February 15, 2008

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper Archbishop Niederauer asks for affirmation of the catechumens’s readiness.

See Archbishop Niederauer’s Rite of Election Homily on page 12.

From Holy Angels Church in Colma candidate Elizabeth Chan with her sponsor Nicholas Gozen.

(PHOTOS BY JOSE AGUIRRE)

At St. Mary’s Cathedral Feb. 10, cathechumens were presented to Archbishop Niederauer by Sister Celeste Arbuckle, Director of the Office of Religious Education and Youth Ministry. At left, Catechumen Noelania Mendez of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Redwood City signs the book of the elect with her godmother Marisol Silva assisted by Sister Norberta Villaseñor.

At right, members of RCIA seen with books of the elect.

Conference speakers take the long view at stem cell research conference expectations are based on the much-publicized success of experiments in California, Wisconsin and Japan to Stem-cell research is making faster progress than scienderive therapeutically potent stem cells without having tists expected but faces a long road of technical hurdles and to destroy human embryos. ethical considerations, experts in the field told a conference The experiments suggest that large quantities of stem at Dominican University of California in San Rafael. cells could be harvested in an ethical fashion from skin “It will take much more than 10 years to see it all through cells, human eggs and other non-embryonic sources. and really understand what the full promise of stem-cell The hope is that scientists can learn to program these research will be,” Gilbert Sambrano, the senior officer in cells to repair diseased tissue. charge of peer review at the California Institute But presenters at the conference said these for Regenerative Medicine, said in his keynote successes are just a first step. They said scien‘It will take much more than 10 years to see tists must better understand what goes on in address at the Feb. 9 conference.

Stem-cell research is moving cautiously the first few days of an embryo’s development but broadly in public and commercial labs in it all through and really understand what the before they can engineer safe and effective California and other states, presenters said. stem-cell lines.

“There’s a lot of momentum in the business full promise of stem-cell research will be.’

Renee Reijo Pera, professor and director environment going toward stem-cell studies,” of the Center for Human Embryonic Stem said Warren Hoeffler, founder of Xgene Corp., Cell Research and Education at Stanford a biotech startup. “There’s no turning back.”

“The embryonic stem cells were enormously over- Medical School, said scientists are largely in the dark However, the conference dampened expectations promised to get this funding, and now they’re having to about how the early embryo draws energy from the that most patients will see any immediate benefit. For backtrack,” he said. mother’s egg to weave the complicated chemical codRichard Doerflinger, associate director of pro-life activThe conference, co-presented by the university and ing that will dictate the development of the individual ities for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Zero Breast Cancer, took place amid ever-higher expec- into adulthood. cautious tone now being expressed by many scientists tations that cell transplantation therapies are on the ”We know we can make these lines of cells but can shows that the field is backing away from its promise to verge of bringing new hope to patients suffering from we efficiently direct the decisions to make a specific deliver a host of cell therapies to combat disease.

STEM CELL CONFERENCE, page 4 devastating diseases that are untreatable with drugs. The

By Rick DelVecchio

California voters backed those promises in 2004 by passing Proposition 71, which created the $3 billion California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. But Doerflinger maintained that Proposition 71 wrongly led scientists to focus on human embryonic stem cells, which are obtained from excess or rejected early-stage human embryos generated by in vitro fertilization, as the foundation for research into multiple disease cures.

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Sister Nancy Murray plays ‘Catherine of Siena’ ~ Page 3 ~ February 15, 2008

Riordan’s Rob Jones overcomes “Johnstown” tragedy ~ Page 5 ~

USF students witness Cambodia’s pain

‘On the Street’ . . . . . . . . . . 2 Senior living ads . . . . . . . 6-9 Columnists. . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Classified ads . . . . . . . 18-19 Anniversary Mass. . . . . . . 20

~ Pages 10-11 ~

NEXT ISSUE FEB. 29

SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

VOLUME 10

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No. 6

2

Catholic San Francisco

February 15, 2008

On The Where You Live

by Tom Burke

Fifth grade poets from Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, back from left, Anthony Pulido, Brook Bagot, Katherine Jabba, Helene Chamot, Dominic Veimau, Creighton Felise, middle row from left, Johnny Small, Elizabeth Slover, Caroline Raffetto, Sofia Hubers, Lauren buckner, Jeffrey Kaddas, Kyle Lucas, and Alex O’Toole; front row from left, Nicco Viviani, George Ekas, Emma Viviani, Nicole Schiel, Karen Lopez, Liam O’Callahan and Jimmy Wohrer, not pictured is Lena Herbert.

Connie Mertes and Father Tom Daly, archdiocesan vocations director and president of Marin Catholic High School, at Serra Christmas Party in December.

Much to celebrate at the Serra Club’s annual Christmas party and not just the 70th anniversary of the group’s founding. Connie Mertes and her husband, Chuck, had the downstairs of St. Brendan Church all dolled up for the fest when the lights went out. “Mass was scheduled for 6 p.m. and the party after,� Connie told me.

More than 60 people from San Francisco Serra – who sponsors the event – and Serrans from San Mateo and Marin County plus some friends and family were there for prayer, Christmas goodies and the sing-along.

Anticipating Archbishop George Niederauer’s arrival to preside at the Mass, Connie and Chuck found light in the science room of St. Brendan School where the group gathered to pray. “After Mass we went over to the church just hoping we’d have light and sure enough the electric was back on,â€? Connie said, adding with a laugh, “a good time was had by all.â€?‌Santa Claus was alive and well this Christmas among the California Junior Scholarship Federation of Notre Dame des Victoires Elementary

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School in San Francisco. The club’s first toy drive netted “several barrels of toys,â€? said club prez, Stacey Ward. “The toy drive was a huge success,â€? she said. “The CJSF members hope to have even greater involvement in the coming years.â€? Sounds like the group met their motto of Scholarship for Service‌. Happy birthday to Lynette Siino Christensen and her husband, Bob Christensen, who both turn 40 this month – Bob, a 1986 alum of Junipero Serra High School, on Feb. 22 and Lynette, a 1986 graduate of Notre Dame High School and a leap year baby, on Feb. 29. Thanks to Bob’s mom, Sue, for the good news‌. A hoopla of applause for Laura Hill, Adam Ellison, Kirk Pierron, John Babin and Jessica Rine, all students in the drama program at Notre Dame de Namur University and all nominated for the annual Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. Each will vie for the prize with performances this month at CSU, Los Angeles.

I have a special place for Irene Ryan in my heart. The actress – known mostly as Granny on “The Beverly Hillbillies� and who died following a stroke on stage in the musical “Pippin� – funded the scholarships herself with a more than $1 million bequest in 1973. I’m back on the treadmill at the Redwood City Elks Lodge and what do I watch each morning while walking quickly as I can? “The Beverly Hillbillies,� of course, airing weekdays 5 –

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5:30 a.m. on WGN – Cable 33. It’s a great distraction as was “The Rockford Filesâ€? until they replaced it with “Matlockâ€? reruns. Darn!!‌.. This is an empty space without ya’!! The e-mail address for Street is burket@sfarchdiocese.org. Mailed items should be sent to “Street,â€? 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.

Toy elves of Notre Dame des Victoires School included, top from left, Richard Wong, Stacey Ward, Christian Galindo, Giovanni Briggs, Caesar Soledad, and, bottom from left, Angela Garcia, Kathleen Hayes, Danielle Briseno, Payton Carrol, Isabella Holland.

Catholic San Francisco

February 15, 2008

3

Begins parish centennial Proclaimed ‘Catherine of Siena’ staging March 2

By Tom Burke A celebrity is coming to “Burlingametown� March 2. Adrian Dominican Sister Nancy Murray, who is on her way to the Peninsula to portray St. Catherine of Siena, has achieved much fame around the nation for her on-point and moving portrayal of the 14th century Dominican. On top of that, she is the sister of Saturday Night Live alum and film actor, Bill Murray.

Sister Murray’s show kicks off the centennial anniversary of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 1310 Bayswater in Burlingame. “I’ll be in the front row,� said St. Catherine pastor, Father Albert Vucinovich. “I hope it will be a good experience for the people.�

A native of Wilmette, Ill., Sister Nancy entered religious life in 1966. No surprise that she majored in drama at Barry University in Miami, Fla. Later she completed a graduate degree in pastoral studies at Loyola University in Chicago, and went on to join the faculty.

She began her “Catherine of Siena� tour three years ago and has since performed the piece some 300 times. The show is only

Dominican Sister Nancy Murray portrays St. Catherine of Siena

about St. Catherine of Siena, Sister Murray told Catholic San Francisco, so audience members should not anticipate any Murray family tales. For the record, Sister Murray was one of nine children and her famous brother, Bill, has seen her show and “liked it.�

CYO Athletics Hall of Fame ready to induct first honorees

Ben Legere

Joanne Hayes

Three persons with long histories of Catholic Youth Organization sports activity will be inducted into the newly minted CYO Athletics Hall of Fame during a reception and dinner on March 7.

The first inductees will be CYO official Ben Legere, with the program for 40 years; former CYO player and coach Bob Drucker; and San Francisco Fire Department Chief Joanne Hayes, represent-

Bob Drucker

ing the first generation of CYO female athletes.

Hosted by actor and comedian Bob Sarlatte at the CYO gym at St. Emydius Parish in San Francisco, the event reception begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Archbishop George H. Niederauer will be in attendance. For information and tickets, call (415) 972-1252 or visit www.cccyo.org/events.

“She was sassy. She was funny. She was courageous,� Sister Murray has been quoted as saying about St. Catherine of Siena, also calling the saint “feisty but lovable, direct but gentle. She knew the power of God’s love.�

The show has been well reviewed in many publications including St. Anthony Messenger magazine. The Dominican “greets everyone with ‘Buon Giorno’ and instantly draws her audience into Catherine’s life story,� a critic said, adding that her portrayals of the saint “enchant, inform and inspire adult parishioners and school children,� alike. “Sister Nancy is the Dominicans’ Joan Newhart,� said Sister Anne Marie

T T T

McKenna whose congregation – the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - has actor and comedian Bob Newhart’s sister as one of its own. Sister Anne Marie is music and liturgy director at St. Catherine’s. “I really am looking forward to this,� she said. “The portrayal should be especially nice because it comes to us from someone who has lived the Dominican tradition. I’m also looking forward to the rest of the year and hope it will be a time for people to remember, rejoice and move ahead to the future.�

The parish’s jubilee theme is “Building a Bridge from the Last 100 Years to the Future,� said longtime parishioner Margaret Weiland, who is handling publicity for the opening event. “St. Catherine’s is a very family-oriented parish with a parish school and 2,100 families. My family has lived in the parish for 27 years. My three children all made their first Eucharist and confirmation here and one of my daughters was married there. We have a very warm spot in our hearts for St. Catherine’s.�

St. Catherine of Siena lived until age 33 in the 14th century, entering religious life at age 16. “St. Catherine of Siena: A Saint for Our Times� will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 2. Tickets are $15 adults/$5 students. Call (650) 344-2942.

Upcoming centennial events also include: April 20 Vespers followed by a parish reception; April 27, Archbishop George H. Niederauer will preside at an anniversary Mass followed by a Centennial Gala; May 30, Centennial Parish Golf Tournament. For more information, call (650) 344-6884.

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Catholic San Francisco

February 15, 2008

Stem cell conference . . .

■ Continued from cover cell down the line of decisions?” she asked. “In most cases, the answer is no. We can’t do it exactly right. But we’re actually getting a lot closer.”

The argument that a detailed understanding of the first few days of life is the starting point for developing safe and effective cell therapies means that many scientists maintain there is no alternative to continuing to use human embryonic stem cells in their experiments.

”It’s a proof of principle that it can be done but we still don’t know exactly what’s going on,” he said.

Conference speakers said both embryonic and adult stem cells must be studied, but they pointed to the advantages that embryonic cells have over adult cells in the lab.

Sambrano said embryonic cells “are still the gold standard to which everything else is compared.”

Doerflinger questioned that position. “More and more the idea of destroying embryos for research is becoming a sideline for cutting edge of stem-cell research,” he said.

“These researchers are upset about that because they have devoted their careers to this. The science is marching on and may well march past them.”

The use of embryos as the source of stem cells for experiments is at the core of the Catholic critique of the research. Catholic natural law thinking argues that it is wrong to destroy an embryo at any stage because personhood begins with conception. Catholic thinkers have urged scientists to use adult sources, such as umbilical cord

blood, and to develop techniques to induce adult cells to create therapeutically potent stem cells.

Mary Devereaux, a bioethicist at the University of California at San Diego, said the opposition has driven the search for alternatives. “Some of the scientists say it’s been good because it’s actually slowed the field down,” she said.

At the conference, a questioner asked Devereaux if the destruction of any embryo, even a blastocyst just a few days old, was not the destruction of a separate life. ”You have all the big people who are here with their diseases, and then you have these petri dishes with threeand four- and five-day old embryos,” she answered, adding that there should be reverence for life at every stage. ”But my own personal view is we develop as human beings not just as biological organisms but as moral persons and the blastocyst is at such an early stage of development, it cannot see, it cannot feel, it is not self-conscious,” she said.

Lenten Disciplines and the Easter Vigil The following information may be helpful in the observance of Lent as well as gaining familiarity with upcoming liturgical calendar changes. (Source: Office of Worship, Archdiocese of San Francisco.)

