March 12, 1999

Pope lifts five-year saint investigation wait for Mother Teresa

By John Thavis , Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — After an outpouring of requests from all over the world, Pope John Paul II has lifted the standard five-year waiting period for investigating the sainthood cause of Mother Teresa. "Because the response was so great and insistent, the Holy Father decided to go ahead," Father Ciro Benedettini, a Vatican spokesman, said March 1. The move allows a MOTHER TERESA , Page 8

The Archdiocese o f . . . St. Patrick?

Archdiocese owes much to sons and daughters of St. Patrick

By Jeffrey Burns, Ph.D. Special to Catholic San Francisco Jmmgm

St fttrftl , Mmqh 15

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I he Archdiocese of St. Patrick? No , we have not changed our name, but St. Patrick is one of the Archdiocese's patron saints. And the Archdiocese does owe a great debt to the many men and women of Irish descent who built the Church in San Francisco.

Five of San Francisco's seven Archbishops have been of Irish heritage. Countless other Irish priests, sisters and lay men and women contributed to the

Legendary gentleman, baseball great buried f rom Sts. Peter and Paul

ST. PATRICK, Page 10

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New marriage y rep p rogram to debut at Cathedral

In this issue . . .

6

Academics St. Gabriel tops annual decathlon

13

Hurricane Hopes high social changes to take place

19

Movies 'Life Is Beautiful ' impressive

Archbishop Ley ada:

5

A look at stewardship

J On Being Catholic: | 1K

God's gentle invitation

ft Family life: |

L tl Ministry as a family unit?

O Music: |

1(5 Great Performers series excels

Cover Photos

Photo of St. Patrick statue at St. Patrick Parish, San Francisco, by ENRICO RISANO Mother Teresa portrait is from CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

I CATHOLIC

SAN FRANCISCO

Off icial newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Fran cisco

Most Reverend William J. Levada, publisher Maurice E. Healy, associate publisher Edito rial Staff: Dan Morris-Young, manag ing editor; Evelyn Zappia , feature editor; Kenneth Barroga, assistant editor; Tom Burke, "On the Street" and Datebook; Sharo n Abercrombie, reporter Advertising Department: Joseph Pena, director; Gustavo Pena, assistant; Britta Tigan, consultant; Mary Podesta, account representative; Don Feigel , consultant Production Department: Enrico Risano , manager; Julie Benbow , graphic consultant Editorial offices are located at 441 Church St., San Francisco, CA 94114 Telephone: (415) 565-3699 News fax: (415) 565-363 1 Circulation: 1-800-828-1252. Advertising fax: (415) 565-3681 CatholicSan Francisco is published weekly, except the last Friday in December, and bi-weekl y during the months of June , Jul y and August for $20 per year by (he Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco, 1595 Mission Rd., South San Francisco, CA 94080-1218. A pplication to mai l at periodical postage rates is pending at South San Francisco and at additional offices.

On The

[STREET 1

Where You Live

by Tom Burke It's a small world...Redwood City 's Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School is among 1000 schools in the country receiving a Target Outstanding Schools Award. The $1000 prize , a pal on the back for their outstanding community service, will be used to buy books and materials for the school's annual Model United Nations , said Julia Tollafield, OLMC's director of development. Seventh-grade teacher Gina Furrer, a 1982 OLMC alum; eighth-grade teacher Peggy Clifford and vice princi pal Virginia Ploeser are the ones behind the UN celebration where junior hi gh students make presentations on countries they have researched. Teresa Anthony is princi pal. Father Randolph Calvo is pastor. Outreach here includes collecting blankets for Catholic Worker House and making holiday cards for Project Open Hand. Parishioner and 1946 OLMC grad Jean Johnson Harrison was presented with a Distinguished Graduate Award during recent Catholic Schools Week. Jean continues to have a presence at her alma mater as a member of its Development Committee and is involved in the parish perhaps most notabl y with its Grief Care Ministry. The school is also trying to round up graduates to build its alumni/ae outreach.

Call Ms. Tollafield at (650) 366-8817.

Go-Re-Mi... Peter Schlesinger, of Dal y City ' s St. Andrew Parish, and fellow choristers from the Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers, are returning to Rome to lead song at the first Mass of the new century. Peter 's mom, Edith, a religious education teacher at St. Andrew, had high compliments for the annual Religious Education Institute held in January. "I enjoy it every year," she said.

"This year 1 walked away with a better understanding of the Trinity and Peter Schlesinger Lucharist. fcdith has high regard for St. Andrew 's Director of Reli gious Education , Michelle Bussey, whom she says helps her greatl y in her ministry. The rest of Peter's family are dad, Herbert and brothers Mark and Justin. Steven Meyer, music director at St. Vincent de Paul Parish is the choir's director. For information about the choir, call (510) 887-43 1 1 .

Congratulations...Jessica Jenkins, a senior at Notre Dame High School, Belmont and a St. Matthias , Redwood City parishioner, has been named a San Mateo County Young Woman of Excellence. Jessie is the daughter of Kathy and Richard Jenkins and the sister of Vincent and Joe. She wants to be a writer or foreign service professional and is looking to gear up at Stanford or Santa Clara University. Jessie carries a 3.78 GPA and is a veteran of many college-level courses, said her mom. She is also an accomplished pianist and speaks French. In addition to academics, criteria for the award include acts of courage and perseverance in daily life , two virtues that

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More to be proud of at Notre Dame... Career Day drew 42 alumnae to share professional experience and may be influence one or more of the sch ool's 720 students. Keynote speaker was interior designer Carol Georgi Tanzi, class of '60, who told of her recent appearance on the Rosie O'Donnell Show where she won the name Goddess of Garbage for her good use of recyclables. Senior Landra Chan was a winner in a recent Woodside Terrace Optimist Club essay contest. Rachel Marcial captured the gold in 1999 Taekwondo competitions at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado. The win qualifies Rachel for a spot on the Ol ympics Team in the year 2000, said school public relations director Peggy Brady.

The pipes, the pipes are calling...

The Hibernian Newman Club's annual St. Patrick's Day lunch will take place on the feast of the great saint at 11:30 a.m. at the Hotel Nikko , Rachel Marcial O'Farrell and Mason St., in San Francisco. The group is in its 35th year of bring ing a Catholic presence to public universities.

Former president Michael McCabe of St. Brendan Parish, is this year 's Hibernian of the Year. "Mike is being honored for his devotion to the work of the club ," said current president Tillie McCullough, a St. Dominic parishioner and first woman president of the group.

Keynote speaker is Channel 2 business reporter Brian Banmiller. The music of Father Dan Carter, pastor of St. James Parish and a fine singer to boot, will make you think you 're where the River Shannon flows. Other Hibernian officers include Leo Walsh, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Redwood City, vice president; Bill Welch, St. Philip Parish, financial secretary and Walter Farrell , St. Brendan Parish, treasurer.

President McCullough said the vision of the club has remained constant and is present today in the support of campus ministry from St. Thomas More Church near San Francisco State University. Chaplain at St. Thomas More is Father Jerome Foley with the help of campus minister, Holy Cross Sister Elizabeth Tran. Tickets ($50) include chow and charity.

All proceeds help keep the Church available to Catholic college students. For information , call Tillie at (415) 5633926. Tillie, by the way, helps keep St. Mary Cathedral available to the public as one of its original docents, a group led for many years by the now retired Mary Hehir.

Also docenting is Holy Name of Jesus parishioner , Maryanne Murray. Maryanne 's husband is former Hibernian of the Year John Murray.

Corps-roborating evidence.,Much ado at University of San Francisco which has been named a top school for Peace Corps volunteers with 12 USFers going abroad last year to serve. Deneb Karentz, Ph.D., biology chair at the Jesuit school , has just returned from Antarctica where she taug ht a class of 20 international students about Antarctic biology in a program sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

Apologies for mishandling the honor of introducing new University Provost James Wiser and his wife, Beth. Even with the correct information from USF PR person Marlon Villa, I managed to get Mrs.Wiser's name wrong. Never again me hopes.

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Vatican intrigue Woman smuggles cardinal's robe behind Iron Curtain

By Sharon Abercrombie

The innocent traveler pressed into delivering a mysterious package to an unfriendl y country is standard mystery novel fare .

But it happened in real life to Frances Chilcoat , a member of Our Lady of the Angels Parish , Burlingame.

When Chilcoat retired from her job of nine years at United Airlines in 1954, the company presented her with a 30-day employee travel pass. She decided to visit her father 's relatives in Yugoslavia.

As she made her plans, Chilcoat never suspected she would end up smugg ling a cardinal' s robe into the thencommunist country. But that 's what happened.

Memories of her adventure resurfaced last October when Pope John Paul II beatified Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac. The prelate had served as archbishop of Zagreb and metropolitan of Croatia during both World War II and Marshal Tito's term of dictatorshi p. In 1939, when thousands of refugees poured out of Hitler 's Europe , the archbishop 's palace in Zagreb became a frequent haven for the hunted and hungry.

It was Stepinac 's red robe Chilcoat smugg led into Yugoslavia — neatl y folded and demurely tucked into one of her suit jackets so that it looked like a blouse.

In retrospect, the trip had mysterious trapping s fro m the very beginning, she said. When Chilcoat went to the Yugoslavian Consulate in San Francisco to pick up her visa , she recalls a tall hulking official sternly warning her she had better not step out of line. "He told me even though I was a U.S. citizen , I would become Yugoslavia 's properly once I arrived there. It was a pretty scary meeting."

When she later told her husband , Aaron , he asked her not to go. At this point , Frances was beg inning to have second thoug hts , too. But then Grace Norton , a friend fro m the airlines , offered to go along,- if they could visit Rome first.

Chilcoat agreed. Unbeknownst to her, the first of many plot threads was being woven into place.

Thread two: Before Chilcoat and Norton left San Francisco, a Croatian refugee acquaintance told them they should look up Father Ivan Tomas while they were in Rome.

"He told us Father Tomas kept in touch with Yugoslavs who wanted to escape communism ," recalls Chilcoat.

So on Nov. 14, 1954, they arrived in Rome and met Father Tomas. It was not a one-time encounter. "We saw him every day during our visit there ," said Chilcoat , who remembers that the priest wined and dined his guests so lavishl y, it made her "a little uncomfortable."

The night before their train ride to Yugoslavia , the two women were packing when the phone rang.

It was Father Tomas. He insisted on coming by to see them. "Grace was too busy packing, so I went downstairs."

But when the priest walked into the lobby this time, "he looked different," said Chilcoat. "He had on a black hat with the rim pulled down. The collar of his black overcoat was up and he was carrying a black suitcase."

The priest insisted on ordering two double brandies.

Chilcoat tried to refuse, but he insisted she join him.

Chilcoat became suspicious , wondering, "What was this man up to?" She soon found out.

Grace Norton, Father Ivan Tomas,and Frances Chilcoat at Vatican in 1954.

Father Tomas told her Cardinal Stepinac had served five years in prison for allegedly collaborating with Nazis during World War II. Fie was now free to leave Yugoslavia but the Catholic people begged him not to because they were afrai d that once he left, Marshall Tito wouldn ' t let him return.

So for that reason, the Cardinal opted not to travel to Rome to receive his cardinal' s robe and hat.

Then, Father Tomas looked at the black briefcase on the table between them. To this day, Chilcoat remembers his nex t words. "Frances, I have the robe for Cardinal Stepinac in this briefcase and we ask you to take it to him."

"I nearl y Jell off my chair," said Chilcoat.

She turned him down , "because I could go to prison."

But the priest told her not to worry. The pope and all the bishops and cardinals would be pray ing for her. Chilcoat was reassured. She said yes.

The priest insisted on packing the robe himself. He folded it inside Chilcoat 's suit jacket and placed it in the bottom of the suitcase. "You will be contacted," he said obliquely. The priest also told the women not to mention the robe or the cardinal to anyone, not even her relatives.

"It could put any member of your family in jeopardy and harm could come to Cardinal Stepinac," Father Tomas told her. He blessed their journey and left. Chilcoat recalls feeling relaxed and peaceful , even though she didn 't sleep that night.

The next day on the train , the pair of women had a narrow escape. A communist crew member suddenly burst into their stateroom, demanding to see the contents of their suitcases. When the man reached for Chilcoaf s bag, he cut his

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hand on a wicked piece of metal strip that had come loose on the suitcase. Chilcoat remembers him "swearing something terrible. Then he wrapped a handkerchief around his hand and left. Nobody ever came back to check our bags."

Chilcoat wonders if the incident wasn 't something of a small miracle. "All the time we were in Rome, I tried to get the suitcase repaired , but nobody could do it."

Chilcoat 's first night in the town of Skofja Loka, brought another cloak and dagger adventure. Her aunt Manca arri ved late for dinner. Manca worked in a nearb y convent , the visitors learned. They'd hard ly finished eating when Manca whispered to Chilcoat , "You brought something special."

At first Chilcoat thought her aunt meant souvenirs from San Francisco. Before she could respond , Manca whispered , "Let 's go to the bedroom." Then she asked, "You brought something from Rome'?"

Stunned , Chilcoat exclaimed , "Oh," but Manca stopped her from talking. Then Manca took the robe from the suitcase and put it into a homemade cloth bag.

"Let's go out for some fresh air," said Manca. By now, Chilcoat knew better than to ask questions. She couldn 't have , anyway, because her aunt said it was time for them to sing.

For the next half hour, the two women walked throug h the pitch dark country town sing ing folk songs at the top of their lungs.

Then, suddenly, remembers Ctulcoat, 'A male voice was in front of us. We couldn 't see him. He said , 'You have a package.' I couldn't see, but I felt the movement " as the cloth bag was token. Then Manca said it was time for them to go back.

Chilcoat recalled how her aunt 's mood changed. "Now she seemed to be happy and wanted to party. We drank plum brandy and talked about the family until dawn. " But they never talked about the robe or Cardinal Step inac.

Francis Chilcoat had been back in San Francisco for two months when she received a post card from Father Tomas.

