethiopia. The nation of 80 million is the Bush Administration’s strongest ally in the war on terror in the volatile Horn of Africa, yet the relationship requires tolerating a high level of repression within the country, they said. “The Bush Administration supports the regime,� Bedru said. “They think they are against terrorism. But the government is terrorizing its own people day and night.�

Calls to the State Department and to the Ethiopian ambassador’s press office in Washington, D.C., to respond to the allegations were not returned.

The government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi cracked down on civil liberties in May 2005 following gains by the CUD in the first open, multi-party elections in the nation’s 3,000-year history. The Coalition won all 23 legislative seats in the capital – 170 of 547 nationwide — and all but one of the 108 seats in the Addis Ababa city government. Shawul said the discovery of discarded ballot boxes in rural areas showed

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Bedru Adem

Hailu Shawul

that the coalition’s popularity among all ethnic groups and in all regions was greater than the official results showed.

The regime declared a state of emergency the day before the results were to be counted, Bedru said. The action prompted a student uprising, quashed by the military in November 2005. The official death count was 193, although Shawul believes the actual number was much higher. In addition, 40,000 people were arrested, including Bedru, Shawul and other opposition leaders. “Security men came to my home and beat me in front of my wife and children,� Bedru said. “When my children started crying, they tried to beat them.� “They beat me from every corner,� said Bedru, 53, who had two teeth knocked out in the incident.

Shawul, 71, walks with a cane as a result of a back injury he suffered when he was thrown into his cell.

International pressure forced the release of the two men and other political detainees, but thousands remain in prison for political activities. Bedru and Shawul plan to return to Ethiopia later this year to take up their leadership roles, help secure the release of the other prisoners and work toward a new round of elections.

Shawul stressed the importance of international support to the success of the mission. He noted that when he was released from confinement he was warned that if he offended again he would never get out of jail. “He’s a national leader who’s putting his life on the line,� said George Wesolek, director of the Office of Public HELPLINES FOR CLERGY/CHURCH SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS 415-614-5506 This number is answered by Barbara Elordi, Archdiocesan Pastoral Outreach Coordinator.

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Policy and Social Concerns for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. “I think we should support that.�

Both men stressed that a change in U.S. policy is the most crucial step toward reforming the government. They said the regional security partnership with the United States is stifling Ethiopia’s many peaceable political groups from creating the more open society that voters endorsed in 2005.

Although the Horn of Africa is associated with ethnic and religious strife, including the recent outbreak of tribal bloodshed in Kenya, Bedru said Ethiopia has a history of religious tolerance. “There are no terror groups in Ethiopia,� he said. “Muslims and Christians are extremely liberal and know how to live together.�

Shawul argued that a free and prosperous Ethiopia cannot emerge unless the United States forces democratic reforms.

And without a strong political culture and economy in Ethiopia, other nations in the Horn of Africa will have no constructive model, he said. Desperation will spread among the young, and U.S. security interests will be in peril, he predicted.

A free Ethiopia means simply this, Shawul said: “All the wars that America expects to have to fight will not have to be fought.�

In 2005 and 2006, efforts by some House members to change U.S. policy toward Ethiopia in light of the postelection violence died before they reached the Senate. HR 2003 is the third attempt.

Joseph Griebowski, president of the Institute for Religion and Public Policy, a non-profit that focuses on religious freedom, opposes punishing Ethiopia. He said retribution would set back Ethiopia’s measured progress toward a more open society. He also noted that Ethiopia should not be punished after having served U.S. strategic interests by blocking insurgencies from neighboring Somalia.

Ethiopia is “less autocratic than Eritrea, more stable than Somalia, certainly less democratic than South Africa, light years more democratic than Sudan,� he said. “Yet they are interested in having the democratic process – in a managed and controlled process.�

Shawul said he must return to Ethiopia to attempt to implement the popular will expressed in 2005, but he confessed to a sense of unease. “The future looks at this point not so bright, but I believe we can push it forward to make it a little better for our children,� he said.

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Catholic San Francisco

February 1, 2008

All welcome at Feb. 10 Rite of Election and Call to Conversion Archbishop George H. Niederauer will preside at the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion 2008 at St. Mary’s Cathedral Feb. 10 at 3:30 p.m.

“This is the rite by which Archbishop Niederauer recognizes and calls catechumens - those preparing for baptism, confirmation and Eucharist - to continue with the final stage of their preparation before their initiation at the Easter Vigil,” said Patrick Vallez-Kelly, director of the Office of Worship of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

“Additionally, in this Archdiocese, the Archbishop also recognizes and encourages already-baptized adult candidates who are preparing to make a Profession of Faith and to celebrate confirmation and first Eucharist.”

While those participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) experience most of their religious and spiritual progress in the parish community, it is important for them to connect with the larger Church community and particularly with the Archbishop and the archdiocesan Church, Vallez-Kelly said, adding, “According to the RCIA, and with much precedent, it is the bishop’s role to admit adult catechumens to their election and the sacraments.”

Vallez-Kelly said exact numbers are not available at this time but in past years an average of 180 catechumens and 215 candidates have taken part annually.

He said the first highlight of the event is the gathering itself. “Every year, it is very inspiring to see all those who have been preparing over the past one or more years together in one place with their Archbishop,” Vallez-Kelly said.

The Enrollment of Names is also memorable, VallezKelly said. “At the Archbishop’s invitation, the catechumens process forward to sign their names in the Book of the Elect of their parish. It is a significant ritual moment, and immediately after this the Archbishop declares these catechumens to be members of the Elect - those to be initiated through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil on March 22.”

Among those attending will be the catechumens, candidates, sponsors, godparents and their families as well as RCIA catechetical teams. “We want to remind people of the Archdiocese that the initiation of new members is not simply the task of ministers in the parish,” Vallez-Kelly said. “It is the responsibility and joy for the entire Church community. All are welcome to this special ceremony.”

St. Bakhita, Archbishop Sheen subjects of EWTN shows

ST. CLARE’S RETREAT

RETREATS

By Tom Burke

Eternal Word Television Network programming for February includes “The Two Suitcases,” the story of Josephine Bakhita, the first African nun canonized by the Church. The one-hour documentary highlights her heroic virtue in the midst of physical suffering, and takes viewers to the cities of Italy where she lived after her release from slavery; Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. and Feb. 7 at 10 a.m.

On Feb. 2 at 8:30 a.m. the celebration of the Mass for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord with Pope Benedict XVI presiding will be broadcast live from Rome. On Feb. 6, live at 2:30 a.m., Pope Benedict will celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass, marking the beginning of Lent, with the blessing and imposition of ashes in St. Peter’s Basilica.

St. Josephine Bakhita, On Feb. 3 at 8 a.m., with FdCC an encore Feb. 3 at 9 p.m., Raymond Arroyo and Father Andrew Apostoli will discuss recent developments in the beatification cause of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Immediately afterwards, from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, Ill., Bishop Daniel Jenky will celebrate Mass, along with the ceremony of the Postrema Sessio, whereby all documents, books and testimonies collected on behalf of the Cause of the Beatification of Archbishop Sheen are then certified and forwarded to the Vatican. The Mass will air live Feb. 3 at 8:30 a.m., with an encore Feb. 3 at 9:30 p.m. The Mass for Postrema Sessio marks the closing of the diocesan phase of the cause.

EWTN is carried on Comcast Digital 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. ETWN’s website is www.ewtn.com.

SCRIPTURE SEARCH

By Patricia Kasten

Gospel for February 3, 2008 Matthew 5:1-12a Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A: the Sermon on the Mount. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

CROWDS BLESSED KINGDOM INHERIT HEART CHILDREN REJOICE

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© 2008 Tri-C-A Publications

Sponsored by DUGGAN’S SERRA MORTUARY 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City 650-756-4500 ● www.duggansserra.com

Santa Cruz

2381 LAUREL GLEN ROAD SOQUEL CA 95073 E-mail stclares@sbcglobal.net Web site: www.nonprofitpages/stclaresretreat Reservations for weekends must be made by mail and accompanied by a $10 non-refundable deposit per person. Suggested retreat donation $115.00 private room, $105.00 oer person double room.

FEBRUARY 15-17 MEN & WOMEN: Fr. Peter Sanders, Orat 22-24 WOMEN: “CONTEMPLATION WITH ST. CLARE” Fr. Allen Ramirez, OFM Conv Feb. 29- Mar. 2 WOMEN: Fr. Michael Barry, SS CC

MARCH 7-9

WOMEN: Fr. Allen Ramirez, OFM Conv “Contemplation with St. Clare” 14-16 WOMEN: Fr. Allen Ramirez, OFM Conv “Contemplation with St. Clare” 21-23 EASTER NO RETREAT 28-30 Retrouvaille writing teams

(831) 423-8093 • Fax: (831) 423-1541

San Damiano Retreat 2008 THEME:

Awaken to the Sacred

Lenten Evening Series February 7, 21, 28 March 6

FEBRUARY 6, 19, 25, 29, MARCH 11 LENTEN DAYS OF RENEWAL Fr. Rusty Shaughnessy, OFM Bishop John Cummins Rena Grant, MFT Fr. Evan Howard, OFM MARCH 14-16

SILENT RETREAT Word Into Silence Sr. Barbara Hazzard, OSB

Awaken to the Sacred: Becoming You MARCH 20-23

HOLY WEEK RETREAT On Holy Ground San Damiano Retreat Team

Chiara’s Lantern

San Damiano retreat DANVILLE,

CALIFORNIA

PO Box 767 • Danville, CA 94526 925-837-9141 • www.sandamiano.org

VALLOMBROSA CENTER Retreats and Spirituality Programs Conferences and Meetings

300 Manresa Way, Los Altos, CA 94022-4659 www.jrclosaltos.org Feb. 8-10

Doom and Gloom? No-It’s Lent, for God’s Sake.

A Silent Retreat for Men Fr. Gerald Hudson, S.J. Lent is a time for prayer, penance, reflection, and taking stock. But it is also a time for hope, for celebration, for appreciating what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do for us.

