January 25, 2013

GIVING:

PEACE:

‘ROTTEN’:

St. Matthew 7th graders honored for outreach to poor kids

CRS’ promising work against gang, drug violence

Cycling, soccer, rife with corruption, Vatican offical says

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO Newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Francisco

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JANUARY 25, 2013

‘Forward in Faith’ lecture series resumes for Lent VALERIE SCHMALZ CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

What better time to learn more about Jesus and the Catholic Church than Lent?

The Archdiocese of San Francisco is offering “Forward in Faith: Educational Enrichment for the Thinking Catholic” beginning the first full week of Lent and continuing the two weeks after Easter.

“The idea is to deepen people’s understanding of the church and who God is,” said San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop Robert W. McElroy, who drew on 15 years as a pastor to devise the program that launched last year. The goal was to reach 5,000 Catholics in five years, but already last year 1,600 SEE FAITH, PAGE 7

(CNS PHOTO/JOHN MC ELROY)

Record-breaking pro-life vigil outside Irish Parliament More than 25,000 people gathered for a pro-life vigil outside the Irish Parliament in Dublin Jan. 19, in the largest pro-life demonstration ever to have taken place in Ireland. The turnout appeared to take politicians and the mainstream media by surprise. Story on Page 11.

SCHEDULE FOR WALK FOR LIFE WEST COAST, SATURDAY, JAN. 26 Thousands are expected for the ninth annual Walk for Life West Coast Jan. 26 in San Francisco, the largest pro-life event on the West Coast. Here is the schedule for the walk and related activities.

9:30 A.M., ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL: Mass with Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone.

10:45 A.M.-12:15 P.M., CIVIC CENTER PLAZA: “Silent No More Awareness Campaign” rally, with testimony by those who have had abortions, including actor and model Jennifer O’Neill.

12:30 P.M., CIVIC CENTER PLAZA: Walk for Life West Coast rally. Invocation by Archbishop Cordileone. Message from Pope Benedict XVI delivered by papal nuncio to U.S. Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò.

Speeches by Lacey Buchanan, the mother of a disabled child; Elaine Riddick, who was forcibly sterilized when she was 14; Matthew and Kelly Clinger, a couple who regret having had two abortions; and Rev. Clenard Childress Jr., founder of BlackGenocide.org.

1:30 P.M., CIVIC CENTER PLAZA: Walk begins and proceeds down Market Street to Justin Herman Plaza.

For more information on the walk and on related events Friday, Jan. 25, visit www.walkforlifewc.com.

Pope: ‘Yes’ to human dignity CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY – The church must promote the beauty of marriage between a man and a woman and warn against ideologies opposed to human nature, including philosophies of gender that portray male and female as cultural inventions, Pope Benedict XVI said.

The pope made his remarks during a Jan. 19 audience with workers and leaders of Catholic charities and members of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, the Vatican office in charge of coordinating and promoting charitable giving. The council was meeting Jan. 17-19 for its plenary assembly, focusing on the theme of “Charity, Christian anthropology and new global ethics.”

Pope Benedict said all Christians, especially those who work for charitable organizations, “must let themselves be guided by principles of faith through which we take on God’s ‘point of view’ and his plan for us.”

The Christian vision of humanity and the world “also provides the correct criteria for evaluating” the best ways to carry out charitable activity today, he said.

While there is “a growing consensus today about the inalienable dignity of the human being” and

Pope Benedict XVI decried what he called a new form of atheism that sees people as independent and autonomous ‘with happiness lying solely in realizing one’s own self under the guise of ‘alleged progress or presumed rights.’

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INDEX On the Street . . . . . . . . .4 National . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . 18

2 ARCHDIOCESE

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

NEED TO KNOW

LOOKING BACK

CONFESSION ENCOURAGED DURING LENT: Catholics should make going to confession a significant part of their spiritual lives, the U.S. bishops said in a statement, “God’s Gift of Forgiveness: The Pastoral Exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.” Lent begins Wednesday, Feb. 13. Download a PDF of the statement at www. usccb.org/confession.

ARCHDIOCESAN PRIEST TO SPEAK ON ANGLICAN CATHOLIC LITURGY: A priest of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, Msgr. Steve Lopes, will join Archbishop Gerhard Muller, the prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, to speak at a Texas symposium on Pope Benedict XVI’s creation of an ordinariate for Anglicans entering the Catholic Church. “The Mission of the Ordinariate” symposium Feb. 2 commemorates the one-year anniversary of the creation of the personal ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, whose region includes the U.S. and Canada. It will be held at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston. Msgr.

Lopes will speak on “The Ordinariate’s Mission: Liturgy.” Msgr. Lopes is an official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and secretary to the Anglicanae Traditiones Commission, which is developing common liturgical texts for the Anglican ordinariates in the U.S., United Kingdom and Australia.

SEMINAR ON ASTROBIOLOGY: “Why is the Vatican Interested in the Search for Life in the Universe?” is the title of a seminar Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. at The Olympic Club, 524 Post St., San Francisco.

Sponsored by the Vatican Observatory Foundation, the seminar will feature an introductory talk

by Jesuit Father José Gabriel Funes, director of the Vatican Observatory, on “The Importance of Astrobiology.” The observatory’s Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno will moderate. Tickets are $50 – advanced sales only. For more information or to ask about student/group discounts, contact Katie Steinke, development director, at katie@vaticanobservatory.org or (805) 901-6591.

(INFORMATION AND PHOTO COURTESY THE ARCHIVES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO)

Catholics in the civil rights movement Led by St. Anne of the Sunset parishioner and later San Francisco Supervisor Terry Francois, an African-American, and Father Eugene Boyle, San Francisco Catholics battled for fair housing in California. In this photo, members of the archdiocesan Catholic Interracial Council are picketing against Proposition 14, a 1964 ballot measure to repeal a fair housing act passed by the California legislature. Proposition 14 was approved by voters but eventually overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

All married couples invited to renew vows with archbishop Feb. 2 VALERIE SCHMALZ CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

Calling all married couples: The Archdiocese of San Francisco wants to help you celebrate your marriage at a Feb. 2 Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone will be celebrating an anniversary Mass for Catholic couples sacramentally married in the church. The Mass will include an opportunity to renew wedding vows, in what promises to be a gala occasion, said Laura Bertone, interim director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship.

The 10 a.m. Mass at the cathedral in San Francisco

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will be followed by a reception and an opportunity for each couple to have their photo taken with the archbishop, Bertone said.

Couples may register in advance and receive a certificate commemorating the occasion, but couples are welcome whether or not they register, Bertone said.

The event is a popular one, she said. In the past, several hundred couples and their families have attended the anniversary Mass, which was last held in 2010.

The Mass will have particular significance this year, Bertone said, because of Archbishop Cordileone and the U.S. bishops’ call to prayer for the protection of marriage, life and religious liberty during this ongoing Year of Faith. Archbishop Cordileone is chairman

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of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear two cases that affect the legal definition of marriage in the United States with rulings expected in June. Those cases are challenges to California’s Proposition 8 and to the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Proposition 8 is a state constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2008 which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. DOMA enacted in 1996 also defines marriage as between one man and one woman. Under the law, no state is required to recognize a same-sex marriage from another state.

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EDITORIAL Valerie Schmalz, assistant editor Tom Burke, On the Street/Calendar

schmalzv@sfarchdiocese.org burket@sfarchdiocese.org

ADVERTISING Joseph Peña, director Mary Podesta, account representative Bill Applegate, account representative Chandra Kirtman, advertising & circulation coordinator PRODUCTION Karessa McCartney-Kavanaugh, manager Joel Carrico, assistant HOW TO REACH US One Peter Yorke Way San Francisco, CA 94109 Phone: (415) 614-5639 | Fax: (415) 614-5641 General information: information.csf@sfarchdiocese.org Advertising: (415) 614-5642 advertising.csf@sfarchdiocese.org Circulation: (415) 614-5639 circulation.csf@sfarchdiocese.org Letters to the editor: letters.csf@sfarchdiocese.org

ARCHDIOCESE 3

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

‘We just wanted to give something back to the kids’ 2 St. Matthew 7th graders honored for raising money for needy county kids’ Christmas gifts “It’s a very fast-paced, tech-oriented economy,” says Amanda Kim, spokeswoman for San Mateo County’s Human Services Agency. “There’s a strong contrast between people who have a lot and others who have very little. When you see a parent fill out a request for their child and ask for diapers, it’s very touching.”

The contrast has not been lost on William and Judy.

DANA PERRIGAN CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

The last time their birthdays rolled around, William La Herran and Judy Shamshikh – two seventh graders at St. Matthew School in San Mateo – were on the receiving end: A big San Francisco Giants fan, William took in an array of Giants paraphernalia, including a coveted Brian Wilson jersey; a fan of high-tech electronic devices, Judy was given a new laptop and iPhone.

This year, it was all about giving.

Shortly before their 13th birthdays this past November, William and Judy had an idea: They decided to hold a joint birthday party. Instead of asking for presents, they would solicit funds from friends and family. Whatever they collected would be used to buy Christmas presents for children less fortunate than themselves.

“We just wanted to give something back to the kids,” says Judy. “We already have so much.”

“It just seemed like the right thing to do,” says William. “The money goes to people who really need it.”

William said they got the idea from his older sister, who donated the money she received on one of her birthdays to the SPCA.

Kids could pick out their own gifts

William and Judy, who have been friends since they started kindergarten at St. Matthew, raised $1,385. When they turned the money over to Lorna Strachan, manager of the San Mateo County Children’s Fund, they were told that their donation would make it possible for 52 children to receive gifts this Christmas.

“She told us about how the money would go to the kids,” says Judy, “and that they could pick out their own gifts.”

Created by a group of social workers more than 20 years ago, the Children’s Fund was initially designed to help children in the county‘s foster care system at Christmas. It has since expanded to a year-round effort that includes low-income children and youth involved in other county programs.

“Last year,” says Strachan, “we served 3,600 kids over the holiday season. We have never had a wish, that we know of, that hasn’t been filled. It’s a huge effort.”

The effort, says Strachan, involves about 150 volunteers receiving and distributing gifts and contributions from local businesses and individuals throughout the county. One hundred percent of the money collected is used to purchase gifts.

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‘Raised the Catholic way’

(PHOTO COURTESY AMANDA KIM)

Pictured at a San Mateo County Board of Supervisors meeting Dec. 11 are board president Adrienne J. Tissier with St. Matthew School seventh graders William La Herran Jr. and Judy Shamshikh. The board honored the students for raising $1,385 for the San Mateo County Children’s fund.

“We have so many children who need items throughout the year,” says Strachan.

While San Mateo ranks among the wealthiest counties in the state, there are significant pockets of poverty scattered throughout.

“Judy always thinks of other people first,” says her mother, Mona Shamshikh, who remembers when her daughter gave up the lead role in the school play in the third grade to a distraught friend. “We were raised the Catholic way. She just wanted to see the smile on the other kid’s face.”

“I feel fortunate that my children don’t have to want for things,” says William’s mother Nicki La Herran. “Because of what his (William’s) older sister did, it was kind of on their radar to want to help others.”

In recognition of their contribution, William and Judy received a commendation at the Dec. 11 meeting of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

“The supervisors thought that what they did was really awesome,” says Lorraine Simmons, chief legislative aid to board president Adrienne Tissier.

Those interested in donating items or making a cash donation can visit the website for the Children’s Fund or call (650) 802-5152. Those interested in volunteering should call (650) 599-1089.

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

Honored educator says teaching is ‘gift from God’ TOM BURKE CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco’s Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory has honored Tom Farrell with the 2012 Lasallian Educator Award and Christian Brother Joseph Fabiano with the Vincentian Service Award. Tom has worn many hats at SHC including science teacher and counselor. “I was the guy in my high school that the other students would come to when they were having trouble in math or science class,” Tom said.

Motivated by that experience he Tom Farrell works to help students understand difficult chemical equations and calculations. “I’ve come to believe that my ability to comprehend the subjects and to explain them to others is a gift from God,” he said.

Brother Joseph, who grew up in San Francisco’s Mission District, has contributed 41 years to SHC. As a child, his family maintained religious and devotional values, and Christian Brothers in grade school, high school and college molded him. Brother Joseph has taught religious studies, Latin, Italian and Spanish at SHC. Among his outreach positions have been alumni director; class moderator of freshmen, juniors and seniors; Brother Joseph cafeteria and maintenance liaison; student activities director and vocation coordinator.

In recent years of retirement, through occasional class presentations, dining room supervision, library and computer mentoring, and presence at games and student and parent activities, he continues to open and touch hearts.

NEW STARTS: An evening of thanks and commendation celebrated the work of SVdP’s Catherine’s Center at Kohl Mansion in Burlingame in December.

Benefactors and volunteers were recognized for their support of the program designed to help women leaving incarceration change their lives through therapy, education and training. Among those honored were SVdP’s Catherine’s Center ambassadors Gretchen Cody, Linda Wondra and Donna Wright.

PRO BONO: Amber Campbell and Katie Petrini, seniors at Notre Dame High School, Belmont, were recognized with the Jefferson Award for Public Service in November. Amber has currently 783.5 hours of service with many hours completed at the San Francisco Zoo. “The San Francisco Zoo has been such a big part of my life,” Amber said. “It is

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CATHOLIC SCHOOL’S YEAR: Woodside Priory, founded by the Benedictine Fathers and Brothers, marked its 55th Anniversary in Portola Valley Jan. 11. Pictured from left are Benedictine Father Martin Mager, Benedictine Father Pius Horvath, Benedictine Brother Edward Englund and Benedictine Father Maurus Nemeth. Father Martin teaches digital photography at the Priory and Brother Edward is the school’s director of guidance and counseling. Father Pius and Father Maurus are now retired with Father Maurus continuing in service as chaplain to the Hungarian Catholic community of the Bay Area.