His terse message: "Mission accomplished. " Yet there is another twjst to the story. Soon after the postcard arrived , two men rang Chilcoat 's doorbell. They told her they were countrymen from Yugoslavia. "Did I meet you there?" she asked , puzzled. "Maybe," they said, smiling mysteriously.

Chilcoat made nervous small talk. Finally, she phoned her husband to come home from work.

When Aaron Chilcoat arrived , he asked why the men were in San Francisco.

They were shopping "for rope," they said.

After they left, Aaron Chilcoat had a chilling thoug ht. Perhaps they really meant "robe." Were ¦they / • j or eroes, ,trying Frances Chilcoat friends to ' elicit information about the precious suitcase cargo?

The couple will probably never know . But they still wonder about all the seemingly disparate threads that came together 44 years ago, making it possible for a persecuted cardinal behind the Iron Curtain to receive his red robe from Rome.

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f uel Ireland hatred

ATCHISON, Kan. (CNS) — Peace in Northern Ireland is possible, said Kansas City Bishop Raymond J. Boland , but centuries-old hatreds that still exist will continue to defy solutions.

In a recent speech here, the Irish-born prelate said "third- , fourth- and fifth-generation" Irish Americans make the peace prospects dimmer through ignorance of realities in Ireland and "ill-advised" monetary support that has fueled the conflict .

"Huge amounts of money have poured into Ireland from this side of the Atlantic," he said, "and a great deal of that has gone to purchase arms."

Priest and followers said excommunicated

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (CNS) — Rochester Bishop Matthew H. Clark has expressed sadness over the split between the diocese and Catholics in a new community led by a suspended priest that resulted in excommunication for the priest and his followers.

The bishop 's remarks March 1 came in the wake of a Feb. 24 announcement by the diocese that Father James B. Callan , 51, and a community he formed were in schism and had in effect excommunicated themselves from the Catholic Church.

Bishop Clark told his diocesan newspaper that the diocese was exploring ways to inform all Catholics about the legitimate need for pastoral authority in the Church , the role of the bishop, and other questions over the situation involving Father Callan .

The priest was removed from Corpus Christi Parish in Rochester in September — and later suspended from the priesthood —

by Bishop Clark for publicly defying teachings on women's liturgical roles, ministry to gay and lesbian Catholics, and intercommunion with non-Catholics.

Historian: women's status degraded

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Despite the feminist movement 's claim that easy access to abortion would liberate American women, it has "degraded the status of

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z u A Vietnamese Catholic priest hears the confession of a woman during the Feast of Our Lady of La Vang in La Vang, Vietnam, last August. A Vatican delegation was traveling to Vietnam in mid-March for talks on establishing diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Vi etnam 's government. The Vatican confirmed March 4 a delegation headed by Msgr. Celestino Migliore, Vatican undersecretary of state, would meet Vietnamese officials in Hanoi.

women more than it has elevated it," according to a leading historian on women 's issues, Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, a professor of humanities and history at Emory University in Atlanta , speaking at a March 3-5 leadership convocation on life issues here.

School off icials lobby f or choice, tax credits

WASHINGTON (CNS) — More than 100 Catholic school representatives went to Capitol Hill March 2 to lobby for issues such as voucher programs, tax credits and continued support for Title I remedial assistance programs.

The representatives — from state Catholic conferences, diocesan offices and Catholic school parent associations — took part in a Feb. 28-March 2 program in Washington called Congressional Advocacy Days, sponsored by the U.S. Catholic Conference Department of Education.

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S A woman strolls past a wall of graffiti showing support for Irish Republican militants in west Belfast . The graffiti is an IRA response to the turning over of weapons as spelled out in the peace accord known as the Good Friday Agreement. Britain was to hand over home-rule powers to Catholic and Protestant Northern Irish parties March 10,but issues over disarming IRA extremists have yet to be resolved.

Michig an Conference opposes death penalty

LANSING, Mich. (CNS) — The Michigan Catholic Conference board of directors said March 3 it opposes reinstatement of the death penalty in Michigan.

Michigan has barred the death penalty by statute since 1846 and by its constitution since 1963. But there are two resolutions

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Says millions fleeing Indonesia \iolence

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — More than 2 million Indonesians were fleeing an island in panic amid violent clashes between Christians and Muslims, a Vatican agency reported. Local _ dioceses and the apostolic nunciature to Indonesia had donated $50,000 to assist the refugees, but further funds were needed , the news agency Fides, operated by the Vatican 's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, reported March 2.

Pontiff to p romote communications ethics

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope John Paul II encouraged the Vatican 's top communications officials to draw up a document on "ethics in communication " to offer moral guidance to media professionals.

"In a field where cultural and financial pressures . can sometimes blur the moral vision which should guide all human realities and relationships , this task represents a challenge," the pope told members of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications March 4.

The pope said the mass media are creative, but without ethical reflection they can "spread destructive countervalues."

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O RDINARY T IME

Annual Appeal marks 25th anniversary ast Jan . 21, pastors, secretaries and leaders outreach — or helping people be better apostles of from the parishes th roughout the Christ to the world of daily jobs and dail y living— these L Archdiocese convened at St. Mary 's brothers and sisters rely on the funding raised through Cathedral to launch the 1999 Archbishop 's Annual the Archbishop 's Annual Appeal to sustain this service Appeal. At that meeting I was reminded that 1999 is the we are called to give in Christ 's name.

25th anniversary of the Appeal.

In these weeks of Lent I know that many parishes The appeal began with the vision of Archbishop are completing their appeal for 1999. 1thank the priests , Joseph McGucken in 1975, who established what was committee leaders and all our donors to the AAA for then called the Parish Progress Fund. In 1981 their support and untiring efforts. But I know how Archbishop John Quinn renamed this annual effort the important it is for them — and for me — to be able to Archbishop 's Annual Appeal, often abbreviated AAA. count on every parishioner to assist in this Church-wide Whatever the name, these past 25 years have brought program of support. This financial support through the great advances to our parishes, and to the many pro- AAA is the key element which enables the Archdiocese to provide the services and support needed by our grams and services provided by the Archdiocese.

This year the theme of the AAA is taken from the parishes, schools and agencies for our educational and first letter of St. Peter (4:10): "So like good stewards put charitable efforts.

There are some 450,000 Catholics in our 90-plus yourself at the service of others." Near the end of his life in 63AD, the Apostle Peter addressed the Christian com- parishes and nine mission churches in Marin, San munities of Asia Minor who were distressed by the hos- Francisco and San Mateo counties. Our annual budget tility and even persecution by their pagan neighbors. To for the archdiocesan administration , ministries and profollow Christ as his disciples in the Church , these grams is now at $7 million; $2.5 million of this budget is Christians had rejected the pagan practices of their soci- covered by returns from investments, rentals, bequests and special gifts; the other $4.5 million is raised from ety, and were suffering persecution as a consequence.

St. Peter summons these Christians (and us who the Archbishop 's Annual Appeal. hear his words today) to a life of charity, for "love covThe AAA deserves the support of all Catholics. It " ers a multitude of sins. Peter tells them to be good stew- provides the money to fund the programs which benefit ards of the gifts they have received from God — to "put people throughout the Archdiocese: youth, seniors, famthemselves at the service of others." Just as it was then, ilies, students, the sick and disabled, the poor. It funds putting faith into action through love is the surest way to the training of priests, deacons and lay ministers, as well witness Christ 's love to the world, and to let the people as chaplains for hospital ministry, our ethnic ministries, we live among know that we are serious about following our pastoral services in liturgy, religious education , Christ as Savior of the World.

Catholic schools, ecumenism, justice and peace and When I visit the parishes, schools and agencies respect life programs, and the care of sick priests. throughout the Archdiocese, I see first hand how faith is The past year I approved a recommendation from put into action by priests , reli gious and laity who day the Council of Priests to stabilize the AAA target at after day "put themselves at the service of others." 16.85% of the ordinary or regular income of our parishWhether it is building up the Body of Christ, the Church, es. Each parish is assigned its fair share of this overall through educational ministries, sacramental life or social assessment. A Stewardship Council of priests repre-

Archbishop William J. Levada

senting every deanery handles any cases of special need which warrant a reduction in the goal of a particular parish.

In accordance with canon law, practicall y every diocese in the country assesses the parishes for support for the diocesan administrative budget . What is remarkable about the San Francisco AAA is that it is offered to parishes as a program which allows them to raise additional funds to pay this assessment, rather than to have to pay it out of regular income, which can then be devoted entirely to the needs of the local parish. AAA funds raised over and above the parish goal also remain in the parish to assist with some special needs.

Every year over 20,000 Catholic households participate in the AAA with offertory gifts, cash donations or pledges. I sincerely thank those generous donors for their good stewardship, for "putting themselves at the service of others." I also ask all our Catholic people to join these AAA participants, so that the work done on behalf of all can be more truly the responsibility of all.

May God bless our efforts for a successful 25th anniversary Archbishop 's Annual Appeal.

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Most Rev. William J. Levada Archbishop of San Francisco

Commentary Bending oy er backward to ridicule the faith

By Wade C. Hughan, KGD There are occasional experiences which immediately remind me that I live in San Francisco. One might be leaving my home in July for a walk, wearing my heaviest coat as I stroll into the heavy summer fog. Another is the pleasure of a fine slice of sourdough enjoyed with cioppino made from fish caught that morning just outside the Bay. Another, unfortunately, is reading in the morning paper that the Board of Supervisors has overturned the decision of the Department of Parking and Traffic, and decided to allow a block of Castro Street to be closed on Easter Sunday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence."

Yes, by an 11 to 0 vote on March 1 overturning the considered decision of the proper city officials, the Board of Supervisors has decided Easter Sunday may be mocked in the Castro by a sanctioned block partywhere men, calling themselves names like Sister Missionary Position and dressed in fake habits unique to Catholic religious, attempt to ridicule both the profound solemnity of the Church's celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord and the dignity of the life and work of Catholic religious women.

One wonders if the hoots and hollers will be loud enough to be heard by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity wearing their habits while they care for dying AIDS patients at the hospice nearby.

Several years ago the City stopped supporting, and eventually actively opposed, Easter sunrise observances at the Mount Davidson Cross, claiming that the separation of Church and state means the City should not appear to give even implicit support to any religiously-motivated observance. However, they are willing to overrule City depart-

ment heads and order streets be closed on the same day so call and register our own revulsion at this blatant attack on charlatans can dress in habi ts and proclaim that sexual the dignity of our faith , and the ridicule of the most solemn promiscuity is the path to personal fulfillment. They cannot celebration of our year. Catholics, including scores of allow any dignified observance of faith , but they will bend women religious , provide tireless service to the poor, the suffering, and the dying in San Francisco. We serve at soup over backwards to promote the ridicule of faith.

Given San Francisco's attempt to outpace the entire kitchens, hospices, clinics, and schools; the city would be country in its defense and support of every minority and hard-pressed to replace that aid if we grew tired of the promoter of any lifestyle which meets their litmus test, it ridicule and walked away. We need to ask the Supervisors goes without saying that only the Catholic Church could be and the Mayor why such attacks on our religious beliefs the target of such officially sanctioned ridicule, deliberately and practices should be sanctioned by such a blatantly scheduled so as to add insult to injury. Members of the political act, overturning the city 's own administrative rulBoard would be falling over each other to be the first to con- ing to promote such a gratuitousl y disgusting exhibition of demn a march by the Klu Klux Klan on Martin Luther King, bad taste.

The Board of Catholics for Truth and Justice has historJr.'s birthday, or a rall y by the American Nazi Party on Yom ically worked to bring these kinds of aberrations and Kippur. We would not be hearing any bold defenses of free attacks upon the Church to the public 's attention. This is a speech at those hearings. Somehow we are different.

And the attacks will not cease. Most recently, a City case in which every Catholic can respond to this attack on commission has refused to renew a contract with CYO our faith deliberately timed on Easter. I would urge you to because CYO would not comply with a commission call the mayor (554-6141), or email him at requirement that CYO survey various boards ' members and willie_brown@ci.sf.ca.us to ask him to help reverse the staff about their sexual orientation — and report the find- city 's official support of this attack on our faith. Call Tom ings to the commission. This despite the fact that the Ammiano (554-5144) and Mark Leno (554-7734) and Supervisors have passed a law protecting privacy by pro- Gavin Newsom (554-5942) and ask them why so little conhibiting any City manager from making the same inquiries sideration was given to our religious beliefs. Call Reverend about the sexual orientation of any City employee. Amos Brown (554-7601) and ask him if men dressed in habits with crucifixes around their necks ridiculing our Somehow we are different.

Religious women are easy targets for these warped Church is an appropriate way for San Francisco to officialattempts at ridicule. Their lives are very public as they ly celebrate Easter.

It is important that we are heard at City Hall . Consider move among the sick and the poor and provide care, withit your Easter duty. out the slightest regard as to whether the persons they are caring for are Catholic. Moreover, theirs is a quiet dignity, lives committed to humility and pure service in response to Wade C. Hug han is a Knight of Malta and vice chairman of Catholicsfor Truth andlustice. He is a member of St. Mary 's Chrisf s call. ' It is time, however, that you and I also answer Christ s Cathedral Parish where he serves on its Board of Regents.

Academic Decathlon draws 11 schools

The third annual Junior High Academic Decathlon , with 11 archdiocesan elementary schools partici pating, took place March 6 at Junipero Serra High School. Students showed their abilities in two team events and eight individual events.

Rita Carroll, principal of St. Pius Elementary School and decathlon coordinator, said, "The decathlon is a way for adolescent youth to challenge their minds to achieve new levels of excellence and gives them an opportunity outside of athletic competition to test their mettle. Team events help them develop collaboration skills they can use after graduation."

Overall winner as well as champion in the team Logic Quiz was St. Gabriel Elementary School which will represent the Archdiocese at state competitions later in the year.

Winner of the team 50-question Super Quiz was St. Pius Elementary School.