Abstinence: Everyone 14 years of age and older is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, the Fridays of Lent and Good Friday.

Fast: Everyone 18 years of age and older but under the age of 60 is also bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, March 21.

The law of fast allows only one full meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some food during the day, so long as this does not constitute another full meal.

Drinking liquids during the day is permitted.

When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. In doubt concerning fast or abstinence, a priest assigned to pastoral ministry or confessor should be consulted. In the spirit of penance, the faithful should not lightly excuse themselves from this obligation.

Baptisms and marriages during Lent: Baptisms and marriages are not forbidden during Lent. However, the unique character of the season prompts us to make some adjustments to our regular patterns of celebrating these sacraments: ● Baptism: Canon 867 obliges parents “to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks.”

Therefore, it is understandable that infant baptisms might be scheduled during the first few weeks of Lent, but perhaps put off from the later weeks of Lent until the Easter Season. It is not fitting that infant baptisms be celebrated on the days of Holy Week leading up to the Easter Triduum. However, at all times, an infant in danger of death is to be baptized without delay.

Stem cells offer the potential to produce all the different types of cells in the human body, but the technology is in its early stages, said Gilbert Sambrano of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. “This is just the beginning,” he said.

For example, Sambrano said embryonic stems cells are needed to prove the technique worked out by separate groups of scientists in Japan and Wisconsin to alter skin cells to make therapeutically potent stem cells. He said the engineered stem cells are likely to have differences from embryonic stem cells and research is needed to determine if the differences are crucial to how the engineered cells function.

SCRIPTURE SEARCH

By Patricia Kasten

Gospel for February 17, 2008 Matthew 17:1-92 Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the Second Sunday of Lent, Cycle A: Peter, James and John with Jesus on the mountaintop. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

PETER MOUNTAIN SHONE THREE BRIGHT CLOUD AFRAID VISION

BROTHER TRANSFIGURED WHITE MOSES WELL PLEASED SAW NO ONE RAISED

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● Marriage: Marriages may be celebrated within Mass during Lent. However, the prohibition against floral decorations at the altar during Lent, with the exception of the Fourth Sunday, must be observed. Likewise, in accord with the penitential character of the season, lavish wedding decorations of any sort are discouraged during Lent.

TRANSFER OF SOLEMNITIES IN THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR FOR LENT AND EASTER OF 2008 The following solemnities in the year 2008 have been transferred due to the timing of Holy Week and the Octave of Easter.

The Solemnity of St. Patrick, principal co-patron of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, normally observed on March 17, is transferred to Friday, March 14. The Archbishop of San Francisco notes that the law of abstinence does not bind Catholics in the Archdiocese on Friday, March 14. He also urges that those who take advantage of this exception to the abstinence law on Friday, March 14, will freely abstain on another weekday of Lent.

The Solemnity of St. Joseph, normally observed on March 19, is transferred to Saturday, March 15.

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, normally observed on March 25, is transferred to Monday, March 31.

THE TIME OF THE EASTER VIGIL The Roman Missal states, “The entire celebration of the Easter Vigil takes place at night. It should not begin before nightfall.” Nightfall can be determined by various calculations, and it changes from year to year as the date of Easter changes. Archbishop Niederauer has directed that the Easter Vigil on the night of March 22 may begin at 8 p.m. or anytime thereafter.

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February 15, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

5

Riordan’s Rob Jones: looking to future, not to past Three decades ago, the name of Rev. Jim Jones dominated local headlines as he led hundreds of his “Peoples’ Temple” followers from the Western Addition of San Francisco to the jungles of “Jonestown” in Guyana, and ultimately a mass suicide that has haunted the Bay Area since.

In the intervening years, his son, Jim, Jr., who escaped the November 1978 tragedy, cultivated a new life in basketball, and has since shared both that and the Catholic faith with his own son, Rob, now a freshman at the University of San Diego and an alumnus of Archbishop Riordan High in San Francisco.

“I went to Catholic school even before Archbishop Riordan, at St. Stephen’s where my family and I have been parishioners,” says young Jones. “Father Joe Walsh, the other priests and teachers reinforced the values that have been important to my parents, and from there on throughout my Catholic education there have been many important positive influences in my life.”

“We are really fortunate to have had Rob Jones as a student here at Archbishop Riordan,” says school president Marianist Father Thomas French. “He has been a positive influence as a student and as an athlete, concerned not only with his classes and his team but with his fellow students as well. He brought with him the values of his strong, active Catholic family and his parish school at St. Stephen’s where his brothers — one of whom is with us now — also have attended.”

“He came to us from a Catholic school education, at St. Stephen’s, and here at Archbishop Riordan we try to build on that kind of foundation, especially when the family is strong in helping young people – including Rob and his brothers – deal with the issues of moving from boyhood to young manhood,” says Riordan athletic director Ron Isola.

It’s too early to know how the recent graduate will fare playing for the Toreros at USD (also a Catholic institution, which plays against local schools like the University of San Francisco, St. Mary’s and Santa Clara in the West Coast Conference). However, his high school coaches have no trouble seeing why he has made a successful trip from the Phelan Avenue campus to a major university, both athletically and academically.

Isola observes, “As a student athlete he was every bit as competitive in the classroom as in sports and has been a good role model for all of our student athletes. His scholarship at San Diego was a tribute to not only his athletic ability but his academic ability to handle the curriculum there.”

(PHOTO BY MATT BROWN)

By George Devine, Sr.

In a recent game against Loyola Marymount, 6-foot-6, 230-pound Rob Jones scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds – part of the reason the University of San Diego freshman was named West Coast Conference Co-Player of the Week along with St. Mary's College senior guard Todd Golden.

“Rob has always maintained a 3.0-plus GPA, so he’s a good student,” says his Riordan basketball coach Rich Forslund. “He’s always done well in school.

For basketball specifically, at every level he’s played, he’s won, so far. That’s rather unique. He makes everyone else around him a better player, simply by his presence. On the JV team they won the league championship; as a sophomore he was on the varsity and they won 19 games and advanced to the semi-finals of the CCS (Central Coast Section) championship. In his junior year, we won 21 games. He led our group to the CCS Division III championship and also to the WCAL (West Catholic Athletic League) playoff championship game where we lost to Valley Christian by two points. Senior year, we won 28 games and he led the group to a co-league championship with Archbishop Mitty, and again we advanced to the finals of the CCS, losing to St. Ignatius. He also won the Player of the Year award for the WCAL, which I believe makes him the 14th Crusader so honored, thus giving this award to Archbishop Riordan more than to any of the other member schools.”

Though hoops were his forte at the Crusader Forum, Jones also played on the gridiron at Doc Erskine Field and impressed Mike Langridge. “I was Rob’s football coach last year and we met and I knew that he was a tremendous football and basketball player. He has a competitive spirit and good leadership skills and was a good role model for the younger players and just an all-around good guy.

“Being a Marianist school here at Archbishop Riordan, we really talk about the family environment and being a part of the whole community. Rob was really a leader in that area and was always accessible to younger students who looked up to him, encouraging them to do their best in the classroom and in sports and in their community service (100 hours of which is required). He was a role model in making sure our school was clean, picking up litter and telling others to do so, with a view to pride in the school.”

Recently young Jones has been the subject of feature articles in the San Francisco Chronicle and a special documentary on ESPN, which is thinking of a longer version later this year to observe the 30th anniversary of the Jonestown tragedy.

George Devine, Sr., covers local college and pro sports for Fox Sports Radio and Sporting News Radio.

6

Catholic San Francisco

NEWS

February 15, 2008 A pilgrim prays at the foot of a statue of Mary at the sanctuary in Lourdes, France, Feb. 10, the eve of the 150th anniversary of Mary's first appearance to St. Bernadette.

in brief

Basilica has Mass for sick

the bishops’ Subcommittee on Marriage and Family Life of the newly renamed Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth. Visit www.usccb.org for information.

ing its 100th anniversary, and a Mass with students of Columbia Catholic School for Catholic Schools Week. Cardinal Foley is now head of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher.

Survey shows marriage views

Cardinal: share good news

Vatican outlines pope’s U.S. visit

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Although nearly three-quarters of American Catholics say they are somewhat or very familiar with church teachings on marriage, many mistakenly believe that a non-Catholic spouse must promise to raise the couple’s children as Catholic and that church teaching accepts divorce in cases of marital infidelity.

Those were among the results of a nationwide survey commissioned in April 2007 by the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Marriage and Family Life on U.S. Catholic attitudes and practices regarding marriage. The survey was carried out in June 2007 by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University via the Internet polling firm Knowledge Networks and was made public Feb. 11. “This is the first time that such a varied and comprehensive body of data about Catholic patterns in marriage has been collected and analyzed,” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Ky. He is chairman of what is now

COLUMBIA, Mo. (CNS) — Good evangelizers are good communicators, so Catholics must make the most of the tools available to them for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, U.S. Cardinal John P. Foley told an audience in Columbia. The cardinal, who served as president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications at the Vatican for 23 years, gave an address Feb. 1 at St. Thomas More Newman Center on the campus of the University of Missouri. “What is more important than teaching people about Jesus?” he asked. “That’s why the church continues to proclaim the good news — not only the good news of Jesus Christ but the good news of our origin and purpose in life and the good news about what is done by the church in the name of Jesus.” His trip to Columbia also included a discussion with graduate students of the university’s journalism school, which is mark-

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican has officially announced Pope Benedict XVI’s April 15-20 trip to the United States. In a written statement distributed Feb. 8, the Vatican said the pope would visit Washington and New York City, with a visit to the United Nations in New York.

It will be Pope Benedict’s eighth apostolic journey outside Italy. Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, first announced the papal visit during his remarks to U.S. bishops last November. The pope’s six-day trip will include an April 16 meeting with President George W. Bush at the White House, a prayer service that same day NEWS IN BRIEF, page 7

(CNS PHOTO/NANCY WIECHEC)

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Some were in wheelchairs.

Others hobbled on canes or were assisted by caregivers in white lab coats. Many were elderly but several were young.

All suffered serious health problems. They came together at a special Mass Feb. 11 at Washington’s Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to receive the anointing of the sick, one of the church’s seven sacraments.

The anointing is reserved for people whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age. The Mass celebrated World Day of the Sick, which is tied to the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This year’s observance also commemorated the 150th anniversary of the first Marian apparitions at Lourdes in southern France. The shrine at Lourdes is a major pilgrimage site for people seeking physical healing by drinking from the shrine’s spring and bathing in its waters.

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Catholic San Francisco

February 15, 2008

News in brief . . .

(CNS PHOTO/KAREN CALLAWAY, CATHOLIC NEW WORLD)

■ Continued from page 6 with U.S. bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and an April 17 Mass at the new Nationals’ stadium in Washington. In New York, the pope will address the United Nations April 18, celebrate an April 19 Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, visit ground zero April 20 and say Mass later that day in Yankee Stadium.

Bishop speaks of Mary’s aim LOURDES, France (CNS) — Mary did not seek devotion from St. Bernadette Soubirous and Catholics but instead sought devotion to Jesus and the Eucharist, said Bishop Jacques Perrier of Tarbes and Lourdes. In the apparitions at the Massabielle grotto, Mary led St. Bernadette to Jesus and today intercedes for pilgrims and leads them to Jesus, the bishop said at an outdoor international Mass in Lourdes Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of the Sick. At the grotto in the Sanctuaries of Our Lady of Lourdes, a statue of Mary stands on the right side and the altar for the Eucharist is at the center, he said, because the Eucharist is the center of devotion. “The mission of Lourdes is to be a school of prayer, a place where it is easy, natural to pray,” said Bishop Perrier. Each year, more than 6 million people — including about 500,000 American Catholics — travel to Lourdes.

Archbishop: corruption endemic JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (CNS) — Corruption is endemic in some African countries, where “the lifestyle of those in positions of responsibility is characterized by unbridled greed,” said Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg, president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. “In some African countries, 50 years after the declaration of independence from colonial rule, there is economic stagnation and lack of political reform,” Archbishop Tlhagale said, noting that “leaders fight fiercely for political power.” In

South Africa, “criminals hold the rule of law in contempt and spread terror among ordinary law-abiding citizens,” while there is political violence in Chad, Kenya and Sudan and “thousands flee economic hardships in Zimbabwe,” he said at a Feb. 10 Mass in Regina Mundi Church.

Pope decries violence to women VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI decried chauvinism and the “serious and relentless” exploitation, discrimination and violence being waged against the world’s women. “There are places and cultures where

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Father John Jamnicky, pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Church in Antioch, Ill., distributes ashes to parishioners Feb. 9. A major snowstorm that hit Illinois Feb. 6 forced the cancellation of Ash Wednesday services at his church and others. Father Jamnicky decided to distribute ashes after all Masses the weekend of Feb. 9-10.

women are discriminated against or undervalued just for the fact that they are women,” he said Feb. 9 in remarks to participants attending a Vatican-sponsored international congress. The Feb. 7-9 congress, “Woman and Man: The ‘Humanum’ in Its Entirety,” was organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity to mark the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s apostolic letter, “Mulieris Dignitatem” (“On the Dignity and Vocation of Women”).

The pope told some 250 participants during a special audience at the Vatican that discrimination can be the result of “religious arguments and family, social and cultural pressures” aimed at supporting “the disparity of the sexes.”