Feb. 15-17 When Can I See the Face of God? A Silent Retreat for Women Fr. Bernie Bush, S.J. & Sr. Anne Hennessy, C.S.J. Scripture tells us that we cannot see the face of God and live, yet St. Ignatius teaches us to find God in all things. Jesus shows God to us so that we can see, hear and follow him on the way to eternal life. We will contemplate the obstacles that block our vision of God, how to remove them so that we can dedicate ourselves totally to his love, praise and service.

Feb. 22-24 Felicidad, Alegría y Libertad Un retiro para todos los que usan los Doce Pasos, con el espíritu de Doble A y Al-Anon (En Español) Fr. Kevin Ballard, S.J. “Felicidad, Alegría y Libertad” Estas tres palabras describen el estado físico, emocional, moral, mental y espiritual que hemos alcanzado por vivir sobrios, siguiendo los Doce Pasos, reuniéndonos con otros alcohólicos y trabajando con ellos. Durante este fin de semana, vamos a investigar juntos los métodos y principios espirituales que nos han ayudado a ir de la inquietud a la felicidad, de la irritabilidad a la alegría, del descontento a la libertad.

Feb. 29March 2

Zacchaeus, Come Down! Lazarus, Come Out! A Silent Retreat for the Knights of Columbus Fr. Kevin Ballard, S.J. Jesus took the measure of the men he met, and called them powerfully and abruptly from isolation, slavery, and death into communion, service, and new life. This weekend we will share as brother Knights how we can not be deaf to the call of Christ our King and be prompt and diligent in our response to service.

For more information and to make reservations, kindly call 650-948-4491 Email: retreat@jrclosaltos.org Web: www.jrclosaltos.org

FEBRUARY 9, 2008 “Forty Days to a New You!” Led by Sr. Toni Longo, ASC Lenten Day of Prayer 9:30 am – 3:30 pm; $40 How often have you decided that by the end of Lent people would see a different you? A “slimmer” you? A more “organized” you? A more “centered” you? A more “prayerful” you? Come and learn a few tips for a “spiritual makeover.” Then after six weeks of these “spiritual exercises” you will be ready to join in the dance of the earth’s Jubilation at Jesus’ Resurrection! Please bring a journal and an open heart. This retreat day will include Eucharist. Led by Sister Toni Longo, ASC, Associate Pastor at St. Joseph Basilica in Alameda.

FEBRUARY 27, 2008 Led by Joan Prohaska, O.P. “Sacred Heart Healing” 10:00 am – 3:30 pm; $40 Thi retreat will focus on the Divine Light of Jesus to balance, align and heal the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels of the whole human system. Explore various ways to access the healing graces of God. Learn how to relieve pain and stress, let go of past fears and traumas, mend broken hearts, and change limiting patterns. Sister Joan Prohaska, O.P., a Dominican Sister of Mission San Jose, CA holds a Masters Degree in Education from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. Joan is a nationally certified massage therapist and healing touch practioner and has been leading healing prayer retreats abd workshops in northern california.

MARCH 8, 2008 Led by Patrick O’Halloran, Ph.D., S.T.L. “Theology of ReFIREment” 9:30 am – 3:30 pm; $40 As the sands of time move more quickly, how can we better use our time to healthy spiritual advantage? How can we grow close to God? How can we bring balance to family life, health care issues, leisure time and our hunger for God? How can we find God in all things and include God in the decisions we make? Patrick O’Halloran, Ph.D., S.T.L., spiritual director, psychologist and teacher, will lead this prayer day, focusing on ways of leading a prayerful life. The day will include opportunities for a variety of prayer practices.

MARCH 14-16, 2008 “Encircled By God’s Love: a Retreat for Gay & Lesbian Catholics” Led by Fr. Jim Schexnayder $190 Single; $170/person Shared Room Gay and Lesbian Christians are called into the sacred circle that is the Tirinity, where God’s love is alive and safe. There we have a new sense of God and ourselves, and from there we are empowered to open the circle of welcome and healing for others. Even if you have not been active in the Church for some time, you are welcome to explore your spirituality and find a home. This weekend retreat, starting on Friday evening, will offer reflections, quiet time, and group sharing. There will be daily prayer experiences using sacred icons, time for private spiritual direction or reconciliation. The weekend will conclude with a hope filled Palm Sunday Eucharist and lunch. Father Jim Shexnayder, a priest of the Oakland Diocese, is the Resource Director of the National Association of the Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries.

VALLOMBROSA CENTER 250 Oak Grove Avenue Menlo Park, CA 94025 E-mail: host@vallombrosa.org

•

(650) 325-5614 Fax: (650) 325-0908

•

Web: www.vallombrosa.org

Catholic San Francisco

February 1, 2008

7

Jesuit general: ‘No one has yet said I’m 10 percent Elvis’ ROME (CNS) — The obedience, affection and common mission binding the Society of Jesus to the pope are solid, unchanging and the reason why differences can be so painful, said the new superior general of the Jesuits.

Father Adolfo Nicolas, elected Jan. 19 to head the world’s largest Catholic men’s order, told reporters, “The Society of Jesus has always been, from the beginning, and always will be in communion with the Holy Father, and we are happy to be so.”

Meeting journalists Jan. 25, he said, “If there are difficulties, it is precisely because we are so close.”

Like a married couple, he said, the Jesuits and the pope are bound to one another and committed to working together for the good of the Church and the world.

From time to time difficulties arise, “but this is normal,” he said. “The Society of Jesus wants to cooperate with the Vatican and obey the Holy Father. This has not and will not change. We were born in this context, and this is the context that will determine our decisions.” Father Nicolas said that since his election, he had been reading newspapers more than usual and has found some comments about his election entertaining, some absolutely false and others right on the mark.

He said a Spanish newspaper had been looking for his report card from a school he attended only one year at the age of 10.” It’s terrible, that year I failed two subjects — geography and another that I don’t remember,” he said.

Other newspapers, he said, have tried to imply there is “a theological distance between me and (Pope) Benedict XVI,” when, in fact, Father Nicolas’ theological studies included the then-Father Joseph

(CNS PHOTO/L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO)

By Cindy Wooden

Pope Benedict XVI poses with Jesuit Father Adolfo Nicolas, newly elected superior general of the Society of Jesus, Jan. 26 at the Vatican.

Ratzinger’s textbooks, which “were very interesting and had a newness and an inspiration that all of us recognized.”

“The distance is a theory in the imagination of those who have written it,” the superior general said.

He said he had read articles comparing him to Father Pedro Arrupe, who led the Jesuits 1965-83, and Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, his immediate predecessor.

“However, no one has yet said I’m 10 percent Elvis Presley, although one could say this and it wouldn’t surprise me. But I think this is all false,” he added.

The Spainish-born Jesuit said what is true is that he has been deeply changed and influenced by the 40 years he spent working in Asia, particularly in Japan.

“In Japan I discovered that the world wasn’t what I thought it was in Spain,” he said. “Their way of seeing things, even of

‘I have great hopes for Society of Jesus … with this good man’ Following is a message received from Jesuit Father John P. Fitzgibbons, one of the 217 voting delegates at the 35th Jesuit General Congregation meeting in Rome. A member of the Jesuits’ Wisconsin Province, he is vice president for administration and acting dean for the College of Professional Studies at the University of San Francisco.

I have loved the work and the experience so far. Still, I think we’ll be here another six weeks. Electing the new superior general was only the first task, albeit the most important.

Now the delegates to the Congregation must help chart a course for the next few years for Father Nicolas.

Here are my immediate reflections on Father Nicolas for Catholic San Francisco: Meeting and conversing with Father Adolfo Nicolas is at once easy and delightfully intense. He has a caring, gentle manner and yet his mind and heart have the fire of a much younger man. He is a very young 71 years.

The half-hour private conversation I had with him on Jan. 19, during the murmuratio, was typical, I think, of the conversations many of the electors at General Congregation 35 had with him. (Ed. note: Murmuratio as it is known in Latin is the process by which the GC35 delegations pray and fast as they discuss with one another possible candidates for the head of the Jesuit order.) I had made an appointment to speak with him a day before but he was, as most of us were, busy and in need of speaking with many of the electors. Though he was very much

sought out and in many conversations, he made a point to find me and ask if this moment was convenient.

My first question to him was, “What do you think the Society of Jesus and the Church need right now in a Father General?” His answer came with a broad, warm smile. He stated that we Jesuits and collaborators need to be on the side of the poor and marginalized. Thus, the Father General needs energy, experience and the ability to collaborate with others. We need to continue to grow in our understanding of other faith traditions and other cultural expressions of truth and values. Clearly, his years of service in East Asia, especially among migrating and displaced populations, has had a profound effect on him.

Father Nicolas (or, as some close friends call him, ‘Nico’) is above all kind, learned, deeply committed to the poor of the world, and equally committed to the social justice that is a constitutive part of our Catholic, Christian faith. He is profoundly interested in the plight of persons who are migrating around the world.

Speaking with Father Nicolas, one gets the sense that he is paying total attention to you and what your concerns are. He is transparently humble - that is, committed to telling the truth - about himself and the Society and what his experiences of a life of service have taught him about the Church and the world. I have no doubt he is a man of deep prayer well formed in Ignatian spirituality.

I have great hopes for the Society of Jesus and our service of the Church with this good man.

seeing the faith, questions about various problems, is not like ours.”

Father Nicolas said that studying theology in Japan in the 1960s was “like trying to refind, reformulate your faith not only in the context of the Second Vatican Council, but in the context of Asia, of Japan where Buddhism and Shintoism and other religions have had a huge influence.”

“I think Asia changed me. I hope for the better, but this I cannot say,” he said.

“It changed me. It helped me understand others, to accept what is different, to try to understand what is different, why it is different and what can I learn from what is different.”

Father Nicolas said it also taught him “to smile in the face of difficulties and human imperfections.”

“In Spain, I was a bit intolerant, a bit in

the line of ‘everything in order,’ demanding, because for me religion was still understood in the widespread way of fidelity to a series of religious practices,” he said.

“But in Japan, I discovered that true religiosity is much deeper, that you must go to the heart of the person, the heart of the question when we speak of God, just as when we speak of ourselves or of human life,” he said.

“It scandalizes the Japanese that we are so strict, intolerant, so unaccepting of diversity,” the Jesuit said.

The new general did not answer questions from the press because, he said, he will take his orders from the decisions of the General Congregation, which will continue to work at least until the end of February.

