March 13, 2009

Catholic san Francisco

(CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING)

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Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Christians pray outside the White House in Washington, D.C., March 9, as President Barack Obama signed an executive order reversing the Bush administration limits on embryonic stem-cell research. At right, U.S. President Barack Obama and congressional leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, applaud after Obama has signed the order overturning limits on federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research.

New policy called ‘victory of politics over science and ethics’

By Nancy Frazier O’Brien WASHINGTON (CNS) – President Barack Obama’s executive order reversing the ban on federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research represents “a sad victory of politics over science and ethics,” Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia said shortly after the March 9 signing of the order at the White House.

The chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities was among Catholic, pro-life and other leaders who criticized

the reversal, which Obama had promised during his campaign.

Speaking in the East Room of the White House, Obama said the stem-cell policy of former President George W. Bush, in effect since Aug. 9, 2001, had forced “a false choice between sound science and moral values.”

Obama also urged Congress to consider further expansion of funding for such research. Since 1995, the Dickey/ Wicker amendment to the annual appropriations bills for federal health programs has barred federal funding of research

been or could be affected by stem-cell breakthroughs, and representatives of the Episcopal and United Methodist churches, several Jewish bodies and the Interfaith Alliance.

Obama said a “majority of Americans – from across the political spectrum, and of all backgrounds and beliefs – have come to a consensus that we should pursue” embryonic stem-cell research.

But Cardinal Rigali said the executive order “disregards the values of millions of American taxpayers who oppose STEM CELL, page 8

involving the creation or destruction of human embryos.

But the president had strong words against human cloning, which he said is “dangerous, profoundly wrong and has no place in our society, or any society.”

He said he would work to ensure that “our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction.”

Among the several dozen people present at the White House for the signing were members of Congress, scientists, families whose members had

Papal trip to Africa highlights challenges, possibilities

Cardinal cites intolerance of religious views

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Benedict XVI opens a new chapter in his papal travels when he visits Cameroon and Angola in mid-March, a trip designed to highlight the church’s message of hope on a continent beset by problems.

The visit March 17-23 will mark the first trip to Africa for a pope who has sometimes been described as Eurocentric, and it launches a series of important church events in 2009 focusing on the African continent.

For Pope Benedict, who is completing work on his first social encyclical, the trip will bring him closer to populations that are struggling daily against poverty, disease, corruption and armed conflict.

The global financial crisis is aggravating the burden on Africa’s poor, and the pope’s words on economic justice may offer a preview of the encyclical’s themes.

The trip will unfold in two parts. In Cameroon, the pope will meet with bishops from the entire continent and hand-deliver PAPAL TRIP TO AFRICA, page 19

(CNS PHOTO/SAABI, GALBE.C OM)

By John Thavis

A priest gives Communion to a woman at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Church in Yaounde, Cameroon. Pope Benedict XVI will travel to Cameroon and Angola March 17-23 on his first papal visit to Africa.

LONDON (CNS) – Confronting religious intolerance regularly and publicly is among the “crucial tasks” of Christians in the 21st century, according to Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, Australia. He said the Catholic Church’s freedom in the Western world was under pressure from a new and dangerous trend of the use of anti-discrimination laws and human rights claims to attack the role of religion in public life and individuals’ right of conscience.

In a March 6 lecture titled “Varieties of Intolerance: Religious and Secular,” he said Christians needed to “recover their self-confidence and courage” if they were to counter the problem. “Put simply, INTOLERANCE, page 18

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION News in brief. . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Pope’s Holy Land trip . . . . . 10 Guest commentary . . . . . . . 14 Columnists . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Proposition 8 defenders to Court: “Stay the course” ~ Page 3 ~ March 13, 2009

Lay judge handles “heartbreak and tragedy” ~ Page 6 ~

High Schools’ spring drama season starts ~ Pages 12-13 ~

SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

Book on media . . . . . . . . . . 20 Classified ads . . . . . . . . 22-23

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Catholic San Francisco

March 13, 2009

On The Where You Live

By Tom Burke

Second graders at Notre Dame Elementary School in Belmont gathered a truck-full of clothing including winter coats, jackets, and children’s and infant wear now being shared with those who need it by the St. Vincent de Paul Society conference of Our Lady of the Pillar Parish in Half Moon Bay and St. Anthony Mission in Pescadero. Chloe Crager, left, Nicole Totah, 2008 Notre Dame alumnae; Noreen Browning, principal; second graders, Madeline Johnson, Ted Penner and Sean Fitzgerald; and second grade teacher, Suzanne Jones, dispatch the good-will parcel. Thanks to school mom, Jodie Penner, for lettin’ us know.

Alex Warlen and Grace Newman, eighth graders at Notre Dame des Victoires Elementary School, hold proceeds from school’s Penny Race.

Kudos of the highest order to St. John Elementary School on winning the NCEA Outstanding Board Award for 2009. “St. John’s has experienced tremendous growth and revitalization over the last eight years,” said Kenneth Willers, principal, noting that the National Catholic Education Association reviewed the school’s accomplishments over seven years in reaching their decision.

“Catholic education in Mission Deanery is succeeding and St. John School is evidence of this.” Advisory Board members recognized include pastor, Msgr. Jose Rodriguez, Kenneth Willers, alumnus Dennis Loughlin, facilities chair Rhett Devlin, emergency chair Michael Thompson, technology chair John Wright, public relations person Tanya Kelley, faculty member Ursuline Sister Lillian Repak, administrator Ursuline Sister Shirley Garibaldi, parishioner Joan Higgins, events person Darren Des Roches; Christine Borgognoni and Kendra Wright, of the school parent group; Jeff Blanc who assists with athletics; and past board members Amelia Ward, Sharon Sim-Krause, Mary Michler and Barry Gremban….Happy birthday to longtime Church of the Epiphany parishioners Louise Tarantino and Isabel Duran

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who both recently reached their 90th year. The parish “Over 50 Club” handled the festivities honoring the women. Thanks for the good news to Barbara C. Bottarini, who has been bringing items to this column since its beginnings 10 years ago. Keep it up, Barbara!!!… Never too late to recognize good work! Hats off to students at Notre Dame High School in Belmont on collecting almost 6,000 food items for Second Harvest Food Bank during a holiday-time campaign. Heading up the effort was the school’s Worship, Advocate, Volunteer, Empower Club – WAVE – led by adviser Emilie Fleig. “The students showed deep concern for our neighbors who struggle to make a meal for themselves,” Emilie said. Student leaders included Amelia Shales, Gabriela Valencia, Ellen Ebert, Jan Perez, and Gabriela Dematteis….Hats off to Sal Castaneda, 1982 alum of Archbishop Riordan High School and now Channel 2 traffic reporter, on being chosen for Riordan’s 2009 Lindland Award, and Dana Sims, a 1989 Immaculate Conception Academy alumna and veteran of several Riordan shows who is winner of the school’s 2009 Barbara Sherman Award. Dana, a University of Southern California grad, had roles in shows including “Godspell” and “Man of La Mancha” and today is an agent with the famed William Morris Agency in Los Angeles. Congrats, too, to school choreographer, Kris Guevel, who has been named to the school’s Drama Dana Sims

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Father Eugene Tungol, pastor, Church of the Epiphany Parish, wishes a “Happy birthday” to two of his flock, Louise Tarantino, left, and Isabel Duran.

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Honor Roll. Thanks to Valerie O’Riordan, drama department head, for fillin’ us in and exhorting us all to “See a show!”…Hats off to students at Notre Dame des Victoires Elementary School who have been busy on the helping-others front. A food drive netted almost 1,000 items for the needy and a Penny Race collected more than $1,000 for the “Make a Wish Foundation.” An Advent Giving Tree gathered gifts for kids in several parts of the City and 27 bags of “gently used and new clothing” helped clients at the St. Anthony Foundation through the winter. Thanks to viceprincipal, Sharon Hupf for the good news. Mary K. Ghisolfo is principal. Marist Father Rene Iturbe is pastor…. This is an empty space without you! E-mail items and pictures to burket@ sfarchdiocese.org. Mail items and pictures to “Street”, One Peter Yorke Way, SF 94109.Pix should be hard copy or electronic jpeg at 300 dpi. Don’t forget to include a follow-up phone number. Call me at (415) 614-5634 and I’ll walk you through it.

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Catholic San Francisco

March 13, 2009

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By Rick DelVecchio San Francisco, March 5 – California voters had the right to amend the state Constitution to restore the traditional definition of marriage, and a court override would mark “an unprecedented revolution” in the judiciary’s role, former U.S. Solicitor General Kenneth Starr told the state Supreme Court March 5 in an hourlong defense of Proposition 8.

Starr represented ProtectMarriage.com, the coalition that sponsored the successful initiative last November, in a three-hour hearing to consider the constitutionality of the voter ban on state recognition of same-sex marriage. The California Catholic Conference is a member of the coalition.

Prop 8, approved by more than 52 percent of voters Nov. 4, restored the 14-word definition of marriage that the Supreme Court had ruled unconstitutional in a 4-to-3 decision last May: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

Starr said the principle at stake is not the wisdom of voters’ decision to amend the Constitution to limit marriage to a man and a woman but whether the Constitution gives the electorate the power to vote such a definition into law. He argued that there have been no cases that have come before the court to question that right and that the seven justices weighing Prop 8 must not deviate.

“We’re asking you to stay the course and not chart a new course,” said Starr, who is dean of Pepperdine University School of Law. Preceding Starr were lawyers for two groups of same-sex couples challenging the initiative, for the city of San Francisco

and for California Attorney General Jerry Brown. They maintained that Prop 8 is not a constitutional amendment but instead an improper revision that fundamentally alters the structure of government by depriving a minority of access to a right. Christopher Krueger, a deputy state attorney general, said marriage is an “inalienable right.”

The court must override Prop 8 because nothing is as fundamental to the structure of government as equality under the law, lawyers challenging the measure argued.

“We are protecting the moat while allowing the castle to burn down,” San Francisco Chief Deputy City Attorney Therese Stewart said.

At that remark, Justice Joyce Kennard jumped in: “We have a pretty well established body of law in California. Those decisions don’t give strong support to your argument that the people could not do what they did. Past decisions alone don’t support the argument that the people couldn’t do what they did.”

Stewart fired back: “The object of the Constitution is to protect the minority.

Therefore, this is a revolution.”

This comment prompted a cheer from same-sex marriage supporters gathered outside City Hall to watch the hearing on a giant screen. Hundreds of people on both sides of the issue gathered outside the court hearing.

Starr argued that the court must preserve the right of the people to decide regardless of the wisdom of the decision.

He said Prop 8 deprives no one of what he called the “bundle of rights” available to all citizens under the Constitution.

Starr maintained that Prop 8 is not comparable to any revision ever made to the state Constitution. Past revisions

(RICK DELVECCHIO/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

Proposition 8 defenders to Supreme Court: No legal precedent to reverse voters’ will

Simon Chan (left) of Swatow Christian Church and Victoria Chan of Golden Gate Christian Church, face the California Supreme Court building and sing hymns during the March 5 hearing on Proposition 8.

have involved changes in the structure of government.

One justice answered that even though that is true it does not mean it must be true. She said the argument that Prop 8 is a revision because it is a civil rights infringement presents the court with a problem it has never confronted before.

Starr conceded that the court faces a choice but answered: “If you tinker with the structure, you’ve gone too far, people.”

The court must rule within 90 days, but few expect the decision to end the debate. Opponents of Prop 8 said after the hearing that they would press their cause in the courts, in the Legislature and in public opinion.

“I think it was a respectful debate,” Stewart said. “My colleague Mr. Starr did

a wonderful job of articulating their side.

I’m hopeful the court will not basically sell our Constitution down the river. That is what is at stake today. I have full confidence we will go back to the ballot box and will eventually prevail. We shouldn’t have to sit through having our lives and our relationships demeaned.”

At stake is not only the legality of Prop 8 but also the status of the 18,000 samesex marriages recognized after the court’s ruling in May and up until the November election. Although the justices seemed wary of overturning the election, they expressed concern about the fairness of not recognizing the marriages.

“We’re not asking they be invalidated but we’re asking they not be recognized by the state,” said Ron Prentice, PROP 8, page 11

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Catholic San Francisco

NEWS

March 13, 2009

in brief

Archbishop meets Sisters SAN FRANCISCO – Nearly 200 members of more than two-dozen women religious orders serving in the Archdiocese of San Francisco welcomed Archbishop George H. Niederauer to a conversation Feb. 28 at the Sisters of the Presentation Motherhouse in San Francisco. A member of the planning committee, Presentation Sister Rosina Conrotto, said the meeting was to let the archbishop learn more about the women religious in the archdiocese, and “to let him know who we are, what we do, and what we can do.”

Presentation Sister Pam Chiesa, introduced the archbishop and said, “Most of the parishes, schools and ministries in the Archdiocese are served by members of these congregations.”

Archbishop Niederauer, who was accompanied by Auxiliary Bishops Ignatius Wang and William Justice, said, “We begin talking to Sisters by saying thanks, and again saying thanks, and we don’t stop saying thanks” for the wonderful work they do in the archdiocese. The two-hour session included a question and answer session. Dominican Sister Carla Kovak was one of several Sisters who asked about the role of women in the Church. Archbishop Niederauer praised the work of women religious and said, “Our archdiocese is unimaginable without Sisters.”

U.S. Bishops support Iraq development WASHINGTON – The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has joined a broad group of religious, justice, and relief and development organizations in calling upon President Barack Obama to assist and protect vulnerable Iraqis and pursue efforts that lead to long-term development in war-torn Iraq. In a March 4 letter to the White House, 44 organizations asked the president to mandate that “civilian agencies take the lead in formulating and implementing an effective humanitarian and development strategy.” Stephen Colecchi, director of the U.S. bishops’ Office of International Justice and Peace, said the letter’s call parallels one aspect of the U.S. bishops’ 2006 statement seeking a responsible transition in Iraq and the eventual withdrawal of American military forces from the country. A key to Iraq’s development is creating a stable country where all Iraqis are safe and refugees – both Christian and non-Christian – can return to their communities, Colecci told Catholic News Service March 9.

Home-care workers need support, says Vatican nuncio UNITED NATIONS – Women and immigrants who provide home care to the sick and elderly need support and protection from exploitation, said the Vatican’s apostolic nuncio to the United Nations. Archbishop Celestino Migliore said very little of the funding spent on medical research and providing assistance to the weak and ill goes to supporting home-care workers.

“Studies have shown that community and home-based caregivers actually experience more stress than medical personnel; so better support must be provided for these persons, particularly women and older persons who are caregivers,” he said. The archbishop made his remarks in a March 9 address to a meeting of the U.N. Economic and Social Council’s Commission on the Status of Women. Commission members gathered March 2-13 at the United Nations to consider how to promote an equal sharing of the responsibilities between men and women in offering supportive care, including the context of HIV and AIDS.

(CNS PHOTO/CELINE BACA RADIGAN, ARCHDIOCESE OF SANTA FE)

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Pope prays that dignity of all women will be respected VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI marked International Women’s Day March 8 by praying that the dignity of all women would be recognized and respected. After leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer, the pope told a crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square that the observance honoring women “invites us to reflect on the condition of women and to renew a commitment to ensuring that always and everywhere every woman can live and demonstrate fully her own abilities, obtaining full respect for her dignity.” While recent church documents stress the equal dignity of women and men and the importance of women in the church and society, the pope said that the witness of the lives of saintly women speaks even more loudly. “Our age had Mother Teresa of Calcutta; the humble daughter of Albania became by the grace of God an example for the whole world through her exercise of charity and her service of human promotion,” he said. “Many other women work each day, hidden from view, for the good of humanity and for the kingdom of God,” the pope said.

