December 19, 2003

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INSIDE THIS WEEK’S EDITION Cover Art: The Virgin Mary and Christ Child are depicted in the icon of the Theotokos or Mother of God - from the Byzantine-Ruthenian chapel at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Fourth sunday Immaculate Conception in of advent: Washington.

December 21

December 19, 2003

Archbishop’s column . . . . . 3 Liturgy adaptations . . . . . . . 6 Oakland Cathedral . . . . . . . 8 St. Thomas the Apostle . . . 9

St. Joseph’s Family Center

Editorial & Letters. . . . . . 12

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Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2003

On The

skating rink,” Eileen said. “So you could have something to they renewed their vows 10 years ago. They were joined by crash into I guess.” Beyond the good times - and the chance “20 friends and family” on an Alaskan cruise to commemorate the occasion, to reminisce and said their daughter learn about people Laurie Warner. who know what I Laurie and her huslooked like when I band Richard are was six and 16 - the members of St. trip affirmed for me Dunstan Parish, that opportunities to

by Tom Burke Millbrae. Mary and catch up – often Robert’s son, Bob wrapped in events lives with his wife, It’s a party January 24th in the new student center like the aforemenBarbara, in Redding. of Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory School. The tioned crab fete . . . It’s “thank you’ occasion is a Cioppino Dinner Dance complete with 450 should not be at St. Cecilia Parish Dungeness crabs prepared for the feast by local restaura- missed. I’m lovin’ to Mariwil and teur and chef Mike Sabella. “We’re really reaching out the reconnecting Theodore Wong who being because last year a number of SHCP alumni said they did- including secured a $500 donan’t hear about the event,” said Jonathan Villet, who’s remembered by my tion from the Loyola helpin’ with PR. Jonathan and his wife, Fiona, have been fellow 52 year-old Mary and Robert Kennel Foundation for the married 19 years and are the parents of twins and SHCP desk neighbors by freshmen, Raphael and Dominic. Chef Mike, a SHCP the name they knew me as a boy - Tommy Burke. Conor Parkside parish’s Internet Broadcast Project….San had the car while I was gone. He says his Francisco’s Star of the Sea Parish leads an all hats off for alum , and his week with the Civic has given it “a will to “generous benefactor” Catherine Kane, now deceased, wife, Dede, a grad live.”… Congrats to Mathew Heersche who remembered Star of the Sea with an almost $6,000 of the revered and Ed.D., new Head of School at San bequest….Thanks to Holy Angels, Colma for the stewmuch missed St. Anselmo’s San Domenico. Matt joined ardship tip to “Give God what’s right, not what’s Rose Academy as the school 9 years ago and is a former left.”…Sausalito’s St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish says well as a current “Thanks to our teens” for Assistant Head of School staffer at SHCP, recent “dedicated work solicitat San Domenico. “We are have been married ing and collecting canned overjoyed to support Matt 22 years and are goods” for those in need. in his role as head of the parents of five.

Spearheading the drive were school,” said Dominican The family’s Megan Miller and Teddi Sister Raya Hanlon, chair eatery, Sabella’s, Hoffman. Putting the stuff of the school’s board of can be found on away is Jack Flavin . . . directors. “It is my primary West Portal Ave. Remember there is no CSF goal to promote San . . . I am renewed next week or the week after.

Domenico as the premiere by my We’ll be back January 9th. school in Marin County Thanksgiving Merry Christmas!! Happy committed to developing trip to Philly and New Year!!…As we start the students who understand the excitement of new year, please remember that together we all conmeeting up with that you are the engine that tribute to making the world old friends and drives this column and that a better place,” Matt said. classmates. About it’s an empty space without . . . Thanks go to a dozen of us met ya’!!! …Birthdays, births, Capuchin Father Flavian in person and anniversaries, marriages, Welstead of Our Lady of another hundred or engagements, new jobs and all Angels, Burlingame, for so were rememMathew Heersche, Ed.D. kinds of goings-on are bered or weighed Mike Sabella gets down and Dungeness his recent homily focusing on Advent as a “time for forgiveness and welcome here.. Send items and a follow up phone number in by phone or email. Memories poured out, including this one about roller a time for coming home.” Don’t buy into the hype that tells to On the Street Where You Live, One Peter Yorke Way, 94109.

Fax (415) 614-5633; e-mail rinks – very popular with us Boomers as kids- and their us “to await Christmas but not Christ,” he exhorted. Take SF design from Eileen Smith, who’s married to grade school time for the holy day, not just the holiday….Happy 50 tburke@catholic-sf.org. Do not send attachments except pal, Rich. They make their home in Wake Forest North years married Sept. 26th to Mary and Robert Kennel, photos and those in jpeg, please. You can reach Carolina. “I always wondered why there are columns in a parishioners of St. Robert’s, San Bruno since 1959 where Tom Burke at (415) 614-5634….

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3

ORDINARY TIME

“Getting Ready for Christmas�

The Advent season is our annual preparation for the celebration of the Christmas feast. It begins by reminding us of the hope brought to the People of God, Israel, in what we call Old Testament times by the prophets sent by God to proclaim his holy word. This prophetic word is brought to a focus in the one who is called the last and greatest of the prophetic line, John the Baptist. In his preaching of conversion of heart, and his baptism of repentance, his is the immediate precursor of the Word of God incarnate, the God-man himself, Jesus—Emmanuel.

As the final days of Advent approach, from December 17 to 24, the focus of the Advent liturgy becomes even more immediate in its attention to the events surrounding the Birth of our Lord. The interplay between Elizabeth and her young cousin Mary, between the unborn John and the unborn Jesus are set before us, the prayers of praise, blessing and thanksgiving of John’s father, the priest Zechariah (the “Benedictus�), and Mary herself (the Magnificat�) help us prepare our hearts to contemplate the goodness of God our Father, whose such great love has given us his own Divine Son to be our Savior.

Of course few of us have been called to a contemplative vocation. These days before Christmas add to our daily round of duties another set of preparations—gifts to be purchased and wrapped, each one a potential reminder of the greatest gift of all—God’s gift of his Son to us at

Christmas. Decorations, gatherings of family and friends, trees and ornaments and lights, cards and greetings, all these things too can serve to remind us of the focal point of it all unfolding in the Bethlehem stable then, and again in our hearts now.

In yet another kind of Christmas preparation, I had the joy of attending a concert of Christmas carols at the National Shrine of St. Francis in North Beach this past Sunday afternoon, sung by the Shrine’s talented Schola Cantorum—and some of them by us, the audience, too. Many of these carols were ancient ones, but new to me. The music was so beautifully performed it made me wonder how I could be 67 and still not have heard them. But the words too struck me as perfectly attuned to the Advent liturgy that draws us ever closer to that sacred scene of Mary and Joseph and the newborn infant, of angles and shepherds and Magi from the East.

If many of these carols were Renaissance compositions, two of them were brand new—and equally wonderful.

I was astonished, for example, by the intricate elaborations on the simple, haunting themes and music of “Let all mortal flesh keep silence,‌ for with blessing in his hand Christ our God to earth descendeth,â€? taken from the Liturgy of St. James. Another surprise for me: for the many years I had lived in Italy and heard that favorite of Italian carols “Tu scendi dalle stelle,â€? I had never adverted to the fact that the text was a composition of St. Alphonsus Ligouri. And what a

beautiful meditation it is. Here is the English free translation: O King of heaven! From starry throne descending Thou takest refuge in that wretched cave: I see thee cold and trembling.

O God of bliss!

What pain it cost thee fallen man to save!

Thou, of a thousand worlds the Creator Dost now the pain of cold and want endure; Thy poverty but make thee more endearing, For well I know ‘tis love has made thee poor.

If I seem enthusiastic about this concert, perhaps it was because I was not prepared for its loveliness, although I have many times celebrated the liturgy at the Shrine with the Schola adding their beautiful music. This leads me to sort of a

Archbishop William J. Levada

commercial, both for the Shrine and for the Schola Cantorum. The Rector of the Shrine greeted us at the end of the concert, reminding us that the Schola sings every Sunday, that the afternoon Vespers and concerts are—in the best Franciscan ORDINARY TIME, page 5

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Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2003 assembly’s actions over the years but also “had a positive impact on national constitutions and other basic laws.”

The nuncio delivered his statement on a day devoted to commemorating the 55th anniversary of the adoption of the declaration on Dec. 10, 1948, by the General Assembly. He recalled that in addresses to the General Assembly in 1979 and 1995, Pope John Paul II called the declaration “one of the highest expressions of the human conscience of our time” and “a real milestone on the path of the moral progress of humanity.”

in brief

NEWS

Boston to use short-term loans to pay sex abuse settlement

Iraq war voted top story of 2003, Pope John Paul top newsmaker

(CNS PHOTO FROM REUTERS)

WASHINGTON — Catholic editors voted the war in Iraq and its aftermath as the top religious story of 2003, with the continuing fallout from the clergy sex abuse scandal a close second and Pope John Paul II’s silver jubilee coming in third. In voting for top religious newsmaker of the year, Pope John Paul, who has won the poll most often in recent years, returned to the top spot after coming in second the past two years. President Bush was the No. 2 newsmaker for 2003, and Archbishop Sean P. O’Malley of Boston was third. The poll was the 42nd annual survey of Catholic News Service client newspapers. When the editors’ poll was first conducted in 1962, the overwhelming choice for top story was the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Last year, editors chose the scandal over clergy sex abuse of minors as the top religious news story of the year.

Leader calls for more chaplains SYRACUSE, Ind. — Along with Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services and his three auxiliary bishops, 400 priests are trying to literally cover the world. Anywhere U.S. troops are stationed, every U.S. embassy and 173 Veterans Affairs’ facilities — all are part of the military archdiocese, encompassing between 1.4 million and 1.5 million Catholics. “There’s a great need for more priests in uniform,” Archbishop O’Brien said earlier this month at a priests’ retreat held in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. “We have 400 (chaplains) full time. We should have double that.”

Philippines native appointed Los Angeles auxiliary bishop (CNS PHOTO COURTESY BAYOU CATHOLIC)

LOS ANGELES — Pope John Paul has named Father Oscar Azarcon Solis, pastor of St. Joseph Co-Cathedral Parish in Thibodaux, La., to be an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The appointment was announced at the Vatican Dec. 11.

Bishop-designate Solis, who will be ordained to the episcopacy on Feb. 10 at the Cathedral of Our Bishop-designate Lady of the Angels in Oscar A. Solis.

Los Angeles, becomes the first Filipino-American bishop named to serve in the United States and the 29th active U.S. bishop born in another country. “With one of the largest Filipino Catholic populations in the country, it is fitting that our Holy Father ... recognizes Los Angeles as the archdiocese to receive the first Filipino bishop,” said Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles at a Dec. 11 press conference.

Pope John Paul II gives his Sunday address from his apartment window overlooking St. Peter's Square and its Christmas tree Dec. 14.

Below in the square, hundreds of children held figurines of the infant Christ for blessing by the pope.

Bill would bar discrimination for not providing abortions WASHINGTON — The U.S. bishops’ pro-life spokeswoman praised a bill that would forbid discrimination against health care providers who do not want to be involved in abortion. The Abortion Nondiscrimination Act was reintroduced in the House Dec. 8. A Senate version was introduced in July and assigned to the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. “No one should be forced into the practice of abortion,” said a statement from Cathy Cleaver Ruse, director of planning and information for the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

She urged Congress to act quickly when it reconvenes in January “to pass this common-sense protection for the rights of conscience of all health care providers.” Similar legislation was approved by the House in 2002 by a vote of 229-189, but never came up for a vote in the Senate before the 107th Congress adjourned.

U.N. rights declaration called one of ‘most precious’ in history NEW YORK — The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is “one of the most precious and important documents in human history,” the Vatican nuncio to the United Nations said Dec. 10. Addressing the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Archbishop Celestino Migliore said the declaration had not only influenced the

BOSTON — The Boston Archdiocese will take out short-term loans from a variety of sources to pay clergy sex abuse settlements Dec. 22 totaling approximately $90 million, officials announced in a Dec. 6 memo sent priests by Boston Auxiliary Bishop Richard G. Lennon, moderator of the curia. The memo said the $90 million amount is a combination of the $85 million settlement with 541 victims of abuse and a small number of individual settlements expected to amount to between $3 million and $4 million. To obtain the money by Dec. 22, the date that settlement checks will be issued, the archdiocese will obtain short-term loans from a number of sources. Officials have said money from insurance carriers and the sale of approximately 28 acres of archdiocesan property, including the former cardinal’s residence, will be used to repay the loans.

Church leaders see long road for Iraq even after Saddam’s capture VATICAN CITY — The Vatican reacted quietly to news of Saddam Hussein’s capture, and church officials in Rome predicted that Iraq still has a rough road ahead. In Iraq, bishops and other church leaders said Saddam’s detention would help the country “turn the page” in building social peace and order. But they, too, cautioned that violence would probably continue for some time in the country.

Neither Pope John Paul II nor the Vatican press office had any official comment on Saddam’s capture, which was announced as the pope prayed the Angelus Dec. 14 with pilgrims at the Vatican. The Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, reported the news the next day on its front page under the headline: “A trail of blood follows the capture of Saddam Hussein.” The newspaper noted that a series of deadly attacks had continued in Iraq after Saddam’s arrest. The newspaper said the dictator’s detention, however, widened the prospects for an era of peace, justice and normal life in Iraq.