“What is important for me now is to listen to what the General Congregation wants, how we will respond to the conversation and challenges the Holy Father addressed to us and which we are taking very seriously in our reflections, how to respond to help the Church, not ourselves,” he said.

In a letter to the General Congregation before Father Nicolas was elected, Pope Benedict praised the Jesuits for their great contributions to evangelization, but also urged them to reaffirm their fidelity to contested points of Church doctrine, including in the area of interreligious dialogue and sexual morality.

Father Nicolas said he hoped the Jesuits would follow the principles of Mohandas Gandhi, “who said that when you speak of something you must first ask, ‘Is it true?’ because if it is not true, then it is not interesting. Second, ‘Is it gentle, charitable, kind?’ and third, ‘Is it good for others?’”

8

Catholic San Francisco

February 1, 2008

Pro and con of small class sizes: Mission Dolores Elementary

(PHOTOS BY RICK DELVECCHIO/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

Sixth graders bear down on a writing task.

Mission Dolores School Principal Andreina Gualco wants to boost enrollment to 240 from the current 185.

are actively recruiting new families, including families of Mexican descent who might have come to the United States with the impression that Catholic schools are for the elite.

The effort paid off this year with an increase in tuition grants from the Archdiocese, which resulted from more applications being given out to families.

Gualco hopes to expand the number of archdiocesan grant applications again this year.

By Rick DelVecchio When Mel and Teresa Borja were looking for a Catholic education for their two boys, they chose Mission Dolores School.

The choice was unusual in that the Borjas live in the suburbs – they are parishioners at Holy Angels in Daly City. But they decided the commute was worth it because of the small class sizes and sense of history that the 152-year-old urban school has to offer.

“It’s pretty much family oriented,” said Mel, a business administrator. “Everybody knows everybody, and based on my experience we function as a whole unit.”

However, Mel noted that the school’s small enrollment has its “scary” side. Classrooms that are too big mean less attention for individual students but classrooms that are too small mean financial stress for the school.

Mission Dolores, one of 32 Catholic elementary schools in San Francisco, illustrates the dilemma of inner-city parochial schools. It prides itself on the cohesiveness of its community and its ties to a rich past as it struggles to go beyond the parish to attract more families like the Borjas and help them afford a Catholic education.

A key challenge for these schools is adapting to changing demographics.

“I think what we’re losing is basically the middleincome families,” Mission Dolores Principal Andreina Gualco said. “We have very wealthy who are looking at independent schools, and the poor who can’t afford it.

The question is, what to do to get the low-incomes into the school if they want a Catholic education?”

What’s more, recruiting is no longer a matter of reaching out to parish families.

“We almost have two distinct groups within our parish: a large Latino community that comes from all over and a smaller Anglo community in which there are not a lot of children,” Gualco said.

Much has changed since the late 1980s when Sister of Notre Dame de Namur Louise O’Reilly, the last of the order’s principals at the school, capped enrollment for grades 1 through 8 at 35. At the time, classes of 35 and more at Catholic schools throughout the archdiocesan system were not unusual.

Less than 20 years later, enrollment in most of the lower grades at Mission Dolores is fewer than 20. The

Prayer service to celebrate World Day for Consecrated The Sisters of the Holy Family will celebrate the World Day for Consecrated Life on Feb. 2 in Fremont.

A vespers prayer service will begin at 4 p.m. in the Sisters of the Holy Family Motherhouse Chapel, 159 Washington Blvd. For more information, call (510) 6244500.

Instituted on Jan. 6, 1997 by Pope John Paul II, the day is celebrated internationally on Feb. 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

‘The sense of family is really there, simply because the kids really know each other. There is truly a family sense’ – Andreina Gualco, principal

Teacher Kristen Kennedy and her second grade class.

kindergarten class started the year at 14 and has dropped to 12.

Total enrollment is 185, about 55 short of what Gualco wants.

Enrollment levels in schools serving low-income neighborhoods are related to the availability of tuition aid. To cite an example at Mission Dolores, six of the 12 new sixth graders this year receive full financial support from a private group that provides grants for academically promising students at that grade level. But six kindergarteners who were accepted for the fall could not enroll: their families could not afford the tuition even though the $5,700 cost was partially underwritten by archdiocesan and private aid.

“Looking ahead to next year, we have a large number of applications for sixth grade but not as many for kindergarten,” Gualco said.

“I do think the kids are out there,” she said. “I don’t think our tuition is something they can afford. Most of the families we get, we have to provide huge amounts of financial aid.”

Mission Dolores is one of eight schools in the Alliance of Mission District Catholic Schools. Gualco believes the consortium’s ability to raise donor money will ease the burden on her parish to meet operating and capital costs.

The facility needs new windows, a coat of paint and a resurfaced schoolyard.

“A big part of my job is the financial piece,” Gualco said. “It’s not what I’m trained for, not what I chose to do. Just removing that burden alone would allow principals to focus more on what’s going on at the school.”

Mission Dolores School enjoys parent leaders who

Gualco stresses that her school has much to offer in human capital, including two Americorps teaching volunteers through the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, outreach from cultural institutions such as the San Francisco Opera and a network of volunteers to insure the school has plenty of computer equipment. The school is about to add French language classes.

She noted that Mission Dolores School is so small that students in the upper grades know kindergarteners’ birthdays. During a recent morning recess, she pointed to a fourth grader playing basketball with eighth graders seemingly twice his size.

“That’s the upside of the enrollment,” she said. “The upside is we know the kids. The sense of family is really there, simply because the kids really know each other. There is truly a family sense.”

Clarification: The Alliance of Mission District Catholic Schools has welcomed Catholic schools within San Francisco’s Mission District. A Jan. 25 article indicated that the AMDCS welcomed schools “outside the Mission.” In addition, the University of San Francisco School of Nursing is providing registered nurses who are seeking master’s degrees to the eight AMDCS schools one day per week.

February 1, 2008 Following is the second in a two-part series on children’s safety on the Internet.

‘Wise freedom’ underpins Schools of the Sacred Heart approach to Internet safety

Catholic San Francisco

9

used in an ethics report. One image had the caption, “Terrorism is not sexy.”

The student warned Saltveit he would not be able to find that image in a search

By Michael Vick engine without risking an inundation of pornographic sites. Saltveit agreed, gave When it comes to protecting youth on him a pass, and an A. the Internet, the Schools of the Sacred Kevin Britton, chair of technology at the Heart in San Francisco believe a major boy’s high school, said one area of surpriscomponent is trust. Students at the Schools ing progress has been teachers’ growth in of the Sacred Heart study under a mantra of technological knowledge. This is key, he “wise freedom,” which has particular implisaid, because educators who are Internet cations for the Internet. savvy are more likely to know the pitfalls The Sacred Heart school system and be able to point them out to students. includes boys’ schools Stuart Hall High “Somebody like Norm Luna, our history School and Stuart Hall for Boys teacher, has been at the Schools of the Elementary School, and girls’ schools Sacred Heart for more than 30 years,” Convent of the Sacred Heart High School Britton said. “You would think he might not and Convent of the Sacred Heart be open to the technology, but he wants to Elementary School. be on board. In general, the faculty has that The schools’ philosophical underpinopen mind.” nings discourage the use of Internet filters, The students seem to respond favorably which block many sites deemed harmful to and have taken the advice of faculty to children. Those filters operate under the heart. One, 14-year-old Peter Doyle, said assumption that, if given the freedom, kids knowing the ethics of the school saves time. will make the wrong choice accidentally, “I just did a health report on purposely or out of curiosity.

Chlamydia,” said Doyle, an eighth grader.

Technology teacher Virginia Gertler “It’s pretty self-explanatory what not to said that assumption simply is not one the type into a search engine.” school chooses to let define its approach to Because Chlamydia is among the most Internet safety. common sexually transmitted diseases, any “We prefer to arm them, and to give search engine reference could generate them the knowledge and the tools to be able explicit pictures. to deal with the outside world,” Gertler Fellow eighth grader John Meany said said. parental involvement helps.“Our parents Another more practical reason not to use are always reminding us to know who a filters is a basic technological limitation person is if we talk to them online.” faced by libraries and schools that use such A Convent of the Sacred Heart Elementary student works in the school’s Unkefer When it comes to social networking sites, controls. Because the software is not perLab. The Schools of the Sacred Heart operate without Internet filters. student Tim Fresch, 14 and in eighth grade, fect, students seeking information for said he is cautious not to accept Internet health-related science reports will often find themselves blocked out of legitimately allowed to go on the Internet without per- computers are considered by many to be friends over 18. Meany said it is important harmless websites because certain “key- mission.” more resistant to viruses and other Internet that his potential friends are either known to words” –a body part, for example — are Gertler also said students receive train- woes, thus adding an additional level of him personally or share friends in common.

Eighth grader Julia Reichard cautioned found there. ing at the beginning of every year regarding security at the outset, something Gertler Educators at Sacred Heart believe the Internet safety. Especially starting in mid- said was a factor when deciding what types young people to be careful about what they put on their home pages. best thing to do is to allow students the dle school, teachers prepare them for the of machines to use.

“High schools and colleges are looking freedom to make mistakes and to learn potential threats they face on social netWith the knowledge that the dangers from them. working sites like Facebook and MySpace. students face increase when they are not at your profile,” Reichard, 13, noted.

Student Lauren Choi echoed the advice, “Yes, the kids come across inappropriate Although students are not allowed to under the watchful eye of teachers, educathings, and they know enough to say, ‘This visit such sites while at school, educators tors at the Sacred Heart schools also but said it is important not to go overboard.

While some schools opt for strict control is not for me,’” Gertler said. “I think that’s nevertheless feel an obligation to warn instruct parents on Internet safety. a better education than preventing them them of potential ramifications of online “We recommend they keep their com- and even expel students for having because when they get outside, they’re activities. puters in a central location so they can see MySpace or Facebook profiles, Choi, also 13 and in eighth grade, said she sees no going to run into this stuff.”