Irish Bishops condemn murders DUBLIN, Ireland – The shooting of a policeman in Northern Ireland was described as “cold-blooded murder” by Bishop John McAreavey of Dromore and his Church of Ireland counterpart, who said there is “no going back” to the days of violence that killed more than 3,500 people over 30 years. Twenty-year police veteran Stephen Paul Carroll, 48, was shot in the head March 9 while getting out of his car in Craigavon, County Armagh, where he was responding to an emergency call for help. This was the second attack in less than 48 hours on Northern Ireland’s security forces by dissidents who oppose British rule in the province. A group calling itself the Continuity IRA claimed responsibility for Carroll’s killing, while the Real IRA claimed responsibility for the killing of two soldiers March 7. Both groups have broken away from Northern Ireland’s largest paramilitary organization, the Irish Republican Army, which has embraced Northern Ireland’s peace process since the late 1990s. The three killings

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Former Episcopal Bishop Jeffrey N. Steenson, right, blesses Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan of Santa Fe, N.M., during Steenson’s ordination to the Catholic priesthood at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Rio Rancho, N.M., Feb. 21. Father Steenson spent 24 years as an Episcopal priest and three as a bishop in New Mexico.

have raised fears that Northern Ireland may be returning to the sectarian violence known as the Troubles, which began in the late 1960s and ended with the signing of the Good Friday peace agreement in 1998.

Expert points to pope’s efforts to save Jews during WWII VATICAN CITY – A document found in a Rome convent NEWS IN BRIEF, page 5

Lay leader to appear on TV program Bill May, chairman of Catholics for the Common Good – www.ccgaction.org, talks about the involvement of the laity in transforming American society to reflect Gospel values and Church teaching on the television program, “For Heaven’s Sake,” which airs March 15 on KRON-Channel 4 at 5:30 a.m. The program is a coproduction of the San Francisco Archdiocesan Office of Communications and KRON.

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News in brief . . .

Evolution not to blame for atheism ROME – Evolution is not to blame for attempts to remove God from the story of life, said a U.S. professor speaking at a Vatican conference. Scientism, or the use of science beyond its proper sphere of investigating physical nature, is what has reduced the place of the divine in the

Catholics pray March 8 near the Massereene army base after two British soldiers were shot dead and four other people wounded in a March 7 shooting in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland.

of “The Origin of Species,” in which Charles Darwin put forth his theory on evolution. The March 3-7 gathering was sponsored and organized by the Pontifical Council for Culture’s Science, Technology and the Ontological Quest project, the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and several of Rome’s pontifical universities.

world, said Robert J. Russell, founder and director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences in Berkeley. “Evolution is not the problem. The problem is scientism; it’s people like (Richard) Dawkins who use evolution as an argument for atheism,” he told Catholic News Service. Russell was one of dozens of experts in science, theology and philosophy invited to speak at an international conference in Rome to mark the 150th anniversary of the publication

Sister Doris Huertas, 50, a Peruvian member of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is seen at the Light of Hope Center she helped found in El Alto, Bolivia. She has befriended La Paz’ vulnerable street children and is a mother figure and counselor to 18 young residents who had once been living on the street. El Alto’s Light of Hope Center is now a beacon for boys living on the streets in La Paz.

Pope encourages Catholics to have silent prayer in Lent

(CNS PHOTO/BARBARA FRASER)

confirms that Pope Pius XII quietly ordered church institutions to open their doors to Jews fleeing Nazi arrest and deportation, a church expert said. “The Holy Father wants to save his children, including the Jews, and orders that hospitality be shown to these persecuted people in the convents,” said a note found in the historical journal of the Augustinian Community of Santi Quattro Coronati. The note, written by one of the nuns and dated November 1943, had an appendix with the names of 24 people, including Jews, who were hidden by the sisters of the cloistered convent, located near the Colosseum. Nazi soldiers began rounding up thousands of Jews in Rome and shipping them to death camps in October 1943. One of the accusations against Pope Pius XII, repeated in a number of books in recent years, was that he did little or nothing to stop the deportations.

Jesuit Father Peter Gumpel, the “relator” or investigating judge of the sainthood cause of Pope Pius, found the document and spoke about it with Vatican Radio March 4. He said it was an important written confirmation of the many oral reports of Pope Pius’ concern for the Jews and his unpublicized efforts to help them.

(CNS PHOTO/CATHAL MCNAUGHTON, REUTERS)

n Continued from page 4

VATICAN CITY – The day after ending his Lenten retreat – and spending most of the week, including mealtimes, in silence – Pope Benedict XVI encouraged all Catholics to make time in Lent for silent reflection on the Scriptures. “During this Lenten time, I urge you all to find prolonged moments of silence,

possibly of retreat, in order to review your lives in the light of the loving plan of our heavenly Father,” the pope said March 8.

Reciting the Angelus with visitors in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict said prayer was at the heart of the day’s Gospel story about Jesus’ transfiguration. “Prayer, in fact, reaches its culmination and, therefore, becomes a source of interior light when the human spirit adheres to God’s spirit and their wills fuse, becoming almost one,” the pope said. Pope Benedict told the crowd gathered in the springtime sun that his Feb. 28-March 7 retreat, directed by Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, retired head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, was an intense week of silence and prayer.

– Catholic News Service and Catholic San Francisco.

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Catholic San Francisco

March 13, 2009

Lay judge handles “heartbreak and tragedy” for tribunal Graffio said canonists work on several cases at one time, with auditors working directly with the parties Rob Graffio, the newest staff member of the involved to take depositions and track down documenMetropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of San tary evidence.

Francisco, originally planned a career in law enforceUltimately, a decision must be made based on the ment. facts at hand. Graffio said there is rarely a “smoking “I majored in criminology, law and society,” said gun” in a case, so canonists must weigh carefully the Graffio, who studied at the Catholic University of credibility of the parties.

America in the contemporary practice of canon law. “I A number of factors can cause a marriage to be just changed my mind. I’ve always loved the institutional declared invalid, including impaired judgment at the Church. I like that structure and the law that governs it. time of the wedding, or being closed to the idea of havIt’s part of my personality. I have a legal mind, a legal ing children. But Graffio said not all marriages that end orientation.” in divorce are eligible for an annulment. The outcome Much of the day-to-day work of a canonist is in of the case, he said, hinges on one thing: the truth. determining the legitimacy of marriages in annulment “The law calls for judges to have moral certitude cases. Father Michael Padazinski, judicial vicar of the about the decisions they make,” Graffio said. “There are Archdiocese of San Francisco, said the archdiocese failed marriages that are not invalid marriages. There deals with around 200 such cases a year, with annul- may be subsequent moral failings that brought about ment proceedings making up roughly 80 percent of the the failure of the marriage. We can’t invent invalidity total caseload. where it doesn’t exist.”

For every marriage case, canonists follow a process Graffio said friends often ask him whether dealing that includes multiple interviews and much written cor- daily with failed marriages takes an emotional toll. respondence. Due to the “There’s a lot of heartnumber of cases and the break and tragedy,” Graffio time-consuming nature of said. “I’m realistic about the investigations, Graffio “There is a dearth of Catholic that. In most cases, I don’t said the typical case takes meet the people, so I’m priests, and a dearth of canonists able to deal with it in an a year to complete.

“We try to work as impartial manner.” quickly as we can,” Graffio among the clergy. We’ve come to The tribunal has a staff said. “Some people recof fourteen, with four ognize the reality that depend on lay canonists.” lay canonists. In addiwe have heavy caseloads. tion to Graffio, Krystyna Other people are unwillDiane Barr – Father Michael Padazinski, Amborski, ing. All they really care and Robert Flummerfelt about is their own case, serve the tribunal as lay and that’s understandable Judicial Vicar and Chancellor of canonists. because it’s their life.”

As a lay canonist, The tribunal is the the Archdiocese of San Francisco Graffio has limitations. court of first instance for When he is part of the all cases within the archthree-judge panels that diocese, and serves as an appeals court for the dioceses decide cases, the other two judges must be clerics – of Sacramento, Monterey and Stockton. The diocese of either priests or deacons. A lay canonist may not be Oakland serves as the appeals court for cases originat- the sole judge of a case. ing in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and cases can But lay canonists are invaluable members of any triultimately be appealed directly to the Rome, through the bunal staff, said Father Herman Leong, a canonist with Tribunal of the Roman Rota. the Diocese of Oakland’s tribunal and CUA classmate The tribunal provides yearly reports on all its cases of Graffio. to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the “Canon law provides the laity an opportunity to serve highest judicial authority in the Church besides the Pope, the Church,” Father Leong said. “The lay judge provides who is the supreme ecclesiastical judge. a depth of perspective to the tribunal. Given the fact that both the layperson and the cleric are subject to the same academic rigors in the course of study of canon law, Independent Living | Assisted Living there is no qualitative difference between them.”

Memory Care | Skilled Nursing Father Padazinski said that while lay canonists have limitations, they also come with built-in strengths.

“They can concentrate fully on their job,” Father Padazinski said. “With priests, many have the demands of parish life, and sacramental ministry.”

Father Padazinski, who also serves the Archdiocese as chancellor, added that lay canonists are increasingly

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Rob Graffio adjudicates annulment cases as a lay canonist.

important.

“There is a dearth of Catholic priests, and a dearth of canonists among the clergy,” the priest said. “We’ve come to depend on lay canonists. I’ve come to depend on lay canonists.”

Other than marriage cases, canonists deal with a variety of issues affecting parishes and the archdiocese as a whole. For example, when lay Catholics formed an archconfraternity to protect the Porziuncola shrine replica at the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in North Beach, Father Padazinski assigned Graffio to investigate the canon law requirements for such a group.

“I like to look at canon law broadly, so I like the variety,” Graffio said.

While all priests are required to take canon law classes while in seminary, both Father Padazinski and Graffio said that study is limited.

“It’s very helpful for a pastor to know his duties and obligations in canon law,” Graffio said. “It helps him to do his job better. Canon law governs what they do with the sacramental life of the Church, with parish life.”

It also has a bearing on parish temporal affairs, he said.

“A pastor is a financial administrator of, in some cases, millions of dollars of assets,” Graffio said, adding that a good working knowledge of canon law can help pastors sort out practical duties.

Graffio said the interaction with ordained canonists has been interesting and enjoyable.

“I came to be very friendly with a lot of the priests I was studying with in school,” he said. “It was maybe the first time in my life that was the case. I was never really in that position to be a peer.”

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Catholic San Francisco

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In Remembrance of the Faithful Departed Interred In Our Catholic Cemeteries During the Month of February HOLY CROSS COLMA Eugenia C. Andaya Rose A. Antonucci Angela Barrango Erma Bellett Gerald A. Bennett Peter Anthony Bogdan Antoinette R. Bolin James B. “Jimmy” Bordallo, Jr. Paul Bose Albina Brovelli Maria C. Cadena Marilyn Castenada Eladia Castillo Angela F. Cerruti Erma R. Cervelli Thomas E. Chase Rose I. Checchi Mario D. Cid Patrick K. Clements Irma E. Colby Maylou Boscus Conroy Casta Correa Adelina L. Daluz Naimeh Danfoura Margaret L. De Hart Louise Diaz Harriet M. Didero Joanita M. Dulski Teresa Dion Duterte Helen G. Fernandez Louise E. Fontanier Simplicia E. Gaan Audrey Thiebaut Gallagher Daniel R. Garcia Lorena C. Gomez Violet J. Gonion Nena Banzon Hangad Raymond J. Harrington Dale Allen Hedlin Luz Hidalgo Hill Florence I. Holland

Emily M. Honniball Lorraine M. Horan Chung Ho Hung Ann M. Jackson Pabian Lacaran Hilda W. Lam Yvonne Lasserre Kye Hee Lee Joanne B. Lehane Virginia Lynch Lorna Riggs Mackall Frank Wensinger Mahoney Virginia A. Manalo Josephine C. Maniscalco Marie L. Mann Rene Margaroni Timothy McAuliffe Dorothy D. McKinney Dino J. Meschi Milagros N. Mondejar Anthony V. Morabito Dolores Morgan Dolores Teresa Murphy Margaret “Peggy” Murray Mary Barich Nelson Amparo C. Nieves George O’Brien Bennie Olivas Jesus O. Oropeza Cipriana G. Orque Marjorie D. Parks Guillermo P. Partida Theresa Patricio Kevin Michael Paul Patricia M. Perez Lillian Julia Quinn Auristela G. Quinones Mary Ann Renner Corinne Joyce Riccomi Samuel J. Rizzo Enrique L. Rodelas Consuelo Rodriguez Gloria Rogero

Katherine M. Romani Kathy Anna Rosa Alice Rossi Kathryn L. Russell Benigno C. Santos Adela Cajucom Savet Wilhelm Seitel Herman Serujo, Jr. Edward C. Silvey Agnes G. Simon Madeline Steenvoorde Danny Yam Tong Szeto Mary G. Taylor Celestia C. Valverde Donald J. Van Tricht Lourdes D. Ventura Francis B. Yule J. Luis Zabala Martha Leonor Zaldana Sam Zammit Sr. Mary Leona Zetah

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Catholic San Francisco

March 13, 2009

Stem cell . . .

n Continued from cover

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Summer Education

research that requires taking human life” and “ignores the fact that ethically sound means for advancing stem-cell science and medical treatments are readily available and in need of increased support.”

He reiterated points raised by Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, USCCB president, who said in a letter to Obama earlier this year that a change in the policy on funding of embryonic stem-cell research “could be a terrible mistake – morally, politically and in terms of advancing the solidarity and well-being of our nation’s people.”

Bishop Elio Sgreccia, former president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, said allowing the use of public funds for embryonic stem-cell research was “without ethical or scientific justification.”

The decision to reverse the ban on federal funding was based on “utilitarian logic” that failed to take into account the fact that embryos are human beings, he told the Italian news agency ANSA March 9.

“It’s about the destruction of human beings in order to turn them into material for experimentation,” he said.

The Italian bishop said it was unclear why research on embryonic stem cells would need to be pursued now that new discoveries have been made with other kinds of stem cells.

He referred to the work of a Japanese biologist who found in 2007 that adult stem cells could easily be reprogrammed to an embryonic state.

At the White House, Obama said he “cannot guarantee that we will find the treatments and cures we seek. No president can promise that.”

“But I can promise that we will seek them – actively, responsibly and with the urgency required to make up for lost ground,” he added.

The Bush policy had allowed funding of embryonic stem-cell research only when the stem-cell line had been created before Aug. 9, 2001. The executive order Obama signed permits federal funding of stem-cell lines created since then, but would not allow funding of the creation of new lines, leaving that decision to Congress.

Obama also signed a “presidential memorandum on scientific integrity” March 9, ordering the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategy for ensuring that “the administration’s decisions about public policy be guided by the most accurate and objective scientific advice available.”

He said scientific advisers should be appointed “based on their credentials and experience, not their politics or ideology.”

But Paul A. Long, vice president for public policy at the Michigan Catholic Conference, said the order “regrettably places ideology and political posturing ahead of proven scientific therapeutic advancements.”

“There are endless studies and stories of patients who have been treated, even cured of their debilitating condition following stem-cell therapies that do not necessitate the destruction of human embryos, yet the ... executive order makes every tax-paying American citizen unwittingly complicit in the destruction of human embryos for experimental research.”

Bishop Robert W. Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Mo., called Obama’s action the “newest step by the president to eventually remove all legal protections for innocent, nascent human life.”