Pope prays for Sudan peace, urges dialogue with Muslims VATICAN CITY — Acknowledging the tremendous suffering of Sudanese Catholics through 20 years of civil conflict, Pope John Paul II encouraged the country’s bishops to increase their dialogue with their Muslim neighbors and strengthen their contacts with government bureaucrats.

“With all of you I beseech the God of peace to grant success to the process of dialogue and negotiations now underway so that truth, justice and reconciliation may again reign in the Sudan,” the pope told the bishops. The Sudanese bishops were in Rome in mid-December making their “ad limina” visits, which are required of all heads of dioceses every five years, and met as a group Dec. 15 with the pope.

While they were in Rome talks continued in Sudan and in neighboring Kenya with the aim of bringing an end to the 20-year civil war which has pitted the Islamic, Arab-dominated government of the North against the people of the South, who are mainly Christians or followers of traditional African religions.

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December 19, 2003

tradition—free of charge. But I can say to those who have forgotten last year’s publicity, this work of culture and beauty needs our financial support and encouragement.

Perhaps some who read this column may still have this coming Sunday afternoon open on their calendar (December 21 at 4 p.m.). Perhaps they may find in such a wonderful hour of music and meditation a preparation worthy of the coming Christmas feast. I hope so.

My prayer for you, dear People of God just now finishing our “sesquicentennial” 150th anniversary year, is for every blessing of Emmanuel, God-with-us, at this “Christ Mass,” at Christmas. For the ingenuity of God’s bountiful love did not stop in the stable at Bethlehem. The body born there of the Virgin Mary has become the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, as the hymn reminds us: King of kings, yet born of Mary, As of old on earth he stood, Lord of lords in human vesture, In the Body and the Blood He will give to all the faithful His own self for heavn’ly food.

That same Eucharistic Body nourishes and builds up the Body of Christ, the Church, so that we may live in him, and become his instruments in bringing this marvelous love to the love-hungry world in which we live.

O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Most Reverend William J. Levada Archbishop of San Francisco

Engaging with Christ through prayer on T.V.

An independent audit of diocesan compliance with mandates of the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” will be released January 6 in Washington.

The audit was conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection, headed by Kathleen McChesney, and the National Review Board, headed by Illinois Appellate Court Justice Anne M. Burke.

The charter, approved by U.S. bishops in June 2002, established the review board and the policies and procedures that all U.S. dioceses must follow to assure that minors are protected from sexual abuse in church environments, that allegations of sexual abuse are dealt with promptly and effectively, and that outreach and support for victims are taking place.

William Gavin, a former FBI official and head of the Boston-based Gavin Group, directed 40 teams of professional auditors that visited U.S. dioceses between June and October 2003 for one-week audits.

Gavin said the audits included the review of comprehensive documentation and interviews with the local bishop, diocesan personnel, victims, abusers, prosecutors and diocesan review board members.

Each diocese audit ended with instructions if a diocese was found not to be in compliance with a charter mandate; recommendations if compliance with some segment of a mandate was deemed lacking; or commendation if the diocese had taken some action above the demands of the charter.

The Archdiocese of San Francisco underwent its

Charter-compliance audit July 25-29. At the conclusion of the audit, the Archdiocese received no instructions or recommendations. A commendation for strides in outreach to victims was given to the Archdiocese.

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Ordinary Time . . .

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Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2003

Temporary liturgical adaptations urged to prevent spread of influenza In a Dec. 12 letter to priests of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, Archbishop William J. Levada urged that temporary liturgical adaptations in the celebration of the Eucharist be adopted “to help stem the tide of what may very well be an epidemic” of influenza.

Archbishop Levada said he was acting on “the best advice of medical and health authorities” in efforts to decrease the possibility of flu virus transmission. He told pastors that he believed liturgical adaptations should be implemented at all public Masses in the archdiocese for the duration of the flu season.

These temporary adaptations include the suspension of offering Holy Communion under both species and distributing Holy Communion into the hand, rather than on the tongue.

He also urged the Sign of Peace be adapted to allow for a greeting that does not involve shaking hands, and he suggested people avoid holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer until the flu season abates.

All who administer Holy Communion are to wash their hands with an alcohol-based anti-bacterial solution before they administer the Sacrament. This precaution also extends to those who minister to homebound.

“While I realize that these measures are drastic, I have been assured by medical experts that they are necessary so

that we can do our part to foster the health and safety of our people,” Archbishop Levada said in his letter to priests.

He also asked priests to remind parishioners that “the obligation to participate in Sunday Mass does not hold for those who are seriously ill,” adding that it would be especially prudent for anyone with flu symptoms to stay at home.

The letter also mentioned the availability of a televised Mass for the homebound each Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. on Channel 20 (cable Channel 13) and Channel 26 (cable Channel 8).

“The overall reaction to the letter has been favorable,” said Father Edward Phelan, administrator of San Francisco’s Most Holy Redeemer Parish where 700 worshippers gather for three weekend Masses. “People think it a good idea especially as a preventive measure and that it was addressed at this early time instead of the eleventh hour. I think it is necessary and a good precaution.”

“Among the community, the instruction was very well received,” said Father Thomas Parenti, pastor of San Francisco’s St. Brendan Parish where more than 1,000 people attend five weekend Masses.

He added, “While we are glad to cooperate with the Archbishop’s advice, my area of concern is that it will step us back in the introduction of the Precious Blood. We’ve been making it available for about a year and just recently

more and more parishioners are beginning to receive under both species.”

Elsewhere in the United States, similar temporary liturgical adaptations have been implemented in the Diocese of Gallup New Mexico. The Cathedral of Sacred Heart in Gallup has suspended the use of the shared Communion cup as a health precaution in what has been called the worst flu season in 20 years.

Publication Schedule Catholic San Francisco is not published on the Fridays following Christmas and New Year’s Day. The next issue of the newspaper will be published Jan. 9, 2004.

Look for these stories coming in Catholic San Francisco in January: – Vocations to the priesthood – Series on permanent deacons – A report on lawsuits filed in 2003 – Charter compliance audit report – Making kids safe, not scared – Catholic Schools in action

Christmas Liturgies St. Francis of Assisi Church

Mater Dolorosa Church

St. Gabriel Church

307 Willow Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080

1425 Bay Road, East Palo Alto 650/322-2152

CHRISTMAS 2003

Mass Schedule For For Christmas and New New Year

Sacrament of Reconciliation Individual Confessions Saturdays – 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

FAMILY PENANCE SERVICE

Confessions

Wednesday, December 24, 2003 6:00 pm Bi-lingual Children’s Mass Midnight Bi-lingual

MASSES Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24th 5 p.m. and 12 Midnight Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25th 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 Noon

Thursday, December 25, 2003 Masses 7:30 am English 9:30 am Spanish 11:30 am English 1:30 am Spanish

NO EVENING MASS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Thursday, January 1, 2004 Masses 7:30 am English 9:30 am Spanish 11:30 am English 1:30 am Spanish

2004 NEW YEAR 2004 st

16 Horseshoe Hill, Bolinas

Confessions 3 p.m to 4:15 p.m Mass 4:30 p.m. and Misa en Español 7:30 p.m.

Christmas Day 8:30 a.m Mass - Sacred Heart Church 10:45 a.m. Mass - St. Mary Magdalene

725 Diamond Street 415-282-0141

SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA

Saint Mary Magdalene Church Christmas Eve Sacred Heart Church

ST. PHILIP’S CHURCH

CATHOLIC CHURCH

10189 Hwy 1, Olema

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

New Years Thursday, January 1 10:00 am Mass of the Solemnity of Mary.

ST. MATTHEW

Sacred Heart Church

CHRISTMAS SERVICES 2003 Saturday, December 20 Confessions: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Christmas Schedule 2003 CONFESSIONS

Daily: 5:00-5:30p.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Wednesday, December 24:

11:00a.m.-12:00 noon; 4:00-5:30p.m.

MASSES Christmas Eve, December 24: 5:30, 7:30 p.m. and Midnight Christmas Carols begin at 11:30 p.m.

Christmas Day, December 25: 6:30, 7:30, 9:00 (Spanish), 10:30a.m. and 12:30p.m.

New Year’s Day 9:00 a.m Mass - Sacred Heart Church 10:45 a.m. Mass - St. Mary Magdalene

NEW YEAR’S DAY Masses will be offered at

6:30, 8:15a.m. and 12:05p.m.

Saturday, December 20, 3:30 pm Communal Reconciliation

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

6:00 pm Family Mass. Children’s Choir.

11:30 pm Christmas Carols with Adult Choir.

12:00 am Christmas Midnight Mass.

Adult Choir and Brass Ensemble.

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

8:30 am Cantor. 10:00 am Guitar Accompanist.

11:30 am Adult Choir and Brass Ensemble.

No evening Mass.

Masses

Tuesday, December 16 , 7:30 p.m.

Advent/Christmas 2003 Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions)

Wednesday, December 24, 2003 From 10:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

th

New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1 10 a.m. Solemnity of Mary

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

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24 Masses: 8:00 a.m.

Family Mass at 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Confessions: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25 Masses: Same as on Sunday: 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.; 11:15 a.m. in Spanish at the Convent, and 12:00 noon.

New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1, 2004 Mass: 10:00 a.m. only COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!

NATIONAL SHRINE OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

CHRISTMAS AT ST. CECILIA

610 VALLEJO ST. @ COLUMBUS SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133 (415) 983-0405

Serving the Parkside District of San Francisco Since 1917 Located at Vicente Street and Seventeenth Avenue Parking Lot Entrance on Vicente Street

www.ShrineSF.org Solemn Vespers “Christmas in the City” Annual Carol Concert by The Schola Cantorum

December 21

3:15 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

December 24

3:15 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

11:15 p.m.

Solemn First Vespers of Christmas Organ recital by John Renke Vigil & Blessing of the Crèche followed by the Midnight Mass of Christmas

December 25

12:15 p.m.

Solemn Mass of Christmas Day Most Reverend John Wester, presiding

December 28

12:15 p.m.

3:15 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

Solemn Mass, Feast of the Holy Family Solemn Vespers Organ recital by David Graham

December 31

10:15 p.m.

11:00 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Organ recital by John Renke Solemn Mass and Blessing of the City at Midnight

January 1

12:15 p.m.

Solemn Mass - Mary, Mother of God

January 4

12:15 p.m.

3:15 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

Solemn Mass - The Epiphany of the Lord Solemn Vespers Epiphany Carol Service by The Schola Cantorum

Live Church Broadcast www.stcecilia.com CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES ON DECEMBER 24TH 5:00 P.M. - MSGR. MICHAEL HARRIMAN 8:00 P.M. - FR. JOE LANDI AND CHILDREN’S CHOIR 11:15 P.M. - CHRISTMAS CAROLS MIDNIGHT - MSGR. MICHAEL HARRIMAN, PRINCIPAL CELEBRANT WITH CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA

CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES ON DECEMBER 25TH 7:30 A.M. - FR. VITO PERRONE 9:30 A.M - FAMILY MASS - MSGR. MICHAEL HARRIMAN 11:00 A.M. - FR. JOE LANDI WITH CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA 12:30 P.M. - FR. JOE LANDI WITH THE GOSPEL JUBILATION SINGERS

December 19, 2003

Archdiocesan archivist and popular historian, Jeff Burns, ordained deacon Dr. Jeffrey Burns, archivist of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, has been ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Oakland. He was one of 18 men ordained to the diaconate by Oakland Bishop Allen Vigneron on December 6 during ceremonies at San Leandro’s St. Felicitas parish.

The Lima, Ohio native earned his Masters and Doctorate in U.S. History at the University of Notre Dame.

He is a widely published expert in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States.

In 1983, Dr. Burns accepted the position of archivist for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. He settled in the East Bay and also taught Physical Education at St. Lawrence O’Toole parish elementary school in Oakland. There he met his wife of 17 years, Sabina, who was and is still First Grade teacher at St. Lawrence. Sabina is “ecstatic” about her husband’s new ministry as a deacon.

In addition to his duties as archivist, Dr. Burns is an adjunct faculty member of St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, and California State University, Hayward. He is Director of the Academy of American Franciscan History.

Dr. Burns has been very active in parish life, significantly in ministry with youth as coordinator for his deanery’s confirmation program.

Dr. Burns enrolled in the three year program to become a deacon in order to “deepen my service to the Church,” he told Catholic San Francisco. He will continue to work, as deacon, with youth at his parish of St. Lawrence O’Toole/ St. Cyril, but will be more engaged “primarily through ministry of the Word” and preaching. Deacon Burns may also perform “weddings and baptisms as the occasions arise.”

Deacon Burns said his ordination involves a “profound commitment that is now a lifelong commitment.” Rather than engaging in temporary or occasional services for the

1721 Hillside Drive, Burlingame Capuchin Franciscans 650-347-7768

2003 Christmas Schedule

Thursday: Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary; It’s a wonderful life: Jimmy Hawkins.

Friday: Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary; Film: In America.