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Catholic San Francisco

February 15, 2008

Desperation remains two years after ‘The Storm’

By Sheral Marshall, OSF Soon after Hurricane Katrina hit on Aug. 29, 2005, Rob Aveson, one of our St. Robert’s parishioners, decided to give a week of service to the people affected by it. Since we have Sisters of the Presentation here in the parish, and they also have Sisters in Long Beach, Miss., and in New Orleans, Rob went to Long Beach and helped St. Thomas Parish transform a skating rink into a church and school.

First-person report I went to Mississippi with a group of six persons over Christmas vacation and hoped to see some progress this year, almost two and a half years after “The Storm,” as locals call it. Unfortunately, very little improvement has taken place along the Gulf. Nearly 60,000 homes were washed away or seriously damaged along the coasts of Mississippi and Louisiana; very few have been replaced.

Contractors are few and far between and some still are gouging the people or taking a down payment and never doing the work. Bare foundations and the pillars on which homes once sat are evident everywhere. The owners of the great majority of rental units have seemingly decided not to rebuild. The few which are available are at least $800 a month while FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) rental allowance is fixed at $500 a month. With very few businesses open, there are few opportunities for work.

We worked in Pass Christian, a small town east of Long Beach with an ecumenical group called Square Foot Ministry out of Fayetteville, Ga. Their motto is “Expressing God’s love one square foot at a time.” Pass Christian’s prestorm population of 6,000 has shrunk to 3,500.

Volunteers in Georgia put together frames and trusses which parish groups buy, then ship them to the Gulf where the receiving family needs to find the help to complete the house.

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One woman in whose house we worked had been doing search and rescue when Katrina first hit land. Then her son called, saying he and his dad were in the attic and were going to climb out. Her husband suffered five broken vertebrae and has been depressed ever since. Our group of four did mostly painting and insulation. Other church groups from Atlanta, Lafayette, Indiana and Maryland also hung sheet rock and laid flooring. There was no heat in the homes yet, of course, and we used porta-potties all week, but no one complained.

In each place we worked, the homeowners shared their stories of horror, loss and deep gratitude for our help. The Mennonites, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services and the Salvation Army are the lifeblood of these efforts.

If you’d like to help, you could contact our senators and urge them to pass SB 1668, the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act of 2007. It would shift rental assistance from FEMA to HUD, dedicate federal funding to those with an income below 30 percent of the area median, and would require replacement of each unit of public or assisted housing that is demolished.

Franciscan Sister Sheral Marshall is a pastoral associate at St. Robert Parish, San Bruno. For information on volunteer opportunities and updates on ongoing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, persons can visit the website of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans: www.ccano.org.

Franciscan Sister Sheral Marshall and Joe Olcomendy (seated center row, first and second from right) of St. Robert Parish in San Bruno pose with fellow volunteers at a Hurricane Katrina damaged home they helped repair in Pass Christian, Miss.

Poverty is theme of youth art contest In conjunction with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is again sponsoring an arts contest for Catholic young people in grades seven through 12. Contest theme is poverty in the United States. Participants are encouraged to use their artistic talent to “raise awareness about poverty and to illustrate how people living in poverty are working together with their churches and communities to create lasting, long-term solutions,” according to promotional materials. Information on poverty and its effects can be found at ww.usccb.org/cchd/youth.

Deadline for submissions is March 31. For more information, e-mail Jill Rauh at jrauh@usccb.org.

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(PHOTOS BY ROBERTA WARD/THE VALLEY CATHOLIC)

February 15, 2008

Young area Catholics participated in a youth rally Feb. 2. Sister Celeste Arbuckle, head of the Office of Religious Education and Youth Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, which sponsored the event, said 160 young people participated. Speakers included Chris West of Catholic Relief Services, environmental activist Amber Bieg and Joe Coffin of St. Andrew Parish in Daly City. Along with parishioners of St. Andrew, attendees included Catholic youth from St. Gregory in San Mateo and St. Catherine in Burlingame, St. Raphael in San Rafael, St. Paul of the Shipwreck and St. John the Evangelist in San Francisco, Our Lady of Angels in Burlingame, St. Francis Cabrini in San Jose and Visitacion in Sebastopol. Above, following the speakers and prayer service, half the youth participated in a beach cleanup at Land’s End beach in San Francisco, and half helped at the San Francisco Food Bank.

San Mateo district attorney drops charges in church trespassing case

By Rick DelVecchio The trespassing case against vocal prolife demonstrator and St. Matthew parishioner Ross Foti vanished Monday when prosecutors dropped the charges, citing insufficient evidence.

Prosecutors withdrew the case Feb. 11 after determining that Foti did not illegally occupy St. Matthew Church in San Mateo last November when he attended Mass in alleged defiance of a stay-away letter from parish officials. “The defendant legally occupied the church, as defined by case law,� said San Mateo County Assistant District Attorney Morley Pitt.

He said churches are open to the pub-

lic, “which makes if difficult to restrict peoples’ right to be there.�

St. Matthew’s pastor, Father Anthony McGuire, placed Foti under citizen’s arrest outside the church Nov. 14 after 8:15 a.m. Mass, citing a Sept. 24 letter he had sent Foti barring the parishioner from entering church property.

The letter stemmed from complaints by other parishioners over Foti’s actions as a pro-life activist. At the end of the 2006-07 school year, 14 parish school parents voiced concern that graphic signs on Foti’s vehicle were harming their children.

Foti’s lawyer, Cyrus Johnson, challenged the case on factual and legal grounds. Prosecutors took back the case moments before the challenges were to be argued before San Mateo

County Superior Court Judge John G. Schwartz. “This is a case that never was and never should have been,� Johnson said outside the courtroom. “This is something that, quite frankly, got out of hand,� he said.

Johnson said Foti was targeted by a small minority of parishioners who undertook “a campaign of pressure to get rid of someone who is considered undesirable.�

Interviewed outside the courtroom, Foti said he felt he had reached an understanding with Father McGuire that he would be welcome in the church if he covered his graphic signs. He said he never agreed to stay away from the church permanently and was surprised when he received the pastor’s stay-away letter.

But in his letter, Father McGuire accused Foti of reversing his position. “I’m sorry it has come to this point, but your stubbornness in this matter has caused too much division in the parish,� he wrote.

Foti said he will seek to be reinstated in the parish and will ask for a public apology in the parish bulletin.

Johnson was conciliatory, noting that he and his client respect the pastor. “Something’s broken and we want to fix it,� Johnson said. “It’s Lent, we’re Christian, and it’s time for the conversion of hearts.�

Father McGuire referred a call from Catholic San Francisco to the archdiocesan legal office, which declined to comment on the district attorney’s decision to drop the case.

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Catholic San Francisco

February 15, 2008

February 15, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

11

USF students’ minds, hearts challenged Cambodia: millions live in a state of economic desperation living legacy of this war-ravaged nation still searching for its footing nearly three decades after the fall of the Khmer Rouge.

Meeting with the staff of International Justice Mission (IJM), a human rights agency that rescues victims of sexual exploitation, they receive first-hand accounts from the frontlines of the fight against human trafficking in Cambodia. Long considered a safe haven for child sex tourists, Cambodia has recently come under intense international pressures to change this perception. Tougher laws, increased enforcement and a high-profile public-awareness campaign have made positive inroads.

Text and Photos by Peter Lemieux

T

he thermostat pushes 95 degrees. Angry thunderclouds snarl at the passenger bus. The driver maneuvers the vehicle to the shoulder and cuts the engine, and a boom box blaring the 80s’ feel-good hit “Don’t Stop Believin” fades out.

The doors open. And faster than anyone can utter, “We’re not in San Francisco anymore,” a wave of unrelenting tropical heat rushes in. Almost instantly, beads of sweat wet the brow. Clothes stick to the flesh. Feel-good time is over. Another workday in the swelter of Cambodia has just begun.

USF students and faculty visited a community living adjacent to the Phnom Penh municipal dump that survives by recycling trash.

But no one is complaining. After all, these 16 college sophomores from the University of San Francisco (USF) have not come to this land of temples and white sand beaches for a fun-and-sun summer break. Rather, they are in Cambodia on a two-week mission to research the problem of human trafficking and the hard-knuckle issues like endemic poverty, globalization, women’s rights, child labor and HIV/AIDS. The students are part of USF’s Erasmus Program, a year-long living-and-learning program designed by professors Michael Duffy and David Batstone “to open up their world and develop them into educated global citizens.”

The fall semester begins with an introduction to social justice and in-depth reading of The New York Times. Or in Duffy’s words: “What’s going on in the world and what’s your reaction to it?”

The spring semester focuses on researching a single social justice issue and concludes with a summer trip. In years past, Erasmus groups have traveled the world to study street children in South Africa, walk in the footsteps of Ghandi in India and examine women’s issues in Vietnam.

But on this morning late May 2007, their destination is Phnom Penh’s municipal trash dump and the resourceful community of waste recyclers that survive off it. One by one, the students leap from the bus to the soggy, red clay and tiptoe their way around a minefield of murky mud puddles.

Telltale signs of poverty are everywhere. Child trash pickers with craggy cheeks and dirt-encrusted fingernails scour the smoldering heap for salvage – scraps of metal, cardboard and plastic – and the meager earnings it will bring their family. Vultures circle overhead. The scent of burning plastic thickens the air. Finally, the dark clouds unleash a ferocious downpour, but the pickers carry on unflinchingly. Hunger is an unrelenting motivator.

The students try their best to absorb the surroundings. They ask questions of their guide. They smile and take pictures with their hosts. They shake their heads at what they see. They process.

But on this, day six of 14 in Cambodia, where millions live in a state of economic desperation, one thing is certain. There is no medicine in the students’ travel kit to relieve the discomfort that comes from witnessing the stark disparity between the haves and the have-nots of the world.

“The conditions are so bad that people are forced economically to do anything to get money for their families,” writes student Alexis Mielke in her diary, “including selling their body…It’s a sad world, but it’s not going to get better until their economy gets better.”

Day after day, the students make their rounds to the offices of local organizations combating the ills of Cambodian society and the landmarks of oppression that are the

“It was so hard to look at these children, hear their story, and then just walk away back to our airconditioned bus,” said USF student Christina Hebets. Here, a child sells sliced fruit and skewered meats and fish.

USF students visit Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, a memorial erected 17 km south of Phnom Penh where the Khmer Rouge regime executed about 17,000 people between 1975 and 1979. Choeung Ek is one of best known sites of the Killing Fields.

USF students leave the residence of a family that exists by recycling garbage from the Phnom Penh municipal dump.

USF students visit rural villages in Kampot Province.

The group had a town gathering with one community to learn about rural life, poverty and land issues.

Trafficking in children is more veiled and less accessible than just a few years ago. But as the IJM staff makes clear, it still exists and will do so until the root causes of human trafficking – a lethal mixture of entrenched poverty, cunning traffickers and strong demand – disappear.

The students visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum on the grounds of S-21, a notorious Khmer Rouge concentration camp where approximately 20,000 Cambodians were interrogated and tortured between 1975 and 1979.

Pictures of executed captives line the prison’s interior walls.

“At S-21, you see the other side, the dark side (of humanity),” explains student Michael Paz during a group reflection. “It was kind of scary, being in the same room with all these people who are still looking at you and still alive in the picture, but who in reality aren’t with you. You need to take a step back and breath in. And you’re like, this is a lot colder than it seems.”

Touring the “killing fields” of Choeung Ek, where the Khmer Rouge exterminated about 17,000 Cambodians in the late 1970s, they walk in stunned silence around a glass shrine with 8,000 human skulls returning their gaze.

And throughout the journey, they piece together the personal story of their local guide Boreth Sun, who lost his father and brother in the war, survived more than four years in a Khmer Rouge re-education camp and, thanks to “luck and survival instincts,” escaped to America through a refugee camp on the Thai border.

A Cambodian saying that Sun teaches them, “Under the sky on earth, there is no justice,” takes on whole new meaning.

Led to a one-room hut by the Indra Devi Association, an HIV/AIDS support and advocacy organization, the students meet an orphaned HIV-positive girl lying on her back, staring blankly at her visitors.

“It was so hard to look at these children, hear their story,” writes student Christina Hebets in her diary, “and then just walk away back to our air-conditioned bus.”

It is exactly this ‘uncomfortableness of being,’ as Duffy describes it, that he and Batstone hope to provoke in the students.

“This is about being uncomfortable,” explains Duffy. “That’s where insight can really develop.”

“It’s not about guilt. It’s about responsibility,” Duffy continues. “Can we acknowledge the privilege that we have and what comes with it, which is responsibility and appropriate living?”

For the budding global citizens in the Erasmus program, “feel-good” time is over.

No longer can the realities of their world be summed up by sound bites. Their conversation has been forever reshaped. And that makes Duffy and Batstone feel very good.

