November 16, 2012 by Catholic San Francisco

SANDY RELIEF: Catholic friends pull together efforts to help devastated neighbors

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POPE: ‘Wonderful being old’ MAGLIANO: After the vote, the hard work begins

SI’S KENDALL HACKER: 3 top finishes in cross-country

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VATICAN IN WWII:

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Book details Vatican’s secret plan to save the Jews from the Nazis

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO Newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Francisco

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$1.00 | VOL. 14 NO. 36

NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Pope: Faith-science dialogue needed to protect people, planet CAROL GLATZ CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

VATICAN CITY – Dialogue and cooperation between faith and science are urgently needed for building a culture that respects people and the planet, Pope Benedict XVI told his own science academy. Without faith and science informing each other, “the great questions of humanity leave the domain of reason and truth, and are abandoned to the irrational, to myth, or to indifference, with great damage to humanity itself, to world peace and to our ultimate destiny,” he told members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences Nov. 8. As people strive to “unlock the mysteries of man and the universe, I am convinced of the urgent need for continued dialogue and cooperation between the worlds of science and of faith in building a culture of respect for man, for human dignity and freedom, for SEE SCIENCE, PAGE 15

(CNS PHOTO/JORGE DAN LOPEZ, REUTERS)

Guatemala town buries earthquake victims

Seton ‘grateful’ for San Mateo voter support

Children carry the casket of Dilver Vasquez Gomez on their way to the cemetery in San Marcos, Guatemala, Nov. 9, after 10 members of the Vasquez family died in an earthquake that struck Nov. 7. The magnitude 7.4 earthquake off the Pacific Coast resulted in 42 deaths.

Bishops OK new preaching document MARK PATTISON CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

BALTIMORE – The U.S. bishops approved their first new document in 30 years on preaching Nov. 13. The document, “Preaching the Mystery of Faith: The Sunday Homily,” encourages preachers to connect the Sunday homily with people’s daily lives. The vote during the bishops’ fall general assembly was 227-11, with four abstentions. Approval required two-thirds of the membership of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, or 182 votes. The document was prepared by the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, chaired by Archbishop Robert J. Carlson of St. Louis, with subsequent review and comment by eight other USCCB committees. During discussion on the document Nov. 13, the bishops accepted a plea from Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of Las Cruces, N.M., to include his amendment urging Catholics to make an extra effort to lis-

Preaching needs to be done ‘more effectively in the context of the new evangelization. Our people hunger for better preaching, preaching that would help them rediscover their faith.’

GEORGE RAINE CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

ten to the homilies of foreign-born priests for whom English or Spanish is not their first language. Those priests’ speech “may have a heavy accent

Seton Medical Center in Daly City and its parent, Daughters of Charity Health System, said they are “extremely grateful” to the San Mateo Board of Supervisors and the voters of the county for approving Measure A, a half-cent sales tax increase that will help Seton cover seismic improvements, along with a broad range of county services. Measure A boosts the county sales tax for 10 years and is expected to raise $60 million. It was placed on the ballot by the supervisors and approved by a total of 119,889 “yes” votes compared with 65,842 “no” votes. Seton Medical Center is facing an expensive unfunded mandate for its critical care facility to meet high seismic standards. It will build a new structure and use the existing tower for non-critical care purposes.

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

NEED TO KNOW

LOOKING BACK

ARCHBISHOP URGES IMMIGRATION REFORM: Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Migration, urged President Barack Obama and the newly elected Congress to work together to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Archbishop Gomez issued the statement during the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ fall general assembly, Nov. 13 in Baltimore. “I urge the president and Congress to seize the moment and begin the challenging process of fashioning a bipartisan agreement,” Archbishop Gomez said. “Millions of persons remain in the shadows, without legal protection and marginalized from society. As a moral matter, this suffering must end. Archbishop Gomez urged lawmakers to work together on a proposal that upholds the rule of law, preserves family unity, and protects the human rights and dignity of individuals. He also urged fellow Catholics to make their voices heard in support of the issue. STANFORD STUDENT WINS AWARD: Karl Kumodzi, 20, of Las Vegas, an advocate on homelessness and racial injustice and cofounder of an international nonprofit program for access to education, is the winner of the 2012 Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award. The award is sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the anti-poverty program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Originally a refugee from Togo, Kumodzi is a student at Stanford University, where he is a leader in campus ministry and was instrumental in opening a student-run homeless shelter on campus in early 2012. The shelter, Hotel de Zink, works to empower homeless guests through community meetings and a guest advocacy program. Students and guests also learn about structural barriers, including lack of access to education and affordable housing, and take action in response. CHALLENGES OF ATTRACTING SOCIAL MEDIA USERS TO CATHOLIC CONTENT: Eight percent of adult Catholics who regularly use a digital device said they use at least one Catholic-related application and 5 percent (or 2.9 million people) read or follow blogs on the Catholic Church, faith or spirituality, according to a newly released study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University. The study, “Catholic New Media Use in the United States, 2012” was released Nov. 11 and presented that day during a meeting of U.S. bishops and Catholic bloggers in Washington. Mark Gray, director of Catholic polls and a research associate at CARA, said he was surprised that Catholics searching online say they are mainly looking for information about church history and the saints. Gray said the key is to draw these viewers in, provide the information they want, and also entertain them.

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(PHOTO COURTESY SAN FRANCISCO HISTORY CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY)

Praying for peace, September 1943 Thousands of Catholics gathered at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco to pray for peace in September 1943. Shown here are nurses from Bay Area hospitals, as well as nuns, school children and other Catholics singing.

NFP endowment fund to honor archbishop VALERIE SCHMALZ CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

The California organization that promotes natural family planning has established an endowment in honor of San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone. Archbishop Cordileone may use the funds to promote natural family planning within the archdiocese, or to provide financial assistance for couples interested in learning NFP or to pay for training for an NFP teacher who needs financial aid, said Dr. Lynn Keenan, president of the California Association of Natural Family Planning. The fund was begun with a $1,000 donation and the association hopes that with donations it will grow to $5,000, Keenan said. “He is such a wonderful advocate for the church’s teaching on love and life, and he has a generous heart for the poor, so it seemed to be the perfect gift,” said Keenan, physician and clinical professor of medicine at UCSF. The fund’s focus is to make it easier for those with economic need to take advantage of NFP, she said. Natural family planning helps married couples

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recognize the signs produced in a woman’s body indicating exactly when she is fertile and capable of becoming pregnant. It costs nothing but yearlong courses to learn the technique cost $100-$250, Keenan said. Archbishop Cordileone serves on the executive board of the organization. “One of the main hurdles of NFP is access whether it’s because the woman does not have access to the knowledge or awareness of how effective modern NFP methods are, or in some areas a shortage of teachers, especially in San Francisco,” said Keenan in an email. Not only can NFP help a couple plan and space pregnancies, NFP can be used to pinpoint fertility or other gynecological problems, and by using it a woman avoids the harmful side effects of hormonal contraception and the abortifacient effects, she said. It also encourages better communication between spouses, leading to stronger marriages, Keenan said. Those wishing to donate to the fund may send a check with Archbishop Cordileone Fund in the memo section, to CANFP, 1217 Tyler St., Salinas, CA, 93906.

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone Publisher George Wesolek Associate Publisher Rick DelVecchio Editor/General Manager EDITORIAL Valerie Schmalz, assistant editor George Raine, reporter Tom Burke, On the Street/Calendar

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Thanksgiving a day to give and to give thanks VALERIE SCHMALZ CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

Right before or right after putting the turkey in the oven, many Catholics will take an hour or so to attend Mass on Thanksgiving Day, where the chance to celebrate the Eucharist, thank God, and connect with fellow Catholics, gives a lift to a uniquely American day. “Over the last couple of years we have seen more and more people attending this Mass and the church packed to its capacity for this Mass,” said All Souls pastor Father Agnel De Heredia. Parishioners bring food to the 9:30 a.m. Mass which is later distributed by the South San Francisco parish’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul, he said. Thanksgiving Day is designated a special day of prayer in the Archdiocese of San Francisco and most parishes celebrate a special Mass with the American Thanksgiving liturgy. This year, the first reading is part of Psalm 145 and begins: “And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth.” “I love that Eucharist literally means “thanksgiving” – so what more appropriate day to go to Mass?” said Laura Bertone, interim director of worship for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The Thanksgiving season kicks off a time of special gratitude that translates into generosity to those less materially fortunate that continues through Advent. Just before Thanksgiving, Junipero Serra High

ST. ANTHONY’S EXPECTS THOUSANDS FOR FEAST

St. Anthony’s Dining Room expects about 4,800 guests when it dishes up a sumptuous Thanksgiving Day dinner Nov. 22, with 200 volunteers offering a hot meal at no cost and with no questions asked to whoever comes through its doors. The foundation is operating an interim facility at 150 Golden Gate Ave. in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood until it opens its new facility at 121 Golden Gate in 2014. Spokesman Karl Robillard says it’s a “space that is 40 percent smaller than our original dining room. We’ll be getting cozy and making room at the table.” The ingredients for this year’s feast include: 4,800 pounds of turkey; 1,250 pounds of mashed potatoes; 1,250 pounds of yams; 1,000 pounds of stuffing; 457 pounds of cranberry sauce; 4,000 dinner rolls; 285 gallons of juice; and 4,000 individual pumpkin pies. School in San Mateo begins its Adopt-a-Family program to benefit local disadvantaged families. Epiphany Parish in San Francisco organizes a food drive for Thanksgiving, and is also again adopting families in

Pajaro, near Watsonville, and will bring them necessities and gifts for Christmas. At St. Bruno Parish in San Bruno, the confirmation program challenged students to bring in canned food and the winning class will deliver the food to St. Bruno’s Catholic Worker Hospitality House and be treated to a pizza party, said Cristina Ugaitafa, youth affairs chair and pastoral parish council secretary. St. Rita students are collecting food and underwear for the Fairfax parish’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul to distribute. Notre Dame High School in Belmont will hold a Nov. 20 Thanksgiving prayer service in conjunction with its Turkey Trot – where students dress up in apparel reflecting Thanksgiving such as pilgrims or turkeys – and is sponsoring a Thanksgiving food drive with proceeds to go to Second Harvest Food Bank. Archbishop Riordan High School is in the midst of its traditional Thanksgiving food drive with canned and dried goods donated to St. Teresa of Avila food pantry on Potrero Hill, run by the parish Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Riordan boys compete by homeroom for a pizza lunch. This year money sent in also goes to St. Martin de Porres soup kitchen to help pay for turkey dinner expenses. On Thanksgiving Day, anyone can sign up to run the St. Ignatius College Preparatory’s 15th Annual Turkey Trot. Proceeds from the four-mile course around Lake Merced benefit the St. Anthony Foundation.

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

New feet, same shoes on Father Alfred’s legacy path at St. Anthony’s TOM BURKE CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

Shari Roeseler, executive director of St. Anthony Foundation for the past two years has moved and taken a position near Sacramento where many of her family reside. “Shari worked tirelessly on behalf of those we are blessed to serve,” said Franciscan Father John Hardin, president of the St. Anthony’s board of trustees in a letter announcing Barry Stenger her decision to leave. “Her leadership was informed by Franciscan values which she in turn fostered throughout the organization.” Barry Stenger, St. Anthony’s director of development for the last seven years has been named interim director. Barry has been in the nonprofit field for more than 20 years and holds a postgraduate degree in social ethics Shari Roeseler from the University of Chicago. St. Anthony’s will again be out to receive your curbside donations before Thanksgiving. The site is 150 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco. Dates and times are Saturday, Nov. 17 through Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit www.stanthonysf.org. Call (415) 592-2899. THANKS FOR GIVING: Help is welcome at San Rafael’s Free Dining Room. This is the 31st year the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County will provide holiday meals to low-income, elderly, disabled and homeless people. Items needed are ground beef, fish, canned tuna, chicken and turkey. Meat donations are accepted at 820 B St., San Rafael, from 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m., seven days a week. Drive to the front of the Free Dining Room and hand off donations to a volunteer. Call (415) 454-3303 ext.12. Visit www.vinnies.org. ‘TIS ALWAYS THE SEASON: The Vincentian Help Desk of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco is a lifeline for low-income and homeless people, supplying the basic needs for clean clothes, shoes, a warm coat and groceries. Call (415) 977-1270, ext. 3018. Visit www.svdp-sf.org. Drop off nonperishable food items and household goods 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at alleyway entrance at Sumner and Howard streets, San Francisco on Monday, Tuesday,

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REUNION: Members of the class of ’92 from St. Gregory School took their old seats at the San Mateo school Oct. 6 under the watchful eyes of Jo Enyeart, left, and Cindy Stuart, right, who taught them in second and third grade and still teach today at St. Greg’s. 26. The children came dressed in their costumes where they were welcomed to the Kohl “Castle” by Mercy, Burlingame principal Lisa Tortorich dressed as Cinderella. “There they enjoyed a fun filled afternoon with other Mercy faculty and staff children,” the school said.

AL ITALIA: Angela Alioto visited in October with Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, right, and Franciscan Friar Saul Tambini while in Assisi, Italy to receive the Franciscans’ “Silver Rose” award. Cardinal Ravasi heads the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture and the Cortile of the Gentiles, an international Vatican-led dialogue among people of all faiths and nonbelievers, too. Father Saul is curator of Assisi’s Porziuncola where St. Francis died and which is perfectly modeled in Porziuncola Nuova in San Francisco. Wednesday, and Friday. Volunteer email or call (415) 977-1270, ext. 3018. IN THE PINK: Thanks to Abrianne Barreras, an eighth grader at Our Lady of the Visitacion School for fillin’ us in on a school effort that raised $200 for breast cancer cures and awareness. Abrianne and more than 15 other student council members staged a free-dress day Oct. 24 where students could wear pink for a dollar. The proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society earmarked for breast cancer. Abrianne’s proud folks are Ana and Arnold Barreras. TRICK OR TREAT: First graders from San Francisco’s St. Peter School visited the Mercy High School Kohl Mansion for a Halloween Carnival Oct.

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‘HEALING PETALS’: Teri Brunner filled me in on photos that are now available at the gift shop of Mission San Rafael Archangel, 1101 Fifth Ave., San Rafael where Teri is curator. Sister Elizabeth Thoman began taking the pictures while undergoing chemotherapy treatments seven years ago for breast cancer of which she is now clear. Photographs of nature settings helped her. “The images spoke to me of the grandeur of creation; I felt enveloped in the love of God. The act of photography is itself a prayer,” she said. The goal is to bring affordable beauty to those in physical or emotional pain. “We’re all in need of healing every day,” she said, “but we shouldn’t wait to get cancer to discover how to experience the presence of God all around us.” Call the gift shop at (415) 456-9016. Sister Elizabeth is a member of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary of Iowa since 1964. BLEST ARE THEY: I am counting myself among this number as I look back on what I count as my fiscal year of blessings – Thanksgiving to Thanksgiving. Saw a vanity license plate that says HI52GOD. Amen. Remember, no CSF Nov. 23. Happy Thanksgiving! 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 | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Journalist: Religious freedom, Islam greatest challenges church faces VALERIE SCHMALZ CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

Engaging Islam and weathering challenges to religious freedom are perhaps the two greatest challenges for the Catholic Church in the 21st century – a church which is also in a ferment of missionary activity and experiencing dramatic growth worldwide, says veteran church observer John Allen. In just one century the Catholic Church grew from 266 million to 1.1 billion Catholics, shifting demographically from a mostly white, European church to one dominated demographically by Catholics in Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Middle East and Latin America. “The dominant Catholic narrative of our times is massive, phenomenal, astronomic growth. We are actually living through the greatest period of missionary activity in the history of Roman Catholicism,” said Allen in a talk Nov. 9 at the Faith Formation Conference in Santa Clara. In 2000, 760 million or 66 percent of Catholics lived in the southern hemisphere, said Allen, a longtime Vatican reporter and columnist for the National Catholic Reporter. “I think we are living through one of the greatest transformations in Catholic life in more than 2,000 years of church history,” Allen said. In 1900 there were 1.9 million Catholics in sub-Saharan Africa. By the end of the 20th century, there were 139 million Catholics in the region. The church is also under attack, with 133 countries of 193 countries worldwide judged hostile to Christianity by the respected Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, he said. Aid to the Church in Need estimates 150,000 Christians a year are killed “either out of hatred for the faith or for hatred of the virtues and works of

charity inspired by the faith,” Allen said. One of the biggest story lines of the next century will be “the emergence of religious freedom as the premier social and political concern for the Catholic Church,” Allen said. Allen cited JOHN ALLEN the cases in the West of the contraceptive mandate in the United States and the 2007 adoption of the equality law in the United Kingdom that drove all 24 Catholic adoption agencies out of business because it required that children be placed with same-sex couples. Elsewhere, Allen described threats to religious freedom as “more harrowing.” “In the United States, a threat to your religious freedom means you might be sued. In many other parts of the world, it means you might get shot,” he said. “Eighty percent of the violations of religious freedom in the world today are directed at Christians,” according to the Frankfurt-based International Society for Human Rights, Allen said. “Christians are in fact, statistically speaking … by some order of magnitude the most persecuted religious community on the planet today.” “We are witnessing the rise of an entire new generation of Christian martyrs,” Allen said. At the October synod of bishops, Allen said the biggest topic was, “How do we engage Islam?” “The primary promise and peril, the primary challenge and new opportunity vis-a-vis evangelization we are

‘We are witnessing the rise of an entire new generation of Christian martyrs.’