Bernadette Mendoza are now running Francesco Rocks for the Knights of St. Francis of Assisi, founders of the Porziuncola Nuova and Francesco Rocks. They are also the smiling and helpful men and women who staff the holy site. Prayers please for Diane Shannon, manager of the gift shop for the last four years, who is having hip surgery. Francesco Rocks is now open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Other items available for sale include religious gifts and very special art from Italy. Visit www.knightsofsaintfrancis.com.

GONE CRABBIN’: Olivia Harvell, left, and Preeya de Silva, eighth graders at St. Rita School, Fairfax were among servers at the school’s crab feed Jan. 12. Proceeds benefit a class trip to Washington, D.C., in the spring. my second family and home.” Amber said she is “always super happy when I am there.” Katie has completed 926.5 hours with various organizations such as the Special Olympics, Serra Summer Sports Camp and Notre Dame High School. “Both Katie and Amber have shown dedication and compassion in their community service and their work serves as an inspiration for the rest of the Notre Dame community,” the school said.

LISTENING PLEASURE: The bestselling CD of Franciscan Friar Alessandro Brustenghi is now available at Francesco Rocks gift shop at the Porziuncola Nuova in North Beach. It was a sellout there at Christmas. Franciscan Friar Higemi and

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HONORED OCCASION: Students, faculty and staff at Church of the Epiphany School celebrated the parish and school patronal feast of the Epiphany Jan. 8, with Mass. In costumes commemorating the Wise Men’s visit to the Baby Jesus were Eliza Quetingco, Jayden Thopson, David Curly and Nico Ibarra.

A ONE AND A TWO: Was in a grocery store the other day for a few items and when I arrived at the express checkout I saw a sign that said you were welcome in the line with “about 12 items.” Well, considering that one person’s 12 is another person’s 20 along with the forever unanswered question “Does a case of soda count as one item or 24?” I’m thinking signs will soon read: “Express line applications are available at the customer service desk.”

Email items and electronic pictures – jpegs at no less than 300 dpi to burket@sfarchdiocese.org or mail to Street, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco 94109. Include a follow-up phone number. Street is toll-free. My phone number is (415) 614-5634.

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ARCHDIOCESE 5

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

CRS: New anti-violence work in Latin America shows promise AT A GLANCE

RICK DELVECCHIO CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

New, interpersonal approaches to preventing drug violence in Mexico and gang violence in Central America show promise where harsher measures have fallen short, a Catholic Relief Services expert in Latin America said.

In El Salvador, the overseas relief agency for the U.S. Catholic Church is working with the government to create a system to prevent violence and create opportunities for young men drawn to gangs, Rick Jones, deputy regional director for global solidarity and justice for CRS in Latin America, told Catholic San Francisco.

After years of ineffective punitive measures, the government of El Salvador negotiated a truce last year with the country’s two major gangs, MS and 18th Street. The truce has held since March 2012 and the homicide rate has dropped to 40 per 100,000 people – still double what is considered epidemic by the World Health Organization but “a positive step forward” for the tiny Central American nation, Jones said.

Now, CRS is joining forces with the U.N. and the government to work with high-risk young Salvadorans and their families to address the roots of gang involvement. The approach is modeled on gang prevention and youth development work that has shown success in Los Angeles.

“Kids join gangs for a sense of identity, belonging and empowerment and a sense of adventure – same reasons kids join a lot of different groups,” said Jones, who visited San Francisco last week in part to meet with University of San Francisco and Santa Clara University faculty who are working with CRS under partnerships between the schools and the agency.

Gang problem has roots in civil war

He said the gang problem in El Salvador started at the end of the nation’s civil war, which was settled with a truce in 1992. Salvadorans who had fled the fighting in the 1970s and ’80s and had started gangs in Los Angeles were among the deportees.

When these gang members showed up in El Salvador in the mid-90s, they started recruiting.

“Most young men were at below poverty line and most kids had a sixth grade education and were out

A GANG TRUCE in El Salvador has opened the way to efforts, with church leadership, to address the roots of gang involvement.

MIGRANTS traversing Mexico from Central America are now safer from extortion scams as a result of alliances between workers and U.S. employers.

‘LISTENING CENTERS’ are being established in Mexico to help people process the effects of drug violence.

(CNS PHOTO/ULISES RODRIGUEZ, REUTERS)

Members of street gangs take part in a cleaning effort to remove graffiti during an event organized by the church in San Salvador Jan. 4. In March, in a deal backed by the Catholic Church, rival gangs called for a truce as the Central American country confronts a plague of violent crime, according to a statement issued by the gangs. of school and out of work, and that is a recipe for disaster,” Jones said.

The government responded with a zero-tolerance policy in 2004. “The first year homicides went up 25 percent,” Jones said. “And they instituted another super-iron fist and homicides went up another 30 percent. Because violence won’t solve violence.”

What will make a difference is a process of healing and reconciliation to work with individuals and families to stop kids from joining gangs in the first place, Jones said.

“It’s taken a long time and a lot of heads being butted up against the wall to understand that you can’t stop this through repression,” he said.

Helping kids find work, start businesses

Working the U.N. Development Programme and the government, CRS is part of any effort in the capital of San Salvador to help kids find work and start micro-enterprises.

In Mexico, a project to address drug violence has begun in the Diocese of Acapulco, which has experienced a high level of bloodshed. “Listening centers” have been established to help people talk through the fear that paralyzes action, Jones said.

The centers “help victims deal with their grief and become more secure, and they end up being agents of change,” he said. “Who better to speak out about it?”

The centers are part of a larger effort by the church in Mexico to address violence. The bishops of Mexico issued a pastoral letter on violence, and CRS is helping them design a strategy to put the letter into action. The work started with training in peace building.

“We’ve taken a lot of lessons over our experience over 15 years in CoIombia to train both parishes in how to help victims and the people who have been victims, because the shortest way to being a perpetrator is to be a victim,” Jones said. “If you don’t process that, what you want is vengeance.”

Helping improve the welfare of migrants and helping agriculture deal with the effects of climate change are the other two main lines of CRS work in Latin America.

In Mexico, CRS is helping the church make U.S.bound migrants less vulnerable to criminal exploitation. People migrating to the U.S. face horrendous conditions because of the drug trade, Jones said. In 2010, the Catholic Church uncovered 9,000 kidnappings of Central Americans traversing Mexico – the work of gangs out to steal the travelers’ money. Kidnappings doubled the following year.

CRS is supporting a new project for migrants to enter the U.S. for agricultural work. Linking migrants and employers and thus cutting out middleman scams, the project began on the border near Yuma, Ariz., and has spread to Washington state and the Carolinas.

Catholic Charities CYO is very grateful to all of our volunteers and donors that supported our Advent Season of Caring this year. Your time, talent and treasure made Christmas more joyous for those we serve.

Jack

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

Faith groups organizing in support of gun controls U.S. Firearm Deaths

PATRICIA ZAPOR CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

More than 31,500 people died from gunfire in 2010.

WASHINGTON – If Vincent DeMarco is right – and he’s got a whole bunch of faith leaders and their organizations lined up to work with him – ending easy access to the kinds of high-power guns used in mass shootings can be accomplished with a tried-and-true strategy.

DeMarco, national coordinator of Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, believes the financial and political clout of the gun lobby in opposing any gun restrictions can be defeated by the same kind of grass-roots, faith-based strategy that he believes broke through the tobacco lobby’s power, enabling the enactment of government controls on tobacco marketing, and new cigarette taxes to fund children’s health care.

Polls show the vast majority of Americans, including the majority of gun owners, support some restrictions, such as more thorough background checks for gun purchasers and bans on semiautomatic assault weapons, DeMarco said.

“But there are people in Congress who don’t believe that,” he said.

“We’re going to make sure they know.”

“We’re going to succeed because our faith leaders are going to make sure they hear” that their constituents support some controls, he added. Just such an effort that DeMarco headed, Faith United Against Tobacco, is credited with lobbying for steeper cigarette taxes and other government controls on the tobacco industry.

Interfaith letter to Congress

As the White House put the finishing touches on President Barack Obama’s

Suicides

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Firearms 18%

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(CNS PHOTO/HANS PENNINK, REUTERS)

Anti-gun activist Marc Wiesmann, from the group Saratogians for Gun Safety, holds up a sign against the Arms Fair at the Saratoga Springs City Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Jan. 12. executive orders and legislative proposals aimed at restricting access to some weapons and keeping guns out of the hands of people who pose a danger to others, DeMarco on Jan. 15 released a letter to members of Congress. Many of its signers, who included Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh faith leaders, flanked him at the news conference.

In light of the recent killings of 20 children and six adults in Newtown, Conn., as well as mass shootings in Aurora, Colo., Tucson, Ariz., Fort Hood, Texas, Virginia Tech University, Columbine, Colo., and Oak Creek, Wis., “we know that no more time can be wasted,” said the letter from more than four dozen religious leaders.

Signers included Bishop Stephen E.

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Blaire, of Stockton, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, as well as the leaders of Catholic Charities USA, the Catholic Health Association; Network, the Catholic social justice lobby; Pax Christi USA; the Conference of Major Superiors of Men; the Leadership Conference of Women Religious; and Franciscan, Mercy, Dominican and Good Shepherd religious orders.

Another participant in the news conference, Sister Carol Keehan, a Daughter of Charity who heads the Catholic Health Association, said she personally saw in hospital emergency rooms the lethal effects of easy access to guns. She told of gangs that would drop off gunshot-wounded members at the hospital, of in-hospital attempts at retribution and of shootings on hospital grounds.

Sister Carol said assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines “have no valid uses off the battlefield.”

Restrictions without threatening gun rights

Faith leaders were part of the consultation process over which Vice President Joe Biden presided in the weeks before Obama signed executive orders Jan. 16 and outlined legislation he wants Congress to pass.

That includes: laws requiring background checks on all gun sales; reinstating the ban on assault weapons; limiting the size of ammunition maga-

© 2013 Catholic News Service

zines and banning armor-piercing bullets; confirming a new director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and penalizing people who help criminals get guns.

Obama also signed orders calling for efforts by his administration that include: federal research into gun violence and gun safety systems; better sharing of background check information; improvements in how mental health problems are diagnosed and treated; and training and support for improved school security.

In announcing the efforts, Obama said he wasn’t threatening the Second Amendment rights of “responsible, law-abiding gun owners ... who cherish their right to bear arms for hunting, or sport, or protection, or collection,” but was protecting more basic rights.

In a meeting Jan. 9 at the White House, representatives of many of the same organizations that signed the Faiths United letter talked about their faiths’ efforts at combatting violence, said Kathy Saile, director of domestic social development for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who attended.

She said the participants approached the issue with the idea of offering a moral voice to a debate that has included gun-rights activists, producers of violent video games and programming, victims of violence, educators and others. “There was huge emphasis on the protection of life,” she said.

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

FAITH: Classes resume FROM PAGE 1

signed up and attended the weekly lecture and discussion sessions.

This year Bishop McElroy will deliver one of the talks, “Why Did God Become Man?” He will speak in person at each of the eight locations. The other six talks will be videotaped talks presented by a parish moderator. Attendees will focus on the question, “How does the church maintain its identity as a community that is rooted in tradition, yet everchanging?”

The Catholic adult faith formation classes meet once a week for seven weeks at eight separate parish locations in Marin, San Mateo and San Francisco counties. The classes, in English, meet from 7-8:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Three additional seven-week sessions will be offered in Spanish at yet-to-be announced parish locations.

The classes will be at the following churches: St. Anselm, Ross, Tuesdays; St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco, Tuesdays; Corpus Christi, San Francisco, Wednesdays; St. Stephen, San Francisco, Thursdays; St. Augustine, South San Francisco, Tuesdays; St. Denis, Menlo Park, Tuesdays; St. Mark, Belmont, Wednesdays; St. Dunstan, Millbrae, Thursdays.

The point of “Forward in Faith” is to help lay Catholics deepen their knowledge of Catholic teaching and help them integrate it into their lives, said Bishop McElroy. For those who are interested, a second seven-week session devoted to the seven sacraments will be held in the fall, he said.

In addition to Bishop McElroy’s presentation, the Lent classes will include three lectures by Boston College professor Father Michael Himes on the theology of hope, on the holy Trinity and on “Why We Need the Church”; two talks by Father Robert Barron – one on Christ and the other on the Catholic Church; and one talk by Jane Regan on “Encountering the Risen Christ.” Father Himes is a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Regan is associate professor of theology and religious education at Boston College. Father Barron is host and creator of the noted 10-part documentary “Catholicism,” rector of Mundelein Seminary in the Archdiocese of Chicago, and founder of Word on Fire ministry.

For more information, visit www.sfarchdiocese. org or call (415) 614-5500.

POPE: ‘Yes’ to dignity FROM PAGE 1

people’s interdependence and responsibilities toward others, there are also many “dark spots” that are obscuring God’s plan, he said.

When a person doesn’t follow what God intends, he can become “the victim of cultural temptations that end up enslaving him,” he said.

Some of those ideologies include the cults of nation, race or social class “that showed themselves to be nothing but idolatry,” the pope said, and “unbridled capitalism with its cult of profit, which has led to crisis, inequality and poverty.”

There’s a new form of atheism, he said, that sees people as independent and autonomous with happiness lying solely in realizing one’s own self.

This belief, he added, leads people to think they can choose for themselves what human nature is, and promote it under the guise of “alleged progress or presumed rights.”

Catholic charities need to be aware of the current mentality and these ethical dilemmas so they can be prophetic and “critically vigilant” when cooperating with international organizations in development and other programs, the pope said.