12

Catholic San Francisco

February 15, 2008

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Archbishop Niederauer You are loved and chosen Following is the homily delivered Feb. 10 by Archbishop George Niederauer at the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Lent is a season of 40 days during which Catholics prepare to celebrate Easter, the great feast of our salvation in Jesus Christ the Lord. The Church has two purposes in the season of Lent. The first purpose is to prepare the catechumens, the adults who will be baptized, confirmed and receive First Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass, and to prepare the candidates as well, that is, those who have been baptized but now will be fully initiated in confirmation and First Eucharist at the Vigil. The second purpose is to prepare all the baptized to be renewed in their faith, hope and love by means of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

On this first Sunday of Lent each year all the catechumens and candidates from around the Archdiocese gather here in the Cathedral for this Rite of Election. Now we Americans use the word “election” to refer to voting for civil office. Five days ago was “Super Tuesday.” Many of us watched the ads, went to the polls to vote, then watched the returns, but there will be no exit polls or projected winners here today. The word “election” as we use it in “Rite of Election” is a literal translation of the Latin word for “chosen.”

We find our clue to what the Church means by “the elect” in the beautiful Gospel passage that was just proclaimed. Even though this is only the first Sunday in Lent, in the Gospel reading we look ahead to the very end of Lent, to Holy Thursday, in the story of the Last Supper as told by St. John in his Gospel. Jesus said so many beautiful and important things at the Last Supper, but let’s focus on one sentence from our reading. Jesus said to his first followers, and through them, he said to all of you, “You have not chosen me, I have chosen you.”

Wait a minute, though! Doesn’t that go against the grain in our modern world?

Don’t we like to make all our own choices? Don’t we like to believe that we are in charge, in control of our lives? Don’t we choose where to work, where to live, what person to marry, which friends to keep, what car to drive? Don’t we choose which church to belong to? Which god to worship?

But still Jesus Christ says to us, “You have not chosen me, I have chosen you.”

What’s more, St. Paul says much the same thing in our first reading, from his Letter to the Ephesians. Paul says that God chose the people of Israel first to be specially his own people, and then, in his son, Jesus Christ, God chose all peoples to be loved, adopted as daughters and sons, to be forgiven their sins and to inherit eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and through his resurrection at Easter. God chose us, Paul says, “from before the world began,” to be his people in his Church, to praise him now, here, and forever in heaven. The Church is to be a universal, or Catholic Church, because it is to include all peoples. We can see that here today in this Cathedral. Many people, from many different cultures, speaking many different languages, come together to share our one faith in Jesus Christ in his Church. Paul says that God gives us the wisdom in the Holy Spirit to understand the mystery of this wonderful plan of salvation in Christ.

That’s an interesting word, “mystery.” Like “election,” it needs some explaining. It doesn’t mean a crime mystery, like CSI or Law and Order. Father Dominic Maruca, a Jesuit priest, makes a good distinction between a problem and a mystery. A problem is something you have, like a flat tire or a sore tooth. A mystery is something that has you. You can’t get a handle on a mystery, because it is too big for you to take in.

Father Maruca gives this example: suppose a doctor, a pathologist, goes to his lab each day and looks at slides of human tissue, and makes decisions all day long — this one is malignant, that one is benign. He is dealing with sickness as a problem. Then suppose that one day he closes up the lab, drives home, parks in his garage and goes into his house. He meets his wife and she tells him that she has been diagnosed with cancer. In that moment, says Father Maruca, the doctor moves from dealing with sickness as a problem into experiencing sickness as a mystery, larger than himself, beyond his control.

That’s a negative, scary example of mystery, but the plan of salvation in Jesus Christ is good news for us, the best news there is. You are here today, as a catechumen or a candidate, because our loving God took the initiative and called you by name, and you responded in faith. The initiative is God’s, but the necessary response is yours. In the rest of our Gospel passage Jesus tells you the response he wants you to make to his love, for the rest of your lives. Jesus tells us disciples: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

We need each other, and we need the Church, in order to be Christians. There are lots of things we can do alone, for ourselves, but not the most important ones.

We can’t forgive our own sins, we can’t save our own souls, and we can’t give ourselves eternal life. However, God, in Christ Jesus, by the action of the Holy Spirit, can and does do all that for us together as his followers in his Church. Jesus calls you his friends, and he gives you the Holy Spirit as the “down payment,” St. Paul says, of all the rest that is to follow. All your lives long Jesus will call you his friends, bring you to the Mass, the sacraments, the Scriptures, the teachings of the Church, the commandments that give life, and the opportunities to serve your sisters and brothers in Christ, to love others as Christ has loved you. You have been loved and chosen. You are the “elect” of Jesus Christ, your Savior and Lord.

Youths’ works lauded I would like to express my deep appreciation for the Jan. 11 issue of Catholic San Francisco. My compliments to the young man Francis Putulin on his beautiful sketches of some of our Catholic churches.

They are magnificent in my eyes. His Godgiven talent is a creative blessing. Bravo!

Compliments also go to Lisa Dimech on her wonderful essay, “Take them by the hand,” in the same issue. She is a very creative writer with understanding beyond her very young age. It was a delight to read.

Thank you Lisa for caring and loving understanding. I hope she continues with her writing. Thank you. May our good Lord bless you and keep you close to his heart.

Angela L. Olson San Francisco

Pictures may be necessary In recent weeks, many people have weighed in on the propriety of a pastor excluding a parishioner who displays graphic photos of abortion. Such photos can no doubt be traumatic. But what does it say about us as Christians when we worry more about the photo’s potential for harm than the possibility of it breaking the hearts of stone that allow abortion to continue.

After all, we live in a participatory democracy where the laws are ultimately an expression of the will of the people. Unlike a communist dictatorship, abortion here could be outlawed if the large majority of Christian voters followed Christ’s admonition to be salt and light. But the majority of abortions are performed on Christian women and many, if not most, parishioners do not view abortion as an affront to God. Or if they do, not one that requires them to work for change.

Some Catholics wonder why the Church doesn’t do more to instruct, to persuade, and to perhaps eventually exclude those who see no incompatibility between their claim to be Christian and their view that the right to life depends on whether the baby is wanted.

Perhaps if people saw the fully formed, though tiny, new members of the human race that are destroyed by abortion, they would be less willing to hide behind euphemisms such as “choice.”

The recent movie “Amazing Grace” tells the story of a similar effort by William Wilberforce. When people saw what the slave trade actually did, they eventually outlawed it.

Wilberforce mustered the intellectual and moral arguments, but he also demonstrated graphically the horror that slavery entailed.

Each year, our children are exposed to thousands of images of violence on TV alone.

Each week at Mass, they celebrate the power that one horrific death had in changing the world, as they view the image of the broken body of Jesus hanging on a cross. Yes, a picture does speak a thousand words. Perhaps a picture still is necessary, when the words aren’t being spoken or when we just don’t want to listen.

Al Serrato Millbrae

inflammatory language. Mr. Wesolek, you failed to use language helpful in advancing your cause and your language failed the truth test in your closing statements regarding abortion. You state, “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.”

Mr. Wesolek, do you know of anyone, anywhere, who ever underwent an abortion on a whim? Such disrespect for an opposing view, and a lack of understanding for all facing such a decision is incredibly shortsighted and disingenuous, and should not be part of any discussion. I know some who have had abortions. I would never accuse them of acting on a whim.

I respect them for the struggle they and all others face when considering an abortion. When speaking from a position of authority or power, the language we use can either open people’s ears or end the conversation. The choice is ours.

Peter Mandell San Francisco

Christians in Pakistan For sometime the media and others have displayed their ignorance about the Church in Pakistan. Much of what has been written is misleading and does not help the thousands of Christians who are living there in peace and harmony with the majority. It is important to avoid distortions and be sure that what we write is not misleading or wrong.

Having lived in Pakistan, I have never known of restrictions on Christians practicing their religion.

Christians have church services, processions and festivals without any hindrance from the majority. Recently, the Church had an open-air service to celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, which was witnessed in silence by hundreds of Muslims. There also was a procession through some of the streets, to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

The most popular schools for boys and girls in Pakistan are Catholic Schools run by the priests and nuns, where ninety-five percent of the students are Muslims. The president of Pakistan, General Musharrif, and many of his cabinet members, provincial governors and many Muslims who have become doctors, engineers and civil servants are alumni of the Catholic schools. The late ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had her early education in a Catholic convent. A cousin of mine is principal of a popular Catholic Convent School in Pakistan, where 98 percent of the students are Muslims.

I have many friends — priests and laypersons — working in schools, hospitals and doing excellent social work in the villages of Pakistan, they get the full support from the Government of Pakistan and the Muslims respect them.

A reader of your newspaper said that the Pakistani Government had forced Christians to leave the country. This is false. Christians left for their own reasons. I have cousins and friends living in Pakistan, and they have good jobs, good homes and have no desire to leave.

There have been ugly incidents of intolerance such as the burning of churches by some individuals and groups. But these were isolated cases and more directed against the West.

Lenny Barretto Daly City

L E T T E R S

Abortion at whim?

Mr. George Wesolek (Guest Commentary, Feb. 1) is right to encourage Catholics to vote. I agree, and would go even further. I would encourage all citizens, regardless of their faith or lack thereof, to vote. I would encourage them to be informed in their decision making — meaning to seek out the truth.

But, part of being informed, and something I consider vitally important for anyone in position of responsibility, like Mr. Wesolek, is to speak the truth, and not use

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

Not a fan of Weigel This letter is prompted by what I believe are misleading half-truths in George Weigel’s column of January 18. He describes the admitted persistent adulterer Henry Hyde as the most consequential Catholic legislator of his time and a man who truly lived in the Divine Presence.

I assume God was a bit embarrassed during the five-year period when Hyde destroyed a marriage, lured a young woman away from her husband and children and kept her as a mistress. The married mother of three children, Cherie Snodgrass, later stated that she was not the first or the last mistress of our righteous Mr. Hyde. The affair with Mrs. Snodgrass ended only when her husband confronted Hyde’s wife. It was devastating to both families, but the Hydes did not divorce.

LETTERS, page 15

February 15, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

13

Spirituality for Life

Allowing ourselves to enter into Lent What is the meaning of lent? Why do we set aside 40 days each year to voluntarily give up some legitimate enjoyments to prepare for Easter?

The need for Lent is written into our DNA. Perhaps a look at some of images for Lent can help make this clearer.

Religiously the richest image we have for Lent is the image of the desert, of Jesus going there voluntarily to fast and pray.

Scripture tells us Jesus went into the desert for 40 days and, while there, he ate nothing. This doesn’t necessarily mean that, literally, he took no food or water during that time, but rather that he deprived himself of all physical supports (including food, water, enjoyments, distractions) that protected him from feeling, full force, his vulnerability, dependence and need to surrender in deeper trust to God. And in doing this, we are told, he found himself hungry and consequently vulnerable to temptations from the devil - but also, by that same token, more open to God. The desert, by taking away the securities and protections of ordinary life, strips us bare and leaves us naked, both before God and the devil. This brings us face-to-face with our own chaos. That’s an image for Lent. But we have wonderfully rich anthropological images for Lent as well. Let me mention three.

In virtually every culture there is, somewhere, the concept of having “to sit in the ashes for a time” as a preparation for deep joy or fulfillment.

We see this, for example, in the story of Cinderella. The name itself, Cinderella, holds the key. It is derived from two words: Cinders, meaning ashes; and Puella, the Latin word for

young girl. Etymologically, Cinderella means the eternal girl who sits in the ashes, with the further idea being that, before she or anyone else gets to put on the royal clothes, go to the ball and dance with the prince, she must first spend some time sitting in the ashes, tasting emptiness, feeling powerlessness and trusting that this deprivation and humiliation is necessary to help bring about the maturity needed to do the royal dance.

There is a similar concept inside some North American native cultures, where it is accepted there will come a season where one will have to spend some time sitting in the ashes.

In some tribes, when they used to live communally in longhouses, the fires for heating were kept in the center of the house so that a partially open roof could function as a chimney. Ashes would accumulate around the fires and occasionally someone would, for a time, simply sit in the ashes, quiet, withdrawn from ordinary activities, and take little food or water. Eventually he or she would get up, wash off the ashes, and resume normal activities. Nobody asked why. It was taken for granted this person was working through something. In short, he or she was seen to need a Lenten season.

A second image is being a child of Saturn. In some mythologies, Saturn was thought to be the planet that caused us to feel despondency. And so if you were a poet, an artist, a philosopher, a writer or a religious thinker, you would want, sometimes, to sit under Saturn, to enter voluntarily into inner areas of the soul that ordinarily you might want to avoid precisely because they trigger chaos, sadness,

and despondency. Part of the idea was also that occasionally you would for a time become a child of Saturn, that you would be overcome by a certain sadness and heaviness and would have to cease normal Father activities and sit for a Ron Rolheiser time, patiently learning lessons that only a certain sadness could teach.

Finally, there is a rich image in anthropology to can help us understand Lent, the image of our own tears as re-connecting us to the flow of life. The image is simple. Our tears are salt water, as is the ocean which is ultimately the origin of all life on this planet. What our tears do is put as back into touch with the physical origins of all life on this planet, salt water. The idea is that, occasionally, it is good to forsake the joys of life for the salt of tears because only tears can deepen us and help us connect to our origins and grounding.

Lent is meant to do exactly that.

Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.

His website is www.ronrolheiser.com.

Family Life

Helping children choose friends wisely When the 3-year-old returned home after a morning at the new day care her parents were dismayed to discover that, in that short amount of time, she had learned “Gimme that! That’s mine!”

They had no doubt that if they spent even a little time among that group of preschoolers they could pick out her new “friend.” Obviously it would be the one she had watched, listened to and later imitated.

Yikes!

It can be scary sending children out into the world, whether it’s school, Scouts, the neighborhood or the team. From tots to beyond teens, a concern is the friends they will choose.