“The president boldly proclaimed that he was taking the politics out of science,” Bishop Finn added. “Rather, it seems clear that he is only asserting ‘his politics’ over life itself.”

Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life of America, said the president’s decision – which the organization “is against, ... period” – surprised the STEM CELL, page 9

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Catholic San Francisco

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Stem cell . . .

Workplace programs set to help immigrants learn English

group and signaled “a cooling of our relations� with the Obama administration. “While we have zero confidence that a call for a reversal of this executive order will prevail, we are hopeful that the president will heed our call for common-ground solutions in dealing with pro-life Democrats,� Day added, citing in particular the Pregnant Women’s Support Act. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., the author of a 2005 law authorizing $265 million in federal research funds for adult stem cells from cord blood and bone marrow, asked in a statement: “Why does the president persist in the dehumanizing of nascent human life when better alternatives exist?� “On both ethics grounds and efficacy grounds nonembryonic-destroying stem-cell research is the present and future of regenerative medicine – and the only responsible way forward,� Smith added.

WASHINGTON (CNS) – The Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. has launched the Worker Integration and Naturalization Project to promote immigrants’ integration into U.S. society by increasing access to English and citizenship classes in the workplace. “In our work with immigrant organizations and other community-based organizations, we have seen the growing need for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and citizenship programs that help immigrants naturalize,� said Laura Burdick, project coordinator of CLINIC’s Citizenship and Immigrant Integration Project.

The new language project provides seed money to refugee resettlement organizations, selected by CLINIC, to establish an English as a Second Language program in the workplace. CLINIC will provide the organizations with a module on how to create such a program as well as resources, training and grant funding to hire an instructor.

The selected organizations will in turn choose employers to

n Continued from page 8

Summer Education

participate in the workplace English program. “Providing education and encouraging citizenship is a way for businesses with immigrant employees to invest in the wider community and promote civic engagement,� Burdick said in a statement.

She added that CLINIC hopes the language project can serve as a model for other English as a Second Language workplace classes and provide potential areas for partnerships on such programs.

Statistics show the business sector and the U.S. economy have benefited from legal immigrant workers. According to CLINIC, in recent years the foreign-born population has accounted for nearly 15 percent of the total U.S. civilian workforce. However, many immigrant workers arrive in the United States with limited knowledge of English.

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (www.cliniclegal. org) was established in 1988 as a distinct organization by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (www.usccb.org) to support a growing network of community-based immigration programs.

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By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Benedict XVI said his trip to the Holy Land in May would be a pilgrimage of prayer for peace in the Middle East and the entire world.

The pope, speaking at his noon blessing March 8, confirmed that the visit would take place May 8-15. His planned itinerary will take him to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The pope said he was making the Holy Land pilgrimage “in order to ask the Lord, by visiting the sacred places of his earthly passage, for the precious gift of unity and peace for the Middle East and all humanity.”

“Even now I am counting on the spiritual support of all of you, so that God may accompany me and fill with grace all those I will meet along the way,” he said.

Vatican trip planners traveled to the Holy Land in late February to work out details of the papal program there. The preliminary schedule calls for the pope to arrive in Amman, Jordan, May 8 and proceed to Israel May 11, presiding over events in Jerusalem and Nazareth and in Bethlehem, West Bank.

The visit is expected to include a visit to a mosque in Amman, a stop at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, a visit to a Palestinian refugee

camp and several outdoor liturgies.

It will be the first papal trip to the Holy Land since 2000, when Pope John Paul II traveled a similar route during the Holy Year.

Israeli President Shimon Peres, who had more than once invited the pontiff to visit Israel, welcomed the pope’s official announcement of the trip.

“I am delighted that His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has responded positively and accepted my invitation to visit the Holy Land,” Peres said.

“The pope will be a most honored guest, welcomed and respected by people from all walks of life. His visit will be a moving and important event bringing the spirit of peace and hope,” he said.

(CNS PHOTO/MAX ROSSI, REUTERS)

Pope Benedict says Holy Land trip will be mission of peace

Pope Benedict waves to the faithful gathered for the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 8.

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Prop 8 . . .

(PHOTOS BY RICK DELVECCHIO/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

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ProtectMarriage campaign chairman. “We believe it is very clear. However, the court heard from the other side a consistent argument that it is ambiguous. We disagree.

That will be the most interesting decision.”

Other proponents of Prop 8 said they felt the court gave their side a fair hearing and were optimistic about the ruling on the measure’s validity.

“I thought Dean Starr did a magnificent job of articulating our position that the Constitution belongs to the people and the people have rightly and appropriately amended it and marriage remains between a man a woman,” California Catholic Conference Executive Director Ned Dolejsi said outside the courthouse. “The court asked many good questions across a spectrum of issues. I would be mildly optimistic they’re in favor of validating Proposition 8.”

ProtectMarriage General Counsel Andrew Pugno said: “We saw a broad understanding of what really matters here: the right of the people to amend their Constitution.

The questioning today was very consistent with all the issues that have been briefed in the written submissions and we think the court is analyzing the case properly and we’re likely to prevail.”

Prentice said he felt Starr’s argument against expanding the definition of revision impressed the justices favorably: “They understand what could happen to the initiative process and the sovereign will of the people if indeed this was to be overturned.”

Left, Chauncey Killens, a Christian minister from Salinas, debated onlookers outside City Hall. “I’m not saying there’s a problem being gay,” he said.

“They can’t be married.” Above, People on both sides of the marriage debate gathered outside City Hall in San Francisco held signs as they watched the Supreme Court’s hearing on a giant screen.

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Catholic San Francisco

March 13, 2009

March 13, 2009

Catholic San Francisco

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Area Catholic high schools staging classic shows this spring

TAH) Y PAUL TO

(PHOTO B

Patrick Brown (Riordan Class of 2010) and Meaghan Osborne (Mercy Burlingame 2011) play the cute/ popular love interest in Riordan’s production of “Back To The 80’s.”

Tri-School Productions presents “Footloose” “Footloose.”

Pictured, from left, Matt Elkins as Ren, Katherine Russell as Ariel, Eric Foard as Rev. Shaw.

Schedule of spring high school performances

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By Valerie Schmalz ight-hearted, romantic, and old-fashioned fun characterize this year’s spring musical selections at Catholic high schools in the archdiocese. And many of the productions will bring a smile to parents and even grandparents’ faces, as they recall the musicals and plays from when they were in high school.

St. Ignatius College Preparatory stages “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory showcases “Oklahoma!” and Tri-School Productions in San Mateo brings “Footloose” to life.

“Kiss Me Kate” will be reprised at San Domenico Upper School in San Anselmo. At Marin Catholic High School, it’s “Dracula, the Musical?” while Mercy, San Francisco’s “Seussical the Musical” will remind all of us of Cat in the Hat, the Whos, and Horton the Elephant.

At Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, high school students will be moon-walking and doing the Cabbage Patch for “Back to the ‘80s”, a musical in the style of “Back to the Future” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” “It will be going down memory lane, flashback time,” says Riordan choreographer Kris Guevel, who has been creating dances and teaching kids how to dance at Riordan since 1985. A bookkeeper at Riordan as well, Guevel was in Riordan productions while a student at then nearby St. John Ursuline High School for Girls. “I just love working with young people, teaching them to dance and feel good about themselves. And it helps to build up confidence.”

At The Priory School, a sixth- to12th grade co-educational day and boarding school in Portola Valley, drama director John Sugden is staging the play “Pride and Prejudice,” in an original adaptation he wrote with Lorilee Sugden. His aim was to capture the richness of the original text and feel of the 1813 Jane Austen novel, while condensing it to play length. The story of 19th century manners and morals “allows the actors to stretch themselves as they connect with a world very different from our own and acquire a British accent,” said Sugden. “It demands great emotional and psychological connection and subtlety because it is a world where the sharpest attack can be made in a glance, a silence or a turn of phrase.” Priory School junior Eleanor Oats plays the main character Elizabeth Bennett, and says, “This is a story of how she learns not to judge people by first appearance.”

At Mercy, San Francisco, “Seussical, the Musical,” weaves together Dr. Seuss’ most famous tales and best-loved characters from 15 books as they travel everywhere from the Jungle of Nool to McEligott’s Pool to Palm Beach. The musical “allows the students to play broad, bigger than life characters. The music is sophisticated and the cast never stops moving,” Director Liz McAninch said. “Seussical” boasts a cast of 50 high school students and 18 Catholic elementary school students, who play the Whos.

“This is a great celebration of Dr. Seuss and his philosophy—a way to live which is to help other people even when it is not easy for you, to look out for your fellow man,” the Mercy drama director said.

PRODUCTION: WHEN: SCHOOL: LOCATION: TICKETS: SUMMARY:

Back to the ‘80s March 27, 28, April 3, 4 at 8 p.m.; April 5 at 2 p.m.

Archbishop Riordan High School Lindland Theatre, 175 Phelan Ave. across from City College of San Francisco Adults $10, students $7, children 12 and under $4 From the era that brought the world The Rubik’s Cube, Max Headroom and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comes this “totally awesome” musical in the style of movies such as Back To The Future, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Karate Kid and The Wedding Singer.

PRODUCTION: Footloose March 20, 21, 27, and 28 at 7:30 p.m.; WHEN: March 22 at 2:00 p.m.

SCHOOL: Tri-School Productions, the drama program of three San Mateo Catholic high schools, Mercy-Burlingame, Notre Dame-Belmont, and Junípero Serra high schools.

LOCATION: Gellert Auditorium on the Serra campus at 451 W. 20th Ave., San Mateo.

TICKETS: Adults $15, students and seniors, $10 The musical “Footloose,” based on the popular 1980’s film of SUMMARY: the same name, is the story of a boy who moves from Chicago to a mythical small town with his single mother, where he rebels against the town’s ban on dancing, falls in love, and yearns for his father.

PRODUCTION: WHEN: SCHOOL: LOCATION: TICKETS: SUMMARY:

Dracula the Musical?

March 12, 13, 14 at 8 p.m.; March 15 at 2 p.m.

Marin Catholic High School Marin Center Showcase Theater, 3501 Civic Center Dr., San Rafael Adults $12, students and seniors, $6.

Musical version of Dracula based on the original Victorian novel by Bram Stoker.

Mercy, S.F. senior Katey Simons portrays main character Gertrude McSuzz, a self-conscious bird with a one-feather tail, who is smitten with Horton the elephant. Horton is trying to save the Whos living on a speck of dust on a cloverleaf, Simons said. “It’s wacky, it’s really cute,” she said. With a mother who is a preschool teacher, Dr. Seuss was a big part of Simons’s growing up: “It brings back good memories from childhood.”

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory drama director Francine Torres-Kelly is producing “Oklahoma!”, a musical set in Indian territory at the turn of the 20th century, with the battle over land between farmers and cowboys providing the backdrop for a romance between two headstrong characters, Curley and Laurey. “We wanted an upbeat, classic musical in the grand old tradition,” says Torres-Kelly,

“Oklahoma!” playing at De Paul Auditorium, is a tale of two willful romantics, Laurey and Curly, coming together amid the beauty and promise of the Oklahoma territory.

M Maria Pougiales-Posey, left as Petruchio and Genevieve Durst as Kate in San Domenico High School’s production of “Kiss Me Kate.”

PRODUCTION: WHEN: SCHOOL: LOCATION: TICKETS: SUMMARY:

Kiss Me Kate April 2, 3, 4 at 7:30 p.m.

San Domenico Upper School Dominican Hall, 1500 Butterfield Road, San Anselmo Adults $10, students $5 This rollicking musical comedy in the classic American musical style includes great up-tempo numbers, lovely ballads, and fantastic characters running the gamut from Broadway stars to Chicago-style gangsters (who sing). The show is a play-within-a-play: the story involves a musical version of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” starring a feuding former couple.

PRODUCTION: WHEN: SCHOOL: LOCATION: TICKETS: SUMMARY:

Oklahoma!

March 26, 27, 28 and April 2, 3, 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory De Paul Auditorium, 1100 Ellis St., San Francisco General $10, students $5 Set in Indian territory just after the turn of the 20th century, the high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, play out their love story of the American West, with classic songs such as “O, what a beautiful morning!”

PRODUCTION: WHEN: SCHOOL: LOCATION:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen March 19, 20 at 7 p.m.; March 21 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Priory School The Priory School Theater, 302 Portola Rd., Portola Valley Adults $7, students $5 A new adaptation by drama director John Sugden and Lorilee Sugden of the classic Jane Austen novel.

PRODUCTION: Gypsy March 19, 20 at 6 p.m.; March 21 at 2 p.m.

WHEN: Convent of the Sacred Heart High School/ SCHOOL: Stuart Hall High School LOCATION: Syufy Theatre, 2222 Broadway (between Fillmore and Webster),San Francisco TICKETS: Adults $8, children $5 Gypsy tells the story of the ultimate stage mother and her SUMMARY: efforts to bring her two daughters stardom.

TICKETS: SUMMARY:

PRODUCTION: WHEN: SCHOOL: LOCATION:

SUMMARY:

TICKETS: SUMMARY:

Junglebook April 23, 24, 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Preparatory Campbell Center for Performing Arts, 150 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton $5 Based on the “Jungle Book” novels of Rudyard Kipling, the dialogue and action refer to the jungle, but this “play with music” draws color and style from a world of playfulness, loyalty, adventure, and betrayal as a group of guys work to fit into the group.

who has a cast of 28 and crew of 40 students in “Oklahoma!”

Three San Mateo high schools team up in Tri-School Productions— this year to stage “Footloose”, the musical which originally starred a young Kevin Bacon. The show is cast with students from two allgirls schools, Mercy, Burlingame and Notre-Dame in Belmont, and all-boys Junipero Serra High School. “Footloose” follows the story of Ren, played by Serra sophomore Matthew Elkins, a typical Chicago teenager who moves with his single mother to a mythical small town that bans dancing. Romance, conflict and family love all ensue, set to a “rocking” Oscar and Tony nominated score by Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford, said director Tom Sullivan.

“Gypsy,” the 1959 classic being staged by Convent of the Sacred Heart High School and Stuart Hall High School, tells the story of the

PRODUCTION: WHEN: SCHOOL: LOCATION: TICKETS:

Seussical the Musical March 27, 28, April 3, 4 at 7 p.m.

Mercy-San Francisco Mercy Theatre, 3250 19th Ave., San Francisco March 27, Red Carpet Reception, $12; March 28 April 3, 4, $8 in advance and $10 at the door This lively musical weaves together Dr. Seuss’ most famous tales and characters in a fanciful tale.

PRODUCTION: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown March 24-28, April 1-4 at 7:00 p.m.

WHEN: (no performance March 26) SCHOOL: St. Ignatius College Preparatory LOCATION: Bannan Theatre, 2001 37th Ave., San Francisco Adults $12, students $10. Sold online at siprep.org TICKETS: An average day in the life of Charlie Brown and friends..

SUMMARY:

Junior Robby Lucchesi and sophomore Amelia Rudnicki star as Linus and Sally in St. Ignatius’ production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Eleanor Oates as Elizabeth Bennett and Will Alvarez as Mr. Darcy, in The Priory School’s staging of “Pride and Prejudice.”

ultimate show business mother, Rose, and her efforts to bring her two daughters to stardom, says drama director Pamela Rickard. The show has “terrific, strong parts for girls,” Rickard said. “A musical like this really insists that the kids rise to meet it. It’s hard but hard in a way that encourages them to reach toward excellence. And they’re doing it!”