Bishops and priests “have a duty to warn the Catholic faithful as well as all people of good will and right reason about these deviations,” he said.

The Christian vision of humanity “is a great ‘yes’ to the dignity of the person called to intimate,” filial, humble and confident communion with God, he said.

The church also reaffirms “its great ‘yes’ to the dignity and beauty of marriage as an expression of the faithful and fruitful covenant between man and woman, and its ‘no’ to philosophies, such as that of gender,” he said.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A THINKING CATHOLIC IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD? Starting in Lent, the Archdiocese of San Francisco is offering a course designed to answer that very question. This course will bring online presentations from the best theologians and teachers in the nation to illuminate Catholic teaching on Christ, the Church, and the foundation for a hope-filled life in our modern world.

Meeting weekly from 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. in locations throughout the Archdiocese, participants will gather to deepen their knowledge, share their lived faith and probe the questions that arise when adult Catholics grapple with the awesome mysteries of God’s salvation.

To register, please fill out the form below and return it along with a check in the amount of $25.00, payable to the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Please mail this registration form and your check to FORWARD IN FAITH, Archdiocese of San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109. .......................................................................................................

Name __________________________________________________________

Phone ___________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Email ________________________________ Your parish ___________________________________________________ Please select the location where you will attend FORWARD IN FAITH. Saint Anselm Church, Ross, Tuesday nights Saint Mary Cathedral, San Francisco, Tuesday nights Corpus Christi Church, San Francisco, Wednesday nights Saint Stephen Church, San Francisco, Thursday nights Saint Augustine Church, South San Francisco, Tuesday nights Saint Denis Church, Menlo Park, Tuesday nights Saint Mark Church, Belmont, Wednesday nights Saint Dunstan Church, Millbrae, Thursday nights Please see reverse side for curriculum details….

How DOES THE CHURCH MAINTAIN ITS IDENTITY AS A COMMUNITY THAT IS ROOTED IN TRADITION, YET EVER-EVOLVING? FORWARD IN FAITH is a course which seeks to develop among Catholic adults a deeper sense of faith in God and life in the Church. The Lenten semester will run from the week of February 18, 2013 through the week of April 9, 2013.

Each week those taking part in FORWARD IN FAITH will gather on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. in parish locations throughout the Archdiocese to listen to online presentations from leading theologians across the country and then reflect upon those presentations in small group sessions.

FORWARD IN FAITH is a bold new initiative designed to help adult Catholics integrate their faith more fully into their every-day lives.

The Lenten semester will run from the week of February 18, 2013, through the week of April 9, 2013.

Session 1

The Theology of Hope

Fr. Michael Himes

Week of February 19 – 21 Week of February 26 – 28

Session 2

The Creed and the Trinity

Fr. Michael Himes

Session 3

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Fr. Robert Barron

Week of March 5 – 7

Session 4

Encountering the Risen Christ

Jane Regan, Ph.D.

Week of March 12 – 14

Session 5

The Mystery of the Church

Fr. Robert Barron

Week of March 19 – 21

Session 6

Why We Need the Church

Fr. Michael Himes

Week of April 2 – 4

Session 7

Why Did God Become Man?

Bishop Robert McElroy

Week of April 9 - 11

All classes meet from 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

8 NATIONAL

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

Clerics apologize to abuse victims as lawsuit files become public CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

LOS ANGELES – As the Archdiocese of Los Angeles released church records on clergy sexual abuse, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony again apologized to abuse victims, saying he was naive about its impact on their lives.

The cardinal, who retired as archbishop of Los Angeles in 2011, also said in a statement Jan. 21 that he prays daily for victims of abuse by priests as he celebrates Mass in his private chapel.

“It remains my daily and fervent prayer that God’s grace will flood the heart and soul of each victim, and that their life journey continues forward with ever greater healing,” he said, explaining that on his altar he keeps cards with the names of each of the 90 victims he met with from 2006 to 2008.

“As I thumb through those cards I often pause as I am reminded of each personal story and the anguish that accompanies that life story,” Cardinal Mahony said.

“I am sorry,” the cardinal’s statement concluded.

Comments following press disclosure

Cardinal Mahony’s comments followed the publication by the Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press portions of documents filed in court as part of a lawsuit against the archdiocese. Some of the files showed archdiocesan officials worked to conceal child molestation by priests from law enforcement authorities in the 1980s.

The release came two weeks after a Superior Court judge’s ruling that the names of personnel identified in the files could be made public. Judge Emilie H. Elias’ Jan. 7 ruling overturned an earlier

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‘It remains my daily and fervent prayer that God’s grace will flood the heart and soul of each victim, and that their life journey continues forward with ever greater healing.’

CARDINAL ROGER M. MAHONY decision by a retired federal judge who, acting as a mediator in a settlement between the archdiocese and those who claimed they were sexually abused, said that material to be released should have names redacted to prevent the documents’ use to “embarrass or ridicule the church.”

Church officials in Los Angeles had fought for years to keep the files private.

The 2007 settlement for $600 million covered more than 500 people who made claims about being sexually abused by priests and other church personnel.

Some of the priests who had claims against them sued to keep their names from being released, saying it violated their privacy rights.

While the archdiocese’s actions to protect priests accused of abuse and its reluctance to work with investigators is known, the documents offer a closer look at the efforts undertaken to safeguard accused clergy.

Memos exchanged between bishop, cardinal

Memos exchanged in 1986 and 1987 by Cardinal Mahony and Auxiliary Bishop Thomas J. Curry, who was the archdiocese’s vicar of clergy and chief adviser on sexual abuse cases at the time, reveal proposals to keep police from investigating three priests who had admitted to church officials that they molested young boys, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The documents show that Bishop Curry suggested to Cardinal Mahony that they prevent the priests from seeing therapists who might alert authorities and that the priests be given out-of-state assignments to avoid criminal investigators.

The newspaper said the memos were from personnel files for 14 priests.

Files of at least 75 more accused abusers are to become public in coming weeks under the terms of the settlement.

Bishop Curry and the archdiocese apologized for their actions in the handling of abuse reports in statements Jan. 22.

“I wish to acknowledge and apologize for those instances when I made decisions regarding the treatment and disposition of clergy accused of sexual abuse that in retrospect appear inadequate or mistaken,” said Bishop Curry, who is assigned to the archdiocesan region around Santa Barbara northwest of Los Angeles.

“Most especially, I wish to express my sympathy to all the victims of sexual abuse by clergy. Like many others, I have come to a clearer understanding over the years of the causes and treatment of sexual abuse,” he continued, “and I have fully implemented in my pastoral region the archdiocese’s policies and procedures for reporting abuse, screening those who supervise children and abuse prevention training for adults and children.”

In its apology, the archdiocese said “no institution has learned more from mistakes made decades ago in dealing with priests who have abused young people than the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.”

“We have apologized for the sad and shameful actions of some priests as well as for our inadequate responses in assisting victims and in dealing with perpetrators,” the archdiocese said in citing the steps it has since taken to report abuse allegations to law enforcement officials.

“The past cannot be changed, but we have learned from it,” the statement said.

Lawyer recounts late-1980s church policy

The newspaper reported archdiocesan attorney Michael Hennigan said in a statement Jan. 21 that church policy in the late 1980s was to let victims and their families decide whether to go to police.

“Not surprisingly, the families of victims frequently did not wish to report to police and have their child become the center of a public prosecution,” he said.

Hennigan also said that memos from that era “sometimes focused more on the needs of the perpetrator than on the serious harm that had been done to the victims.”

“That is part of the past. We are embarrassed and at times ashamed by parts of the past. But we are proud of our progress, which is continuing,” Hennigan said.

Cardinal Mahony’s statement, released through the archdiocese, said steps to safeguard “all children in the church began here in 1987 and progressed year by year as we learned more about those who abused and the ineffectiveness of socalled ‘treatments’ at the time.”

“Nonetheless, even as we began to confront the problem, I remained naive myself about the full and lasting impact these horrible acts would have on the lives of those who were abused by men who were supposed to be spiritual guides,” Cardinal Mahony said.

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

‘Rotten’: Vatican official decries corruption in cycling, soccer CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY – U.S. cyclist Lance Armstrong’s admission to doping is just the tip of the iceberg, since high-stakes commercial interests pressure almost every professional cyclist into the illegal practice, said a Vatican official.

“It’s a world that is rotten, all of cycling, even soccer,” said Msgr. Melchor Sanchez de Toca Alameda, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture’s “Culture and Sport” section.

Professional sports “have become a commodity that are subordinate to the free market and, therefore, to profit,” he told Catholic News Service Jan. 16.

Instead of sports being an activity that builds important values, respects human dignity and helps shape the whole human person, “it has reduced people to merchandise,” he said.

The monsignor’s comments came the same week Armstrong appeared on U.S. television to admit that he had used performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career.

Armstrong, who won the famed “Tour de France” for a record-breaking seven consecutive times, was stripped of his titles in 2012 after he was accused

RESTORING ‘HEALTHY VALUES’ TO SPORTS

VATICAN CITY – In an effort to flex its moral muscle in the professional sports arena, the Vatican has invited top-tier Christian athletes Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin to help bring ethical values back to a scandal-ridden world of sports.

The Pontifical Council for Culture is planning to host an international conference – titled “We Believe in Sports” – on re-instilling values in sports this spring, inviting representatives from top world governing bodies like FIFA (the International Federation of Association Football), the International Cycling Union and the Italian National Olympic Committee.

The council will also have Catholic and Christian athletes in attendance, to give witness to how the worlds of faith and sports can easily come together, said Msgr. Sanchez de Toca Alameda, who heads the council’s “Culture and Sport” section. He said the council hoped its participant line-up would include two high-profile Christian U.S. sports stars: NFL quarterback Tim Tebow of the New York Jets, and NBA basketball player Jeremy Lin of the Houston Rockets.

The conference will “help put healthy values back into sport” and help the church see sport as an important resource for future priests, Catholic

SCRIPTURE SEARCH Gospel for January 27, 2013 Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C: where Luke begins recounting the Good News.

The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle.

UNDERTAKEN GALILEE NAZARETH PROPHET THE POOR FREE THE EYES OF ALL

WRITE POWER TO READ ISAIAH THE BLIND YEAR TODAY

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THE EYES OF ALL

(CNS PHOTO/MIKE HUTCHINGS, REUTERS)

U.S. cyclist Lance Armstrong’s admission to doping is just the tip of the iceberg, since high-stakes commercial interests pressure almost every professional cyclist into the illegal practice, said a Vatican official. Armstrong is pictured in a 2010 file photo in South Africa. of using and distributing performance-enhancing drugs. He was also banned from professional cycling for life.

Msgr. Sanchez said that some professional ath-

schools, parishes and catechists, said the monsignor, a former pentathlete. He also wants to hold a “Race of Faith” – a 100-meter jog, shuffle or sprint up the Via della Conciliazione toward St. Peter’s Square during the gathering.

“We want to see lots of cardinals in tracksuits, too,” he said.

CARDINAL: PREACH WITH ELOQUENCE, HUMILITY

ROME – In learning to preach, seminarians should look to the homilies of the fathers of the church, where they will discover how eloquence and humility lead to “beauty and delight,” said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston.

“If we could get at least part of this demeanor in our preaching and homiletic activity,” the cardinal said, referring to a homily by St. Augustine, “the very energy of the word of God will find a place in our

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letes who have confessed to doping also revealed the enormous pressure they felt to give everimproved performances; some said they felt it was physically impossible to fulfill such high expectations without the illicit boosts.

The practice is especially rampant in cycling, he said, adding, “it’s very sad.”

Pope Benedict XVI recently condemned doping in sports and called on athletes, coaches and team owners to strive for victory through ethical and legal practices.

“Pressure to achieve important results must never drive (people) to take shortcuts as happens in the case of doping,” the pope said during an audience with Italian Olympic and Paralympic athletes in December 2012.

What’s at stake in the world of sports is not just a respect for the rules, but upholding the dignity of and serving the whole person, he said.

Team spirit must be channeled not only to prevent athletes from taking “these dead ends” of illegal performance-enhancement drugs or practices, the pope said, but also to “support those who recognized they’ve made a mistake, so that they can feel accepted and helped” afterward.

lives of ministry and make our ministry a harmony of doxology and wisdom.”

The cardinal delivered the annual Carl Peter Lecture on Preaching Jan. 13 at the Pontifical North American College, the U.S. bishops’ seminary in Rome. Earlier in the day, he instituted 55 NAC seminarians into the ministry of lector, a step on their way toward ordination to the diaconate and priesthood.

In the lecture, Cardinal DiNardo said he wanted to offer practical, pastoral observations as a preacher and one who loves the great early church theologians.

The patristic homilies, like the best homilies given today, “seize the hour and time, the place and the tenor of a congregation, and bring the ever new word of God to the situation at hand,” Cardinal DiNardo told the seminarians. ©CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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The Archdiocese of San Francisco

La Arquidiócesis de San Francisco

requests the honor of your presence at a

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Mass for Couples Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries

Misa de Parejas que Estarán Celebrando su Aniversarios de Boda

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Sábado segundo de Febrero del dos mil trece a las diez de la mañana

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption

Catedral Santa María de la Asunción

1111 Gough Street San Francisco, California

1111 Gough Street San Francisco, California

Reception following the ceremony.

Recepción después de la ceremonia.

All married couples are invited to attend.

Please call your parish to register.

Todas las parejas casadas quedan cordialmente invitadas.

Favor de llamar a su parroquia para la registración.

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10 WORLD

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

Vatican tests show new details of mummies’ lives CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY – Experts have just concluded a two-year study on the seven adult mummies in the Vatican Museums’ collections.