That anxiety cranks up a notch or two (or three) during middle school and high school when peers have amazing power.

Still, the traits of a good friend don’t change.

Throughout all the decades and all those people who mean so much to us, a good friend: 1. Knows you well but likes you anyway.

2. Helps make you a better person.

3. Wants no harm to come to you.

4. Stands up for you when others aren’t being nice

to you (or are talking about you when you’re not there).

5. Is honest.

6. Forgives you when you mess up and asks for forgiveness when he or she messes up.

7. Listens.

8. Is there in good times and bad.

9. Has exquisite taste (likes what you like).

10. Is fun to be with.

How can you help your children choose good friends?

A few points to keep in mind, simple reminders we all know: ● As much as possible, get to know your children’s friends and their friends’ parents. ● It’s tough when a good friend moves away or the relationship shifts when he or she decides not to be a good friend anymore. (This isn’t uncommon at the beginning of middle school or high school, for instance.) ● There can be times in anyone’s life when there is no special, No. 1 friend. That can be especially tough on a youngster or teen. It can help to encourage (or arrange for) your son or daughter to be with other kids on a team, in a club, as part of a volunteer church group and so on.

● There are those (both peers and adults) who prey on kids who don’t have friends and desperately want them.

Even as an adult, loneliness and insecurity can make a person vulnerable. ● Siblings who Bill and Monica fight like cats and dogs Dodds can end up good friends as adults. Really. ● A friendship with Christ can begin when your child is a tot and last more than a lifetime. It can be for eternity. “I [Jesus] no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing.

I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father” (Jn 15:15).

Bill and Monica Dodds are founders of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver and editors of My Daily Visitor.

The Catholic Difference

Archbishop Marini and the liturgy wars Those seeking insight into the ideas that shaped the Missal of Paul VI, the revised breviary, and other facets of the Church’s post-Vatican II liturgy will have to look elsewhere than “A Challenging Reform” by Archbishop Piero Marini, Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies from 1987 until 2007 (Liturgical Press).

Oddly, coming from a man of strong convictions, Archbishop Marini’s tale is bureaucratic rather than substantive – a lumbering walk through the maneuvers by which the “Consilium for the Implementation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy” (an entity created by Pope Paul VI) wrested control of the reform process from the Curia’s Congregation for Rites and held the bit in its teeth for a crucial five-year period, 1964-1969. By the end of that halfdecade, the Consilium’s de facto leader, the energetic Italian Vincentian Annibale Bugnini, had achieved a lot of his ambition to re-cast the Roman Rite in a dramatic way.

Bugnini’s star eventually began to fade, though, and in 1975 he was exiled to the ecclesiastical Siberia of the Vatican nunciature in Tehran. There, he wrote an apologia in the form of an enormous book, “The Reform of the Liturgy 1948-1975.” Its most memorable moment is Bugnini’s description of using a stopwatch to time the performance of several experimental revisions of the Mass, conducted before Paul VI in the Matilde Chapel of the apostolic palace.

Alas, even as a tale of Vatican intrigue, “A Challenging Reform” is dull, duller, dullest. The excruciating detail of who-went-to-what-meeting is one problem. Another, and

worse, is that Archbishop Marini’s characters are cartoons: good reformers, wicked reactionaries, all seemingly devoid of ideas and arguments. Not only does the narrative fail to give an account of the so-called reactionaries’ ideas; he doesn’t explore the ideas and personalities of the reformers, the party in which he was then a junior subaltern.

Moreover, at the end of the day we’re still in the dark about the two crucial questions emerging from this drama: What accounts for Annibale Bugnini’s hold on Paul VI from 1964 until at least 1972, when he was ordained bishop by the pope? And what explains Archbishop Bugnini’s subsequent fall from favor and his exile to the Persian hinterlands?

Ardchbishop Marini gently suggests that his mentor and hero may have overreached at a time when the pope was becoming exhausted. But how does that square with Paul VI’s evidently high regard for Bugnini in the crucial period 1964-69?

Archbishop Marini’s filial piety toward Bugnini and his commitment to Bugnini’s cause lead him to claims that will strike some readers as contradictory. He insists that Bugnini achieved a historical reform “that was an answer to the needs of the whole Church rather than simply an expression of its central bureaucracy.” Yet he also argues that “it was...necessary to change the attitudes of both the clergy and the lay faithful to enable them to grasp the purposes of the reform.” Huh? The “clergy and lay faithful” were unable, unaided, to “grasp the purpose” of a reform that was “an answer to the needs of the whole Church”?

Certain Curial elements, having lost the debate on the

floor of the Council, undoubtedly tried to block bureaucratically what the bishops of Vatican II had strongly endorsed: a reform of the Roman Rite.

The fundamental flaw in Archbishop Marini’s George Weigel account, however, lies in his unexamined assumption that a reformed liturgy devised abstractly by “experts” (a recurring noun in the book) would necessarily respond to “the needs of the whole Church” (even if a considerable chunk of the “whole Church” would have to be, er, re-educated, to appreciate that their spiritual needs were now being met). The mental image of Bugnini and his stopwatch is hard to erase: this was organic, developmental reform, building on the achievements of the liturgical movement throughout the 20th century?

I am not nostalgic in the matter of the pre-conciliar liturgy. The point today is to reform the reform, not effect a liturgical Thermidor in a futile attempt to recapture an often misremembered past. Surely, however, the “challenging reform” of the 21st century requires an account of 1964-69 that’s something more than cowboys-and-Indians, Vatican-style.

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

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Catholic San Francisco

February 15, 2008

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Scripture

Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20. 22; 2 Timothy 1:8b-10; Matthew 17:1-9 A READING FROM THE BOOK OF GENESIS GN 12:1-4A The Lord said to Abram: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.”

Abram went as the Lord directed him.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM PS 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy.

He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield.

May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you.

R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW MT 17:1-9 Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.

Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

A READING FROM ST. PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO TIMOTHY 2 TM 1:8B-10 Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

FATHER BILL NICHOLAS

Preview of coming attractions Being a movie buff I, like many others, am always interested in the previews that come before the film begins. Nine years ago I remember the excitement when the first preview of the new Star Wars film (episode one) was finally launched on the public. Fans went in droves, purchasing tickets to the film in which the preview was featured. They packed the theaters, cheered when the appropriate logos, themes, names and slogans were uttered in the brief, two-minute clip, only to exit the theater and return home when the preview was over. (Exactly: many did not remain to watch the feature presentation.) The preview gave them a glimpse of what was to come, and enhanced their excitement over the release of the first Star Wars film in almost 16 years!

Every year, on the second Sunday of Lent, we hear in the Gospel reading Christ’s own preview of coming attractions. Knowing what was coming – the cross and eventual resurrection – Jesus took Peter, James and John up the mountain to witness the Transfiguration.

Jesus knew that the ordeals to come would shatter the faith of his disciples, even if only for a moment. So he gave three of them not only a brief glimpse of his glorified presence, but also a reminder – in the appearance of Moses and Elijah – of what came before him in the Law and the Prophets.

For Peter, James and John this Transfiguration would prepare them for the scandal of the Passion, when Jesus would be arrested in their presence in the Garden of Gethsemane, condemned and ultimately crucified. While these apostles may not have understood everything at the time, they no doubt saw the connection when, later, they saw Jesus in his resurrected glory – hence the instruction to remain silent about this until after he rose from the dead.

For us, too, this reading is a preview of coming attractions. The Transfiguration is, for us, a foreshadowing of the celebration we are moving toward during this challenging time of discipline, penance and sacrifice. We do not

go through the season of Lent in a vacuum.

Our sacrifices and observances, both as individuals and as a community, are not done for their own sake. By the time we hear this Gospel each year we are already a week and a half into Lent, a time when our sacrifices and disciplines may already be proving difficult, if not a bit tedious. We may already be looking for a loophole or two, or an exception to the “rule,” or perhaps have already taken a day off or two from the sacrifices to which we have committed for whatever reasons we can think of to ease the strain that comes with religious exercise. The temptations that come with our spiritual disciplines, some of which can be challenging (such as fasting for a whole two days!) are not done without a purpose.

During this Lenten season we look to our ultimate celebration of the Resurrection at Easter, an event that is so central to our lives and identity as Catholics that it takes us 40-plus days to prepare for it and 50 days to celebrate it.

In the Transfiguration, Jesus again gives us a preview of what is to come so that we might “hang in there” during the period of Lent, with all the exercises and disciplines, which are designed to help us grow closer to our God. Our Lenten practices help us keep our ultimate focus on the Resurrection, the light at the end of our 40-day retreat, the resurrection we will feel when, having hung in there for 40 days (plus the Sundays) we join Christ in his resurrection as we end our period of penance and sacrifice.

The story of the Transfiguration reminds us to remain strong in our Lenten disciplines (or hop to it if we have been hesitant to get into the spirit of Lent this year). Let the Transfiguration be our Lenten preview of coming attractions, a preview that gives us the strength to faithfully continue on as we — through our Lenten observances, sacrifices and penances — prepare to celebrate the high holy days of Christ’s Resurrection.

Father Bill Nicholas, Jr., is parochial vicar at Our Lady of Loretto, Novato.

Thoughts on ‘rights’ to a child and rights of a child

By Father Gerald D. Coleman, S.S. In 1987, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith published “Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation” (Donum Vitae in Latin). Part II deals with “Interventions Upon Human Procreation.” It teaches, “The child is not an object to which one has a right nor can he be considered as an object of ownership. Rather, the child is a gift.”

The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” affirms, “A child may not be considered a piece of property, an idea to which an alleged ‘right to a child’ would lead… Only the child possesses genuine rights.”

These teachings provide a reasonable critique of a growing consensus that children have nothing to do with marriage. There is a serious and increasing unawareness and/or non-acceptance that fornication (sex between an unmarried woman and an unmarried man) is contrary to the dignity of human persons and their sexuality.

Having a child is like getting a new car and buying a condo. If I want a child, I can have one. A child’s right to be born into marriage has been violated, even if the child is embraced with love. Much of the debates surrounding abortion and euthanasia hangs on isolated autonomy: I have a right to do whatever I want.

Virginia A. Smith recently wrote an astonishing article in the New York Times (Nov. 4, 2007). She is a self-identified lesbian who has yearned for children for over a decade.

One morning at the Church of St. Luke in Greenwich Village, she spotted Andrew, a man she had never met before. He was “tall, handsome, with an open, friendly face… He looked healthy.” He was also gay.

After the service, she bursts out, “Would you consider hav-

ing a child with me?” He “neither laughed nor looked alarmed, but simply met my gaze and said ‘Yes.’” A courtship followed which concentrated on compatibility, attraction, trust and commitment. Andrew said he wanted to “have” two children and Alice wanted three! “I was falling in love with him as the father of my children,” writes Alice. My children is a clear sign that Alice’s wants far outweighed the child’s rights. Her dignity, and that of Andrew, was sacrificed to satisfy her desire.

The courting came crashing down when Alice learned that Andrew was having sex with a man who had sex with an HIV positive man. Undaunted, however, Alice concludes, “I have my three children who were created with sperm from the same anonymous donor.” Created is the operative word. Manufactured might have been better.

Alice’s story reflects recent legal judgments. In 2005, judicial commissions in Australia and New Zealand proposed that sperm or egg donors could “opt in” as a child’s parent. In this same year, scientists in Britain received state permission to create an embryo from the DNA of three adults. This raises the possibility that all three could be granted equal legal claims to the child if the embryo develops to term.

In January 2007 a provincial court in Ontario, Canada, ruled that a child can legally have three parents: the biological parents and the mother’s lesbian partner. She is considered the child’s “second mother.”

In Harrisburg, Pa., a state Superior Court panel ruled in April of this year that a child can have three legal parents, in this case two lesbian partners and the friend who donated his sperm. The panel ruled that all three were liable to child support. The donor refused to do this and the lesbian partners soon broke up. The lesbian partners had conceived two children using the friend’s sperm. What happens now to the children?

These types of arrangements and legal decisions pose

enormous risks for children. If the child’s “father” is a sperm donor, it is very unlikely, to say the least, that he is living with the child. If the Pennsylvania ruling becomes more prevalent in the U.S., the child can get shuffled between the homes of all three parents.

The burden is on the child to make sense of his or her beginnings as well as making sense out of multiple parents. The child – and the rest of us – have to get ready for the group-marriage debate. Three-way custody battles will certainly ensue.

If the “parents” split, how many homes will the child have? How many different parenting experiences will the child have to adopt?

Let’s take these examples one step further. Why stop at three parents? Some situations involve a couple who wants a child and rely on donor sperm, donor eggs, and a gestational surrogate who carries the pregnancy. This arrangement presents a moral quagmire built on the so-called right to “have” a child. Words are important: a woman is carrying a “pregnancy” and not a “child.”

The Church’s teaching is very relevant to today’s strong movement that every one has a “right to a child,” no matter how the child is conceived and parented.

Who are the losers here? The children born into situations that have nothing at all to do with marriage and authentic commitment. This movement, born out of autonomy, needs to be stopped. The courts will likely not be the ones to interfere. It has to come from people who give up their selfish wants and desires.

It’s amazing what sperm and eggs can do! Disconnected from the meaning of human life and marriage, however, they are merely things to be used to produce a pregnancy.