Students are also not allowed to visit cha- what’s going on,” Gertler said. problem with Hoover Chan, director of technology at trooms, although teachers facilitate intraIf parents using the sites Sacred Heart, said the issue of filters strikes school communications through the use of ask about filresponsibly. at the heart of the schools’ ethical code. programs like Moodle, which allow teachers ters, Gertler ‘Our job is to be here with the For some “One of the main principles of a Sacred to post assignments and grades, and enable said educastudents, like Heart education is ‘wise freedom,’” Chan students to discuss class assignments with tors point kids every moment of what high school said. “That, plus the desire not to apply cen- their teacher and amongst themselves. them to possisenior Tom sorship, led to the decision to not have filStudents are required to ask permission ble choices, ters. So far, it seems to work.” to check personal e-mail accounts, some- but leave the they’re doing. Parents sometimes P a r d i n i , avoiding At the same time, that freedom is tem- thing often used to e-mail assignments and decision to choose to have filters so they Web-related pered by an understanding that flesh and print documents saved on home computers. parents. dangers is blood supervision can be a more personal “Parents One major feature of the computer labs fairly simple and effective monitor than a digital nanny. at Sacred Heart not commonly found in are busy,” don’t have to worry about it’ because he is “We are constantly watching what the other labs is that nearly all the computers Gertler said. kids are doing,” said Gertler. “They are not are from Apple (Computer), Inc. Apple “Our job is to – Virginia Gertler, only interested in the be here with Internet for the kids every technology instructor research and moment of sports sites what they’re doing. Parents sometimes choose to have like ESPN.com.

“I’m not really good at technology,” filters so they don’t have to worry about it.”

Chatrooms: a site on the Internet where a number of users can communicate Another Internet issue for educators is Pardini, 17, admitted. “I’m not into the in real time, typically one dedicated to a particular topic. students’ personal conduct. In the digital Internet that much. I don’t even have my age, bullying and gossiping are increasing- own e-mail account.”

Software: the programs used to direct the operation of a computer, as well as For others immersed in the digital age, a ly an electronic affair, something about documentation giving instructions on how to use them. commonsense approach is advocated. which teachers have to be vigilant.

Filter: A computer program or routine that blocks access to data that meet a Gertler said an inconsiderate e-mail sent Senior Corey Linehan, 18, said he only visparticular criterion, most frequently relating to obscenity. from one girl to another even prompted a its trusted sites and steers clear of obvious visit from a police officer. She said the offi- traps.

Virus: a segment of self-replicating code planted illegally in a computer pro“When I’m shopping, I look for a cer set the girls straight on proper online gram, often to damage or shut down a system or network. etiquette and the consequences of bad Verisign secured site, and I check the C-Net Home page: the main page of a website. Also used to denote a personal webrating,” Linehan said. “I do not go to ranbehavior. site or online profile.

“If you weren’t going to say it to the per- dom chat rooms, and I avoid phishing son’s face, it certainly shouldn’t go on e- scams.”

Verisign: based in Mountain View, a company that, among other things, manPhishing is an attempt to obtain Internet mail or MySpace,” Gertler said. ages digital signatures and secure online payment and shopping.

Sacred Heart teachers, however, said user information such as usernames, passproblems are few and far between. Lori words and credit card details by masCNet rating: CNet, a major media organization focused on technology and Saltveit, technology curriculum coordinator querading as a trustworthy entity. These electronics, reviews online stores based on testing and customer feedback. A and film teacher at the boy’s high school, criminal attacks, often a phony e-mail high CNet rating for an online shopping venue typically means the service is said the atmosphere at Sacred Heart is such designed to look like an official communilegitimate and reliable. that most students are already displaying cation from an online bank, eBay or Keyword: a significant word in the title or text of a website, used both to PayPal, can result in identity theft if the safe practices online. locate the website through a search engine, and to deny access to a website based “Because of the culture we have here, user does not recognize the scam. Banks on a set of words deemed inappropriate by a web filter. kids are fairly straightforward in what they and online auction sites warn users they do, and they’re not going to be screwing never request such information by e-mail.

Search engine: A computer program that searches documents and databases Sophia Favia, 13 and an eighth grader, around,” Saltveit said. for specified keywords and returns a list of the documents or sources where the boiled down classmates’ sentiments: “You She recalled an incident where a student keywords were found; most often refers to programs that search the Internet. was looking up the location of images he have to watch out online.”

A lexicon for Internet safety:

10

Catholic San Francisco

February 1, 2008

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Guest editorial Civic role – moral imperative

By George Wesolek Despite widespread cynicism about politicians and all things political, there is freshness in the air and maybe even a hint of optimism. The long and arduous political season that everyone thought would deliver a new reason to hate the political process is instead surprisingly lively and injecting a sense of participation we haven’t seen for some time.

Will it increase voter participation? To be more specific, will this atmosphere increase the participation of Catholic voters? We know that, in most elections, a paltry number of people bother to vote. In some elections it is less than onethird of eligible voters. A huge turnout might mean somewhere between 50 and 60 percent. Catholics are no different than the general voting population.

But it should be different. Catholic participation should be high. Why? Catholics are required to vote. “Required” may seem strong to some. But here’s how the U.S. bishops put it in their every four-year statement, “Faithful Citizenship”:“In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.”

“Moral obligation” sounds pretty strong to me. Why are the bishops saying this?

Catholic social teaching is based on the premise that human persons are social persons. We are the People of God. We are all the Body of Christ. St. Paul used this metaphor to demonstrate how interrelated we are. If your head hurts, it affects the other parts of your body. Martin Luther King, Jr., said it this way: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Throughout the New Testament our Master and Lord tells us we are one family. He includes all - the blind, the disabled, the destitute, the lame, men and women, Jew and Gentile –all children of God our Father. From this great example comes the command: “Love one another.”

The bishops are telling us that to fulfill the command to love one another, we must participate in civic and cultural life. This means participating in the political process. Politics, the crafting of laws, is a central way that we interact within our community; that we care for suffering members of our community; that we nurture justice and peace. It is not the only way. Individual action is essential, but without corporate action (often this means government action), grave injustices can oppress a people. Systemic injustice can hamper a people and individual rights. Our faith compels us to love in this way.

Faith has made a great difference in our nation’s politics. Faith has been at the center of some of the most important issues facing our country. It was people of faith who supported the Underground Railroad, “illegally” transporting slaves from the South to freedom in the North. People of faith knew it was wrong, unjust and against the law of God to hold another human being as property. People of faith were instrumental in freeing the slaves and changing the law to reflect truth and justice.

It was people of faith who supported and energized the civil rights movement. I have vivid memories of the civil rights march in Selma, Ala. in March of 1965. The first march took place on March 7, now known as “Bloody Sunday.” The violence and racial hatred displayed on our TVs was galvanizing. Police with clubs and dogs running down men, women and children proved to be a catalyst bringing the religious community to action. That next day, four priests from the Detroit area where I was a student flew to Alabama to join 400 religious leaders from across the country to march in defiance of the Alabama governor, George Wallace, and local authorities. In Detroit, we joined a march of 10,000 in support of Dr. King. Religious communities around the nation voiced outrage at the racism infecting our country. Five months later, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Rabbi Israel Dresner said before the second, potentially dangerous march, an open act of civil disobedience: “There is a higher law in God’s universe and that is God’s law. There is a time when man must choose between man’s law and God’s law.”

It was people of faith who began and supported legislation to forgive the foreign debt of the world’s poorest countries, countries which could not pay for basic services such as health care and education because of enormous payments. The Jubilee Act of 2000 was passed and gave life, literally, to hundreds of millions.

This faithful citizenship continues. We advocate today as faithful citizens through our Point7Now! Campaign to tell Congress that our America should be doing more to alleviate the extreme poverty of the world’s most poor.

And today, it is people of faith who spearhead the most important social justice issue of our generation: abortion. It is the religious community that holds up the rights of the unborn and says to a cynical and mocking society that life cannot be destroyed at whim. It is the religious community that marches in the streets (even in hostile San Francisco) to witness to this injustice. It is the religious community which floods the halls of legislatures everywhere in this land to support legislation to change this moral wrong.

Participation in civic life is not just important, it is an absolute requirement of our faith. The bishops are correct. It is a moral obligation.

George Wesolek is director of the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns.

The office website is www.sflifeandjustice.org.

Steadfast and true Recent events have occurred at our St. Matthew Catholic School in San Mateo regarding the continued disturbance of Mr. Foti and his anti-abortion advocacy. As a community, we have struggled over the years with Mr. Foti. His anti-abortion posters are, by any reasonable measure, violent and highly disturbing. On a daily basis over the last several years, I have had to drive my three young children past his posters. We have been very concerned about the effects of such violent images on our young children. Year after year, our community has tried to engage Mr. Foti in a reasonable discourse about his approach on this important issue. Year after year, we have been unsuccessful in our attempts while our community has become increasingly agitated.

Our community has been blessed by Father Anthony McGuire who has now led our parish for three years. Almost immediately, Father McGuire made a significant, positive impact. He has brought our parish together in many ways and enjoys great respect and fondness among my family and fellow parishioners. As it relates to the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of life, Father McGuire has been steadfast and true. We are a pro-life community.

Nevertheless, Mr. Foti’s actions have been a significant disruption to our community, a disruption which came to a boil this year. In our view, Father McGuire sought a course of action to protect our young children and ease unrest within the community.

We are grateful the Archdiocese sent Father McGuire to us, and we wholly support his actions with Mr. Foti.

William J. La Herran, parent St. Matthew Catholic School San Mateo

Why Angela Davis?

L E T T E R S

Poor, confused NDNU has as a featured speaker Jan. 31 in the university’s auditorium — Angela Davis speaking on “Dismantling Systememic Racism.” Miss Davis, of course, comes trailing clouds of glory: the Black Panther Marin Courthouse murder of a sitting judge, her participation in which led to a trial and, sadly, acquittal. She was also the vice-presidential candidate of the Communist Party USA and the recipient of the Lenin Peace Prize awarded by the now-defunct German Democratic Republic (the Commie oppressive puppet government of the Soviets).

Gordon Seely Belmont

Tradition shared The recently concluded Simbang Gabi celebrations throughout the Archdiocese showcased the Christmas spiritual practices of Filipinos. A legacy of the Spanish missionaries in the island nation, this beloved, centuries-old tradition is becoming a prominent spiritual gift of the Filipinos to the world community.