(PHOTO BY VALERIE SCHMALZ/CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO)

going to be thinking about probably is going to be the relationship with Islam,” Allen said. The bishops agreed they “need a more developed way to push back” at Islam, Allen said. At the October synod, bishops also said they are often “outhustled and outspent by Islamic missionaries,” Allen said, citing one African bishop’s observation that Saudi Arabia just sent $20 million to build a mosque in a region of the country that does not have a single Muslim. A top concern is threats to the lives and freedoms of Christians in countries dominated or influenced by Islamists and the push to implement Islamic law, Shariah, which is hostile to Christianity. The bishops also cited the phenomenon of Muslim converts to Christianity – which bishops reported “actually goes on in a fairly significant scale but these converts are compelled to live a kind of catacombist existence” because of fear of being killed and retribution being taken on their families.

ROOTS OF PEACE HONORS VETERANS

Roots of Peace, the San Rafaelbased humanitarian nonprofit organization that removes land mines, honored veterans at the Roots of Peace Grove at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. An invitation-only lunch with veterans was preceded by the traditional 11:11 a.m. armistice toast. Roots of Peace also honored two people with the organization’s 2012 Global Citizens Award: Air Force Maj. Gen. Barbara J. Faulkenberry, the vice commander of the 18th Air Force at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.; and Paul E. Dean, chief executive officer of Spiriterra Vineyards in St. Helena. Faulkenberry met with Roots of Peace founder and CEO Heidi Kuhn in the Shomali Plain north of Kabul, Afghanistan, to see the “mines-to-vines” program in action, one of the 34 provinces in which the Roots of Peace work is ongoing in the country. Dean donated $150,000 to remove land mines in the fields of Bethlehem. The work there will start in early December. The nonprofit targets land around the world where land mines are buried, removes them and plants vines and other commodities that produce income.

ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH INVITED TO LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Archbishop Mitty High School, San Jose, students will host a Youth Advocacy Leadership Conference on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. High-school students from the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of San Jose are invited to this opportunity to connect with student leaders and participate in workshops on taking legislative action to help the most vulnerable. The cost is $10, including lunch. Contact Michael Accorsi at maccorsi@mitty.com or (408) 342-4389.

GRIEVING? A New Way of Celebrating the Holidays Identifying losses – suggestions for coping while others are celebrating Share the wisdom of others bring your own wisdom to share ____________

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Catholic Missionary Overcomes Terrible Accident, Finds New Mission Helping Handicapped When an oncoming car slammed into Grace Okalany in 1990, she had no idea God was using the event to make her a more effective disciple for his people. In the moment of the accident, all she could think about was her pain. Grace’s hip, pelvis and femur were severely broken. Doctors tried implanting an arti cial hip, but her body rejected it. For three long years, she struggled through recovery and excruciating rehabilitation at a treatment center in Nairobi, Kenya. To this day, she bears the physical burden of that accident — one leg is shorter than the other and she must use crutches to walk. “I felt so weak,” Grace recalled. “I thought God had left me to die in the hospital.” Grace returned to Uganda after her treatment was complete and there met Father John Ahimbisibwe, coordinator of Wisdom Training Center, an outreach run by the Montfort Fathers in western Uganda. The ministry is a vocational training center where handicapped young adults living in poverty learn life-skills and income-generating careers like tailoring, shoe repair, and agriculture. Fr. John convinced Grace to join his work — and she immediately saw how the car accident had uniquely prepared her for this special service at the center. “Since I am handicapped myself, I can relate to the young adults; they open up to me,” Grace said. “I understand their frustrations, the discrimination they face, and their desire to succeed. Because I understand them, I can better help them.” Advancing from volunteer to secretary to director, Grace works among the disabled every day, pouring her compassion and skills into helping them improve their lives. In Uganda and other poor countries, the disabled routinely experience

discrimination and abuse. They are often denied the opportunity to attend school. The 15 to 25-year-olds who come to Grace often can’t read or write and have been shunned by their families and society, but they all have a burning desire to learn, Grace said. “I know God led me here to serve them,” Grace said. “I know he made me ‘one of them’ so I can advocate for them and help them understand they are worthy in his eyes.”

Elias is one of the many young people bene ting from the services of the Wisdom Training Center. At 19-years-old, he is nally getting the opportunity to make use of his artistic skills.

Grace has found her place at Wisdom. This approach appealed to Cross Catholic Outreach (formerly known as Cross International Catholic Outreach), a Florida-based charity that supports Catholic ministries overseas. Soon after discovering the outreach, Cross Catholic Outreach pledged to provide Grace with regular nancial support — a huge blessing for her ministry as it sought stability and ways to

increase its services to the poor. With help from its charitable U.S. benefactors, Cross Catholic Outreach has now supported Wisdom Training Center for more than ve years, providing them with workshop equipment, training materials, teachers’ salaries, food, and other operational assistance. Jim Cavnar, the president of Cross Catholic Outreach believes even more can be done. “The work of Grace and the Montfort Fathers is the kind of service that resonates with Catholics because it af rms that each person is eternally valuable in God’s eyes,” he said. “As more American Catholics become aware of what the Wisdom Training Center is doing, I believe their support will increase and the outreach will expand, not just here but everywhere the handicapped are struggling for respect and hope.” “Supporting a project like Wisdom Training Center is a way for us as Catholics to say to a handicapped person,

‘You are loved by Christ. You are worthy, and we brothers and sisters in Christ are here for you,’” Cavnar added. For Grace, knowing American Catholics are standing with her through Cross Catholic Outreach is an invaluable source of strength. It sparks a hope in her that radiates outward to the students, giving them greater self worth, energy and optimism. “We are all one family in Christ,” Grace said. “The help we’ve received from our American ‘family’ through Cross Catholic Outreach is a blessing. I want to thank them for their support and prayers, because we couldn’t do any of this life-changing work without them.” To support the worldwide outreaches of Cross Catholic Outreach, look for the ministry brochure enclosed in this issue of the paper or mail your donation to Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC00908, PO Box 9558, Wilton, NH 03086-9558. All contributions to the ministry are tax deductible.

“Cross Catholic” Now Endorsed by 60 U.S. Bishops, Archbishops As Cross Catholic Outreach (formerly known as Cross International Catholic Outreach) continues its range of relief work to help the poor overseas, its efforts are being recognized by a growing number of Catholic leaders in the U.S. “We’ve received an impressive number of endorsements from American Bishops and Archbishops — 60 Catholic leaders at last count,” explained Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach (CCO). “They’re impressed by the fact that we’ve done outreaches in more than 40 countries and that we undertake a variety of projects; everything from feeding the hungry and housing the homeless to supplying safe water and supporting educational opportunities for the poorest of the poor.” Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis sent one of the more recent letters of encouragement, writing: “It is my hope that this ministry will continue to ourish and reach as many people as possible. I will inform the priests of the Archdiocese of St. Louis of the important work that Cross Catholic Outreach does and elicit their prayerful and nancial

support for the service you provide to the less fortunate around the world.” In addition to praising the work CCO accomplishes, many of the Bishops and Archbishops are also impressed by the unique collaborative relationship Cross Catholic Outreach has with the Ponti cal Council Cor Unum in Rome. This allows the charity to participate in the mercy ministries of the Holy Father himself. In his praise of CCO, Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati underscored this unique connection. “Cross Catholic Outreach’s close collaboration with the Ponti cal Council Cor Unum is a source of encouragement,” the Archbishop said. “The Holy See has unique knowledge of local situations throughout the world through its papal representatives in nearly two hundred countries and through its communications with Bishops and others who care for the poor and needy in every corner of the world.” CCO president, Jim Cavnar, explained the signi cance of this connection. “Our collaboration with Cor Unum allows us to fund outreaches in virtually

any area of the world and we have used that method in special cases — to help the victims of natural disasters, for example,”

he said.“It only represents a small part of our overall ministry, but it can be a very important bene t in those situations.”

CCO’s outreach helps priests, nuns and Catholic lay leaders throughout the world.

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012 PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Christ’s Love for Blind, Handicapped Serves As Inspiration for Catholic Missions Helping the Poor In the ninth chapter of the book of John, the Apostle describes Jesus giving a blind man sight to glorify God. In the story, John shows how faith and a simple dab of mud were used as instruments of a miracle — ultimately giving new hope to the handicapped man. Even today, thousands of years later, we recognize this act as an amazing example of our Lord’s power and love. When Sister Emma Kulombe looks to this story, she wishes she could, like Jesus, smear mud on the eyes of deaf/ blind children to cure them. She and the other Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary ache to have their wards transformed. Since she hasn’t been so blessed with a miracle, Sister Emma does what she can instead. She helps the children blossom and nd hope in other ways. “These children have something to offer that the world needs. We help them glorify God through their faith, joy and talents,” she said. “We work with them to bring those blessings out.” This service is not without its tears, however. Many of the children have histories of past suffering that pierce the nun’s heart with grief. Sr. Emma recalls one deaf/blind boy named John [his name is changed here to protect his identity] whose parents worked in remote elds each day and left him home alone while they toiled. The young boy ate nothing all day and slept outside of the hut at night because his parents forbid him from sharing the space

hide them away than endure the social stigma of raising a “cursed” child. “Some children couldn’t eat by themselves when we discovered them,” Sr. Emma said. “We showed them how to eat, how to wash their hands, how to hold a cup and how to go to the toilet.” Worldwide, millions of handicapped children in developing countries live in the shadows like John, forced to the edges of humanity by social stigmas and, more often, extreme poverty. Parents of disabled children in the developing world are too poor to properly care for them — when there’s barely enough food for the family to eat, muchneeded physical therapy, special schools and doctor’s visits are out of the question. “Physically and mentally handicapped children are largely ignored in many areas of the world,” said Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach (formerly known as Cross International Catholic Outreach), a ministry alleviating poverty among “the least of these” worldwide. “Even in cases where the parents are attentive, they are often too poor to provide the special care a disabled child needs to lead a ful lling life. The poor can’t afford surgeries to cure a club foot or cleft palate, nor can they pay for special boarding schools or therapy sessions. Poor families often live in deplorable slums or in far- ung rural areas, and it’s a struggle just to eat each day and keep a roof over their heads.” With support from its many American

Extreme poverty adds to the many hardships of the handicapped. Some children are never able to overcome the hurdles it presents — and they suffer greatly as a result. with the rest of the family. One day Sr. Emma visited John and saw he was naked while his brothers and sisters were clothed. Matthew 25:36 came to her mind: “…I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me…” She immediately brought John some clothes and promised to visit again. Sr. Emma said this kind of neglect is sadly common for physically or mentally handicapped children in Africa and around the world. In many countries, including Malawi, disabled children are considered a curse, and parents prefer to

Catholic benefactors, Cross Catholic Outreach is working to bring accessible care to disabled children in dozens of developing countries. It strives to carry the light of Christ to those living and suffering in the shadows. As an example of the good that can be done, Cavnar pointed to the story of Mishineca Isorena, a 10-year-old girl with Down’s syndrome in the Philippines. Mishineca was taken in by a Cross Catholic Outreach-sponsored school when she was 5 years old. At the time, she couldn’t walk or talk. Her impoverished mother, Regina, was

Sr. Emma uses touch to help blind/deaf children expand their sense of the world. struggling to raise her in a shack within Manila’s worst slum neighborhood. Today, thanks to free therapy provided by the Cross Catholic Outreach-funded school, Mishineca is thriving. She loves to dance, sing, and help her mother around the house. No longer trapped in a terrible home, she has new opportunities and enjoys life. The school also provides food for the family. “One day, Mishineca will be capable of independence and the normal life of an adult,” Regina said proudly. “The school is giving her the tools and helping her achieve that con dence. She will not let others take advantage of her. The Lord has done this.” Mishineca is just one example of the many handicapped children who now lives a better life because American Catholics ministered to her through Cross Catholic Outreach. “As a Catholic ministry, we know the value of every human life. So do the Catholics who support us,” Cavnar said. “Working together, we want to help poor families see disabled children as a gift from God. We want to give those children an opportunity to succeed and experience God’s love — perhaps for the rst time.” For some of the ministries serving handicapped children, a signi cant

portion of their budgets come through Cross Catholic Outreach. Such outreaches would either close or need to reduce their services drastically without that help. “There really is a direct link between American Catholics and the success of the work being done. To put it simply — these outreaches wouldn’t be possible without outside support. Fortunately, American Catholics remain involved and their generosity is amazing, especially toward disabled children,” Cavnar said. “I’m con dent my fellow Catholics will continue to see the eternal worth of the ‘least of these’ among us and keep supporting our work — the kind of work that touches children like John in Malawi.” Because John’s parents have allowed him to live and study at Sister Emma’s ministry, the young boy’s life has taken a remarkable turn from its dif cult start. Where there was darkness, there is now light. Where there was despair, new hope is taking root. It is the kind of physical and spiritual transformation that only God can orchestrate. “The Lord has brought us together to serve handicapped children and save them from the darkness,” Sr. Emma said. “He uses our outreach, a dedicated staff and nancial support from America to achieve this. Praise God!”

How to Help: Your help is needed for Cross Catholic Outreach to bring Christ’s mercy to the poorest of the poor. To make a donation, use the enclosed postagepaid brochure or mail a gift to: Cross Catholic Outreach, Dept. AC00908, PO Box 9558, Wilton, NH 03086-9558.

8 NATIONAL

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Catholic friends pull together their own Sandy relief CHAZ MUTH

‘There are so many people hanging on by a thread.’

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – On a cold and snowy afternoon, a group of Staten Island residents devastated by Hurricane Sandy entered a local VFW building littered with canned goods and bottled water to get some needed supplies and a free hot meal. With a thick New York accent, a woman told one of the Catholic volunteers running the pop-up rescue center that the place has become a lifeline for her and her family following the deadly storm. “There are so many people who are just hanging on by a thread, so my friends and I decided we needed to do something,” said Lenny Legotte, a parishioner of St. Clare Catholic Church in Staten Island. “It took a while for FEMA to realize we were even here. These people just couldn’t wait. They needed help.” With donations from only friends and family, Legotte and his longtime friend, Dereck Tabacco, a parishioner of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Staten Island, set up two tables and a tent on Guyon Avenue in the Oakwood Heights section of the borough and began offering their neighbors hope. Hurricane Sandy swept over the U.S. East Coast, causing loss of life and billions in property damage, with the worst of it occurring in New York and New Jersey. Staten Island was one of the hardest hit areas during the storm and

LENNY LEGOTTE

(CNS PHOTO/BOB ROLLER)

Lenny Legotte talks with a woman Nov. 7 at an outreach center he and his friends hastily set up in New York’s Staten Island following Hurricane Sandy. the death toll was among the highest in this region. The death toll in the U.S. was at least 106, with more than half of those deaths in Staten Island, according to news reports. Calling their mission the Guyon Rescue, Legotte, Tabacco and their friends eventually moved their supplies to the Oakwood Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars building to protect the donations they give out to people in need.

CHRISTMAS GUIDE

With the help of dozens of volunteers, they were keeping the rescue operational 24 hours a day. There was a grill fired up outside under a makeshift blue tent, filled with the aroma of sizzling meat and offering warmth to wary residents as they walked to the entrance of the building. Inside, they found canned goods, bottled water, diapers, cleaning supplies and clothes stacked up all

over the room. Electrical cords were strung along the walls, lighting spotlights powered by a humming gas generator. A teary-eyed woman hugged Tabacco when she got closer to the hot meal area of the room and he whisked her off to get her a plate of lasagna. “Come over here and let’s get some hot food into you,” he told the woman as he piled the food onto her plate. “This is good stuff and it’s going to make you feel so much better.” Knowing there are so many people in need on the island, the volunteers started using social networking to solicit donations for their mission. “We basically utilized our contact lists on Facebook, and we set up a Facebook page called Guyon Rescue,” Legotte told Catholic News Service. “Unbelievable responses from people. We became almost a central hub with no political help, no Red Cross help, no FEMA help.” He said his Catholic faith drives him to keep the outreach going as long as there was a need. “We are true believers that God is on our side,” Legotte said. “My mom said, ‘I’m proud of you.’ That’s a big feeling, emotionally.”

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NATIONAL 9

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Archbishop congratulates Obama, asks ‘respect and charity’ for all CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON – Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, congratulated President Barack Obama on his re-election in a Nov. 7 letter. “The people of our country have again entrusted you with a great responsibility,” Cardinal Dolan said. “The Catholic bishops of the United States offer our prayers that God will give you strength and wisdom to meet the difficult challenges that face America.” Cardinal Dolan added the bishops pray that Obama will “help restore a sense of civility to the public order, so our public conversations may be imbued with respect and charity toward everyone.” He said, “In particular, we pray that you will exercise your office to pursue the common good, especially in care of the most vulnerable among us, including the unborn, the poor, and the immigrant. We will continue to stand in defense of life, marriage and our first, most cherished liberty, religious freedom.” Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles also congratulated Obama in a Nov. 7 statement. “Every political office is an expression of public trust and carries the responsibility to work for justice and the common good - not only in our own country but also in the international community. So I pray that God will grant our president the wisdom he needs to carry out his duties, along with the virtues of honesty, courage, prudence and humility that are necessary for true public service,” Archbishop Gomez said. The Massachusetts-based group Catholic Democrats said in a statement Obama and Vice President Joe Biden’s re-election “is a victory for the Catholic social justice tradition that has guided the

(CNS PHOTO/SANJIB MUKHERJEE, REUTERS)

People take photographs of a sand sculpture of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama at Prui beach in eastern India Nov. 5. India hailed the Nov. 6 election of Obama as the next U.S. president, saying his “extraordinary journey” to the White House would inspire people not only in his country but around the world. conscience of our nation for over a century. The American people chose a worldview that values community and the common good over one that puts the market and individualism before the welfare of all people.” Charmaine Yoest, president and CEO of Americans United for Life Action, took the Obama administration to task for its health care law and what she described as its efforts to expand access to abortion. In a Nov. 7 statement, she said she expected state legislatures and a “pro-life majority” in the House of Representatives to blunt those efforts during Obama’s second term. Care Net, an organization that promotes alternatives to abortion, said it hopes Obama will honor a promise he made during his first term to make abortion “rare.”