Participating schools were Epiphany; Good Shepherd , Pacifica; Mission Dolores; Notre Dame des Victoires; St. Anselm, Ross; St. Charles, San Carlos; St. Gabriel; St. Hilary, Tiburon; St. Isabella, San Rafael; St. Matthew, San Mateo; St. Pius, Redwood City.

Individual category winners were: Fine arts — Ari Davalos, St. Hilary, first; Lily Nieh, St. Matthew, second; Rebecca Sullivan , St. Pius, third .

Math: Kenny Wong, St. Gabriel , first; Frances Kawamoto, St. Matthew, second; Kevin Kolbe, Good Shepherd; third .

Literature: Amadeo Vibat, Epiphany, first; Katherine McAdams, St. Isabella , second; Analisa Raccanello, St. Charles, third .

Religion: Peter Collins, St. Isabella, first; Kellie Cavalier, St. Hilary,second; John Cantalup i, St. Pius, third.

Speech: Gretchen Keaney, St. Anselm, first; Paul Jones, St. Isabella, second; Brooke Munson , St. Hilary, third.

Science: Julie Leong, St. Gabriel , first; Corey Petersen, St. Anselm, second; Kelly Kozma, St. Hilary, third. ' English: Billy Gale," St. Hilary, first; Madeleine Heller, Notre Dame des Victoires, second; Ellen Deng, St. Matthew, third.

Social Studies: Michael Weaver, St. Gabriel , first; John Landefield , St. Hilary, second; Stephanie Fagliano, St. Charles, third .

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St. Gabriel Elementary was overall winner of the Academic Decathlon and also winner of the team category 20-question Logic Quiz. Team members are ,from left: Tiffany Banzon,Gena Rinaldi, Kari Mah, Kenny Wong, Julie Leong, Michael Weaver,Shiela Moghaddam, Felix Lam, Evelyn Kusumah,Matthew Gonzalez-Johnson.

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St. Pius was winner of the team category Super Quiz. Team members are , from left: Michael Harabaglia ,Conor Driscoll , Stephanie Swenson , Rebecca Sullivan, John Cantalupi,Shea Rausch , Joshua Mix,Courtney Clarke , Conor Burke,Jennifer Sheehan , Matt Nehrenz, Ryan Roller.

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One good Joe recalls another

By Paul Quirini ALBANY, N.Y (CNS) — Joltin ' Joe DiMaggio is gone, and one of many fans who will miss him is Father Joe DiMaggio , pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Johnstown, N.Y , Following the death of the Yankee Clipper March 8, the priest spoke with The Evangelist, newspaper of the Albany Diocese, about what it meant to have the same name as one of the greatest baseball players of all time — and to have met the legendary center fielder with the 56-game hitting streak.

Growing up with the name Joe DiMaggio was an honor, but it put pressure on him whenever he stepped inside the batter's box.

"Every time I went up to bat in high school, if I struck out, which I usually did , people would say, 'Joe DiMaggio struck out,'" Father DiMaggio said.

As he got older, Father DiMaggio found out just how cool it was to share Joltin' Joe's name.

"Every time I called for tickets to a show in New York City or a ball game at Madison Square Garden, I would get the best seats in the house," he laughed.

Father DiMaggio saw Joltin' Joe play ball in person, but he later would get much closer. During a basketball game at the Garden, the two Joes actually sat next to each other, and Father DiMaggio recalled the surprise on the Yankee Clipper's face after he said, "Hi, my name's Joe DiMaggio. What's yours?"

Father DiMaggio pulled out his Visa and American Express cards to prove he wasn't kidding.

The priest and the ballplayer shared many laughs and shook hands after the game.

"He was wonderful , always a gentleman," Father DiMaggio said. Sharing a name with the Hall of Famer is quite a thrill for Father DiMaggio, and he owes his sporadic moments of celebrity to the man known as Joltin' Joe. Joseph Paul DiMaggio, the baseball player, was bom in Martinez, Calif., on Nov. 25, 1914 to Giuseppe Paolo and Rosalie DiMaggio, who immigrated to the United States in 1898 from Sicily.

The DiMaggios moved their family, which eventually included nine children, to the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco the year Joe was bom.

Praises DiMaggio's 'sense of self-worth'

An example of his shyness, according to the New York Times, was how "in his rookie year with the San Francisco Seals baseball team in 1933, he was a sensation. He hit in an incredible 61 straight games. San Francisco had four Baseball legend and San Francisco Bay Area icon Joe newspapers then , and they all spelled his last name wrong.

DiMaggio "had a sense of his self-worth deeper than his He was too shy to say anything about it." outward achievements — as great as they were," according Salesian Father David Purdy, Sts. Peter and Paul pastor, to Salesian Father Armand Oliveri, who was scheduled to was scheduled to concelebrate yesterday's funeral liturgy deliver the talk at the famed 84-year-old DiMaggio's funeral with Father Oliveri. rite yesterday at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, San Francisco.

DiMaggio was the New York Yankees' superstar for 13 "His faith gave him that deep sense of his personal digni- seasons. His big league career started in 1936, was interruptty that made him a ed by World War H gentleman," said in 1942, during Father Oliveri, forwhich he served in mer parochial vicar the Army Air Forces, at Sts. Peter and then resumed in Paul, describing 1945.

DiMaggio "as a fine DiMaggio, often gentleman , rather called the Yankee reserved and kind."

Clipper, was ac"Once when he claimed during basewas standing on the ball's centennial in steps of Sts. Peter 1969 as "the greatest and Paul Church he living ballplayer." In was spotted by sev1,736 games with eral children ," the Yankees he had a Father Oliveri told career batting averCatholic San Franage of .325 and hit VI cisco, "and they ran Z 361 home runs while <J over to him. He striking out only 369 Joe DiMaggio throws out first pitch at Yankee Stadium April 10,1998. times, one of basecould not have been more gracious to ball's most amazing them. His role model for the young was exceptional." statistics. By way of comparison, Mickey Mantle had 536 The Italian-American baseball great died Monday in homers and struck out 1,710 times; Reggie Jackson slugged Hollywood, Fl. His body was flown to San Francisco for 563 homes and struck out 2,597 times. private funeral services, and later burial at Holy Cross Rosary recitati on was scheduled Wednesday evening for Cemetery.

Halstead Funeral Home, San Francisco. In lieu of flowers, Father John K. Ring, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish the family asked donations be made to the Joe DiMaggio in San Francisco, where DiMaggio and his late sister had Children's Hospital and to Hospice Care of Broward maintained a home, described DiMaggio as "a terribly shy County, Fort Lauderdale, Fl., according to an announceand terribly private man." ment in the March 9 San Francisco Examiner.

By Evelyn Zappia

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Well -known educator dies

Joan C. Hastings died on March 9 following a long battle with cancer. Hastings was active in Catholic schools for more than 40 years including 19 years as an associate superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese and 16 years as principal of St. Ray mond Elementary School in Menlo Park.

She would have been 66 years old on March 11.

"She was the most valiant woman I have ever known and the Rock of Gibraltar in this office," said Dominican Sister Glenn Anne McPhee, superintendent of Catholic Schools.

"Joan had a real sense of what was . .. u , fgoing* on,in all Joan Hastings , the schools and always kept her sense of humor and perspective on things."

"Joan was dedicated to the education of children and also to the poor," said Lois Bauer, an associate superintendent of schools, who followed Hastings as principal of St. Raymond in 1978. "People didn't just like her, they revered her."

"I remember her as one of the most caring and professional peop le I have ever encountered," said Paul Bergez, an associate superintendent of schools who knew Hastings for more than 20 years.

Hastings , a native of Southern California , also taught at several Catholic schools in the Los Angeles area earlier in her career. At her death , she continued to be a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary community.

A vigil service and funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter Church, Pacifica. Arrangements were pending at press time. For information , call Duggan 's Serra Mortuary at (650) 756-4500.

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Marriage for Life

New marriage p rep p rogram offe red at Cathedra l

By Sharon Abercrombie

Marriage tor Life, a new marriage preparation program , will makes its debut the weekend of March 26-28 at St. Mary 's Cathedral in San Francisco.

Created by Joe and Connie D' Aura , longtime facilitators of Engaged Encounter, and members of St. Stephen Parish, the program will offer couples a third option for participating in marriage prep classes.

Two programs are currently offered in the Archdiocese: a parish-based weeknight class and the Catholic Engaged Encounter retreat-style weekend format.

To be based at and offered under the auspices of the Cathedral, Marriage for Life's weekly format is similar to the parish-based

Mother Teresa

¦ Continued from page 1 diocesan investigation into Mother Teresa's life to begin immediately.

In Calcutta, where Mother Teresa ran a home for the dying and where her cause is being initiated, Archbishop Henry D'Souza said he had been informed of the waiver by the Vatican's Congregation for Sainthood Causes.

Church sources in Rome said it was apparently the first time such an exception had been made.

Shortly after M other Teresa's death in September 1997, the pope said he thought it was "necessary to follow the normal way" of deliberating sainthood causes, even in the case of Mother Teresa, whom many had considered a living saint. The rules foresaw an interval of five years before any official consideration.

But the pope changed his mind over the last 18 months, in part because people from many countries and walks of life wrote to the Vatican to support sainthood for Mother Teresa, according to Vatican officials.

"There was just a massive, spontaneous response on the part of all sorts of people at every level of society, both inside and outside the Church . There has been no other case like it," said one informed official, who asked not to be named.

Vatican sources noted the pope, as the Church's supreme legislator, can always decide to waive a rule like this. One of the

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of space there, he marri age preparation program , "Weeknights noted , which means for the Engaged ," that many people have Joe D'Aura. had to be turned away. explained Those two problems A weekend version of mean the present Enthe program is similar to the Engaged Engaged Encounter program can only accomcounter format. modate 300-400 couEssentially, "it's a fall-back program ," to ples a year, he said.

"A lot of people are accommodate couples falling through the unable to participate in parish week night cracks ," agreed Peg or Engaged Encounter Gleason, who, along Joe and Connie D'Aura with her husband , Ed, weekends, he said.

D Aura explained there are currently only served as co-director of Marriage and 12 volunteer couples trained to conduct Family Life Ministries from 1984-1993.

Engaged Encounter weekends, which are Enthusiastic proponents of the new proheld at Mount Alverno Conference Center in gram, they serve on its advisory board .

Redwood City. Another problem is the lack Another issue is a shortage of trained facilitators for parish programs. So for this reasons he did so in this case was that the reason, a substantial number of parishes do rule seemed superfluous for Mother Teresa. not have active marriage preparation classThe waiting period was established as a es, said Ed Gleason.

One more complication is the large norm to make sure there is a true reputation number of couples who want to be married of holiness before the Church begins workduring the spring, summer and fall, said ing on a sainthood cause, but Mother Teresa Msgr.

John O'Connor, pastor of St. Mary's was someone who "had a reputation for holiCathedral.

"Parish teams just can 't serve " ness throughout her life, said one official. he said. them all," Even with the dispensation, the road to Some pastors and deacons in parishes "official" sainthood may not be short for without in-house marriage preparation proMother Teresa, because local Church experts grams work with engaged couples on a oneand Vatican officials will have to pore over to-one basis, said Joe D'Aura. the documentation and testimony available.

The Archdiocese requires engaged couples Because Mother Teresa was an international to participate in a marriage preparation class, figure who founded a religious order and established centers and hospitals all over the said Msgr. O'Connor. Before individuals globe, there is a lot of evidence to consider. enroll, however, they take either the PreThe sainthood process involves several steps: • Declaration of a person 's heroic virtue • Beatification, in which a person is declared "blessed" following certification of a miracle attributed to the person's intercession.

• Canonization as a saint, after another certified miracle, in which the Church declares "When we make M that the person's life is worthy of honor and a p rovision in our imitation by all the faithful. willsf o r our children, Since her death, Mother Teresa has been cited several times by Pope John Paul as a relatives, or f riends, .J|| model of holiness in action. In a talk Feb. 27 we act responsibly to medical and Church experts on the topic with our resources. of dying, the pope said Mother Teresa, along When we make a with many saints through the centuries, had given the kind of care and attention needed 'p lanned gif t through by people in the last phase of life.

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A new Gift Annuity Program annually for life , allows you to make a gift to Your gift annuity can proCatholic Charities, receive vide payments for one or two guaranteed fixed payments lives. Both plans generate an ¦ for life,and enjoy a immediate charitatax deduction. wk hie tax deduction A gift annuity is WM Catholic and partially bypass simple to create ¦ Chariti es capital gains tax. with a gift of cash For more informaor stock.Catholic Charities tion, contact Paula March, pays you a fixed amount Chief Development Officer, quarterly, semi annually or at (415) 844-4868. .

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Marital Inventory survey or FOCCUSS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study). Both ask the couple to respond to a series of statements designed to identify issues they have not discussed or about which they might disagree.

As a 14-year veteran of presenting Engaged Encounter weekends, Joe D'Aura said he is encouraged by the increasing number of couples who tell him how serious and determined they are to "stay together even when things get rough." Many couples are also looking to bring a deeper spirituality into their relationships, he said.

Marriage preparation classes have been in the Archdiocese in some form since at least 1979, said Presentation Sister Kathleen Healy, pastoral associate at St. Teresa Parish and former associate director of the Family Life Office.

Schedule for the new Marriage for Life program at the Cathedral follows: Weeknights: 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, April 7, 14, 21, and 28; and Thursdays, April 15, 22, 29, and May 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. Fee is $140 per couple and includes materials and refreshments.

Weekend programs: March 26-28; April 16-18; June 4-6. Times are 8 to 10 p.m.

Fridays; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. Cost is $215 per couple including materials and meals.

All sessions are held at St. Mary 's Cathedral, where parking is available. For more information write Marriage for Life, 201 Chester Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132; or call (415) 586-6775; or fax (415) 5872229; or e-mail: marriage@ccwear.com

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I

Want to find out more about anything Irish?

Want to found out more about your Irish ancestors in County Cork?

The United Irish Cultural Center Library can help.