At St. Stephen, eight parish communities joined for the celebration of nine-day, early morning Mass, attended by Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike. The resulting experience was shaped by the collective efforts of

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many individuals who came forward to offer what they can do: from planning to implementation, from liturgy to reception, from using present-day technology to impromptu participation in liturgical presentation, from making copies to making coffee, from cooking meals to cleaning up, and a multitude of other tasks. This was a beautiful expression of a vibrant Catholic community in action.

We had in our celebrations our dear Archbishop, pastors and several priests. We had spiritual uplifting and great camaraderie. Our pre-liturgy presentations of the Gospel reading continue to play in our minds long after Simbang Gabi is over: John the Baptist and the baptismal font, the generations from Abraham to Jesus in the Tabernacle, Zechariah and Joseph, Mary and Elizabeth. A lady remarked how, for a long time, she was oblivious of the role of Mary at Christmas celebration until the presentations made it so clear to her.

Filipinos have been in the Archdiocese for more than 100 years. We are priests, deacons, religious Brothers and Sisters, seminarians, catechists, altar servers, eucharistic ministers, lectors, musicians, choir members and ushers. We are in pastoral councils, liturgy committees and much more.

As we come to a new land, the challenges are many, but our devotion to our faith remains constant.

We always seek ways to express our faith, and we will continue to do so.

May God bless our efforts as we bring these gifts to our community.

Nellie Hizon San Francisco

Presence appreciated I wanted to write to thank Archbishop George Niederauer for his witness on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Walk for Life West Coast. Seeing the Archbishop up on the stage at the Walk with all the other bishops, and then seeing him along the way on the Walk was very heartening.

Reaching out on this issue is so important and his witness, standing under a banner that said “Abortion Hurts Women,” was very powerful.

Valerie Schmalz San Francisco

Greed on steroids The good Democrats, like Speaker of the House Pelosi, who now control Congress refuse to hold President Bush accountable for any of his activities in war or the economy.

They refuse to examine how Bush is outsourcing all he can of our jobs and businesses to other nations and how he now tries to lead us into a war with Iran. Who is responsible?

Trillions of dollars for mortgages were manipulated through Wall Street investors to make record profits for themselves. It was reported recently that during 2007 five of the biggest Wall Street firms rewarded employees with $39 billion in bonuses while their customers lost $80 billion.

While the housing prices were hyperinflating during the past seven years, trillions of dollars were being transferred to the wealthier people while the people in the houses are facing enormous debts in their mortgages. And rents for people earning less money are increasing to record highs.

The poor are being given greater and greater debts in housing to finance the greed of the rich. The members of Congress who are covering up the economic crimes are holding hearings on steroid abuse by athletes, as if that is important!

Joe Trevors Hercules

Fire Dana Jacobson Dana Jacobson’s disgraceful and unprofessional behavior on ESPN, insulting not just Notre Dame University but Jesus Christ himself, must be vigorously and publicly addressed in a meaningful way. Her so-called apology is incomplete and insincere. She must be made an example of and summarily fired.

I am fed up with the generally antiChristian bias which seems to be growing in America. If the same type of slur were hurled at feminists, homosexuals, African LETTERS, page 14

February 1, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

11

Twenty Something

Of candidates, change and Christ …

This presidential campaign, we’re being urged to not only vote, but to author change. We’re invited to enter into a great modern drama and to seize center stage.

As the candidates share their personal narratives, they are also telling our nation’s, recalling and rewriting history as they see fit. And they’re exhorting us to pick up the pen and write ourselves into the story – as the protagonist.

The invitation is compelling.

At the same time, a quieter voice is asking us to enter into a covenant, not a campaign. “God seeks young people today,” Pope Benedict XVI told a group of young Italians last fall. “He seeks young people with great hearts who can make room for him in their lives to be protagonists of the new covenant.”

Jeremiah prophesized of a sanctified relationship, called a new covenant, that God would make with Israelites, saying it would “not be like the covenant [the Lord] made with their fathers.” You know, not your father’s covenant.

Unlike campaign pleas and sound bites crafted by speechwriters, the Lord writes this covenant directly on our hearts (Jer. 31:33).

And unlike presidential cycles, which end abruptly after an intense courtship, the new covenant is unbroken.

It’s called “unshakable,” a compliment no presidential campaign merits (Heb. 12:28).

The candidates pretend to know us, mentioning past trips to our home states with phony fondness. They reference small towns nearby, pointing north when the towns are south.

God, on the other hand, has counted the hairs on our head.

He knows the issues we vote on and the desires of our heart.

The candidates act accessible, but they won’t give interviews and visits are slave to a tight timeline. If you want to contact them, try e-mail. There’s a chance someone on the staff will read it. Meanwhile, God grants us 24-7 direct access. No wait line. No automated message.

The candidates appear to have gone the extra mile, swinging by a Main Street shop and even visiting homes. We are supposed to be bowled over by their efforts. But the Lord made the ultimate sacrifice, dying so we may have eternal life.

The candidates promise to effect change, yet true change doesn’t begin at Capitol Hill; it begins in our hearts when we encounter Christ. “Dear young people,” Pope Benedict said, “let yourselves be involved in the new life that flows from the encounter with Christ and you will be able to be apostles of his peace.”

Encountering Christ isn’t easy, the pope acknowledged. It requires humility and an ability to tune out louder, better-funded pitches, “the interested and persuasive voices that today are peddling on many sides.”

We live in an era when nearly everything comes at us

with the force and fervor of a political campaign.

Every brochure is glossy and every message, spun, arriving in a sticky web of endorsements.

We need to guard against an overcrowding of accessories and an Christina overabundance of activCapecchi ity, which can render us unavailable to God. We must, in the words of our pope, “make room” for the Lord in our lives.

Making room for God means periodically unplugging from our high-tech toys, slowing down and allowing for the silence in which he speaks. Making room means turning to him somewhere between the top and bottom of the inbox, uttering a prayer before the meeting, saying a Hail Mary during the commute. And as the presidential candidates work to woo us, remembering God’s winning love.

Christina Capecchi is a freelance writer from Inver Grove Heights, Minn. E-mail her at christinacap@gmail.com.

The Catholic Difference

Anonymity and remembrance in Berlin I’d not been in Berlin since 1987 – before the Wall came tumbling down – so I eagerly accepted an invitation to speak at an international conference there this past November. The change is dramatic. Where the dreaded “Vopos” or Volkspolizei once goose-stepped, Starbucks now brews. In 1987, you could walk two blocks to either side of East Berlin’s Fifth Avenue, the Unter den Linden, and find buildings pockmarked by World War II artillery shells. Today, the only relics of that period are a few buildings in which addicts have claimed squatter’s rights.

On my first day, I walked through the Brandenburg Gate and into the old Soviet zone to see if my 1987 memories still gave me navigational bearings.They did, but barely.No Man’s Land has been replaced by the massive Potsdammerplatz multi-use center; several Christmas markets were doing a brisk Yuletide business; and the Unter den Linden came to a cheerful end in an amusement park with a colossal ferris wheel, which such hardline East German Stalinists as Walter Ulbricht and Erich Honecker would have thought unbearably bourgeois.

During my stroll through the former communist sector I was happy to re-discover St. Hedwig’s, Berlin’s Catholic cathedral, which has been considerably restored. It’s a curious structure – the Prussian king, Frederick II, insisted that it be modeled on Rome’s Pantheon – and the circular nave opens down into a large lower church where the altar of repose is built: and from which the main altar in the upper church “grows.” That singular piece of design notwithstanding, I

found the undercroft an easy place to pray, as one of its chapels includes the tomb of Blessed Bernhard Lichtenberg, the heroic cathedral provost who vehemently protested the Nazi persecution of Jews and who died en route to the Dachau concentration camp in 1943.The same chapel houses a striking bronze memorial to some 20 cathedral parishioners who also paid the ultimate price for their anti-Nazi resistance.

When I got back to my hotel, I plotted a course for the following morning, during which I wanted to see the “Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe,” dedicated in 2005. It was only on examining the map closely that I realized that I’d walked right past the memorial a few hours earlier, thinking it a construction site. It didn’t get better when I returned the next day.

The memorial consists of 2,711 concrete pillars of various sizes, all a dull grey, which cover an entire square block 200 yards or so from the Reichstag. There is no indication what these pillars are, or what this site is meant to commemorate. One critic called it, not inappropriately, “a constructed place, a non-place...a design that can stand for everything and for nothing.” I tried walking through the grid of pillars, an experience that only reconfirmed my initial distaste for this deliberately anonymous “memorial” to those who had died anonymously. The New York Times architecture critic lauded the “quiet abstraction of the memorial;” its “haunting silence and stark physical presence,” he claimed, would “physically weave the Holocaust into our daily exis-

tence.” How, pray, does this site do that, when it could just as well be a memorial to the fallen soldiers of the Wehrmacht or the Red Army?

At 6 p.m. Mass in St. Hedwig’s on the Second George Weigel Sunday of Advent, I found a full cathedral in which at least half the congregants were young people.The grave of Blessed Bernhard Lichtenberg and the memorial to the martyred parishioners of the cathedral will, I think, teach those young people far more about radical evil than those 2,711 concrete pillars.In the Lichtenberg chapel, names are named; the dead are not ciphers. Europe’s collapse of faith in the God of the Bible may have made evocative public monuments impossible. Whatever the causation, Berlin has been given a “memorial” constructed as if a petulant giant had strewn an erector set over a field. I can’t help but think of this as a posthumous victory for Hitler – and that, as the Jewish philosopher Emil Fackenheim taught us, violates the 614th Commandment.

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

Spirituality for Life

Finding ‘blood and water’ in life and death Paradox is everywhere. Sometimes the things you think will make you happy end up saddening you and sometimes the very thing that breaks your heart is also the thing that opens it to warmth and gratitude. Sometimes it’s death itself that pours out life.

We see this in the language that surrounds the death of Jesus in the Gospels. In some of the Gospels, the moment of Jesus’ death brings with it a series of apocalyptic-type cataclysms — the temple veil is ripped, top to bottom, a series of earthquakes shake the earth, graves open, and the saints begin to walk around. Among other things, what this says is that Jesus’ death strips away the veil that blocks us from seeing what’s inside God and, after Jesus’ death, we are to believe the graves are empty, our loved ones aren’t there, but with Jesus, alive.