CHRISTMAS GUIDE

LATINO VOTER TURNOUT KEY TO OBAMA VICTORY

WASHINGTON – Exit polling conducted for a consortium of news organizations found 71 percent of Latinos voted to re-elect President Barack Obama. A separate pre-election poll of likely voters in 11 states, most with substantial Hispanic populations, predicted a 75 percent vote for Obama among Latinos. Obama had a majority of Hispanic votes in 2008 as well, but by a smaller margin. While most Latinos told pollsters the economy was their main concern in their voting choice, how the candidates have approached immigration issues was a strong second priority. Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice Education Fund, an immigration-focused lobbying organization, noted in a postelection teleconference Nov. 9 that DREAM activists around the country rallied the vote by telling people” we can’t vote, we need you to do it for us.” According to the exit poll, Latinos accounted for 10 percent of votes cast nationwide, up from 9 percent in 2008 and 8 percent in 2004. They likely made the difference for Obama winning in several states and moved the “Catholic vote” into Obama’s column by a margin of 50 percent for Obama and 48 percent for challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. White Catholics were Romney’s voters, by 59 percent, to 40 percent for Obama, the exit poll showed, but the overwhelming majority of Latino Catholics sided with Obama, at 75 percent compared to 21 percent for Romney. The Latino vote may have added 2.3 percent to Obama’s margin among all voters, about enough to make the difference in whether he won, analysts said. According to the exit poll, Latinos accounted for larger percentages of voters than in previous years in several battleground states. For example, in Florida, Hispanics made up 17 percent of the electorate, an increase from 14 percent in 2008. ©CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

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10 WORLD

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Weighing risks of unsafe abortions vs. exceptions to law LISE ALVES

Pro-life groups in Latin America are confident any further moves to decriminalize abortion can be stopped.

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

SAO PAULO – Maria Lucia Tavares, 43, works as a maid in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Sao Paulo. The mother of three girls is four months pregnant and hoping for a boy this time. “Although I don’t know how me and my husband will make ends meet with the extra mouth to feed, we never considered abortion,” she said. “It’s a sin and against God’s wishes.” Tavares said she does not go to church as often as she should, but follows Catholic teachings. The housekeeper is among the 82 percent of Brazilians who are against abortion. A recent survey conducted by the Brazilian Senate showed that, of the 82 percent, 78 percent would approve of abortion if the woman was raped and 74 percent said it would be acceptable if the pregnancy put the mother at risk. Brazil has more Catholics than any other Latin American country. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, abortion is “gravely contrary to the moral law” in all cases. Under canon law, any “formal cooperation” in abortion automatically incurs the penalty of excommunication. The abortion issue has made the front pages of newspapers across Latin America in recent months, with controversial decisions being made in countries such as Uruguay and Argentina. In October, Uruguay’s Congress passed a bill decriminalizing abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy. Seven days later, Uruguayan President Jose Mujica signed the bill into law, making the country the third in Latin

(CNS PHOTO/REUTERS)

Women look on as Uruguayan senators in Montevideo debate a bill to legalize abortion in midOctober. Uruguay made abortion legal during the first trimester of pregnancy, a rare move in largely Catholic Latin America. America, behind only Cuba and Guyana, to legalize the procedure. In Argentina, where according to the country’s Ministry of Health almost 500,000 illegal abortions are performed annually, Supreme Court judges ruled in March that women who were raped were legally allowed to get abortions. The court’s ruling, however, seems to have fallen on deaf ears, with many doctors and hospitals refusing to perform the procedure. In late October, Argentina’s Supreme Court reiterated its decision, after a woman claiming to have been forced into prostitution and raped requested an abortion but was unable to find a hospital willing to perform the operation.

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Although many believe that the decision by Uruguay’s Congress may strengthen pro-abortion voices, these groups are unlikely to gain much ground, said Capuchin Brother Carlos Rockenbach, former executive secretary of the Department of Mission and Spirituality at the Latin American bishops’ council, or CELAM. “Although pro-choice groups ... may make a little more noise now and feel strengthened by the ruling, in general, I don’t see the decision taken by the Uruguayan government as exerting a strong influence on the rest of the continent,” Brother Rockenbach said. He said Uruguayan society “is very secular; convictions are not as intense.” Most other countries in the region are much more religious, and these religions play an important role in local politics, he said. In early November, Uruguay’s largest newspaper reported that Mujica said he favored conducting a referendum on the abortion issue. “This is a matter of conscience that each must decide within himself,” Mujica was quoted as saying. Nonetheless, in Brazil some Catholics are worried pro-abortion groups may

use Uruguay’s decision to push forward their agenda. Father Rafael Fornasier, assistant for the Brazilian bishops’ life and family commission, said Uruguay’s law came after the creation of a program to reduce the dangers of illegal abortions. A similar program, says the priest, is being discussed in Brazil by a multidisciplinary group supported by the Ministry of Health. “We are concerned that a discussion of a similar program in Brazil will be used to push forth other measures which are pro-abortion,” he said, adding that, if that occurred, Brazilians would be apt to resist abortion strongly. The World Health Organization reports that Latin America has one of the highest abortion rates in the world, 32 per 1,000 women, despite having the greatest number of countries that ban abortion under any circumstance. The WHO estimates that more than 4.4 million abortions took place in Latin America in 2008, 95 percent of which were unsafe. Programs for the reduction of dangers from illegal abortions have been implemented in countries such as Argentina, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela with the objective of reducing deaths caused by clandestine procedures. Although in these countries abortion is still illegal, exceptions to the rule have been made, and some abortion opponents say this may be the first step to decriminalizing abortion. As discussions about this continue in Brazil, activists such as Jaime Ferreira Lopes, national vice president of the National Movement of Citizens for Life – better known as Brazil Without Abortion – are taking to the streets to raise awareness. “The approval of abortion in our neighboring country only makes us fight harder in defense of human life,” Lopes said.

ST. JOHN OF GOD Perhaps the smallest, and prettiest. Catholic church In San Francisco was built by the Lutherans. As the original Lutheran community expanded, they needed a larger complex and sold the chapel at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Irving Street to the Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco. The proximity to the UCSF Hospital created the St. John of God parish and community, to serve those needs. The parish is unique In that it has no geographic boundaries, attracting parishioners from San Rafael, Antloch, Larkspur, Oakland, San Mateo, Alameda, Pacifica, Daly City, Brisbane, and El Cerrito, as well as San Francisco. Pastors have come not only from traditional American backgrounds, but also from the Philippines, Vietnam, the Middle East, and the current pastor, Rev. Methodius Kiwale, is from Tanzania. The size of the church contributes to a safe, intimate worship experience, with the opportunity to partake in a variety of social justice activities both locally, and as a Sanctuary community, internationally. The parish motto “All Are Welcome” - aptly describes the parish’s efforts to be an inclusive, enthusiastic and friendly community. Mass services on weekends are at 4:15 Saturday afternoon, and 9:30 and 11:30 Sunday mornings. For more information go to our website at www.sjog.net.

WORLD 11

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

French bishops will fight same-sex marriage CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

OXFORD, England â&#x20AC;&#x201C; French bishops and a prominent lay group vowed to resist the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposed legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The firm position weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken on this legal transformation has caused many waves â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the reactions, more diverse than we imagined, have revealed real unease among fellow citizens,â&#x20AC;? said Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, president of the French bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conference. The president of Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Federation of Catholic Family Associations, Antoine Renard, said opponents would do â&#x20AC;&#x153;everything necessaryâ&#x20AC;? to block the legislation, including staging protests and pressuring their legislators and local mayors. Speaking at the closing session of the French bishopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; autumn plenary at the Marian shrine in Lourdes, France, Nov. 8, Cardinal Vingt-Trois said he knew the bishops would be accused of homophobia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Denouncing the fraud of same-sex marriage does not prevent us from understanding the need homosexuals feel for recognition, a need this supposed marriage will not satisfy,â&#x20AC;? the Parisbased cardinal said. He said personal attacks on opponents of the bill suggested some French citizens â&#x20AC;&#x153;had difficulty accepting a real debate,â&#x20AC;? adding that he believed children had been â&#x20AC;&#x153;the big absent elementâ&#x20AC;? in the discussion.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Numerous initiatives are already being taken by citizens, believers or not, to oppose this government bill â&#x20AC;&#x201C; many Catholics are engaging with people of other ways of thinking and other religions,â&#x20AC;? Cardinal Vingt-Trois said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let this countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholics know their bishops are encouraging them to speak, write, act and demonstrate. They have a right to testify to what, in the light of faith and the logic of reason and good sense, seems essential to them,â&#x20AC;? he said. The draft same-sex marriage bill was presented by Justice Minister Christiane Taubira at the Nov. 7 Cabinet meeting and is to be debated in January by Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Assembly. Welcoming the measure, President Francois Hollande said it represented â&#x20AC;&#x153;progress for all societyâ&#x20AC;? in France, where Catholics traditionally make up two-thirds of the population of 60 million. Renard said the law would â&#x20AC;&#x153;almost certainlyâ&#x20AC;? necessitate the close of Catholic adoption agencies, like a similar 2007 law in Britain, and lead to the staging of gay weddings in churches, which are mostly government-owned in France. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A move like this in France will have important, influential consequences worldwide. I think we can convince people by January that it will change everything in our society,â&#x20AC;? Renard told Catholic News Service.

Read the latest Catholic world and national news at catholic-sf.org.

Santa Sabina Center

Advent Offerings: December 4, 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7-8:30 p.m. ~ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through the Ear to the Heartâ&#x20AC;? Sing the Music of Hildegard of Bingen as contemplative practice.This gentle, contemplative practice of listening and singing the music of Hildegard is led by Devi Mathieu and requires no previous experience with the music of Hildegard or with medieval music. Donation: $10-20

December 5, 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Day of Prayer Fr. Joe Nassal, C.P.P.S. will facilitate the day which includes a conference, periods of reflection and Eucharist. Opportunity to purchase a deli lunch or bring your own. Donation $20

December 14-16, 2012 ~ â&#x20AC;&#x153;Waiting with Maryâ&#x20AC;? ~ Advent retreat weekend with Michael Fish, OSB, who will invite participants to spend days of quiet waiting with Mary who said yes to the unknown, trusted in the not yet, believed in the new, set out in service (to Elizabeth), and sang to Mystery. Perhaps we need Mary more than ever as we prepare to meet the challenges of our time. Friday evening through Sunday lunchâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Fee: $375

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12 WORLD

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Dispute over water bill could hurt Jerusalem holy site JUDITH SUDILOVSKY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

JERUSALEM – A dispute over an unpaid water bill reportedly running to $2.3 million could threaten the daily functioning of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, one of Christendom’s most holy sites. A well-informed source who did not want to be named said the dispute stems from a unilateral cancellation of a long-term agreement – dating to Turkish rule – which exempted the Church of the Holy Sepulcher from paying for the water it used. The church has a copy of a signed 1969 letter outlining the agreement, he said, and has made copies available to the municipality. He said negotiations over payment of the bill had been going on for some two years but in late October the municipal water company, Hagihon, froze the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate’s bank account and, according to a report in the Israeli Maariv newspaper, the patriarchate was threatening to close its doors. CNS’s source said that water in the church is used

for cleaning and is “very heavily” used not only by pilgrims coming to the church but also by tourists to the Old City, who come to use the church facilities and drink water because there are no other public toilets in the area. He said the providing of public toilets was “too much of a burden” on the church but it provided the free use of their facilities as a courtesy. An official at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate told the British news agency Reuters that the patriarchate was willing to pay water bills from now on but that the accumulated debt “would be problematic.” In the meantime, the patriarchate is unable to pay salaries for its employees or pay for food, toll road charges or their electric and phone bills. “It doesn’t make sense to us to be asking to pay a retroactive bill that the municipality has a written commitment (not to charge),” said the source. He said the payment was not the issue but rather the unilateral cancellation of the traditional agreement. He said demanding payment was tantamount to breaking the historic Status Quo agreement,

which determines the details of how the church is run. He said Christian church leaders have been having “extensive meetings” among themselves to determine what steps should be taken next. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is traditionally believed to be the place of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial and resurrection, and sovereignty over it are shared by the Greek Orthodox Church; the Catholic Church, represented by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land; and the Armenian Orthodox Church. The Coptic, Assyrian and Ethiopian Orthodox churches also have smaller claims to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. A spokesman for Hagihon said it has held talks and meetings with representatives of the churches “for years” and had suggested the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate turn to the Ministry of Interior with its concerns, since the law does not allow the company to make exceptions. He said the church was being charged retroactively only since 2004, when the company was formed.

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WORLD 13

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

VATICAN COURT FINDS COMPUTER TECH GUILTY

VATICAN CITY – A Vatican court found Claudio Sciarpelletti, a computer expert in the Secretariat of State, guilty of aiding and abetting the papal butler, who was convicted of stealing sensitive Vatican correspondence. The three-judge panel hearing the case Nov. 10 initially sentenced Sciarpelletti to four months in jail but reduced the sentence to two months, saying Sciarpelletti had never been in trouble with the law and previously had served the Vatican well. The judges suspended even the two-month sentence and said that if, over the next five years he commits no other crimes, the penalty would be lifted. The Vatican court indicted Sciarpelletti in August, accusing him of helping Paolo Gabriele, the papal butler, by obstructing the Vatican investigation of the butler’s role in stealing, photocopying and leaking private Vatican correspondence to an Italian journalist. The butler is serving an 18-month sentence in a cell in the Vatican police barracks.

POPE: SACRED MUSIC CAN ATTRACT LAPSED CATHOLICS

VATICAN CITY – Sacred music can bolster people’s faith and help lapsed Catholics rediscover the beauty of God, Pope Benedict XVI said. “Sacred music can, above all, promote the faith, and, what’s more, cooperate in the new evangelization,” he told participants attending a conference and pilgrimage sponsored by the Italian St. Cecilia Association. St. Cecilia, whose feast day is Nov. 22, is traditionally honored as the patron saint of musical performers. “Music and singing that are done well can help (people) receive the word of God and be moved in a positive way,” the pope said in his address Nov. 10. Many people, including St. Augustine, have found themselves attracted to God because of some profound experience prompted by the beauty of liturgical music and sacred song, he said. In the church’s missionary outreach, he said, it urges Catholics to recognize, respect and promote the musical traditions of the local people. Traditionally Christian countries, like Italy, have a rich heritage of sacred music which can help lapsed Catholics rediscover God and be drawn again to the Christian message and the mystery of faith, he said.

IRISH OK AMENDMENT PROTECTING RIGHTS OF CHILDREN

DUBLIN – Voters in Ireland have backed a referendum that, for the first time, outlines rights for children in the country’s constitution. Just over a third of eligible voters cast ballots on the constitutional amendment. The poll, held Nov. 10, was backed by 58 percent of voters, with 42 percent voting “no.” The margin was much narrower than expected, with opinion polls in the lead-in to the vote suggesting the amendment would be carried 80-20. As a result of the amendment, the children of married parents who are in long-term foster care will be able to be adopted for the first time. The wording also obliges the courts to hear the views of children when dealing with cases involving family law such as divorce and separation proceedings. In advance of the poll, the country’s Catholic bishops gave a guarded welcome to the proposed wording but warned of unintended consequences. (CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING)

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he concludes a visit Nov. 12 to a home for the elderly run by the Sant’Egidio Community in Rome. At right is Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio. for independent living as well as rooms for those requiring more skilled care. Younger members of the Sant’Egidio Community volunteer their time assisting and visiting with the residents, who include an elderly couple from Haiti whose home was destroyed in the 2010 earthquake.