Christmas Mass Schedule Archbishop William J. Levada: Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral; Christmas Day 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco.

Dr. Jeff Burns is ordained deacon

by Oakland Bishop Allen Vigneron.

Church, “my whole life is now being dedicated to the Church,” he said.

Catholic San Francisco readers are aware of Dr. Burns’ work as coordinator of the paper’s year-long history series in celebration of the sesquicentennial anniversary of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

St.Anne of the Sunset Church 850 Judah St., S.F., 415-665-1600

2003 Christmas Schedule Community Penance Service

Christmas Day 8:00, 10:00 and 12 noon

5:00 p.m. Family Mass 11:15 p.m. Choir Concert

The Capuchin Franciscans & Parish Staff wish our Parishioners and Friends Peace, Love and Hope for Christmas and the New Year

Worship with us in Westlake!

Christmas Eve, December 24

Christmas Day, December 25 12:00 midnight English Mass 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 a.m. English Mass 12:00 noon Cantonese Mass

New Year’s Eve, December 31

St. Dunstan Church

3 Elmwood Dr., Daly City

1133 Broadway Millbrae, CA 94030

Between South Mayfair and Southgate Avenues,

650-697-4730

❄ Wednesday, Dec. 24: 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve. Mass with our Children’s Choir 11:30 p.m. Sing-Along Christmas

Bishop John Wester: Christmas Vigil Mass at San Francisco County Jail; Christmas Mass at 12:15 p.m., Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, San Francisco.

Bishop Ignatius Wang: Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at Holy Name Church, San Francisco; Christmas Day Mass at San Mateo County Jail, Redwood City.

CATHEDRAL OF ST. MARY OF THE ASSUMPTION 1111 Gough St., San Francisco, • Tel: (415) 567-2020

Saturday, December 20, 2003 The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) 4:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 21, 2003 Blessing of Expectant Parents at all Masses Masses

Saturday, December 20 - 5:30 p.m.

Sunday 7:30 a.m. - Cantor and Organ 9:00 a.m. - Gregorian Chant - Cathedral Schola 11:00 a.m. - Cathedral Choir 1:00 p.m. - Spanish - Coro

Tuesday, December 23 The Cathedral will be closed following the 12:10 p.m.

Mass for Christmas preparations

4:00 p.m.

Christmas Concert by Parish Choir

Our Lady of Mercy Parish with plenty of free parking!

Weeknights at 7 p.m. – KEST 1450 AM Radio Pray the Rosary – hosted by Fr. Tom Daly One half-hour of prayers, reflections and music

Wednesday: Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary; Film: T’was the Night Before Christmas.

Friday, December 19, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

New Years Day Masses at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.

Catholic Radio Hour Week of Dec. 22 - 26

Tuesday: The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary; Catholic Charities USA: Fr. Brian Hehir.

Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. (Children’s Mass) Midnight Mass

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

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

2003 Christmas Week Liturgies

Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord Wednesday, December 24, 2003 7:30 p.m. - Caroling with the Cathedral Choirs of Boys and Girls 8:00 p.m. - Mass - Rev. John Talesfore, Cathedral Administrator, Principal Celebrant 11:30 p.m - Caroling - Cathedral Choir and Brass Ensemble 12:00 a.m - Midnight Mass

Archbishop William Levada, Principal Celebrant

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord Christmas Day

Carols with our Parish Choir

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

❄ Thursday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day Masses at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m.

10:30 a.m. with Parish Choir, and 12:00 p.m.

7

Monday: Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary; Sunday Soundbite: Scripture readings; Fact of Faith: Roman Martyrology.

Christmas Liturgies Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church

Catholic San Francisco

Thursday, December 25, 2003

Christmas Eve Masses: 4:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m. & Midnight Mass

Christmas Day Masses: 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30 am & 5:00 pm

9:00 a.m. - Gregorian Chant 11:00 a.m. - Cathedral Choir Archbishop Levada, Principal Celebrant 1:00 p.m. - Spanish Coro The Cathedral will close for the Day at 3:00 p.m.

8

Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2003

Site is purchased for new cathedral for Diocese of Oakland

By Monica Clark Catholic News Service OAKLAND, Calif.(CNS) — The Oakland Diocese, which has been without a cathedral since St. Francis de Sales Cathedral was badly damaged in a 1989 earthquake and demolished four years later, has purchased a site for a new cathedral complex that should be completed in 2007.

On Dec. 5, the diocese purchased property for $31.5 million in downtown Oakland, overlooking Lake Merritt, on which the new Cathedral of Christ the Light will be built.

An independently funded, nonprofit organization overseeing the cathedral project announced the purchase and said it was continuing its efforts to raise the additional $48.5 million needed to construct the church. The total cost of the project, which will include several other buildings, is $131 million.

In a statement to cathedral supporters, Oakland Bishop Allen H. Vigneron emphasized the importance of having a central worship space.

“We need our cathedral for a strong diocese; a strong diocese means renewed strength for building up our community, strength for supporting our schools and strength for serving people in need,” he said.

He said it was fitting that the new church would be built “opposite the site of our first Mass, held on March 27, 1772, on a swamp that is now Lake Merritt.”

Major foundation grants, individual donations, and loans were used to purchase the land. Jack Smith, former mayor of the nearby city of Hayward and chair of the fund-

raising committee, said he is hopeful that additional donors will come forward with pledges to cover construction costs.

No funds from the diocese’s budget will be tapped for the project, according to the bishop.

San Francisco architect Craig Hartman of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill will design the cathedral and several other church-related buildings on the 2.5 acre site, which currently serves as a parking lot for tenants in adjacent buildings.

His design features a 17-story, 33,000-square-foot elliptical structure made of native woods, stone, steel and glass, with permanent seating for 1,500. It will be built without pillars and will conform to the liturgical directives of the Second Vatican Council.

The cathedral will sit on a corner of the site, opening onto a public plaza that will be surrounded by diocesan and parish offices, meeting rooms and a conference center, a rectory for parish priests and a bishop’s residence, a library, archive and exhibit area, cafe and bookstore.

The cathedral property also will include a bell tower, a mausoleum beneath the cathedral, and underground parking for 225 cars. Revenue from the mausoleum and parking garage will help pay off construction loans and then be available for maintenance and upkeep of the cathedral center.

The cathedral’s name, Christ the Light, is taken from “Lumen Gentium,” the Second Vatican Council’s document on the role of the laity in the work of the church that calls on Catholics to “bring to all that light of Christ which shines out visibly from the church.”

After St. Francis de Sales Cathedral was damaged in the

Loma Prieta earthquake and then razed in 1993, thenOakland Bishop John S. Cummins formed a committee of volunteers, headed by Oakland attorney John McDonnell, choir director at St. Francis de Sales for 20 years, to explore the feasibility of building a new cathedral.

When studies indicated that funding was likely to be available, the committee moved forward with architect selection, site plans and fund raising.

McDonnell is now the project director as well as chair of the steering committee. In early 2000, a select group of parishioners — plus 40 priests, women and men religious, and deacons — met at Oakland’s Holy Names College to discuss what values should underlie the cathedral, if it were built.

Although some participants voiced concerns that the project might have a negative impact on outreach to the poor, there was consensus that a new cathedral should reflect hospitality, ethnic diversity and service to all.

Later that year, the diocesan Presbyteral Council, made up of 16 priests elected by their peers, voted their support for the project.

The new cathedral will be an active downtown parish, said McDonnell, with liturgies in keeping with the reputation of the St. Francis de Sales Cathedral and “serious outreach to those in need,” another hallmark of the former cathedral parish.

Bishop Cummins, now retired, will serve as the cathedral’s episcopal vicar. Groundbreaking is expected to take place by the summer of 2004 and construction should be completed by late 2007.

St. Anthony 1000 Cambridge St., Novato, CA

CHRISTMAS LITURGIES

CHRISTMAS 2003 MASSES Christmas Eve, December 24 5:00 PM Children’s Mass 9:30 PM Christmas Music 7:00 PM Christmas Music 10:00 PM Mass 7:30 PM Mass no midnight mass Christmas Day, December 25 7:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM Mass 11:00 AM Mass New Years Eve, December 31 5:00 PM Mass New Years Day, January 1, 2004 9:00 AM Mass 12:00 Mass Please let us know of any parishioners that should be visited for the Sacrements

ST. STEPHEN CATHOLIC CHURCH Confessions Saturday, December 20 – 3:30-4:15 p.m.

Wednesday, December 24 – 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve Masses Wednesday 4:30 p.m. “Family Vigil Mass” 12 o’clock Midnight Mass – Carols and choir music at 11:30 p.m.

Christmas Day Masses Thursday 8:00, 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. – Carols and choir music at 9:15 a.m.

There is no evening Mass on Christmas Day New Year’s Day Mass – 9:30 a.m.

601 Eucalyptus Drive (at 23rd Avenue)

St. Monica Parish Geary Boulevard at 23rd Avenue, San Francisco

CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE 2003

Church of St. Isabella One Trinity Way

P.O. Box 6166

San Rafael, California 94903

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2003

The Sacrament of Reconciliation Wednesday, December 24 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Eucharistic Celebrations Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24 5:00 PM – Family Mass, Family Choir 9:00 PM – Vigil Mass, Choir & Hand Bells 11:00 PM – “Midnight” Mass, PYC Choir Christmas Day Thursday, December 25 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 AM No Evening Mass on Christmas Day Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 5:00 PM Thursday, January 1, 2004: The Solemnity of Mary 7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 AM

St. Dominic’s Catholic Church December 24: CHRISTMAS EVE – MASSES

CONFESSIONS Saturday, December 20th 4:00-4:45 p.m.

CHRISTMAS EVE 5:00 p.m.

11:30 p.m.

12:00 Midnight

Family Mass with Children’s Choir & Nativity Play Choral Concert and Carol Singing Solemn Mass

CHRISTMAS DAY – December 25 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Adult Choir, 12:00 Noon

NEW YEAR’S DAY 10:30 a.m. (Not a Holy Day of Obligation), no 8:30 a.m. Mass Sunday, January 4, 2003 – Feast of the Epiphany 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. (Cantonese), 10:30 a.m. Adult Choir, 12:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer and Benediction – 4:00 p.m.

(415) 479-1560

December 25: December 31: January 1: January 4:

5:30 p.m. - Vigil Mass 11:15 p.m. - Christmas music followed by MIDNIGHT MASS CHRISTMAS DAY – MASSES 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. (español) NEW YEAR’S EVE – MASSES 6:00, 8:00 a.m., 5:30 p.m.

NEW YEAR’S DAY – MASS 9:30 a.m.

EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Regular Sunday Mass and Confession Schedule

On Steiner at Bush (plenty of parking available) 415-567-7824 www.stdominics.org

December 19, 2003

Catholic San Francisco

9

St. Thomas the Apostle celebrates 80 years as parish with ‘Pilgrimage back to where it all began’ Herrera said. “We’re here in the outer Richmond, many of us getting older, and it could be easy for us to just come to Mass and do our private prayer,” the The threads that have secured the fabric of St. retired PG&E executive said. “This has brought Thomas the Apostle Parish were made even stronger everybody together.” in 2003 by a yearlong series of commemorative “I think it meant a lot to our long-timers to have Masses marking the Richmond District faith comtheir friends come back,” Father Maguire said. “It munity’s first 80 years. was a chance to contact people and see people they “The real importance of events like these is to had not seen in years.” show the Church has history,” said Father Dan Father Maguire said “family reunions” were Maguire, pastor of St. Thomas since 2001. “Also another result of the Masses. “The Symkowick famthat the Church is people and that people like to ily that includes Deacon Joe who preached at two of return to the source of their religious values and the Masses used the time to pray as a family and where they were baptized, confirmed, received first later to gather as family.”

Eucharist and were married. If it’s handled the right Mr. Herrera said his family also “seized on the way, it can bring out a sense of Christ traveling with time” as a chance for a reunion. them through their life and their making a pilgrimIn conjunction with the anniversary, parishage back to where it all began.”

Father Maguire and parishioners look on as Roy Matawaran, ioners’ concerns were heard at a November open Father Maguire’s hypothesis was borne out by five dressed as Archbishop Hanna, turns earth commemorating the forum. The session produced a “wish list” that “Homecoming Liturgies” during the anniversary year groundbreaking for St. Thomas the Apostle parish church in includes increasing the number of ministers servthat were “all well attended,” with one bringing an 1922. This was the first of the parish’s anniversary year events. ing the parish and the homebound; development “overflow crowd,” the priest said. of a Family Mass; and added outreach in the Honored at the Masses were present and former “We found people were eager to be contacted,” Father parish by way of phone trees, newsletter and socials. ministers of the parish; those baptized, confirmed or who Celebration of subsequent milestones is likely, Father made first Eucharist at the parish; those who entered the Maguire said, with great thanks to parishioner Elizabeth Maguire said but “the ripple” of this year’s events has priesthood, diaconate or religious life from the parish; those Nott who entered and maintained the data.

The idea for a continuing celebration of the eight spurred an immediate look to the future beginning with married at the parish; and students and graduates of the parish decades and “not one event” came from within according to establishment of an alumni association at the parish school. school, Religious Education program, and Chinese School.