The mummies underwent a full battery of X-rays, CT scans, endoscopic explorations, histological exams and a whole spectrum of genetic testing, leading one researcher to joke: “These mummies have gotten more medical attention now than when they were alive.”

In fact, scientists can now make the kind of diagnoses ancient Egyptian doctors were probably unable to divine.

Examining without unwrapping

The scientific advancements in genetics, imaging technology and nano research also have brought new and unexpected discoveries with minimally and non-invasive techniques – a far cry from the “unwrapping” autopsies of the 19th century.

For one thing, the mummy Ny-Maat-Re, “who we always referred to as ‘she,’ is in fact actually a man,” said Alessia Amenta, Egyptologist and curator of the Vatican Museums’ Department for the Antiquities of Egypt and the Near East.

The hieroglyphics on the mummy’s three-dimensional painted coverings made of plaster and linen bandages – called cartonnage – had identified it as “the daughter of Sema-Tawi.” But 3-D CT scan results from early January showed the never-unwrapped mummy is clearly male, Amenta said.

“This discovery is very recent and opens a whole host of questions we hope we will be able to answer,” she said during a Vatican news conference Jan. 17.

The Vatican Museums used its own diagnostic laboratory for the first phase of tests, which included the X-rays and endoscopies.

But Amenta then turned to the EURAC-Institute for Mummies and the Iceman – in the northern Italian city of Bolzano – which specializes in gathering and analyzing ancient genetic and other data from mummies.

Albert Zink, scientific director of the institute, presented the results to the Vatican and the public Jan. 17.

Small scalp tumor revealed

He said histological exams on one mummy found what looks to be a small benign tumor on the scalp; if further tests confirmed the result, then “it might be the first case of this kind of tumor for a mummy,” he said.

Molecular studies showed what had been invisible to the naked eye: The two mummies on public display in the Vatican Museums were “not very well preserved” and, in fact, are in worse shape than the five other specimens being kept in storage, Zink said.

“That means it’s urgent the exhibition conditions be changed,” he said.

The studies were a major milestone in the Vatican’s Mummy Project, begun in 2007 to analyze and better preserve its mummy collection.

Mummies are unlike any other museum treasure – be it a priceless pottery shard or prehistoric arrowhead – because a mummy is a human being, Zink and Amenta agreed.

(CNS PHOTO/COURTESY OF VATICAN MUSEUMS)

Above, Cinzia Oliva, a textile restorer from Turin, Italy, who specializes in mummy wrappings, puts the finishing touches on restoring the mummy Ny-Maat-Re in the Vatican Museums’ collections in this undated photo. Experts have just concluded a two-year comprehensive study on the seven adult mummies in the Vatican Museums.

Mummies must be treated with dignity, respect

A mummy must be studied, moved and displayed in a dignified and respectful manner, Amenta said.

“These are people who had a life, who loved, who lived, had kids, suffered from diseases and mourned like each one of us,” she said.

From a conservation standpoint, it also means a mummy has special needs for storage and exhibition, especially with a climate control system to inhibit its decay and best maintain its mummified state, Zink said.

As far as research goes, mummies are a treasure trove of valuable information because everything about them – how their teeth have worn down, the contents of their stomachs, how they were dressed and buried, what diseases or ailments they suffered from – all provide numerous clues to the lives, customs and religious beliefs of ancient peoples, Amenta said.

Even more importantly, discovering the different forms of cancers or other illnesses in the ancient individuals provides valuable insight into today’s diseases and how they evolved genetically over time, she said.

“We can reconstruct the evolutionary pathways of important diseases such as tuberculosis or malaria that are still present today and are still a major health problem,” Zink said.

DNA provides astonishing details

The tiniest bit of genetic material can provide astonishing details, he said, like when they discovered that the 5,000-year-old Iceman in EURAC’s care was lactose intolerant and had Lyme disease.

“These mummies are important resources for all kinds of research and if they aren’t conserved in a good way, we lose a lot of information because their protein and DNA degrades,” he said.

As the Vatican Museums continues its conservation

efforts, the next step will be examining the two childsize mummies, which Amenta said, might actually be mummified animals or falcons, which would not be unusual.

Examinations also began in January on the many layers of linen wrappings on a second mummy, she said.

The wrappings around the face and neck had been ripped or cut open by someone long ago – probably looking for the precious jewels and gold often positioned under the wrappings or around the face of mummies, she said.

‘Splendid craftsmanship’

The woven wrappings display “splendid craftsmanship,” and since they’re cut rather cleanly open, experts can look for clues in the different layers, much like a geologist would.

In June, together with the Louvre in Paris and the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, the Vatican will host the “First Vatican Coffin Conference.”

The Vatican is spearheading the initiative to study the construction and painting techniques of sarcophagi during Egypt’s so-called Third Intermediate Period, which was 3,000 years ago.

No in-depth, comprehensive studies have been done on the period’s wood painting technique, she said, and no ancient Egyptian texts have been found explaining the process.

Scholars wonder whether they are the same techniques used in medieval times “and so we are studying these sarcophagi the same way we study medieval panel paintings.”

But “we’re finding out that the more we advance, the more we discover we know nothing,” she added.

Pope says Christian divisions ‘disfigure’ the church CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY – The divisions among Christians have “disfigured” the church, Pope Benedict XVI said.

“The church is the bride of Christ, who makes her holy and beautiful by his grace,” the pope said Jan. 20 before praying the Angelus with visitors gathered in the rain in St. Peter’s Square.

Even though the church is Christ’s bride, he said, the fact that the church is made up of human beings means that it always needs purification.

“One of the most serious faults that disfigures the face of the church,” the pope said, is the sin “against her visible unity, particularly the historical

divisions that have separated Christians and still have not been overcome completely.”

Pope Benedict said the Jan. 18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was a time for all Christians to reawaken their desire and their prayerful commitment to full communion.

He said that the Dec. 28-Jan. 2 pilgrimage sponsored by the Taize ecumenical community of monks, who brought tens of thousands of young Christians to Rome from all over Europe, was “a moment of grace when we were able to experience the beauty of being one in Christ.”

The reflections for the 2013 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity were

prepared by young people in India and showed a particular concern for the work Christians can and do accomplish together to fight discrimination in their country and around the world.

The pope said the young Indians “call us to walk decisively toward the visible unity of all Christians and to overcome, as brothers and sisters in Christ, every type of unjust discrimination.”

Also during his Angelus address, Pope Benedict urged prayers and action for peace in the world, “so that in the various conflicts underway, the massacre of defenseless civilians would cease, there would be an end to every form of violence and people would find the courage for dialogue and negotiation.”

(CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING)

People use an umbrella during rainfall as Pope Benedict XVI leads the Angelus Jan. 20 from the window of his apartment overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. The divisions among Christians have “disfigured” the church, the pope said in his Angelus remarks.

WORLD 11

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

Ireland: ‘Groundswell’ against legal abortion SARAH MACDONALD

‘We are here to oppose the unjust targeting of even one unborn child’s life in circumstances that have nothing to do with genuine lifesaving medical interventions.’

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

DUBLIN – In the wake of the largest pro-life demonstration ever to have taken place in Ireland, cracks have begun to emerge in the coalition government over its plans to legislate for abortion.

More than 25,000 people converged on Dublin Jan. 19, braving bitterly cold weather, to attend the “Unite for Life” vigil in the capital’s Merrion Square, just opposite the Irish parliament.

Before the vigil, Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin joined more than 1,500 priests, religious and laity at a prayer service at St. Andrew’s Church in the city center to pray for “the child in the womb.”

Groups oppose government proposal

The “Unite for Life” rally was organized by a coalition of pro-life groups opposed to the government’s plans to introduce legislation to allow for restricted abortion when there is a risk to a woman’s life, including a threat of suicide.

The massive turnout appeared to take politicians and the mainstream media by surprise, and by Jan. 21, Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton revealed that she was working on an alternative abortion bill that would exclude the threat of suicide as a reason to allow the procedure.

Speaking on RTE Radio, Creighton said she had “grave reservations” about accepting the risk of suicide as a ground for abortion “because I think it is very, very difficult to identify a system that would allow for that while also ensuring we don’t open the floodgates.”

MICKEY HARTE

Gaelic football manager

(CNS PHOTO/JOHN MC ELROY)

Young women hold candles as they gather for a pro-life vigil outside the Irish Parliament in Dublin Jan. 19. The turnout of more than 25,000 people set a record for a pro-life rally in Ireland.

She said she and many of her colleagues in the Fine Gael party had “deep concerns” over abortion, and she said the government needed to ensure that whatever legislation it introduced was “restrictive.”

Crowd urged to tweet for life

Vigil organizers included groups such as the Pro Life Campaign, Family and Life, Youth Defence and the Life Institute. Leaders urged the crowd to become citizen journalists and tweet images from the rally, and #unite4life trended on Twitter.

A separate pro-abortion rally held just around the corner attracted about 200 supporters.

One of the speakers who addressed

the “Unite for Life” vigil was lawyer and Pro Life Campaign spokeswoman Caroline Simons. She told the crowd, some of whom had spent up to four hours traveling by bus to be there, that the recent parliamentary hearings on abortion had “completely demolished” claims by the government that abortion was needed to treat threatened suicide.

“The psychiatrists who addressed the hearings were unanimous that abortion is not a treatment for suicidal ideation,” she told the crowd, who held up placards saying, “Fine Gael: Keep your prolife promise,” a reference to the major party in the coalition’s pledge ahead of the last election not to introduce abortion legislation. Other placards urged people to “Love them both,” a reference

to the equal right to life of mother and baby as recognized by the Irish Constitution.

“We are here to oppose the unjust targeting of even one unborn child’s life in circumstances that have nothing to do with genuine life-saving medical interventions,” said Gaelic football manager Mickey Harte of Tyrone.

Speaking to Catholic News Service after his address, Harte said there was “a groundswell of opinion to maintain the status quo in Ireland and not make abortion legal.” He urged the Irish government to “listen very intently” to what the people were saying to them.

“There are so many people the length and breadth of this country who never get a chance to mobilize their voice – people want the status quo to remain and to keep Ireland a safe place for a pregnant mother and her unborn baby.”

Another organizer, John Smyth of Pro Life Campaign, told CNS he thought government leaders were “going to have to sit up and listen.”

Pope names successor to head church in Ireland CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI named Msgr. Eamon Martin as coadjutor archbishop of Armagh, Northern Ireland, making him the designated successor to Cardinal Sean Brady as the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

The Vatican announced the appointment Jan. 18.

After serving as vicar general of the Diocese of Derry, Northern Ireland, last year Archbishop-designate Martin became its diocesan administrator upon the retirement of Bishop Seamus Hegarty.

In brief remarks to the media in Armagh, Archbishop-designate Martin said, “There is need for renewal in the church, so that the message of Christ, in all its richness, is presented in ways which engage a new generation.

POPE CHOOSES CARDINAL RAVASI FOR LENTEN RETREAT

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI has asked Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, to lead his Lenten retreat Feb. 17-23.

The Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, reported Jan. 18 that the cardinal will focus on “Ars orandi, ars credendi” (the art of praying, the art of believing), looking particularly at “the face of God and the face of man in the Psalm prayers.”

Pope Benedict and top officials from the Roman Curia suspend their normal schedules from the afternoon of the first Sunday of Lent until the following Saturday morning. Instead,

‘There is a need for a mature relationship between church and society, in both parts of this island, and people of faith have a vital role to play.’

ARCHBISHOP-DESIGNATE EAMON MARTIN “There is a need for a mature relationship between church and society, in both parts of this island, and people of faith have a vital role to play.

“It would hugely impoverish our faith if we were expected to ‘leave it at home’ or ‘keep it for Sundays,’ excluding it from our conversations and actions in daily life,” he said.

He also said one of the biggest challenges facing the Catholic Church “is to acknowledge, live with, and learn from the past, including the terrible trauma caused by abuse.”

Cardinal Brady, 73, has served as primate of all Ireland and president of the Irish Episcopal Conference since 1996, and his tenure has been marked by controversy over clerical sex abuse.

Advocates for abuse victims have called for his resignation since 2010, when it emerged that he had failed to inform civil authorities about an abusive priest who went on to molest children in several countries.

The cardinal will turn 75, the age at which a bishop must submit his resignation to the pope, in August 2014. As

they gather each morning and afternoon in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel for common prayer, eucharistic adoration and 17 meditations offered by a different guest preacher each year.

Cardinal Ravasi, 70, told L’Osservatore that he would begin by reflecting on the verbs associated with prayer: to breathe, to think, to struggle, to love.

Cardinal Ravasi told Vatican Radio that, in developing his topic, he thought of the German Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoffer, “the martyr under Nazisim,” who wrote about the Psalms being human prayers to God, but, at the same time, the word of God. The Psalms, the cardinal said, “demonstrate that the revelation of

God is not a solitary soliloquy recited

by God,” but is “a dialogue, and for dialogue there must be a response.”

ARCHBISHOP URGES TRADITIONALIST GROUP TO CHANGE ATTITUDE

VATICAN CITY – The traditionalist Society of St. Pius X will have a future only if it returns to full communion with the Vatican and stops publicly criticizing the teaching of the pope, said the Vatican official responsible for relations with traditionalist Catholics.

“Surely the time has come to abandon the harsh and counterproductive rhetoric that has emerged over the past years,” U.S. Archbishop J. Augustine Di Noia, vice president of the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei,”

coadjutor, Archbishop-designate Martin will help run the Armagh Archdiocese until the cardinal’s retirement.

The archbishop-designate, 51, was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and attended the seminary at the Pontifical University at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth. He holds a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Cambridge, England.

Archbishop-designate Martin has served as president of St. Columb’s College in the Diocese of Derry, and executive secretary of the Irish bishops’ conference.