Father Gerald Coleman is vice president for ethics for the Daughters of Charity Health System.

February 15, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

15

Lund named president of Junipero Serra High tion,” and completing fundraising for ongoing building projects including a new arts Lars Lund, principal at Junipero Serra High and science building and new pool.

School since 2003, has been named president Lund grew up in Orange County but long of the San Mateo school. before it acquired “its current “Junipero Serra High School glamour and élan as ‘The means the world to me,” Lund OC’,” he told Catholic San said. “I am so proud of my assoFrancisco. ciation with this great school.

Lund attended St. John’s Although I’ll miss being the College Seminary in Camarillo. principal and the duties of run“I had the privilege of having ning the day-to-day school operArchbishop (George) ations, I really look forward to Niederauer – then Father the opportunity of providing Niederauer – as my sophomore strategic leadership.”

English Literature professor. I As president, Lund wants to remember my friends and I continue and build on what Serra would valiantly attempt to Lars Lund is and has become. “We have talengage Father Niederauer in a ented, well-educated and dedicated teachers daily game of friendly one-upmanship – an and staff who have created a total high school unsuccessful venture to say the least.” program that is second to none,” he said “Our He later transferred to Santa Clara parents love for and dedication to Serra truly University where he completed undergraduamazes me and our Serra Padres continue to be ate work. He also holds a graduate degree the pride of San Mateo County and beyond.” from the University of San Francisco.

“As evidenced by our current students and Lund’s association with Serra goes back their 9,000 alumni brothers, our school has to 1983. “I had the good fortune of becomdone a great job preparing leaders who make ing a theology teacher at Serra and had 16 a difference for the good in the lives of oth- very happy years.” In 1999, he joined the ers,” Lund said.

Department of Catholic Schools as assisAmong his top priorities will be main- tant superintendent of faith formation and taining Serra as a “premier Catholic college- religion curriculum. In 2002, he returned to preparatory school,” continued enhance- Serra as an administrator and was appointment of the school’s “strong financial posi- ed principal in 2003.

(PHOTO BY PAUL TOTAH)

By Tom Burke

Thomas Awiapo from Catholic Relief Services spoke to students at St. Ignatius College Preparatory Jan. 31, and also at St. Bartholomew’s Media Center in San Mateo that evening to share his story of growing up in Ghana. Awiapo was orphaned at 10, survived desperate poverty and hunger in his small village and eventually won a scholarship to attend college in the U.S., earning his master’s degree. Today Awiapo trains community leaders in Ghana where, he told SI students, solidarity with Catholics throughout the world is improving the lives of children.

Catholic San Francisco invites you

to join in the following pilgrimages IRELAND

Lent is focus of ‘For Heavens Sake’ program on KRON-4 Father Gerard O’Rourke, director emeritus of the Archdiocesan Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs, talks about the many aspects of Lent with Maury Healy on the TV program, “For Heaven’s Sake,” which airs Sunday, Feb. 17, at 5:30 a.m. on KRON-Channel 4. The program is a joint production of the San Francisco Archdiocese’s Office of Communications and KRON-4 Public Affairs.

Letters . . .

■ Continued from page 12 In an article in “FIRST THINGS” magazine, Weigel acknowledges that he knew of the philandering of Hyde but dismisses it, as Hyde did, as a “youthful indiscretion.’ Hyde was in his mid-40s at the time.

Also noteworthy is the messy business about the Clyde Savings and Loan scandal and allegations about the thrift’s cheating the Federal government on student loan services, and Cayman island transactions.

Rep. Hyde and his associates did well financially but the S&L tanked with a $67 million cost to the taxpayers.

Indeed, Henry Hyde was a champion for pro-life, legislation and the ban on assault weapons, which are greatly to his credit. It is truly sad that he also was a home wrecker and a hypocrite. He gave leadership to the

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movement to nail President Clinton for perjury, over his sordid conduct in the White House, but when Oliver North lied to Congress, Hyde was his great defender.

Is it possible for Catholic San Francisco to consider another, perhaps more honest, columnist than Weigel every other week? Pity, it seems he will write anything — or not the whole truth — to buttress his ideology. Since he was a strong Catholic “theocon” voice, which gave President Bush justification for starting an unjustifiable war, he should be held partially responsible for the consequences to the Catholic communities of Iraq. At the war’s end there will be just a small fraction of their number that existed before the invasion of that country. Perhaps the newspaper can find a peace seeker to balance the writings of Weigel before he leads the charge into Iran or tries to have the hypocritical Mr. Hyde canonized.

Thomas F. Jordan San Francisco

June 30 – July 9, 2008 Departs San Francisco 10-Day Pilgrimage

only

$

2,999

($3,099 after March 14, 2008)

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

$

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

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)

16

Catholic San Francisco

February 15, 2008

Music TV

Books RADIO Film

Stage

Three volumes offer spiritual fare for retreats or daily life “JOAN OF ARC: GOD’S WARRIOR — A SEVEN-DAY RETREAT” by Barbara Beckwith. St. Anthony Messenger Press (Cincinnati, 2007). 94 pp., $9.95.

“ST. PAUL: CALLED TO CONVERSION — A SEVEN-DAY RETREAT” by Ronald D. Witherup.

St. Anthony Messenger Press (Cincinnati, 2007). 130 pp., $12.95.

“ANOTHER WORLD: A RETREAT IN THE OZARKS” by C. William Claassen. Sheed & Ward (Lanham, Md., 2007). 187 pp., $17.95.

Reviewed by Mitch Finley Double-dog dare you to read the long first paragraph of Barbara Beckwith’s “Joan of Arc: God’s Warrior — A SevenDay Retreat,” based on the famous French saint, and be able to put it down. Here it is: “Joan of Arc continues to fascinate us centuries after her life and death. She is a bundle of contradictions: simple yet sublime, an illiterate peasant who held at bay the powerful and learned, a mystic whose earthy response to her visions was to inspire an army, a girl soldier who remained a virgin, a feminist long before the women’s movement, a political prisoner who remained resolute yet wavered at critical times, a fiercely independent pawn of historical forces beyond her control, a glorious military hero who ended up a failure, betrayed by her friends and burned at the stake by her enemies.”

Author Beckwith, managing editor of St. Anthony Messenger magazine, guides the

reader through seven days with St. Joan (1412-1431), each day with its own theme.

These include “Listening to Mystical Voices,” “Expanding Gender Roles,” “Trusting in God” and “Battling the Church.”

Each “day” includes meditations and prayers on the theme for the day, drawing on secondary sources about St. Joan of Arc. Enriching the content of the book are the author’s many visits to sites in France associated with her subject.

This is a book that will lend itself beautifully to any actual retreat, of course. But anyone willing to set aside 30 minutes for seven days will find this book will give his or her faith and spirituality an invigorating shot in the arm.

Of course, anyone is free to simply read Beckwith’s book, and such readers may find themselves wanting to read it more

than once. It’s an ideal book for reading groups and book clubs, as well.

Similarly, in his “St. Paul: Called to Conversion — A Seven-Day Retreat,” Sulpician Father Ronald D. Witherup provides seven days’ worth of material that focuses on Paul as a guide in the ongoing conversion that lies at the center of the Christian life. Following an excellent introduction to Paul and his writings, the material for each day includes reflections, prayers and excerpts from the Pauline texts.

Father Witherup is provincial superior of the U.S. province of the Society of St. Sulpice, and formerly he was a professor of sacred Scripture and academic dean at St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park. His obvious skills include, however, an ability to discuss the writings of St. Paul in ways that the average reader will appreciate.

This isn’t a Scripture study resource, but rather a book to use in retreat and other spiritual enrichment contexts.

One of the fine things about a book like this is that it presents material in ways that bring together the insights of Scripture studies and uses them to nourish a spirit of prayerfulness.

Most who make retreats at Trappist monasteries come away from the experience with more than enough in heart and mind to write a book, if they were of a mind to do so. C. William Claassen, author of “Another World: A Retreat in the Ozarks,” was of a mind to do so, and the result is a book both Catholics and those otherwise oriented will appreciate and enjoy.

Claassen, apparently a spiritual seeker for many years, spent retreat time at Assumption Abbey, one of the most remote Trappist monasteries in the U.S., located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains of southern Missouri.

Chronicling the daily life of the monastery, and adding his own observations and reflections, Claassen also shares with the reader the results of interviews he conducted with individual monks.

“Another World” is, among the countless books published each year, a standout volume, a wonderful book that deserves countless readers.

Mitch Finley is the author of more than 30 books for Catholic readers, most recently “The Rosary Handbook: A Guide for Newcomers, OldTimers, and Those In Between” (The Word Among Us Press).

Tables turned: now, it’s the movies’ turn to come to Broadway of Irving Berlin’s classic, “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” led by the monster.

Still we mustn’t underestimate the bawdiness of the material, as innuendo and double entendres abound. The PG movie version received an A-IV, the equivalent of today’s L (limited adult audience) and was deemed “generally amusing with hilarious bits” but with its own caveats, too.

Recommended, but with the aforementioned cautions.

(Hilton Theatre, 213 W. 42nd St.; (212) 307-4100; www.ticketmaster.com)

By Harry Forbes NEW YORK (CNS) — A generation or two ago, Broadway’s best offerings were often turned into major motion pictures. In this era, it’s the other way around: Film classics now get a Broadway treatment to lure a new generation of theater patrons.

Since these shows are likely to produce touring versions, it might not even be necessary to book a trip to New York City to catch these shows. But if you want to see the genuine article, after each review is the address of the theater, with a telephone number and information for ordering tickets online.

“THE LITTLE MERMAID” Quality family fare for the kids is in such short supply in any medium that it’s a pleasure to be able to welcome the latest screen-to-stage Disney extravaganza on the Great White Way. “The Little Mermaid” is the latest, and one of the best of that company’s amazingly successful screen-tostage adaptations.

Despite some carping from the daily press, we found this a highly enjoyable two and a half hours. And the scores of hyperactive kids — little girls with “princess” fixations were predominant, of course — were transfixed once the lights went down.

Given the underwater setting of this very loose adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s bittersweet fairy tale (Disney has supplied a satisfyingly upbeat ending), the big surprise is how stage-worthy it turns out to be, thanks to Doug Wright’s deft script.

Following “Xanadu,” this is the second major musical of the season where the cast moves about largely on roller skates. The effect — in opera director Francesca Zambello’s colorful production — often suggests aquatic navigation.

Though wisely there’s been no attempt at slavishly copying their animated forebears, the cast is strong across the board: an adorable Sierra Boggess as Ariel, who delivers the big ballad “Part of Your World”; Sherie Rene Scott hilariously over-the-top as the villainous Ursula, the estranged sister of Ariel’s father, King Triton; Norm Lewis as that imposing monarch; Sean Palmer as Ariel’s human prince Eric; Jonathan Freeman as Grimsby, his guardian; Eddie Korbich as Scuttle the seagull; and Tituss Burgess as her Jamaican-accented crab guardian, Sebastian.

Though things look awfully dodgy for heroine Ariel, who foolishly barters with Ursula to exchange her beautiful voice for human legs, all is set right by the end, with those basic life lessons germane to the best Disney products provided along the way. (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St.; (212) 307-4747; www.DisneyOnBroadway.com)

Sierra Boggess as Ariel in the Broadway version of “The Little Mermaid”

“YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN” Far too unabashedly vulgar for family consumption, but acceptable for tolerant adults who can take Mel Brooks’ brand of ribald humor in stride, “Young Frankenstein” is the follow-up to Brooks’ phenomenally successful “The Producers.” If you’ve seen the 1974 movie upon which this latest musical is based, you’ll know exactly what to expect.

As with “The Producers,” director-choreographer Susan Stroman is at the helm to recreate Brooks’ film routines, and add some brilliant staging and dance numbers.

An expert cast includes Roger Bart in Gene Wilder’s titular role of the reluctant inventor, grandson of the original Dr. Frankenstein; the very funny Andrea Martin as Frau Blucher; Sutton Foster as lab assistant Inga; Christopher Fitzgerald as hump-shifting Igor; Megan Mullally as pampered fiancee Elizabeth from back home; and Shuler Hensley as the hulking monster.

Brooks’ songs — which parody conventional movie songs of the 1930s — are generically tuneful and his lyrics funny, in the most obvious of ways. Still, fun as most of them are, the big showstopper is Stroman’s clever retooling

“THE 39 STEPS” With only the teensiest fraction of the “Young Frankenstein” budget, this British import — an adaptation of the classic 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film with Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll — manages to re-create the entire espionage film, replete with varying locales, a complex chase through Scotland, and multitudinous characters, all with a mere four actors and minimalist sets.

The spare but eminently satisfying Olivier Award-winning production has been imported from London (where it is still running) by the enterprising Roundabout Theatre Company.

In the Donat role of Richard Hannay — a reluctant investigator inadvertently caught up in intrigue with a spy ring, after he’s accused of murdering the mysterious damsel in distress to whom he’s given shelter — Charles Edwards gives a dapper characterization. The rest of the cast — all Americans — perform with surprising authenticity. They include Jennifer Ferris as a prototypical 1930s heroine, and a couple of other female roles. But most astonishing are Arnie Burton and Cliff Saunders, playing dozens of other roles, switching costumes and accents (and occasionally genders) with consummate ease.

Actress Maria Aitken directs with a sharp satirical eye that matches the work’s conceit.