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is a comedy based on the characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz in his comic strip Peanuts, and features a day in the life of Charlie Brown and a few of his friends. “We have worked hard to recreate the strip as closely as possible,” director Meredith Cecchin Galvin said. She double cast the leads, so two sets of actors will perform in the opening and closing shows. “We’re really enjoying the challenge of the music and the light-hearted subject matter,” said Cecchin Galvin.

Continuing a trend of well-loved shows, at Sacred Heart Preparatory in Atherton, “Junglebook,” will premier as a “play with music” including some rap and dancing, said director John Loschmann. San Domenico Upper School’s production of Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me, Kate” is part of the school’s yearlong theme of Shakespeare and Shakespeare-related pieces—but is also in synch with an emphasis on fun and the upbeat in most of this spring’s productions around the archdiocese. “‘Kiss Me, Kate’ is a very fun play, with great characters and great music,” director Jennifer Grimes said, “and that is always a timely combination!”

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Catholic San Francisco

March 13, 2009

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Guest Commentary Is ideology trumping science and money?

By Vicki Evans On March 9, President Obama signed an executive order lifting restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. This is not surprising. It was a campaign promise. What is surprising is that, at the very time the federal government is throwing its full faith and credit behind experimentation on human embryos, science appears to have progressed away from embryonic stem cell research, leaving the government – and politicians – in the dust.

Whatever you thought about the Bush Administration’s limitations on funding for embryonic stem cell research, that policy decision had the effect of promoting scientific research on alternative and ethical sources for stem cells. It is likely that these avenues of research would not have been pursued if all available funds had been channeled into embryo research. These avenues have been among the most successful in developing the promised cures that embryonic stem cells have failed to even begin to achieve. The most notable ethical stem cell advancements have taken place on three fronts.

First, scientists last year discovered how to manipulate the genes of adult cells to convert them into the equivalent of embryonic cells dubbed “induced pluripotent stem cells” or iPS cells. Being patient-specific, these cells could then be transformed into any type of cell in the body without immune system issues. The one problem that did exist – that of potentially dangerous mutations leading to a risk of cancer – was eliminated last week when scientists found a safe way to reprogram the cells without the use of viruses. This puts iPS cells a huge step closer to human clinical trials.

A second break-through called “transdifferentiation” occurred last fall when a study published in the scientific journal, Nature, showed that somatic cells – skin cells, for example – could be directly reprogrammed to go from one type of cell to another without first regressing to the pluripotent stage. Again, no immune system problems, no human eggs required and no ethical quandaries.

Finally, among the most important scientific findings of the year was that of the resilience, plasticity and flexibility of “amniotic-fluid stem cells” or AFS cells, found in both the placenta and the amniotic fluid that surrounds the growing fetus.

These are pluripotent cells that transform into differentiated cells. Scientists are currently studying the reasons that these cells do not form tumors and provoke little immune system response. Further down the road AFS cells would be ideal candidates for banking, as is done with umbilical cord blood today.

Add to this equation the fact that adult stem cell therapies actually being used in medicine today have already outpaced embryonic stem cells by a score of over 70 to 0.

Adult stem cells from sources including bone morrow, blood, fat, nasal cells and babytooth pulp, are successfully treating autoimmune diseases, degenerative joint disease, MS, cerebral palsy, spinal injury and diabetes type 2 – to name a few. These therapies are not hopeful promises to be fulfilled in some uncertain future. They are realities today.

These new scientific techniques are attracting prominent researchers away from embryonic stem cell research because of the significantly lower cost, ease of production, and genetic identity with the patient. But the overarching consideration here is that these procedures are all ethically sound. They do not require the destruction of days-old human embryos, whether those embryos are found in laboratories, fertility clinics or cloned for the purpose of therapies.

Much like today, there have been other times in our history when government used taxpayer dollars to finance programs that were morally reprehensible to a majority of Americans. The acceptance of collateral damage to achieve a greater good was never popular. We have an aversion to financing the destruction of life, whether it goes by the name of war, the one-child policy in foreign nations, or experimentation on human beings in prisons or in laboratories.

Maybe the new Administration just hasn’t gotten the memo yet outlining these points.

Vicki Evans is Coordinator for Pro-Life activities for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Quote of the week “President Barack Obama has kept another campaign promise [in signing] the executive order, which will allow federal funds to be spent on destructive human embryonic stem cell research. I join my voice to that of other Catholic leaders, and other men and women of good will, in denouncing this newest step by the president to eventually remove all legal protections for innocent, nascent human life. The president boldly proclaimed that he was taking the politics out of science. Rather, it seems clear that he is only asserting “his politics” over life itself.

While breakthroughs continue to be documented in adult stem cell research, taxpayer money will now be siphoned into the coffers of medical researchers to fund projects so dubious that they would never waste their own money on them. These experiments on human embryos, while they have always remained legal, have never produced any medical benefits. The thing that differentiates human embryonic stem cell research from adult stem cell research is that, with embryonic experiments, there are no results. There are no cures. The great “hope” that was promised is an illusion.”

– Most Reverend Robert W. Finn, Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph, March 9, 2009

‘Social justice’ question I have a question. When did the Roman Catholic Church in America start using the term “social justice” as code speak for antiAmerican sentiment and a blatant disregard for U.S. immigration law? I am reading about all these folks hiding behind the Catholic Church and encouraging people to break the laws of this country when it comes to illegal immigration. I am all for helping the poor and the “legal” immigrant. I do not understand how these folks can complain about people facing the risk of deportation if they are convicted of crimes like murder. Should criminals not be deported? I do not recall the magisterium teaching that it was okay to disobey the law of the land. Instead, if you do not like the laws as they are, use the legal system to change them. This is America and we do not have to disobey laws we do not like. We can change them. I think this so-called “social justice” thing does not make one a good Catholic. Just a thought or two.

Timothy J. Zuniga San Francisco

Helping Mr. Weigel

L E T T E R S

Concerning George Weigel’s column (Feb. 27), I would like to point out a fact of which Mr. Weigel may not be aware. Self-reconciliation is not self-delusion. It is reality. It is necessary to be fully reconciled to God and to other human beings.

What keeps us from being reconciled to God? Denial: We have trouble admitting our faults and our sins. Fear: We are afraid of the consequences. Escape: We turn to other ways or things rather than looking at ourselves.

Only when God, through His Holy Spirit, opens up a crack of self-awareness in our hearts can we begin to see the need for reconciliation with God, with ourselves and with others. The entire Twelve-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous is based on this reconciliation process.

Letters welcome Catholic San Francisco welcomes letters from its readers. Please: ➣ Include your name, address and daytime phone number. ➣ Sign your letter. ➣ Limit submissions to 250 words. ➣ Note that the newspaper reserves the right to edit for clarity and length.

Send your letters to: Catholic San Francisco One Peter Yorke Way San Francisco, CA 94109 Fax: (415) 614-5641 E-mail: healym@sfarchdiocese.org or visit our website at www.catholic-sf.org, Contact Us

Jesus said to love others as ourselves.

How can we love others if we don’t love ourselves? Also, we love because God loved us first. When we know and feel the love of God, we know what true love is. Only then can we truly love ourselves and others.

Only then can we truly forgive ourselves and others. Only then can we be reconciled to ourselves and to others.

The unnamed priest, the subject of Weigel’’s criticism, was right in saying, “Be reconciled to yourself this Lent.”

Juanita Douglass Redwood City

On a cyber pilgrimage

We read a good deal in the news about various pilgrimages and shrines and sacred places. But in these difficult financial times, travel is out of the question for most of us. Why not try a cyber pilgrimage? We can enjoy the blessings and pleasures of a pilgrimage by sitting at a computer and visiting a different kind of shrine.

Simply enter a search for The Mary Page or go directly to www.themarypage.org, website of the Marian Library and its International Marian Research Institute at the Marianists’ University of Dayton. Then embark on a cyber pilgrimage in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I was flabbergasted by what I found. Acknowledged as a premier Marian website, The Mary Page is a fascinating and valuable resource about nearly everything concerning the Mother of the Redeemer.

Encyclopedic in scope, this website treats an extensive range of topics that both inform and inspire, making it a treasure trove of matters Marian.

Zelpha Sawaya San Francisco

Fears come to pass What I terribly feared in an Obama presidency has begun. The president has unleashed millions of taxpayer dollars to use human embryos for scientific research. God alone should control life and death. Who is any man to allow beautiful unborn babies to be cut, ripped, torn in scientific experiments to extend the lives of the people who have already lived rather full lives? Oh, God have mercy on those who do not understand you or love you.

Another fear is that President Obama will sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), removing all restrictions of abortion on demand, even in the last trimester of pregnancy. He said he would when he campaigned. Most of us are praying that he will realize how cruel this would be. How sad that most Americans voted for him in spite of his opposition to God’s laws. My fear is that God has had enough of our selfishness and stubborn choices and He will teach many of us that He alone is God. Remember the flood?

Claire Rogus, O.P.L. San Mateo

March 13, 2009

Catholic San Francisco

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The Catholic Difference

The Times flunks ecclesiology 101 The quaint notion that the New York Times is the nation’s paper-of-record took another hit on Feb. 23, when the Grey Lady ran a commentary on Milwaukee archbishop Timothy Dolan’s appointment as the new archbishop of New York.

Written by Michael Powell and headlined, “A Genial Enforcer of Rome’s Doctrine,” the article displayed a confusion about what the Catholic Church is, and how the Catholic Church operates, that would embarrass a reasonably well-catechized eighth-grader. (And yes, Virginia, there are “reasonably wellcatechized eight-graders.” But I digress.)

The headline (“Rome’s Doctrine”) blew the gaffe at the outset, as if there were Rome’s doctrine, Berkeley’s doctrine, Tubingen’s doctrine, Cuernavaca’s doctrine, and so forth, per omnia saecula saeculorum (translation for Timesmen: “for ever and ever”). In fact, there is one Catholic truth; it is safeguarded and transmitted by the Church’s magisterium; the locus of that magisterium is “Rome,” meaning the Bishop of Rome and the bishops in communion with him. That’s the teaching of the Second Vatican Council in Lumen Gentium 25, not a hoary legend from the past.

The Church does not have “doctrines” the way different administrations have policies. Policies change; the country remains the same. Doctrine can develop, but doctrinal rupture or dissent from the truth of Catholic faith means schism—the fracturing of the Church. Those who deny the truth of settled Catholic teaching on, for example, the unique salvific role of Christ, the immorality of abortion, the nature of holy orders and who is capable of receiving them, or the indissolubility of

sacramental marriage put themselves outside the communion of the Church. That some theologians (and clergy, and religious, and laity) deny these truths is obvious, but that doesn’t mean that there’s “Rome’s doctrine” and a variety of other doctrines. It means that those in dissent are mistaken.

There was also that little dig about Archbishop Dolan being an “enforcer.” When a man is ordained to the episcopate, he takes a solemn oath before God and the Church to teach the truth of Catholic faith. To honor that commitment is not being an “enforcer,” as if a bishop were knee-capping lowlifes for Sonny Corleone. To proclaim the truth of Catholic faith and to admonish those who stray from it is less a disciplinary act than an act of charity. Disciplinary acts are sometimes necessary to convey the message that someone’s communion with the Church is in peril; the purpose of those acts is far more educational than punitive.

A few paragraphs into the story, Mr. Powell wrote that Rome’s “writ” was becoming “ever more conservative.” In Times-speak, what this means is that the last several popes have declined to take instruction on human rights, human sexuality, and the nature of marriage and the family from the oracles on Manhattan’s West Side, who regard dissent from their magisterium as stupid and oafish. These days, however, the Times’ sense of its infallibility is somewhat ironic. Indeed, Timesmen might consider whether their stultifying political correctness, displayed in the news hole and on an op-ed page that could often be labeled “Notes from the Asylum,” might have something to do with the facts that

the paper is hemorrhaging red ink and recently had to mortgage its building to pay its bills.

Mr. Powell portrayed the Archdiocese of Milwaukee under Archbishop Dolan’s preGeorge Weigel decessor, Archbishop Rembert Weakland, as a “liberal Catholic outpost, where debate about doctrine was vociferous and to be gloried in.” True enough; but a serious investigation of the pre-Dolan years in Milwaukee would have explored the relationship between officially tolerated Catholic Lite and empty churches, few vocations, and clerical corruption. The dots are not that difficult to connect, once you remove the p.c. blinders.

The Times’ editors could save themselves some grief if they recognized that the Catholic Church is not going to follow the sad trail blazed by the once-great, now dying denominations of the liberal Protestant mainline, in which belief and practice came to be determined by holding a wetted finger up to the prevailing cultural winds. That’s one precondition to the Times running interesting stories on the Catholic Church, rather than whining about the revolution that never was.

George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

Twenty Something

Getting spiritually fit: The heavy lifting of Lent Climbing back onto the exercise bandwagon – and staying aboard – is one of my Lenten resolutions. It began with a day of reckoning on the heels of Fat Tuesday: a fitness assessment.

The very term made me nervous, although the physical trainer, Megan, assured me it would be low-key, “just a few quick exercise tests to see where you’re at.”

Soon Megan discovered exactly where I’m at – where my arms are at, where my waist is at, where my thighs are at.

She recorded the numbers silently, leaving me to wonder what she made of my girth.

Megan listed ways to gauge fitness: pounds, inches, blood pressure, and the Body Mass Index (BMI) a person’s weight compared with his or her height. We can measure our exertion: the speed of our mile, the heft of a weight, the number of repetitions. And we count our consumption: calories, fat grams, sodium milligrams, cholesterol levels. There is no shortage of metrics to pin on our physical health.

This is an apt time for me to return to the elliptical and get to the sweaty business of burning and toning. I’m one of four million couch potatoes who have been loafing through the winter in one of those Snuggies, designed to give just enough range of motion to grab the remote control and dig into a Pringles can. The only information the giant fleece reveals is the fact that you possess ankles and wrists, which

makes a few extra pounds in the middle not only permissible, but snugglier.

My meeting with Megan confirmed that’s been the case.

It seems like a wise strategy, to begin gym memberships with an appraisal of how unfit the members are, giving them a clear reason to return often.

Perhaps the Catholic Church would boost its attendance if it assessed our spiritual fitness, proclaiming numbers that would startle us onto a kneeler.

Of course, our spiritual life is immeasurable. That’s the beauty of it – and the danger; there are no clear-cut indicators to halt us in our tracks. There is no Sin/Grace Index. No pride monitor. No repent-o-meter. We don’t track hours at Eucharistic Adoration versus hours spent gossiping.

In the absence of such markers, we must strive for constant spiritual growth, ever watchful for ruts and backward slides.

It isn’t a matter of endurance, how many rosaries we can hammer out. It’s about making prayer a regular part of our lives and learning to listen, seeking God’s will and embracing it.

As young adults we’re accustomed to black-and-white, hard-and-fast numerical assessments – the number of Facebook friends, the Amazon rank of a book, the number of results yielded from a split-second Google search.

But faith defies figures. We don’t just forgive seven times, St. Matthew reminds us this month, but seventy times seven. At every opportunity. Again and again. Uncounted, unquestioned.

Christina That’s how the slow work of spiritual developCapecchi ment begins.

Pope Benedict XVI recently reflected on our need for strong interior lives. “Dear young people,” he said, “prepare yourselves to face the important stages of life with spiritual commitment, building every one of your projects on the solid foundations of fidelity to God.” It is a sweaty but sacred Lenten journey: moving forward, in leaps and scooches, ever closer to Christ.

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

Email her at christina@readchristina.com.a

Spirituality for Life Our struggle in faith - Between knowing it is true and believing it!