According to a statement from the bishops’ conference, the archbishopdesignate has made frequent appearances on devotional television programs and has a “particular interest in sacred music, especially Gregorian chant.” wrote to members of the SSPX in an Advent letter.

The archbishop’s letter, reported

by Vatican Radio Jan. 20, was sent several weeks before the SSPX superior, Bishop Bernard Fellay, gave a speech in Canada Dec. 28 in which he described the Jews as enemies of the church and described as “evil” the Mass as reformed by the Second Vatican Council.

“A review of the history of our relations since the 1970s leads to the sobering realization that the terms of our disagreement concerning Vatican Council II have remained, in effect, unchanged,” the archbishop wrote. ©CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

12 OPINION

How would MLK advise Obama?

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hat advice would America’s most renowned black man offer to America’s first black president? If he were alive today, what wisdom would the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. offer to President Barack Obama?

This question takes on added significance considering that this year the federal holiday honoring King, and Obama’s second public inauguration, fell on the same day – Jan. 21.

As a Christ-centered man, King would first of all urge the president to always do what Jesus would do. And TONY MAGLIANO likewise, to always refrain from doing what Jesus would not do. King would urge a prayerful reading of the four Gospels to help determine what the compassionate, nonviolent Jesus would do today.

With the Gospel as his guide King said, “The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community, while the aftermath of violence is tragic bitterness.”

Violence has its evil grip on so much of our society and world. But the Gospel calls us to build the nonviolent “beloved community.”

Therefore, King would advise the president to become a prophet of peaceful nonviolence – urging parents, teachers, politicians and all, to dispel the demons of fear, anger, greed, vengeance and violence by teaching trust, gentleness, forgiveness, justice, compassion, respectful dialogue and love for all.

And King would ask Obama to do everything possible to completely reverse the proliferation of weapons throughout the nation and world.

In light of the recent tragic gun related murders of Connecticut school children, King would ask the president to courageously push Congress to pass strong, meaningful gun control legislation – including universal gun registration, comprehensive background checks on all gun sales, a total ban on all assault weapons and large ammunition magazines, limited gun purchases and greatly increased mental health services nationwide.

King, who wrote that “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death,” would attempt to convince Obama to urgently work for an end to the arms race, nuclear weapons, weapon sales, drone assassinations, the Afghanistan war, all combat operations and the 700-plus military bases worldwide.

King would passionately urge the president to work for the transfer of hundreds of billions of dollars from the annual military budget to fund social needs – especially poverty and hunger programs nationally and globally.

What about abortion? If he were alive today, would King oppose the murdering of unborn babies?

Based on his overall love for the poor and vulnerable – without exception – it is reasonable to conclude that King would also take up the cause of the unborn, and urge the president to reverse his pro-abortion stance.

King’s niece, Alveda King, in an interview with LifeNews.com said, “I know in my heart if uncle Martin were alive today, he would join with me in the greatest civil rights struggle of this generation – the recognition of the unborn child’s basic right to life.”

With all of these seemingly insurmountable problems, it’s easy to become discouraged and do nothing.

But let us take heart in that Christ Jesus has already ushered in the kingdom of God which will reach its completion in the Father’s good time.

Until then our job is to help advance his kingdom one step at a time.

In the words of King, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step!”

MAGLIANO is an internationally syndicated social justice and peace columnist.

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

LETTERS Critic’s letter proves archbishop’s point My New Year’s resolution was to cut back on writing letters to the editor. I made this vow to prepare for an even harder task – giving them up entirely for Lent. I was tempted to break my resolution when a recent letter to Catholic San Francisco used “quibble” in the same sentence as “abortion.” I resisted.

However, the Jan. 18 issue contained a letter that forced me off the wagon.

I refer to Daishin Sunseri’s letter headlined “Church creates ‘false dualistic conflict.’” He attacks Archbishop Cordileone for having a “philosophy of them vs. us,” which the writer claims “attempts to keep Catholics in line and the rest of us at a distance.”

“There is no false separation - no them and us,” Sunseri wrote. After reading his letter, I concluded that there indeed is, but it is not false. His letter only proves the archbishop’s point.

James O. Clifford Sr. Redwood City

God gave us the magisterium out of love Sunseri’s letter notes that “constantly preaching the church/secular divide the institutional hierarchy attempts to keep Catholics in line and the rest of us at a distance. However, many lay Catholics have begun to see through this game. The truth is that to follow the teachings of Christ people do not need a man-made organization …”

Sunseri is factually incorrect in referring to the Roman Catholic Church as a “man-made organization.” If Sunseri recognizes the divinity of Christ and knows anything about the life of Christ and his teachings, he should know that Christ (the son of God) established his church upon the “rock” of St. Peter (the first pope) and gave us the magisterium – not to oppress the people of God but to lovingly keep us in line until he comes again.

There seems to be a deep-seated paranoia, hostility and/or resentment in Sunseri’s concern about “the institutional hierarchy.” And if Sunseri is truly concerned about following the teachings of Christ, he should educate himself about what those teachings are – and strive to follow them. Jesus said that if you love me, keep my commandments. Isn’t that what the church strives to help us do by its magisterium – to help its members lovingly stay on the path of truth by keeping Christ’s commandments, and by helping us to follow his message to love God and neighbor? And if Sunseri cannot really see the difference between a world without Christ and Christian values (a “secular” world, if you will) and a world with such Christlike values, then I think he is truly burying his head in the sand.

The church and Archbishop Cordileone create no “false dualistic conflict.” The message of Christ and his church are for all.

William Roger Gargano San Francisco

‘Drop the confrontational, negative attitude’ Re “Praying to change the culture,” Jan. 18: Was there a Vatican II? Because, as I recall, there was an amazing document titled “Gaudium et Spes” (“The Church in the Modern World”), and it seems to have been torn up and stomped on. Some members of the USCCB appear to be reverting to earlier heresies, creating a dualism that is truly frightening. We are in this world, part of this world and our destinies are connected with this world, as a renowned theologian friend of mine loves to say. We cannot opt out, nor can we pretend it’s somehow us vs. them. We all are. Heresies (gnosticism, Manicheanism, Albigensianism, Jansenism, et al.) have been condemned repeatedly, but we seem to keep trying to make a demon out of the material world.

Jesus chose to become fully human, and in living his humanity, was often condemned by the “official religious” of his day.

Eucharistic adoration “is making a quiet comeback.” Well, I guess if that’s what you want, you should be free to have that, but eucharistic adoration comes from a time when almost no one was receiving the Eucharist, but now we regularly eat

and drink at the table of word and Eucharist, so what is adoration except a chance to get cozy, just me and God, and I don’t ever have to step outside of my comfort zone and recognize Jesus, in the words of Mother Teresa, “in the distressing guise of the poor?” I have heard people say that they like to go to adoration because they can “feel Jesus looking at them.” I’m sorry, but they are confused about Jesus’ mode of presence in the sacrament: He is substantially present, not physically present. To see Jesus now, you have to look at another human being, who hopefully looks back at you.

Sue Malone Hayes San Francisco

Rep. Pelosi is Catholic by the sacrament of baptism In answer to the letter “Why is Rep. Nancy Pelosi listed among Catholic members?” Jan. 18: 1. Nancy Pelosi is a member of Congress by virtue of our constitutional right to vote.

2. Nancy Pelosi is a Catholic by the sacrament of baptism under the one, true, holy Catholic Church instituted by Jesus Christ – without a “Catholic standard.”

3. I am glad that “Catholic is still the largest denomination in Congress.”

I believe that Jesus chose them to be his instrument in changing the law of “culture of death” to the law of “culture of life” under President Obama’s administration.

Rosenda Jardin San Bruno

Voting against Obama had nothing to do with race Re “‘Honest discussion about race’ USF scholar’s goal,” Jan. 18: I’m happy that Clarence Jones has decided that 49 percent of the voters, including myself, who did not vote for Obama did so because they did not want a black person for president. Ten percent real unemployment, an open hostility toward Catholics and other people of faith, a disastrous health care law that was rammed down our throats, unrestrained abortions, multitrillion-dollar deficits, $3.68-a-gallon gas and a dangerous Middle East policy had nothing to do with it. Thank you for clarifying that, Clarence.

Stephanie Hart Redwood City

The contraceptive mentality and abortion This month marks 40 years of legalized abortion in America. This has caused the loss of more than 55 million lives. For perspective, that is more loss of American lives than occurred in all the world wars added together! One fourth of our citizens under 40 are dead, and the survivors know it. No surprise, then, that our youth are pro-life.

Why the high rate of abortion? Contraception! Really. Statistically, throughout the world, wherever contraception increases, abortions increase. Why? For one thing, the contraceptive mentality sees the child, not as the gift but as a “failure” of contraception. Since all types of contraception have a “failure” rate, when it occurs, the easiest way out is abortion. So the contraceptive mentality encourages selfishness and lust, while children encourage people to live unselfishly and virtuously.

Contraception is immoral and intrinsically evil (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2399, 2370).

While it entices single people into the sin of fornication, lured by the “safe sex” slogan, it also ensnares married couples not only with a false sense of security, but entices them into the sin of adultery as well. Contracepting couples have a divorce rate of 50 percent.

Contraceptive drugs poison the person (such as with cancer, strokes, infertility, death) and pollute the planet (hormones from women on contraceptives have been found in waterways around water treatment plants, causing mutations in the fish there).

This year, let’s do the right thing. Let’s end contraception and have abstinence outside marriage, and natural family planning within marriage.

Jessica Munn Foster City

LETTERS POLICY EMAIL letters.csf@sfarchdiocese.org WRITE Letters to the Editor, Catholic San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

NAME, address and daytime phone number for verification required SHORT letters preferred: 250 words or fewer

OPINION 13

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

Staying centered in the middle of a busy world

M

y mind was going in a hundred different directions as I read the morning paper: Will there be enough votes for the candidates President Barack Obama nominated to his cabinet? Did Lance Armstrong come clean about doping?

Who was responsible for the recent bombing in Syria that killed college students?

These questions and others confronted me on the front page of The Washington Post. As I continued to page through it, more questions arose, leaving me on edge at times, happy at FATHER EUGENE others and indifferent about HEMRICK less important issues.

When we reflect on all that bombards us during the day, it is very difficult to maintain composure. What exactly is composure and how does it empower us to calmly meet the day?

Father Romano Guardini, a theologian, explained the difference between composure and silence. “Silence overcomes noise and talk; composure is the victory over distractions and unrest. Silence is the quiet of a person who could be talking; composure is the vital, dynamic unity of an individual who could be divided by his surroundings, tossed to and fro by the myriad happenings of every day.”

In this description of composure, we learn that it is at the heart of our inner unity, being one within our inner self and having it all pulled together. It fends off what threatens our peace of mind and our powers of concentration.

Composure encourages us to reflect on where our day has taken us and on what things we

F

Father Romano Guardini, a theologian, explained the difference between composure and silence. ‘Silence overcomes noise and talk; composure is the victory over distractions and unrest.’ have focused on the most. It raises the question, “Were there any moments in which we truly enjoyed peace of mind and were at one with ourself ?”

More important, during a harried day, did we ever try to balance its rush with moments of composure in which we shut out distractions, went inside ourselves and enjoyed an inner sense of unity?

In Italian, we have the expression “faro atto di presenza,” to perform the act of being present, to be “all there” in touch with our thoughts, feelings and actions; in other words, to be composed.

When national catastrophes happen, it is a practice to stop for a minute of silence out of respect for those caught up in them. As we do this for others, composure would encourage us to periodically stop everything we are doing out of respect for our mental, physical and spiritual life.

If practiced on a regular basis, it promises a greater probability of many things: enjoying our meals more fully, sleeping more peacefully and accomplishing work more effectively.

Like all victories, capturing composure requires us to battle against being swept along with a crowd going in all directions at once. © CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Pro-life rising, 40 years after Roe v. Wade

orty years ago, on Jan. 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down Roe v. Wade, one of the two worst decisions in its history. The court’s first mega-error, the 1857 decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford, declared an entire class of human beings beyond the protection of the laws; Roe v. Wade declared another class of human beings, the unborn, beyond legal protection. Dred Scott helped precipitate the Civil War; Roe v.

Wade led to a vast expansion of the pro-life movement, the largest movement of social reform in American since GEORGE WEIGEL the civil rights movement and the natural successor to that effort to repair the lingering damage done by Dred Scott.

The battle to build an America in which every child is protected in law and welcomed in life continues. Forty years after Roe, the pro-life movement can cite at least 10 reasons why it may, in time, carry the day.

(1) Abortion has never been accepted as part of mainstream medical practice. Abortion is regarded as tawdry and abortionists are stigmatized by much of the medical establishment.

(2) The science of human reproduction and gestation has confirmed the pro-life position and rendered the “science” of Roe risible.

(3) The sonogram, which permits us to see the results of human conception, has been a cultural game-changer.

(4) The people of the United States have decisively rejected the Supreme Court’s 1992 diktat in Casey v. Planned Parenthood, wherein the Court instructed the people to end the abortion debate.

With leadership from, among many others, the Catholic bishops of the United States, the people decided that they would not be silenced, and the pro-life movement has grown ever since.

(5) The pro-“choice” world has always been rigid; it now displays an increasing desperation. Prolife organizations have worked incrementally to regulate abortion clinics and protect women from butchers like Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell; to mandate informed consent in abortiondecisions and parental-consent in the case of

minors seeking abortions; and to legislate waiting periods so that women in crisis pregnancies can consider their situation with as much calm as circumstances allow. The pro-“choice” world has resisted every one of these efforts to create situations of informed choice; it also resisted both a ban on the abortion of late-term fetuses partially born and legal requirements to try and save the lives of children who survive late-term abortions.