In the process, the original property — originally a novel by John Buchan — is gently spoofed, but not (as some purists have sniffed) denigrated. Playwright Patrick Barlow (working from an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon) pays homage to Hitchcock movies, including a cameo appearance by the master, courtesy of a cardboard cutout.

Familiarity with the original book and film (it was remade in 1959 and 1978) is not mandatory. Safely recommendable to teens and up. (American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St.; (212) 719-1300; www.roundabouttheatre.org) Forbes is director of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies.

February 15, 2008

Lenten Opportunities Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m.: Noontime Concerts at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California St. at Grant in San Francisco. The 45-minute program follows the 12:05 p.m. Mass. Visit www.noontimeconcerts.org for schedule of performers.

Wednesdays 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 of Lent, 7:30 p.m.: The Psalms: Model and Guide to Prayer, a Lenten Series with Franciscan Father Michael Guinan, retired professor from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley at St. Emydius Church, Ashton and Demontfort St. in San Francisco. Cost is $25.

Contact Peggy and Joe Koman at (415) 5858260.

Tuesdays of Lent: Join the St. Rita community for, “The Call of the Prophets,” exploring the unique nature of the prophetic voice found in Hosea and Amos, Micah, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel. Each evening will begin with a light soup supper at 6:15 p.m.in the Hall followed by lecture and discussion at 7 p.m.. Presenters are Father Kenneth Weare, Ph.D. and Noele Kostelic, M.A. For more information, contact St. Rita at (415) 456-4815.

St. Raphael Church in San Rafael will be sponsoring a series of Soup Suppers on the five Tuesdays of Lent: Feb. 12, 19 and 26, March 4 and 11. Theme is “Building a Community of Faith.” Prayer service takes place at 6:30 p.m. followed by supper and discussion. Call (415) 4548141.

Feb. 17, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Sister Janet Ruffing speaks on Elisabeth Leseur at Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline Dr., Burlingame. A Catholic woman for today, Leseur found the path of lay vocation for herself a century ago and shines as a spiritual pioneer foreshadowing Vatican II. Sister Ruffing presents an afternoon of reflection and discussion centering. Cost is $25. Call (650) 3407474 for information.

Feb. 19, 26, 7 p.m: Join the Daughters of St. Paul for a Lenten “Cinema Divina” or prayerful listening to the Word of God as it’s expressed through film clips touching upon the mysteries of redemption. This contemporary Way of the Cross will explore themes present in various popular films, seeing how they tie in with the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Call Pauline Books & Media 2640 Broadway, Redwood City, (650) 369-4230.

Feb. 20, 27; March 5, 6:15 p.m.: “Pathways to Authentic Intimacy,” a discussion led by Paulist Father Charles Kullmann at Old St. Mary’s Bookstore, 614 Grant Ave. in San Francisco. The book “Your Sexual Self,” available for purchase at the bookstore, will be used as a reference. Call (415) 288-3800.

Feb. 21, 7 p.m.: “Understanding Islam and the West,” with Karen Armstrong, a leading commentator on religious affairs, at First Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin St. in San Francisco.

Tickets are $20. Visit www.gtu.edu. The Graduate Theological Union of Berkeley is among the sponsors.

Feb. 23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Food for the Body, Food for the Soul, a Lenten retreat at St. Gabriel Parish, 40th and Ulloa in San Francisco. The Mass and Eucharist is the focus. Call (415) 7316161 to reserve a space.

Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m.: Lyric Baritone Joseph Murphy, principal cantor and music coordinator at St. James Parish and the National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi, both in San Francisco, is giving a vocal recital at the Community Music Center, 544 Capp St. in San Francisco www.sfcmc.org. On the program will be secular and sacred Italian baroque and bel canto arias

by Donizetti, Gluck, Handel, Mozart and others.

Also featured will be the Songs of Travel by Ralph Vaughan Williams and classic songs by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. His accompanist will be pianist Raymond Fabrizio.

Contributions of $10/adults and $5/seniors, students are appreciated but not required.

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, children’s choirs, and 3 Fil-Am Tenors under the direction of Mila Esguerra Edwards, musician for Immaculate Conception Parish in San Francisco.

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.

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.” This lecture is free and open to the public. It will take place on the USF campus - most Father James F. direct entrance is Golden Gate and Puglisi Masonic - in McLaren Room 252. Call (415) 422-2697.

Feb. 26, 7 p.m.: “Diversity Speaker Series: Dismantling Systemic Racism” with Angela Oh, a nationally-recognized attorney, lecturer and community leader, at Notre Dame de Namur

Datebook

A staple of Sacred Heart Schools’ annual “Celebrate Spring” is the auction of a handcrafted dollhouse. This year’s several-level French apartment – seen here with the dollhouse committee - has 12 rooms and plays on the theme, “All Things Parisian.” Now in its 16th year, the auction of the custom abode has raised bids as high as $15,000. Fun begins Friday, March 7, with a luncheon from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. among dozens of boutiques, a flower market, and display of custom-made Easter baskets. On Saturday, March 8, Family Fest kids’ carnival takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday’s evening gala is an elegant and lively affair with buffet dining as well as cocktails, music, dancing and a live auction. Visit www.celebratespring.org or contact the Celebrate Spring office at (415) 345-5825.

Tickets are Family Fest $5; luncheon $65; evening gala $175.

University, 1500 Ralston Ave. in Belmont. Tickets are $20 general admission, $10 students and seniors.

Contact (650) 508-3718 or csl@ndnu.edu Tuesdays, Feb. 26 - April 1, 7:30 p.m.: Catholic Studies Series: Understanding the Creed with Mark Brumley, publisher/CEO Ignatius Press. Cost is $60. Takes place at St. Finn Barr Church, 415 Edna St. Contact Nellie Hizon at nelliehizon@yahoo.com or at (415) 6997927 or Mary McCurry at McCurryM@sbcglobal.net or (650) 738-2571.

Soup Suppers with presentations on social topics of local and global interest at St. Dominic Church, 2390 Bush St. at Steiner in San Francisco at 6:30 p.m. Dates and topics: Feb. 29, microfinance and poverty, Marc D’Silva of Catholic Relief Services; March 7, homelessness in San Francisco, Dominican Sister Anne Bertain of St. Dominic’s Lima Center and Jeff Faes of Larkin Street Youth Services; March 14, human trafficking, Norma Hotaling of Standing Against Exploitation. Call (415) 567-7824.

March 2: Dominican Sister Nancy Murray presents “St. Catherine of Siena: A Saint for Our Times” at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 1310 Bayswater in Burlingame at 4:30 p.m. Sister Murray, sister of actor Bill Murray, has performed the show around the world. Tickets are $15 adults/$5 students.

The performance is among events that will Sister Nancy commemorate the Murray parish’s centennial anniversary. Call (650) 344-6884.

March 6, April 3, May 1, 7:30 p.m.: Bioethics seminars on advance health directives at Heart of Mary Center, 2580 McAllister St. in San Francisco. Donation is $30. Refreshments served. Professor Raymond Dennehy will facilitate. Call (415) 219-8719.

March 7, 6 p.m.: Cinema Vita Film Festival at Delancey Street Theater, 600 Embarcadero in San Francisco, featuring “After the Truth,” a German film portraying a moot trial of nefarious Nazi Joseph Mengele. The event is sponsored by the Respect Life Office of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and other church groups and is dedicated to encouraging emerging filmmakers and showcasing movies about contemporary issues concerning life. Visit www.cinemavita.org or call (415) 387-2324.

Adult Faith Formation in San Mateo County.

Are you interested in growing in your faith, but have no idea where to start? Several parishes in San Mateo County have collaborated on a new website which features several concrete ways to nurture faith. Workshops, retreats, speakers and web resources are included. The site is constantly updated and organized by topic, date and location. Check it out at www.increaseourfaith.org.

For more information contact Kevin Staszkow at (650) 365-0140 or Kevin@pius.org.

Taize/Chanted Prayer 1st Friday at 8 p.m.: Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline Dr., Burlingame with Mercy Sister Suzanne Toolan. Call (650) 340-7452; Young Adults are invited each first Friday of the month to attend a social at 6 p.m. prior to Taize prayer at 8 p.m. The social provides light refreshments and networking with other young adults. Convenient parking available. For information contact, mercyyoungadults@sbcglobal.net.

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.

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.

3rd Friday, 8 p.m.: Woodside Priory Chapel, 302 Portola Rd., Portola Valley. Contact Benedictine Father Martin at (650) 851-6133 for directions or information.

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.

LENTEN DEVOTIONS AT THE CATHEDRAL Fridays at 12:40 p.m. - immediately following 12:10 Mass - Stations of the Cross, in the Cathedral.

Friday Evenings – 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Soup Supper in Event Center, followed at 7 p.m. with a bilingual Stations of the Cross in the Cathedral.

Feb. 16, 17, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.: All are welcome to the annual celebration of Irish Dance.

Performances take place throughout the Event Center halls, accompanied by an Irish cultural fair in the Corridors. Admission is free; limited parking available Saturday Only in Cathedral lot, free of charge; additional paid parking at Japantown Garages. Contact Allen or Martha Clark (408) 379-6995.

Feb. 20, 27, 7:30-9 p.m.: Artist and teacher David Clayton will present his second and third lectures on Christian tradition and the visual arts in the Cathedral Events Center – Feb. 20, “Baroque: The Art of Suffering”; Feb. 27, “Sacred Geometry: Principles of proportion and design.” Clayton has been named artist-in-residence at the St. Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, Merrimack, N.H.

Food & Fun Feb. 20: The fun continues at Immaculate Conception Chapel where a spaghetti and meatball lunch is served for $8 per person - each third Wednesday of the month. The feast begins at noon. The family style lunches consist of salad, bread, pasta and homemade meatballs.

Beverages are available for purchase. The meal is served in the church hall, beneath the chapel. Call (415) 824-1762.

Feb. 23, 24: Blue Ribbon Bake Sale at St. Brendan Parish hall, 29 Rockaway Dr. at Laguna Honda in San Francisco, Saturday 1 – 6:30 p.m.;

Catholic San Francisco

17

Sunday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Homemade baked goods, ready-to-eat frozen soups, fun activities for the kids.

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 vocations in the Church. Tickets are $40. Call Diana Heafey at (415) 731-6379 or e-mail dtheafey@sbcglobal.net. Please type Crab Feed on Subject line.

Feb. 23, 6 p.m.: “The Best Cioppino in Town” at St. Thomas More School, St. Thomas More Way at Brotherhood Way in San Francisco. Tickets at $40 include all you can eat from appetizers to wine to the featured cioppino. Raffle and silent auction, too.

Call (415) 378-0706 or visit www.stthomasmoreschool.org.

Feb. 24: Columban Fathers Dinner, honoring Mary I. Callanan and celebrating the Columbans 90th year of Missionary Service, 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) 5868017 or Pam Naughton at (415) 566-1936.

March 2, 5 – 7 p.m.: “Wine and Roses,” taste wines from seven different wineries and taste appetizers from more than half-a-dozen restaurants by candlelight and music at a Woodside estate.

Proceeds benefit St. Francis Center, a Redwood City facility providing food, clothing and education to the poor. Tickets are $75. Contact Lynda Connolly at (650) 592-7714 or llconnolly@gmail.com.

March 8, 6 p.m.: St. Stephen Women’s Guild ‘s silent and live auction dinner dance “Baubles and Bubbles” at the Marine’s Memorial Club and Hotel, San Francisco. The event honors St. Stephen “anchor parishioners” Cecelia Prete and Ed Reidy. Bob Sarlatte is master of ceremonies. Dance music by the Cheeseballs. Tickets are $120 per person. Call Suzi Desmond at (415) 260-3080, or Katherine Moser at (415) 307-7729. Information is also available at http:\\www.st-stephen.org.

March 8: St. Monica School and Parish auction, dinner and fundraiser - “It’s a Small World.” Enjoy an evening of food and fun in the St. Monica Parish Hall, 23rd Ave. and Geary Blvd, San Francisco. The event starts at 6 p.m. with a silent auction, continues with a crab cioppino dinner, and concludes with a live auction of student-created art items. Tickets are $45 per adult and $15 per child ages 5 to 17. For more information, call the school office at (415) 7519564 or look for the “It’s A Small World” link on the school website: www.stmonicasf.org.

March 15, 11:30 a.m.: Mercy High School, San Francisco’s Alumnae Council invites you to “Eggstravaganza.” Parents (grandparents, too) and children are invited to attend this family event at Mercy, 3250 19th Ave. Tickets are $6.50 per child (ages 2 -12) and adults are free. Activities will include an Easter egg hunt, games, arts/crafts and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Please RSVP by Feb. 29. For more information, contact Marguerite Rodriguez at (415) 334-0525, ext. 228 or alumnae@mercyhs.org.

TV/Radio Sunday, 6 a.m., WB Channel 20/Cable 13 and KTSF Channel 26/Cable 8: TV Mass with Msgr.

Harry Schlitt presiding.

Saturday, 4 p.m.: Religious programming in Cantonese over KVTO 1400 AM, co-sponsored by the Chinese Ministry and Chinese Young Adults of the Archdiocese.

1st Sunday, 5 a.m., CBS Channel 5: “Mosaic,” featuring conversations on current Catholic issues.