John’s Gospel though has a different image. He tells us that after Jesus died, the soldiers came and pierced his side with a sword and “immediately blood and water poured out.” Classically theologians have been quick to read the origin of the sacraments into that, namely, the blood and water refer to Eucharist and baptism. No doubt that’s true, but there’s something more.

What are “blood” and “water”? Blood carries life through our bodies. It’s the flow of life. Water keeps us alive, quenches thirst, and washes us clean. What John is

saying when he says “blood and water” flowed out of the dead body of Jesus is that Jesus died in such a way that his death became for those who loved him and for those of us who continue to love him a source of life, health and cleansing. After he died, those who loved him, paradoxically, experienced his death not as something that drained life from them and made them feel guilty, but the opposite. As sad and heart-breaking as was his death, those who loved him experienced it as something which gave them deeper life, let them breathe more freely, and freed them from feelings of guilt. We are not without parallels within our own experience. We all too have experienced blood and water flowing out at the funeral of someone we’ve loved.

During the past several years, the most genuinely joyfilled occasions I’ve gone to were three particular funerals, each a farewell to a man who died relatively young, the victim of cancer. Two of the men were in the mid-50s and the other was a young 70. But in each case, the man had lived, and then died, in a way so as to make his death his final gift to his family and loved ones.

In each case, all of us who were at the funeral walked out of church deeply sad but, at the same time, strangely more free, more open to life and love, more grateful at some deep level, and more free from that free-

floating guilt that can rob our lives of delight.

In every case, almost tangibly, blood and water flowed from their casket.

We experience this negatively as well.

Sometimes someone Father we know dies and his Ron Rolheiser or her death has the opposite effect. No blood or water flows.

Rather, that person’s death somehow asphyxiates us, stops our blood, gives us trouble breathing, and we feel guilty about having known this person and about all the things we did, didn’t do or should have done. A sword has pieced someone’s side, but no blood and water are flowing out.

I remember a conversation with one of those men whose funerals were so joy-filled. Visiting him in palliative care, I asked if he was afraid of anything. He answered: “No, I’m not afraid of dying, though I’m finding this hard. It’s hard to describe the loneliness of it. I ROLHEISER, page 14

12

Catholic San Francisco

February 1, 2008

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY

TIME

Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13; Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12a A READING FROM THE PROPHET ZEPHANIAH ZEP 2:3; 3:12-13 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.

But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM PS 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

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

The Lord sets captives free.

R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

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

The Lord loves the just; the Lord protects strangers.

R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

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

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

R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

A READING FROM ST. PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS 1 COR 1:26-31 Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.”

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW MT 5:1-12A When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Scripture reflection FATHER JOSEPH PELLEGRINO

Blessed are those who mourn?

“Blessed are those who mourn.” That always seemed to me to be a strange blessing.

I sometimes think of people in a funeral home crying at the death of a loved one. Is the Lord saying a person is blessed because the person is in grief? That cannot be possible. God isn’t happy when we have pain.

Maybe we are being encouraged to share in the grief of others, not to let people be alone in their grief. Perhaps. Certainly the Lord blesses people who leave the comfort of their lives to be exposed to other people’s pain.

But this Beatitude is a lot deeper than that. Jesus said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” Jesus wept over Jerusalem because the center of God’s chosen people refused to recognize the presence of the Messiah. He wept over Jerusalem because the people there were more concerned with their possessions and their lives than with the presence of God among them. He wept over Jerusalem because the people thought they were self sufficient. He wept over Jerusalem because he could see the destruction their own actions were bringing on themselves.

Does this apply to our own nation?

When we see that our public policy is immoral, we weep over the destruction our actions bring upon ourselves. The Church stands for morality because it weeps over what the country is doing to itself. Many people, both within and outside the Church, ask, “Why does the Church make a statement which has to do with the laws of our

country?” We have to answer, “We do this because we love our country and we weep over what our country is doing to itself.”

Some will inevitably say, “Church belongs in church and state in state and the two should remain separate.” First of all, the separation of church and state was put into the American Constitution to protect religions from interference by the country.

There would be no one state religion in the United States. Nor would certain faiths be excluded because they had not been recognized by the American constitution. The government would not pick leaders of the various denominations. Nor would it force people to attend church services.

However, the founding fathers did recognize the need for God’s guidance and put the words “In God We Trust” on our coins.

It was in our own century that the words “under God” were added to the Pledge of Allegiance. The separation of church and state has nothing to do with the need of the Founding Fathers and the country to seek God’s guidance.

When the bishops make statements such as the document on nuclear war, the document on poverty and justice, the statements on fair labor practices, the statements on family values, or speak out about abortion, the intent of the Church is to direct the country in ways of morality. We can’t be Pollyannas, blindly optimistic, and refuse to see evil. Thus, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Father Joseph Pellegrino is pastor of St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, Tarpon Springs, Fla.

By Dan McNamara, Ph.D. Our jobs will keep many of us “on the road” during the Lenten season. But Lent itself is a journey. And if you’ll have your laptop with you, you might find the websites listed here to be good Lenten traveling companions.

Lent’s call to conversion: www.americancatholic.org/Features/Lent This site is sponsored by St. Anthony Messenger Press features a reading and reflection that will change daily throughout Lent. You will also find a dozen articles on aspects of the season, a number of audio sections, a radio retreat link, and some downloads for your iPod. Lenten resources: www.catholicmom.com/lent This one offers you more than 40 links to articles and other websites. Many are of special interest to women. Others focus on things dads and moms can do with the family at home.

Teachers will like this one, too.

Vatican Lenten resources: www.vatican.va You can enter this site in Spanish, French or English. Then click on “Liturgical Year”/ Lent. You will find numerous papal statements on Lenten topics from both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. There is also a fascinating “Music for Lent” section and some “live” video programs.

Edmonton-Toronto Redemptorists: www.redemptorists.ca At “Quick Links” click on “Daily Meditation.” This will take you to Redemptorist Father John Molnar’s introductory article on developing your sense of prayer. His daily med-

ications are based on the Psalms.

Lent, the road to Easter: www.osv.com. From this homepage, click on the “OSV4Me” tab, then Church Seasons/Lent. Articles here from Our Sunday Visitor’s staff range from the historical to the practical. The Lenten links section often targets items others overlook.

EWTN and the Lenten season: www.ewtn.com/faith/lent A daily reflection format is the anchor of this site.

Mother Angelica herself offers a Stations of the Cross section. A Lenten Reflections section offers an extensive list of audio files for listening on your PC, Mac or MP3 player.

The Irish Jesuits: www.sacredspace.ie The “Prayer for Today” can be accessed in 20 languages. Scroll down the page to find the special Lent section.

Other links here focus on developing an awareness of God in one’s life.

Diocese of Stockton: www.stocktondiocese.org/english. Click on “liturgy” and follow prompts. This features 10 short reflections from parish clergy in California and eight unique links.

National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry: www.nfcym.org Click on “Resources,” then on “Components,” then on “Prayer and Worship,” then on “Lenten resources.” Links to 18 Catholic publishers and organizations offering specific resources for high school students. I think all of us will find them thoughtful and personally challenging.

For Byzantine Catholics: www.byzantines.net/feasts/Lent Eastern Catholics will

find here many of the prayers and common traditions they uniquely share. For some fascinating audio and video resources, click on the “Byz.net” icon at the bottom of this page and then select “Resources”/ Real Video.

Jesuit Media, London: www.prayas-you-go.org This site offers daily prayer downloads for your MP3 player.

Congregation of the Passion: www.cptryon.org/prayer From the “Prayer Books Online” list, select “Lent and Easter.” This is a highly developed site with sections on the Gospel readings, Stations of the Cross, foods and plants of the season, and an extensive section for children. The gem, however, is “Narratives of The Passion from the The penitential season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, Gospels,” a commentary which is Feb. 6 this year on the Latin Church calendar. by biblical scholar Passionist Father Dan McNamara holds a doctoral degree in Donald Senior, and its companion section, “In early Christian literature from McMaster Search of the Passion of Jesus.” The latter is a University in Hamilton, Ontario, and historical and archeological look at the city of Jerusalem. currently lives in Pennsylvania.

(CNS GRAPHIC/EMILY THOMPSON)

‘On the road’ resources to enhance the journey of Lent

February 1, 2008

Lenten Opportunities Feb. 2: First Saturday Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma at 11 a.m. Call (650) 756-2060.

Wednesdays Feb. 6 through March 19, 7:30 p.m.: Scripture Faith Sharing/Lectio Divina at Motherhouse of Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, 43326 Mission Blvd. in Fremont. Contact Sister Beth Quire at (510) 657-2468 or beth@msjdominicans.org.

Tuesdays, Feb. 12 through March 11, 7:30 p.m.: The Psalms: Model and Guide to Prayer, a Lenten Series with Francisco Michael Guinan, retired professor from the Franciscan Graduate School of Theology in Berkeley at St. Emydius Church, Ashton and Demontfort St. in San Francisco. Cost is $25. Contact Peggy or Joe Koman at (415) 585-8260.

Feb. 14, noon: Semi-monthly meeting of San Francisco Serra Club at Italian American Social Club, 25 Russia St. off Mission in San Francisco.

Father Kevin Kennedy will speak on the letters of Mother Teresa. Lunch $15. Non-members welcome.

Call Paul Crudo at (415) 566-8224.

Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.: Dr. Eleonore Stump will deliver the 2008 Aquinas Lecture, “Thomas Aquinas and the Problem of Human Suffering,” at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, 2301 Vine St., Berkeley. Admission is free. Call (510) 849-2030 or visit www.dspt.edu.

Feb. 10, 12:15 p.m.: San Francisco County Council of Catholic Women will hold its 22nd annual “Afternoon of Recollection” at Star of the Sea Church, 4420 Geary Blvd. at 8th Avenue. The afternoon will begin with Mass followed by luncheon in the school auditorium. Spiritual director for the afternoon will be Sister Eymard Flood. Price for the day and lunch is $20. For more information, call Cathy Mibach at (415) 753-0234. Deadline for reservations is Feb. 5.