Indeed, in certain political circles, abortion seems to be regarded as a kind of secular sacrament. This brutality has not gone unnoticed. Neither has the hysteria with which Planned Parenthood attacked the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

(6) The pro-life movement is getting younger while the pro-“choice” opposition is graying. What really alarms the pro-Roe forces in American politics about the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., is not just the impressive numbers: it’s that the marchers get younger, every year. And that youthful vitality is not limited to one cold January day in the nation’s capital; there are new pro-life organizations among younger physicians and attorneys. All of which suggests that the pro-life movement is American civil society at its robust and self-revitalizing best.

(7) Pro-lifers have had increasing success at the state legislative level in recent years and can anticipate more success in this phase of the battle in the immediate future.

(8) The sheer implausibility of the legal argument in Roe v. Wade has become clearer over time.

Few serious legal scholars defend the legal reasoning in Roe, and even honest liberal scholars agree with one of Roe’s dissenters, Justice Byron White, who labeled the decision an exercise in “raw judicial power.”

(9) The humane service rendered to hundreds of thousands of women in thousands of crisis pregnancy centers across the country has demonstrated, time and again, that the pro-life movement is the party of compassion in this debate.

(10) A 2012 Gallup Poll found that more than 50 percent of the American people self-define as “prolife.”

So there is reason for a measure of satisfaction, if not exultation, on Roe’s 40th anniversary.

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

A time to give some thought to national service

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here was, as everyone knows, compulsory military service during World War II. In exchange for each month spent in the military, veterans were entitled to two months of higher education – tuition, fees and books – in independent or public institutions of their choice, paid for by the federal government.

For those taking advantage of this opportunity, there was also a monthly living allowance. This was the so-called GI Bill of Rights, enacted FATHER WILLIAM into law in 1944 largely J. BYRON, SJ because members of Congress feared that there would be widespread unemployment of Great Depression proportions when the veterans of World War II retuned to civilian life.

It turned out to be the greatest investment in human capital ever made in this country. And the return to treasury – the higher taxes paid over the decades since 1945 in function of the higher incomes earned as a result of the higher education received – has been enormous. In effect, the program benefits proved over the long run to be self-financing.

What if we had a national service program in the U.S. today that included not just military service but elder care, child care, resource conservation, rebuilding the decaying urban infrastructure and more? What if we made the national service law applicable to all American men and women, ages 18 to 20? Their length of service would be two years.

The areas of service would include the military, thus putting the affluent young into uniform and ending the disproportionately large representation of low-income and racialminority personnel in the now “all-volunteer” military.

Service could put the young in direct oneon-one helping relationships with the disadvantaged poor. Some of these activities would require away-from-home barracks living, as was the case with the Civilian Conservation Corps of the Great Depression years, or the boot camps and basic training centers operated by the military during World War II. I think justification for requiring national service of the young today lies in the evident drift and purposelessness so many of them display.

Their parents see it. Those who counsel them in high school or advise them in college see it. They show up in the data collected on drug abuse, crime and, to a small but frightening degree, in instances of youth suicide. Does this add up to a national emergency? I think it does.

The young are not needed today on farms or in factories. But they could be used in meeting unmet societal and environmental needs.

Many World War II vets took advantage of educational opportunities that prepared them for productive careers. They gained maturity and a sense of purpose during their service years. The nation benefitted not only from their service but as much or even more from their later lives, made all the more productive in subsequent decades thanks to education gained under the GI Bill.

Perhaps national service is worth considering as the Obama administration enters its second term. Policy wonks can apply their pencils to the budgetary arithmetic and speculate on whether it has to be compulsory in order to work.

JESUIT FATHER BYRON is university professor of business and society at St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia.

He is an army veteran of World War II who received his college education on the GI Bill. ©CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

14 FAITH

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

SUNDAY READINGS

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.

LUKE 1:1-4; 4:14-21 NEHEMIAH 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10 Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak till midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it — for he was standing higher up than any of the people —; and, as he opened it, all the people rose. Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, “Amen, amen!” Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the Lord, their faces to the ground. Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: “Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep”— for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. He said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our Lord. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!”

PSALM 19:8, 9, 10, 15 Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye.

T

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart find favor before you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-30 Brothers and sisters: As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I do not need you.” Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to a part that is without it, so that there may be no division in the body, but

that the parts may have the same concern for one another. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.

Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

LUKE 1:1-4; 4:14-21 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us, I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to write it down in an orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings you have received. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

The Christ of time and experience

he Christian faith, more than any other faith, is based upon and built around a person. This ancient belief has, of course, expressed itself in many different dimensions, and has resulted in some disagreement. The one thing – and maybe the only thing – on which Christians have always been in agreement is that we believe in Christ. He is, was, and always will be the heart and core of our faith.

Christ himself is Christian.

Everything is based and directed toward him and built upon and around him. And, this Christ, in whom we all believe, has two important dimensions. First, there is the Christ of history. Second, there is the Christ of experience. Both of these are vital DEACON to Christianity. Take away FAIVA PO’OI either one, and the Christian religion would cease to be.

In the Gospel, Luke writes for and to some unknown person named Theophilus. This name means “beloved of God.” So, in a very real sense, Luke’s Gospel is personally dedicated to all who read or hear it. You and I can accept the name,

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

If the Christ of history is to have real meaning for you and me, we must come to know him in that other dimension – the Christ of experience.

Theophilus, as our own name and regard this Gospel as a Gospel written for us and to us, by name, because each of us is beloved of God. Through the Christ of history about whom we read in the Bible, we can trace the broader outline of his life from Bethlehem, where he was born, to Calvary, where he died. We can also read and contemplate the major themes of his teaching. In this Gospel, Jesus stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. After reading the Scripture, he rolled up the scroll and returned it, giving the shortest homily ever, “Today, the Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”

The solid foundation of our faith is set in the facts of history. It happened a long time ago. By itself, however, it does not constitute vital Christianity. If the Christ of history is to have real meaning for you and me, we must come to know him in that other dimension – the Christ of experience.

Paul spoke of this in his first letter to the Corin-

thians when he wrote: “You are the body of Christ.

Every one of you is a member of it.” When Paul penned those lines in his letter, he wrote of a Jesus Christ who had not been physically present on the earth for any great length of time. This is our dilemma. How can the Christ of ancient history become for us the Christ of modern experience?

The Christ of history was a carpenter from Galilee, an itinerant teacher in ancient Israel. Yet, when we listen to the things he said, his historical setting fades into obscurity. He becomes our contemporary. We cannot restrict him to the first century. He comes marching out of and through history. He leaves Nazareth behind. He shakes the dust of Judea from his feet and establishes residence here and forever.

That was the nature of the life and ministry of Jesus. He was and is the revealer of universal and eternal truths about life. Paul told the Corinthians, “All of us have been given to drink of the one Spirit.” He was speaking of the spirit of Christ who dwells in each of us. Our challenge today is to recognize his presence and identify ourselves with him, until his way of living becomes our way of living. By this process, the Christ of history becomes the Christ of experience. This is the center of our Christian faith.

DEACON PO’OI serves at St. Timothy Parish, San Mateo.

LITURGICAL CALENDAR, DAILY MASS READINGS MONDAY, JANUARY 28: Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, priest and doctor of the church. Heb 9:15, 24-28. PS 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6. Mk 3:22-30.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30: Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time. Heb 10:11-18. PS 110:1, 2, 3, 4. Mk 4:1-20.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1: Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time. Heb 10:32-39. PS 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40. Mk 4:26-34.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29: Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time. Heb 10:1-10. PS 40:2 and 4ab, 7-8a, 10, 11. Mk 3:31-35.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31: Memorial of St. John Bosco, priest. Heb 10:19-25. PS 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6.

Mk 4:21-25.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2: Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Mal 3:1-4. PS 24:7, 8, 9, 10. Heb 2:14-18.

Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32.

FAITH 15

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

Love must triumph even in the worst of tragedies

R

ecalling the tragic funerals at Newtown, Conn., at the end of last year brings back the memory of horrific pain and quiet dignity. The griefstricken parents and their compassionate neighbors displayed the highest values of the human spirit.

Love was in the air.

For me, the love of God trumped the evil of Satan.

As time begins to diminish the shock, I wonder how each family has managed to cope. I wonder what I would have said if I had been asked to offer words of comfort.

FATHER JOHN No words are adequate in CATOIR such a situation. Maybe just holding a person is the best we can do, and it’s worth more than words. Yet there is still a need to address the great mystery of the evil behind it all.

My mind turned to the words God gave us in the supreme law. They were not offered to comfort us.

They constitute a divine command.

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

Jesus taught this truth both in word and example.

(CNS PHOTO/MIKE SEGAR, REUTERS)

An angel ornament on a Christmas tree in Newtown, Conn., Dec. 19, memorializes a victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings.

God is unchanging love. How are we to respond to such a truth?

We have been created to love and honor God in good season and bad. The temptation to doubt God’s love or to become wildly angry with him in the heat of a tragedy is understandable. The supreme law prevails nevertheless. This is our faith.

It tells us to believe in God’s love no matter what.

It’s always better to turn to sacred Scripture

when our own words fail. Faith alone gives clarity in times of darkness and confusion. We have to depend on God’s words, not on our emotions. Feelings are not facts; they cannot be trusted. God is real, and he always loves us.

Living courageously because of the knowledge of God’s love is a matter of faith, which carries us far beyond our doubts and fears. A person who becomes an emotional basket case in a time of stress can never bring a smile to the face of a frightened child.

Grieving people do not want a pity party; they want the strength, faith and courage needed to carry on. Copious tears are not signs of self-pity; they are a badge of honor, displaying genuine love.

Faith tells us that God’s love never abandons us.

Evil is always against God’s will.

When evil comes into this world, God recoils in outrage. He wants us to hold on to our faith in his love – always.

Faith is essential to our happiness and joy. Just as water gives life to a plant, faith gives life to the soul. A plant without water withers and dies; when faith leaves the soul, happiness and hope disappear.

We cannot allow ourselves to hate, even to hate the perpetrator of the tragedy, Adam Lanza; otherwise evil will have triumphed. ©CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Mass for an aborted child

Feeling boundless love inside a dark trust

N

icholas Lash, in a deeply insightful essay on God and unbelief, suggests that the God that atheists reject is often simply an idol of their own imaginations: “We need do no more than notice that most of our contemporaries still find it ‘obvious’ that atheism is not only possible, but widespread and that, both intellectually and ethically, it has much to commend it. This might be plausible if being an atheist were a matter of not believing that there exists ‘a person without a body’ who is ‘eternal, free, able to do anything, FATHER RON knows everything’ and is ROLHEISER ‘the proper object of human worship and obedience, the creator and sustainer of the universe.’ If, however, by ‘God’ we mean the mystery, announced in Christ, breathing all things out of nothing into peace, then all things have to do with God in every move and fragment of their being, whether they notice this and suppose it to be so or not. Atheism, if it means deciding not to have anything to do with God, is thus self-contradictory and, if successful, self-destructive.”

Lash’s insight is, I believe, very important, not first and foremost for our dialogue with atheists, but for our understanding of our own faith. The first thing that Christianity defines dogmatically about God is that God is ineffable, that is, that it is impossible to conceptualize God and that all of our language about God is more inaccurate than accurate.

That isn’t just an abstract dogma. Our failure to understand this, perhaps more than anything else, is the reason why we struggle with faith and struggle to not fudge its demands. What’s at issue here?

Errors in trying to picture God

All of us, naturally, try to form some picture of God and try to imagine God’s existence. The problem when we try to do this is that we end up in one of two places, both not good.

On the one hand, we often end up with an image of God as some superman, a person like ourselves, except wonderfully superior to us in every way.

We picture God as a superhero, divine, all knowing, and all-powerful, but still ultimately like us, capable of being imagined and pictured, someone whom we can circumscribe, put a face to, and count. While this is natural and unavoidable, it leaves us, no matter how sincere we are, always, with an idol, a God created in our own image and likeness, and consequently a God who can easily and rightly be rejected by atheism.

On the other hand, sometimes when we try to

The human imagination cannot deal with God’s infinitude. form a picture of God and imagine God’s existence, something else happens: We come up dry and empty, unable to either picture God or imagine God’s existence. We then end up either in some form of atheism or afraid to examine our faith because we have unconsciously internalized atheism’s belief that faith is naive and cannot stand up to the hard questions.

Failure of imagination

When this happens to us, when we try to imagine God’s existence and come up empty, that failure is not one of faith but of our imagination. We are living not so much inside of atheism as inside of God’s ineffability, inside a “cloud of unknowing,” a “dark night of the soul.” We aren’t atheists. We just feel like we are. It’s not that God doesn’t exist or has disappeared. It’s rather that God’s ineffability has put God outside of our imaginative capacities.

Our minds are overmatched. God is still real, but our finite imaginations are coming up empty trying to picture infinite reality – like trying to imagine the highest number to which it is possible to count. The infinite cannot be circumscribed by the imagination. It has no floor and it has no ceiling, no beginning and no end. The human imagination cannot deal with that.

God is infinite and, thus, by definition unimaginable and impossible to conceptualize. That’s also true for God’s existence. It cannot be pictured. However, the fact that we cannot imagine God is very different than saying that we cannot know God. God can be known, even if not imagined. How? We all know many things that we cannot imagine, conceptualize, or articulate. Inside us there is something the mystics call “dark knowledge” – a gut sense within which we know and understand beyond what we can picture and give words to.

And this isn’t some exotic, paranormal talent that fortune tellers claim to have. It’s our bedrock, that solid foundation that we touch in our most sincere and deepest moments, that place inside us where when we are at our best we ground our lives.