At the heart of our faith lies the deep truth that we are unconditionally loved by God. We believe that God looks down on our lives and says: You are my beloved child, in you I take delight! We do not doubt the truth of that, we just find it impossible to believe.

Some years ago, at a workshop, a woman came up to me during the break and articulated this in these words: “God loves me unconditionally. I know that’s true, but how can I make myself believe it? I simply can’t!” She could have been speaking for half of the human race. We know we are loved by God, we can say the words, but how do we make ourselves believe that?

Why? Why is that so difficult to believe?

For many reasons, though mostly because (unless we are extraordinarily blessed) we rarely, if ever, experience unconditional love. Mostly we experience love with conditions, even from those closest to us: Our parents love us better when we do not mess up. Our teachers love us better when we behave and perform well. Our churches love us better when we do not sin. Friends love us better when are successful and not needy. The world loves us better when we are attractive. Our spouses love us better when we do not disappoint them. Mostly, in this world, we have to measure up in some way to be loved.

Moreover many of us too have been wounded by supposed expressions of love that were not love at all but were instead expressions of self-serving manipulation, exploitation, or even positive abuse. Beyond even this, all of us have been cursed and shamed in our enthusiasm by the countless times someone, either through words or through a hateful or judgmental glace, in effect said to us: Who do you think you are? We wither under that and become the walking wounded, unable to believe that we are loved and loveable. So, even when we know that God loves us, how can we make ourselves believe it?

At one level, we do believe it. Deep down, below our wounded parts, the child of God that still inhabits the recesses of our soul knows that it is made in God’s image and likeness and is special, beautiful, and loveable. That is why we so easily become angry and enraged whenever someone violates our dignity or puts us down.

But how do we make ourselves believe that we are unconditionally loved in a way that would make us less insecure in our attitude and our actions? How do we live in a surer confidence that we are unconditionally loved so as to let that radiate in the way we treat others and ourselves?

There are no easy answers. For a wounded soul, like for a wounded body, there are no magic wands for quick easy heal-

ings. Biblically, however, there is an image that, while confusing on the surface, addresses this: When God gives Joshua instructions on how to move into the Promised Land he tells him that, once there, he must “kill” everything there, Father all the men, women, children, and even the Ron Rolheiser animals.

Taken literally, this text is horrible and speaks about everything that God is not.

But this is not a literal text but an archetypal one. It is an image, a metaphor. I suspect that someone in an Alcoholics Anonymous program will more easily get its message: Killing all the inhabitants of Canaan means precisely giving away all the bottles in your liquor cabinet - the scotch, the bourbon, the wine, the cognac, the gin, the beer, the vodka, and everything else that’s there. You can’t take the Promised Land and still keep a few “Canaanites” on the side or you will soon lose ROLHESIER, page 18 the Promised Land.

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Catholic San Francisco

March 13, 2009

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11; Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25 A READING FROM THE BOOK OF EXODUS EX 20:1-17 In those days, God delivered all these commandments: “I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. You shall not have other gods besides me.

You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth; you shall not bow down before them or worship them.

For I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment for their fathers’ wickedness on the children of those who hate me, down to the third and fourth generation; but bestowing mercy down to the thousandth generation on the children of those In an early Church icon, Moses is shown holding who love me and keep my the tablets of the Ten Commandments. commandments.

“You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain. For A READING FROM the Lord will not leave unpunished the THE FIRST LETTER OF PAUL one who takes his name in vain.

TO THE CORINTHIANS “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath 1 COR 1:22-25 day. Six days you may labor and do all Brothers and sisters: Jews demand your work, but the seventh day is the signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but Sabbath of the Lord, your God. No work we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling may be done then either by you, or your block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, son or daughter, or your male or female but to those who are called, Jews and slave, or your beast, or by the alien who Greeks alike, Christ the power of God lives with you. In six days the Lord made and the wisdom of God. For the foolishthe heavens and the earth, the sea and all ness of God is wiser than human wisdom, that is in them; but on the seventh day he and the weakness of God is stronger than rested. That is why the Lord has blessed human strength. the Sabbath day and made it holy.

“Honor your father and your mother, A READING FROM THE that you may have a long life in the land GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN which the Lord, your God, is giving you. JN 2:13-25 You shall not kill. You shall not commit Since the Passover of the Jews was adultery. You shall not steal. You shall near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He not bear false witness against your neigh- found in the temple area those who sold bor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the house. You shall not covet your neigh- money changers seated there. He made bor’s wife, nor his male or female slave, a whip out of cords and drove them all nor his ox or ass, nor anything else that out of the temple area, with the sheep belongs to him.” and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their RESPONSORIAL PSALM tables, and to those who sold doves he PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11 said, “Take these out of here, and stop R. Lord, you have the words of making my Father’s house a marketeverlasting life. place.” His disciples recalled the words The law of the Lord is perfect, of Scripture, Zeal for your house will refreshing the soul; consume me.

The decree of the Lord is trustworthy, At this the Jews answered and said giving wisdom to the simple. to him, “What sign can you show us for R. Lord, you have the words of doing this?” Jesus answered and said to everlasting life. them, “Destroy this temple and in three The precepts of the Lord are right, days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, rejoicing the heart; “This temple has been under constructhe command of the Lord is clear, tion for forty-six years, and you will enlightening the eye. raise it up in three days?” But he was R. Lord, you have the words of speaking about the temple of his body. everlasting life.

Therefore, when he was raised from the The fear of the Lord is pure, dead, his disciples remembered that he enduring forever; had said this, and they came to believe the ordinances of the Lord are true, the Scripture and the word Jesus had all of them just. spoken.

R. Lord, you have the words of While he was in Jerusalem for the everlasting life. feast of Passover, many began to believe They are more precious than gold, in his name when they saw the signs he than a heap of purest gold; was doing. But Jesus would not trust sweeter also than syrup himself to them because he knew them or honey from the comb. all, and did not need anyone to testify R. Lord, you have the words of about human nature. He himself undereverlasting life. stood it well.

Scripture reflection FATHER BILL NICHOLAS

Ten Commandments – Ten exceptions In speaking to Catholics with children Below are some possible exceptions to the or grandchildren in Catholic schools or Ten Commandments that are commonly CCD, I have noticed a common standard seen. How many of them apply to us? Can used to judge the quality of religious edu- we perhaps think of other “exceptions” to cation: Are the children learning the Ten the Ten Commandments?

Commandments? I also have noticed a 1. You shall have no other God before similar standard for judging the moral life: me (except the god of atheistic sensitivity or Is one living the Ten Commandments? political correctness).

The Ten Commandments is a watershed You shall not make unto me a graven in the development of Law. They have stood image (but we can make images, monuments the test of time, ranking along side other law and buildings to ourselves for a large enough codes, such as that of Hammurabi, as legal donation). icons from which other codes have devel2.You shall not take the name of the oped, and which has placed Moses as one of Lord, your God, in vain (unless you need the great lawgivers of history. The fact that to do so for emphasis when you are angry, these commandments are inspired by God making a point, or making a movie) makes them all the more important to people 3. You shall keep holy the Lord’s Day of faith; defining the very will of God vis- (unless you have something better to do such à-vis how we are to live our lives and relate as Little League or NFL, or you find yourself both to the divine and to one another. “too busy” to take a day of rest.)

In recent years the impact of the Ten 4. Honor your Father and your Mother Commandments has been acknowledged, (unless you are a teenager who wants an usually negatively, by those who see them abortion; or unless the faith they tried to merely as religious precepts. Because of raise you in is “old fashioned”). their connection to 5. You shall not Judeo-Christianity, kill (unless the govsome seek to expel “As we begin this ernment says it is a them from the public woman’s “right”). realm. Recent court season of Lent, a 6. You shall not cases have sought to commit adultery ban them from public (unless it is done for display under the season in which we love; or unless “God auspices of separamade you that way,” tion of Church and seek to ‘turn away from and you are using the State, conveniently right “protection”). ignoring their historic sin and be faithful to 7. You shall not value to the developsteal (unless you ment of Law. Still the Gospel’ . . . the Ten are taking from the others seek to do “industrious” and away with them as Commandments serve giving to the “lackaold-fashioned proddaisical”). ucts of ancient societas a fitting examination not8.bearYoufalseshall ies, not conducive to witmodern enlightened ness against your of conscience” thinking. neighbor (except These attempts for expedient exagto eliminate the Ten geration in the conCommandments from public displays have text of gossip, politics or the press.) gained a great deal of publicity as people of 9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s faith strive to keep them prominent in the spouse (until he or she gets divorced). mindset of modern society. Nonetheless, 10. You shall not covet your neighthere are still other ways in which these com- bor’s goods (unless it is a current trend, or mandments have been downplayed, excluded unless your children are doing the coveting, and otherwise pushed out of the mainstream. in which case, buy them what they want).

While we surely hope that they remain a part When all is said and done, regardless of our socio-political and religious culture as of the efforts of those who seek to push Church and as a nation, they have been given them out of the mainstream, the Ten more or less prominence because of the way Commandments continue to remain with we integrate them into our lives. us; the laws written on our universal conA frequent guide given by many priests sciousness by the inspiration of God who and spiritual directors for an effective calls us to live by His standards, whereby examination of conscience prior to going to we enter more deeply into the vibrant and confession is to reflect on how well we live life-giving relationship with our God who the Ten Commandments. As we begin this commands us; a relationship that will season of Lent, a season in which we “turn inevitably be reflected in the manner in away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel,” which we love and treat one another. As we a season of rising above our sinfulness, rec- progress through Lent, let us be renewed in ognizing our shortcomings and growing in this basic code of law; simple and uncomthe manner in which we embrace and live plicated in its presentation, audacious in its the Gospel given to us by Christ, the Ten straightforwardness, dynamic in its scope, Commandments serve as a fitting examina- and revolutionary in its call to “turn away tion of conscience. from sin, and be faithful to the Gospel.”

In looking at ourselves, do we make these Ten Commandments a continued presence in Father Nicholas, author of our world by the way we follow them; or do “I Saw the World End: Introduction we push them aside, knowingly or unknowto the Bible’s Apocalyptic ingly, by the manner in which we make Literature,” is parochial vicar at exceptions to where and how they apply Our Lady of Loretto, Novato. His in our lives, our outlook, and our attitudes toward our faith, our God and one another? website is www.frwcnicholas.com.

March 13, 2009

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obituaries

Missionary and parish priest

Respected priest and teacher

Jesuit Father Gregory Dennis Aherne, Aherne would make the long journey by jeep 82, died March 2, at Regis Infirmary, Sacred to Cagayan City for respite at the Bishop’s Heart Jesuit Center, Los Gatos. He had residence. His fellow missionaries would been a Jesuit for 62 years and a priest for greet him with “Get the ice cubes—Aherne’s here” and the priest would relax and catch 48 years.

Born in San Francisco April 5, 1926, up on the news.

In November 1980, Father Aherne Father Aherne attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory. After graduating in 1944 Father returned to the United States after 30 years spent in Asia. “They have Aherne enlisted in the Navy been good years,” he wrote and served in the Pacific area to friends, “and I am grateful for two years. He entered to God and my Jesuit superithe Society of Jesus in Los ors for having given me the Gatos in August 1946. opportunity to live and work Father Aherne volunwith such wonderful people.” teered for the China misBut it was time now to return sion and sailed for the to the States, he said “and Philippines in September finish my life working as a 1950, joining the Jesuits priest in my own country.” exiled from mainland China.

Father Aherne served He studied the Chinese as associate pastor at St. language, philosophy and Ignatius Loyola Church, theology and spent a year Sacramento, 1981-84, then teaching English in Taiwan. at St. Francis Xavier Church, He was ordained a priest in Father Gregory D. Phoenix, as associate for one Hsinchu, Taiwan, on March Aherne, S.J. year, and as pastor for five.

18, 1960 and pronounced his After a year as associate pastor of Our Lady last vows as a Jesuit on February 2, 1963.

In 1962, Father Aherne was sent to of Sorrows Church, Santa Barbara, he was Sacred Heart School, a middle school for named Superior of Sacred Heart Jesuit Chinese in Cebu, as a teacher of English, Center in 1991, overseeing a large retirement and also served as rector of the Jesuit com- community. He returned to parish work in munity. After a year as chaplain and teacher 1995, serving at Star of the Sea Church, San at Fu Jen University, Taipei, Father Aherne Francisco, until he retired to Los Gatos in taught at Xavier School, Manila, 1966-70, 2006. Failing health brought him to Regis before leaving the classroom for pastoral Infirmary in recent months; his death, however, was unexpected. work.

Outgoing, gregarious, and with a ready From 1970 to 1980, he served as pastor of a widespread rural parish in the moun- laugh, Father Aherne was a good storyteller tains of Bukidnon Province on the island and community man. He was generous in of Mindanao. The priest walked hours over accepting difficult assignments and showed narrow jungle paths, crossed rivers on the great pastoral care coupled with a kindly back of water buffalo, and hiked over cloud- spirit.

A funeral Mass was celebrated March shrouded mountains to reach the 24 barrios under his jurisdiction. Reaching a village, 9 at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los he would ring the bell at his grass-roofed Gatos. A memorial Mass will be celebrated chapel, gather the villagers, say Mass and March 14 at 11 a.m. at Star of the Sea dispense the sacraments. At night he would Church, 4420 Geary St at 8th Ave. in San unroll his mat and sleep on the floor and Francisco. Remembrances may be made to the next day would continue on to another the Society of Jesus, 300 College Ave. in mission station. Every few weeks Father Los Gatos, 95030.

A funeral Mass for Sulpician Father Francisco, “This latter quality was rooted John A. J. Ward was celebrated March 3 in in a spirituality that was tangible, with the Sulpician Fathers’ Our Lady of Angels an easy capacity to see the humor in life.

Chapel in Catonsville, MD. Ordained for On one occasion I witnessed the way he the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1939, Father dealt with a very sensitive faculty probWard was 94 years old and the most senior lem and his mentoring of this situation member of the United States Province of affected my life from that point forward. the Society of St. Sulpice, which he joined When I was the dean of discipline at the College, he was annoyed in 1940. that College seminarians A native of Pittsburgh, were playing Frisbee in Pa. Father Ward taught at the courtyard that was a several seminaries including common space for both an almost 15 year term at St. high school and College Joseph’s College Seminary seminarians. He felt this in Mountain View. The was a sacred space, a public school is now closed due square leading to the main to damage from the Loma chapel. He ‘saw’ something Prieta Earthquake in 1989. important that the rest of us Father Ward also served missed. Frisbees were relas principal of the minor egated to the playing fields! seminary, St. Joseph’s High Father Ward epitomized School in Mountain View the essence of a very good also now closed, from 1968 to 1975.

Father John A. Ward, S.S. Sulpician priest.”

Father William Knapp, “Father Ward was one of the best models of priesthood I ever knew,” retired pastor of St. Stephen Parish in San said Sulpician Father Gerald Brown, presi- Francisco and a graduate of both St. Joseph dent and rector of St. Patrick’s Seminary high school and college, remembered and University in Menlo Park, and who Father Ward.

“He was my spiritual director for a year was a student of Father Ward’s. “He was a real loving, gentle and honest mentor and we stayed in touch in a limited way in whom everyone respected. He was holy the years since,” Father Knapp, ordained but not distant and passed on the faith in a in 1948, said. “He was a wonderful man and taught me confession as a celebration genuine way.”

Father Brown served as Sulpician pro- of God’s love rather than an accounting vincial from 1985 to 1997. “I was lucky to of our sinfulness. He had a very positive know Father Ward at many levels during approach to everything.”