Feb. 17, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Mercy Sister Janet Ruffing, professor of spirituality and spiritual direction at New York’s Fordham University, speaks on Elisabeth Leseur at Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline Dr., Burlingame. Leseur found the path of lay vocation for herself a century ago and shines as a spiritual pioneer foreshadowing Vatican II, Mercy Center said. Sister Ruffing presents an afternoon of reflection and discussion centering on this remarkable woman. Cost $25. Call (650) 340-7474 for information.

Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.: Paul Wattson Lecture for 2008: Atonement Father James F. Puglisi will speak on “The Quest of Christian Unity: The Story of a Vibrant Past with a Bright Future for All Christians.” Lecture is free and open to the public. It will take place on the USF campus - most direct entrance is Golden Gate and Masonic - in McLaren Room 252. Call (415) 422-2697.

Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m.: The San Francisco Bay Area Cultural Group presents an evening of songs and dances, featuring the SFBACG adult, junior and children’s choirs, and 3 Fil-Am Tenors under the direction of Mila Esguerra Edwards, musician for Immaculate Conception Church in San Francisco.

The group evolved from the church choir at Immaculate Conception, according to information promoting the event. The concert takes place at Mills High School Auditorium, 400 Murchison Dr., Millbrae, and features Filipino culture through folk songs and dance, as well as modern Broadway songs. All ages are welcome. Tickets are $25/$15.

Contact Christina at 650-537-7897 or events@sfbacg.org.

Adult Catholics: Several parishes in San Mateo County have collaborated on a new website. On the site several concrete ways enhance faith life are listed including workshops, retreats, speakers and web resources. The site is constantly updated and organized by topic, date and location.Visit www.increaseourfaith.org. For more information, contact Kevin Staszkow at (650) 365-0140 or Kevin@pius.org.

Taize/Chanted Prayer 1st Friday at 7:30 p.m.: Church of the Nativity, 210 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park at 7:30 p.m. Call Deacon Dominic Peloso at (650) 322-3013.

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

Datebook

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

Call (415) 567-2020 for more information.

Thursdays through April 17, 7:30 p.m.: Shedding Light on the Study of God: A Guided Reading of St. Thomas Aquinas. Series explores The Treatise on the Divine Nature, Part 1 of St. Thomas’ Summa Theologiæ. Each session will reflect independently on one of the Twelve Questions of the reading; persons are welcome to attend as many or few as they wish. The free series is led by Stephen C. Córdova, who teaches philosophy at the University of San Francisco and Dominican University. Contact Cordova at cordova@usfca.edu for details. No meeting March 20.

Feb. 9, 10 a.m.: Married couples of the Archdiocese are invited by Archbishop George H. Niederauer to take part in the annual marital vow renewal Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The liturgy will pay special honor to couples marking their 25th, 50th, and longer anniversaries. A reception will follow. Registration forms are available at parishes or online at www.sffamilylife.com. For more information, call (707) 552-3394 or e-mail cfm@sfcatholic.com.

Feb. 2, 5:30 p.m.: Pueri Cantores Festival Mass features Children’s Choirs from five dioceses, about 400 children in all, under the direction of Lee Gwozdz of Corpus Christi, Texas, with San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Wang as principal celebrant. For information, contact Chris Tietze at (415) 567-2020, ext. 213.

Feb. 13, March 12, April 9, May 14, 7 p.m.: Talk for parents, teachers and concerned Catholics by Gil Bailie, a nationally known Catholic lecturer and author, Why did it take the Crucifixion to save us? A series of presentations combining theology and anthropology for unique insights into our faith. For more information call (415) 651 4171, or visit www.ccgaction.org.

Food & Fun Feb. 8, 5 p.m.: Little Children’s Aid Junior Auxiliary is

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Arts & Entertainment Feb. 7, 8, 9 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 10 at 1 p.m.: Winter One-Acts by St. Catherine of Siena School Drama Club, 1300 Bayswater Ave. in Burlingame.

Tickets are $7 adults/$5 children and seniors. Call (650) 344-7176 or contact grade8@stcos.org.

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honoring past president Mary Male Schembri at its 2008 Gala “Serving the Next Century” at Teatro ZinZanni, Pier 29 on the Embarcadero in San Francisco. Tickets are $250 and include hosted bar, dinner, wine and show. Cocktails at 5 p.m. and dinner/show from 6-10 p.m. Contact Mary Rotunno at (415) 438-5512 or mrotunMary Male no@chw.edu for inforSchembri mation and tickets. Mary Schembri, now director of parish and community response for Catholic Charities CYO, will receive the Alice Phelan Sullivan Award for her “outstanding support to LCA’s mission for many years,” the group said.

Feb. 9, 8 p.m.: St. Paul of the Shipwreck invites all to attend the third annual Zydeco Dance (fundraiser) in the parish gym at the corner of Third and Jamestown in San Francisco. The dance features Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic and goes until midnight (must be 21 years of age to attend). Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15; contact the church office at (415) 468-3434 or purchased at the door for $20.

Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m.: Crab Dinner and Dance benefiting St. John Elementary School, 925 Chenery St. in San Francisco. Proceeds will purchase new sound system.Tickets are $45 /$85 per couple, $400 for table of 10. Call Christine Borgognoni at (415) 680-0939.

Feb. 23: The Serra Club of San Francisco annual All You Can Eat Crab Feed at St. Anne of the Sunset’s Moriarity Hall, Funston Ave. and Judah St. in San Francisco, beginning with a no-host social at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds help continue the Serra Club’s mission to increase Church vocations. Tickets are $40. Call Diana Heafey at (415) 731-6379 or e-mail dheafey@sbcglobal.net. Please type Crab Feed on subject line.

Feb. 24: Columban Fathers Dinner honoring Mary I. Callanan at Irish Cultural Center, 45th Ave. and Sloat Blvd. in San Francisco. No-host cocktails at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40. Call Anne Quilter at (415) 586-8017 or Pam Naughton at (415) 566-1936.

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Designated shrines and churches in the Archdiocese of San Francisco that may be visited in conjunction with the 150th anniversary year of apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France and the Vatican approved plenary indulgence include:

Join the St. Paul of the Shipwreck family in welcoming Father Anthony Michael Bozeman as Celebrant/Homilist at the 19th Annual National Day of Prayer for the African American Family, Sunday, Feb. 3, 10:30 a.m. Gospel Mass. Father Bozeman is a young, dynamic and nationally known preacher, revivalist and retreat leader, and is pastor at St. Joan of Arc Church, New Orleans, La. St. Paul of the Shipwreck is located at 1122 Jamestown Ave., between Third Street and Jennings. Conventual Franciscan Father Paul Gawlowski is pastor. For more information, call the church office at (415) 468-3434.

2nd Friday at 8 p.m.: Our Lady of the Pillar, 400 Church St. in Half Moon Bay. Call Cheryl Fuller at (650) 726-2249.

1st Tuesday at 7 p.m.: National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, 610 Vallejo St. at Columbus, San Francisco.

Call (415) 983-0405 or visit www.shrineSF.org.

Sundays: Gregorian Chant at the National Shrine of Saint Francis, 610 Vallejo St., San Francisco, 12:15 p.m. Mass. For more information, call (415) 983-0405.

Catholic San Francisco

Our Lady of Lourdes Church 1715 Oakdale Ave. at Hawes and Innes St. (415) 285-3377 Outdoor grotto is accessible 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday.

Immaculate Conception Chapel 3255 Folsom St. (415) 834-1762 Statue inside church accessible 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. every day.

Notre Dame des Victoires Church 566 Bush St. (415) 397-0113 Statue inside church accessible 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. every day.

St. Ignatius Church 650 Parker Ave at Fulton (415) 422-2188 Outdoor grotto on East side of church on USF campus available anytime.

St. Anne’s Home 300 Lake St. (415) 751-6510 Outdoor grotto accessible daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. from Feb. 2 – Feb. 11. Faithful are also invited to candle light rosary and procession Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m.

SAN MATEO COUNTY St. Raymond Church 1100 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park (650) 323-1755 Grotto on church grounds accessible 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. every day.

St. Matthew Church One Notre Dame Way, San Mateo (650) 344-7622 Painted image inside church available 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily. Lourdes Grotto on church grounds accessible 24 hours a day. St. Matthew Parish is also celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes Feb. 1 – 3 with devotions, talks and prayer. Call the parish for more information.

MARIN COUNTY St. Hilary Church, 761 Hilary Drive, Tiburon (415) 435-1122 Eucharistic Adoration Chapel Feb 2 and 9, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Feb 3 and 10, 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Feb. 4 through 7, 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Feb. 8, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Feb. 11, 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Catholic Charismatic Renewal Feb. 1: First Friday Mass at Immaculate Conception Chapel, 3255 Folsom St., San Francisco with rosary at 7 p.m. and Mass at 7:30 p.m. For further information, contact John Murphy at exmorte@aol.com or call (415) 665-1600, ext. 22.

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.

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Catholic San Francisco

February 1, 2008

Letters . . .

Rolheiser . . .

■ Continued from page 10

■ Continued from page 11

Americans, Jews or Muslims, there would be no end to the outraged reaction. But to say “—- you” to God is blasphemy. This goes far beyond the ordinary “hate speech” which is forbidden in public life.

Steven J. Catalano Manteca

have a very loving family and so many friends and someone is holding my hand almost constantly, but I am deeply alone inside of this.

People can love you, but they can’t go into this with you. But I’m only really afraid of one thing, of not doing this with dignity. I want to make this, the way I die, my final act of love for my family. I want to do this right!” He did. We cried at his funeral but we all walked out of the church afterward more free, more loving, less wrapped in guilt.

Sometimes the very thing that breaks your heart is the thing that most warms it and the very life that is taken from you is what opens up the flow of blood inside of you. Our task, in the end, is to do what this man did, die in such a way that our going away is our final gift to those whom we love.

Upside-down society What an irony there is in not “barring the church door” to avowed pro-homosexual-agenda Gavin Newsom, while on the other hand, Ross Foti is arrested for attending church while struggling to educate people, including children, about the horror of abortion. Just as most every person in this country would rise up in revulsion and disgust against homosexual acts if they were clearly shown in the media, on posters, etc., Foti knows that letting people see what abortion really is should turn the viewer away from the acceptance of this abominable act. What an upside-down society we live in.