God is ineffable, unimaginable, and beyond conception and language. Our faith lets us bracket this for a while and lets us picture God as some idolized superhero. But eventually that well runs dry and our finite minds are left to know the infinite only in darkness, without images, and our finite hearts are left to feel infinite love only inside a dark trust.

OBLATE FATHER ROLHEISER is president of the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, Texas.

Q.

Many years ago, when I was in my 20s, a girl I was dating became pregnant by me. She then had an abortion. Not only did I not try to stop her, but I helped to pay for the abortion. I have confessed this and have received forgiveness.

Just recently, I have begun praying for the soul of that aborted child.

I was wondering whether I could schedule a Mass intention in my church for the child. (I could make up a generic name like “Jackie” since we didn’t know the child’s gender, and the Mass intention could be in that name.) I still feel FATHER guilty and would like KENNETH DOYLE to do as much as I can for that child’s soul.

(Columbia, S.C.) What you describe is not uncommon: Parents of an aborted child years later feel regret and remorse. As to having a Mass for the child, I feel quite confident that the child is in heaven and needs no prayers.

The child, of course, bore no responsibility for his or her own death, and the Vatican announced in 2007 that there are reasonable grounds to believe that an infant who dies before being baptized will be brought by God to heaven.

What you might do instead is to have the Mass offered for “a special intention” and have that intention be for the mother, that she will have repented for the sin and, if a Catholic, have sought forgiveness through confession; and next, for our nation, that the scourge of abortion will be lifted from us.

(With respect to the hundreds of tiny children who are aborted each day, I believe that historians a century from now will say – as they now say of the rise of Hitler in Nazi Germany – “How could a civilized nation have let that happen?”)

QUESTION CORNER

A.

Send questions to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfatherdoyle@gmail.com and 40 Hopewell St., Albany, NY 12208. ©CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

16 ARTS & LIFE

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

How religious ethics can help to honor the earth “EARTH-HONORING FAITH: RELIGIOUS ETHICS IN A NEW KEY”

BY LARRY L. RASMUSSEN. Oxford University Press (New York, 2012). 368 pp., $45.

REVIEWED BY NANCY L. ROBERTS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Our age of speeded-up climate change, extinction of various species, wholesale destruction of ecosystems such as coral reefs and rainforests, and unjust economic and political realities calls for radical changes in how we think about human society. “Earth-Honoring Faith: Religious Ethics in a New Key” is Larry L. Rasmussen’s deeply reflective and eloquent response.

Rasmussen, the Reinhold Niebuhr professor emeritus of social ethics at Union Theological Seminary, writes from the perspective of a leading scholar of religion and ethics – also drawing from science, history and even poetry as he passionately asserts that we must care not only for human life but for the health of the entire planet.

Rasmussen makes a compelling case that we need to develop a new spiritual and ecological ethic that will preserve our planet’s well-being for present and future generations.

In a fascinating section, he discusses the Great Chain of Being, which he calls “arguably the most influential of all Christian cosmologies.” This long-dominant perspective “pictured life as an outflowing of the divine in an endless array of diverse and interdependent lives.”

God reigned supreme, followed by angels and then human beings (with men ranked higher than women).

Peoples and cultures deemed “inferior” “were the unconsulted beneficiaries of a salvific gospel and way of life.”

This view ultimately justified the conquest and colonization of non-Christian nations around the globe, forced slaves to undergo the middle passage “with great loss of life and centuries of ensuing coercion and fear” and led to the near-extermination of native peoples.

In place of the Great Chain of Being, Rasmussen looks to a web-of-life sacramentalism that values every creature, but “consciously shifts the common good as the long-standing Catholic ethical norm for human society to a common good inclusive of the planet, a good that includes global ‘commons’ such as the atmosphere and the oceans.”

Such a view makes the planet earth itself a sacrament; it is “a disclosure of God’s presence by visible and tangible signs, like the waters of baptism and the waters of the Columbia River and its salmon.”

This perspective shares much with the teachings of other religions, including Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. For example, Rasmussen quotes Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk: “If we’re capable of recognizing the flowing river, the blue sky, the blossoming tree, the singing bird, the majestic mountains, the countless animals, the sunlight, the fog, the snow, the

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innumerable wonders of life as miracles that belong to the kingdom of God, we’ll do our best to preserve them and not allow them to be destroyed.”

Rasmussen considers at length the element of water, using it as a case-study opportunity “to think morally about and with a primal element of earth.” All religious traditions, he writes, understand water as a source and sustainer of life and accordingly create sacred water rites such as the mikvah, the Jewish ritual bath, or the Christian rite of baptism. He believes that to use water resources justly requires developing moral systems that consider not only the good of human beings, but of the planet earth itself.

“A sacramental sense and web-of-life morality are more conducive to that than either chain-of-being sacramentalism or the commodity morality of industrialism.”

But, Rasmussen adds, “All water engineers need not become Franciscans.

But there would be sound ecological water management, not commandand-control management, if they adopted (St.) Francis’ adjectives: ‘Praised be you my Lord, for Sister Water, so useful, humble, precious, and pure’ (Canticle of the Sun).”

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POPE NAMES MOVIE EXPERT TO HEAD VATICAN TV

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI named a priest who is an expert in cinema and communications to head the Vatican’s television production center, CTV, the Vatican announced Jan. 22.

Father Dario Edoardo Vigano, 50, replaces Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, as director of CTV, while the Jesuit remains general director of Vatican Radio and head of the Vatican press office. The pope also named Father Vigano to be secretary of the television’s administrative council, according to the Vatican.

In an effort to simplify the accreditation process for journalists, the pope also named Angelo Scelzo, who served as undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, to be the second vice-director of the Vatican press office.

Scelzo, a lay journalist, will continue his role of overseeing the accreditation process for still photographers and audiovisual journalists, but will do so at the press hall, rather than at the pontifical council. Passionist Father Ciro Benedettini will continue as the other vice-director of the press hall, serving print journalists.

Father Vigano, who was born in Rio de Janeiro, is a professor of the “theology of communication” at the Redemptor Hominis Pastoral Institute of the Pontifical Lateran University and serves as director of the Lateran Center for Higher Studies. Ordained by the late-Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini for the Archdiocese of Milan, the priest has a doctorate in communications and has written a number of books and articles about the relationship between Catholicism and the mass media, particularly cinema. ©CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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COMMUNITY 17

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

OBITUARIES FATHER JOSEPH O’CONNELL, 88 – RETIRED PASTOR

Father Joseph O’Connell, retired pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Mill Valley, died Jan. 19 at Nazareth House, San Rafael.

He was 88.

Born in San Francisco, Father O’Connell attended St. Monica School and St. Ignatius College Preparatory. He entered St. Joseph’s College in Mountain View Father Joseph in 1942 and St. Patrick’s Seminary O’Connell & University, Menlo Park, in 1946.

He was ordained June 16, 1951, by Archbishop John J. Mitty.

Father O’Connell was also former pastor of St. Dunstan, Millbrae; Sacred Heart, San Francisco; and former assistant director of St. Vincent School for Boys, San Rafael. He also served at parishes including Star of the Sea and St. Elizabeth, San Francisco and St. Anselm, Ross. He was a former San Francisco Fire Department chaplain.

He is survived by his brother Father William

O’Connell, retired pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Belmont.

Father William O’Connell was principal celebrant of a funeral Mass Jan. 24 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Mill Valley.

Remembrances may be made to the Priests’ Retirement Fund, Archdiocese of San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco 94109.

JAMES W. KELLY JR., 93 – CSF ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

James W. Kelly Jr., of San Bruno died peacefully in his sleep Jan. 17 while visiting his two sisters in Bend, Ore. He was 93.

Born in Eureka Jan. 2, 1920, he graduated from the University of San Francisco in 1940 and served in the Army in the Aleutian Islands for two years in World War II. He was an Army Reserve officer for 34 years, James W. Kelly Jr. retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

In his career he worked for the San Francisco Monitor, USF and the San Francisco Progress, winning

The Leading Catholic Funeral Directors of the San Francisco Archdiocese

awards for writing and photography, including the1960 McQuade Award of the Association of Catholic Newsmen for his series on the braceros in California.

A parishioner at St. Robert in San Bruno, where he served as coach, scout leader, newsletter editor and photographer and lay minister, he also was a longtime member of the Catholic San Francisco advisory board.

For decades, he traveled to schools to speak to students about the consequences of smoking, drawing on his experience in losing his larynx to throat cancer.

Predeceased by his wife Mary Kelly, he is survived by sisters Audrey Scott and Ruth Fee; children Sara Kelly (Gary), Christina Kelly (Bob), Kevin Kelly (Susan), Anne Draus (Greg), Walter Kelly, Marybeth Kelly, Sheila Sigmund (Scott), Victoria Kelly (Scott), Peter Kelly (Denise) and James W. Kelly III (Johanna). He had 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Feb. 8 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Robert Church, with a rosary Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at St. Robert. Arrangements for the interment and reception are being handled by the family through Chapel of the Highlands, Millbrae. Donations may be made to Catholic Charities CYO of San Francisco.

FUNERAL SERVICES TO ADVERTISE IN CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO VISIT www.catholic-sf.org | CALL (415) 614-5642 EMAIL advertising.csf@sfarchdiocese.org

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“Here’s wishing happiness and wellbeing to all the families of the Archdiocese. If you ever need our guidance please call at any time. Sincerely, Paul Larson ~ President.”

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The Catholic Cemeteries ◆ Archdiocese of San Francisco www.holycrosscemeteries.com Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery Intersection of Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025 650-323-6375 Tomales Catholic Cemetery 1400 Dillon Road, Tomales, CA 94971 415-479-9021

Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery 1500 Mission Road, Colma, CA 94014 650-756-2060 St. Anthony Cemetery Stage Road Pescadero, CA 94060 650-712-1679

Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery 270 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, CA 94903 415-479-9020 Our Lady of the Pillar Cemetery Miramontes St. Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 415-712-1679

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18 CALENDAR

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 30 SHRIVER AT USF: Mark Shriver, author, human rights advocate and Kennedy family scion at the University of San Francisco, McLaren Mark Shriver Complex, 2130 Fulton St., San Francisco, 4 p.m. Shriver will speak about his book â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver.â&#x20AC;?

He will recall his own childhood in the Kennedy-Shriver household and revisit his now late dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contributions to the nation which he says were always guided by faith, hope and love. Free and open to the public. Visit www.usfca. edu/universityministry/ and click on Mark Shriver Lecture and book signing.

FRIDAY, JAN. 25 DANCE CONCERT: Mercy High School, San Francisco presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;Soar,â&#x20AC;? Jan. 25, 26, 7:30 p.m., 3250 19th Ave., San Francisco. $12, $10 students and seniors. events@mercyhs.org. (415) 334-7941.

ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY: Conversation group on ancient philosophical texts, St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral, Gough Street at Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, Msgr. Bowe Room, 7:3010 p.m. reynaldo.miranda@gmail. com. (415) 584 8794.

SATURDAY, JAN. 26 WALK FOR LIFE: Archbishop Salva-

tore J. Cordileone, actress Jennifer Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill, and tens of thousands of pro-lifers participate in the Walk for Life West Coast. The day kicks off with Mass at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral, Gough Street at Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, 9:30 a.m. The Walk for Life rally begins at 12:30 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza followed by the Walk for Life on Market Street at 1:30 p.m. Visit www.walkforlifewc. com.

FRIDAY, FEB. 1 DANCE CONCERT: Mercy High School, San Francisco presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;Soar,â&#x20AC;? Feb. 1, 2, 7:30 p.m., 3250 19th Ave., San Francisco. $10/$8 students and seniors. events@mercyhs.org. (415) 334-7941.

REUNION: Notre Dame des Victoires School, class of `72 is celebrating its 40th class reunion beginning with a guided tour of the school starting at 4:30 p.m. Meet at the NDV auditorium entrance at 659 Pine St. Dinner will follow at the CafĂŠ Bastille, 22 Belden Place, between Pine and Bush, a short walk from the school.

Bob Borbeck. bobborbeck@aol. com .

MASS AND TALK: Catholic Marin Breakfast Club, St. Sebastian Hall, Greenbrae, 7 a.m. Mass with breakfast and talk following. Jesuit Father Joe Eagan is guest speaker on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vatican II Today: The Battle for the Future of the Church.â&#x20AC;? Members breakfast, $8, others $10, (415) 461-0704 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Sugaremy@aol.com . Guest speaker March 1 is Jesuit Father Tom Weston, an iconic and legendary presence in the world of recovery.

SATURDAY, FEB. 2 ANNIVERSARY MASS: Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone is princi-

SATURDAY, FEB. 2 MASS: First Saturday at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, All Saints Mausoleum Chapel, 11 a.m. Father Charles Puthota, pastor, St. Veronica Par- Father Charles ish, celebrant Puthota and homilist.

(650) 756-2060.

SUNDAY, FEB. 3 ST. JUDE NOVENA: Dominican Father Donald Bramble leads this annual retreat Feb. 3-11 that includes Masses Monday-Saturday 8 a.m., Father Donald 5:30 p.m.

Bramble, OP and Sunday 11:30 a.m. Rosary and blessing with St. Jude relic before all Masses. Healing retreat and procession Feb. 9, 10noon, St. Dominic Church, 2390 Bush St. at Steiner, San Francisco, (415) 931-5919.

Visit www.stjude-shrine.org.

pal celebrant of liturgy celebrating anniversary couples of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral, Gough Street and Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, 10 a.m.

All married couples invited to attend.

Call your parish office to register.

Contact Office of Worship, (415) 614-5586 or (415) 614-5505 or murphyj@sfarchdiocese.org.