Father Ward also served as rector of the years,” Father Brown said. “Father Ward had qualities that others admired and loved. St. Stephen’s Seminary in Hawaii, as a member of the faculty at St. Thomas He was a priest you wanted to emulate.”

Sulpician Father Gerald Coleman, for- Seminary in Louisville and in Sulpician mer president and rector at St. Patrick’s in leadership positions including personnel Menlo Park currently vice president for aide. He had lived since 1986 at St. Charles ethics for the Daughters of Charity Health Villa, the Sulpician’s retirement facility in System, said, “When I was first assigned to Catonsville.

Interment was in nearby Sulpician St. Joseph’s College in 1968, Father Ward was principal” [and] “From the very start, Cemetery. Remembrances may be sent he impressed me as competent, fair, and to Society of St. Sulpice, Province of the United States, 5408 Roland Ave. transparently holy.”

Father Coleman told Catholic San Baltimore. MD 21210.

Our Lenten Journey

Got thirst? – Naming what we crave

By Rob Grant It’s no accident that advertising whizzes come up with campaigns like “Coca Cola – It’s the Real Thing” and “VISA – We’re everywhere you want to be.” Tapping into the universal longing for authenticity and interior satisfaction is as strong a drive for Madison Avenue gurus as it is for Benedictine or Tibetan ascetics.

This Lenten season, and with particular poignancy, the readings from John’s Gospel, specially chosen and slated to be read during Lent weeks three, four and five in parishes where committed souls seeking full initiation into the Catholic community this Easter walk the final steps of their year-long road of preparation, pop the same big questions: What do we really want out of life? What are we looking for? What’s the “Real Thing” that Coca Cola says it has?

If we are looking for genuine answers, the ones that will truly challenge us, we might be wise to pay less attention to our brains, and more attention to our hands and feet.

Our brains can do a lot of impressive talking. They’re most comfortable telling us what we want to hear, the lofty highly evolved aspects of our character: “We’re good people, enlightened, aware, conscious, altruistic, spiritually centered.” But do our un-edited bodies bear this out as they carry us through the actions that really absorb us in day-to-day life?

Our feet and our hands can tell quite a different story.

What do we touch? Where do our feet take us? On what do we spend our physical emotional, psychic, mental and financial energies? What brings us anxiety, tension, pain, joy or sorrow? To what are we addicted? On what do we feed?

Our brains (and their PR department, our mouths) tell us that we value connection, intimacy – but how much time do we actually spend attending to and nurturing those relationships? So much work! We imagine ourselves as

non-materialistic, but how much energy do we put into accumulation and financial security? We say that we are tolerant and open hearted – but do our private conversations, let alone our public declarations, reflect true respect and compassion for those with whom we disagree? We talk about how important our spirituality is to us, but do we prioritize our day as if that were truly our top concern? We are convinced that we are committed to justice, compassion, living in conscience, but do our bodies follow through when that friend in need calls us right when we’re in the middle of “something important.” We believe that we are other focused, aware of the intrinsic and God-sharing divinity of all people, but do we excuse ourselves from fairness and compassion when it becomes issues of “non-negotiable principle” or “legitimate security.”

Jesus’ own behavior at the well is the perfect example of living an authenticity where what the mind says and what the body does are in sync. Jesus’ mind speaks of forgiveness, reconciliation, relationship – and his body follows suit.

Despite the social conventions that would forbid scandalous behavior like a Jewish rabbi talking to a Samaritan, let alone, a woman, and a loose one at that, he goes there, at full speed. His vulnerable, accessible body is there, admitting his desire to enter into an awkward conversation with a woman who, as evidenced by her need to be at the well at the height of the noon-day heat when none of the rest of the townspeople would be there to ridicule her, hasn’t got many people to talk to. Jesus, who preaches compassion and non-judgment, walks the talk.

The woman at the well who beseeches Jesus, “Give me this living water,” walks authentically as well, admitting the deep thirst that can never be quenched by the five, or fifty, men she brings into her life. She wisely reminds us that the first step in answering God’s invitation to return to integrity is owning our thirstiness, our self-delusion, admitting that, despite our best intentions, our assumption that we’re on the

path, we are all too often on the path in our head, but not in our bodies. Successful in business, popular with friends and romantic partners, surrounded by material plenty we are still thirsty, still painfully aware of the arid life without true connection to the Source, and honest connection to our fellow pilgrims on the journey to the Source.

In this season, we remember the wisdom of seeking the genuine article, the real thing. And we are reminded that the first step to quenching our thirst for what is really satisfying is the simple acknowledgement made both by Jesus and the wise woman at the well—“I’m thirsty!”

Rob Grant has been involved in parish ministry on the San Francisco Archdiocese for more than 30 years.

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Intolerance . . . n Continued from cover

Christians have to recover their genius for showing that there are better ways to live and to build a good society,” he told the Oxford University Newman Society.

“The secular and religious intolerance of our day needs to be confronted regularly and publicly,” he said. “Believers need to call the bluff of what is, even in most parts of Europe, a small minority with disproportionate influence in the media. This is one of the crucial tasks for Christians in the 21st century.”

As his primary example of mounting intolerance, Cardinal Pell cited the treatment of U.S. Christians and Mormons who supported Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment that reversed California’s gay marriage law in November.

He described how churches and temples were subjected to violence, vandalism and intimidation, and how some supporters of the amendment were forced from their jobs and blacklisted.

“We should note the strange way in which some of the most permissive groups and communities, for example, Californian liberals in the case of Proposition 8, easily become repressive, despite all their high rhetoric about diversity and tolerance,” he said.

“There is the one-sidedness about discrimination and vilification,” he said, because anti-Christian “blacklisting and intimidation is passed over in silence.”

Rolhesier . . .

■ Continued from page 15 That image also tells us what we must do to enter our true self-image, the deep truth that we are unconditionally loved by God. In great mythical literature we see that, usually, before the great wedding where the young prince and the young princess are to be married so as to live happily ever after, there first has to be an execution: the

Cardinal Pell added that in a healthy democracy people should be free to discuss and criticize each other’s beliefs.

Reciprocity, he said, was essential to this but “some secularists seem to like one-way streets,” seeking to drive Christianity from the provision of education, health care and welfare services to the wider community.

The cardinal predicted a “major escalation in the culture wars” if President Barack Obama signed into law the Freedom of Choice Act, which would sweep away restrictions on abortion and deny medical practitioners and hospitals the right to conscientiously object to participating in abortions. As of March 10, the act had not been introduced in Congress.

“Clearly there is an urgent need to deepen public understanding of the importance and nature of religious freedom,” said Cardinal Pell. “Believers should not be treated by government and the courts as a tolerated and divisive minority whose rights must always yield to the minority secular agenda.”

He explained that the effect of the rising intolerance of modern liberalism was to “enforce conformity” and to strip Christianity of the power of its public witness.

“There is no need to drive the church out of services if the secularization of its agencies can achieve this end,” he added.

The pressure against religion in public life, he said, stemmed mainly from a misplaced belief in “absolute sexual freedom.”

He said that as sexual freedom became a driver of consumption, people could see the “re-emergence of slavery in

Europe and Asia, the booming exploitation of pornography and prostitution, and the commercialization of surrogacy, egg donation, and the production and destruction of human embryos and human stem-cell lines.”

wicked older brothers and the wicked step-sisters have to be killed off. Why? Because they would eventually come and spoil the wedding.

Who are those wicked older brothers and wicked step-sisters? They are not different people from the young prince or princess getting married. They are their older incarnations. They are also inside of us. They are the inner voices from our past that can, at any given moment, ruin our wedding or our self-image by dragging in our past humiliations and saying: “Who do you

think you are? Do you really think that you can marry a prince or princess? Do you really think that you’re loveable? We know you, we know your past, so don’t delude yourself! “ To actually believe that we are unconditionally loved, we first have to kill a few “Canaanites.”

EWTN March program notes EWTN programming this month includes programs on St. Joseph and shows aimed at a teen audience.

‘Apparition of St. Joseph in France: A Role Model for All Parents’ airs at 7:30 a.m. March 19. ‘Theology of the Body for Teens,” a new series featuring discussions about God’s plan for teens, airs Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. and Fridays at 11:30 p.m. ‘The Man of Pain’, a study of the Shroud of Turin, airs March 21 at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. and March 26 at 10 a.m. ‘The Young John Paul II,’ a new documentary about the young adult years of the future pope, airs March 28 at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.

EWTN is seen on Comcast Channel 229, Astound Channel 80, San Bruno Cable Channel 143, DISH Satellite Channel 261 & Direct TV Channel 370. EWTN airs on Channel 70 in Half Moon Bay and Channel 74 in southern San Mateo County. Visit www.ewtn.com for more programming notes.

Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, and award-winning author, is President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX.

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Vatican considering document on communications in age of ‘new media’

By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Vatican is considering the preparation of a major document on new media and their implications for the church’s communications strategy.

Bishops from 82 countries began a five-day meeting in Rome March 9 to discuss modern media and the new culture of communications that has arisen in recent years. The seminar was sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

Archbishop Claudio Celli, president of the pontifical council, said the purpose of the seminar was to review with bishops the changing communications scene and see how the church should respond to the challenges and opportunities.

He said it was important for the church to understand that

Papal trip to Africa . . . n Continued from cover

the working document for the Synod of Bishops for Africa, which will take place in Rome in October.

The synod’s theme is justice, reconciliation and peace, and it offers the pope a seemingly endless choice of topics for the seven speeches and homilies he’ll deliver during his four days in Cameroon. Certainly he will touch on the ethnic and political tensions that have afflicted areas like Darfur in Sudan, Somalia and the Great Lakes region, and address the responsibilities of governments to promote dialogue, reduce corruption and respond to the human needs of their populations.

But rather than read a laundry list of challenges, the pope is more likely to zero in on the church’s specific mission to be a community that heals, reconciles, forgives and encourages.

The point is to move evangelization past the stage of bringing people into the church, and toward the goal of witnessing the Gospel in personal lives and the life of society.

One small but significant event in Cameroon will be the pope’s visit to the Cardinal Paul Emile Leger Center, also known as the National Center for the Rehabilitation of the Handicapped. Even more than the synod document’s thousands of words on pastoral strategy, this is where the pope sees the church eloquently expressing the faith and affecting lives, through charity in action.

In Cameroon, the pope will also meet with representatives of the country’s Muslim community, which comprises about 22 percent of the population. At this encounter and in meetings with the African bishops, the pope is expected to emphasize the need for interfaith collaboration in tackling the moral and material problems of the continent.

it’s not just new technological tools that have arisen, but a whole new attitude toward communication based largely on interactivity and dialogue.

“I think the church needs to enter into a dialogue that is increasingly rich and proactive, a dialogue of life with people who are seeking, who are distant and who would like to find a message that is closer and more suitable to their path,” he said.

For that reason, he said, his council has been pushing bishops around the world not only to have their own Web sites, but also to make sure these sites are interactive.

Archbishop George H. Niederauer of San Francisco, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ communications committee and a participant at the Vatican seminar, said effective use of new media is vital in reaching younger generations.

“You go where they are. And where are they? They’re on programs like Twitter and Facebook and others,” he said. “We need to be present, and we need the young people to help us be present.”

Archbishop Niederauer said the change in new media was in some ways like the change from the horse to the car a century ago.

“Because 100 years ago, if an old man bought a car, who could fix it? His grandson or his son, because they learned the machinery. They headed straight for it; they didn’t look back,” he said.

In a similar way today, he said, young people have seized on the communications opportunities of new media, and the church should welcome their talents and expertise.

In Nigeria, which borders Cameroon, attacks between groups of Christians and Muslims have left hundreds dead in recent months, although church leaders have emphasized that the violence has been primarily political and not religious.

The second part of the pope’s trip takes him to the Angolan capital of Luanda for a series of encounters with political and government officials, church leaders and groups of the faithful.

Here the emphasis is on the 500th anniversary of Christian evangelization in a country where the faith arrived with Portuguese missionaries in the late 15th century.Tour 90404 Angola is still recovering materially, politically and spiritually from a disastrous 27-year-long civil war that ended in 2002.

The first postwar presidential elections are scheduled for later this year, and many Angolans believe the pope’s visit could bring a spark of hope and encouragement to the country as it continues to reconcile and rebuild.

One key event will be the pope’s Mass with young people in a soccer stadium in Luanda. Trip planners realize that the papal program in Africa will be largely consumed by meetings with groups of bishops, and they want to make sure the pope also has April to29-May 10, 2009generations. an opportunity build bridges to younger On his last full day in Angola, the pope is taking time to Tour 90502 meet with Catholic movements that promote women’s welfare.

The encounter underlines the church’s concern about the many forms of continuing discrimination and violence against women in Africa, and it offers the pope a chance to make clear church teaching on gender equality.

Health care is a major concern in Angola and throughout Africa, and the AIDS pandemic in particular has devastated the continent. The disease now kills about 1.5 million people in sub-Saharan Africa each year, and has left more than 11 million children orphaned.

When it comes to the church and AIDS, the media often

focus on the church’s distrust of condoms as the answer to AIDS prevention. Pope Benedict has never mentioned the condom issue explicitly, but he spelled out his thoughts on AIDS in a talk to African bishops in 2005, noting that the church is in the forefront in treatment of this “cruel epidemic” and saying the “only failsafe way” to prevent its spread is found in the church’s traditional teaching on sexual responsibility.

The German pope has made 10 trips so far, six of them to Europe (seven if one counts Turkey as part of Europe). This year his attention has turned to Africa. In addition to his March trip, the October synod and a major pre-synodal meeting of African church leaders in Rome, the pope has been meeting with groups of African bishops on their “ad limina” visits to report on their dioceses.

Under Pope John Paul II, the church in Africa grew by 160 percent and the number of priestly vocations tripled. Pope Benedict has spoken less of numbers and more about proper formation and a deepening of the faith – in a sense, quality control.

That’s likely to be his focus in Cameroon and Angola, too.

What do African Catholics expect from the pope’s visit?

Certainly they’ll be listening to the pope as he speaks about their problems and the gifts they bring to the church. But African bishops say the importance of a papal visit is more than the sum of his speeches, sermons and liturgies.

“The Holy Father, wherever he goes, carries along with him this aura of God’s representative on earth,” Nigerian Bishop Michael Odogwu Elue of Issele-Uku told Catholic News Service.

“His nearness to us is almost equated with God’s nearness to us. We do not talk about his political figure ... it’s his spiritual presence that gives us a lot of encouragement and strength in the faith,” he said.

Beyond the pope’s message, many Africans will be looking for his blessing.

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Catholic San Francisco

March 13, 2009

Music TV

Books RADIO Film Stage

Media failures in covering religion are highlighted in new book “BLIND SPOT: WHEN JOURNALISTS DON’T GET RELIGION,� edited

by Paul Marshall, Lela Gilbert and Roberta Green Ahmanson. Oxford University Press (New York, 2008). 224 pp., $19.95.

Reviewed by Bob Zyskowski In “Blind Spot,� six analysts – syndicated columnists, editors, academics, media sources and authors – point out flaws in journalistic techniques and systems that prevent the media from accurately covering religion and that contribute to mainstream media missing some of the biggest stories of our time.

Chapters focus on topics such as biased reporting on the religious right in U.S. politics; major media missing the importance of religion in international terrorism; and the tendency to simplify and stereotype complex religious identity, among others.

Allen Hertzke, a University of Oklahoma professor, says “secular blinders� keep reporters and their editors from seeing religious people in anything other than their preconceived stereotypes. The bias of journalists leads to “a reluctance to feature evangelicals in a favorable light,� Hertzke notes.