Laurette Elsberry Sacramento

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Plumbing • Fire Protection • Certified Backflow

Painting & Remodeling Ca. Lic 391053 General Contractor Since 1980

One Price 24 /7

PLUMBING

Please be sure to check with repair persons to see if there is a charge for coming to your home for an estimate unless advertised FREE ESTIMATE.

Painting & Remodeling

Home Healthcare Agency

Discount

Maine Man Construction Chris Morris

Expert Plumbing Repairs ●

General Repairs Clean Drains & Sewers Water Heaters ●

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SANTI PLUMBING & HEATING

FAMILY OWNED

415-661-3707

Lic. # 663641

24 HR

Catholic San Francisco

February 1, 2008 CERTIFIED GERIATRIC HOME AIDE,

Elderly Woman Care

native San Franciscan, 19 yrs. exp. seeks employment with elderly woman exc. ref.

415-730-4091

Elderly Care

Piano Lessons

Personal care companion, Help with daily activities; driving, shopping, appointments.

27 years experience, references, bonded.

(415) 713-1366

Hall for Rent

PIANO LESSONS BY

CAROL FERRANDO. Conservatory training, masters degree, all levels of students.

CALL (415) 921-8337.

Pre-payment required Mastercard or Visa accepted

Dolls Help Wanted

Authentic 16” HALL FOR RENT Porcelain Knights of Columbus Sister of San Rafael #1292 Dining and dancing rooms Notre for up to 120. Kitchen facility. Ideal for Baptisms, Dame Dolls graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. tassonejoe@hotmail.com

PUBLISH A NOVENA

Cost $26

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

15

415.215.8571

510.233.8312

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail.

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

Pray for us (3X).

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

Say prayers 3 days.

C.O.

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

Pray for us (3X).

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

Say prayers 3 days.

S.M.

heaven can’t wait

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

ADVERTISING SALES

For The Largest Publisher of Catholic Church Bulletins

This is a Career Opportunity!

• Generous Commissions • Minimal Travel • Excellent Benefit Package • Stong Office Support • Work in Your Community. E.O.E.

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

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@snsllc.com Voice: 415-435-1262

Your prayer will be published in our newspaper

St. Jude Novena

Name Adress Phone MC/VISA # Exp.

\

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

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

Say prayer 9 times a day for 9 days.

Thank You St. Jude.

Never known to fail.

You may publish.

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

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

J.P.

Prayer to St. Jude Oh, Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near Kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make you be invoked.

Say three our Fathers, three Hail Marys and Glorias. St. Jude pray for us all who invoke your aid. Amen.

This Novena has never been known to fail. This Novena must be said 9 consecutive days. Thanks.

S.M.

St. Thomas More School SAN FRANCISCO, CA

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Preschool Director Coordinate and submit all required documentation to apply for a license. Manage all aspects of a Preschool classroom and organize curriculum to meet the developmental needs of the children served.

Teachers Pre-K/Kindergarten Work under the supervision of the Preschool Director/School Principal.

Youth Conference Annual Divine Mercy Adult & Youth Congress

Gym Director Oversee all aspects of the gym including scheduling, basic maintenance and upkeep of the facilities. Work cooperatively with STM athletic director. Must be available after school hours, evenings and weekends.

“Mankind will not have peace until they turn with trust to My Mercy”

Maintenance Person Maintain cleanliness of gymnasium, classrooms, and other areas. Assist with general maintenance duties.

The Three-Day Conference Schedule Friday, March 14, 2008 Saturday, March 15, 2008 Sunday, March 16, 2008

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm 7:45 am – 10:00 pm 7:45 am – 4:00 pm

Classroom Teacher(s) Communications welcome from experienced classroom teachers who may wish to make discreet inquiries about potential openings.

Oakland Convention Center

:

::

1001 Broadway, Oakland, CA (at 10th Street) Easily accessible by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), 12th St. Oakland City Center Station

:

:

:

:

:

0Ź

Bishop Allen H. Vigneron

Form Registration Registration Form

FORM REGISTRATION

Annual Divine Mercy Family Congress 2008 Pre Registration Required! Please register on or before February 14, 2008

:

●

Bishop Ignatius Wang

●

Fr. Michael Barry, SS CC

●

Salvatore Caruso, AIA

●

Fr. Kaz Chwalek, MIC

●

Fr. Stan Fortuna, CFR

●

Rev. Msgr. Henry Posluszny

●

Marie Romagnano, RN

●

Fr. Mark Wiesner

Mail check and registration to:

Name: _______________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________ City: ___________________________ State: ____________ Zip: __________ Phone (AM): _____________________ Phone (PM): ______________________ e-mail address (required for online confirmation): _______________________ List names of everyone registering (including teens and children).

Use a separate sheet of paper for additional names:

Name ____________________________________Age: _____ Name ____________________________________Age: _____ Name ____________________________________Age: _____ Name ____________________________________Age: _____ 4.

GET EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT SUBMIT ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 14 EARLY REGISTRATION FEES for Three Days: Adult ___ @ $35.00 $__________ 18 yrs or below ___ @ $10.00 $__________ Toddler - Free ON-SITE REGISTRATION FEES for three days: Adults ____ @ $45.00 $__________ 18 or below ____ @ $20.00 $__________ Check

Credit Card Total $_________ VISA/MC #: __________________________CVA#_____Exp. date:__________ Print Cardholder’s Name: _______________________________ Address: _____________________________________________ Signature (credit card): _________________________________

Retain a copy for your records I would like to become an event sponsor for: Yes, ❑ Yes, I would like to become an event sponsor $100 $200 $300 $500 $1,000 $1,500 Other____ $100 $200 $300 $500 $1,000 $1,500 Other____

Priests, Brothers, Deacons and Nuns are invited as guests admittancec) Priests, Brother, and Nuns are invited as guests (free(free admittance) Pre-registration is required.

All Priests priestsareare invited to concelebrate theMass Holyand Mass hear All invited to concelebrate the Holy hearand confessions.

confessions and assist healing.

Eucharistic Society 11152 San Pablo Avenue El Cerrito, CA 94530

(510) 412- 4715 Fax: (510) 412- 3537

Phone:

divinemercyjesus@aol.com Website: www.DivineMercyWestCoast.org Email:

Letter of interest and resume to:

Mr. Joe Elsbernd, Principal, St. Thomas More School, 50 Thomas More Way, San Francisco, CA 94132

PPRREE--RREEG GIISSTTRRA ATTIIO ONN RREEQ QUUIIRREEDD Ż

: : Celebrants & Speakers ; ●

Salaries dependent on experience and education level. upon request.

Complete job descriptions available

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------

Lodg ing Rates: $99 per night Special

1001 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607

(800) 991-7249 or (510) 451-4000 Marriott Special Rate Deadline is 2/22/07

Email: office@stthomasmoreschool.org Fax: (415)333-2564

The Department of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco is seeking elementary principals for the 2008-2009 school year. Candidates must be practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church, possess a valid teaching credential, a Master’s degree in educational leadership, an administrative credential, and five years of successful teaching experience at the appropriate level.

Please send resume and a letter of interest by March 14th, 2008 to: Bret E. Allen Associate Superintendent for Educational & Professional Leadership One Peter Yorke Way San Francisco, California 94109 Fax (415) 614-5664 E-mail: allenb@sfarchdiocese.org

16

February 1, 2008

(PHOTOS COURTESY OF SYLVIA WU)

Catholic San Francisco

Nearly 650 persons attended the 17th Annual Chinese Dinner on Jan. 18 at San Francisco’s New Asia Restaurant. Mercy Sister Alice Montgomery, RSM. (left) was honored during the event in anticipation of her 90th birthday. Entertainment included singing, reciting and movement by kindergarteners of St. Thomas Chinese School, San Francisco (center), being applauded by, from left: Msgr. Harry Schlitt, archdiocesan vicar for administration and moderator of the curia; Archbishop George H. Niederauer; and Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Wang. Bishop Tod Brown of Orange was also a special guest. Master and mistress of ceremonies were (right) Cindy Yip of KTVU AM1400 radio and Terence Ng, president of the Chinese Salesian Youth Group at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish. The event is the primary source of revenue for the Archdiocese’s Chinese Ministry Office, headed by Canossian Sister Maria Hsu who also leads the Office of Ethnic Ministries.

WORLD TRAVEL AGENCY Full service travel agency for over 30 years Specializing in vacations and cruises ● ● ● ●

Mexico Hawaii Canada Las Vegas

Open Mon.-Fri. 9 am-5 pm Sat. 10 am-2 pm Sun. by appointment

TRAVEL GUIDE For Advertising Information Please Call (415) 614-5642

Catholic San Francisco invites you

to join in the following pilgrimages IRELAND June 30 – July 9, 2008 Departs San Francisco 10-Day Pilgrimage

only

Fr. John Moriarty, Spiritual Director Visit: Shannon, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Knock, St. Mary’s Cathedral Croagh Patrick, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, Bunratty Folk Park, Ennis, Adare, Slea Head, Gallarus Oratory, Dingle, Killarney, Gougane Barra Park, Blarney Castle, Cork, Waterford, Rock of Cashel, Holy Cross Abbey, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Glendalough, Dublin

ITALY May 12 – 23, 2008 Departs San Francisco 12-Day Pilgrimage

only

2300 El Portal Dr. Suite H San Pablo

Se Habla Español

$

2,999

($3,099 after February 8, 2008)

Fr. Martin Gillespie, Spiritual Director Visit: Rome (Papal Audience), Orvieto, Siena Assisi, Loreta, Lanciano, Mt. St. Angelo, San Giovanni, Sorrento, Capri, Positanto, Amalfi. Pompeii,

Sorrento

HOLY MEXICO October 11 – 18, 2008 Departs San Francisco 8-Day Pilgrimage

www.worldtravelagency.com worldtravelagency@aol.com

2,999

($3,099 after March 14, 2008)

510-236-1081 email

$

only

1,799

$

($1,899 after February July 4, 2008)

Fr. Donald Eder, Spiritual Director Visit: Mexico City, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Ocotlan, Cuernavaca

Our Lady of Ocotlan

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

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