COUNSELING

Dr. William Meza, DDS, FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

(650) 587-3799 Free 29 Birch Street, Ste. 3, consultations: Redwood City, CA Braces, Implants, www.bayareadentaloffice.com Dentures

HOME HEALTH CARE Irish Help at Home

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High Quality Home Care Since 1996 Home Care Attendants â&#x20AC;˘ Companions â&#x20AC;˘ CNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospice â&#x20AC;˘ Respite Care â&#x20AC;˘ Insured and Bonded San Mateo 650.347.6903

San Francisco 415.759.0520

Marin 415.721.7380

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Lila Caffery, MA, CCHT San Francisco: 415.337.9474 Complimentary phone consultation

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ROSARY: 9 a.m. in front of Planned Parenthood, 35 Baywood Ave., San Mateo, first Saturday of the month, San Mateo Pro-Life. Jessica, (650) 572-1468.

MALTESE FESTA: St. Elizabeth Maltese Society, 4:30 p.m., St. Elizabeth Parish Cantwell Hall, Wayland at Goettingen streets, San Francisco, steak dinner with pasta, wine and dessert, $25 adults, $10 children 5-10. John Sant, (415) 467-1413; Tony Sammut, (415) 467-1686; Carmen Micallef, (415) 586-2597.

SUNDAY, FEB. 3 ST. BRIGID MASS: Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mass and brunch, United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Ave. at Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco, 10 a.m. Mass followed by brunch. Tickets $30. Katy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shea, (415) 648-6275; Margaret McAuliffe, (415) 334-7212.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6 SEPARATED, DIVORCED: Meeting takes place first and third Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., St. Stephen Parish Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Reilly Center, 23rd Avenue at Eucalyptus, San Francisco. Groups are part of the separated and divorced Catholic ministry in the archdiocese and include prayer, introductions, sharing. It is a drop-in support group. Jesuit Father Al Grosskopf, (415) 422-6698, grosskopf@usfca. edu.

TO ADVERTISE IN CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO VISIT www.catholic-sf.org | CALL (415) 614-5642 EMAIL advertising.csf@sfarchdiocese.org

THE PROFESSIONALS

DENTIST

CONFIRMATION RETREAT: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Catch the Spiritâ&#x20AC;? at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Alameda de las Pulgas at Ralston Ave., Belmont, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. with Brother Scott Slattern for junior high and high school students preparing for the sacrament of confirmation. $25 per student includes T-shirt, lunch and program. Sister Celeste Arbuckle at arbucklec@ sfarchdiocese.org.

FAMILY THERAPIST

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MEDICARE TURNING 65?

Finally! Clarity for your Medicare choices.

Free report: What You Need to Know About Medicare Before You Turn 65 Call 800-826-5761, 24 hours, for a free recorded message and get this report.

Joe Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Aura

CSF CONTENT IN YOUR INBOX: Visit catholic-sf.org to sign up for our e-newsletter.

Saint Stephen parishioner CA Lic # 0C68684

CALENDAR 19

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

SATURDAY, FEB. 9 THURSDAY, FEB. 7 ICA LUNCHEON: Immaculate Conception Academy’s “Celebrating Women in Business: Educate, Experience, Empower,” Julia Morgan Ballroom, San Cathy Unruh Francisco.

Guest speaker is Cathy Unruh, a graduate of St. Rose Academy and advisor to major national and global corporations as a principal with Jackson Hole Group. $75. Visit icaluncheon2013.eventbrite.com.

Rhonda Hontalas rhontalas@ icacademy.org, (415) 824-2052.

EJUNK DROP-OFF: St. Peter Parish, 700 Oddstad Blvd., Pacifica, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Will accept electronic discards. Vivian, (650) 722-2308 or vn.queirolo@gmail. com. Proceeds benefit church roof fund.

ART EXHIBIT: Manresa Gallery presents “Spiritual Practices: Meditations on Faith,” featuring the work of four contemporary Jesuit artists. The exhibition includes a range of mediums and explores contemporary Jesuit issues through art making practices. Hours are 12:30-2:30 p.m. through May 12, panel discussion at 10:45 a.m. in Xavier Hall, Fromm Building, University of San Francisco campus. info@manresagallery.org.

ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY: St. Mary’s Cathedral, Gough Street at Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, Msgr. Bowe Room, 7:30-10 p.m. reynaldo.miranda@gmail.com. (415) 584 8794.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND: A weekend where married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores and phones and focus only on each other.

If you’d like greater depth, growth and enrichment in your relationship, you’ll like the difference a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend can make. Paul and Yvonne, (650) 366-7093.

SEPARATED, DIVORCED: Meeting takes place second and fourth Tuesdays, St. Bartholomew Parish Spirituality Center, Alameda de las Pulgas at Crystal Springs Road, San Mateo, 7 p.m. Groups are part of the separated and divorced Catholic ministry in the archdiocese and include prayer, introductions, sharing. It is a drop-in support group. Jesuit Father Al Grosskopf (415) 422-6698, grosskopf@usfca.edu.

THURSDAY, FEB. 14 PRO-LIFE MEETING: San Mateo Pro-

FENCES & DECKS

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

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VATICAN II TALKS: “Liturgy and Sacraments” with Father David Pettingill at St. Pius Parish, Homer Crouse Hall, Woodside Road at Valota, Redwood City, 7 p.m. (650) 361-1411, ext. 121. laura@pius.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7 SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT: Evening benefits students of De Marillac Academy begins at 5:15 p.m. and includes reception and student exhibits, dinner and program, after dinner reception and dessert at the Westin St. Francis Hotel Union Square, San Francisco, with Diane Dwyer of NBC Bay Area as emcee. Tickets are $150 and sponsorship-level attendance is also available.

Carrie Davis, (415) 552-5220, ext. 36.

Bill Hefferon

GARAGE DOOR Garage Door Repair

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IRISH Eoin PAINTING Lehane 415.368.8589 Lic.#942181

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CONSTRUCTION McGuire & Sons c o n s t r u c t i o n

State License # 346397, Est. 1978 415-454-2719 FINE WORK AT REASONABLE PRICES mcguireandsonsconstruction.com

O’DONOGHUE CONSTRUCTION Kitchen/Bath Remodel Dry Rot Repair • Decks /Stairs Plumbing Repair/Replacement

Call: 650.580.2769

Cahalan Construction Remodels, Additions, Paint, Windows, Dryrot, Stucco

415.279.1266 Lic. 631209

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Discount to CSF Readers

THURSDAY, FEB. 28

Lic. # 505353B-C36

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All Purpose Cell (415) 517-5977 (650) 757-1946

CONFIRMATION RETREAT: “Catch the Spirit” at St. Monica Parish, 23rd Avenue and Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. with Brother Scott Slattern, for junior high and high school students preparing for the sacrament of confirmation. $25 per student includes T-shirt, lunch and program, Sister Celeste Arbuckle at arbucklec@sfarchdiocese.org.

ALL ELECTRIC SERVICE

HOLLAND

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SATURDAY, FEB. 23

ELECTRICAL

Plumbing Works San Francisco ALL PLUMBING WORK PAT HOLLAND

VATICAN II: The Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology, and the Religious Studies Department of Santa Clara University, in observance of the 50th Anniversary of Vatican II, are cosponsoring a lecture on “Vatican II and Parish Life,” 7:30 p.m., Jesuit School of Theology, 1735 LeRoy Ave., Berkeley, free and open to the public. (510) 549-5055. For further information call (510) 549-5055; e-mail blescher@jstb.edu; website www.scu.edu/jst/news/vatican2/.

COLUMBAN FATHERS LUNCH: Event honors John Hickey and Mary Anne McGuire Hickey with proceeds benefitting the work of the Columban Fathers. No-host cocktails are at noon with lunch at 1 p.m. at United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Ave. at Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco. Tickets $40.

Pam Naughton, (415) 566-1936.

TO ADVERTISE IN CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO VISIT www.catholic-sf.org | CALL (415) 614-5642 EMAIL advertising.csf@sfarchdiocese.org

HOME SERVICES

PLUMBING

garlic bread, cioppino or a chicken entree, dessert. $50. Linda Shah, lp1114@aol.com; Anarose Schelstrate, anarose0707@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, FEB. 24 WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20

SUNDAY, FEB. 10

TUESDAY, FEB. 12 FRIDAY, FEB. 8

Life, St. Gregory Parish, Worner Center, 135 28th Ave., San Mateo, 7:30 p.m.

Group is open to new membership.

Meetings are second Thursday except December. smprolife@yahoo.com.

(650) 572-1468.

(415) 931-1540 24 hrs.

Broken Spring/Cable?

Operator Problems?

Lifetime Warranty on All Doors + Motors

Lic. #582766 415.566.8646

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Hauling Job Site Clean-Up Demolition Yard Service Garbage Runs Saturday & Sunday

FREE ESTIMATES! • Fast & Affordable

TERRY (415)282-2023

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Visit catholic-sf.org for the latest Vatican headlines.

20

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | JANUARY 25, 2013

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

CLASSIFIEDS TO ADVERTISE IN CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

VISIT www.catholic-sf.org

EMAIL advertising.csf@sfarchdiocese.org CALL (415) 614-5642 | FAX (415) 614-5641

CAREGIVER COMPANION European-born with 12 years exp. Honest and reliable.

Doctor’s appt., complete laundry, light house-keeping, cooking.

No agency fee.

(925) 300-6730 Prayer to St. Jude

PUBLISH A NOVENA

Pre-payment required Mastercard or Visa accepted

Cost $26

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

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

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

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

S.C.

Your prayer will be published in our newspaper

Prayer to St. Jude

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

❑ Prayer to the Blessed Virgin

❑ Prayer to St. Jude

❑ Prayer to the Holy Spirit

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

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

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

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

S.C.

HELP WANTED

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS SOUGHT The Department of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco is seeking elementary principals for the 20132014 school year. Candidates must be practicing Roman Catholic, possess a valid teaching credential, a Master’s degree in educational leadership, an administrative credential (preferred), and five years of successful teaching experience at the elementary level.

Please send resume and a letter of interest by March 15th, 2013 to: Bret E. Allen Associate Superintendent for Educational & Professional Leadership One Peter Yorke Way San Francisco, California 94109 Fax (415) 614-5664 E-mail: allenb@sfarchdiocese.org

Follow us at twitter.com/catholic_sf.

PRINCIPAL POSITION

HELP WANTED

COMMENCING JULY 1 ,2013

Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, located in Berkeley. CA. seeks a Director of Ministerial Formation, starting July 2013. Will design and oversee the field education requirements of Master of Divinity program, facilitate student integration seminars.

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL IN HEALDSBURG Noted for its high student achievement and its actively supporting parent body, this Catholic, parish-based K-8 school is located in the heart of Healdsburg, a city with European charm some 75 miles north of San Francisco.

The deadline for applying is February 16, 2013.

Applicants should send a letter of interest and curriculum to Department of Catholic Schools P.O. Box 1297, Santa Rosa, Ca.95402.

Access related information on-line at: www.santarosacatholic.org “Catholic Schools”

Required: M.Div. or equivalent, strong background in pastoral theology and practice, supervisory experience. Initial three-year renewable term appointment, competitive salary and benefits.

Applications due February 10, 2013. Include: letter of application, CV, names of three references.

Full description at: http://www.scu.edu/hr/careers/faculty.cfm Send materials to: Lisa Maglio.

Assistant to the JST Dean (lmaglio@jstb.edu)

HELP WANTED JOB DESCRIPTION Office of the President Archbishop Riordan High School Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco is seeking highly qualified candidates for the Office of the President.

Archbishop Riordan High School (ARHS) is a Catholic all male San Francisco Archdiocesan High School, founded in 1949. ARHS is sponsored by the Society of Mary (Marianist).

The Characteristics of Marianist Education are as follows: Educate for formation in faith • Educate in the family spirit • Provide an integral, quality education • Educate for service, justice and peace • Educate for adaptation and change ARHS prepares young men of San Francisco, the surrounding communities and various countries from around the world for leadership through its inclusive college preparatory curriculum. ARHS fosters development in faith, character, academics, the arts and athletics, in a diverse and inclusive family environment. The school currently serves 625 students including 40 international students from six different countries. The international students reside on the ARHS campus.

ARHS is a WASC accredited school. The school received the maximum six-year accreditation during the last review. The current accreditation is in place through 2014.

Qualifications and Requirements: • The qualified candidate with be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, and will have obtained a minimum of a Masters’ Degree in Administration, and experience in secondary education.

POSITION: Office of the President: Exempt, Full-time, Salaried position with an extensive benefits package RESPONSIBILITIES: The responsibilities of the Office of the President include but are not necessarily limited to the following: • Maintain the Catholicity and Marianist Charism of ARHS. • Primary responsibility to maintain respectful and cordial relationships with all Archdiocesan Offices and Officials, The Board of Trustees, the Society of Mary and the Parent Board.

• Report to, seek the advice of and act upon the agreed direction of the Board of Trustees to insure the continued successful operation of ARHS now and in the future. The Board of Trustees meets with the President and appropriate staff at regularly scheduled Executive Board and Full Board meetings five times during the school year. The President should be prepared to advise the Board of Trustees on the status of the following: current status and strategic plans for various School Departments, implementation of said plans and integration into the various programs at ARHS. • Supports the Office of the Principal to insure the success of the Academic and Activities Programs.

• Direct, Manage and Support the efforts of various Administrative Departments to insure the success of their missions. Observe and evaluate the staff of the Administrative Dept.

REPORTS: The Office of the President reports to the Archbishop of San Francisco, through the Archdiocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools, the ARHS Board of Trustees and the Society of Mary.

Qualified applicants should send Resume and Cover Letter to:

Huntingtonm@sfarchdiocese.org Or mail Resume and Cover Letter to:

Maureen Huntington, Superintendent of Schools One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109