Located at 2700 45th Ave. in San Francisco, the library boasts 2,500 volumns, one of the largest collection of books on Hibernian topics outside of Dublin.

A researcher's dream, it's all there ¦— facts about genealogy, standard works on surnames, placenames and Irish family research. The collection also includes information on early Irish laws, Gaelic dictionaries, emigration , folk tales, visual ails, music, theater, humor, biography, fiction , sheet music, photographs, posters and maps.

The library is located at the United Irish Cultural Center headquarters, which was founded in 1971, when a grou p of Irish San Franciscans decided to organize their own cultural gathering place. Four years later, the Center officially opened , with a wellstocked library, thanks to the efforts of the late Patrick J. Dowling and many other volunteers.

Major donors of library collections include the Carmelite Monastery of Oakville, Cal. and the Cultural Relations Committee of the Republic of Ireland. Large donations have also come from religious houses and individuals. In 1994, a memorial fund in the name of library volunteer, Chris Thomas, was established to provide for book purchases and library equipment.

The library is a research center, so materials do not circulate. However, a photocopy machine is available for use and a card catalog provides access to collections.

Library hours are 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p,m.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It is also open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays except the fourth Thursday.

For further information , contact Tom Carey, librarian, at (415) 661-2798.

The Archdiocese of St. Patrick? ¦ (Continued from page 1) Church' s success in San Francisco. In 1898, Archbishop Patrick W. Riordan paid the Irish a great tribute in naming the archdiocesan seminary St. Patrick' s. Archbishop Riordan explained , "I have p laced this work under the patronage of a great Apostle, St. Patrick, not indeed for personal reasons, but because he is the patron saint of a great Catholic race which has suffered more than any other for reli gion 's sake, the most devoted, the most generous, and the most priest-loving race within the fold of the Church of Christ."

Archbishop Riordan 's words provided sustenance to the Irish people who had not only been demeaned in the Old Country, but who had suffered discrimination and mistreatment in their new homeland . "No Irish Need Apply" signs burned in the hearts of many Irish. Though the San Francisco Irish did not face the virulent attacks so familiar on the East Coast, they did suffer from periodic outbreaks of anti-Irish hostility. Nonetheless, the attacks on the Irish did not prevent them fro m advancing and making a significant contribution to San Francisco.

The Irish were the most important immigrant group in early San Francisco. By 1856, more than 6,000 foreign born Irish (12 percent of the city 's population) had arrived in San Francisco, growing to over 30 ,000 by 1870. By 1880, foreign-born Irish and Americans of Irish descent accounted for more than one-third of the city 's population. The large number of Irish translated into immediate political power with the success of Irishmen such as John Downey, governor ; David Broderick , U.S. Senate; and James Casey, City Council , to list but a few. While the majority of Irish were working class, several Irish, such as James Phelan and his son, James Duval , took their place among the city 's moneyed elite.

The Irish provided enormous support for the young Catholic Church in San Francisco, funding the construction of churches, schools, orphanages, and other institutions of charity. Men and women like John Sullivan , smsm:m:n-. ¦¦

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1 854 — the Sisters of Mercy and the Presentation Sisters. These orders, along with others, provided the backbone of Catholic charitable and educational efforts in the City.

Jasper O'Farrell, Timoteo Murphy, Catherine Sullivan The zealous sons and daughters of St. Patrick not Richard and Mary Tobin, Peter Donahue , Myles D only supported the Catholic Church , Sweeney, Joseph A. they also benefited from it. The Donohoe and others , Church acted as the chief meeting made substantial place and social center of the Irish grants of property community. No St. Patrick's Day celand money to the ebration was complete without a visit Archdiocese. John to the parish church.

Sullivan alone proBy the early 1860s, the St. vided land for St. Patrick's Day parade was alread y a Mary 's Cathedral , St. major civic event. The Church also Mary 's College, Calpromote d devotional , benevolent , vary Cemetery, St. mutual aid, and social associations as Patrick Church , and well as educational programs , which the work of the greatl y enhanced the life of the Irish in Presentation Sisters.

San Francisco.

Historian R.A. It is impossible to measure the Burchel l concludes , enormous psychological support the "Once founded , Church provided the Irish community.

Church institutions The construction of beautiful churches needed a continuous Sister Mary Ignatius Meehan (center) with nurses and babies at St and other buildings confirmed for the injection of funds Mary's Hospital, about 1914. Courtesy Sisters of Mercy.

Irish that they had made it in this new from the pious to surworld. A Protestant observer wrote in vive. By and large the Irish provided them."

1874, "You know that while Patrick has his nose, perMore poetic in his description of Irish support was haps, in the sewer all through the week, when he comes Cardinal Vaughan of England, who wrote in 1864 that it was not just the wealthy who supported the Church: "As soon as the Holy See gave San Francisco an Archbishop, the zealous sons of St. Patrick's determined to build him a cathedral. The wages of the common hodman were two pounds, ten schillings a day; nevertheless while the Catholic with one hand worked or scrambled for wealth, How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold with the other he freely gave to that which is always Story of Ireland 's Heroic Role from the Fall of dearest to his heart."

Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Thomas The Irish also provided many of the priests and sisCahill (Anchor Books, Doubleday, New York, ters that have served the Archdiocese. More than 250 Irish priests who have ministered in San Francisco were March 1996) trained in Irish seminaries , most notably All Hallows Missionary College in Dublin. Two of the Archdiocese's earliest orders of women religious came from Ireland in

By Father P. Gerard O'Rourke

Reviewed by Sister Ann Curry, PBVM Since the publication of Patrick Dowling 's first book, California: The Irish Dream, 10 years ago, his readers and friends have been awaiting this new book with further stories of Irish men and women in his adopted state.

Patrick Dowling came to California in 1926 from his native Ireland. Working upward through low-paying jobs, he became a superm arket owner before entering the real estate business from which he retired in 1972 to set up his All Irish Library and Archives at the United Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco. He was then 68.

Realizing that his fellow Irish men and women, both Irish born and of Irish descent, had done marvelously well both in the City and the state, he found there was no book telling the story. Since Hugh Quigley wrote The Irish Race in California and on the Pacific Coast (ISIS), no one had att acked the whole large scene of the California Irish. What to do?

Because he was Patrick Dowling, he took a college course in writing at the age of 80 and learned to use a computer. He would write the book himself!

In 1988 at the age of 84, he self-published California: The Irish Dream. It was a great success, and he subsequently published it in paperback (The two books, Irish Californians and California: The Irish

Dream, can be read independently; one is not a continuation of the other.)

In Dowling's adopted City of St. Francis, the streets were laid out by an Irish engineer, Jasper O'Farrell. The water supply comes from the Sierra through an engineering marvel designed by M.M. O'Shaughnessy who also laid out the Munici pal Railroad.

O'Shaug hnessy is one of (hose feature d in _^^P\ % the book. Others are Frank • -." ¦ pJ^^I ':; McCoppin, first Irish Catholic t^B^fi mayor of a major U.S. . E^HK city (1867); James Talbot ^B K w M Ryan, founder of the tow n ^B of Eureka; Philanthropist ^R2 Myles P. O'Connor, a promtf ^ nent resident of San Jose; Senator ^B Eugene Casserly; and Tommy and ^B Pete Maloney, the senator and the ^B sage. Tommy flourished in the legisla^ ture, as assemblyman and senator, from 1924 to 1956. Pete Maloney worked in the police department and founded the South of ^B Market Boys. \ Philanthrop ist Abby M. Parrott built the Emporium Building on Market Street while Eleanoi Downey Martin was the "czarina" of San Francisco society. Elizabeth Armer, protege of the Tobin family, founded the only existent religious order begun in San Francisco. Captain Michael J. Wrin , plumber, undertaker, and influential philanthropist of San Francisco and Dr. Hugh Toland, founder of Toland Medical College, predecessor of UCSF Medical School, were influential San Franciscans at different ends of the social spectrum.

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on Sunday he is just as big a man as enters the temple. He serving as one of (he founders of the National Catholic is surrounded by objects of beauty and with the incense Educational Association. of worship, and these things are as much for him as for In 1913, Yorke became pastor of San Francisco 's the richest man in the parish. premier Irish parish , St. Peter's, Perhaps the greatest and where he served until his death on most celebrated Irishman to Palm Sunday, 1925. Yorke was a ever serve the Church in San brilliant man , deeply loved by his Francisco was the legendary parishioners , the San Francisco Father Peter C. Yorke. Father Irish and by San Francisco Labor.

Each year on Palm Sunday, his Yorke was an extraordinary death was commemorated with a orator and writer, who came to special Mass at St. Peter 's, that San Francisco from Galway. He concluded with a procession to achieved city-wide fame in the Yorke s grave at Holy Cross 1890s when, as editor of The "vanquished" in Colma. It became Cemetery Monitor, he the one of the great Irish and Labor anti-Catholic American Procelebrations in the city. tective Association.

While Yorke may be the most His mythic status grew as noted Irishmen in archdiocesan he championed the union history, he clearly was not the only cause in the Teamsters strike one to contribute to the success of of 1901, placing the Church in the Archdiocese. Many Irish immiSan Francisco squarely on the Father Peter Yorke grants and their descendants, side of labor. In 1902, he founded and edited the Irish newspaper The Leader, through their hard work and generosity, have made, and which avidly supported the movement for a free and sov- continue to make, the Archdiocese what it is today. ereign Irish republic , a cause which Yorke passionately supported.

Yorke was also one of the great Catholic educators Jeffrey Burns, Ph.D., is archivist for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. of his era, writing a series of textbooks of religion and

Patrick Dowling also sketches the life of Mayor James C. Rolph, Jr. Rolph was not Irish but sponsored the political careers of many Irish Catholics from the Mission District. There are prominent Irish residents of San Diego, San Bernardino, Sacramento and Oakland.

The rich variety of people Patrick Dowling managed to collect is amazing. He took great delight in each E story, consulting libraries, archives and historical Bk societies as well as living authorities.

The book is beautifull y illustrated with Bk early photographs.

Patrick Dowling became mortally ill, yet he finished the book at age 94 and was able to see it published. He was too ill to attend the publication party Ik at the Irish Cultural Center in Rk, early December where some Rt , 400 hundred or more friends SHk gathered to pay tribute to him, but the event was put RF on video so he could see it.

He was buried the day after Christmas from his beloved St. Stephen Church. Probably because of die haste in publishing the book, there are a number of typos and errors extending to misspelled names. An errata sheet would remedy this. Otherwise, the book conti nues the good work of California : The Irish Dream and is a very enjoyable read.

Presentation Sister Ann Curry is a member of the archdiocesan archival staff.

the formation of a spiritual giant. He became a master in faith , in prayer and in spirituality. He was ordained a bishop despite difficulties with his education and the harsh judgments and evaluations of his superiors and peers.

He was totally clear about his vocation and call to be a missionary to the Irish people. In turn , the Irish of that time, 432 - 470 AD, recognized it also and were will ingly transformed into a Christian people. They discerned that he was a man of peace and at peace , with himself in the face of trials and danger. A They saw him as a man who saw all things j tLj Most people of Irish descent experience, from time to coming from a good and loving God and not Jg time, a powerful memory that goes back into the distan t from the capricious scary spirits of the old £ past. For. most it remains vague , almost an illusion and it Celtic pantheon. v Today we talk a lot about the A never goes away. The Irish people have been, until recently, brutally cut off from this memory by a history importance of acculturation in spirof persecution and pain. This book is a great place to itual and relig ious training and A education. Cahill allows us to ^8 reconnect with those memories.

Thomas Cahill, the author, weaves through the see Patrick living this in his jffl ancient Irish background and history with wonderful dex- relationshi p with the Irish j im terity, flair and authenticity. It is a delight to read the still peop le. Patrick appreciat- ^j preserved vibrant poetry of the pre-Christian era. It was ed and was attuned to their ^^ composed by a people, the only people of Western Europe culture, language, way of life, and the Mediterranean, who were never Romanized. their old religious customs, their love ^(H Cahill masterfully contrasts this rich , alive, tough, magi- of nature and the physical, their admiraheroic.

All this was tion of courage and the civilization and Roman cal Celtic world with the classical world. That Roman world was about to be swept away by transparent to the Irish people.

In turn they opened their hearts to his message and the Northern European peoples massing over the borders and by its own internal inertia. The classical Roman life his remarkable identification with them. The author and its taken-for-granted peace, education and commerce notes that it was the first time that a peop le accepted the message of Jesus without reservation and without blood was beginning to descend into chaos. martyrs. He also notes that Thus the scene was set for Patrick' s, condemnation and the appearance of Patrick, son The book . . . captures the rejection of slavery, in a culture of Calpurnius. He came into that allowed it, was total and the world as a Roman citizen , history irit of a time in sp unequivocal and in a voice a virtual guarantee of a life of whose equal was not heard relative ease, privilege and formation of crucial to the again in the world for over a calm. But suddenly he was years. swept up from his home as a world as we thousand the western tells us in his Patrick teen-ager and condemned to thousands were Confession that live as a slave on a dark, cold know it today. baptized. Great numbers, espehillside in Ireland. Totally cially young people , flocked to shattered, he turned to God Cahill brillian tly tells us settlements. the new monastic whom he tells us in his Confession he had ignored and and startled the world literate the way the Irish became rejected. Soon this youth became a man of prayer. He totally immersed himself in the presence and love of God. by their mastery of the Latin classics , Greek philosophy This book wonderfully captures this transformation. and the Bible. This led to their immense love of learning, The pages on Patrick are magnificent as they portray for us literacy and art at a moment in history when it was dis-

appearing all around them . The spectacular artistry and p layfulness of their illuminated scripts astonish modern experts in this field.

The monasteries, which dotted the Irish landscape , were the sources of this extraordinary creative energy.