Behind the liturgies and additional efforts, which Father Maguire. “We wanted to have a year of Jubilee and “It’s a good way to keep people in touch and could be very included the City of San Francisco declaring Oct. 19, 2003 not just one event,” he said. “We wanted to get people back important to us here,” Father Maguire said. Another proas St. Thomas Apostle Day, was a committee of 35 parish- who have been raised in the parish, spent time in the parish, posal includes inviting couples married in the church to ioners chaired by Jess Herrera, a member of St. Thomas ministered in the parish. We wanted to celebrate who they renew their vows on Holy Family Sunday. “This is our since 1958. Joining him on the panel was his wife, Alicia. are, what they received here and what they have given here.” parish,” Father Maguire said.

Among the first steps of the planning was to come up The couple’s six children are all graduates of the parish school. Another 100 or so volunteers assisted in the events. with a name capturing the intent of the year and its activi“Everybody appears to have enjoyed the anniversary and it ties. Eric Robinson’s “80 Years of Serving God and Saint Rita Church has been revitalizing for the camaraderie and spirit of the Community” was chosen from among “many entries,” 100 Marinda Drive, Fairfax parish,” Mr. Herrera said, noting the large number of people Father Maguire said. Eric is a third grade student at St. attending the Masses especially the closing liturgy Dec. 7. “It’s Thomas the Apostle Elementary School.

Wednesday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) The memory of late-Archbishop Edward Hanna, who Children’s Mass – 5:00 p.m. Evening Mass – 9:00 p.m. the most people I’ve seen in the church even beyond midnight Mass,” Mr. Herrera said. “I’ve been here 45 years and it’s the established the parish and broke ground for its church in *Several of the masses will have harp, flute, cello and cantor.

1922, was invoked at a Mass opening the anniversary year largest I’ve seen. People came from all over the Bay Area.”

A spur to attendance was parishioners’ opportunity to in February. Parish youth, including Roy Matawaran, Thursday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) “turn in their friends and family,” Father Maguire said with Tommy Lai, Jason Wen, and Ken Savage, portrayed the Masses: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. a laugh. An information sheet asking the whereabouts of prelate who shepherded the Archdiocese from 1915 to Thursday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) people formerly attached to the parish was circulated early 1935.

The year has brought “new energy to the parish,” Mr. in the year. More than 300 people were reached.

Mass: 10:00 a.m.

By Tom Burke

ST. TERESA OF AVILA CHURCH On Potrero Hill 19th at Connecticut Sts. San Francisco

CHRISTMAS 2003 Advent Penance Service Tuesday December 16, 2003 7:30 PM

First Mass of Christmas

HOLIDAY GREETINGS

Christmas Liturgies

December 24, 2003 10:00 PM

from OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR CHURCH 400 Church Street, Half Moon Bay

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

Christmas Day

Wednesday, December 24, 2003 9:30 p.m. Carol Service 10 p.m. Christmas Vigil Mass

December 25, 2003 10:00 AM

New Year’s Day Mass January 1, 2004 10:00 AM Please feel free to call us at 415-285-5272 if you have questions.

ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH 415-452-9634 CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE Christmas International Novena: (Simbang Gabi): 7:00 PM December 16 to the 24th December 19th: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Confessions Wednesday, December 24th: 5:00 PM Children’s Mass 7:00 PM English Mass 9:00 PM Arabic Mass 12:00 English Midnight Mass Thursday, December 25th: 10:00 AM English Mass 11:45 AM Arabic Mass 4:00 PM Brazilian Mass 8:00 PM English Mass

HOLY NAME OF JESUS 39th Ave. & Lawton San Francisco, CA 2003 MASS SCHEDULE

CHRISTMAS EVE Wednesday, December 24

MASSES 5:00 PM 7:00 PM (Vietnamese Mass) 12:00 MIDNIGHT

CHRISTMAS DAY Thursday, December 25 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM NEW YEAR’S DAY Thursday, January 1 11:00 AM Confessions Saturday, December 20, 2003 4:30-5:00 PM Monday, December 22, 2003 7:30-8:30 PM Sunday, December 21, 2003 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM

December 24, Christmas Eve Mass 5:00 p.m. (English) and 7:30 p.m. (Español) December 25, Christmas Day 12 midnight, 7:45 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m.

12:45 p.m. (Español)

ST. ANTHONY’S, PESCADERO_

Thursday, December 25, 2003 8 a.m. Christmas Mass 10 a.m. Christmas Mass

December 24, Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m. (Español)

Wednesday, December 31, 2003 5:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve Mass

December 25, Christmas Day 9:00 a.m.

Thursday, January 1, 2004 10 a.m. New Year’s Day Mass

OUR LADY OF THE REFUGE, LA HONDA_

God’s Inclusive Love Proclaimed Here!

December 25, Christmas Day 10:45 a.m.

10

Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2003

CHRISTMAS AT ST. JOSEPH’S FAMILY CENTER Six year-old Christian Cousart decorates the Christmas tree, while a resident watches his technique.

By Evelyn Zappia

F

inally, it was December 8, and the long awaited Christmas Party promising special treats, tree trimming, Christmas caroling and even gifts for the children of St. Joseph’s Family Center was ready to begin.

Located at Tenth and Howard Streets, St. Joseph’s Family Center, a program of Catholic Charities CYO, has provided emergency shelter for families since 1996.

St. Joseph’s is often referred to as “Archbishop Levada’s baby,” by staff and others, because it was his vision to convert the deserted property into a viable community for needy families, after the Howard Street church was closed, largely due to the cost of retrofitting the UMB (Unreinforced Masonry Building).

Currently 17 families live at the center with children ranging from newborn to age 17. For many of the guests, it was the first time they celebrated Christmas at home.

The program festivities and treats were in place as the excited children and their parents gathered in the reception room, greeted by 14 volunteers from St. Dominic’s parish on Bush Street.

John Watkins, children’s activities program coordinator, had given the volunteers a 10-minute pep talk on the importance of staying on schedule because of the many activities planned for the evening.

However, once the children saw the huge tree at the end of the room, it was obvious that tree trimming was their priority, and the systematic, well-planned agenda got lost among the laughter and joy that began filling the room.

The children played games, decorated the tree, and sang Christmas carols loud enough to be heard by the passersby rushing to catch their buses for home. The parents were caught up in the merriment and began singing, just as loud as the children. The timeless carols announced that Christmas had arrived at St. Joseph’s.

“Elizabeth” Perhaps the highlight of the night was the creation of a paper chain where children and parents were asked to write their Christmas wishes on a loop before stringing the colorful chain on the tree. Children and parents took their time writing the special words that would be hung on the Christmas tree. Many opted to write their favorite prayers.

For the moment, the parents were able to put their worries aside. Tomorrow they would focus on the hardships that brought them to the shelter. Tonight is for the children.

Somewhere, living on the streets of San Francisco is Bridchette Johnson’s husband.

“He’s too proud to be in a shelter,” she said. “His job overwhelmed him and he quit,” leaving his wife and four children (ages 8-13 years) needing help. “If we didn’t live at St. Joseph’s we would probably be living in my car,” she said.

Ms. Johnson describes the shelter as “totally outstanding” where she feels her children are safe. She spoke of the dignity afforded her by staff who give her respect and privacy.

Janine Evans, the mother of six, is a recovering alcoholic and drug abuser. Currently, only her 17 year-old daughter, Dominique is living with her at the shelter. “I lost subsidy,” she said, “and CPS (Child Protective Services) has three of my children.” After just three months, Ms. Evans said, “St. Joseph’s feels like home.”

Ms. Evans praises the staff and the programs at the center that are helping her find her way out of homelessness. Just this morning she learned she was hired to work at Goodwill. She is looking forward to saving money, eventually moving to transitional housing, and reuniting with all of her children.

“Sylvia”, holding her one year-old daughter, “Elizabeth,” described the Hunter’s Point apartment she and her four children formerly occupied. “It wasn’t safe because of the criminal element, and it was filthy,” she said. “I’m so happy to be here.”

At the center for only four days, “Sylvia” said she is being helped with her “depression issues, and feels the difference already.”

Lynn Cousart, due to give birth on January 16 said, “I honestly don’t know where we would be if we were not here,” referring to her six year-old son Christian and husband Earl.

As program director, Chris Callendrillo’s primary role is to assure that residents are being offered a high quality living environment and receiving the services they need to insure a successful transition from homelessness.

For one reason or another, the parents seeking refuge at St. Joseph’s do not always have custody or visiting privileges for all their children. Often the court views parents living at St. Joseph’s as a positive step toward changing and grant permission for them to visit their children, according to Mr. Callendrillo.

The shelter takes in single or two-parent families with children and sometimes pregnant mothers. The shelter focuses on helping each resident by dealing with the issues and root causes that brought him/her to the shelter, such as substance abuse problems or mental health issues.

Catholic San Francisco

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(PHOTO BY MARY REDINGTON)

December 19, 2003

(PHOTO BY JOHN HOLTZ)

(PHOTO BY MARY REDINGTON)

Pretzels made by the volunteers from St. Dominic’s parish.

The spirited carolers sang traditional Christmas songs.

Little David enjoyed his pretzel as P.J. carried him around to enjoy the merriment.

The families who can stay for three to six months are provided housing, meals, counseling, medical care, job search support and children’s activities. Families are referred to the program through the City’s centralized family shelter wait list. “The waiting can be as long as six months,” said Mr. Watkins.

The Archdiocese leases the property to Catholic Charities CYO for $1.00 per year, and the Archbishop is said to maintain a great interest in the center’s success. Last year 75 percent of residents moved on to transitional or permanent housing.

The shelter provides direct financial assistance to those moving on to other housing such as paying the first month’s rent and security deposit.

The majority of St. Joseph’s fund is from government support with City funds at 66 percent, and State/Federal funds totaling nine percent. Contributions to the shelter represent 20 percent of revenue, and an additional five percent comes from by St. Joseph’s Family Center kitchen which provides meals to neighboring Children’s Village, a Catholic Charities CYO day care program.

Volunteers are needed who can make regular weekly commitments or for one-time hands-on projects. St. Dominic parishioner Alisa Baldocchi volunteers her time weekly. “Its wonderful to see the children smiling,” she said. “I come from a very large devout Catholic family, and I want to instill the values that have been given to me. I’ve been fortunate and I want to give back.”

To volunteer call David Harvey at (415) 575-4920 ext. 218 at St. Joseph’s Family Center. Contributions can be sent and checks made payable to Catholic Charities CYO at 2255 Hayes Street, 4th floor, San Francisco, CA 94117. Please make a note on the memo line of the check For St. Joseph’s Family Center.

Bridchette Johnson with her 8 year-old son Deshawn.

(PHOTO BY MARY REDINGTON)

Catholic Charities CYO is the social service arm of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, serving San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties. Its 35 programs provide direct services to families and individuals, and reflect the Gospel values of charity, justice and human dignity. The agency meets compelling local needs through Children and Child Development Programs, Family Housing Programs, Youth Residential Programs, Catholic Youth Organization, HIV Housing and Health Services, Refugee and Immigrant Services, Aging Services and Behavioral Healthcare/Grief Care.

Chris Callendrillo, director, enjoys a moment with a resident.

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Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2003

Catholic san Francisco Northern California’s Weekly Catholic Newspaper

Was the Word made words or was the Word made flesh?

By Francis Cardinal George, OMI There is the old story about people who would prefer to watch an eclipse of the moon on television rather than step outside the house and see what the eclipse really looks like. Pictures and theories about reality are more acceptable than reality itself, because pictures and theories are our creation and reality is God’s. It’s no wonder, then, that religions we make up are more comfortable for us than what God has revealed to us about himself.

In Advent we come face to face with what God has done, with the sending of his only-begotten Son, born of the Virgin Mary, to be our Savior. The eternal Word was made flesh. He was truly born, truly suffered under Pontius Pilate, truly died and truly rose from the dead. He left behind no writings, no written words. He left instead a community which lives from his risen life and which, with the help of the Holy Spirit, was able to recognize its Lord in certain inspired writings and to judge that he is not truly portrayed in other writings. The Church, Christ’s mystical body, is the context for interpreting and judging every text written about Jesus. The Church tells us what is holy Scripture and what is not. How else would we know?

The Church through the ages bumps into a lot of words about Jesus that are untrue at best and demonic nonsense at worst. Floating around during this Advent season is nonsense about Jesus from the left (“The DaVinci Code,” a novel with historical pretensions) and from the right (the “Left Behind” series of novels with doctrinal pretensions). Both these collections of words are evidence of what happens when stories about Jesus stem from imaginative re-interpretation of some document, historical or fictitious, rather than from the authentic witness to Christ given by the Church that Christ himself founded to speak the truth about him until he returns in glory. In the faith of the Church, we put on the mind of Christ.

Through Christ’s body, the Church, we are joined truly to him in his risen flesh, received in the Holy Eucharist. Unless someone lives Christ’s life authentically in the Church, the Lord becomes one more character in a novel, one more cultural token to be exploited for any purpose we choose.