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SCRIPTURE SEARCH Gospel for November 18, 2012 Mark 13:24-32 Following is a word search based on the Gospel reading for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B: where Jesus warns about the end of time. The words can be found in all directions in the puzzle. IN THOSE DAYS MOON FALLING CLOUDS ANGELS FIG TREE GENERATION

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‘WONDERFUL BEING OLD,’ POPE TELLS ELDERLY

ROME – Presenting himself as “an elderly man visiting his peers,” Pope Benedict XVI visited a Rome residence for the elderly, urging the residents to see their age as a sign of God’s blessing and urging society to value their presence and wisdom. “Though I know the difficulties that come with being our age, I want to say, it’s wonderful being old,” the 85-year-old pope said Nov. 12 during a morning visit to the residence run by the lay Community of Sant’Egidio. The residence includes apartments

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14 ELECTION

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

3 states support same-sex marriage CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON – Voters in Maine and Maryland approved ballot measures legalizing same-sex marriage Nov. 6, as the two states became the first to approve same-sex marriage by popular vote. In Washington state, a deeply divided electorate passed a similar measure by a 53.3 percent to 46.7 percent margin, with support from the Seattle area offsetting strong opposition in many other parts of the state. In Minnesota voters rejected a state constitutional amendment to define marriage as only a union between a man and woman. Minnesota’s action does not make same-sex marriage immediately possible. There is still a state law banning it, but by rejecting the constitutional amendment, voters cleared the way for the Legislature or courts to permit such marriages. Maryland and Washington voters upheld laws permitting same-sex marriage that were passed earlier in the year by their legislatures and signed by their governors, but challenged in the referendum process. Thirty other states have passed laws prohibiting such marriages. Previously six states and the District of Columbia had allowed same-sex marriages through legislative action and court rulings. Voters in Maine approved a referendum authorizing same-sex marriage, a measure that bypassed courts and the Legislature, and reversed a 2009 referendum to ban such unions. Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, called for renewed efforts to strengthen and protect marriage and family life and expressed gratitude to marriage protection supporters. Election Day was a disappointing one for marriage, he said. “The meaning of marriage, though,

AT A GLANCE VOTERS IN MARYLAND AND WASHINGTON upheld laws permitting samesex marriage that were passed earlier in the year by their legislatures and signed by their governors, but challenged in the referendum process. VOTERS IN MINNESOTA rejected a measure to ban same-sex marriage. VOTERS IN MAINE approved a referendum authorizing same-sex marriage, a measure that bypassed courts and the Legislature, and reversed a 2009 referendum to ban such unions. BISHOP RICHARD J. MALONE, administrator of the Diocese of Portland, Maine, said he is “deeply disappointed that a majority of Maine voters have redefined marriage from what we have understood it to be for millennia by civilizations and religions around the world.”

A political sign against Maryland’s same-sex marriage initiative – Question 6 – is seen outside the entrance to St. Joseph Church in Largo, Md., Nov. 3.

cannot be redefined because it lies within our very nature. No matter what policy, law or judicial decision is put into place, marriage is the only institution that unites a man and a woman to each other and to any children born of their union,” he said. “It is either this, or it is nothing at all.” “In a society marked by increasing poverty and family fragmentation, marriage needs to be strengthened, promoted, and defended, not redefined. I hope and pray that political leaders, judges, and all people will seek to honor this foundational and common sense truth of marriage,” the archbishop said. In Maryland, Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori was among the most vocal leaders of the campaign to defeat the referendum, and he expressed disappointment in the vote. “I think that vote will prove not to have been for the common good of our state,” he said in a statement.

The Maryland Catholic Conference, which advocates for public policy on behalf of the state’s bishops, joined the Maryland Marriage Alliance in efforts to overturn the law. Archbishop Lori praised the advocates’ work over the past year. “So much hard work went into this, and I’m very, very grateful to everyone who worked so hard,” he said. “We will continue to witness to the values of marriage as understood as the union of one man and one woman, as the most sound, secure and loving way to bring children into the world.” The Catholic conference said: “Regrettably, Marylanders decided by the narrowest of margins not to repeal the law that redefines marriage.” The language of the ballot measure “masked the fact that this law does not simply assign civil benefits to gay and lesbian couples, but drastically dismantles in our state law the fundamental

(CNS PHOTO/NANCY PHELAN WIECHEC)

family unit of mother, father and child,” the conference said. “The people of Maryland were promised that this law would protect religious institutions and individuals who believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman, and we will remain vigilant in ensuring that those promises are upheld,” it added. Bishop Richard J. Malone, who is administrator of the Diocese of Portland, Maine, said he was deeply disappointed in the outcome in his state. “I am deeply disappointed that a majority of Maine voters have redefined marriage from what we have understood it to be for millennia by civilizations and religions around the world,” said the bishop, who in August was installed to head the Diocese of Buffalo, N.Y. He thanked “the Catholic faithful who did not abandon Catholic teachings on the nature of marriage.” Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said in a statement that the results are “the dawn of a new day for marriage equality in America. We still have a ways to go before all families can share in the celebration and responsibilities of marriage, but today we woke up much farther down that road than we were the day before.” Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, said in a statement that the organization is “very disappointed in losing four tough election battles by narrow margins. We knew long ago that we faced a difficult political landscape with the four marriage battles occurring in four of the deepest-blue states in America. As our opponents built a huge financial advantage, the odds became even steeper. We ran strong campaigns and nearly prevailed in a very difficult environment, significantly outperforming the GOP ticket in every state.” Catholic San Francisco contributed to this story.

Massachusetts defeats assisted suicide; California keeps death penalty DENNIS SADOWSKI CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON – Massachusetts voters narrowly defeated a “death with dignity” measure, rejecting attempts to legalize assisted suicide. In California, an initiative to end the use of the death penalty was defeated as well in another close vote. The Massachusetts initiative, known as Question 2, was defeated by fewer than 39,000 votes – 1,395,227 to 1,356,899 – with the largest opposition rising in counties in the center of the state and those north and south of Boston. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston was pleased with the outcome, saying the common good was served in the measure’s defeat. “The campaign against physician assisted suicide brought together a diverse coalition from medical, disability rights and interfaith communities, all dedicated to ensuring that our residents were well informed on the issue,” he said in an emailed statement. The cardinal called upon wider society to work with hospice organizations and palliative care providers “to improve the care provided to the terminally ill.” “It is my hope and prayer that the defeat of Question 2 will help all people to understand that for our brothers and sisters confronted with terminal illness

BISHOPS PLEASED BY PASSAGE OF PROPS. 35, 36

The California Catholic Conference said it is gratified that voters passed both Proposition 35 and Proposition 36. Proposition 35, enhancing penalties for those convicted of human trafficking and allocating additional funds to benefit victims, is “a small but significant step toward eliminating this modern-day scourge of human slavery,” conference Executive Director Ned Dolejsi said in a statement. Proposition 36 amended the state’s “three strikes” law. “We commend the wisdom of the voters in choosing to require the third strike and triggering offense be serious – not trivial,” Dolejsi said. “That change in public policy represents a humane approach to criminal justice as the ‘three strikes’ sentence is imprisonment for 25 years to life.” we can do better than offering them the means to end their lives.” The measure may have generated the widest debate of any statewide ballot issue in the country. The initiative would have allowed terminally ill adults to commit physician-assisted suicide under certain conditions. The Massachusetts Catholic Conference, Massachusetts Medical Society and disability rights groups opposed it. Under the proposal, patients estimated to have six months or fewer to live and judged medically capable to make a medical decision could decide to end their lives after submitting such a request twice orally and once in writing. In video and written messages on the Massachusetts Catholic Conference website, Cardinal O’Malley urged voters to reject the measure, saying it would

place vulnerable people at risk and that it promotes suicide. Catholics and right-to-life leaders argued against the measure and also pointed to what they considered to be several flaws in its wording. In particular, the church raised concerns that the measure did not require that a doctor be present when a terminally ill individual administers a deadly dose of drugs once the medication is prescribed and that there was no requirement for an individual to notify family members of their intent. In opposing the initiative, the Massachusetts Medical Society maintained that “physician assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer” and that “the proposed safeguards against abuse are insufficient.”

California voters rejected Proposition 34, which would have repealed the death penalty clause in the state constitution, by 52.8 percent to 47.2 percent. Inmates already facing a death sentence would have been resentenced to life in prison without parole under the measure. Proponents of the measure said banning capital punishment would have ended the possibility of an innocent person being put to death for a crime. They also projected that California would have saved $130 million annually by ending capital punishment. The measure called for a one-time expenditure of $100 million for solving major crimes. Opponents, including law enforcement officers and three former governors, maintained that the savings estimates were overblown and that the state’s onerous death penalty system is in need of repair and should not be replaced. The California Catholic Conference backed Proposition 34, saying that the inherent dignity of each person must be upheld and that even people convicted of any serious crime must not be put to death. The church also called for wide-scale restorative justice efforts to afford the opportunity for repentance and reconciliation among the affected individuals.

FROM THE FRONT 15

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

SCIENCE: Dialogue needed to protect people, planet, pope says FROM PAGE 1

the future of our human family and for the long-term sustainable development of our planet,” he said. Members of the academy were meeting at the Vatican Nov. 5-10. As science becomes ever more complex and highly specialized, educational institutions and the church have an important role to play in helping scientists broadening their concerns to include the ethical and social consequences of their work, an academy member told Catholic News Service. “We make scientists today who are excellent specialists and remarkable technicians, but they have little culture in terms of the history of science,” philosophy and ethics, said Pierre Lena, a French Catholic astrophysicist who is working to revamp the way science is taught in schools and universities. “These technically well-trained people make fantastic discoveries, but they miss the connection with the human person” and often fail to take into account the impact of their discoveries on people and the environment, he said. The other problem, Lena said, is that the general public often glosses over the importance of science because it is not taught or explained in a way that shows clearly how new knowledge impacts their lives or future. Scientists usually present their findings by sticking to objective facts without realizing the general public tends to base a lot of their decisions on more subjective reasons like culture, tradition, feelings and religious beliefs, and not just raw data, he said. Also, people may feel they can’t trust what scientists say because their findings are in constant flux and development, he said. Lena said scientists need to show that their sense of truth “is not the truth with a capital ‘T,’” but is something that evolves and has limits. Yet, at the same time, a scientific discovery or hypothesis “is not a purely relative opinion” either, but reflects real experimental findings or is based on highly probable statistical calculations, he said. In his Nov. 8 speech to scientists, the pope said, “The universe is not chaos or the result of chaos, rather, it appears ever more clearly as an ordered complexity which allows us to rise ... from special-

(CNS PHOTO/L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO VIA REUTERS)

Pope Benedict XVI looks through a microscope during his visit to the headquarters of the Vatican Observatory in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, in this Sept. 16, 2009, file photo. Dialogue and cooperation between faith and science are urgently needed for building a culture that respects people and the planet, the pope said in Nov. 8 remarks to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. ization toward a more universalizing viewpoint and vice versa.” While science still has not been able to completely understand the “unifying structure and ultimate unity” of reality, the different scientific disciplines are getting closer to “the very foundations” underlying the physical world, he said. While the Vatican has done much in terms of reaching out to the world of science through its many conferences and initiatives, more needs to be done by the church on the ground, especially in Catholic schools, in teaching the nature of scientific truth, Lena said.

“Except for the Jesuits, Catholic education was and I think still is cautious about science that might destroy the faith,” with some examples being natural selection and evolution, the possibility of life on other planets and the neurological basis for the psyche, he said. In general, Catholic education stresses the humanities “because they speak about man, and the good and the bad,” but avoids the more complex or poorly understood modern discoveries and theories of science, he said. The unfamiliar or quickly evolving terrain of science is one of the reasons why the pope has a science academy – to monitor the latest advancements in different fields, said Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, the academy’s chancellor. He told CNS that it’s critical for the new evangelization to take into account current scientific opinions and positions. Understanding scientific truths is important “not for any lack on the part of the Gospels or the catechism, but because the intellect is weak and is used to operating from what it already knows,” the bishop said. By understanding what secularized universities, students or professional fields are thinking, “it’s much easier to be able to help them understand that the truth of faith is not in contrast to these other truths, rather in many cases it strengthens them and gives them new drive, new incentive.” Lena said scientists who are religious and the church as a whole need theologians to hammer out the Christian response to the many questions that arise in science today, from complex end-of-life issues to the possibility of life on other planets. The problem, Lena said, is that much of theology is based on teachings from third- and fourthcentury church fathers or 12th-century St. Thomas Aquinas who didn’t face the same social or global challenges as today. “Science is constantly changing our representation of the world. You cannot picture who man is after the discoveries of evolution or neuroscience,” he said. He said if theology could keep pace in providing the Catholic insight and interpretation to modern challenges and discoveries, “then the gap between the beliefs of people and the scientific world” could close.

BISHOPS: New preaching document approved SETON: Voter support FROM PAGE 1

that the congregation cannot understand,” Bishop Ramirez said. “We have many foreign priests coming to work in our dioceses,” he added. “Even though it takes an extra effort to understand what they are saying, they have wisdom. They are inspired by the Holy Spirit. ... The people have to make an extra effort to understand their wisdom.” “Preaching the Mystery of Faith” also required a suspension of the rules governing consideration of proposed documents issued in the name of the USCCB, as bishops did not receive it at least 30 days prior to debate. In formally introducing the document Nov. 12, Archbishop Carlson said it aimed for a “pastorally sensitive tone” so that it could build upon a strong theological foundation for the ministry of preaching.” He added, “It also makes a strong case for linking the homily to the Sunday liturgy.” Preaching needs to be done “more effectively in the context of the new evangelization,” he said. “Our people hunger for better preaching, preaching that would help them rediscover their faith.” “The homily is intended to establish a ‘dialogue’ between the sacred biblical text and the Christian life of the hearer,” the document says. “Preachers should be aware, in an appropriate way, of what their people are watching on television, what kind of music they are listening to, which websites they find appealing, and which films they find compelling,” it adds. “References to the most popular cultural expressions – which at times can be surprisingly replete with religious motifs – can be an effective way to engage the interest of those on the edge of faith.” The intent to write a new document first surfaced six years ago as the silver anniversary

IN OTHER ACTION At their fall meeting Nov. 13, the US bishops also: APPROVED THE HIRING OF A DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS as efforts begin to reorganize the bishops’ Communications Department. APPROVED A VOLUNTARY NATIONAL COLLECTION for the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services. SET ASIDE A PROPOSED MESSAGE of hope on the economy, with the vote of 134 to 98 and nine abstentions falling short of the 152 needed for the two-thirds required for passage. Bishops raised concerns about the document’s limitations, its expedited process and whether it was something that they would use to reach out to people. ENDORSED THE SAINTHOOD CAUSE OF DOROTHY DAY, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement, who was famously quoted as saying, “Don’t call me a saint. I don’t want to be dismissed so easily.” neared of the U.S. bishops’ last preaching document, “Fulfilled in Your Hearing.” “Many Catholics, for a variety of reasons, seem either indifferent to or disaffected with the church and her teaching. We know that the general social context in the United States has a strong emphasis on the individual and individual choice, which often eclipses the sense of community or of the common good that is essential to Christian life,” the document says. “Sadly, too, we must confess that the sexual abuse crisis has wounded the church, and this scandal has led some Catholics to lose heart and leave the church.”

FROM PAGE 1

Supervisors agreed that Seton Medical Center will be a beneficiary of Measure A although the exact portion of the tax revenue is to be worked out. Other uses of the money will include child abuse prevention, 911 dispatch, fire prevention and after-school library reading/homework programs. Seton’s mission is to provide care for poor and underserved people. Failure of Measure A, its interim president and CEO, Jim Schuessler, said in August, could well lead to the closure of the inpatient facility. On Nov. 8, following voter approval, he said, “This is a victory for everyone who lives here in San Mateo County. Our organization has served this community for more than 100 years. We have watched it grow and mature. We have stood alongside the people who live here, caring for them every step of the way, and we look forward to continuing our call to serve. What matters now is that we continue to band together and work to help the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors as they wisely invest the revenue from Measure A so that we can maximize the return on the investment local voters have made in our community with the approval of Measure A.” Seton and many of the 425 other acute-care hospitals in California are responding to the requirement for seismic improvements by certain deadlines, although it is expected that some, particularly smaller ones in rural areas, will cease doing business. Founded as Mary’s Help Hospital in 1893 by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Seton Medical Center has been providing medical care to the people of San Francisco and Northern San Mateo County for more than a century. Earlier this year, parent Daughters of Charity Health System signed an agreement saying it intended to become a part of Ascension Health, the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system. The agreement is pending.