They were founded by both men and women. ^ Enormous numbers of students and novices fc^ from Ireland , from all over Europe even j| fr^ as far as Egypt, crowded into these Bw_ monastic settlements. They became very alive cenVy * ft ^ ters of prayer, spiritualfV "O^ /T *? ' lty > art > learning, diver• :tJ h v/ / sity and nos

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became models for a vast £..v -~f f \- / network of monasteries that /\ / / ¦ began the process of converting —- / / A/ / 7 and educating great numbers of £kwtf the new peop les who virtuall y W* wiped out the great classical instituWf tions of Romanized Europe.

W The process started with Iona of Scotland, Lindisfarne of England and thence to multi ple sites in present day France, Belgium , Holland , Germany, Austria, Italy, W Switzerland stretching as far as Kiev and Cracow of Poland. When Pope John Paul II visited Ireland he acknowledged the Irish monks who contributed the faith to his people in Poland more than a thousand years before.

Among the delights of the book are the pen pictu res of great Christian leaders like Brigid, Columcille and Columbanus and to contrast them with pre-Christian heroes like Meave and Cuchulainn.

This book is a great read ! It reads like limpidly flowing poetry. At the same time it enlightens and instructs with effortless scholarshi p. It is an inspired piece of work by a writer who loves his subject and captures the spirit of a time in history that was crucial to the formation of the western world as we know it today: literally how the Irish saved civilization.

For whom do I recommend it? For all of us who have even a hint of Irish blood! For all who have Irish friends , acquaintances , antagonists, competitors or flatterers and then all the rest of you.

Father P. Gerard O'Rourke directs the archdiocesan Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.

CATHOLIC

SAN FRANCISCO SF Sup ervis ors vote is an Easter outrag e

San Francisco Supervisors have acted with extraordinary insensitivity to people of all faiths by voting to close a city street on Easter Sunday, the holiest day of the Christian year, to commemorate the 20* anniversary of the founding of a group known as the "Sisters of Peipetual Indulgence."

This group has garnered a reputation for outrageous behavior by mocking religious life, ridicule of Catholic institutions and profane references to sacred liturgies.

Yet at their weekly meeting March 1, San Francisco Supervisors unanimously voted to support a resolution by Supervisors Tom Ammiano and Mark Leno to close a block of Castro Street on Easter Sunday. The action overturned a previous denial by the Department of Parking and Traffic of a street closure permit to the group. Even in this most secular of American cities, it seems hard to believe that not one of the 11 supervisors noticed that the street closure coincided with Easter Sunday.

The action is comparable to allowing a group of neo-Nazis to close a city street for a celebration on the Jewish Feast of Passover.

The Sisters of Perpetual Indul gence are infamous due to their costumes, make-up and offensive acts. They have garnered a modicum of acceptability in some circles based on minor fundraising activities. But the small group seems most committed to anti-Catholic tirades. The group mocked the pope during his 1987 visit with a theatrical exorcism in Union Square and has created and performed a "Condom Savior Mass," which corrupts the words of the Sacred Consecration of the Mass.

Supervisors should rescind the resolution allowing closure of a street on Easter Sunday to honor the founding of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

We strongly urge Catholics and people of all faiths to express their outrage to the Board of Supervisors concerning this extremely offensive action .

Assisted suicide advocates try again

Once again advocates of euthanasia are on the move and Catholics should be ready to oppose their efforts. On March 1 Berkeley Assemblywoman Dion Aroner introduced legislation (AB 1592) in the California State Assembly. The legislation , which would allow terminally ill patients to ask a doctor for lethal medications to end their lives, is similar to Oregon's physician-assisted suicide law enacted two years ago.

Proponents suggest the bill would provide people suffering from terminal illness the peace of mind to know that if their symptoms become debilitating or their pain too great they have the choice to end their lives. Yet a recent study of 15 people in Oregon who legally committed suicide with the assistance of their doctors in 1998 revealed that not one of them took the step because of pain or suffering.

Instead, the major reason was fear of dependency, a development which Wesley Smith of the International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force says has "widened the category of conditions for which physician-hastened death is seen as legitimate." Most at risk would be disabled persons and elderly people. He notes that nine national disability rights organizations oppose assisted suicide. None support it.

The argument that people suffering great pain should have the choice of ending their lives also is open to challenge. Advances in medical treatment in recent years have allowed pain to be virtually eliminated in most cases.

There should be greater understanding and implementation of effective palliative care by medical practitioners. Much more can and should be done to assure that no person dies in pain.

Physicians are morally obligated to treat pain adequately, notes Bishop John McGann, adding that it also is morally acceptable for physicians to adequately treat pain even though in exceptional cases the treatment hastens death. This action is different from assisted suicide because the purpose of the treatment is to relieve pain , not cause death .

The moral response to protracted pain is not assisted suicide; rather it is improved methods of pain management. The moral response to terminal illness is not assisted suicide; rather it is improved palliative care. The dignity afforded dying persons by Mother Teresa serves as an excellent example.

Goodbye , Joe DiMagg io

Services were held yesterday at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in North Beach for San Francisco native son and American hero Joe DiMaggio, who died March 8 at age 84 and was laid to rest at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma.

Joe DiM aggio was loved by San Francisco and America for his feats in baseball parks and for his humility and lack of self-absorption in private life. Today 's professional sports figures could learn something from him.

Goodbye. Joe, we will miss you.

MEH

I miss Greeley, McBrien

I join the rest of the Archdiocese in acclaiming the resurrection of our weekly with its new name and sharp look.

At my age I may be excused for expressing a personal , still lingering laudator lemporis acti preference for the Monitor name (my grateful bow to its unique 126year history), but I gladly applaud the new editorial staff.

One regret: I miss the writings of Andrew Greeley and of Richard McBrien , both outstanding for their clarity of expression and for stimulating adult Catholics to think. The LA. Tidings, which I will continue to get, carries both columns. I am sorry many of my local Catholic friends won 't be able to see them. Father McBrien is known for provoking a steady, predictable number of articulate letters to the editor. I personally find him slightl y more "infallible" than Greeley. His mother is Italian, you know.

Father Larry N. Lorenzoni, SDB Director, San Francisco Province Salesians of St. John Bosco San Francisco

Students reach out

E T T E E S

I read with interest your recent article on St. Joseph's Village (Feb. 26). I am writing this to let you know about a Lenten project the student council of Epiphany School has taken on. The council members decided they wanted a worthwhile project that the parents and students could take part in — and that project will be to help families at St. Joseph's Village.

It was decided they would bring the following articles each week, and at the end of Lent these items will be delivered to St. Joseph's Village: week 1 — bars of soap such as Dove, Ivory, Dial; week 2 — socks (any age, particularly men 's socks); week 3 —disposable razors; week 4 tubes of toothpaste; week 5 — travel-size lotions (Vaseline Intensive Care, Nivea , etc.); week 6 — school supplies, particularly steno notebooks.

The parents and children have already started to bring in their donations to their classrooms. As a school volunteer, I have witnessed the enthusiasm each child shows when they bring in their donation.

They are not "giving up something for Lent," they are doing something positive in the true spirit of Lent.

Helen Harrington San Francisco

Peop le still care

The article in your first issue about the San Bruno couple who started admitting the homeless into their home and eventually started the homeless shelter program in St. Bruno Parish is one very touching story.

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 441 Church St. San Francisco, CA 94114 Fax: (415) 565-3631 E-mail: dyoung@catholic-sf.org

I go to St, Bruno in the evenings for the adoration and oftentimes see these homeless people sleeping inside the church (sometimes hearing their snoring; and I think it 's funny although others don 't think so). You pray for them — that something good will come their way — and sure enough, a couple of good Samaritans come to their rescue.

The story of the Guerrero House was another moving story, one that makes you thankful to God there are still good people in this world of materialistic values and self-centeredness. People still stop and care and help each other.

Being a single mom with a full-time job, a household and side business, it's a struggle to find time to give back to die community, God's community. It is every" I one's obligation to try to give back to the community if we are to share ourselves and live our faith, right?

My way of giving back will be gathering all personal belong ings that my son and I no longer use (in good condition) and donating them.

(Of course, that is besides serving in Holy Angels, Colma). But now instead of just donating them to Salvation Army, I can channel it all to the Homeless Shelter of St. Bruno and the Guerrero House in San Francisco. I know whatever we give goes directly for those in need.

Your articles have been an inspiration to move simple people like me to get directly involved with others who are magnificent in extending themselves to others.

Citas de Guzman South San Francisco

CCC stance painful

I am writing in reference to the Feb. 26 article "What is the California Catholic Conference and its function?" 1 am a practicing Roman Catholic and a gay man. It gives me pain when I read under famil y life issues the opposition to legalization of same-sex marriage.

Family life is far more than sex or sexual orientation. As a Catholic my beliefs are in a committed, loving and trusting union between two people. When you list same-sex marriage as opposed to famil y life you are missing the core of Catholic belief — to love one another and do good.

The harm is in the fear that this aspect represented by CCC perpetuates. Fear was the message in the Old Testament; love is the message in the New. Patrick J. Quinn San Francisco

Root of violence

The most critical problem in the United States today is how to stop violence.

The answers are many and varied, from banning guns, longer prison sentences , more jobs, return to basic family values, and many more. All of these suggestions are worthy of pursuit, but they are not the main cause of violence. Lack of respect for precious human life is the root cause. This stems from the wholesale abortion which has taken 1.2 million surg ical, and 3.6 million non-surgical lives a year in the U.S. This sends a message that the taking of another life is normal.

Too many of our leaders sanction and encourage abortion for any reason. This includes President Clinton , who has prioritized these murders as one of his main goals, including abortion funded by taxpayers. This goes beyond perverting the LETTERS , Page 14

The Catholic Diff erence

George Weigel

Anti-Ex Corde tactics a conspiracy makes the same false disjunction between a vibrant Catholic identity and academic excellence, assumes that doctrinal seriousness implies doctrinal imposition , and ignores the intellectual and moral meltdown in today 's elite colleges and universities - well , it 's hard to think that there isn 't a campaign of some sort.

To what end, led by whom, and aimed at what targets?

That seems clear enough. At their November meeting, the bishops will, once again, consider a set of norms for implementing the 1990 apostolic constitution , Ex Corde Ecclesiae ["From the Heart of the Church"], in the United States. In the nine years since Ex Corde was issued in an effort to strengthen the Catholic identity of Catholic colleges and universities, the American Catholic higher education establishment has resisted its implementation tooth and nail. False alarms about lost accreditation and jeopardized federal funds have been sounded. The specter of â&#x20AC;&#x201D; gasp! â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the disapprobation of colleagues at Harvard, Stanford, Amherst and Wellesley has been invoked. Another Galileo fiasco looms, it is suggested.

Thus the current campaign in the media seems to have a single, short-term goal : to scare the bishops into deferring a decision on American norms for implementing Ex Corde Ecclesiae. The long-term strategy seems equally clear: to keep delaying the adoption of those norms until the cunent Polish aberration in the papacy, as the educational establishment regards it, is over. Then, it is hoped, the whole m atter will be dropped.

The bishops can and must resist this campai gn, and for several reasons.

Truckling to it would reinforce the mistaken notion doctrine is confining and oppressive. Ex Corde Ecclesiae

is a genuinely countercultu ral document, rooted in the ancient Christian conviction that doctrine is liberating. If the bishops cave in to the Catholic educational establishment on the imp lementation of Ex Corde, they will reinforce the ideas, widespread in our high culture , that religion is a "lifesty le choice" and that any concept of orthodoxy is, by definition , oppressive.

The campaign must also be resisted for the sake of Catholic colleges and universities themselves, which ought to be part of the Church's apostolic mission. The recent Georgetown debate over whether crucifixes in classrooms violated the protocols of inclusiveness and sensitivity was the reductio ad absurdum of a process that has been under way for more than 30 years.

It is past time to say "stop" to this.

The campaign must also be resisted for the sake of American culture.

Catholic colleges and universities could be leading American higher education out ot the fever swamps of radical skepticism and political correctness.

They won 't do so if they fail to reckon with, indeed adopt, the shibboleths that have reduced once-great educational institutions to intellectual sandboxes.

And the campaign must be resisted for the sake of parents. It is scandalous for parents to be expected to pay upward s of $ 100,000 for a Catholic hi gher education that is devoid of any discernible Catholic content or context.

The current campaign is drawing a line. The bishops must walk across it , resolutely.

Ex Corde Ecclesiae is a genuinely

JL've never been much for conspiracy theories.

That a vast conspiracy called the "military-industrial complex " ruled the world during the Cold War always seemed implausible to anyone who had some idea of the confusions regnant within the military and industry. That Pope John Paul II and President Reagan were co-conspirators to defeat communism never made sense to those who could read a calendar. John Paul did his maximum damage to the Evil Empire during his epic June 1979 pilgrimage to Poland, 17 months before Ronal d Reagan was elected to his first term.

On the other hand, there are patterns to events, and they sometimes tell us things are afoot.

Intramural Catholic debates about the Catholic identity of Catholic colleges and universities are not normally considered newsworth y by the prestige press. So when stories about these debates begin appearing in the Boston Globe , the Washington Post, and the New York Times, attention, as Mrs. Loman said, must be paid.

When each of those stories quotes the same sources , raises the same red flags about Vatican "intrusion,"

countercultural document, rooted in the ancient Christian cony iction that doctrine is liberating.

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

Washington Letter =

Hurricane Mitch: opportunity from tragedy

By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service

In the four months since Hurricane Mitch washed away the homes and livelihoods of more than a million people in Central America, the focus of recovery efforts has gone from rescuing victims and cleaning up mud to reshaping the region 's economic and social structures.

As villages built on unstable, volcanic hillsides slid away in a rush of mud, and crops that provided the sole support for thousands disappeared under raging rivers, relief workers and reformers saw more than the weather at fault.

"The impact of the hurricane was greatly exaggerated by poor land use," said Marianne Leach, director of the Office of Public Policy and Government Affairs for CARE. "Mitch was not just a natural disaster, it was a social disaster."

Now that emergency needs for food and shelter are being addressed, the churches, international governments and private agencies working in the region are hoping the disaster can be turned into an opportunity to correct what they say are unjust social systems and an economic imbalance.