Currently exploiting our gullibility for conspiracy theories is “The DaVinci Code” by Dan Brown. This is now a best-selling novel which, because it is engagingly written, is being treated as plausible. Unlike holy Scripture and the doctrines of the Church, “The DaVinci Code” has the advantage of explaining Jesus in terms that seem sensible to many by playing on ever-popular biases against the Catholic Church and advancing an esoteric form of feminism. For the price of one book, you get two theories that pander to prejudices today.

What does the novel say? It portrays Jesus as a wealthy teacher with political aspirations who is married to Mary Magdalene; he is a family man around Nazareth, one of the boys but a particularly enlightened one, a university professor before his time. Mary Magdalene is pregnant with his child when Jesus dies, and the secret of this bloodline is the preposterous story line of the book. For this weird idea, the apostles and martyrs gave their lives? Of course not. How, then, did the martyrs and we come to hold that in faith we encounter not an idea but Jesus himself, Son of God, messiah and risen Lord?

From the crafty Catholic Church, of course, which, even though the Church celebrates the feast of St. Mary Magdalene yearly, hid the secret knowledge (gnosticism) about Jesus and Mary Magdalene in order to oppress women.

The second century gnostic writings Brown uses to give a façade of scholarship to his fiction were all written years after the four Gospels that the Church eventually came to judge canonical. The historical writings he uses are all spurious. The legend that Mary Magdalene journeyed to southern France with Lazarus after Christ’s resurrection has long been part of local lore in Marseilles, but this legend has nothing to do with the history of the early Merovingian kings of France, as the novel would have it. It is worth noting that when ABC recently presented an hour long special on “The DaVinci Code,” with a panel mostly antagonistic to the apostolic faith of the Church, the host had to conclude at the end of the program that there was no proof of any kind for the theories that the book espouses. A novel, of course, doesn’t need to rely on proof, unless it makes historical claims.

Prophetic claims are made by the “Left Behind” novels, which depend on a misinterpretation of Christian eschatology, our belief that Jesus will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 675). Using the words of canonical Scripture, authors Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins contort the Advent theme of the Day of the Lord into a theory that the “Rapture” and the Second Coming are two events sepaEDITORIAL, page 17

First the facts I found it fascinating to observe that Father Gerald D. Coleman expends enormous effort in the direction of research when it comes to “principles” that might justify starving and dehydrating Terri Schiavo – but does not trouble to excise a factual error concerning Terri’s condition from the very first sentence of his article.

It’s amazing: Father Coleman has disinterred prominent 16th- and 17th- century moral laxists with great enthusiasm – as if having a 300-year-dead Catholic theologian on his side constituted compelling evidence for the justice of his position. But he relates as a fact that Terri Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state. She is not.

Terri’s husband, Michael Schiavo, now maintains that Terri is in a PVS — but such has not always been the case. When Michael was suing Terri’s doctors he testified to his confidence in Terri’s condition, hope for her eventual improvement, and determination to care for her throughout her natural life.

Only after he won a $1.2 million settlement, intended principally to provide for Terri’s further medical care, did he terminate her therapy and decide that she was hopeless. Not until five years ago did he “remember” that Terri didn’t want to live in a disabled state. Funny thing, when humans remember it is as much about self-interest as it is about accuracy.

Now Michael is living with another woman with whom he already has two children. Any cop worth his badge — and unburdened with theological degrees — can quickly see that husbands in Michael’s circumstances have a motive for getting their wives out of the way, with or without the help of the euthanasia movement. Only judges and rectors of seminaries fail to figure this one out.

The casual ease with which Father Coleman ignores all this background finds its reflection in the “moral theology” which his position upholds. How breezily he accepts the consequences of starvation and dehydration! How deftly he confers cracked lips, a swollen throat, and kidney failure on Terri Schiavo! If you’ve got “principles,” rather than Christian charity, at heart — why, all this is as simple as a trip to the local abortion mill, something else the laxists of the 16th and 17th centuries found it all to easy to justify! If you can accept all this why can’t you accept a misrepresentation of the case and a duplicitous husband?

Dana Cody, Esq. Life Legal Defense Foundation Napa

Our parish recently had the privilege of hearing a presentation by internationally-acclaimed author, Wesley Smith, on the influence of bioethics and end-of-life issues.

He explained that when a terminally ill patient is at the point of death and the systems of the body that process food and water are shutting down it may become advisable, for sound medical reasons, to discontinue nutrition and hydration.

Against this, he placed the situation of Terry Schiavo. Terry Schiavo, he explained, is a severely disabled person - both mentally and physically - but she is not terminally ill, and she is not dying.

He alerted us to the direction in which our culture is headed and to the dangers we all face as “leaders” in the field of bioethics gain increasing influence and power over the medical, judicial, and political decisions affecting life and death.

His lecture was an eye-opener: under the canopy of “bioethics” our culture is being reshaped by persons who do not share the Christian understanding of the sanctity of human life; that is the bottom line.

Victoria Forrester Larkspur

L E T T E R S

Inhumanity and disability I am writing in response to Fr. Gerald Coleman’s article, “Moral Questions of Nutrition and Hydration”.

Patients who have had the feeding tube withdrawn and lived to tell their story have testified to the agony they experienced during the process of starvation and dehydration. It is not a humane death.

A life eclipsed

I am pleased that Catholic San Francisco has finally presented to its readers, an excellently researched article, “Moral questions of nutrition and hydration” by Fr. Gerald Coleman, S.S. The article, while somewhat difficult to read and follow, lays out Catholic moral principles and analyses going far back into history while also providing helpful, contemporary informed Catholic points of view.

For the last several months news pieces and editorials in CSF have, in my estimation, only served to confuse readers and not to clarify the unfortunate situation of this pitiful woman, Terri Schiavo, suspended in “life” by the thread of a feeding tube.

Schiavo’s husband has been maligned for wanting Terri’s feeding tube removed so that she might leave this world peacefully. Her parents and the Governor and Legislature of Florida, on the other hand, have been praised for their desire of wanting to sustain the “life” of this woman who has been in a “persistent vegetative state” for about 12 years. Oh the emotions! Oh the politics! Oh the muddled thinking!

In the middle of his article, Fr. Coleman summarizes the problem very well: “PVS patients have reached a point in their lives where their ability to pursue the spiritual goods of life has been totally eclipsed. They are beyond the reach of medical treatment. They should be provided supportive nursing care so that they may be allowed to die peacefully.”

That’s an informed Catholic Christian position.

Joseph C. Barbaccia MD, MPH Professor Emeritus University of California, San Francisco

Christmas all year 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: mhealy@catholic-sf.org

A Christmas card I have just received shows the Three Wise Men offering the Child their gifts and then “prostrated themselves and did him homage.” (Matt. 2:11) I wonder what would have happened had the Three Wise Women followed the star to the stable. Probably a scenario like this: 1. They would have asked for directions. 2. They would have cleaned the stable. 3. They would have helped deliver the Baby. 4. They would have brought a casserole. And if the Wise Men were so wise, why didn’t they bring the Baby a toy?

Thanks to you and your staff we receive a true Christmas gift every week in your “Catholic San Francisco.” Keep up your wonderful work.

To you and your co-workers, a myrrhy Christmas.

Fr. Michael Ribotta, SDB Saints Peter and Paul San Francisco

December 19, 2003

Catholic San Francisco

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The Catholic Difference At a recent meeting to debate Catholic reform in the United States, I said (as I’ve often said before) that I’m less interested in changing the process by which bishops are chosen than in amplifying the criteria that guide the process.

Another participant asked what those criteria should be. I cited one criterion I had mentioned in “The Courage To Be Catholic” – one way to spot a likely bishop is to find a successful local pastor whose parish has grown and flourished.

This prompted a prominent Catholic editor and commentator to jump in and ask whether I wasn’t changing my mind: “In this pontificate, it’s been a question of ‘fidelity, fidelity, and fidelity’ in choosing bishops. Aren’t you suggesting that we go back to the (pre-John Paul II) model of the ‘pastoral’ bishop?”

It was a telling question, which said more about my colleague’s presuppositions than about my position. For the question seemed to assume that “pastoral” and “faithful” are mutually-exclusive opposites: you choose one or the other.

But that can’t be true. In my vocabulary (and in John Paul II’s recent apostolic exhortation “Pastors of the Flock”), “pastoral” means “faithful and compelling teacher.” A faithful and compelling teacher listens and learns. A faithful and compelling teacher understands that some Catholic truths take longer to absorb, and then live, than others. A faithful and compelling teacher suffers with his people as they wrestle with the more demanding truths of faith. Above all, though, being “pastoral” means being a priest or bishop who can teach the truth, with charity, but without compromise.

The tendency to juxtapose “pastoral bishop” and “faithful teacher” reflects many confusions, not least a confusion about what makes for true spiritual growth. It also reflects the tendency to think of every contested question in the Church as an “issue” – a matter to be resolved, finally, by a political compromise. But what the media and the Catholic culture of dissent often define as Catholic hot-button “issues” aren’t “issues” in that sense. The Church’s teaching that natural means of regulating fertility are morally superior to artificial contraceptives; the Church’s inability to ordain women to the ministerial priesthood; the Church’s conviction that homosexual sex is disordered sex – these are settled matters of Catholic doctrine.

A truly pastoral bishop will understand that these teachings are hard to grasp in a unisex culture that often defines freedom as personal willfulness. At the same time, while helping his people grow into a full embrace of these truths, a genuinely pastoral bishop won’t begin by suggesting that these really aren’t settled matters, after all. That’s not being “pastoral.” That’s not treating intelligent, educated lay Catholics with respect. The truth, the Lord tells us, is liberating.

St. John Fisher was the only Catholic bishop in England not to truckle to King Henry VIII’s determination to make himself Supreme Head of the Church in England.

Fisher’s commitment to the truth of Catholic faith cost him his head, on June 22, 1535. Some thirty years before, shortly after his own ordination as Bishop of Rochester, Fisher composed a “prayer for holy bishops.” It might as easily have been called a “prayer for pastoral bishops.” Here, in

all its rich, preElizabethan language, is John Fisher’s prayer: “Lord, according to Thy promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up George Weigel men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost. So, good Lord, do now in like manner with Thy Church militant.

Change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stones. Set in Thy Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors – watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat – which also shall not fear the threatenings of princes, persecution, neither death, but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of Thy holy Name. By this manner, good Lord, the truth of Thy Gospel shall be preached throughout the world. Therefore, merciful Lord, exercise Thy mercy, show it indeed upon Thy Church.”

Is that “pastoral?” I think so.

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

Family Life

Home again, home again Arnold Schwarzenegger isn’t the only guy uttering the admonition that “I’ll be back.” So are more than half the college students polled in a survey by Monster.com (the job-search Web site) who plan to move back in with Mom and Dad after commencement.

It’s not that they are homesick for Mom’s cooking or the household responsibilities and rules they abided by for 18 years of their lives. They simply can’t afford a place of their own or haven’t found a job yet.

With young adults delaying marriage and the job market in the pits, approximately 4 million Americans between the ages of 23 and 34 are heading home to live. Some of these “adultolescents,” as they were labeled by Newsweek magazine, are enjoying all the amenities of their childhood home — cable TV, air-conditioning, groceries in the frig — without paying the dues.

And that’s a problem in terms of becoming self-supporting, conscientious and responsible people.

“There’s a later passage to adulthood,” said Frank Furstenberg, a sociologist who directs a MacArthur Foundation project studying the transition into adulthood, “and at the same time it’s less orderly. There’s more moving in and out.”

Some parents are as thrilled to hear the question “Can I move back home?” as they are to hear they are going to become grandparents (if their children are employed and married).

But others enjoy their empty nest.

“Long ago a Readers Digest article made a huge impression on me,” said Illinois-based author LaVonne Neff. “Children should be raised so that they truly are adults when they legally become so, it said. By age 18, young adults should be self-supporting, responsible for their own debts and decisions. Teach the little birdies to fly, and then shove them out of the nest.”

She laid down the line at the first mention of a possible homecoming by her younger daughter. “When Heidi asked me, ‘What would you do if, after college, I needed to come home to live for a while?’ I told her I’d buy a smaller house,” Neff recounts.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with helping young people out as they find themselves, go back to school or try a few entry-level jobs before committing to a career path. But I do think that during the interim period they shouldn’t be exempt from financial or household contributions. Treating them as dependents might put a Band-Aid on the problem, but it ultimately enables and encourages laziness and irresponsibility.

If I’ve learned anything in my young-adult years, it’s that I

am fully accountable for my decisions. If I accidentally bounce a check, it shows up on my credit report five years down the line when I apply for a mortgage loan. If I accrue debt, I have to work twice as hard to pay Therese J. it off.

Borchard When nothing is free, everything is valuable: like clean clothes, a dinner out, a brand-new mattress.

And when everything is on the house, we are deprived of the true joys of adulthood such as turning up the thermostat as high as we like, pigging out on ice-cream for breakfast if we so desire and being in control of the remote control. Such freedom is surely worth working for.

Therese J. Borchard is a syndicated columnist with Catholic News Service.

Spirituality

Mary, as model of faith “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” Picture the scene: Jesus has just impressed a crowd and a woman, probably a mother, shouts out: “You must have had a wonderful mother!”