Even when religious groups or alliances are involved in human rights actions that journalists tend to approve of, mainstream media tend to dismiss the story or see it as an ideological one rather than a human story.

For example, The New York Times referred to the tragic plight of Sudanese refugees as a “pet cause of many American religious conservatives.� Hertzke counters: “It is hard to imagine the Times describing the plight of Soviet Jewry as a ‘pet cause’ of American Jews, or opposition to apartheid as a ‘pet cause’ of African-Americans.�

Authors and political scientists C. Danielle Vinson and James L. Guth show the extent to which journalists misunderstand religious voters in the United States, attesting that “the most significant problem is not media bias but media ignorance.�

The Christian right was seen as particularly suspect by mainstream media; in contrast, some reporters and editorial writers saw a broader agenda for some religious voters than just the “culture war� issues of abortion, same-sex marriage and stem-cell research.

This was particularly true in coverage of Catholics, who on occasion were seen as wrestling with a number of “moral� issues, Vinson and Guth note.

Catholic readers in particular may enjoy the chapter that tackles how the media treated Mel Gibson and his film, “The Passion of the Christ.�

Jeremy Lott, an editor as well as a press critic, writes, “News coverage of the movie was bad, the opinion writing was cliched, and the movie criticism was worse,� yet the movie was a huge success.

The reasons? Perhaps, Lott says, because of “the press’ failure to honestly grapple with the broader questions of religion,�

but also because of “the estrangement of American journalists from their audience.�

The editors and contributors of “Blind Spot� offer a handful of examples of the press doing it right when covering religion. They also offer a number of ways the media can begin to correct what’s wrong with stories about religion, urging them to understand that religion is a motivator of human behavior; realize that religion is important to people; and disregard pack and “tribal� journalism, where journalists as a group tend to report the same stories and agree on what is good and right.

The editors of “Blind Spot� recommend that mainstream media hire people who practice their faith, who go to church, who know details about religion.

They urge reporters to take religion seriously and know about it to properly cover all the news, not just religious news, because they are missing the religious factors in much of the news.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but “Blind Spot� has a blind spot or two of its own.

In complaining how popes shouldn’t be described in terms of liberal or conservative, press critics shouldn’t pigeonhole Catholic bishops into those same camps.

And much of the analysis offered is about only the press giants – The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Pack journalism admittedly leads to many other newspapers and media outlets taking their cues from the coverage from those big boys, but there are a lot of other newspapers and media across this country, and coverage may very well be different in newsrooms and locales where religion is more understood and appreciated. That would be an interesting study.

Bob Zyskowski is associate publisher of The Catholic Spirit (Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis).

He reviews books online at www.bobzbookreviews.blogspot.com.

Moral toll of war explored in Berkeley’s Aurora production

By Father Basil De Pinto The delirious welcome promised to the American troops who invaded Iraq in the spring of 2003 never materialized; the demolition of Saddam Hussein’s statue by a “liberated� populace is generally recognized as having been staged. The absence of control due to insufficient forces resulted in horrible looting in the short term, and ultimately in suspicion and hatred of the Americans by the people they had come to save.

There was one group of Iraqis, however, who put their trust in the invading forces, people who willingly stepped forward to act as translators for the Americans, virtually none of whom had any knowledge of the language or the culture of those they had conquered. The translators were bilingual, and partial to what they knew of American life and ideals. They genuinely believed that the invasion would better their lives and that their employers would treat them with respect and concern for their well being.

The story of what actually happened to them is told in George Packer’s play “Betrayed,� recently presented by the Aurora Theatre Company of Berkeley in its West Coast premiere. Beginning in 2003, Packer made six trips to Iraq as a staff writer for The

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New Yorker. His play is based on the long article that appeared in the magazine in March 2007. It tells a sorry tale of deception, incompetence and callousness that have become hallmarks of this ill-fated adventure.

Adnan (Bobak Cyrus Bakhtiari) and Laith (Amir Sharafeh) are fiercely anti-Saddam and eager to tackle the difficult job of easing the mutual incomprehension of their fellow countrymen and the American soldiers.

Remarkably, considering the bond that arises between them, one is Sunni, the other Shia.

The two are intelligent and sensitive to the needs of the Iraqis and deferential to the Americans. But both groups keep them at a distance, the Iraqis suspicious that they are tools of the occupiers, the Americans fearful that they are spies for the opposition.

Gradually both Adnan and Laith realize they are in a no-win position; more and more mistrusted by the Americans, finally in danger of their lives, the two appeal for safe passage out of the country. They meet with bureaucratic indifference from the American ambassador (Keith Burkland) and rigid hostility from the embassy security officer (James Wagner). Their hope of entry into the United States denied, they find refuge in the country that has taken more Iraqi refugees than any other, Sweden. We can

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only speculate on what people might feel as they relocate from a desert climate to the snows of the far north.

The production, spare as always in the tiny Aurora space, allows the audience to feel deeply involved in the action and the emotions of the players. The actors are plainly committed to the story and the spectators may well feel implicated in the fate of the characters: what has been done in our name without our say-so?

It is to the credit of the playwright that he has fashioned a drama that elicits our pity and fear, but he never struts with pseudoindignation. He presents his characters, whether sympathetic or not, as human beings with their virtues and failings. The tone is

somber but not colorless. Like any historian he has his viewpoint, and as an expert reporter he tells us what he sees. There is right and wrong, but there are no winners.

Theater has had moral implications since the ancient Greek playwrights told their tales of fundamental human struggle, both familial and political. George Packer has kept the moral dimension of war before us in his well-crafted and moving play. He deserves out fervent thanks.

For information about current and future productions at the Aurora Theater, visit www.auroratheater.org.

Father Basil De Pinto is a frequent contributor on the arts.

March 13, 2009

Lenten Opportunities March 15: Retreat for Serious Discerners!

Young women who are seriously considering religious life are invited to a Discerners’ Retreat at Nazareth House, San Diego. Contact Sister Fintan for reservations, more information at vocations@nazarethhouse.org or (310) 216-8170.

March 15, 3 p.m.: Presentation at St. Sebastian Church in Greenbrae (Corner of St. Francis Drake and Bon Air) about the ongoing reports of apparitions of Our Lady in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Armond Nirdlinger, a retired theoretical physicist, has visited the village 14 times and will share some of his experiences along with videos. Father Mark Taheny, pastor, has also been to Medjugorje and will share his experiences. Refreshments will be served.

Teens welcome. Call (707) 480-7000 for more information.

March 16, 23, 30, 7 p.m.: Lenten Series at St. Gregory Church in San Mateo. Call (650) 345-8506. March 16: Dominican Father Patrick LaBelle, “Lent: A Time for Asking Questions.”

March 23: Taize Prayer and music. March 30: Father Joe Bradley, “Reconciliation and Healing.”

Mar. 18, 25 7 p.m.: Lectio Divina: This course will seek to help participants discover a method of reading Scripture, which is meditative, reflective and prayerful. By giving both theory and practice, Sister Germana Santos will show that even in uncertain times, God’s Word is an anchor. For more information call Pauline Books & Media, 2640 Broadway, Redwood City. Call (650) 369-4230.

March 18, 2 p.m.: “Creating Successful Transitions,” a talk at Alma Via of San Rafael, 515 Northgate Dr. led by Patrick Arbore of the Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention and Grief Related Services. Arbore will discuss moving through grief as well as age. Call (415) 491-1900.

Series continues April 15 with presentations on normal forgetfulness and more serious memory loss. Tessa ten Tusscher, Ph. D., of the Institute on Aging will lead the discussion.

March 18, 7:30 – 9 p.m.: Bioethics seminar at 2580 McAllister St. in San Francisco on “The Dying Experience” Sponsored by San Francisco Catholic Medical Guild. USF Professor Raymond Dennehy is among presenters. Refreshments provided. Call (415) 305-2408 or e-mail gemaloof2003@yahoo.com. Fee is $15. Additional sessions take place April 15 and May 20.

March 19, 7:15 p.m.: “Speaking Christ in Dialogue with Contemporary Culture,” a presentation by Richard J. M o u w, p re s i d e n t , Fuller Theological S e m i n a r y, a t S t .

Patrick’s Seminary & University, 320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park. Dr. Mouw, provides a thoughtful Richard J. Mouw perspective on the importance of genuine dialogue between ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and other religious traditions and the wider culture. A panel of theologians and pastoral leaders, both Catholic and Protestant, will offer responses to the address by Dr. Mouw, information about the talk said. Reservations are required. Contact Mary Verducci at St. Patrick’s Seminary, (650) 289-3321 or e-mail mary.verducci@stpatricksseminary.org.

March 21, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.: “Recognizing the Plight of the Undocumented,” a study day at St. Mary Magdalen Parish, 2005 Berryman St. in Berkeley. Panel members include human rights lawyer, Jayne Fleming and Colin Rajah of the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Sponsored by several communities of Dominican Sisters including Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose and San Rafael Dominican Sisters. Contact Sister Stella Good pasture at (510) 261-2349 or stellamsj@igc.org. While no one will be turned away, a $20 donation is requested. Bring a bag lunch.

Datebook

Colin Rajah

March 28, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Sister Armanda Santos, a Sister of St. Paul, will be signing her book “Facing the Apostle Paul’s Image in Art” at McCoy Church Goods, 1010 Howard Ave. in San Mateo. Call (650) 342-0924.

Employment Support Group meets Mondays 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at St. Matthias Church, 1685 Cordilleras Rd. in Redwood City “to share emotional, spiritual, and networking support and hear job search advice from guest speakers.” There is no cost to attend. Call (650) 366-9544 for more information.

Through April 5, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.: Members of San Mateo Pro-life will be praying for an end to abortion during this “40 Days for Life.” The “peaceful prayer vigil” will take place in front of Planned Parenthood, 2211 Palm Ave. in San Mateo all days during the assigned hours. “All are welcome,” said Jessica Munn, an officer of

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Trainings April 2, 16, 23,30, 3 - 4:30 p.m.: Catholic Charities CYO San Carlos Adult Day Services is offering a Family Caregiver Mini-Sabbatical. This four part series is for family members helping an older spouse, parent or sibling, especially someone with increasing memory loss or confusion. It is an opportunity to get some respite and relaxation while refreshing care-giving skills. Topics include creating/preserving a support system for the caregiver; stress reduction techniques; communicating more effectively; improving care-giving skills and handling more challenging behaviors. $25 registration fee covers four sessions. A sliding scale and free respite care can be arranged in advance on a space available basis. For more information or to obtain a registration brochure please contact Michael Vargas by calling 650.592.9325 or email mvargas@cccyo.org.

Food & Fun

March 21, 6 p.m. – midnight: “Denim and Diamonds,” 2009 Spring Gala benefiting Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory School, Ellis St. between Franklin and Gough in San Francisco. Evening features hosted bar, dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions plus raffle with $10,000 grand prize. Visit www.shcp.edu.

Sophomores, Casey Nuckols, left, Lauren Chue-Wong, and Betsy Aviles were among those getting the word out!! the pro-life group. Visit www.40daysforlife.com/ sanmateo or e-mail fortydaysforlife@yahoo.com or call (650) 572-1468. A “prayerful presence” will also take place at Planned Parenthood, 815 Eddy Street (between Van Ness and Franklin) in San Francisco from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Interested persons may register and volunteer at www.40daysforlife. com/sanfrancisco Through April 17, 7:30 p.m.: Lectio Divina Scripture Faith Sharing: The Wednesday evenings of Lent, at Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose Motherhouse - Main Parlor 43326 Mission Blvd.

Fremont. For more information, please contact Dominican Sister Beth Quire at (510) 449-7554 or beth@msjdominicans.org Taize Prayer: 1st Friday at 8 p.m.: Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline Dr., Burlingame with Mercy Sister Suzanne Toolan. Call (650) 340-7452; young adults are invited each first Friday of the month to attend a social at 6 p.m. prior to Taize prayer at 8 p.m. The social provides light refreshments and networking with other young adults. Convenient parking is available. For information contact mercyyoungadults@sbcglobal.net. Tuesdays at 6 p.m.: Notre Dame Des Victoires Church, 566 Bush at Stockton, San Francisco with Rob Grant. Call (415) 397-0113. 3rd Friday, 8 p.m.: Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, Motherhouse Chapel, 43326 Mission Blvd in Fremont. Contact Maria Shao at (408) 839-2068 or maria49830@aol.com or Dominican Sister Beth Quire at (510) 449-7554 or beth@msjdominicans; Fridays during Lent, 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Angels Church, 1721 Hillside Rd. near El Camino Real in Burlingame.

There will be no Taize Prayer the evening of Good Friday. Call Liz Hannan at (650) 342-1759

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

March 18, 10:30 a.m.: “Sorrow and Grief,” a support workshop at St. Mary’s Cathedral, presented by Barbara Elordi, MFT, Coordinator of the Archdiocesan Grief Care Ministry. Entrance is on the western (Cleary Court) side of the Event Center, below the Cathedral at parking lot level.

For information, contact Sister Esther McEgan at (415) 567-2020 ext. 218

Tridentine Mass Jayne Fleming

Catholic San Francisco

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

Sundays at 12:15 p.m.: Holy Rosary Chapel at St. Vincent School for Boys. For more information, call St. Isabella Parish at (415) 479-1560.

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

Low Mass in Latin is also offered every Friday evening at 6 p.m. For further information, call (650) 322-2152.

TV/Radio Sunday, 6 a.m., KOFY 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.

KSFB Catholic Radio 1260 AM offers daily Mass, rosary and talk on the faith – visit www. ihradio.org March 16, 7 p.m.: Comcast channel 26 in Marin will broadcast a series of 56 half-hour videos which were filmed in Medjugorje. Also, NPAT channel 26 in Novato will start the same series each Thursday at 9:30 p.m. beginning March 19.

Call (707) 480-7000 for more information.

EWTN Catholic Television: Comcast Channel 229; Astound Channel 80; San Bruno Cable Channel 143; DISH Satellite Channel 261; Direct TV Channel 370. For programming details, visit www.ewtn.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Festivities March 14, 6 p.m. St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance A benefit for Most Holy Redeemer Parish and AIDS Support Group. Tickets are $25, seniors $15 and include a traditional Irish Dinner, two beverages, entertainment, and dancing following dinner. Raffle for $500 cash and other great prizes held during the evening. Enter Ellard Hall at 100 Diamond near 18th. For Event or Raffle Tickets, Reservations or more details contact (415) 863 - 1581. Tickets also available at the door.

March 15, noon – 4 p.m.: Annual St. Patrick’s Day Barbecue Fundraiser and Family Festival at Dance Palace Community Center, 5th and B Streets, Point Reyes Station.

Proceeds benefit Sacred Heart Parish in Olema and St. Mary Magdalene Mission in Bolinas.

Menu includes full-course barbecued chicken dinner - $15 adults/$7 children. Call (415) 6631139. Also available for purchase: barbequed oysters, homemade desserts and beverages.

Also enjoy silent auction of local goods and services and live music. Surprise Package Game for Kids Just a quarter. Tickets for cash raffle – top prize $1,200 - are $5 each, $25 for a book of five, or $100 for five books. Call the parish at (415) 663-1139 or buy at the barbeque. Winners need not be present to win.

March 17, 11 a.m.: Hibernian-Newman Club’s annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheon benefiting Catholic College Campus Ministry programs for the Archdiocese of San Francisco at Hilton San Francisco Hotel, 333 O’Farrell St. Maureen McLaughlin will be honored as Hibernian of the Year. Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown is guest speaker. No-host refreshments. Menu is corned beef and cabbage. Enjoy traditional Irish music and entertainment. Tickets are $80 per person. Call (415) 386-3434.