The poor, they say, should not be forced to live in unsafe regions in unstable housing. And to do that , they add, the United States and other countries must be prepared to forgive debts and contribute economic, educational and otiier kinds of assistance, while the flood-affected nations have to be prepared to change attitudes and structures.

"Out of tragedy comes the opportunity to do something right" is the theme Thomas Quigley and several U.S. bishops heard on a January trip to Honduras, Nicaragu a and El Salvador.

Quigley, a policy adviser in the U.S. bishops' Office of International Justice and Peace, visited the region with Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick of Newark, N.J., chairman of the bishops' International Policy Committee; Bishop Sean P. O'Malley of Fall River, Mass., a board member of

doing and trying to do in Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. More than 10,000 people were killed, mostly in Honduras and Nicaragua, as a result of flooding and mudslides caused by Hurricane Mitch. Thousands remain unaccounted for and 1.4 million people were left homeless.

Among the most devastating economic damage was the loss of entire stands of mature banana trees and the destruction of entire areas of farmland. Approximately 70 percent of Honduras' agricultural production capacity was destroyed.

International response to die disaster was swift and generous. Chris Tucker, Latin America director for Catholic Relief Services, said "even before the rains stopped," CRS and other U.S. church organizations mobilized parish connections in the United States and Central America to start helping victims.

Those kinds of grass-roots networks are what Quigley sees as a key part of ensuring that what is rebuilt after the hurricane doesn 't simply replicate what was destroyed. "The people seem determined to rebuild in a better way," he said.

Political leaders in Central America also seem cona cerned there be no repeat of the massive corruption that 0 siphoned off millions of dollars of relief money sent to Nicaragua after a devastating 1972 earthquake, according Young Nicaraguans wait to participate in play activities to Quigley and Tucker. The ruling Somoza family is said to at La Virgen refugee camp in Posoltega, Nicaragua. have pocketed huge sums of money after the earthquake.

Survivors of a volcanic mud slide are still living in tem"Because of that track record, the Nicaraguan governporary shelters four months after Hurricane Mitch. ment immediately called for the Catholic Church to take the lead in handling the relief effort," Tucker said.

In addition to millions of dollars in aid and services Catholic Relief Services; and Bishop Michael Warfel of Juneau, Alaska, a member of the Committee for the Church already sent to the region, the Clinton administration has in Latin America. They met with CRS and other relief per- requested another $956 million , which includes $613 milsonnel, local church leaders and government representatives. lion in direct assistance for relief and reconstruction "The attitude that this disaster, so destructive of lives, through the U.S. Agency for International Development. crops, infrastructure and homes, now offers the opportuniBut the relief organizations want more â&#x20AC;&#x201D; specificall y to ty not just to rebuild the old but to construct a new and cancel out the debt obligations Honduras and Nicaragua have more just society was widespread," said Quigley. to the United States. Tucker said the day Hurricane Mitch hit, As President Clinton prepared to visit Central America, Honduras paid $60 million to service its debt to other nations.

CRS, CARE, Oxfam and the Washington Office on Latin In a recent speech to Catholic Medical Mission Board America sponsored a briefing on what their organizations are HURRICANE MITCH, Page 16 VJ

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On Being Catholic

God invites; he does not compel

Father Milton T. Walsh

¦ Continued from page 12 government's puipose and destroying its moral authority, corroding the nation's moral core.

Children and adults alike are being brainwashed that for any reason, abortion is all right. No wonder there are so many random killings. If the violence of abortion is stopped, and respect for human life is our nation 's top priority, then violent crimes will automaticall y decrease.

The late Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, "It is a very great poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." The U.S. is fast becoming the most morall y impoverished nation in the world. The old cliche that violence begets violence rings true in our country. Our main hope to stop violence is to stop abortion.

Dorothy Applegate San Francisco

Tool f or unity

I just received your inaugural issue of Catholic San Francisco and we proceeded to read it cover to cover. It is a fine example of something we, the Catholic community, have needed for a long time. Such an effort to connect us and keep us in touch with each other and our world is a welcome hallmark and hopefull y a standard of excellence in interactive publishing, that we can grow to count on, as individual s, as families and as Church. Thank you for making il into our home as we welcome this Lenten

penance is not for the father 's sake, but for the son 's: the young man realizes sin has changed him, has marred the family resemblance to his father. The more charitably we act, the more charitable we become; the more selfish we act, the more selfish we become.

Think of it in terms of ecology: sin pollutes the spiritual atmosphere, and there is a need to clean up the mess. Love of self at the expense of God or neighbor needs to be balanced by love of God or neighbor at the expense of self — additional time in prayer, voluntary self-denial , generous help to others. Again, this is not to earn or prove anything, but to honestly seek to repair our spiritual environment.

Part of the Good News is that I do not have to clean up the mess all by myself: I am a member of the Body of Christ, and we travel the road of repentance together.

This means that, just as I can rely on others, I also can support others in their struggle against sin. People traveled thousands of miles to the little village of Ars to have St. John Vianney hear then confessions. One reason they did may have been revealed by the holy Cure himself , when it was noted that he gave a very light penance to sinners who had been away for many years: "Since they have been away so long, I do not want to overburden them. So, I give them a light penance — and do the rest myself." How different the attitude of the saints from that of the older brother in the parable, whom we will meet next week.

How many of our Lord's teachings were directed at those who

JLn the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus reveals to us a Father of abundant forgiveness, a Father whose mercy has but one limit: that of our freedom. God always invites. He never compels. As St. Augustine said so simply, "God who made us without us will not save us without us." What is our part in reconciliation? Catholic tradition suggests three elements, all of which we find when we look at the younger son.

1. Conversion of heart: behind Jesus stands a long line of prophets who challenged people to rend their hearts, not their garments. Repentance must seek to pull up weeds by the roots, not simply mow them down. How to do this?

In the parable, the young man hits rock bottom. He had cut off ties with his family, wasted all his wealth, and ended up in one of the most demeaning occupations for a Jew, feeding pigs. There is no place left to hide. His life is a mess. He can no longer fool himself, let alone anyone else. It is at thi s desperate moment that, as the Gospel puts it, "he came to himself and remembered — "my father." He had sold his birthri ght , but that could not change the reality that he was his father 's son. So with us: the road to conversion begins not simply by facing our sin, but by facing it in the light of God's unconditional love.

Letters . . .

Must we be stripped of everything including our dignity to experience conversion? I hope not. We can "come to ourselves" by honestly confronting the twoedged sword of God's word . We need to take up the challenging teaching of Christ , not as a stone to throw at others, but to baiter our own stony hearts. How many of our Lord 's teachings were directed at those who thought repentance was a great idea for someone else?

2. Confession on the lips: it is not enough to feel sorrow; we must express sorrow. The prodigal son even composes his own act of contrition: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you." It is not that the father 's forgiveness is contingent on the son ' s admission , nor is God' s mercy gained by a formula.

The public confession is not for the father 's sake, but for the son 's. The poison of sin is self-absorption. The antidote is to admit my failing to another. I cannot absolve myself. This is part of the therapy of counseling: the admission that I cannot handle my problems alone.

There is, however, a major difference between sacramental confession and counseling. Confession is an expression of sorrow to God. It manifests "coming to myself as a daughter or son of a God who is my Father, and the realization that any rupture in the relationship has come from me, not from God. The Father has loved me in my wandering, and sacramental reconciliation celebrates, not God's return to me (for he has never left), but my return to him.

3. Penance in life: the young man returned not only with an act of contrition, but with a penance: "treat me as one of your hired hands." Why did he feel it was necessary to do more than say he was sorry? It is not that he has to "earn" his father 's forgiveness, for he knows his father 's heart well enough to know that he is forgiven.

Nor is it that he has to "prove" he is sorry, for the father knows his son 's heart better than the son himself. The

season. May you continue to grow to touch and unite us all.

Charles E. Rincon and family San Carlos

Tell K1 01 thanks Congratulations on your new baby: healthy, handsome, and holy! And thanks for the reminder of what archdiocesan radio and TV programs are on the ah (Feb. 26).

You will be happy to learn that the Archdiocese has yet another program (for several years) on K101 Radio (101.3 FM— like the freeway). The program is called "God Bless You"— one- to five-minute stories of faith and family. It airs every Sunday morning at 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 on the hour. If any of your readers would listen and call in, it would encourage K101 to continue donating free air time.

Father Miles Riley Belmont

Safe? These people?

It was great to read about Immaculate Conception Academy students putting their education into action — confronting politicians on the issue of safety on the buses in San Francisco (Feb. 26).

I found it ironic, however, that the two politicians I recognized in the picture, and who are supposed to make buses safer, have made our community anything but safe for the most vulnerable among us, namely the unborn and the dying.

I don 't think Jackie Speier , although professing to be Catholic, has ever voted

thought repenta nce was a great idea for someone else?

Rector of the Archdiocese of San Francisco's St. Mary 's Cathedral from 1989-97, Father Milton T. Walsh is currently dean of students and an assistant professor of systematic theology at St. Patrick Seminary, Menlo Park. He holds both licentiate and doctoral degrees in sacred theology from Rome 's Gregorian University.

against abortion; and Mayor Willie Brown recently sponsored a conference on euthanasia in San Francisco. He 's been a longtime friend of the Hemlock Society.

Your readers might like to know about these people who are going to make the buses safe for our school children?

Father Lawrence Goode San Francisco

Lif elong and ongoing

As we approach First Holy Eucharist for some of our students , articles on sacraments would be timely and educational .

One of the reasons we are losing our young people is that the sacraments are not being

emphasized enough as lifelong and ongoing. There seems to be the supposition among students and some parents that once you have received the sacraments of initiation you have "graduated ," and you have everything you need for the rest of your life.

It would be a real service to our young people and their parents to have articles addressing this issue, as well as other religious education issues, published in Catholic San Francisco as a regular feature.

Louise S. Wood Director of Religious Education Our Lady of Lourdes Parish San Francisco

Family Lif e

Ways for famil y unit to minister?

Vivian W. Dudro

a communion of love in the service of life, our Holy Father has reminded us. And the failure of families to answer this high calling is resulting in what he describes as "a culture of death ."

It is a tall order, indeed, to love my husband , children and parents as I ought. Nevertheless, the words of the prophet Isaiah challenge me to serve those outside of my family as well.

How do I and others struggling with this tension go about it?

Certainly we can and should give financial support to charitable organizations. Such almsgiving is a traditional Lenten practice. But the prophet seems to be asking for something more personal also. I feel drawn to extend myself, but without neglecting those who depend upon me. Maybe there are works of mercy that a family can do together?

I think I'll pray about it.

Meanwhile, this newspaper along with many parish bulletins will announce Lenten service opportunities, and that 's as it should be. But may I request that the leaders of these endeavors consider ways family members, both young and old, can participate together? It sure would help one guilt-ridden mother I know.

But what about the other side of Lent, the acts of charity mentioned in these verses from Isaiah? "What about the poor, and the homeless, and the sick?" I asked my husband. "The sick? Just take a look at our family, we're all sick with the flu ," he chided.

His humor checked my flight into hyper-guilt and also underlined an often overlooked fact: the corporal works of mercy are a matter of daily routine in a loving family.

Feeding the hungry is what the mother of a newborn does every two to three hours around the clock. Clothing the naked is what she does at least eight times a day changing diapers. Tending the sick comes in cycles, with outbreaks of flu, chicken pox and head lice. Plus there are those occasional freak accidents that put junior in a cast.

As children grow, they become less needy in some ways, but more needy in others. Of course, they always need food, clothing and shelter. But they need something else, too. Hence parents of teen-agers often find themselves serving up answers to provocative questions along with the evening meal.

After the children have flown from the nest, there mi ght be a brief respite from the pressing needs of others. But spoon feedings and diaper changings are woven into the fabric of life again when we care for aging parents, grandchildren or even a stri cken spouse.

The expression, "charity begins at home," is as true today as it ever was. The Christian family is called to be

...an often overlooked fact:

JL was hit between the eyes the other day by one of the Lenten Scripture readings: Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free...

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked cover him...? (Is 58:6- 7)

the corporal works of mercy are a matter of daily routine in a loving family

Knowing that our observance of Lent should include fasting from food , 1 realized that this reading is not to be interpreted as a negation of that venerable practice. Good thing, too, because as queen of the kitchen at our house, I've covered that side of the equation .

Vivian Dudro is the mother of four (ages three to 11) and a member of St. Mary 's Cathedral Parish.

If Saturday eve Masses are not 'vigil', what are they?

Q. / thought I understood something for many years; now I'm not sure. At a recent meeting the priest said a Saturday evening Mass is not a vigil for the Sunday Mass.

What does that mean? Wasn 't the Saturday evening Mass initialed to accommodate people who for some reason could not attend on Sunday ? Has there been a change? (Missouri)

evening is the one assigned for that Sunday in the liturgical calendar, with its own Scripture readings and prayers.

The same points apply generally to Masses celebrated on the evening before a

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LITURGY ©SCRIPTURE Reconciliation of several penitents with individual confession , absolution

One hand clapping?

An age-old philosophical riddle asks, "What is the sound of one hand clapping ?" As we continue our Lenten series on the Sacrament of Penance, we might do well to ask ourselves an equally thought provoking question: "What would the reconciliation of an individual look like?"

After all, one person alone could no more experience reconciliation than a single hand could produce applause. Sin and salvation are not private experiences. Penance means turning back to others, to God and to our brothers and sisters who are always harmed by sin.

In order to show forth the collective nature of sin and reconciliation , the Church provides a communal celebration of the sacrament called The Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution . While the priest is the indispensable representative of both God and the community in the experience of individual confession, the documents of the Church promote this communal rite as "showing more clearly the ecclesial nature of penance " and the pattern of God's plan for salvation as revealed in Jesus Christ, This pattern is evident above all in the self-giving Paschal Mystery of his death and resurrection.