Jesus responds something to this effect: “Yes, I had a wonderful mother, though in ways you don’t imagine. She was wonderful not because she gave me biological birth; all mothers do that. What made her a great mother is that she gave me birth in the faith.”

Here, as in other places, we have to be careful to understand what Jesus is really telling us about his mother. We see places in the Gospels where he seemingly does not speak highly of her when, in fact, the reverse is true. For example, the instance when he is approached and told: “Your mother is here, trying to see you,” and he answers, “Who is my mother?” Then, pointing to the people sitting around him, he says: “Those who hear the word of God and keep it are mother and brother and sister to me.”

Is Jesus distancing himself from his mother here? No. He’s pointing out the real link between them; namely, among all the people in the Gospels, Mary is the preeminent example of the one who hears the word of God and keeps it. For this reason, more than because of biological motherhood, Jesus claims her as his mother. Giving birth to Christ is something more than biological.

Moreover, it’s also something we’re asked to do. How? Looking at how Mary gave birth to Christ, we see that it’s not something that’s done in an instant. Faith, like biol-

ogy, also relies on a process that has a number of distinct, organic moments. What are these moments? What is the process by which we give birth to faith in the world?

First, like Mary, we need to get pregnant by the Holy Spirit. We need to let the word take such root in us that it begins to become part of our actual flesh.

Then, like any woman who’s pregnant, we have to lovingly gestate, nurture, and protect what is growing inside us until it’s sufficiently strong so that it can live on its own, outside us. This process, gestation, as we know, is often accompanied by nausea, morning sickness, and a stretching of the flesh that permanently scars the body.

Eventually, of course, we must give birth. What we have nurtured and grown inside of us must, when it is ready, be given birth outside. This will always be excruciatingly painful. There is no painless way to give birth.

Birth, however, is only the beginning of motherhood. Mary gave birth to a baby, but she had to spend years nurturing, coaxing, and cajoling that infant into adulthood. The infant in the crib at Bethlehem is not yet the Christ who preaches, heals, and dies for us. Every mother needs to give birth twice, once biologically and once in faith, once to an infant and once to an adult.

Finally, motherhood has still one more phase. As her child grows, matures, and takes on a personality and destiny of its own, the mother, at a point, must ponder (as Mary did). She must let herself be painfully stretched in understanding, in not knowing, in carrying tension, in letting go. She must set free to

be itself something that was once so fiercely hers.

All of this is what Mary went through to give Christ to the world: Pregnancy by the Holy Spirit; gestation of that into a child inside of her; excruciating pain in Father birthing that to the outRon Rolheiser side; nurturing that new life into adulthood; and pondering, painfully letting go so that this new life can be its own, not hers. Mary was a wonderful mother, but in ways that went far beyond the simple fact of motherhood. She heard the word of God and kept it.

That obedience, more than biological motherhood, gave both an infant Jesus and an adult Christ to the world.

And in this, Mary wants imitation, not admiration. Our task, too, is to give birth to Christ. Mary is the paradigm for doing that. From her we get the pattern.

Christmas isn’t automatic; it can’t be taken for granted. It began with Mary, but each of us is asked to make our own contribution to giving flesh to faith in the world.

Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser is a theologian, teacher and award-winning author.

JOHN EARLE PHOTO

What being “pastoral” means

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Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2003

The Sulpicians and St. Patrick’s Seminary, 1898-2003

By Christopher J. Kauffman Shortly after Patrick W. Riordan succeeded Joseph S. Alemany, O.P., as Archbishop of San Francisco in 1884, he successfully sought the Sulpician Fathers to staff his prospective seminary that was to be opened in 1898. The new archbishop had first encountered the Sulpicians in 1860 when he visited their Paris seminary with the intention of enrolling.

Due to his poor health, the Sulpician superior advised him to attend a less rigorous seminary. The young Chicago seminarian turned to the American College in Louvain; yet he continued to admire the priests at St. Sulpice.

The Society of St. Sulpice, one of the smallest communities of priests in the Church, derived its name from the parish of St. Sulpice where its founder, Jean-Jacques Olier, had established a seminary in 1641 based upon the need for a renewal of the diocesan priesthood. To be effective role models for their seminarians the Sulpicians remained diocesan priests released by their bishops to live in a seminary community. The priests and seminarians lived a common life based upon a routine of prayer. Each Sulpician was a spiritual director, but both the director and the penitent were on a common journey toward sharing the life of Christ ever more fully.

On the eve of his ordination as the first Bishop in the United States, John Carroll, negotiated with a representative of the Sulpicians to open a seminary in Baltimore and in 1791, St. Mary’s Seminary became the first theological school in the young nation. Though they took charge of Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg in 1808, the Sulpicians did not expand outside the archdiocese of Baltimore until 1884 when they opened St. John’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of Boston.

This was a period of expansion under the Sulpician superior, Alphonse Magnien, a confidant of Archbishop James Gibbons of Baltimore and Archbishop John Ireland of St. Paul. Two years before moving to San Francisco, they took charge of St. Joseph’s Seminary for the Archdiocese of New York.

Despite the Archbishop’s warm welcome of the Sulpicians to San Francisco, the predominately Irish clergy at first responded with suspicion to the French society of priests. To get the Irish clergy on board, the seminary was named St. Patrick’s, the patron Saint of the Archbishop and of Ireland.

Located in Menlo Park on a choice property located some thirty-two miles south of the city but just a mile from the future Stanford University, St. Patrick’s was constructed along a stately Renaissance style of architecture with red tiled roof, dome and turrets.

St. Patrick’s opened in 1898 as a minor seminary, and six years later in 1904 the major seminary began to accept students. (In 1924 the collegiate seminary division was transferred to the new St. Joseph’s College in Mountain View, California.) It was also in 1904 that Henri A. Ayrinhac, who studied theology and canon law in Rome, became superior. By training and by personality he was a strong rector, who came to be known as “the boss.” With his French accent and his forceful style of leadership he stood in stark contrast to the relatively informal Irish-American student body and the majority of the clergy of the Bay Area. Because Father Ayrinhac was a fair superior clearly dedicated to the formation of a pious and educated clergy, he eventually earned the students’ respect. Years later they proudly recalled their seminary experience under the formidable rector who was also a highly regarded canon lawyer.

Based upon a commitment to education, piety, and discipline the traditional Sulpician seminary was structured on a rigid schedule: rising early for mass, private thanksgiving, followed by the rosary, breakfast, followed by classes and the midday meal. The afternoon included classes and a recreation peri-

Former Rector Fr. Paul Purta with seminarians.

od when for the first time students were allowed to talk. Each afternoon or early evening the rector presented his spiritual reading which was actually a series of reflections on the Sulpician manuals of spiritual exercises. Seminarians were expected to prayerfully read the Examens Particuliers, written

by Father Louis Tronson, who became the third superior general of the Society of St. Sulpice in 1676. It was composed as three-part reflections on such themes as the need to suppress the self for the higher ideal of becoming another Christ, the Priest Victim. The format entailed interrogations, e.g., “Have we duly reverenced the great dignity of our office, the highest and holiest on earth…?” Father Lyman Fenn, a Sulpician on the faculty of St. Patrick’s, stated that “The form he [Tronson] gave to particular examen was an abridgment of the Sulpician method of mental prayer…” The method that originates with Father Olier, the founder is: adoration, communion, and resolution. Simplified by Olier as “God in my eyes, my heart, and my hands.” One Sulpician would often reverse the second and third images, “God in my hands and in my heart,” which appears to be an American pragmatic slip as if one could internalize God’s presence only after doing God’s will, i.e., action precedes internal belief.

Tronson’s prayer book was required reading of Sulpcian seminarians until the Second Vatican Council.

Of the archbishops of San Francisco prior to the Second Vatican Council, John J. Mitty was closest to the Sulpicians at St. Patrick’s.

He was trained by them at St. Joseph’s Seminary for the Archdiocese of New York. This was during a critical period in St. Joseph’s history when diocesan priests replaced the Sulpicians, but Mitty remained loyal to his seminary professors.

Cherished by Sulpicians throughout the United States Mitty was invited to preach at the sesquicentennial of the Sulpicians in the United States (1791-1941) and the tercentennial of the foundation of the congregation. He paid tribute to what he considered as a major thread of their character: “In very truth, the

Corpus Christi Procession, 1915.

Sulpicians have lived the hidden life; they are unknown to the faithful at large; they are known only to the students and their bishops…Their ambition has been to train priests by the example of their own priestly lives.”

The Sulpican superior closest to the Archbishop Mitty was Thomas C. Mulligan (1944-1957), who had made his mark as the first superior of St. Edward’s Seminary in Seattle. With a strong sense of his own authority as superior, Mulligan articulated his style of leadership within the tradition of Father Henri Ayrinhac, who, as noted earlier, was fondly referred to as “the boss.” Mulligan was called “the second boss,” but that was symbolic of his dedication to the traditional rule, one which held that the bishop was the “first superior” of the seminary. Mulligan was Mitty’s voice in the seminary, but the archbishop frequently intervened directly in the affairs of St. Patrick’s, such as mandating the introduction of Spanish into the curriculum to prepare students for ministry to the growing Hispanic population in the Bay Area. Only a few priests achieved a command of the language; they became popular missionaries to the migrant workers in the archdiocese. In the late 1950s the Spanish program was improved with appointment of a part-time instructor with pastoral experience. The rise in Latino students during the 1980s and beyond made it necessary for the faculty to move toward being bi-lingual; this movement was a major priority of Father Gerald Brown, the only provincial from San Francisco, 1986-1996.

Enrollment at St. Patrick’s was quite high from the 1930s through the late 1960s, frequently rising considerably above 200 students. This was in accord with national trends in vocations to the priesthood: more seminaries opened after 1945 than from 1791-1944. The post-war period also witnessed other significant changes; there was continuous modernization of Catholic institutions and professional upgrading of its personnel. Gradually these trends affected seminaries as well, many times as requirements of accrediting agencies.

Among the Sulpician faculty at St. Patrick’s, Frank B. Norris, a native of San Francisco, represents scholarship that presaged the changes in the post-Vatican II era.

In Father Norris’s book, God’s Own People, he “aimed to open for the reader something of the divine beauty and SULPICIANS, page 15

Interior of the seminary chapel, 1948.

December 19, 2003

Catholic San Francisco

15

Sulpicians . . .

■ Continued from page 14 wonder in the church even in its earthly stage of existence.”

Published in 1962, this book presaged the pilgrim people of God ecclesiology. Father Yves Congar, O.P., a theologian of international stature, wrote the foreword to the book in which he called attention to its important contribution to ecclesiology, a book that was “scholarly but not pedantic,” and characterized by a “freshness of presentation.” It was a “modern presentation [that] offers the healthy and healing air of the oldest tradition,” the gratuity of God’s grace through the redemptive mystery of Christ in the Church.

Norris served as a popular professor at the seminary until the 1990s.

In the fall of 1962 the bishops throughout the world gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica for the first session of the Second Vatican Council. It had been over ninety years between Vatican I and Vatican II. Historians frequently invoke the two John’s, President John F. Kennedy and Pope John XXIII, as symbolic of the signs of the times. The Harvard educated Kennedy exemplified the Americanization of the once immigrant Catholic community, a process that entailed the eventual demise of the defensiveness of its minority consciousness. Pope John, whose warm personal style of leadership broke through the distanced formalism of the traditional papacy, called for the opening of the Second Vatican Council as a means of updating (aggiornomento) the Church in accord with the “language of modern thought.” The Archbishop Mitty with Fr. Thomas C. Mulligan at St. Patrick’s 50th anniversary celebration. council yielded sixteen documents. Though many of these docFather Paul Purta was able to satisfy the faculty and stu- Remarriage in the Catholic Church, and Human Sexuality: An uments affected the curriculum and the life of the community of all seminaries, that on Priestly Formation generated the most dents’ need for change and simultaneously articulate the All-Embracing Gift. In anticipation of the centennial of the semvital conversation in the immediate post-Vatican II period of new directions in seminary life in ways that did not alienate inary, Coleman remarked in a local newspaper article on the reform and renewal in the seminaries. The first directive of the the archbishop. In 1967 Purta was appointed provincial. Of impact of the Sulpicians at the seminary: “Over a thousand decree authorized the national episcopal conferences (today’s the three subsequent rector-presidents only Joseph Bonadio priests have been ordained from St. Patrick’s and the list includUSCCB) to undertake “a particular Program for Priestly achieved a consensus among faculty and students in support ed one cardinal, seven archbishops, and at least twenty-five bishFormation” and that it should be revised at periodic intervals. of Archbishop McGucken’s policies. Though these polices ops.” There were ninety-one seminarians in 1991, with an averArchbishop McGucken, the fifth Archbishop of San were not intended to turn the clock back to the pre-Vatican age age of thirty-five, about twelve years higher than in 1965.

When Father Coleman became Superior Father Gerald Francisco (1962-77), had studied for several years at St. Patrick’s II period they did represent a conservative turn toward acaBrown was Provincial of the Suplicians in the United States. before completing his studies in Rome. He did not easily absorb demic structures and the general ethos of the seminary.