16 OPINION

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Doctor-assisted After the vote, the hard work begins suicide: Never S a caring choice

eware of an organization called Compassion & Choices. It is not compassionate and the choice it offers is death. The group has become increasingly dangerous as it works its way into the mainstream. Compassion & Choices was founded in 1980 as the Hemlock Society, a name more accurately describing its objective. Its mission statement says it “seeks to educate terminally ill individuals and their families about their rights to a dignified, humane and peaceful death, while striving to increase awareness of and access to the full range of end-ofVICKI EVANS life choices, by educating the public at large and advocating for change to existing laws.” But that’s only part of the story. Compassion & Choices has been behind most state attempts to legalize assisted-suicide measures. Although Massachusetts’ Question 2, DoctorPrescribed Suicide, failed to get the votes needed to become law, “Compassion & Choices brought together a strong coalition of volunteers, donors and staff that took the race down to the wire,” its website states. Catholic teaching on assisted suicide and euthanasia is clear and unequivocal. It is wrong. This does not mean that medication cannot be used for pain control, even if it were to unintentionally shorten life. Nor does it mean that a feeding tube must be forced on a patient in the final dying stages. Where the church stands on assisted suicide is no surprise to Compassion & Choices, with whom the California Catholic Conference has engaged in close fighting over attempts to pass physician-assisted suicide here in 2005, 2007 and 2008. That makes an email it sent to Catholic high schools more audacious than ever. For the past two years, our high schools have received the following alert: “Please forward this email to your Scholarship Office. Attached is a flier for the Matters of Life & Death Scholarship Writing Contest, which is available to high school juniors and seniors in California and are college-bound. Please inform your students of this scholarship opportunity and let me know if you have questions.” The flier attached is the work of Compassion & Choices, providing the essay question and directing students to its website for help in answering the question – and subtle indoctrination. Thanks to the watchfulness of our high-school personnel in reporting these emails, and the clear instruction given by archdiocesan schools superintendent Maureen Huntington that they are to be rejected, archdiocesan schools have rebuffed attempts to be unwittingly recruited into Compassion & Choices’ propaganda campaign. However, recipients of these emails can be forgiven if they fail to recognize the sender’s agenda. Last year, Compassion & Choices invited 200 of the Bay Area’s “most caring and philanthropic ladies and gents” to the St. Francis Yacht Club to attend “Passages,” a sellout “awareness-raising” luncheon, according to the New York Social Diary. “Thanks to the health care controversy, discussions of end-of-life options have moved from the fringes to the mainstream and formerly hush-hush talk has become standard talk at all levels of society.” U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and California Chief of Protocol Charlotte Mailliard Schultz served as honorary chairwomen. The fact that assisted suicide is now regarded benevolently as “aid in dying,” promoted as a right, and gaining in social acceptance make it all the more menacing. This movement is not compassionate. Legalization of assisted suicide in Oregon and Washington and attempts to encourage it elsewhere have unforeseen consequences. In an unsettling new national study published by the American Journal of Public Health, we discover that suicide has become the leading cause of injury-related deaths in America, now surpassing deaths from car crashes. This is not good news for anyone.

truggling to figure out which candidates would do the most good and the least harm – especially to the poor and vulnerable – and then showing up to vote, was the easy part. Now the hard work begins. With so many elected officials enjoying the security of a full term in office largely due in many cases to huge financial support from corporations, super PACs (political action committees) and wealthy individuals – who will expect special attention TONY MAGLIANO and favors – it is morally essential for every Catholic, and all people of good will, to become the voice of the voiceless. Because the unborn, poor, hungry, homeless, war-torn, medically uninsured, undocumented, unemployed and underemployed had no money to feed the financially engorged political beasts of both major parties, and because they were struggling to survive and had no time for political organizing, they went unheard and unseen during this last political campaign – and virtually every campaign before it. The voices of the invisible poor and vulnerable will surely continue to remain unheard by the powers in Washington, D.C., and state capitols through the United States, unless you and I put our faith into action. Yes, voting is certainly important, but committed lobbying throughout the years after the elections, is even more important.

MAGLIANO is an internationally syndicated social justice and peace columnist.

LETTERS Church should not associate itself with one party

Nearly dumbstruck by language commentary

In my opinion, the Catholic Church, in this and other recent elections, has become increasingly tied to the Republican Party. Even though it’s probably because of the Republican support of the church’s positions on abortion, gay marriage and religious liberty, I see this as a bad trend for the church. Many in the church, including officials such as (Peoria, Ill.) Bishop (Daniel R.) Jenky, demonize and ridicule Obama. I abhor his position on abortion, but his position is based on his compassion for women, not because he’s a pawn of the abortion industry. To not recognize that is ridiculous. The gay marriage issue, in my opinion, is one we will lose eventually. It’s a civil issue, so we should just stay out of it. Finally, the religious liberty issue, especially since it involves contraceptives for women, once again makes us look bad. I also think it’s an overreach by people who hate Obama and hoped this would rally the troops. The lack of traction it had with the people in the pews says either the people are stupid and don’t get it, or the bishops did a lousy job explaining their position. Women, young people, and Hispanics all voted strongly in favor of Obama. If we as a church are going to start identifying ourselves so closely with one political party, as in some respects we have with the Republicans, we’re going to start losing and alienating all of those groups I just mentioned. Since Hispanics and women are many of the people we see in the pews, and since we want to draw in young people, perhaps we should start examining our message. I’m not saying to change our ideas of right and wrong, but we can certainly change our associations, our presentation of message, and the issues we choose to spend our political capital on. David DeSantis San Carlos

In reading the article (essay?) by The Catholic University of America president, John Garvey (“Spending time outside a linguistic empire,” Oct. 5), I was struck nearly dumbfounded by what seemed to be his suppressed disdain for not only the English language, but this country (United States of America). His “caustic” use of the phrase(s) “linguistic imperialists,” “linguistic empire” doesn’t mask his seemingly suppressed hatred, but only exposes his shortcomings. Mr. Garvey seems, at the least, ethnocentric and a bit defensive being of Irish descent (displeasure at British history and treatment of Ireland). I am a fourth-generation Irish, as well as a U.S. veteran (Vietnam), and know, as many “Americans” do, someone who speaks more than one language (English), if not several. The last thing I would disparage upon, or castigate, would be the unifying language this offers, and for all the great things the language and this country have done for its people in the U.S. and around the world. Would you think he might also recognize this “unifying” language which has crossed many barriers and brought many nations and their people together in the last century plus, to move this wonderful world forward to better living standards and mutual understandings? Perhaps there is a bit of reflection upon the biblical story of the “Tower of Babel.” Does he “not believe”and think there was not some lesson in that bit of history? Perhaps so. One can only conclude what an inappropriate, and “radical” person to be heading up one of the Catholic universities, yet alone any school of higher learning. Not to suppress “open conversation” or free speech, but misinformation, stupidity, divisiveness needs to be called out and spotlighted. Shame on you, Mr. Garvey! T.J. O’Rourke San Francisco

LETTERS POLICY EMAIL letters.csf@sfarchdiocese.org

EVANS is Respect Life coordinator for the Office of Public Policy and Social Concerns of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Church efforts to pass pro-life, peace-building, social justice and environmental legislation often fail because most Catholics remain silent. Elected officials monitor their phone calls, letters, and emails to determine how their constituents want them to vote. Our silence sends them the wrong signal. Make no mistake about it, when we fail to infuse Gospel-based moral values into the political arena, others rush in to fill the void with immoral public policies. We must not let that happen. In their document “Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility,” the U.S. bishops urge us to remember that “Jesus called us to ‘love one another.’ Our Lord’s example and words demand care for the ‘least of these’ from each of us. Yet they also require action on a broader scale. Faithful citizenship is about more than elections. It requires ongoing participation in the continuing political and legislative process.” Because very few elected officials demonstrate passionate concern for the poor and vulnerable in the U.S. and throughout the world, it is up to us to put and keep the pressure on them to enact legislation and advance public policy that will protect the lives and promote the dignity of every single human being. It has been accurately noted “that most politicians do not see the light until they feel the heat.” So let’s turn up the heat. Politically, U.S. Catholics are 66 million weak. With your help we can turn that around to 66 million strong for the voiceless.

WRITE Letters to the Editor, Catholic San Francisco, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco, CA 94109

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OPINION 17

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Preventing war through loving dialogue

ear suddenly gripped me as I viewed Washington’s National Archives exhibit on the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. I lived through it but never realized that planes carrying nuclear bombs were airborne, and our submarines and silos were prepared to launch nuclear warheads. It led me to think, how can a nuclear holocaust be avoided? One place we might start is history. We need to meditate on the horrors of the past as a means of instilling in us the FATHER EUGENE dreadfulness of a nuclear HEMRICK war. History reveals wars causing the random killing of innocent civilians, total devastation of cities and destitution lasting years. Although a nation may rebuild, its psyche never fully recovers. History needs to be revisited to learn of the virtues practiced that maintained peace. One of those lessons teaches that heartfelt dialogue possesses enormous powers for keeping harmony. We can only wonder what would have happened had not U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Secretary General Nikita Khrushchev stayed in dialogue during the missile crisis. In his encyclical “Ecclesiam Suam,” Pope Paul VI gives us a wonderful summation of the essential qualities of dialogue. First, language must be clear. Nothing could be more important in our world of differing cultures and languages. Ambiguous, poorly chosen words thrown out carelessly can create a riot. For dialogue to succeed, words need to be

Dialogue requires kindness. This does not imply the lack of prudence; rather it encourages those going to the bargaining table to be well-disposed toward one another, desiring the common good. clarified repeatedly, re-examined so they do not offend and re-crafted until they resonate with the intended audience. Dialogue requires kindness. This does not imply the lack of prudence; rather it encourages those going to the bargaining table to be well-disposed toward one another, desiring the common good. Dialogue implores us to put those involved in the conversation in the place of the other person. This implies studying the particular traditions of a nation and what its population is presently undergoing. Also implied is visiting and experiencing a nation firsthand. Love is the heart of dialogue. Its essential qualities translate into a spirit of forgiveness and avoiding hardness of heart, exhausting all means possible for keeping peace, preferring a joyful disposition to a warlike demeanor and practicing a spirit of beneficence for the benefit of the common good. As much as military and economic strength help to keep the peace, our most powerful means for accomplishing peace is a loving heart. ©CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Father Serra and the Year of Faith

uring this Year of Faith we will mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Junipero Serra on next Nov. 24. Blessed Junipero Serra (1713-1784), the first apostle and colonizer of Alta California, was a model evangelizer and is a benchmark for the missionary spirit for spreading and renewing the faith in the Year of Faith we are now celebrating. A native of Petra on the Spanish island of Majorca and baptized Miguel Jose, he followed in the footBROTHER JOHN steps of his early educaM. SAMAHA, SM tors, the Franciscans, and took the name of Junipero, who was a disciple of St. Francis himself. After a decade of service as a noted preacher and professor of philosophy, he rekindled his early desire to be a missionary and requested to be sent to Mexico in the New World. In 1749 at the age of 36 he wrote a formal petition to his provincial superior: “All my life I have wanted to be a missionary. I have wanted to carry the Gospel teachings to those who have never heard of God and the kingdom he has prepared for them.” Fray Junipero was missioned to the New World in Mexico, where he served the native populations for 20 years. When Spain decided to complete the occupation of California, he and other specially trained Franciscan missionaries accompanied the military and the colonists. During the ensuing 15 years in Alta California, he founded the first nine of the 21 missions. In this period Serra was compelled to confront the military and civil authorities concerning the mistreatment of the Native Americans. He drafted a statement of 32 grievances which he personally presented to the viceroy in Mexico. Some of his recommended improvements were implemented and some were overlooked. Though afflicted with an ulcerated leg wound, Padre Serra frequently visited his missions, often walking rather than riding horseback be-

cause St. Francis of Assisi had always walked. Records show that he baptized and confirmed thousands of natives without neglecting the colonists and the soldiers. He was beloved by all. While concentrating on the spiritual needs of the neophytes and catechumens, he and his collaborators did not forget their material welfare. The natives were taught methods of farming and cattle-raising, along with arts and crafts. The native peoples were educated to shift from an unsettled lifestyle to a stable domestic way of life. Serra’s extensive written reports filed with government and religious authorities reveal a saintly man who loved and served his people as an adept teacher, organizer and manager. Although some Spaniards were guilty of abusive treatment, Padre Serra had never been guilty of mistreatment. On the contrary, he defended them from harm. In 1784 Father Serra died at Mission San Carlos Borromeo, and later he was buried in the sanctuary of its church. When Pope John Paul II beatified Junipero Serra on Sept. 25, 1988, he praised the “Apostle of California” as “an exemplary model of the selfless evangelizer, a shining example of Christian virtue and the missionary spirit.” These are the traits we are challenged to exhibit in this Year of Faith. A statue of Junipero Serra represents California in the National Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Imposing statues of the colonizer of California also grace Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and are also prominently placed in many other cities throughout the state. His name has been adopted by the international lay organization of men and women known as the Serra Club, which is dedicated to fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Blessed Junipero Serra witnessed to the holiness of the church and its concern for all people. As an extraordinary missionary and an exceptional example of the church’s apostolic calling to preach and exemplify the Gospel to everyone, he personifies the spirit of the new evangelization that characterizes the current Year of Faith. MARIANIST BROTHER SAMAHA lives in Cupertino.

Why the sciences can’t disprove God’s existence

iven the ruminations of Stephen Hawking, Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett, one might have thought that the absolute limit of scientistic arrogance had been reached. But think again. Sean Carroll, a theoretical physicist at the California Institute of Technology, was quoted in a recent news article asserting that “science” is on the verge of providing a complete understanding of the universe — an explication, it goes without saying, that precludes the antiquated notion of God altogether. Before addressing the God issue specifically, let me make a FATHER ROBERT simple observation. Though the BARRON sciences might be able to explain the chemical makeup of pages and ink, they will never be able to reveal the meaning of a book; and though they might make sense of the biology of the human body, they will never tell us why a human act is moral or immoral; and though they might disclose the cellular structure of oil and canvas, they will never determine why a painting is beautiful. And this is not because “science” is for the moment insufficiently developed, it is because the scientific method cannot, even in principle, explore such matters, which belong to a qualitatively different category of being than the proper subject matter of the sciences. The claim that “science” could ever provide a total understanding of reality as a whole overlooks the rather glaring fact that meaning, truth, beauty, morality, purpose, and so on, are all ingredients in “the universe.” But as is usually the case with scientistic speculation, Carroll’s thought is designed, above all, to eliminate God as a subject of serious intellectual discourse. The first and most fundamental problem is that, like Hawking, Dawkins and Dennett, Carroll doesn’t seem to know what biblical people mean by “God.” With the advance of the modern physical sciences, he asserts, there remains less and less room for God to operate, and hence less and less need to appeal to him as an explanatory cause. This is a contemporary reiteration of Pierre-Simon Laplace’s rejoinder when the Emperor Napoleon asked the famous astronomer how God fit into his mechanistic system: “I have no need of that hypothesis.” But God, in the view of the classical Catholic intellectual tradition, is not one cause among many, not one more item within the universe jockeying for position with other competing causes. Rather, God is, as Thomas Aquinas characterized him, ipsum esse, or the sheer act of to-be itself — that power in and through which the universe in its totality exists. Once we grasp this, we see that no advance of the physical sciences could ever “eliminate” God or show that he is no longer required as an explaining cause, for the sciences can only explore objects and events within the finite cosmos. To demonstrate the relationship between God and the universe more clearly, it would be worthwhile to explore the most fundamental argument for God’s existence, namely the argument from contingency. You and I are contingent (dependent) in our being in the measure that we eat and drink, breathe and had parents; a tree is contingent inasmuch as its being is derived from seed, sun, soil, water, and so on; the solar system is contingent because it depends upon gravity and events in the wider galaxy. To account for a contingent reality, by definition we have to appeal to an extrinsic cause. But if that cause is itself contingent, we have to proceed further. This process of appealing to contingent causes in order to explain a contingent effect cannot go on indefinitely, for then the effect is never adequately explained. Hence, we must finally come to some reality that is not contingent on anything else, some ground of being whose very nature is to-be. This is precisely what Catholic theology means by “God.” Therefore, God is not one fussy cause within or alongside the universe; instead, he is the reason why there is a universe at all, why there is, as the famous formula has it, “something rather than nothing.” To ask the sophomoric question, “Well, what caused God?” is simply to show that the poser of the question has not grasped the nettle of the argument. FATHER BARRON is rector at Mundelein Seminary, Mundelein, Ill., and founder of the global ministry Word on Fire.

18 FAITH

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

SUNDAY READINGS

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time ‘But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.’ MARK 13:24-32 DANIEL 12:1-3 In those days, I Daniel heard this word of the Lord: “At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time. At that time your people shall escape, everyone who is found written in the book. “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. “But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.” PSALM 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11 You are my inheritance, O Lord! O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. You are my inheritance, O Lord!

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. You are my inheritance, O Lord! You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. You are my inheritance, O Lord! HEBREWS 10:11-14, 18 Brothers and sisters: Every priest stands daily at his ministry, offering frequently those same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But this one offered one sacrifice for sins, and took his seat forever at the right hand of God; now he waits until his enemies are made his footstool. For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated. Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer offering for sin.

MARK13:24-32 Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.”And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky. “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Live now, for ‘later’ never seems to come

very year, I ask my eighth grade students a version of the question that was asked of St. Augustine more then 1,500 years ago. “If you were at lunch and someone told you that you had only two hours left to live, what would you do?” I always have them do two things: Tell me what they would do, then speculate on how they thought Augustine might answer the question. Their responses tend to be all over the board. Some would travel (even though they might not get too far!), a few would play their favorite games, and there are always a couple of adrenaline junkies who want to DEACON MICHAEL skydive. The vast majority, however, say they would MURPHY spend time with their family and friends, telling them that they loved them and fixing any relationships that were in need of repair. However, the students tend to believe Augustine

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

POPE BENEDICT XVI MAN’S ‘MYSTERIOUS DESIRE FOR GOD’

In his general audience Nov. 7 at the Vatican, the pope focused on “a fascinating aspect of human and Christian experience: the fact that man carries within him a mysterious desire for God.” Such an affirmation “may seem provocative in the context of secularized Western culture,” he said. “Yet the fact is that what we have defined as ‘desire for God’ has not completely disappeared and still today it emerges in man’s heart in many different ways. Human desire always tends toward the concrete, yet it has to consider what good truly is, “and this means facing something other than itself, something man cannot construct but is called to recognize,” he said. The pope said that even in an era that seems reluctant to the transcendental, “it is possible to open a path toward an authentic religious meaning of life, showing how the gift of faith is not absurd, it is not irrational.”

would take a different route, that he would fill his last hours doing a whole bunch of “religious” stuff. I sometimes try to point out that loving family and friends, as they wanted to do, was also very “religious,” but they just look at me funny, so I let them go on. Augustine, they claim, would celebrate the Eucharist, pray, go to reconciliation. He would do whatever he needed to do to make things right with God. My students are always a bit taken aback when I explain to them how off base they are, that Augustine would do none of those things. Nor would he be rushing off to find those close to him so he could tell them he loved them. When asked what he would do if he discovered during lunch that he had only two hours left to live, Augustine replied, quite simply, that he would finish his lunch! What a beautiful answer! Augustine understood the reality that is made so dramatically clear in our Gospel this week. In describing the end of the world, Jesus is reminding us that no one is promised tomorrow, and we should always live our lives accordingly. Augustine would calmly be able to finish his lunch because he would have already done all those things that needed to be done! The knowledge that our time on this earth is finite is not

dark, morbid, or scary. Instead, it allows us to literally seize the day as our priorities are made clear and we can begin to focus on those things in life which really matter. Jesus uses some frightening imagery, but that’s mostly to get our attention. Otherwise, we might ignore him and end up putting everything off until later. Yet “later” never seems to come, and our Lord wants us to know it’s time to get up and start living the life of joy and peace, happiness and satisfaction, that he wants for all of us. Not tomorrow, not an hour from now, but this very minute. If you need to repair a relationship with a family member or friend, or want to tell them you love them, stop reading this article and go do it, right now. If you want to see your relationship with God improve, your prayer life deepen, then put this paper down and jump right in. Whatever area of your life needs attention, don’t assume you’ll have forever to do it. Our Lord makes quite clear that’s not the case. Today’s the day! Well, got to go. I had some more to write, but I need to go talk to someone, and I’m not going to wait until tomorrow to do it. DEACON MURPHY serves at St. Charles Parish, San Carlos. He teaches religion at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton.