A little bit on mystery All liturgy finds its pattern in this Paschal Mystery. Often Catholics will use the word "mystery" when discussing the liturgy, but usually they use the term in reference to a certain transcendent quality, something "supernatural" which gives goose bumps. However, that is more a matter of "mystique" Father John Tales!ore than mystery. Mystery is so much more.

St. Paul provides a sort of definition for mystery in his letter to the Ephesians. In addressing the forgiveness of our sins, the apostle describes God's plan to restore creation and re-establish the unity destroyed by sin: "God has given us the wisdom to understand fully the mystery, the plan he was pleased to decree in Christ.

A p lan to be carried out in Christ, in the fullness of time, to bring all things into one in him, in the heavens and on earth."

(Eph 1: 9 -10, italics added for emphasis) In the light of Jesus Christ and the pattern of his life, we can discern God's design in salvation history and we are given a glimpse of the community of love which is the Trinity beyond our experience of time. Moreover, we discover that same design in the life we share as disciples and above all in the sacraments by which the pattern is imprinted upon us as the Body of Christ. In baptism the Church is formed in his likeness. In penance we are re-formed in it.

A little bit of history The season of Lent developed not only around the initiation of new Christians, but also to mark the acts of penance and reconciliation by those who had seriously offended the commandments of God and the practices of the community. The origins of the sacrament are not found in a private confessional but in a series of very solemn, very public rituals patterned on the final Lenten preparation of the catechumens for baptism.

On the Wednesday which marked the first day of Lent, after confessing the nature of their sin to one of the clergy privately, the penitents stood in the midst of the whole community at the door of the church. They alone received ashes upon their heads and were exhorted to repent and to trust in God's mercy. Those assembled sang penitential psalms and wept over the suffering endured by the entire Church in the sin of its members.

When the penitents had been sent away like Adam and Eve from the garden, the entire community took upon itself to join in penance and prayer for and with the penitents until they were reconciled on the morning of Holy Thursday. On that day, in order to enter into the Triduum as a reconciled Church, everyone gathered again at the door of church to share in the reconciliation of the penitents. As a sort of testimony to the fact that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, the penitents clasped hands and were led as a human chain back into the church by the bishop.

Many hands clapping?

Most will be surprised to know that this ancient rite remained "on the books" as part of the Church's liturgy until the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. While the rite itself was rarely, if ever, celebrated in the modern era, its primary elements remain constant in the symbols and spirit of Lent which provides the ideal context for the communal rite of The Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution.

Next week we will look at the rite itself. iMi I 1

Director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship , Father Talesfore is a member of the board of directors of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, and is an adjunct faculty member of St. Patrick Seminary, Menlo Park.

Cured man: 'I do believe, Lord' and he worshipped Jesus

Sunday 's readings underscore for Fourth I Samuel 16:1b , 6-7, 1043a; the elect and the initiated the fact that Sunday Psalm 22:1-6; John 9:\-4 i sacramental ritual is part of a life process that precedes and follows the Of Lent Ep hesians 5:%-14; ritual. All the rites for the sacraments, revised in the light shed upon our Church by the Second Vatican Council, contain this insight in the pages that introduce them. For example, paragraph 11 in the Introduction to the revised Rite of Penance (Dec. 2, 1973) has this to say, "The faithful Christian, as he (she) experiences and proclaims the mercy of God in his (her) life, celebrates with the priest the liturgy by which the Church continuall y renews itself." Reconciliation must be an experience in our lives before the sacramental celebration can have maximum effect.

Today we learn that our "illumination" (ancient name for baptism) continues to open our eyes as we live out our relationship with Jesus in our world. Notice that the words and gestures of Jesus, who proclaims himself "the light of the world" (v.5), are repeated or referred to three times (vs. 7, 11, 15) so that we connect the Word with the water bath in the Pool of Siloam and think of our baptismal experience so eloquentl y described by Ep hesians, "Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctif y her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor, withou t spot or wrinkle or any such thing, holy a"u that she "ue"1 might be and without (5:25-27) umiam™iuiuui blemish." uv- "U1J ^u.. w^-^u Father David M. Pettingill ^ This wonderful initiation experience, however, continues to play itself out in our lives. Notice again how the man cured of his blindness becomes more profoundly related to Jesus. At first , he responds to his neighbors' questions about his newly found sight by referring to Jesus as "the man." (v.l 1) When he is next asked about his sight by the Pharisees, who claim, " 'this man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath'" (v.16), he becomes much more aware of Jesus' action upon him and exclaims, " 'He is a prophet.'" (v. 17) Notice the movement the cured man makes from calling Jesus "the man" to naming him a prophet. Now he goes even further; he begins to defend Jesus, to describe his origin, and finally to suffer expulsion from the synagogue. Hear his testimony, " 'If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.'" (v.33) Finally we see that Jesus finds this cured person who has suffered for him and asks, " 'Do you believe in the Son of Man?' " (v.35) This title, "Son of Man", has a special meaning in this Gospel: Jesus is "lifte d up" on the cross and into glory as Son of Man to gather God's scattered children into unity by revealing God's deathless love for them. (11:49-52) The cured man, now illuminated, replies, " 'I do believe, Lord,' and he worshipped him." (v.38) For us, the elect and the initiated, something grace-filled is occurring, as our second reading from Ep hesians tells us, "You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." We verify the ancient baptismal hymn this letter cites, "Awake, 0 sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." Our "illumination" will continue to work as we continue our involvement in Church life. The community of which we are a part will form, challenge, comfort, console, heal, forgive, include and mission us, if we allow it and as we react, the Lord Jesus will become real, personal, and, quite frankly, "to die for."

It is sobering to realize that this whole process is pure gift. Our first reading tells the truth of it all. If we were in charge and behaved according to the Hebrew tradition , then Samuel should definitely anoint Elias, Jesse's oldest son of "lofty stature." But God is in charge and reverses the expected order by selecting as king the youngest son , David, who was tending the sheep. / Corinthians (26-29) could be no plainer: "Consider your call; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." We then approach the holy table on the Lord's Day, mindful of his gracious choice of us, grateful that our initiation continues to involve us with a community that involves us with Jesus, and filled with praise that God's light, Jesus Christ, is in the world and "the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5) Father David Pettingil directs the archdiocesan Office of Parish Min istry.

McAVOY O'HARA Co.

SERVING WI TH TRUST A N D CONFIDENCE SINCE 1850

Hurricane Mitch

¦ Continued from page 13 members in New York, Bishop Tomas Muldoon of Juticalpa, Honduras, said 32 percent of his country 's revenue in 1998 went to pay interest on its foreign debt of $4.5 billion. The U.N. Development Program estimates the cost to repair damage from the hurricane in all four affected countries at more than $5.3 billion.

The United States suspended debt payments for three years after Mitch and several nations, including France, Cuba, Switzerland and Mexico, have canceled debts.

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4545 GEARY BOULEVARD at TENTH AVENUE For information prearrangements, and assistance, call day or night (415) 668-0077

Retreats/Days of Recollection â&#x20AC;&#x201D; VALLOMBROSA CENTER 250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park. For tees and times, call (650) 325-5614 March 26 - 28: "Passion for Life," Contemplative weekend for women and men with Father Greg Cornelia and Sister Toni Longo.

April 24: "A Secret Garden" with Carol Kaplan, MFCC. JESUIT BETREAT HOUSE 300 Manresa Way, Los Altos. For fees and times, call (650) 948-4491 March 19 - 21: "Spirit of Lent, Spirit of Freedom,"a silent retreat for women with Jesuit Father Bernie Bush.

March 26 - 28: "The Final Journey to Jerusalem," a silent retreat for men with Jesuit Father Robert Scholia.

MERCY CENTER 2300 Adeline Dr., Burlingame. For fees and times, call (650) 340-7474.

March 23: "Spring Day of Prayer," several hours of meditation, silence, song, story and Taize Prayer with Mercy Sister Suzanne Toolan.

March 24: Ecology: A Change of Attitude with Mercy Sister Patricia Ryan, noon - 1 p.m.

April 23: Assisted Suicide: The Issues with Mercy Sister M. Brian Kelber, noon - 1 p.m.

Vocations March 31 - April 4: Vocation retreat in Los Angeles for men interested in becoming a Maryknoll Missionary. Sponsored by Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. Register with Maryknoll Father Jim Eble at (415) 921-1100.

Taize Prayer Around the Cross Second Friday of the month at 8 p.m. at Presentation Sisters Motherhouse Chapel, Turk and Masonic, SF For information, call Sister Monica Miller, PBVM, (415) 751-0406.

Second Friday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at St. Luke Parish, 1111 Beach Park Blvd., Foster City, For information, call (650) 345-6660.

Third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at Vallombrosa Center, 250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park. For information, call Sister Toni Longo, ASC, (650) 325-5614.

First Friday of the month at 8 p.m. at Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline Dr., Burlingame. For information, call Mercy Sister Suzanne Toolan, (650) 340-7452.

Wednesdays during Lent at 5:35 p.m., Old St. Mary's Parish, Grant and California St., SF. For information, call (415) 288-3800.

Religious/Continuing Education March 15: Children's Music for Liturgy with well-known composer Christopher Walker, 1:30 3:30 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m., St. Catherine of Siena School, 1310 Bayswater Ave. (at El Camino Real), Burlingame, open to all, $10. For information, call Office of Religious Education at (415) 565-3650.

March 22: For Religious Education teachers: Leading Children to Prayer, facilitated by associate director of religious education, Lynn Zupan, 7 - 9 p.m., Chancery lunch room, 443 Church St. (between \W and 17lh) , SF. For information, call the Office of Religious Education at (415) 565-3650.

Ongoing: The School of Pastoral Leadership, call Joni Gallagher at (415) 2429087 for information.

Would a Grief Support Group be right for your parish? Contact Barbara Elordi, MFCC, coordinator of Grief Care Ministry for Catholic Charities at (415) 564-7882.

Classes in the new Catechism for adults at St. Sebastian Church, comet of Bon Air Rd. and Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Greenbrae, every Wednesday, 9:30 to 11 a.m. and 7:30 to 9 p.m., (415) 461-0704.

Datebook annual auction and dinner with a "Who Dunnit?" theme at Kohl Mansion on Mercy's campus at 2750 Adeline Dr. Evening includes dinner and murder mystery. Tickets $45. For information and reservations, call (650) 343-9602.

March 20: University of San Francisco alumni's Supper Club at City Hall featuring the music ol Tony Hill and the Hallmarks, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. For information, call (415) 422-6431.

March 21: Annual Irish Breakfast at St. Finn Barr Parish, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 415 Edna St, SF. Entertainment, too. For information, call Margaret Hall at (415) 333-3627.

March 23: St. Thomas More Society monthly lunch ($23) at the Bankers' Club, 555 California St., SF. Guest speaker is Ray Knoll who will address Vatican II today. For information or reservations, call Carroll J. Collins at (415) 957-1800.

March 20: St. Gabriel Elementary School spring fundraiser, noon to 3 p.m. at the school, 40th and Ulloa St., SF.Afternoon features catered lunch, raffle, celebrity MC. Tickets $25. For information, call Jiwanah Nasrah at (415) 681-2343.

March 26 - 27: Schools of the Sacred Heart celebrate spring this weekend with a Garden Party, Live! On Broadway and Family Festival.

For ticket information , call (415) 563-2900.

March 27: Catholic Charities annual Loaves and Fishes Dinner , Merchant Exchange Building, 465 California St., SF. For information, call Catholic Charities at (415) 844-4800.

to assist in this program that helps homeless families become self-sufficient , call Kristen Rauda at (415) 575.4920, ext. 223.

Birthright needs people to work with women faced with unplanned pregnancies. For more information, call Mary Alba at (415) 664-9909.

Laguna Honda Hospital, SF is urgently in need of volunteers to serve as eucharistic ministers, lectors and chapel escorts at Tuesday and Sunday morning Masses. Please contact Sister Miriam at (415) 664-1580, ext. 4-2422.

Most Holy Redeemer AIDS Support Group is looking for volunteers to provide practical and emotional support to people living with AIDS. For information, call Milton Headings at (415) 863-1581.

Worship

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Mass in American Sign Language is celebrated each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Benedict Parish, 1801 Octavia (between Pine and Califomia),SF.A sign language Mass is celebrated at Sf. Anthony Parish, 3500 Middlefield Rd., Menlo Park on the third Saturday of the month at 10:30 a.m. and later that day at 4 p.m. in the chapel of Marin Catholic High School, 675 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. (at Bon Air Rd.), Kentfield. For information, call St. Benedict at (415) 567-9855 (voice) or (415) 567-0438 (TDD)

Expositionof BlessedSacrament

March 31: Cesar E. Chavez Birthday Breakfast Celebration, 8 - 10 a.m., Holiday Inn, 8th St. at Market, SF. For information, call (415) 674-1884.

Church of the Nativity, 210 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park, 24 hours everyday, and (650) 3223013. St. Sebastian Church, corner of Bon Air Rd. and Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Greenbrae, Mon - Fri. 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Adoration Chapel, (415) 461-0704. St. Agnes Church, 1025 Masonic (near Page) SF, Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., (415) 487-8560. Our Lady of Angels Church, 1721 Hillside Dr., Burlingame, Mon.Fri. after 8 a.m. Mass until 7 p.m.

Shows

Divorced, Separated

March 27: Dancing, gourmet dining, live and silent auctions highlight "An Evening of Dreams" benefiting Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Belmont at Hotel Sofitel. For information or reservations, call (650) 593-6157.

March 19, 20, 21, 26,27: Tri-School production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma featuring the talent of students from Mercy, Notre Dame and Junipero Serra High Schools. Curtain at 7:30 p.m. except on March 21 when curtain is at 2 p.m.Tickets $10,seniors and students $6. Junipero Serra Theatre, 20lh Ave and Stratford Way, San Mateo.For tickets, call (650) 345-8207, ext. 560.

March 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 27: The musical comedy, Murders of 1940, plays at 7:30 p.m. each of these days at Sacred Heart Cathedral High School. Tickets $10, Students $5. For information, call (415) 775-6626, ext. 715.