The most significant inno- With a Ph.D. in Communication, Brown represents the postthe spirit, nor appreciate the vation at St. Patrick’s during Vatican II generation - theologically sophisticated and conversignificance of many of the the McGucken years was the sant with diverse areas of study. An optimistic and candid perdocuments of Vatican II. He 1974 establishment of the son, his leadership is characterized by long-range planning, considered the difference Vatican II Institute, a three- transparency, and a commitment to the formation of priests between traditional and promonth residential program whose pastoral ministry to animate, educate and celebrate will gressive theology as simply a for clergy formation. be complemented by the values of social justice and peace. matter of semantics and did not Originating from the suggesThe current provincial, Father Ronald Withterup, is a anticipate many departures tions of priests and bishops of former academic dean and professor of Scripture at St. from the model of the traditionCalifornia and the West Patrick’s. He was fortunate to have been a colleague of the al seminary. Father Paul Purta, served by the seminary, the famous Sulpician Scripture scholar, Raymond Brown, who the rector of St. Patrick’s durprogram responded to their was in retirement at St. Patrick’s. ing the crucial period of 1964need “for updating themDuring Brown’s period as Provincial, the Sulpicians estab67 initiated reforms in student selves pastorally, theological- lished a mission in Zambia. Fathers Gale Cowley and Michael life, and the seminary curriculy, and spiritually,” wrote Strange, former Sulpician teachers at Mountain View, are mislum; changes that formed the Father Eugene J. Konkel, the sioned in Zambia where the Sulpicians serve in a house of forfirst phase in the making of the Sulpician director of the mation, and in schools of philosophy and theology. The commucontemporary seminary.

Institute from its origin until nity includes American and Zambian Sulpicians. They reflect the Changes in seminary life the end of 2002. The curricu- multi-cultural character of the Society in the United States. Some and thought occurred during Fr. Henri A. Ayrinhac, “The Boss.” lum evolved from courses in members of the Society of St. Sulpice and their seminarians in the heady days of the 1960s: student unrest, civil rights and Chicano movements, and theology, scripture, and spirituality to those in psychology, the United States are from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. This anti-war protests were more active in the Bay Area than pastoral practice, and methods of prayer and personal growth. story of St. Patrick’s is a tapestry woven of ethnic and religious most regions of the country. Parish priests, the hundreds of The contemporary program has attracted priests throughout threads. Incorporated into the patterns are the images of the archSt. Patrick’s alumni, as well as the students at the seminary the nation, Canada, and beyond our shores. By 1998 over fif- bishops; the first superiors of Sulpician seminaries since the time were challenged by these events, and more than a few were teen hundred priests from more than twenty-five countries of Father Jean-Jacques Olier. His descendants represent his charism; they are still diocesan priests living in community and active in the protests. St. Patrick’s Seminary suspended had attended the Institute’s program.

Father Gerald D. Coleman, the current Sulpician Rector- committed to the continuous renewal of the priesthood. classes during one anti-war protest. Dissent was not limited to the students; many priests signed a nation-wide peti- President of St. Patrick’s, has served under Archbishop John R. Christopher Kauffman is a Professor of History of tion in opposition to Pope Paul VI’s encyclical, Humanae Quinn from 1989-1995, and since late 1995 under Archbishop The Catholic University of America and editor of Vitae that stressed the integrity of marriage and opposition William J. Levada. An alumnus of the seminary, Coleman is not the U.S. Catholic Historian. He is the author of a to artificial means of birth control. It was also a period only an effective administrator, but he is also a scholar and lecmajor history of the Sulpicians entitled Tradition when seminary enrollment declined and priests and reli- turer of national repute. He is conversant in moral theology as and Transformation. Information in this article was gious resigned from active ministry. The second half of the well as the social sciences. A student of Gregory Baum at the taken, in part, from Men of Menlo: Transformation 1960s was a time of confusion and polarization in many Institute of Christian Thought at St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, he has published books on Divorce and of an American Seminary by James P. Gaffey. seminaries, including St. Patrick’s.

St. Patrick’s Seminary before the 1906 Earthquake.

16

Catholic San Francisco

Advent/Holiday Opportunities Through Dec. 24: The beloved Filipino tradition of Simbang Gabi will be prayed each day at 6 a.m. at St. Stephen Church 601 Eucalyptus Dr., SF. Complimentary breakfast follows. A cooperative liturgical work of parishes including St. Stephen’s, St. Gabriel’s, St. Finn Barr. “Everyone invited.” Call Manolito Jaldon at (415) 681-2444, ext. 26.

Jan. 2: An Evening with Orlagh Fallon, internationally acclaimed Irish singer and harpist, at Kohl Mansion, Burlingame. Proceeds benefit Catherine’s Center, a transitional residence “offering safety, dignity and support to women newly released from jail or prison.” Data encourages the establishment of such facilities as without them “eight out of 10 women” are incarcerated again. Tickets for the “elegant evening of music and festive light dessert” are $100 per person. The artist has performed around the world including for Pope John Paul II in Rome.

Sundays: Concerts at 4 p. m. at National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, Vallejo and Columbus, SF. Call (415) 983-0405 or www.shrinesf.org. Open to the public.

Admission free. Dec. 24: Organ recital, by John Renke; Dec. 28: Organ recital by David Graham.

Dec. 31 at the Shrine: New Year’s Eve recital by organist John Renke at 10:15 p.m., Sundays: Concerts at St. Mary Cathedral at 3:30 p.m. Gough and Geary Blvd., SF. Call (415) 5672020 ext. 213. Concerts are open to the public.

Food & Fun Jan. 24: Cioppino Dinner Dance in new Student Center of Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory School, Ellis between Gough and Franklin, SF. Tickets $32 per person available at (415) 775-6626 or www.shcp.edu. Alumni especially invited!!!!

Feb. 28: Little Children’s Aid Junior Auxiliary Gala honoring former Juniors president, Carolyn Giannini.

Call (415) 592-9243.

The Cathedral Autumn Group welcomes men and women 55 years and older. Call Mercy Sister Esther McEgan at (415) 567-2020, ext. 218. Dec. 18: Christmas Luncheon; Jan. 15: Helen Rosenthal speaks on From Jerusalem: For Peace #2;” Feb. 19: Docent Tour of Grace Cathedral; March 18: International Luncheon.

3rd Wed.: All you can eat Spaghetti Luncheon at Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, 3255 Folsom up the hill from Cesar Chavez, SF. $7 per person.

Now celebrating its 49th year. Reservations not required. Call (415) 824-1762.

3rd Sat.: Handicapables gather for Mass and lunch at St. Mary Cathedral, Gough and Geary St., SF, at noon.

Volunteer drivers always needed. Call (415) 584-5823.

4th Sat.: Handicapables of Marin meet at noon in the recreation room of the Maria B. Freitas Senior Community adjacent to St. Isabella Church, Terra Linda, for Mass, lunch and entertainment. Call (415) 457-7859.

California Handicapables needs volunteers including drivers, servers, donors, and recruiters of those who might benefit from the experience. Call Jane Cunningham at (415) 585-9085.

1st Fri.: Catholic Marin Breakfast Club gathers for Mass and special presentation. Now in its 10th year the morning begins at 7 a.m. in St. Sebastian Church, Bon Air Rd. and Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Kentfield. Breakfast and presentation follow in parish hall.

Reservations required to Sugaremy@aol.com or (415) 461-0704 daily.

Members $7, others $10. Dues $20 per year.

December 19, 2003 3rd Sat. at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, call Pat at (415) 492-3331; and 1st and 3rd Wed. at 7:30 p.m. at St. Stephen Parish Center, SF, call Gail at (650) 591-8452.

Catholic Adult Singles Assoc. of Marin meets for support and activities. Call Bob at (415) 8970639 for information.

Datebook

Consolation Ministry

St. Gregory Parish announces a six-week Catholics Returning Home series scheduled for Tuesday evenings beginning Jan. 13, and continuing Jan. 20, 27, and Feb. 3, 10, 17 from 7:30 – 9 p.m. in the parish’s Worner Center located next to the church at 28th Ave. and Hacienda St., San Mateo. Sessions are for Catholics interested in returning to the Church and will include informal sharing and information about the Catholic faith today. Call Kathy Lange at (650) 345-8506.

Among those assisting in the coordination of the outreach are, from left, Ron Rojas, Joe Stirlacci, Sal Campagna, Father Paul Warren; Kathy Carr, Dorothy Pong, Ms. Lange, Marguerite Ott, Bill Pong.

Saturday Morning Prayer 9:30 – 11:30 each 2nd Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends can add Sat. of the month at their Province Center, 1520 to a Lifetime of Love. For more information or to register, Ralston Ave. across from Ralston Hall on their uni- call Michele or George Otte at (888) 568-3018. versity campus in Belmont. Today, Blessings of Age Seton Medical Center Natural Family with Pat Lewis. Additional offerings include the Planning/Fertility Care Services offers classes in Catholic Scholar Series featuring Feb. 22: Notre the Creighton Model of NFP. Health educators are Dame Sister Barbara Fiand; March 23: Sulpician also available to speak to youth and adults on topFather Richard Gula. Call (650) 593-2045, ext. 350. ics of puberty, responsible relationships, adolescent Young adults recite the rosary in chapel of St. sexuality, the use of NFP throughout a woman’s Dominic Church, 2390 Bush reproductive life, and infertiliSt. at Steiner, SF each ty. Call (650) 301-8896 Wednesday at 7 p.m. Contact An informational evening for single Retrouvaille, a program for Tony at (415) 387-1654. and married men between the ages of 35 troubled marriages. The weekThe Sacro Costato and 60 who are interested in learning end and follow up sessions help Missionary Sisters now more about the Permanent Diaconate. couples heal and renew their serve at St. Catherine of Sponsored by the Office of Formation of families. Presenters are three Siena Parish, Burlingame. the Permanent Diaconate of the couples and a Catholic priest. of San Francisco. Call Peg or Ed Gleason at (415) The congregation’s founder Archdiocese Father Eustachio Presentations by Father David Pettingill, 221-4269 or Montemurro, born in Italy in program director, and members of the edgleason@webtv.net or Pat 1857, was a physician before deacon community. Call (415) 614-5531. and Tony Fernandez at (415) his late-in-life ordination to the Takes place Jan. 15, 2004 in St. Francis 893-1005.. priesthood in 1904. The Hall of St. Mary Cathedral, Gough and The Adoption Network of Sacred Side Lay Geary St., SF beginning from 7:30 – 9 Catholic Charities offers free Association was founded in p.m. adoption information meetings 1993. Today, the Sisters and twice a month. Singles and martheir lay associates carry on ried couples are invited to learn more about adopting a the founder’s “generosity to humankind” rooted in a child from foster care. Call (415) 406-2387 for informa“spiritual foundation of humility, poverty, obedience, tion. charity and apostolic service.” Father Montemurro also founded the Brothers of the Blessed Sacrament who serve mainly in South America. Anyone wishing information may call (650) 342-4780 or mscstcat@pac—— Vallombrosa Center —— bell.net.

250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park. For fees, times and details about these and other offerings call (650) 325-5614. Presentation Sister Information about Natural Family Planning and Rosina Conrotto, Program Director. people in the Archdiocese offering instruction are Dec. 31 – Jan 1: Wisdom of the Ages: A New available from the Office of Marriage and Family Life Year’s Eve Retreat with Patrick Collins, noted retreat of the Archdiocese, Chris Lyford, director, at (415) leader, liturgist, musician.

614-5680.

Sat. at 9 a.m.: Pray the Rosary for Life at 815 Eddy St. between Franklin and Van Ness, SF. Call Separated and Divorced support groups meet (415) 752-4922.

Retreats/Days of Recollection

Social Justice/Family Life

Reunions Dec. 27: Class of ’83, St. Matthew Elementary School, San Mateo, 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. in the school gym, 9th Ave. and El Camino Real, San Mateo. Call Nancy Desler Carroll at (650) 372-9536.

Prayer Opportunities/Lectures Jan. 10: Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur offer

Single, Divorced, Separated

Groups meet at the following parishes. Please call numbers shown for more information.

St. Catherine of Siena, Burlingame. Call Elaine Yastishock at (650) 344-6884; Our Lady of Angels, Burlingame. Call Louise Nelson at (650) 343-8457 or Barbara Arena at (650) 344-3579. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Redwood City. Call (650) 366-3802; Good Shepherd, Pacifica. Call Sister Carol Fleitz at (650) 355-2593; St. Robert, San Bruno. Call (650) 589-2800.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Belmont. Call Ann Ponty at (650) 598-0658 or Mary Wagner at (650) 591-3850.

St. Isabella, San Rafael. Call Pat Sack at (415) 4725732. Our Lady of Loretto, Novato. Call Sister Jeanette at (415) 897-2171. St. Gabriel, SF. Call Barbara Elordi at (415) 564-7882. St. Finn Barr, SF in English and Spanish. Call Carmen Solis at (415) 5840823; St. Cecilia, SF. Call Peggy Abdo at (415) 5647882 ext. 3; Epiphany, SF in Spanish. Call Kathryn Keenan at (415) 564-7882.

Ministry for parents who have lost a child is available from Our Lady of Angels Parish, Burlingame. Call Ina Potter at (650) 347-6971 or Barbara Arena at (650) 344-3579. Young Widow/Widower group meets at St. Gregory, San Mateo. Call Barbara Elordi at (415) 564-7882.