LITURGICAL CALENDAR, DAILY MASS READINGS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19: Monday of the Thirtythird Week in Ordinary Time. Rv 1:1-4; 2:1-5. Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6. Lk 18:35-43.

ANDREW DUNG-LAC & COMPANIONS 18th-19th century November 24

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20: Tuesday of the Thirtythird Week in Ordinary Time. Rv 3:1-6, 14-22. Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5. Lk 19:1-10.

These Vietnamese martyrs – eight bishops, 50 priests, one seminarian, 16 catechists and 42 laypeople, including a woman – died during persecutions in 1745-99 and 1835-62. Of the 117, 96 were Vietnamese, 11 Spanish and 10 French. For refusing to deny their faith, they were beheaded, crucified, strangled, burned alive, quartered or died in prison from tortures. Andrew Dung-Lac (1795-1839), a catechist and priest, was beheaded after his third arrest. The group was canonized in 1988.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21: Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Rv 4:111. Ps 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6. Lk 19:11-28. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22: Thanksgiving Day Mass. Memorial of St. Cecilia, virgin and martyr. Sir 50:22-24. Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11. 1 Cor 1:3-9. Lk 17:11-19. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23: Friday of the Thirtythird Week in Ordinary Time. Optional Memorials of St. Clement I, pope & martyr; St. Columban, abbot; Bl. Miguel Pro, priest and martyr. Rv 10:8-11. Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131. Lk 19:45-48.

Saints for Today

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24: Memorial of St. Andrew Dung-Lac, priest and martyr, and his companions, martyrs. Rv 11:4-12. Ps 144:1, 2, 9-10. Lk 20:27-40.

FAITH 19

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Purgatory as seeing fully for the first time

magine being born blind and living into adulthood without ever having seen light and color. Then, through some miraculous operation, doctors are able to give you sight. What would you feel immediately upon opening your eyes? Wonder? Bewilderment? Ecstasy? Pain? Some combination of all of these? We now know FATHER RON the answer to ROLHEISER that question. This kind of sight-restoring operation has been done and is being done and we now have some indication of how a person reacts upon opening his or her eyes and seeing light and color for the first time. What happens might surprise us. Here is how J.Z. Young, an authority on brain function, describes what happens: “The patient on opening his eyes gets little or no enjoyment; indeed, he finds the experience painful. He reports only a spinning mass of light and colors. He proves to be quite unable to pick up objects by sight, to recognize what they are, or to name them. He has no conception of space with objects in it, although he knows all about objects and their names by touch. ‘Of course,’ you will say, ‘he must take a little time to learn to recognize them by sight.’ Not a little time, but a very long time, in fact, years. His brain has not been trained in the rules of seeing. We

are not conscious that there are any such rules; we think we see, as we say naturally. But we have in fact learned a whole set of rules during childhood” (Emilie Griffin, “Souls in Full Flight,” pages 143-144). Might this be a helpful analogy for what happens to us in what Roman Catholics call purgatory? Could the purification we experience after death be understood in this very way, namely, as an opening of our vision and heart to a light and a love that are so full so as to force upon us the same kind of painful relearning and reconceptualization that have just been described? Might purgatory be understood precisely as being embraced by God in such a way that this warmth and light so dwarf our earthly concepts of love and knowledge that, like a person born blind who is given sight, we have to struggle painfully in the very ecstasy of that light to unlearn and relearn virtually our entire way of thinking and loving? Might purgatory be understood not as God’s absence or some kind of punishment or retribution for sin, but as what happens to us when we are fully embraced, in ecstasy, by God, perfect love and perfect truth? Indeed isn’t this what faith, hope, and charity, the three cardinal virtues, are already trying to move us toward in this life? Isn’t faith a knowing beyond what we can conceptualize? Isn’t hope an anchoring of ourselves in something beyond what we can control and guarantee for ourselves? And isn’t charity a reaching out beyond what affectively feeds us? St. Paul, in describing our condition on earth, tells us that here, in this

life, we see only as “through a mirror, reflecting dimly” but that, after death, we will see “face to face.” Clearly in describing our present condition here on earth he is highlighting a certain blindness, an embryonic darkness, an inability to actually see things as they really are. It is significant to note too that he says this in a context within which he is pointing out that, already now in this life, faith, hope, and charity help lift that blindness. These are of course only questions, perhaps equally upsetting to Protestants and Roman Catholics alike. Many Protestants and evangelicals reject the very concept of purgatory on the grounds that, biblically, there are only two eternal places, heaven and hell. Many Roman Catholics, on the other hand, get anxious whenever purgatory seems to get stripped of its popular conception as a place or state apart from heaven. But purgatory conceived of in this way, as the full opening of our eyes and hearts so as to cause a painful reconceptualization of things, might help make the concept more palatable to Protestants and evangelicals and help strip the concept of some of its false popular connotations within Roman Catholic piety. True purgation happens only through love because it is only when we experience love’s true embrace that we can see our sin and drink in, for the first time, the power to move beyond it. Only light dispels darkness and only love casts out sin. OBLATE FATHER ROLHEISER is president of the Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio, Texas.

Missing in translation and Communion for lesbians and their children

I am puzzled as to why, in the Our Father (the Lord’s Prayer), we would ask the Lord not to lead us into temptation. Surely he doesn’t. The Spanish say, “Let us not fall into temptation.” I am told that our English version is a mistranslation, but I wonder why we don’t correct it. (San Francisco) Your question is an excellent one. This phrase, FATHER “Lead us not KENNETH DOYLE into temptation” has puzzled people for centuries because the Lord’s usual job is thought to be leading us away from temptation. As far back as A.D. 192, the African theologian Tertullian, commenting on this same petition of the Our Father, said, “Far be the thought that the Lord should seem to tempt.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church spends a full page and a half explaining this phrase in No. 2846-49. The catechism notes that the original Greek (in Matthew’s Gospel and in Luke’s) can mean either “Do not allow us to enter into temptation” or “Do not let us yield to temptation.” Quickly the catechism clarifies, ref-

QUESTION CORNER

erencing James 1:13, that God “tempts no one.” So what we are really praying for is that God will give us the grace to discern what is evil and to resist temptation. Part of the ambiguity comes, too, from the fact that the Greek noun “peirasmos” can be translated as “temptation” or “trial.” So what we also are asking is that God will spare us from extremely hard tests, such as those undergone by Job, and that we will not be submitted to a trial that we find nearly impossible to bear. Bless you for your orthodox answers to our questions in your column. My question is this: Are lesbians and their adopted children permitted to receive holy Communion? I thought that homosexuality was “an abomination unto the Lord.” These adopted children are also serving as altar girls. Whew! Are we Catholics ever confused. (La Crosse, Wis.) The Catechism of the Catholic Church in No. 2358 states clearly that men and women with deepseated homosexual tendencies have not chosen their homosexual condition and “must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity” and that “every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” At the same time, the catechism states just as clearly in No. 2357 that sacred Scripture presents homosexual acts as gravely depraved and that such acts are “intrinsically disordered,” calling them contrary to the natural law and may, under no circumstances, be approved.

Q. A.

In light of that clear teaching, those living an active homosexual lifestyle should absent themselves from the reception of holy Communion until they have sought forgiveness in the sacrament of penance and resolved to amend their lives. The same holds true for heterosexuals who are engaged in sexual activity outside the bonds of a valid marriage – those living together before marriage or Catholics who are divorced and have remarried outside the church. Ideally, the lesbians you speak of would recognize for themselves their ineligibility to receive Communion. The church’s Code of Canon Law in No. 915 says that those who are “obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy Communion.” But some months ago, when a priest in the Washington, D.C., area embarrassed a self-identified lesbian by publicly refusing her Communion at her mother’s funeral, that priest was reprimanded by his diocese for his lack of pastoral sensitivity and told that he should have addressed the matter of her suitability for Communion in a private setting rather than in public. But what does any of that have to do with the adopted children of lesbians? They bear no responsibility for their parents’ lifestyle and should be welcomed at the altar rail and as servers at Mass. Send questions to Father Kenneth Doyle at askfatherdoyle@gmail.com and 40 Hopewell St., Albany, NY, 12208.

Escaping the trap of inactivity

any people these days fall into the trap of inactivity. They become utterly passive. For instance, when they read the Scripture quote, “Ask and you shall receive,” they think that God is a servant, waiting to do their bidding. Unfortunately, it means something FATHER JOHN quite differCATOIR ent. Allow me to explain. Let’s use the example of a person named Tom. Tom wants to find a job, but he never hunts for one. Tom seems to pray incessantly and apparently waits in the hope that God will send an employer to his door with a great offer. The truth is that, except for salvation itself, God helps those who help themselves. Inactivity can lead to sloth, and in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we are warned in No. 2094: “Acedia or spiritual sloth goes so far as to refuse the joy that comes from God and to be repelled by divine goodness.” In the elderly, inactivity is a normal state of being. Because of low levels of energy, the elderly are excused. As long as one is grateful to God, there is no chance of committing any sin related to inactivity. Just pray for the grace to be kind to your caretakers, and you will be fulfilling what Jesus asked of you, when he said, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” We’ve all heard, “God helps those who help themselves.” But it is a saying not found in the Bible. When it comes to saving one’s soul, just the opposite is true. Help comes from above. The Lord’s death on the cross is the great sign of how far his love has gone for each of us. To get to heaven, we are dependent on the Lord’s mercy and love. So the rule “God helps those who help themselves” only applies in matters of daily life. Jesus is not only the cause of our joy, but on the cross he also is the symbol of heroic self-denial given in the name of love. Even when it comes to contemplation, be careful not to be sucked into the belief that the annihilation of the will is the correct way to contemplate. True prayer is in the will to give ourselves to God. The will is active in Christian contemplation, not passive. God is the creator; we are the creatures. Even when it comes to prayer, don’t fall into the trap of inactivity in the name of religion. Be a person who does things, be active, don’t be a couch potato. If you are an elderly person, be kind, relax, enjoy and follow the advice of St. Augustine: “Do what you can and then pray that God will give you the power to do what you cannot.” ©CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

20 FAITH

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Vatican II’s greatest triumph is its understanding of renewal KRISTIN COLBERG

Pope John XXIII is carried on a chair at the opening session of the Second Vatican Council in St. Peter’s Basilica Oct. 11, 1962. The council’s four sessions and its 16 landmark documents modernized the liturgy, renewed the priesthood and religious life, enhanced the role of lay Catholics, opened dialogue with other churches and nonChristians, and identified the church as the “people of God” attuned to the problems and hopes of the world.

CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Many argue that the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (“Lumen Gentium”) stands as the jewel in the council’s crown. Pope John XXIII convened the 21st ecumenical council with the hope that the Catholic Church would engage in “aggiornamento” or updating. His desire was that the bishops would consider ways that the church might contribute meaningfully to the decisions facing the modern world. Achieving this required the church to look seriously at itself so that it could better understand and articulate the wisdom it had to offer. In the centuries preceding Vatican II, especially those following the Protestant Reformation, Catholic thinking about the church often adopted a defensive character. External challenges to its authority led the church to describe itself in clear, precise and juridical terms as a way of demonstrating its ability to overcome the threats it perceived. At the convocation of Vatican II, many bishops expressed hope that Pope John XXIII’s vision would promote a more comprehensive view of the church including a more positive articulation of its relationship with the world. During the council’s first session, however, many were disappointed to find that the preparatory draft on the church was little more than a reassertion of the existing defensive model. Inspired by the pope’s leadership, the majority of bishops were unwilling to persist with such an imbalanced view and they overwhelmingly rejected the document. Theologians debate about the single most important development at Vatican II, but many claim that it was the proposal during the council’s second session to begin the document on the church with the chapter “The Mystery of the Church.” By identifying the church as a mystery, rooted in the mystery of Christ, the council fathers sought to recover the church’s spiritual and communal dimensions. They returned to more biblical and patristic images as a means of expressing fundamental elements of the church and people’s experience of Christ within it.

(CNS PHOTO/L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO)

This first chapter aptly refers to the church as a sacrament, a description that promotes appreciation of the church’s outward structures and the deeper, invisible reality of God’s presence in the ecclesial community. The constitution’s second chapter on “The People of God” is extremely significant in terms of its content and placement. It affirms the common identity and equal dignity of all the church’s members. It embraces the biblical image of a priesthood of all the faithful, and presents a vibrant idea of catholicity, not as uniformity, but as unity in diversity. In the original preparatory document, the second chapter was dedicated to examining the church’s hierarchy. By placing consideration of the people of God ahead of such an examination, the council fathers powerfully affirmed that what unites members of the ecclesial community is more significant than what distinguishes them. The third chapter, on the hierarchy, focuses on the issue of collegiality (shared authority among the bishops

and the pope). The success of this chapter is a rediscovery of the theological importance of local ecclesial communities that affirms that they are not just branch outposts of Rome, but that they are fully church. This section articulates a robust view of episcopal authority, yet it presents this authority not as competitive with papal power but as complementary to it. The succeeding chapters on the laity, the universal call to holiness, the religious, and the pilgrim church examine the roles played by the people of God who are not ordained. These chapters stress the critical importance of baptism and acknowledge the existence of a variety of ways that the faithful advance the church’s mission. The final chapter on Mary provided some of Vatican II’s most vigorous debates. Primarily, the dispute was between those who were adamant that a council about the church’s selfunderstanding should honor Mary with her own separate chapter and those who wondered whether this

COUNCIL RENEWED CHURCH’S RELATIONSHIP WITH WORLD

While the Second Vatican Council achieved many things, it can be argued that its greatest achievement is not found in any one of its teachings but in the way that it renewed the church’s understanding of itself and its relationship with the world. The council’s willingness to embrace the notion of the church as mystery reflects a dynamic sense of God’s presence throughout creation and a confidence that the church is not isolated. was theologically and ecumenically appropriate. By an extremely narrow vote (1,114 to 1,074) it was decided that the last chapter of “Lumen Gentium” would be dedicated to Mary, a placement that pays tribute to her role as mother of the church. The constitution’s shift to understanding the church as a mystery opens the way for many of the council’s subsequent and remarkable achievements. For example, the affirmation of religious freedom, more robust roles for lay participation and ministry, greater ecumenical openness, and a positive view of non-Christians, all flow from an understanding of the church’s fundamentally sacramental character. Vatican II’s willingness to embrace the notion of the church as mystery reflects a dynamic sense of God’s presence throughout creation and a confidence that the church is not isolated; rather, the church’s mission calls it to engage the world in order to transform it. While the council achieved many things, it can be argued that its greatest achievement is not found in any one of its teachings but in the way that it renewed the church’s understanding of itself and its relationship with the world. This fundamental shift is the aspect of Vatican II that most fully captures Pope John XXIII’s vision and the one that most profoundly shapes our experience of the church today. COLBERG is adjunct assistant professor of theology at St. John’s University and The College of St. Benedict in Minnesota.

When doors toward a new world for the church opened up FATHER DAVID K. O’ROURKE, OP CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

When I was ordained in 1962, the Second Vatican Council was in full swing. And when I began my full-time ministry in 1964, a couple of years later, implementing the documents of the council became our daily work. Only as the months rolled by did it become clear just how hard that work was going to be. What we (those of us working in local churches) were being asked to do was to reform the way the church celebrated its sacraments. That had not been done in such a serious way since the Council of Trent, hundreds of years earlier. “Reform the way we celebrate the sacraments” can sound very abstract. But there was very little about it that was abstract. Equally important, there wasn’t a lot about it that was concrete, either. We knew that the traditional ways of “saying Mass” were being

changed, starting with the words. We now “celebrated the Eucharist.” But how did the changes take place? Well, those in my generation found out that there were few road maps. It took a long time to put them together. In many ways, we struggled as we went along. And we were not alone because the entire church was doing the same. Catholic liturgy takes rituals very seriously. They play an important role in the dignity and strength of our worship. The small things, such as who does what and when, who stands where, and how does it start and end, are taken for granted – except when rules or guidelines have not been established. During our first year, when we had to learn to make some of the changes, there were no clear rules or guidelines. It taught my generation that no one cared about excuses – we were there and we had to make it work. That meant going ahead and doing it.