Pilgrimages August 1999: To the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC with Archbishop William J. Levada. For information, call the Office of Ethnic Ministries, (415) 565-3622.

Volunteer Opportunities Catholic Charities' St. Joseph Village can use donations of clothing, shoes, accessories , kitchen supplies,diapers, linens etc.To volunteer

For information about ministry available to divorced and separated persons in the Archdiocese, call (415) 273-5521.

Catholic Adult Singles Association of Marin meets for support and activities. For information, call Don at (415) 883-5031; Peter al (415) 897-4634.

April 9-11: a Beginning Experience weekend at Vallombrosa Center, 250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park. The weekend is a space for those experiencing loss to reevaluate and move on with hope. For information, call Lanier Reeves at (650) 375-8332 or Fran King at (415) 928-3441.

Music 9BHHHHHI

March 25: Annual elementary school choral festival at Archbishop Riordan High School, 175 Phelan Ave., SF, 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Holy Names Sister Marianne Viani, associate superintendent of schools, at (415) 565-3660.

March 14, 21, 28: Sunday recitals at 4 p.m. following sung Vespers at 3:15 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Shrine, Vallejo St. at Columbus, SF. For information, call (415) 983-0405.

March 14, 21, 28: Sunday afternoon concerts at St. Mary Cathedra l featuring various artists at 3:30 p.m. Gough and Geary Blvd., SF. For information, call (415) 567-2020 ext. 213.

March 21:St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 1310 Bayswater Ave. (at El Camino Real), Burlingame, recital on newly dedicated 3-manual digital organ by internationally known organist Bene Hammel at 3 p.m. For information, call (650) 344-6884.

March 21: Loyola Marymount University Chorus in concert at St. Agnes Parish, 1025 Masonic Ave. (near Page) at 3 p.m. For information, call (415) 487-8560.

During Lent Wednesdays: Lenten lecture series through March 24 at St. Raymond Parish, 1100 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park, 7:30 - 9 p.m. Presenter is Father Pat Michaels, pastor, (650) 323-1755.

Thursdays: "Justice is Who We Are and What We Believe" is the principle guiding Soup Supper presentations and dialogue at St. Luke Parish, 1111 Beach Blvd., Foster City. For information, call (650) 345-6660 Fridays: Lenten Christian Meditation and Faith Sharing, Sacred Heart Church, Fell and Fillmore Streets, SF. 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For information, call Chuck McNeil at (415) 255-0969 or John O'Grady at (415) 626-9753. Saturdays at Sacred Heart, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., dialogue will have a social justice focus.

Fridays: Food, Fellowship and Prayer at St. Mary Cathedral, Gough and Geary Blvd., SF. Soup supper and dialogue at 6 p.m., Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. For information , call Mary Ann Eiler at (415) 567-2020, ext. 215.

Fridays: Pray for vocations at St. Francis of Assisi Shrine, 610 Vallejo St. at Columbus , SF. Mass at 12:15 p.m., Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until Benediction at 5:15 p.m. A talk on a Franciscan Lenten theme by one of the shrine's Conventual Franciscan Friars begins at 6 p.m., (415) 983-0407.

Lectures/ Classes March 8: Women and the Culture of Peace in the 21st century, 7 - 9 p.m., Herbst Theatre, Veteran's Building, 401 Van Ness Ave., SF.This evening is in honor of International Women 's Day and features speakers and music including the St. Mary Chinese Day School Choir and Maria Chapital, a music minister of Old St. Mary Cathedral Parish. Tickets $10 , students/seniors $5. For information, call (415) 561-6810.

Now through May 11: Free one-hour computer science lectures Thursdays at 11 a.m.

University of San Francisco, Golden Gate Ave. between Parker and Masonic , SF. Series is in its 27* year. For information,call (415) 422-6235.

March 15: Sadako Ogata, the UN's High Commissioner for Refugees will speak at Stanford University's Bechtel Conference Cente r at 5:15 p.m. For more information, call (650) 725-6488.

Datebook is a free listing f o r parish es, schools and non-profit groups. Please include event name, time, date, place, address and an information p hone 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, 441 Church St., S.F. 94114, or f a x it to (415) 565-3633.

Headed for national cap itol

Food & Fun March 14: Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival and Barbecue at the Red Bam in Point Reyes Station, sponsored by Sacred Heart Parish, Olema. Games, booths and an afternoon of fun.

For information, call (415) 663-1139, ext, 10.

March 16: Irish Nite at St. Kevin Parish, 704 Cortland Ave., SF.Corned beef and cabbage dinner. 6 p.m., Adults $12, children $6. For information, call (415) 648-5751.

March 17: 35th annual Hibernian-Newman Club Lunch, 11:30 a.m., Hotel Nikko, O'Farrell and Mason St., SF. Complete with pipers and Irish songs. Keynote speaker is Channel 2's Brian Banmiller. For information, call Tillie McCullough at (415) 563-3926. Proceeds benefit campus ministry, $50.

March 18: Dialogue concerning raising and educating children today and helping them be "the best people they can." St. Thomas More Church, 1300 Junipero Serra Blvd. (at Brotherhood Way), SF, 7:30 p.m. For information, call Cladia Devaux at (415) 334-9088.

March 20: Mercy High School, Burlingame's

Twenty-four elementary schools will participate in the 11th Annual Choral Festival March 25 at Archbishop Riordan ~High School ,including members of St. Anne Elementa ry, pictured above at last year's Los Angeles gathering of the National Catholic Educational Association. The 82-member St. Anne choir is also scheduled to perform in Washington, D.C., May 6-10 invited by St. Anne's former pastor.Father Anthony McGuire,presently director of Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees at the U.S. Catholic Confe rence. The choir's itinerary includes several sites,among them the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Next week's choral festival will have two sessions â&#x20AC;&#x201D;10 to 11:30 a.m., and 1 to 2:30 p.m. Choirs will sing selections reflecting the theme "Make Music America ". According to St. Anne's choir director,Laura Diaz-Flaviani fundraisers are planned to defray costs of the Washington, D.C. tour including a rummage sate at the parish this weekend a walkathon April 17,an arts festival May 4 at DeYoung Museum,and T-shirt sales. Call (415) 664-7977 for information. Students above are,from left: Colleen Diner,dared Griffin,Nicole Baker,Thomas Aviles,Joya Dupre and Chauncey Aceret.

Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields' performance excellent

By Father Basil DePinto

The San Francisco Symphony 's Great Performers Series brought the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields to Davies Hall on March 2. It would be hard to imag ine an evening of more felicitous music making. This was a concert without brassy fanfare: literally, since only the strings of the orchestra were used. The only thing in evidence, and that in abundance, was excellence.

Anyone who has been to London is familiar with St. Martin 's, the neo-classical church that was once outside the city ( "in the fields") but is now just off Trafal gar Square and across the street (or the road, as Londoners would say) from the National Gallery. For many years the church has hosted free noon concerts given by talented professionals who come together for the sheer joy of making music. The Academy got its start in this way and went on to international acclaim.

It was clear at this concert that the performers were enjoy ing themselves as much as the listeners. The group of some 20 string players maintained steady eye contact

„CATHOLIC

among themselves and with their Leader, Kenneth Sillito. was barely 20. Genius clearly settled in early with all three.

The Leader is not a conductor, who stands in front of the Shostakovich, in his 40s, was the old man of the group.

We are used to Mozart's prodigious talent; there is no orchestra. He is the first violinist , who sits in his place and simp ly raises his bow to begin the music and to keep the need to claim more for a p iece labeled a diversion. But the Mendelssohn has so much verve and intelligence, it would players together.

The result is a display of remarkable unity and flexibil- be astonishing in someone twice his age when he wrote it. ity that serves the music and bonds the musicians to pro- The Academy p layed it to the hilt, nowhere as much in the headlong finale . Only a band of genuine virtuosi could play duce a performance of lovely balance and harmony.

The program was a judicious blend of classical and so fast and maintai n p inpoint precision and togetherness.

The emotional highlight of the evening was the modern compositions. Before intermission Mendelssohn 's bright and cheery String Symphony in C preceded the Shostakovich. The work began life, and is still mainly played powerfu I ______________«____ as, the Eighth String Quartet. grave and Rudolph Barshai, the violist Chamber Symphony oi at the Moscow premiere of Shostakovich. The seconci Youth was the p rimary ingredient the work, later transcribed it half began with Mozart 's for chamber orchestra. slight but satisfying String ; in three of the four compositions.

The composer, now in, Divertimento in D and connow out of favor with the cluded with Benjamir Soviet authorities , is clearly expressing some life experiBritten 's charming and clever Bridge Variations.

Youth was the primary ingredient in three of the four ences. Fear and anguish along with satire and sarcasm find compositions. Mendelssohn and Mozart were teen-agers their way through the first three movements. The last two, when they composed these works, and Britten wrote his both marked largo, offer the image of deep sadness that is ACADEMY, next page Variations on a theme by his teacher, Frank Bridge, when he

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"Life Is Beautiful' reveals power of love in midst of madness the heinous atrocities of the Holocaust? "Life Is Beautiful" reveals the power of love: the unconditional love of a father for his family. "Greater love hath no man!" We know exactly what Jesus would do—and did.

In "Life Is Beautiful" Roberto Benigni , Italy's most popular Chaplinesque comic, bravel y approaches the Holocaust with heart-wrenching humor—not to trivialize the horror but to humanize the madness. The film 's narrator, little Giosue (Joshua , Jesus?) now grown, says: "This is a simple story but not an easy one to tell." So he tells it as a comic fable/fantasy in two parts.

In the first hour (too long: both script and direction need tightening,) an irrepressible Jewish Italian (you forget about the subtitles after a few minutes) waiter, Guido Orefice (Benigni) woos and wins fair princess Dora (Nicoletta Braschi , Benigni's real life wife and a lovely, limited actress) in Tuscany 1939 and blithel y ignores the rumblings of fascism and signs of anti-Semitism.

In the second hour, Guido and his son, Giosue, are arrested and hauled off to the concentration camp. Although not Jewish, Dora talks her way onto the train to join her husband and son. This is the heart of the story, and the movie. Guido tries to protect his son from the evil by convincing him they are part of a contest to win a real army tank.

Absurdist comedy and the Holocaust are not so tar apart when you see the somewhat stylized , sterilized, sentimentalized concentration camp as a horrendously absurd place where the unthinkable , genocide, has become institutionalized. Without spoiling the story for those who haven 't seen "Life Is Beautiful" yet, Giosue sums it up at the end: "That was my father's sacrifice for me." This movie is a creative , courageous reminder that life IS beautiful—but beauty is in the eye (and heart) of the beholder.

The film is rated All (adults and adolescents) by the U.S. Catholic Conference Office for Film and Broadcasting; PG-13 (parents cautioned some material might be inappropriate for children under 13) by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Tliree Mothers & a Father is a byline representing the combined views of three mothers (with several children among them) and a father.

By Three Mothers & a Father

After "Life Is Beautiful" won eight David de Donatellos (the Italian Oscar) and the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes, Pope John Paul II called co-writer, director, and star, Roberto Benigni, to request a private showing in the Vatican. Watching "Life Is Beautiful" makes you wonder how Jesus would have handled the Holocaust. Jesus would have been on several of Hitler 's hit lists: as Jew, teacher, priest, and threat to the state.

Would Jesus have reacted as Anne Frank did: "It's really a wonder that I haven 't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at h e a r t . . . . I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right , that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again."

Would Jesus have sent love notes of encouragement to the other prisoners as St. Valentine is reported to have done in his third century prison? Would Jesus have responded as famed Viennese psychoanalyst Victor Frankl did when sub-

Academy . . .

¦ Continued from previous page finally resolved in serenity. The cello solo by Stephen Orton was deeply affecting .

Happil y, the evening ended with the young and bumptious Benjamin Britten, cleverly parodying 10 different musical forms. He could only make fun of them because he had mastered them and really loved them so well. The players clearly reveled in the music and the audience responded with due enthusiam.

Father Basil DePinto, whose fin e arts reviews have appeared widely, is currently chaplain at Alta Bates Hospital, Berkeley, and Kaiser, Oakland. He holds a licentiate degree in sacred theology from the Pontifical College of SantAnselmo, Rome.

Robert Benigni plays the father and Nicoletta Braschi the mother of young Giosue in "Life Is Beautiful" .

jected to the dehumanizing conditions of the Nazi concentration camp: "The one thing they could not take away from me was my freedom to decide how I would react"?

(Two Holocaust survivors met recently. First: "How do you feel about the Nazis now?" Second: "I loathe and detest them with every fiber of my being." First: "Then they still have you in prison.")

Or would Jesus have reminded us—as this movie tries to do—that God's grace is so amazing it can survive even

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On behalf of the victims of Hurricane Mitch ,Catholic Relief Services

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would like to take this opportunity to extend a most heartfelt thank you.

As a result of your generosity , more than one million people are receiving the emergency relief and rehabilitation they so desperately need.

Working in conjunction with local dioceses and parishes in Honduras ,

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Nicaragua,Guatemala and El Salvador,Catholic Relief Services is providing

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families with essentials such as food , medicine and shelter. Families in these same communities have begun to rebuild their lives thanks to agricultural seeds and tools and small business programs. Communities have also begun to rebuild roads and schools.

With your continued support ,efforts such as these will do more than save lives and sustain livelihoods. Catholic Relief Services — with the church and civil society in Central America and the United States — will

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begin to rebuild society through the developme nt of long-term relationships .

Without these new relationships ,the inequality that existed before the

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hurricane threatens to recreate poverty and inj ustice in Central America.

If you would like to support Catholic Relief Services with its work in more than 80 countries around the world , please call Catholic Relief Services a t 1~ 8 0 0~ 7 2 4 "* 2 S 3 0o r visit the new web site at www.catholicrelief.org.

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CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES The official overseas relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community.

Catholic Relief Services • 209 West Fayette Street • Baltimore , Maryland 21201 • www.catholicrelief.org © 1999 Catholic Relief Services, Inc.