Vallombrosa Retreat Center 250 Oak Grove Ave. in Menlo Park. Call (650) 325-5614 or visit www.vallombrosa.org.

March 17: Sacred Healing: Sacred Geometry Reveals Oneness with Joan Prohaska.

Experience the joy of aligning, balancing, and connecting with God and all creation through shapes, colors, art and music.

April 4: Finding Your Calling: Your Personal Renaissance with Diane Dreher, Ph. D. The retreat offers insights from Renaissance lives, developmental psychology, and Ignatian spirituality to help discover gifts and discern new possibilities in the different seasons of life.

March 14, 6 p.m.: St. Monica School and Parish Fundraiser Auction/Dinner - “Emerald Ball,” an evening of fun, food, and friends in the Parish Hall on 23rd Ave and Geary Blvd, San Francisco. Event begins with silent auction, continues with a delicious Crab Cioppino dinner, and live entertainment. Tickets are $50 per adult and $15 per child ages 5 to 13. For more info, please call (415) 751-9564 or look for the “Emerald Ball” link at www.stmonicasf.org.

March 14, 6:30 p.m.: St. Luke Crab Feed at Parish Center, 1111 Beach Park Blvd., Foster City. All-you-can-eat crab (or chicken), including antipasto, salad, pasta, dessert and drink.

Dancing and raffle follow. Ticket is $40. Call (650) 345-6660.

March 19, noon: St. Thomas More Society meets at the Banker’s Club, Bank of America Building, 555 California Street. Attorney and former FBI agent, Dave Cook, is guest speaker. For more information about the Society, luncheons tickets, and how to become a member, please visit our website: www.stthomasmore-sf.org or contact Greg Schopf at gschopf@nixonpeabody. com.

March 21, 6 p.m. – midnight: “Denim and Diamonds,” 2009 Spring Gala benefiting Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory School, Ellis St. between Franklin and Gough in San Francisco.

Evening features hosted bar, dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions plus raffle with $10,000 grand prize. Visit www.shcp.edu March 28, 5:30 p.m.: “Disco Odyssey,” a St. Cecilia’s Mother’s Club Fundraiser in Durocher Pavillion, St. Cecilia Campus, 18th and Vicente in San Francisco. Fun-filled evening begins with hosted cocktail reception and silent auction followed by dinner, live auction and dancing. Music is by CJ Custom Entertainment. Tickets are $85.00 per person. Tables of 10 are available.

Visit www.scfundraiser.com to view raffles, see preview of auction items. Contact Stephanie Pasini at (415) 516-2614 or Janice Calonico at (415) 309-8073.

April 4, 5:30 p.m.: “The Platinum Ball - Annual Auction Dinner Dance and Grand Drawing” benefiting Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and School at San Mateo Marriott Hotel. Tickets at $100 per person include wine with dinner.

Auction includes more than 500 items for bidding. Dancing to 1 a.m. to music of Jack Aces.

Call (650) 593-6157 and ask for Gail.

April 4, 10 a.m. – noon: “Eggstravaganza” for children 2 – 12 sponsored by Alumnae Council of Mercy High School, San Francisco at the school 3250 19th Ave. Morning includes Easter egg hunt, art and crafts, games. Tickets are $5/adults free. Visit www.mercyhs.org or e-mail alumnae@ mercyhs.org or call (415) 334-0525, ext. 228.

April 17, 5:30 p.m.: Discarded to Divine Free Sneak Preview Night unites fashion with compassion at the de Young Museum. Donated clothing transformed into original couture creations will be showcased. Auction and fashion show follow May 7 with proceeds benefiting the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco. For more information visit www.discardedtodivine.org May. 7, 6:30 p.m.: Discarded to Divine fashion show and auction unites fashion with compassion at Live!@888 Brannan (formerly the San Francisco Gift Center Pavilion) in San Francisco The event unites Bay Area fashion students and professional designers by transforming discarded clothing and fabric into fashionable couture items. All items will be auctioned at Discarded to Divine to raise money for the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco. Visit www.discardedtodivine.org for sponsorship and ticketing information.

Reunions March 19, 11:30 a.m.: Classes of ’39 to ’47 from Star of the Sea Academy at Basque Cultural Center in South San Francisco. Call Dorothy at (415) 681-1493.

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, e-mail burket@sfarchdiocese.org, or visit www.catholic-sf.org, Contact Us.

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Catholic San Francisco

March 13, 2009

St. Ignatius Central Coast Champions St. Ignatius College Preparatory Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team, led by Coach Robbie Hickox, a 1972 SI graduate, won its first-ever Central Coast Section championship Feb. 28 beating St. Francis 3-0 at Milpitas High School. Both the SI boys’ and girls’ teams also won their league championships. Pictured here are from left (back row) Jesuit Father Paul Capitolo, Paolo DiGiovanni, Sean Borella, Daniel O’Leary, Cullen Roche, Zander Mrlik, Tommy O’Malley, Will Bello, Billy Knutsen, Jake Rose, Michael Pizza, Will Naughton, Carter Andereck; (front row) Coach John Stiegeler, Jimmy Callinan, Padraig Buckley, Sean Spiers, Eoin McCarthy, Frank Olcomendy, Ricky Solomon, JP Curry, Spencer Gibson, Brady Borcherding, Zake Batstone and Coach Hickox.

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Serving San Francisco, Marin & the Peninsula.

Contact: 415.447.8463

Counseling Do you want to be more fulfilled in love and work – but find things keep getting in the way?

Unhealed wounds can hold you back - even if they are not the “logical” cause of your problems today. You can be the person God intended.

Inner Child Healing Offers a deep spiritual and psychological approach to counseling: ❖ 30 years experience with individuals, couples and groups ❖ Directed, effective and results-oriented ❖ Compassionate and Intuitive ❖ Supports 12-step ❖ Enneagram Personality Transformation ❖ Free Counseling for Iraqi/Afghanistani Vets

Lila Caffery,IN MA, CCHT BOOKS BALANCE

San Francisco: 415.337.9474 Complimentary phone consultation www.InnerChildHealing.com

When Life6 Hurts It Helps To Talk • Family • Work • Depression • Anxiety

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

650.992.1837

Free Estimates

Lic.#318166

Plumbing S anti Plumbing and Heating 415-661-3707

Michael T. Santi

Dr. Daniel J. Kugler Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Over 25 years experience

Confidential • Compassionate • Practical (415) 921-1619 1537 Franklin Street • San Francisco, CA 94109

Tax Services

TA XMAN CORTES TAX SERVICE Income Tax ● Notary Public Alan J. Cortes Ph: (415) 641-4292 3750 Mission St. (415) 641-4295 San Francisco, CA 94110 Fax: (415) 839-8501

MORROW CONTRUCTION

Handy Man Painting, roof repair, fence (repair/ build) demolition, carpenter, gutter (clean/ repair), kitchen/bathroom remodel, decks, welding, landscaping, gardening, hauling, moving, janitorial.

Specializing In Wood Fences

Call (650) 757-1946 Cell (415) 517-5977

(650) 994-6892

NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR

lic. 343633

S.B. CONSTRUCTION

Carpet Cleaning Safe Non-Toxic, No Shampoo, Dry in Hours not Days

Specializing in Bathroom And Kitchen Remodels. * Demolition/Framing * Plumbing/Electrical * Drywall/Tile Etc. * License/Bond # 804282 * Fax # (415) 681-4438 * Cell # (650) 346-9985 * Competitive Rates *

Since 1972 Ca License # 663641 24 Hour Emergency Service

Commercial & Residential Serving SF & San Mateo Co. St. Charles Parishioner

(650) 593-5959

Roofing

painting and BEST PLUMBING, INC. remodeling

Your Payless Plumbing

Lic. # 872560

➤ Drain-Sewer Cleaning Service ➤ Water Heaters ➤ Gas Pipes ➤ Toilets ➤ Faucets ➤ Garbage Disposals ➤ Copper Repiping ➤ Sewer Replacement ➤ Video Camera & Line locate PROMPT AND UNPARALLELED SERVICE

(650) 557-1263

EMAIL: bestplumbinginc@comcast.net Member: Better Business Bureau

Plumbing • Fire Protection • Certified Backflow

John Bianchi Phone: 415.468.1877 Fax: 415.468.1875 100 North Hill Drive, Unit 18 • Brisbane, CA 94005 Lic. No. 390254

HOLLAND

Plumbing Works San Francisco

ALL PLUMBING WORK PAT HOLLAND

CA LIC #817607

415-205-1235

Green Handyman -Kitchen/Bath Remodel -Insulation/Weatherization -General Home Repair -

John Holtz Ca. Lic 391053 General Contractor Since 1980

(650) 355-4926

Painting & Remodeling

(415) 786-0121 • (415) 586-6748

•Interiors •Exteriors •Kitchens •Baths Contractor inspection reports and pre-purchase consulting

Auto Service

Garage Door Repair

HABELT’S AUTO SERVICE

Discount

Complete Auto Repair

Garage Door

3865 Irving St. at 40th Ave. – Since 1964 –

Repair

415-664-1735

Lic #376353

BONDED & INSURED

Service, Quality, Respect

• Relationships • Addictions

Construction

650-515-1419 CA Lic#927761 Bonded/Insured Tim@green-handyman.com

Painting

S.O.S. PAINTING CO. Interior-Exterior wallpaper hanging & removal Lic # 526818 Senior Discount

415-269-0446 650-738-9295

Painting

www.sospainting.net

BILL HEFFERON

FREE ESTIMATES

PAINTING INTERIOR, EXTERIOR All Jobs Large and Small

10% Discount: Seniors, Parishioners Call BILL 415.731.8065 • Cell: 415.710.0584 Member of Better Business Bureau Bonded, Insured – LIC. #819191

NOTICE

Broken Spring/Cable?

Operator Problems?

Lifetime Warranty All New Doors/Motors

One Price 24 /7

415-931-1540 0% Financing Available

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

“Large Enough to Matter, Small Enough to Care”

FREE ESTIMATES (415) 441-2454 www.garibaldimaintenance.com

TO

Fully Insured & Bonded

READERS

Licensed contractors are required by law to list their license numbers in advertisments. The law also state that contractors performing work totaling $500 or more must be state-licensed. Advertisments appearing in this newspaper without a license number indicate that the contractor is not licensed.

For more information, contact:

Contractors State License Board 800-321-2752

March 13, 2009

Catholic San Francisco

classifieds Visit www.catholic-sf.org

For website listings, advertising information and Place Classified Ad Form OR Call 415.614.5642, Fax 415.614.5641, Email penaj@sfarchdiocese.org

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

PLEASE CALL

(415) 921-8337

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

Room Room for Rent for Rent Furnished room for rent, $670/mo. including utilities, non-smoker, Richmond district in SF, no pets (415) 668-2690

$

650/month, shared bath & kitchen, including utilities, cable, washer/dryer. $ 600 deposit. Seeking quiet, mature adult, non-smoker w/references.

Call 650-994-8540 or 650-878-9759.

Leave message.

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 Your prayer will be published in our newspaper

Name Adress Phone MC/VISA # Exp. Select One Prayer: ❑ St. Jude Novena to SH ❑ Prayer to St. Jude

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

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

St. Jude Novena

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

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

St. Jude helper of the hopeless pray for us.

Say prayer 9 times a day for 9 days.

Thank You St. Jude.

Never known to fail.

You may publish.

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

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

M.A.B.

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin never known to fail.

Most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel Blessed Mother of the Son of God, assistme 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. M.A.B.

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

Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make you be invoked. Say three our Fathers, three Hail Marys and Glorias. St. Jude pray for us all who invoke your aid. Amen.

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

D.R.

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

Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make you be invoked. Say three our Fathers, three Hail Marys and Glorias. St. Jude pray for us all who invoke your aid. Amen.

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

M.A.B.

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

St. Jude helper of the hopeless pray for us.

Say prayer 9 times a day for 9 days.

Thank You St. Jude.

Never known to fail.

You may publish.

D.

Caregiver available CERTIFIED GERIATRIC HOME AIDE, native San Franciscan, 19 yrs. exp. seeks employment with elderly woman exc. ref.

415-252-8312

Personal care companion.

Help with daily activities; driving, shopping, appointments. 28 years Alzheimer’s experience, references, bonded.

(415) 713-1366

For Sale Choice 250 recipe books, +1 Bernina sewing machine with many patterns & sewing accessories.

1st $800 takes it all (worth $1,800).

WONDERFUL COLLECTION.

PLEASE CALL (650) 368-4586

OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE Approximately 2,000 to 3,500 square feet of space (additional space available if needed) at One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco (between Gough & Franklin), is being offered for lease – preferably to a non-profit entity.

Space available includes 4 enclosed offices, open work area awith seven cubicles, large work room, and storage rooms on the bottom level of the Archdiocese of San Francisco Chancery/ Pastoral Center. We also have mail and copy services available, as well as meeting rooms (based on availability). Space has access to kitchen area and restroom facilities. Parking spaces negotiable. Ready for immediate occupancy with competitive terms.

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

Catholic San Francisco

23

Assistant Director of Human Resources The Archdiocese of Seattle has an opening for an Assistant Director of Human Resources. Requirements include: Bachelor’s degree; at least 3 yrs experience administering HR policies and procedures; experience analyzing/interpreting federal, state and local employment law and their application to organization; must be an active member of a Catholic parish/faith community and knowledgeable with the structures, policies and culture of the Archdiocese of Seattle; excellent communications, interpersonal, and organizational skills; ability to work occasional evenings and weekends; possession of a valid WA driver’s license and ability to travel throughout the Archdiocese. Bilingual competency preferred but not required. Competitive salary and excellent benefits.

For a complete job description, and application, visit our website: www.seattlearch.org/jobs/Chanceryjobs, or call 206-382-2070.

We are looking for full or part time

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

EDITOR – CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco is seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as editor of Catholic San Francisco – the official newspaper of the San Francisco Archdiocese.

Catholic San Francisco Editor plans newspaper content including news and feature stories; organizes and directs editorial staff, freelancers, photographers; writes and assigns stories; edits copy; selects wire service material; works collaboratively with advertising director and production manager, leads the production of each issue of the newspaper, and manages/oversees the content of the Catholic San Francisco Online website. Position reports to associate publisher/ executive editor. This full-time position is located at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, One Peter Yorke Way, in San Francisco.

Desirable candidates for the editor position will have a degree in journalism and 14 or more years of newspaper experience, including 7 or more years experience as editor or assistant editor. Candidates should be faithful Catholics with a commitment to Church doctrine and teaching. They also should have a working knowledge of the U.S Catholic Church and an understanding of the universal Church. Prior diocesan newspaper experience is helpful, but not required.

Catholic San Francisco is published weekly most of the year and twice a month in June, July and August.

Help Wanted Elementary Teacher Job Faire Saturday, March 28, 2009 Mercy High School 3250 19th Avenue San Francisco, 94132 10:00am - 1:00pm *Bring Résumés* For more information:

Please Call Mrs. Ofa Po’oi (415) 614-5668 or email:

pooio@sfarchdiocese.org

Please send cover letter, resume, and samples of work to schmidtp@sfarchdiocese.org.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS SOUGHT The Department of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco is seeking elementary principals for the 2009-2010 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 (preferred), and five years of successful teaching experience at the elementary level.

Please send resume and a letter of interest by March 20th, 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

24

Catholic San Francisco

March 13, 2009