Interestingly, the first thing I had to learn was not on anyone’s job list. I had to learn to be a host. No one really thought much about it. For an introverted intellectual like me, being out front, greeting everyone, being visible, being there on a regular basis, did not come easy. Hosts welcome people, hosts open doors. Hosts let everyone know that they are welcome. And that is what Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI wanted in the new sacramental rites for the Mass, for baptism, for welcoming newcomers into the church, during wedding celebrations and penance. The world we lived in during those days, as we now know, was becoming very chaotic. People were looking to the church after Vatican II as a place of hope. But for many, it was a somewhat distant hope. Lots of people felt like outsiders to this new church. It was our challenge

as the church’s parish leaders to open the doors, to help them become insiders, and to open the church’s storehouse of human and religious treasures. I know that all of this can sound, on the level of importance, very low. The Second Vatican Council, by contrast, was such a historic event. But I and, I think, many like me read those wonderful documents from the council and then looked out our windows and front doors. What we saw was that same world, except now, in the late 1960s, it was slipping into real trouble. I am an old man now. I look back 50 years. I marvel at what we were called to do when we were so young, so inexperienced in the ways of institutions. But we were on deck, and it was on us to make it work. DOMINICAN FATHER O’ROURKE is a senior fellow at Santa Fe Institute, Berkeley.

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CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Driven coach leads Notre Dame HS volleyball GEORGE RAINE CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

The other evening during the daily two-hour-long practice of the Notre Dame High School, Belmont volleyball team, Jennifer Agresti, the coach, had a conversation with the girls about the next step, the CCS games, to determine state contenders. She wanted to know if they’re believers. She said to them, “Do you believe? Do you believe in your hearts that we can go far?” The answer mattered, said Agresti, “because if they say ‘No, we don’t believe it.’ then you might as well just pack it in.” She got the right answer: “They all looked at me in the eye and said, ‘We believe we can go far.’” There’s a sense of possibility in 35-year-old Agresti, an enthusiasm and desire to see the girls in the smallest school in the WCAL play good volleyball, and to motivate the kids to play to their potential. Jason Levine, the athletic director, sensed it, and it’s one of the reasons he hired her this year for her first varsity high school coaching assignment. Her story also illustrates the hard work – Agresti says she always expects 100 percent – that she and other coaches want from their athletes in the Archdiocese of San Francisco. “I hired Jennifer because she was a candidate who I felt would coach with a sense of urgency, a coach who would get our athletes ready to compete on a nightly basis,” said Levine. Agresti and the team recently concluded their first season together with 16 wins and 14 losses, a considerable improvement over the previous 10-21 record, and qualified for the CCS, or Central Coast Section. It’s a struggle, as a Division IV school, and Notre Dame lost its WCAL league games in the coach’s debut, but that doesn’t affect Agresti’s plans for the volleyball team: “My personal goal, and I don’t mind putting it out there, is in four years I would love to hang a banner up on that wall,” she said the other day at the Moore Pavilion at the Catholic all-girls college prep school in Belmont. “My ultimate goal would be to win a Division IV state title. Everything takes time, and four years would be the earliest that would happen, but you never know.” Agresti was born and reared in Stockton, on 20 acres of walnut trees, and was a legendary athlete at St. Mary’s High School, in basketball, volleyball, softball and track. Her list of honors include 19931995 MVP varsity volleyball and basketball player, on all-state Division 1 teams, and Stockton’s athlete of the year. St. Mary’s volleyball team was ranked second in the nation during her years there. She earned a scholarship to Washington State University, where she played outside hitter on a volleyball team ranked fifth in the nation. There was an offer on the table to play professional volleyball in Parma, Italy, but she turned it down. She was 21 and she wanted to explore her world. Agresti moved to New York. She tried modeling. That wasn’t a good fit. She became a flight attendant for American Airlines, and stayed five years, but its appeal dissipated with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. She might well have been one of the 89 killed aboard American Flight 11, from Boston to New York, when al-Qaeda hijackers flew it into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. She had worked that flight the day before. Back in California, she married Capt. Anthony

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(PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL, BELMONT)

Maria Santana passes the ball, with Lauren Keelan to her left and Allison Leahey to her right. Agresti of the San Mateo Fire Department and they have two daughters, Gabriella, 2, and Adrianna, 5. Agresti had been out of the game for seven years in 2004 when the daughter of one of Anthony’s bosses needed a volleyball coach. It was a woeful team of 12-year-olds. “We got beat 25-0 every game,” Agresti recalled, but she turned it around, and the kids came back and beat the first-place team. “And I told my husband, ‘You know, I might have something here.’” This led to coaching Bay Area volleyball club teams, where the games are intense and talent is groomed, and Agresti and one of her teams in 2009 finished in third place nationally, winning a bronze medal, at the U.S. Junior Olympics. She coached junior varsity volleyball at St. Francis High School in Mountain View from 2005 to 2008. Her teams lost one game in four years. High school girls present a challenge, and she knew she needed the players at Notre Dame to trust her. There wasn’t a lot of time to get that done just coming in the door her first year. “It’s a push,” she said of her philosophy in coaching girls who are otherwise under stress for high academic expectations. “You reward them for hard work. You have to connect with these kids on a level outside of volleyball, on a personal level, just asking them how is your day going, how are your classes going, letting them know that I care,” she said. “And that has been for me the key to my success – kids that know you care will extend themselves for you. Kids that think that you don’t care, won’t,” she said. She recalled a game Oct. 30 with Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in which the Notre Dame girls “had absolute moments of greatness,” no matter the loss. It triggered a speech to the team: “I said, if you can hold that moment of greatness and you can hold that pace and what you did – the sparks – and if you can do that the whole time, we will go far,” said Agresti. “But they have to stay in it.”

(PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL, BELMONT)

Kellie Kou is pictured to the left of a leaping Jordan Latchford. Levine said that two years ago, the volleyball team did go deep into the CCS final, and lost to Sacred Heart Preparatory of Atherton. Last year the team did not qualify, losing games that should have been won. “I think there was a lack of urgency in the girls. I think they thought that because they played well the year before that they just needed to show up and play and things would work out. That didn’t happen,” he said. Agresti said she’s a believer in hard work, training hard, staying focused at practice, “and pushing the kids further than they like to be pushed, getting the kids to buy into the things that I am trying to teach them.” Here, she said, is the Catholic principle in her work: “I have a strong belief in God. I believe that everything good that happens comes from the man upstairs.” She said her grandmother took her to church every Sunday in Stockton. “I learned about him and my kids are now doing the same thing,” said Agresti.

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22 SPORTS

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

SI’s Hacker takes 3 first-place finishes in cross-country GEORGE RAINE CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

Here’s what you need to know about cross-country running, courtesy of Kendall Hacker, the WCAL league champion from San Francisco’s St. Ignatius College Preparatory: “The first mile is with your body, the second mile is with your mind and the third mile is with your heart.” That’s deceptively simple, but so true, and it’s the same blend of physical fitness, mental toughness and the will of a tenacious competitor that powered Hacker to three consecutive first-place wins this year, by considerable margins, en route to a championship season. “She just didn’t win them,” said Jerilynn Kenny, the SI girls crosscountry head coach. “She really ran away with them.” Indeed, Hacker dominated in her three WCAL races in October: Oct. 3, 18:48 minutes, which was 83 seconds faster than second place; Oct. 17, 18:19 minutes, for 37 seconds ahead of second place, and Oct. 31, 18:03, which was 13 seconds better than second place. Hacker, who turned 16 in September (“I can’t drive yet, but I’m almost there.”) is a junior from Pacifica who

(PHOTO COURTESY ST. IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREPARATORY)

SI’s Kendall Hacker dominated in three league cross-country events in October. ran in her first track meet as a second grader and started running regularly in the sixth grade. She qualified for

the state meet, known as CCS, as a freshman and sophomore, and was a key contributor to the team’s success. On Nov. 10, in the 2012 CCS crosscountry running championship, she won individually with a time of 18:29 minutes. The SI girls cross-country team came in second with 74 points and the boy’s team won their race for the second year in a row, with 64 points. These are punishing races, won by athletes who push themselves no matter the pain, the difficulty, said Hacker. That takes her back to the runner’s triptych of body, mind and heart, and she walks us through how to get to a runner’s high: “The first mile you have it good, you are running. The second you start to get tired. You tell yourself to push, to start focusing and thinking. And the third you are tired, you are hurting, you’re thinking this is so hard, this is so hard, and you have to have that desire to keep going and pushing. You have to find your motivation.” There is a payoff. “I can’t say it is the most enjoyable thing to do, but it is very gratifying,” said Hacker, “especially afterward. It is like, ‘Wow, I did this and it’s great.’” Hacker’s concept of competition is nuanced, sophisticated at 16. And,

noted Kenny, she’s humble. “I like to compete to improve myself,” said Hacker. “Everyone runs their own race and really the only person you can improve is yourself. So, I like to think of competitors as people who can push me to do better for myself,” she said. Mulling her own words for a beat or two, she allowed this addendum: “Although it’s good if you beat them because it helps the team’s goals.” There are numerous things required to be successful in crosscountry races, which are all about three miles, said Kenny, not the least of which is a foundation of distance running – many miles in a nearly year-round cycle – which is what you see in varsity competitors. Of Hacker, she said, “She is really diligent about her training. She believes in herself as a runner. But honestly, she puts in the work. There are genetic things that go into it as well when it comes to any kind of sport. That might provide a little bit of the foundation, but you still have to do the work, and she comes out every day and puts in the work. She is focused.” We can’t leave out one of the best things about cross-country, said Hacker. It’s team camaraderie. “We are always there for each other,” she said.

(PHOTOS COURTESY MARK REILLY)

CYO boys soccer action Archdiocese of San Francisco CYO Athletics boys soccer concludes with championship games on Nov.17. Pictured are St. Cecilia, St. Stephen and St. Thomas More seventh graders in Division 1 competition.

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ARTS & LIFE 23

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Archives help clarify Vatican role in WWII REVIEWED BY EUGENE J. FISHER CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

“THE POPE’S JEWS: THE VATICAN’S SECRET PLAN TO SAVE THE JEWS FROM THE NAZIS” by Gordon Thomas. Thomas Dunne Books (New York, 2012). 336 pp., $27.99. Gordon Thomas, the author of “The Pope’s Jews,” is a British journalist who has written numerous works, a number of them on the intelligence services of Great Britain and the United States, and a couple on the Vatican. In this book, he relies on personal interviews with Catholics and Jews who lived in Rome during World War II and the archival sources of diplomats, especially the British and Americans who lived in the Vatican during that period. This gives Thomas interesting perspectives on the day-to-day life of those in Rome under Mussolini, Italian fascism and German occupation. He is able to place the specific decisions made by Pope Pius XII and Vatican officials with regard to harboring Jews into the larger context of the Italian resistance to the Germans and efforts by Allied diplomats and Vatican representatives to give refuge to Allied soldiers fleeing capture by the Germans.

The result is a highly readable, and often riveting, book that gives a very good sense not only of the difficulties faced by the Catholics in saving their fellow Jewish Italian citizens but in surviving the daily obstacles of finding food for themselves. For this book, Thomas relied on a network of “researchers” from the current Jewish community of Rome and in Israel, some of them close relatives of the people whose lives he narrates in the book, as well as in the United Kingdom and the United States. He is thus able to draw on memories, memoirs and diaries, some for the first time, in sketching the portraits of those involved, including Pope Pius XII. Thomas describes the actions of the spies of various countries, including the plot by some in Germany to kill Hitler and Hitler’s plot to kidnap the pope, and the awareness of and reactions to these by the Vatican. He describes the “secret network” of British spies and Catholic priests who worked with the Vatican to bring to safety within the Vatican and

Castel Gandolfo Allied troops who had escaped from the Germans and who worked also to bring Jews to Italy from occupied countries and into the safety of the many Vatican properties in Rome. He narrates the perilous work of Catholic religious such as the Sisters of Sion who hid thousands of Jews both before the German roundup of Jews and especially afterward. He notes the role played by Vatican Radio in exposing the anti-Semitic actions of the Nazis – broadcast content that the pope would have had to approve. This in itself belies the false charge that Pius XII was “silent” about the fate of the Jews. This is a rich, complex story, and one filled with ambiguities, from which the author does not shirk, of “what ifs” and “it could have been more effective if.” In general Thomas concludes that the activities of church personnel, much with the direct knowledge of the pope. Thomas often uses the phrase “the pope ordered” when referring to the actions of Catholic authorities and religious to save Jews. Certainly these saving deeds were done with his knowledge and approval, though not necessarily at his “order.” Indeed, many would not have needed “orders” to save Jews. FISHER is distinguished professor of Catholic-Jewish studies at St. Leo University in Florida.

How interracial ‘kneel-ins’ desegregated Southern churches REVIEWED BY NANCY L. ROBERTS CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

“THE LAST SEGREGATED HOUR: THE MEMPHIS KNEEL-INS AND THE CAMPAIGN FOR SOUTHERN CHURCH DESEGREGATION” by Stephen R. Haynes. Oxford University Press (New York, 2012). 352 pp., $29.95. On Palm Sunday in 1964, at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tenn., a group of black and white students protested racial discrimination in a dramatic and powerful way: They held a “kneelin.” For more than a year, hundreds of such Sundaymorning demonstrations to protest segregated ecclesiastical space were staged across the southern United States, at churches of every major Christian denomination. Representatives of major civil rights organizations participated in these protests, which movement leaders such as the Rev. Martin Luther King

SPORTS

Jr. considered vital. They eventually led Southern evangelical churches to integrate and welcome African-Americans. Yet, while well documented, the Memphis kneelins have attracted little notice from historians until now. Why? Perhaps in part, writes Stephen R. Haynes in “The Last Segregated Hour,” because “they rarely turned violent, produced few arrests, and had no discernible economic consequences.” Yet the story of the kneel-ins is both fascinating and inspiring. Nearly 50 years later, it’s hard to imagine the segregated Sunday-morning church culture of the South that the protesting students faced. Haynes, a religious studies professor at Rhodes College in Memphis, conducted extensive research for his book, including interviews with nearly 150 witnesses and participants, and it shows on every page. He should be commended for tracking down these now-elderly sources and recording their stories, which are an essential part of the historical record. Even the book’s footnotes are well worth

reading, as they are packed with rich background and context. Haynes tells us that the kneel-ins were held at random, but frequently during the Easter season – and that participants often faced physical resistance from racist worshipers. This “curious spectacle” of kneeling Christians being barred from church services commanded national as well as local media attention. Interestingly, the protesters included students from a local Presbyterian college – then Southwestern, now Rhodes College. Yet, both black and white kneel-in protesters reported to Haynes that “lasting interracial friendships were quite rare.” Perhaps this is not surprising, given the segregated climate in which these students had grown up. Still, their ability to work together to pioneer this creative form of protest remains a significant achievement. ROBERTS directs the journalism program at the University at Albany (State University of New York). Her books include “Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker.”

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24 COMMUNITY

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

OBITUARY

The event raised more than $188,000 to support the four society programs: the MSC-South homeless shelter, the Riley Center domestic violence program, the Vincentian Help Desk and the Wellness Center. The event began with a reception and silent auction followed by society board President Amy Love and Executive Director Chris Cody’s welcome remarks, and an invocation by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone.

DEACON MICHAEL DOHERTY, 68

A memorial Mass for Deacon Michael Doherty was celebrated Nov. 10, at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, San Francisco, where Deacon Doherty served. Ordained to the diaconate in 2005, Deacon Doherty died at age 68 after a long illness. “Deacon Michael Doherty’s ministry reflected a lifetime of dedication to the service of others,” said Deacon Leon Kortenkamp, archdiocesan diaconate director. “He was a blessing to Deacon Michael all who knew him. His spiritual Doherty depth and gentle, soft-spoken manner will be deeply missed in the community of deacons and their wives and by those he touched through his ministry at Holy Name of Jesus Parish.” Deacon Doherty was born in Los Angeles and was closely connected with the Salesians of Don Bosco from 1958 to 1969. He also worked for Bank of America and for other corporate employers before applying to the diaconate formation program of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Remembrances may be made to Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Father Arnold E. Zamora, pastor, 1555 39th Ave., San Francisco 94122.

(PHOTO COURTESY MICHAEL MUSTACCHI)

Dolores McKeever Donahue is pictured with Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone at the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s 2012 Brennan Award dinner Oct. 11.

600 ATTEND SVDP BRENNAN AWARD DINNER

Dolores McKeever Donahue received the St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco’s 2012 Frank Brennan Award for Service to the Poor, an honor given to an individual who embodies the selfless spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. Donahue was honored at a dinner Oct. 11 at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, attended by nearly 600 people from around the Bay Area. Her efforts in helping others through the O’Shea Foundation were highlighted during the program, and she was acknowledged for her volunteering at the Riley Center – the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s domestic violence program. In the words of Frank Brennan, in whose memory and name the award is presented, Donahue is truly deserving of the award as she is “a lady who makes things happen and gets things done.”

TRAVEL DIRECTORY

LAKE Catholic San Francisco TAHOE invites you RENTAL to join in the following pilgrimages of SICILY & CENTRAL ITALY Basilica St. Francis

Nov. 26 - Dec. 7, 2012 Departs San Francisco 12-Day Pilgrimage

Vacation Rental Condo in South Lake Tahoe. Sleeps 8, near Heavenly Valley and Casinos.

with Most Reverend Donald J. Hying

3,199 per person

only $

($3,299 after Aug. 8, 2012)

Visit: Rome, Catania, Taormina, Etna, Syracuse, Florence, Assisi (Rome-Papal audience)

Departs San Francisco 12-Day Pilgrimage

Travel with Chaplain Fr. Wittouck!

