LITTLE SISTERS:
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Serving the elderly poor with kindness since 1839
Bishop recalls V2 simplicity pact derailed by ‘68 crisis
Eye-opening experience at Charities’ tour
CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO Newspaper of the Archdiocese of San Francisco
www.catholic-sf.org
SERVING SAN FRANCISCO, MARIN & SAN MATEO COUNTIES
NOVEMBER 19, 2015
$1.00 | VOL. 17 NO. 30
Assisted suicide law repeal sought VALERIE SCHMALZ CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
(CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING)
Paris in mourning
People mourn terrorist victims in Republique square in Paris Nov. 15. Coordinated attacks the evening of Nov. 13 claimed the lives of 129 people. The Islamic State claimed responsibility. More on Pages 9, 11.
The bishops of California are supporting a signature-gathering campaign to place on the November 2016 ballot a referendum to overturn the state’s physician-assisted suicide law. “The California bishops as a group are supporting the signature-gathering campaign to place the referendum on the ballot,” said Steve Pehanich, director of communication and advocacy for the California Catholic Conference. The Knights of Columbus are coordinating the parish-based effort in California. “This is the Roe v. Wade of our time,” SEE ASSISTED SUICIDE, PAGE 12
Grand reopening of ‘landmark’ Salesian Boys and Girls Club VALERIE SCHMALZ CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO
Friendships that last a lifetime. A home away from home. A lifeline for a single mother. Kept me on the straight and narrow. Whether 18 or 80, those gathered for the Nov. 6 ribbon cutting of the $11 million renovation of the Salesian Boys and Girls Club at Sts. Peter and Paul Church exuded a spirit of joy and happiness that was almost palpable. The event was a celebration of a great achievement – starting with $5 million in bequests when planning for the renovation began five years ago; the club raised all of the $11 million final construction cost and has money in the bank to pay operating costs for several years going forward. “I’ve been a member since I was about 4 or 5 years old. I am 60 years
old,” said Dave Mana at the North Beach grand reopening. “There are so many great things about the club. The fact it kept us on the straight and narrow is one thing.” “It’s been like a second home to me,” said Christian Mata, 21, one of the many teenagers and young adults volunteering at the event. “This is my childhood right here.” “It’s a good place to come. I’m still friends with the same friends from third grade,” said Mata’s Sts. Peter and Paul classmate Gino Ragusa, 20, who said the club pays 20 percent of his tuition at the University of San Francisco. “I just give back. I coach and do all that stuff.” The club is “an environment that is safe. My mom was a single mom. To raise four of us, the boys club and the
The Salesian Boys and Girls Club at Sts. Peter and Paul Church has been a North Beach institution since it was founded in 1918. The club serves the underprivileged as its primary mission but is ethnically and socioeconomically diverse.
SEE SALESIAN CLUB, PAGE 12
(PHOTO COURTESY PATRICK GEE/STS PETER AND PAUL)
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INDEX On the Street . . . . . . . . 4 National . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . 19