3rd Sunday, 5:30 a.m., KRON Channel 4: “For Heaven’s Sake,” featuring conversations about Catholic spirituality.

Faith Resources/ Trainings/Workshops Feb. 23: Training for new extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion offered by the Office of Worship at Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Belmont, 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Expert instruction offered in basic liturgical theology, spirituality and practice. Pre-registration required, $15. Call Pat Vallez-Kelly at (415) 614-5586 or e-mail vallezkellyp@sfarchdiocese.org.

Feb. 23 and March 8: 1-Day Training for new lectors offered by the Office of Worship at Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Belmont. Session I: Feb. 23, 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Session II: March 8, 10 a.m.- noon. Expert instruction offered in basic liturgical theology, spirituality and practice. Pre-registration required, $20. Call Pat Vallez-Kelly at (415) 6145586 or e-mail vallezkellyp@sfarchdiocese.org.

March 8: Training for extraordinary ministers of Communion to the Sick offered by the Office of Worship at Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Belmont, 10 a.m. - noon. Pre-registration required, $5 or prior attendance at Office of Worship EM training. Call Pat Vallez-Kelly at (415) 614-5586 or e-mail vallezkellyp@sfarchdiocese.org.

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.

18

Catholic San Francisco

February 15, 2008

PUBLISH A NOVENA Pre-payment required Mastercard or Visa accepted

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

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Prayer to St. Jude

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

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

B.K.

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.

L.R.C.

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.

S.C.

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.

W.S.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail.

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

Pray for us (3X).

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

Say prayers 3 days. L.R.C.

Your prayer will be published in our newspaper

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

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

Please return form with check or money order for $26 Payable to: Catholic San Francisco Advertising Dept., Catholic San Francisco 1 Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

TAX PREPARATION Certified Public Accountant

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TABLES SEATING LINENS SETTINGS SERVEWARE STAGING

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NORTHBAY CHIMNEY & FIREPLACE CALL (415) 485-4090 CHIMNEY $ CLEANING SPECIAL!

75

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Variety of jobs / repairs also, hauling.

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your house, car, or any other items with a Classified Ad in

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Income Tax ● Notary Public Alan J. Cortes 3750 Mission St. San Francisco, CA 94110

Prayer For Motherhood O good St. Gerard, powerful intercessor before God and Wonder-worker of our day, I call upon thee and seek thy aid.

Thou who on earth didst always fulfill God’s design help me do the Holy Will of God. Beseech the Master of Life, from Whom all paternity proceedeth to render me fruitful in offspring, that I may raise up children to God in this life and heirs to the Kingdom of His glory in the world to come.

Amen.

S.F.

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Garage Door

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Call (650) 757-1946 Cell (415) 517-5977 NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR

contractors are required by law to list their license numbers in advertisments. The law also state that contractors performing work totaling NOTICE TO Licensed $500 or more must be state-licensed. Advertisments appearing in this newspaper without a license number indicate that the contractor is not licensed READERS For more information, contact: Contractors State License Board 800-321-2752

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February 15, 2008

Catholic San Francisco

classifieds

State Policy Director Catholic Charities of California

The 12 Catholic Charities agencies in the California seek a State Policy Director to advocate on public policy issues impacting the poor and vulnerable. The successful candidate will build on the strong local relationships of each agency as he or she works with coalitions and lawmakers in Sacramento.

Catholic Charities of California is a statewide association of social service agencies. The Sacramento based State Policy Director is responsible for leading legislative advocacy, preparing analysis and supporting directors and staff in public policy. The director also facilitates collaboration, information sharing, and capacity building opportunities among agencies.

The position requires strong experience in political advocacy, an understanding of Catholic social teaching, knowledge of Catholic Charities organization and familiarity with diocesan structures. The position requires self-direction and a commitment to serving member agencies. Competitve salary.

For additional information, visit www.cccalifornia.org. Send cover letter and resume to Donna Gutierrez at Catholic Charities of California, 1119 K Street, 2nd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, or email to dgutierrez@cacatholic.org Fax: 916-443-4731

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

H e l p

W a n t e d ADVERTISING SALES For The Largest Publisher of Catholic Church Bulletins This is a Career Opportunity!

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

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

Catholic San Francisco

19

For Advertising Information Call: 415-614-5642 Fax: 415-614-5641 Email: penaj@sfarchdiocese.org 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

Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy

HIGH SCHOOL President - Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy High School, a Catholic independent co-ed high school of 600 students in Everett, Washington, is seeking qualified persons for the position of president beginning July 1, 2008. A candidate for the position must be a practicing Catholic, have secondary school administrative experience, and hold at least a Master’s Degree. Information about the position and about the school, as well as application materials are available at the school website: www.archbishopmurphyhs.org.

The application deadline for the president is February 29, 2008. Interviews will take place soon after. Interested individuals may also contact AMHS at info@am-hs.org or sconderman@am-hs.org to obtain materials.

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.

JOB OPENING

PRINCIPAL Junipero Serra High School is a Roman Catholic, college-preparatory that serves 1000 young men. Founded in 1944 by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, the campus is located in San Mateo, California, 20 miles south of San Francisco. A graduate of Serra is a man of faith, wisdom and service who seeks to make a difference for the good in the lives of others.

Candidates for principal must be 21st century instructional leaders who are able to assume responsibility for day-to-day administration of the school, as well as implementing longterm goals and plans for continuous curricular and co-curricular improvement. Excellent leadership and communications skills along with the capacity for maintaining high quality across all school programs is a must. The Principal reports to the President.

QUALIFICATIONS: • • • •

A practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church A Master’s degree in educational leadership (or a related field) A valid California teaching/administrative credential (or equivalent) Five years successful teaching/administrative experience at the secondary level

Salary is commensurate with credentials and experience.

LETTERS OF INTEREST AND A RESUME SHOULD BE SENT TO: Maureen Huntington, Superintendent of Catholic Schools One Peter Yorke Way San Francisco, CA 94109 Email: mhuntington@sfarchdiocese.org FAX: (415) 614-5664

Deadline: March 7, 2008

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.

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

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

Salaries dependent on experience and education level.

Complete job descriptions available upon request.

Letter of interest and resume to: Mr. Joe Elsbernd, Principal, St. Thomas More School, 50 Thomas More Way, San Francisco, CA 94132

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

Catholic San Francisco

February 15, 2008

(PHOTOS BY TOM BURKE)

20

Archbishop George Niederauer with Erma and Vincent Brogan, married 67 years, and Maria and Joachim Nyoni, married 2 years and among more than a dozen young adults from St. Vincent de Paul Parish who assisted at the Mass.

The anniversary Mass was all in the family for the Firpos. Barbara and James of St. Brendan Parish, celebrated 50 years of marriage with their son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Sandra of All Souls Parish in South San Francisco celebrating 20 years. Their children/grandchildren, Gabriella and Sabrina, are sixth and first grade students at All Souls school.

Pat and Dave Mayer of Our Lady of Angels Parish in Burlingam celebrated 59 years of marriage at the anniversary Mass. “Respect and sincerity,” have been continuing elements of their marriage,” Pat said.

“We have been very fortunate,” said Dave.

Anniversary Mass celebrates marriage as lifelong sacrament

By Tom Burke Couples from throughout the Archdiocese of San Francisco joined together Feb. 9 for the annual Anniversary Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral honoring couples of 25 and more years of marriage. Archbishop George H. Niederauer was principal celebrant and homilist. Young adults from St. Vincent de Paul Parish served as ministers of the Mass.

“The Mass celebrates the sacrament of matrimony,” said organizer Chris Lyford, a representative of Immaculate Heart Radio. “This kind of celebration is important for many reasons. It sets time aside to honor and celebrate marriage and family – the building block of society, the foundation of which is marriage.”

“This Mass is for your intentions and the intentions of all married couples seeking to live this beautiful gift,” Archbishop Niederauer said in opening remarks.

“Behavior is no guarantee of virtue,” Archbishop Niederauer said in his homily. The “daily cherishing” so necessary in marriage, he pointed out, must be shown in

how couples behave toward one another beyond all obstacles. “Love is the motive,” he said, “living out the sacrament, living out in love the commitment, living a life turning more toward God and more toward one another.”

Erma and Vincent Brogan were married Feb. 16, 1941 at Church of the Epiphany in San Francisco where they met in a teen group and continue to worship today. The couple was the longest married of the 125 couples attending the anniversary Mass and it was the first time they have taken part in the liturgy.

Vince had a career as a driver for the city of San Francisco.

Erma was a stay-at-home mom. Love and patience has been their recipe for staying together for 67 years, they said. “Greatest blessings” include “our three children, our two foster daughters, our eight grandchildren, and our six great grandchildren.”

“We think the anniversary Mass is a great idea because it shows the importance of marriage and good family life,” Erma and Vincent both agreed.

Mary and Jay Capell of St. Hilary Parish in Tiburon have been married 33 years. “It’s been a great 33 years,” Jay said. “We’re hoping for 33 more,” Mary added.

Pat and Frank Cauterucci of St. Charles Parish in San Carlos have been married for 50 year. Their long time together is thanks to “communicating,” Pat said. “If there’s a disagreement during the day, we don’t go to bed mad at each other,” noted Frank.

Also celebrating 50 years were Loretta and Forest VanVleck of Our Lady of Loretto Parish in Novato. Their time together has been marked by “mutual respect, cooperation, teamwork, love and trust,” Forest said. “We always tell each other ‘I love you’ before going to bed at night,” said Loretta.

Mary Lou and John Kaufer, parishioners of St. Luke’s in Foster City have been married 59 years. “John is very thoughtful and generous and humorous and we just seem to be compatible,” Mary Lou said about her husband. “Mary Lou’s deep Catholic faith has been a rock for me,” John said.

Chris Lyford is also head of the newly formed Catholic Family Movement. “CFM is an association of lay Catholics who have recognized the need to pray more frequently as family,” Lyford said. For information about the Catholic Family Movement visit www.sfcatholic.com. For information about Immaculate Heart Radio, KSFB – AM 1260 visit www.ihradio.com.

Learn about your medicare options at a free seminar provided health plans.

Pleasethru joinSecure us atHorizons an upcoming Aneighborhood health plan sales representative meeting.will be present with information and applications at the following meetings: A health plan sales representative will be present Secure Horizonsand Medicare Complete with information applications at the following Date: meetings: Thursday, February 21 & 28, 2008 Location: Lucky Penny Restaurant Address: 2670 Geary Blvd., San Francisco Secure Horizons

by UnitedHealthcare Time: 10:00 AM Date: Date: Location: Location: Address: Address: Time:

Wednesday, February & 27, 2008 Thursday, January 31,20 2008 ElLucky Herradero PennyRestaurant Restaurant 2224 Mission St./18th St., San Francisco 2670 Geary Blvd., San Francisco 10:00 AM

Date: Location: Date: Address: Location: Time:

Thursday, February 21, 2008 Mimis Cafe Tuesday, January 29, 2008 208 Bridgeport Pkwy, San Mateo El Herradero Restaurant 2:00 PM

Time:

Address:

Date: Time: Location: Address: Time:

10:00 AM

2224 Mission St./18th St. San Francisco

Thursday, February 21 & 28, 2008 10:00&AM Chick Coop Restaurant 1055 Taraval St., San Francisco 2:00 PM

Health Net Seniority Plus Date: Tuesday, February 19 & 26, 2008 Location: Chevy’s Restaurant Address: 3251 20th Ave. (Stonestown Galleria), San Francisco Health Net 2:00 Seniority Time: PM Plus Date: Date: Location: Location: Address: Address: Time:

Wednesday, 20 & 27, 2008 Wednesday,February January 30, 2008 Lucky Penny Restaurant Lucky Penny Restaurant 2670 Geary Blvd., San Francisco 2670PM Geary Blvd, San Francisco 2:00

Date: Location: Date: Address: Location: Time:

Tuesday, February 19 & 26, 2008 Millbrae Pancake House Tuesday, JanuaryReal, 29, 2008 1301 El Camino Millbrae Chevy’s Restaurant 10:00 AM

Address: Date: Location: Address: Time: Time:

3251 20th Ave. 19 & 26, 2008 Tuesday, February (At Stonestown Galleria) San Francisco Bakers Square Restaurant 949 Blvd., Redwood City 2:00Veterans PM 2:00 PM

Date: Location: Address: Time:

Tuesday, February 19 & 26, 2008 Marie Callendar’s Serramonte Center, Daly City 11:00 AM

Date: Location: Address: Time:

Tuesday, February 21 & 28, 2008 TGI Friday’s 3101 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo 11:00 AM

Time:

Her job was to pick a new Medicare health plan.

His job was to say “Yes dear.”

George and Lois have been married a long time, so they know how to work together. She stays up on the news, especially all the changes in health care. So George told her to pick the plan that she thought was best.

Lois picked a Medicare Advantage plan because it offered the coverage they needed, including prescription drug coverage, for an affordable monthly premium and low copayments.

But what really convinced her was the simple fact that her plan included a Brown & Toland doctor. That meant she could choose a doctor from among San Francisco’s finest board-certified physicians and have access to many of San Francisco’s quality hospitals.

Learn more at one of the following neighborhood meetings, or call 1.866.488.7088 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m to 5 p.m. on Friday to learn more about Brown & Toland’s contracted Medicare Advantage plans.

2:00 PM

www.brownandtoland.com www.brownandtoland.com