Plus...Fatima, Portugal & Lourdes, France

14 Days

from

Departing April 9, 2013

$2398*

Fly into Madrid (2 nights) to start your Catholic Pilgrimage. You’ll tour Madrid, the Royal Palace, and the Toledo Cathedral. Visit Segovia and Avila (1 night) with private Mass at St. Theresa Convent. Visit the Old and New Cathedrals in Salamanca with Mass; and Fatima, Portugal (2 nights) with sightseeing, time for personal devotions and Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Basilica. Experience Sunday Mass and tour at Bom Jesus Church and Shrine in Braga and tour Santiago de Compostela (2 nights) and visit sanctuaries, Bernadette’s House and Celebrate Mass at Chapel Lourdes at the Grotto. Sightsee in Barcelona (2 nights) including the Cathedral, choir and Mass. Fly home Sunday, April 22, 2013. Includes daily breakfast and 11 dinners, English/Spanish speaking tour director throughout! Single room add $650. Your YMT chaplain, Fr. Frank Wittouck, SCJ is a former Army chaplain; was pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Houston, TX and currently ministers in prisons and in the Cypress Assistance Ministries. This will be his sixth trip as chaplain with YMT. *Price per person/double occupancy. Airfare is extra.

Call 925-933-1095

For reservations & details & letter from YMT’s chaplain with his phone number call 7 days a week:

See it at RentMyCondo.com#657

1-800-736-7300 Pacific Mission Tours

THE HOLY LAND Jan. 8 - 19, 2013

Spain Pilgrimage

Thanksgiving Weekend Saturday November 24th to Sunday November 25th at Mission San Antonio de Padua

$250 per person (double occupancy; $300 for single room) -Includes all Meals, Accommodations, Transportation, Taxes, & Gratuities

with Fr. Chris Crotty G.P.M.

2,999 per person

only $

($3,099 after Oct. 19, 2012)

Visit: Tel Aviv, Netanya, Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Tiberias, Upper Galilee, Bethany, Jerusalem

For a FREE brochure on these pilgrimages contact: Catholic San Francisco (415) 614-5640

Please leave your name, mailing address and your phone number

California Registered Seller of Travel Registration Number CST-2037190-40 (Registration as a Seller of Travel does not constitute approval by the State of California)

Itinerary -Saturday AM Departure

Meals

Accommodations

Freshly prepared from the Mission Refectory

Spend the night in the Cloister of the Mission, surrounded by gardens, in rooms from the old Franciscan Seminary. We'll have access to the Church and grounds throughout our stay for various activities.

-Lunch includes assorted quiches, soup and salad

-Saturday Lunch -Guided Tour of Mission

-Classic American Thanksgiving Dinner Includes Roasted Turkey, Virginia Ham, Cornbread Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Candied Yams, Creamed -Candlelight Serra Novena Corn, Almond Beans, Brussel Sprouts, Fresh Pies, & -Sunday Morning Mass Pumpkin Ice Cream -Sunday Brunch -Brunch of Monte Cristos, French Toast, Bacon and Eggs, Roasted Potatoes, Biscuits and Gravy -Return Sunday Evening -Saturday Dinner

With Departures from the East Bay, Peninsula, and South Bay. Pacific Mission Tours LLC www.pacificmissiontours.com

415-413-8687

952 Geneva Ave., SF, CA, 94112 CST#2109140-40

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO

CLASSIFIEDS

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

CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE St. Peter Women’s Guild Holiday Boutique 700 Oddstad Blvd., Pacifica, CA Saturday, November 17, 2012 10-6 Sunday, November 18, 2012 9:30-3:00 Over 30 vendors will showcase a wide variety of handcrafted gifts, holiday decorations, and unique children gifts. Available at our Snack Bar Soup and Sandwiches – Hot Dogs and Hamburgers Hot and Cold Drinks – Homemade Desserts

LIVE-IN CARE

CHILD CARE

SF lady seeks living arrgmt. in SF as cmpn/asst (15 hrs./week).

INFANT CARE

Hskpng./appts./ shopping/ cooking/ clerical/pets in exch. for private unfurn. Living area. Non smker. Refs. 415.561.9275

FURNITURE Antique Furniture, china cabinet, side cabinet, danish modern desk, mirror, lamps, ornaments, upholstery fabrics, fur pieces & miscellaneous items. By appointment only Call 415.724.2341

SEND CSF AFAR! Visit catholic-sf.org Spread the good news through a Catholic San Francisco gift subscription – perfect for students and retirees and others who have moved outside the archdiocese. $27 a year within California, $36 out of state. Catholics in the archdiocese must register with their parish to receive a regular, free subscription. Email circulation.csf@sfarchdiocese. org or call (415) 614-5639.

for the latest Vatican headlines.

In my home in Marin County. Weekdaysweekends References. Licensed child care provider # 214005188 Licensed RN

PUBLISH A NOVENA

Pre-payment required Mastercard or Visa accepted

Cost $26

If you wish to publish a Novena in the Catholic San Francisco You may use the form below or call 415-614-5640 Your prayer will be published in our newspaper

Name 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

Call Peggy at 415.924.1727

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

SERVICES

NOVENAS

Joy Kensic 415-823-8724 JKensic17@yahoo.com

DOG CARE

Walking, Exercising Dog sitting (vacations)

PARTY PLANNING Parties for Adults & Kids

PERSONAL TRAINING References available upon request

Responsible & Reliable

MIRACULOUS INVOCATION TO SAINT THERESE O glorious Saint Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and counsel mankind, I invite your Miraculous intercession. So powerful are you obtaining every need of body and soul, Our Holy Mother Church proclaims you a “Prodigy of Miracles”. Now I fervently beseech you to answer my petition: (Mention here) and to carry out your promise of doing good on Earth of letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses. Henceforth, dear Little Flower, I will fulfill your plea to be made known everywhere and I will never cease to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen. C.C.

Prayer to St. Jude Oh, Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near Kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make you be invoked. Say three our Fathers, three Hail Marys and Glorias. St. Jude pray for us all who invoke your aid. Amen. This Novena has never been known to fail. This Novena must be said 9 consecutive days. Thanks. C.C.

With a supervised children’s craft room.

BOOKS CATHOLIC PRESCHOOL ALL SOULS CATHOLIC PRESCHOOL All Souls Catholic Church, located in South San Francisco, opened its brand new Preschool on Monday, October 22, 2012. This is a great addition, a resource and a much needed foundational stepping stone to our All Souls Catholic School. We have hired Mrs. Rosemary Omron as the Director and Mrs. Marcella Elmore as a full time teacher for the Preschool program. Rosemary comes with four years experience in elementary school teaching kindergarten and fourth grade, along with a Masters in Education & Administrative Credential. Marcella has taught children from infants to 5 years old in a variety of programs spanning over 17 years. They have designed a play based program interfacing with the Investigator Club, suggested by the School department of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum. The program offers a variety of academic components during the day in the context of our Catholic identity and encourages the students’ learning through their peers. The Preschool program started with seven children. The Preschool office will continue receiving applications until we fill our initial licensed capacity of twenty four.

“125 Years of History, Ministry & Service”

All Souls Preschool has three programs for children of ages from three to five years old. Tuition Fees: • 3 days: 8am-3pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday is $675/month. • 5 days: 8am-3pm Monday-Friday is $775/month & • 5 days: 8am-12pm Monday –Friday is $500/month.

A book celebrating the story of Holy Cross Cemetery

For more information or to schedule a tour or a visit, please view their website @ www.ssfallsoulsschool.org or call the office @ 650-871-1751.

Books may be purchased at the cemetery office or by mail. If you wish to purchase by mail, please add $3.00 and send request to:

CSF CONTENT IN YOUR INBOX:

Visit catholic-sf.org to sign up for our e-newsletter.

Books now available $20.00

Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery P.O. Box 1577, Colma, CA 940l4

26 CALENDAR

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

FRIDAY, NOV. 16

champagne, one bingo card. Deborah Rodondi, (650) 583-0805. Adults only.

2-DAY HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE: Marian Oaks, Sisters of Mercy, Nov. 16, 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 2300 Adeline Drive, Building D, Burlingame. Items for sale include the sisters’ legendary homemade jams, handcrafted blankets and crafts, all occasion handmade cards, baked goods and fudge. Debbie Halleran, (650) 340-7426.

2-DAY BAZAAR: Mount Carmel Shop, 45 Lovell, Mill Valley, Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-noon. Enjoy homemade bake and food booth, arts and crafts vendors, Santa’s toy booth, raffle. Lunch is available for purchase on Saturday. Proceeds benefit Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church programs. (415) 388-4332.

SATURDAY, NOV. 17 THANKSGIVING LUNCH: “Handicapables Thanksgiving Lunch” at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Hall C, Gough Street at Geary Boulevard, San Francisco with Mass at noon and meal following. San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop William J. Justice is principal celebrant and homilist. Information about Handicapables, volunteering for the event or attending is available at (415) 751-8531. INTERFAITH STORY: Marty Brounstein, author of “Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage in the Holocaust,” presents story of a Dutch Catholic couple who save two dozen Jews during World War II, St. Matthias Church, 1685 Cordilleras Road, Redwood City, 2:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. (650) 366-9544.

SUNDAY, NOV. 18 VALLOMBROSA CHOIR: Thanksgiving Prayer Service with the Vallombrosa Choir, Vallombrosa Retreat Center, 250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park, directed Patrick Feehan by Patrick Feehan, 2 p.m., music, prayer and reflection. Suggested donation is $20. Contact Rachel Alvelais at rachel@vallombrosa. org or (650) 325-5614. www. vallombrosa.org.

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE: Mercy High School, San Francisco’s McAuley Pavilion, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. events@mercyhs.org, 415-334-7941. www.mercyhs.org. 2-DAY BOUTIQUE: St. Peter Women’s Guild Holiday Boutique, 700 Oddstad Blvd., Pacifica, Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. More than 30 vendors will showcase a wide variety of handcrafted gifts, holiday decorations, and unique children gifts. Soup, sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, beverages and homemade desserts are available for purchase. Supervised children’s craft room. ICF LUNCH: Italian Catholic Federation, Branch 19, champagne bingo, Holy Angels Hall, 107 San Pedro Road, Colma. Doors open 1:30 p.m., lunch at 2:30 with bingo following. Tickets at $16 include, lunch, dessert,

SUNDAY, NOV. 18 CONCERT: Our Lady of Lourdes Men’s Choir presents “Real Men in Love with God,” 3 p.m., Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Hawes Street and Innes Avenue, San Francisco. DAILY TV MASS: EWTN airs Mass daily at 5 a.m., 9 a.m., 9 p.m. and a 4 p.m. Mass Monday through Friday. EWTN is carried on Comcast 229, AT&T 562, DISH Satellite 261 and Direct TV 370. In Half Moon Bay EWTN airs on Comcast 70 and on Comcast 74 in southern San Mateo County.

in the Holocaust,” presents story of a Dutch Catholic couple who save two dozen Jews during World War II, Bureau of Jewish Education, Jewish Community Library,1835 Ellis St., San Francisco, 1:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21 GRIEF SUPPORT: Free grief support session, St. Mary’s Cathedral, third Wednesday of the month, 10:30 a.m.noon, Msgr. Bowe Room, parking lot level. Call Sister Esther, (415) 5672020, ext. 218.

MONDAY, NOV. 26 HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE: St. Patrick’s Seminary & University, 320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, 4 p.m. with Christmas tree lighting and caroling by seminarians at 5 p.m. Come and see the seminary all decked out for Christmas. Open to the public. (650) 325-5621.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28 CHRISTMAS AT KOHL: Holiday boutique with over 60 vendors in Kohl Mansion, 2750 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, 5-9 p.m. $10. www. mercyhsb.com. Food and barbershop harmonies by San Francisco Sound Waves of the Sweet Adelines also highlight the evening. Shuttles are available from 5:15 p.m. from Our Lady of Angels Parish, Hillside Drive off El Camino Real, Burlingame, where overflow parking is available in the church lot.

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SATURDAY, DEC. 1 DEATH IS NOT THE END: A workshop with Paulist Father Terry Ryan, 9 a.m.noon, Old St. Mary’s Paulist Center, 614 Grant Ave. at California, San Francisco. Workshop is free but donations welcome. Call (415) 288-3845. MASS: Holy Cross Cemetery, 1500 Old Mission Road, Colma, 11 a.m., All Saints Mausoleum Chapel, Father Brian Costello, pastor, Most Holy Redeemer Parish, celebrant, homilist. (650) 756-2060. CHRISTMAS CONCERT: St. Thomas More Choir, 1300 Junipero Serra Blvd., San Francisco off Brotherhood Way, 8 p.m. featuring excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah” and carols; Lala SegismundoJiang (650) 296-0509. $15.

SUNDAY, DEC. 2 ORNAMENT PARTY: Ornament exchange party benefiting Alpha Pregnancy Center, at City Forest Lodge, 254 Laguna Honda Blvd., San Francisco, noon. $30 tickets include lunch. Please bring wrapped ornament and a gift for an infant layette. Contact Patti Wood Pmemo65@ aol.com. (415) 648-4522.

HOME HEALTH CARE Irish Help at Home

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NOTICE TO READERS

Certified Signing Agent

Notary Public

WEEKEND RETREAT: Rachel’s Vineyard post-abortive retreat in Los Altos at the Jesuit Retreat Center for women and men, therapy for the soul. Shirley, (650) 964-8093, (650) 814-6185. shirley@ mycpc.org. www.rachelsvineyard.org.

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

Breen’s Mobile Notary Services Timothy P. Breen

FIRST FRIDAY: Contemplatives of St. Joseph offer Mass at Mater Dolorosa Church, 307 Willow Ave., South San Francisco, 7 p.m. followed by healing service and personal blessing with St. Joseph oil from Oratory of St. Joseph, Montreal.

CONCERT: The choirs and musicians of St Bartholomew Parish, 300 Alameda de las Pulgas at Crystal Springs Road, San Mateo, 3 p.m. Program features Christmas favorites old and new accompanied by a 14-piece orchestra. Free-will donations appreciated.

INTERFAITH STORY: Marty Brounstein, author of “Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story of Courage

COUNSELING

FRIDAY, NOV. 30

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

For more information, contact: Contractors State License Board 800-321-2752

CALENDAR 27

CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | NOVEMBER 16, 2012

MONDAY, DEC. 3

FRIDAY, DEC. 14

Redwood City, 7-8:30 p.m. (650) 3694230. redwood@paulinemedia.com.

4-DAY ADVENT RETREAT: St. Hilary Parish, 761 Hilary Drive, Tiburon, led by Dominican Father Jude Siciliano and Dominican Sister Patricia Bruno Dec. 3, 4, 5, 6. Daily schedule: 8:30 a.m. Mass, 9 a.m. scriptural reflection and meditation session, 7:30 p.m. evening of ritual and prayer. All are welcome. (415) 435-1122. No fee or reservation required – free will offering accepted. Preview retreat directors at www.Preachers’Exchange.

BREAKFAST TALK: Catholic Marin Breakfast Club, Mass, 7 a.m. talk following at St. Sebastian Church, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Bon Air Road, Greenbrae, Presentation by Rev. James McDonald, president, San Francisco Theological Seminary. (415) 461-0704. Sugaremy@aol.com. Member breakfast $8/non-members $10.

SATURDAY, DEC. 8

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5 BOOK CLUB: Study of Vatican Council II: 50 Years, implications of the council for continuing renewal of the church in the 21st century. New members welcome, Pauline Books & Media Center, 935 Brewster Ave., Redwood City, 7-8:30 p.m., (650) 369-4230. redwood@paulinemedia.com.

FRIDAY, DEC. 7 FILM NIGHT: “Maldonado Miracle” and Year of Faith, 6:30 p.m., Pauline Books & Media Center, 935 Brewster Ave.,

REMEMBRANCE SERVICE: Holiday Prayer Service, Holy Cross Cemetery, 1500 Old Mission Road, Colma, 11 a.m. All Saints Mausoleum Chapel, Msgr. John Talesfore presides. (650) 756-2060.

TUESDAY, DEC. 11 FICTION BOOK CLUB: Discussion based on C.S Lewis’ “The Great Divorce,” Pauline Books & Media Center, 935 Brewster Ave., Redwood City, 7-8:30 p.m. (650) 369-4230. redwood@ paulinemedia.com.

ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY: Conversation group on ancient philosophical texts, 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.

SUNDAY, DEC. 16 ENGLISH CHRISTMAS: Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers with “the drama, pageantry and elegance of a 16th century” Christmas celebration at St. Mary’s Cathedral Event Center, Gough Street at Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, 4-8 p.m. The dinner theater evening features the GGBC, raffle and silent auction. Adults $150/ children $85. www.ggbc.org. (510) 887-4311, (415) 431-1137. Free parking.

FRIDAY, DEC. 28 ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY: Conversation group on ancient philosophical texts, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Gough

HOUSECLEANING

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YOUTH RALLY: “Shine!” with Jesse Manibusan for junior high school and high school students at Mission Dolores, 16th Street at Dolores, San Francisco. “Come and learn more about our faith celebrate Mass and connect with friends,” the Office of Religious Education and Youth Ministry said. Cost is $20 per person. High school students welcome to volunteer. Contact Vivian Clausing at clausingv@ sfarchdiocese.org with questions or to register.

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