Information about children’s and teen groups is available from Barbara Elordi at (415) 564-7882.

Returning Catholics Jan. 13, 20, 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17: St. Gregory Parish announces a six-week Catholics Returning Home series in the parish’s Worner Center located next to the church at 28th Ave. and Hacienda St., San Mateo. The 7:30 – 9 p.m. sessions are for Catholics interested in returning to the Church and will include informal sharing and information about the Catholic faith today. Call Kathy Lange at (650) 345-8506.

Programs for Catholics interested in returning to the Church, have been established at the following parishes: St. Philip the Apostle, 725 Diamond St. at Elizabeth/24th, SF. Call the parish office at (415) 2820141; St. Hilary, Tiburon, Mary Musalo, (415) 4352775; St. Anselm, Ross, parish office at (415) 4532342; St. Sebastian, Greenbrae, Jean Mariani at (415) 461-7060; Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, SF, Michael Adams at (415) 695-2707; St. Dominic, SF, Lee Gallery at (415) 221-1288; Holy Name of Jesus, SF, Dennis Rivera at (415) 664-8590; St. Bartholomew, San Mateo, Dan Stensen at (650) 344-5665; St. Catherine of Siena, Burlingame, Silvia Chiesa at (650) 685-8336, Elaine Yastishock at (650) 344-6884; Our Lady of Angels, Burlingame, Dorothy Heinrichs or Maria Cianci at (650) 347-7768; St. Dunstan, Millbrae, Dianne Johnston at (650) 697-0952; Our Lady of the Pillar, Half Moon Bay, Meghan at (650) 726-4337; St. Peter, Pacifica, Chris Booker at (650) 738-1398; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Mill Valley, Rick Dullea or Diane Claire at (415) 388-4190; St. Mary Star of the Sea, Sausalito, Lloyd Dulbecco at (415) 331-7949.

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.

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Editorial . . .

■ Continued from page 12

rated by a time of tribulations and followed by a thousand-year reign of Christ as king of the whole world.

This belief is called “premillennial dispensationalism.” It was put together in the mid-1800s by an exAnglican minister, John Nelson Darby (1800-1882); in this modern form, it was unknown to any Christian believer during the first 1,800 years of Christianity but is professed in some forms of Protestantism today.

The persuasive force of the “Left Behind” novels comes less from their doctrinal underpinnings about what Christ did and intended than from the fear that one might be left behind at the Rapture, when those who have accepted Christ as Savior will be spirited away by him before the time of tribulations begins in this world. The stories are poignant. Who wants to be left behind? There is a whole federal education program designed to be sure that no child will be left behind! Catholics, who are trapped in what the novels call “Babylonian mysticism,” are prime candidates for being left behind, unless they manage to disentangle themselves from the Church. Once again, the only good Catholic is an ex-Catholic.

Since American culture is relentlessly future-oriented, odd religious ideas about the end time have flourished here for two centuries. Those interested in a careful biblical critique of the Rapture theories can consult Carl E. Olson, “Will Catholics Be “Left

Behind”? A Catholic Critique of the Rapture and Today’s Prophecy Preachers” (Ignatius, 2003).

If “The DaVinci Code” is a work of bizarre religious imaginings about the past and the “Left Behind” novels are works of sincere but erroneous religious delusions about the future, why be concerned about them in the present? Because they betray in words the one who is truthfully described as “the way, the truth and the life” (Jn. 14: 6), the one we call Our Lord. Christianity is not a parlor game. The faith makes truth claims about who Christ is and what is to be our destiny in him. Both the “Left Behind” books and Dan Brown’s novel, though coming from different perspectives, share a common fallacy. They approach the Christian faith as though its contents were to be found in words and documents alone rather than in the witness and the collective memory of the community Christ himself left behind, his Church.

We find salvation through self-surrender in faith to Christ present in the Church, not from personal ideas.

Once the anchor of the Church’s authentic witness and teaching is abandoned, gnostic and dispensationalist and other false theories inevitably appear.

The feast of Christmas is a powerful antidote to the gnostic fabrications of Dan Brown and the dispensationalist delusions of the “Left Behind” books. The child born at Bethlehem is the divine Son of the allholy God. Born of the Virgin Mary, Jesus comes to us truly and fully in a human nature like ours in all things but sin. As the Gospels and St. Paul and the Fathers of

17

the Church have taught, the real flesh of Jesus Christ, not some esoteric secret wisdom, is the means of our salvation. Gnostics were antagonistic to the flesh; and dispensationalists believe that Christians are a “heavenly” people of God, as opposed to Jews who are only God’s “earthly” people. Interestingly, much of the antagonism toward the Church today stems from opposition to her teachings about sexuality, marriage and celibacy and the nature of ordained priesthood, all beliefs that take flesh seriously.

The eternal Son of God became one of us so that we might begin to share, through grace, the gift of his divine life. He whose divinity was made present in his human nature has made it possible for us to become more fully human by receiving a share in his risen life. This life will flower, after we have passed through death, into the life of God’s kingdom when Christ returns in glory and raises us in the flesh from the dead. When we kneel in wonder at the Christmas crib at the end of this month, we can know with the certainty of the Church’s faith that, in this new born child, God gives us truth and life for now and for the age to come. In the tiny Jesus, we worship him “whom the angels ceaselessly hymn and glorify together with the Father and the Holy Spirit” (Christmas trope from the Byzantine liturgy). May you have a blessed and joyful Advent.

Francis Cardinal George, OMI is Archbishop of Chicago. Reprinted with permission from Catholic New World.

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Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Reviewed by Jayme George It is almost too dangerous to write a “review” of the new Lord of the Rings movie, the last in the highly acclaimed trilogy based on the books by J.R.R. Tolkien.

To say anything too negative regarding the film would put the reviewer in danger of one day facing a mob of diehard Tolkienites clad in capes and mail, brandishing swords and yelling something about the Eye of Sauron. (If anyone doubts that people like this exist, you only have to attend a midnight showing of the film on opening night to learn that in fact, they do.)

This reviewer does not want to end her life in this manner, but fear of death by nerds is not why “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” will receive glowing acclamations from Catholic San Francisco.

The final chapter in the series from director Peter Jackson is everything fans of the books can hope for. But the movies are more than just a cult phenomenon, and you don’t have to be up on your “Lord of the Rings” trivia to be able to enjoy what these films have to offer. However, without having read the books, keeping straight all the names of people and places almost requires an interpreter from Middle Earth.

Guys in capes and people named Boromir and Faramir aside, the “Lord of the Rings” resonates with so many people because it grapples with timeless truths; the classic fight between good and evil, the occurrence of unlikely heroes, and the powerful bonds of friendship. Few and far between are the films that actually have everything to offer, and “The Return of the King” is a near flawless example of how it is done.

“The Return of the King” wastes no time picking up where the last film left off, which was technically somewhere towards the end of the second book, “The Two Towers.” Sam and Frodo continue wearily on their quest to Mordor to destroy the Ring with the wily Smeagol/Gollum as their guide. Meanwhile, time is running out for everyone else as the dark forces prepare to destroy mankind. The fight for Middle Earth is close at hand.

This film, and the previous two are rife with action and drama, but what is most intriguing about “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy is what you find when you take a closer look. On the surface, Tolkien has

crafted a fantasy of fairies, elves, dwarves and monsters, but Tolkien has said, “The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.”

Yet the fact that Tolkien’s opus is a “religious work” does not mean that it can be defined as simply an allegory of popular Christian archetypes. It would be a fallacy to say that Aragorn, Frodo, or Gandolf are fully representations of something Biblical, but in each there can be found elements and characteristics of Christ. Aragorn symbolizes Christ as king, Frodo and the hobbits

represent Christ’s humility, and Gandolf’s death and transformation into the White Wizard parallel Christ’s own resurrection.

Joseph Pearce, author of “Tolkien: Man and Myth” and other books regarding Tolkien’s works and Christianity, affirms that Tolkien delves more into the metaphysical realm with his literature, searching for a truthful representation of life in any setting.

This particular story takes place in the fictional land of Middle Earth, but the metaphysical truths are universal and timeless.

These truths include beauty, honor, courage, friendship, and the meaning of immortality.

So why choose to imbed those truths in a shroud of fantasy and magic? In an interview with Kathryn Lopez of National Review Online, Joseph Pearce said, “Tolkien believed that certain truths could be more effectively conveyed through the medium of mythology than through any other literary medium.

Consequently, he set out to create a mythological world in which to have room to speak truthfully.”

Although the “Lord of the Rings” never received respect from the literati, the films bring to life with superb acting and direction the grandeur of the story that Tolkien tells. If by the end of this third and final film you don’t have the urge to pick up a sword and fight for the future of humankind, to fight against the world’s inherent evils and unite with all races for the common good, then you have clearly missed the point. Because there are evils out there that have yet to be conquered, and we should all only be so lucky to have a leader like Aragorn to lead us to salvation.

This movie is rated PG-13 for violent battle sequences and a really big spider.

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Catholic San Francisco

December 19, 2003

In Remembrance of the Faithful Departed Interred In Our Catholic Cemeteries During the Month of November HOLY CROSS COLMA

Leona Feist Patrick Fitzgerald Maria Inez Flores Beverly Joan Bonalanza Andrea Andal Aguila Ford Nichole R. AguirreArthur A. Fries Caoyonan Catherine M. Fries Candido M. Anicete, Sr. Ellen A. Gallagher Rosa Arbunic Leonor D. Gallardo Florence C. Arees Ida B. Galliven Margaret A. Bahr Nora P. Gatchalian Josephine L. Beckley Mee Ying Lee Gee John M. Biga John D. Ghirso Zette Isabelle Bleecker Jozef T. Gogol Rosa Mullen Bodigon Francisco A. GomezWai Yung Brown Milan Elmer C. Butler, Jr. Evelyn G. Granzella Dolores L. Cafferata Mary J. Griffin Rodolfo Calderon Sophie B. Guthrie Augusto C. Cano, Sr. Adriana R. Gutierrez Peggy Cavanaugh Florence M. Hackett Miguel F. Cecilio Rose Lee Halpin Gino A. Celona Rosalpina P. Hernandez Francesca D. Celona David S. Hickman Wilma Rafferty Cesari Frances Rose Hollenbeck George J. Chevalier Anne M. Jaekle Peter C. Chiappa Constance Johnson Jennie Ciampi Anna Marie Kearney Edna M. Farrell Citrino John H. Keefe, Jr. Rosamond I. Cleese, (Rossi) Milo F. Kent Agustin G. Clemena Ralph S. Kerrigan Harry Cohn William A. Kidd Claire Q. Croonquist Pierce T. Kirk Ignacia Vasquez Cruz Juanita F. Lopez Alfred J. DeMartini Samuel Luna Lopez Alice M. Desideri Raymond David Lujan Carlito H. Ebuen Josephine Luporini Joseph P. Emond Mariano Marquez, Sr. Catherine Erdozaincy Josephine Ochoa Felicisimo S. Fajilagutan Martinez-Castillo Beverly J. Fanelli George C. Matt

Marie C. McDonough Damien J. McKinney Calvin August Mendonca Frank F. Miles Gustave C. Modesti Aetna E. Monahan Edward Mooney Armando Nardi Louis S. Neri William James O'Brien Alice V. O'Connell Michael J. O'Connell Dolores R. Olesen Timothy William Oligher Rommel R. Parungao Eloisa A. Perea Maria J. Pereda Audrey M. Perla Ismalia M. Perpetuo Evelyn M. Peyre Theresa C. Phillips Margherita Andreoli Piazza Carlos E. Pineda Pat Presto Julio J. Profumo Gloria E. Puzon Sandra M. Reed Victoriana P. Regino Rene E. Rey Dalmacio Reyes Anthony Freire Ribeiro Isabela Freire Ribeiro Victoria Freire Ribeiro Luis Carlos Ribeiro, Jr. Rose M. Richter Garrett F. Rivers William J Ryan Federico A. Sanchez Faustino S. Santiago Victoria T. Santos Marjorie V. Scherer

Lena V. Schmuck Inez Sereni Lucile C. Sipes John Henry Smith Fay Adelaide Smith Barbara Jean Smith Blanche C. Smyser Jayne L. Spina Kay S. Summers Frank H. Tattenham, Jr. Carmen M. Telesforo Colleen M. Van Kirk Francisca L. Velasco Flora Venegas Theresa Ward Marjorie C. Whelan Trudy Jean Wyatt Socorro Quinto Zulaybar Constance Zuniga

HOLY CROSS MENLO PARK Maricela Alvarez Arthur C. Chan Marie Hiatt Yvette M. McLoughlin Louis Polsinelli Hermina Schattin Francisco Vazquez

MT. OLIVET SAN RAFAEL Victor S. Collin Lillian Kay Ruggeri John (Jack) L. Vallee Gilbert L. Vessa

HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CEMETERY, COLMA 1st Saturday Mass Saturday, January 3th 2004 All Saints Mausoleum Chapel – 11:00 a.m.

Rev. Thomas Seagrave, Celebrant St. John of God Parish

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

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

A Tradition of Faith Throughout Our Lives.